I-Mode Developer's Guide

by Wallace, Paul; Hoffmann, Andrea; Scuka, Daniel; Blut, Zev; Barrow, Kyle

• ISBN13: 9780672321887
• ISBN10: 0672321882
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-04-10
• Publisher: Addison-Wesley Professional

Summary

Users of this book will be able to quickly and efficiently build I-Mode pages using any desired text editor. Following examples and instructions based on the authors' successful experiences, developers will create or convert images from other platforms, create animations and sound files, and develop dynamic database driven I-Mode applications and Web sites using common scripting languages such as Perl, PHP, and Java. They will also understand the relationship between I-Mode and other wireless technologies, and the unique business model of I-Mode. An overview of several "killer applications" that have fueled I-Mode's success will further prepare the reader to create applications that take full advantage of the features of small-screen devices.

Author Biography

Paul Wallace holds a Ph.D. in Instructional Technology and is actively engaged in research on usability and personalization for mobile and small screen applications. He is currently based in Tokyo, specializing in mobile personalization solutions for market leading companies in Japan, Europe, and North America.

Paul is a visiting instructor at the International University of Japan (IUJ)Graduate School of International Business, where he teaches a course oneCommerce technologies. He has conducted numerous workshops and presentations on desktop and mobile interaction design, and has published articles and original research on mobile usability and personalization. He was a contributing author for the best-selling Special Edition Using Netscape series of books, published by Que.

Originally from Virginia, Paul relocated to Japan in 1998 to lead thedevelopment of Internet applications for the International University of Japan(http://www.iuj.ac.jp). The online recruiting and admissions system that he designed there was the first ofits kind in Asia and lead to his interest in mobile application architecture and user experience. Currently he divides his time between the IUJ campus, located in the picturesque Echigo-sanzan Mountains of Niigata prefecture, and dizzying Tokyo metropolis.

In his time away from work Paul enjoys traveling, particularly in SoutheastAsia. He is an avid swimmer, surfer, and all-around beach lover who dreams ofspending a few months away from it all this summer on the coast of Java andLombok Island in Indonesia.

Paul maintains the supporting Web site for this book (http://www.imode-guide.com), where you can download software and tools for creating i-mode applications, as well as keep up with updates and resources related to this publication. He can be reached via email ([e-mail]), and welcomes your comments and suggestions concerning this book, and regarding mobile application development in general.

0672321882AB04222002

Table of Contents

Introduction	1	(8)
Part I The i- mode Mobile Internet
The i-mode Phenomenon	9	(16)
Handset and Service Features of i-mode	25	(20)
The i-mode Network and Delivery Protocols	45	(30)
The i-mode Business Model	75	(34)
Part II Towards 3G Mobile Services
Global Mobile Networks	109	(20)
Comparing WAP and i-mode Features	129	(26)
Current and Future i-mode Capabilities	155	(30)
Wireless and Location-Based Services	185	(18)
Part III How to Build i-mode Sites
Introduction to i-mode Development	203	(16)
Using Emulators and Simulators	219	(16)
Creating Page Structure and Lists	235	(18)
Working with Text Formatting	253	(18)
Applying Design to the Text and Body	271	(22)
Adding Images to i-mode Pages	293	(34)
Linking i-mode Resources	327	(24)
Adding Structure with Tables	351	(26)
Creating i-mode Forms	377	(28)
Developing Animations and Wallpaper	405	(28)
Working with iMelody Ringtones	433	(20)
Optimizing Your Mobile Internet Site	453	(30)
Part IV Building Dynamic i-mode Applications
Application Security and Session Management	483	(28)
Advanced i-mode Server Techniques	511	(30)
Creating an XML i-mode Application	541	(10)
Building a Dynamic Graphing Application	551	(26)
Part V Using Java for i-mode
The i-mode Java Implementation	577	(16)
Creating the Java i-appli Shell	593	(36)
Adding Functionality to i-appli	629	(104)
Part VI Appendices
A XHTML Basic Reference	687	(20)
B i-mode Compatible HTML Reference	707	(8)
C Screen Size of i-mode Terminals	715	(4)
D i-mode Pictograms	719	(10)
E i-appli API Classes	729	(4)
Index	733

Excerpts

This book is the first comprehensive publication on i-mode and next-generation wireless development. It offers a broad and thorough introduction to the most significant aspects of designing i-mode and 3G mobile applications. Coverage includes an in-depth look at the technical, business, design, and application features, which have combined to make i-mode the most successful mobile Internet service in the world.This book provides detailed information on the following topics: Key reasons for the success of i-mode, with an overview of network technologies, handset features, content services, micro-payments, and the i-mode business model Development of content with i-mode HTML and XHTML Basic, the W3C recommended markup language for current and future mobile applications Building of dynamic i-mode applications, with examples of security, session managements, and server-side techniques A complete tutorial on building i-appli programs, the i-mode Java environment Design of intelligent small screen applications, with considerations for mobile usability Integration of XML content and dynamically generated images into your i-mode applications History and overview of global mobile networks, including a comparison of i-mode and WAP features Creation of original handset ringtones and wallpaper, two of the most popular i-mode content download services Future i-mode and 3G wireless capabilities, including location-based services Who Should Read This BookMobile and wireless application developers will benefit from the comprehensive overview of both i-mode HTML and XHTML Basic--the W3C recommended markup language for mobile content and WAP2 wireless content. In addition, you will be provided with examples of creating dynamic i-mode applications. You will also be introduced to tools for developing original ringtones and wallpaper, two of the most popular media downloads for i-mode handset users. The i-mode Java environment, i-appli, is covered in depth, with an overview of the benefits of Java for Mobile Devices, plus a complete tutorial on developing i-appli programs.For desktop Web application developers, this publication will provide you with everything you need to know to get started designing and building i-mode and future generation wireless applications using simple text editors like TextPad or BBEdit. Each chapter in Part III, "How to Build i-mode Sites," concludes with tips for improving interaction design and usability for small screen applications. You can test your mobile applications in the i-mode simulators presented, in case you don't have access to an i-mode handset or service.Business analysts and IT project managers will benefit from the broad industry coverage and case studies that outline popular and financially successful i-mode marketing and microbilling services. You will gain a solid understanding of i-mode network and handset features, micro-payment systems, location-based services, and the unique i-mode business model. How to Read This BookThis book can be read from cover to cover sequentially because the chapters follow a logical progression, or you can jump in and begin reading at any chapter. If you are new to mobile Internet services, you should first read Parts I and II to familiarize yourself with the underlying principals of i-mode and global mobile networks. Support for This Book OnlineA supporting Web site for this book is maintained by the lead author, Paul Wallace, at the following address: http://www.imode-guide.com . On this site, you can access links to download all software mentioned in this book; the links are organized by category, chapter, and section. In addition, news about this book and links to online i-mode resources can be found on the supporting site. How This Book Is StructuredThis book is divided into six Parts, which cover current i-mode