Sony Ericsson P800

[ap_kelly]

I just got one of these at the weekend (08/03/03), I was wondering if anyone else had one, and had started doing any develpment in Java with it.

I'd like to hear of any experiences - positive or negative, and to share code.

Regards,

Andy.

[JasonB]

I've had one for about 2 months now (pre release), and had a commercial unit for about a month (I think).

It's a nice phone, but I've got a couple of issues with it:

1.  You have to run MIDlets in PDA mode (keypad open).  Since MIDP is typically aimed at phones rather than at higher end PDAs, it makes more sense for MIDlets to be accessible with the keypad closed (when the P800 is operating as a bog-standard mobile). It'd certainly be more convenient IMHO.

2.  PersonalJava apps need to be deployed as .SIS installs.  Nothing wrong with that per se, but I'm developing on Linux -- and it ain't fun trying to find a SIS packager that runs on Linux.  I could run it under Wine (so I've heard), but the SDK is a frigging enormous download (300+ MB) for my poor dialup connection.

Don't have any code to share I'm afraid.  I haven't had a chance to do more than experiment on it.  Too damn busy.

[rocks_cnjm]

Hi folks,
I just develped and deployed a typical jigsaw game on a P800 phone, successfully, which is written in personal java. One remarkable thing is the game run faster on a real phone than on the UIQ SDK emulator 8-]
I'd like recommend you www.my-symbian.com/forum, there're many useful materials there.

Rocks
www.cnjm.net

Games published by our own members! Check 'em out!

[shareme]

I've had one for about 2 months now (pre release), and had a commercial unit for about a month (I think).

It's a nice phone, but I've got a couple of issues with it:

1.  You have to run MIDlets in PDA mode (keypad open).  Since MIDP is typically aimed at phones rather than at higher end PDAs, it makes more sense for MIDlets to be accessible with the keypad closed (when the P800 is operating as a bog-standard mobile). It'd certainly be more convenient IMHO.

2.  PersonalJava apps need to be deployed as .SIS installs.  Nothing wrong with that per se, but I'm developing on Linux -- and it ain't fun trying to find a SIS packager that runs on Linux.  I could run it under Wine (so I've heard), but the SDK is a frigging enormous download (300+ MB) for my poor dialup connection.

Don't have any code to share I'm afraid.  I haven't had a chance to do more than experiment on it.  Too damn busy.

Yeah I have delayed porting my MoonBuzz gaem due to the huge Symbian install ..myabe sometime later when I get anew hard drive..

[JasonB]

Actually I've done some further investigation since that last post....

Even on Windows, the SDK bites.  To put it politely.  I could come up with a more verbose description, but his post is likely to be moderated out in that case.  

It is -- without a doubt -- the worst example of  how to provide an SDK; a hodge-podge mixture of Java , native-code, and perl; a ridiculous directory structure, a disjointed and badly documented 'build' process, all tied together with a hideous installer that is far too large for what it provides.  IMHO.

Frankly, Symbian have a lot to answer.  And they need to get their act together or they will quite simply lose development market share to competitors, as developers get more and more exasperated with their substandard offering.