In the first stage of research I have investigated the different options available for developing applications on mobile devices. Although other systems are available I chose to focus on the two leading platforms of J2ME and SYMBIAN. A brief description of these systems is as follows.

J2ME
An interpreted language such as Java, which for mobile phones means J2ME (Java 2 Micro Edition). Javaenabled handsets are in wide and increasing deployment, and virtually all phone manufacturers (including Nokia) have committed to production of J2ME-enabled mobile phones. Although other interpreted languages are available on some handsets, J2ME is an open standard, easily learnable by programmers with Java experience, and more widely supported by handset manufacturers than the others.

Symbian OS
An operating system for powerful smartphones that runs applications written in the C++ language and compiled to machine code. Smartphones are less widely deployed than Java-enabled phones, but more fully featured and capable of running more sophisticated applications, and will experience further market penetration over time. As with J2ME, there are competing “smartphone” operating systems in deployment, but phone manufacturers representing more than 70% of the market (including Nokia, Sony-Ericsson, Siemens, and Panasonic) have committed to the use of Symbian OS for their smartphones, making it more widely supported than other operating systems. Additionally, Symbian OS is an open standard, available for license by any hardware manufacturer, and is specifically designed for use with wireless communication devices, thus providing superior functionality.

The following chart provides a high-level comparison of the capabilities of the two technologies:

* Except for some older legacy phones.
1 However, Symbian OS applications are typically so large that OTA installation is impractical.
2 J2ME can display video in phones that support the Java Mobile Media API (such as the Nokia 3650).
3 Access to SMS from J2ME is possible using the Nokia SMS API (supported on the Nokia 3410s) or Wireless Messaging API (WMA, supported on the Nokia 3650 and newer Nokia 3410s).

Chosen Platform: Symbian OS

After examining the development environments for each system and looking through existing software I decided that the SYMBIAN platform would be more appropriate for the project. Some of the following factors lead to this decision.

1. Previous experience in C++.
2. Improved sound support and 12bit graphics.
3. Ability to produce 'cutting edge' audiovisuals on a mobile device.
4. Support for Nokia series 60 phones (some Sony/Ericcson, Siemens)
5. Symbian is a next generation mobile OS with increasing support (N-gage e.t.c.)

More information on Symbian can be found at www.symbian.com and more details on nokias Symbian support at www.forum.nokia.com see also references.

Conclusion

Although further research would be beneficial it is obvious from the initial findings that the Symbian platform offers a familiar programming system and (for a mobile device) a powerful graphics engine. The issue with control would be a problem when writing for any mobile device (except one specifically designed to play games GBA for example) but a simple and elegant solution should be defined (with a minimal set of keys). In terms of sound the application may have to deal with unstable timing but there is a possibility to use MIDI instruments in order to reduce filesize (only supported on the 3650). All these concerns will be taken into account when defining a technical & design document for the chosen project idea.

Reference Points