13 replies to this topic

[vijay.gupta]

Can someone tel me the types in which mobile phones are categorized into? I think most basic of them is java phone, then comes symbian if i m correct. Pls gv me the ful details for this topic.

[Doug]

Hi vijay.gupta,

And welcome to WTT Forums.

Your question is challenging, perhaps in an academic way.
It is quite possible to mistake basic features for basic operating systems.
Symbian (and several iterations based on Symbian Software) is an Operating System.
JAVA is a "layer" that is used in many phones including Symbian, to interface with applications.

Sun Microsystems has developed JavaPhone API as a layered process available to manufacturers of telephone devices, for the purpose of interacting with and enabling various features that the phone using public enjoys.

It seems fair to assert that JavaPhone API is doing for cell phones, something similar to what JAVA JRE has done for personal computers. http://java.sun.com/...phone/index.jsp

It is speculated that Symbian OS commands the largest (46%) portion of cell phone useage, but that leaves more than half the others to assorted other systems.

The link below provides readable information relative to your topic... but "readable" is not necessarily "authoritative". Please note that there are very few references and citation to connect the "information" to a recognized source. Read with care and caution.

http://en.wikipedia....wiki/Symbian_OS

You may be able to gather additional information by searching terms such as:
Symbian vs JAVA
Java phone
Symbian phone
And of course, search on terms related to other developers.

Once you've done your reading, I hope you may come full circle back to WTT and post any comments or questions that you have found useful.

Best Regards

[vijay.gupta]

Thanks for the info. I hv few queries: 1) So, u mean to say that java only act as a layer to help user communicate with the operating system of the phone (symbian etc) or can we say that api (application programming interface) is implemented in phones using java? 2) Also, can u tel me the category in which 3110c would fall because when i download any app to it, this phone is referred to as java phone and other high end phones are referred to as symbian/windows mobile. So, i am really confused about the categories of the mobile phones in which they are referred to on the internet. Can u pls explain this also? Pls answer both my queries.

[Doug]

Sorry vijay.gupta, I am about as ignorant to the expanded uses and mechanisms of cell phones, as I was to setting up the ole' VCR when they first came out. I use my own phone (probably a mid-range device) only for placing and receiving calls. I haven't ventured into the wonderful world of internet connection via my cell phone. There are a couple of Techs here at WTT that might be familiar with the Topic. I'll hope one of them comes by to reply to your questions. Doug

[vijay.gupta]

No issues. Can u guide me in the correct direction if this is nt the correct forum for queries regarding Gprs?

[8210GUY]

As said there appears to be some confusion above, if you could tell me what it is you are trying to achieve it would help me give you the best guidance, the major point when getting a mobile is to make sure it can work on the network(s) in your area, to name a few there is CDMA, TDMA and GSM, as well as many variations between, and depending where you want to use a mobile this dictates which of these types of phone you require, but with modern phones there are many other factors that come into play as well, this is why I ask what your purpose for this info is, then I can offer some more specific info that will answer your queries better.

[vijay.gupta]

I just want to knw any gud forum where i cn post my queries regarding using internet on phone i.e. Gprs technology. I also hv other queries regarding that but post once it is confirmed that it is the correct place to post the query.

[8210GUY]

I can do my best to answer your queries, mobiles is where I started in helping, but these days I am into PC's more, although I still keep an eye on mobiles, just not as deeply as I used to, I guess for the most part this section is fine, just take a look at what each section is suggested for, and use the one your individual query relates to the best. But GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) is simply a data service that mobiles use to send information, EDGE (Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution) is another, mobiles are like computers these days, and as such have many variations, so without knowing the context of a query it's hard to give the right (best) answer, all I can suggest is ask away, and I will reply as best I can, if a query is over my head I can guide you to the best place for help with that, but to start with what country are you in ? then at least I can tell you what formats you can use there.

[vijay.gupta]

My name is vijay and i am from india.
Where are u from?

Thanks for the info. I hv few queries:

1) So, u mean to say that java only act as a layer to help user communicate with the operating system of the phone (symbian etc) or can we say that api (application programming interface) is implemented in phones using java?

2) Also, can u tel me the category in which 3110c would fall because when i download any app to it, this phone is referred to as java phone and other high end phones are referred to as symbian/windows mobile. So, i am really confused about the categories of the mobile phones in which they are referred to on the internet. Can u pls explain this also?

Pls answer both my queries.

i already asked it and for ur kind reference, my query is in quotes. It may nt b directly related to gprs or data technology used over voice network but it is indirectly as i use internet on my phone to download files and i need to knw whch file is compatible with my phone and for that, i need to knw the category/type of phne i am using bec. they list/filter applications/files by phne categories on the internet.

[8210GUY]

Ah now I start to understand, the problem is mobile phones cover a pretty big area in technology, and without some context to look at a question, the answer(s) can just add to the confusion. The best bit is you have a Nokia, I don't deal with other phones so can only talk generally sometimes, but hopefully the following will tell you what you ask to know about. To begin, it is a GSM based phone, these types of phone use a Sim card, your specific handset is a Tri-band EGSM900 GSM1800/1900, this means you can use it in a lot of places around the world, so long as they support the GSM frequency's mentioned your phone will work there. The point to note is when using your phone in an area outside of your current service, your network needs to have roaming agreements with the other network, as long as they have you can use your current service, although roaming charges will apply and make it dearer to use elsewhere. You could in such situations buy another Sim card to put in your phone from a cheaper service, the only thing that may block this is if your handset is locked, networks sometimes lock a handset to they're service, this means you can only use their services on the phone, you can get the phone unlocked (dependent on the model) which will then allow you to use any Sim anywhere so long as it operates on the frequency of the handset. With that background hopefully it starts to get info dropping into place, now onto your more specific query, as said above Java is a programming language, and is the most commonly used form to write software etc to work with mobiles, and for the most part Java is a pretty universal format that is used, especially with mobiles. Now for the most important\technical part of your query, your handset is built on the Symbian platform, there are various types of this platform, but in your specific case your handset uses the Series 40 base, so when looking for applications etc you need to make sure they are made\support this platform, and is probably your specific area of confusion over why some things wont work on your phone. I hope with this info things are starting to make sense now, feel free to ask what you need, I will do my best to clear up any confusion as we go along, but hopefully you understand why I needed to know what context to answer your questions with.

[vijay.gupta]

Thanks 8210guy for ur efforts. But, sorry, this topic is getting more and more complex from my perspective. You are talking of platform. Is there any difference between os and developer platform in case of mobiles because when u search for nokia 3110c, its os is nokia os and platform s40, while for nokia n70, its os is symbian and platform is s60. Can u pls explain this? After getting this clear, i will come to my original question. Your answer is clear to me but that answer has created few more confusions in my mind.

[8210GUY]

NP, hopefully it also demonstrates why initially I needed more precise info as to the aim to be achieved, it can be a very deep area which spins off into other areas, as this is doing, it's all good, just takes a little time to understand the basic concepts as to what affects what so to speak, just ask away and I'll do my best to guide, and unless your going into repairing etc then that becomes a totally different area. Now Platform, not sure of the easiest way to describe, but here is my attempt (from limited understanding), think of windows, the OS your probably using to surf right now, windows is just windows, as Symbian is Symbian, but within it you get variations, like xp home, xp pro, vista and so on, they are all windows, but different platforms within it, I don't claim to understand it, I just know of it, which for the vast majority of people this is all they need, hope this helps explain that part for you.

[vijay.gupta]

So, u mean to say that os is operating system is analogous to windows in computer and developer platform is like version/mode of windows (home edition, enterprise etc) in computers. Am i correct?

[8210GUY]

Yes, windows is an operating system, so is Symbian an operating system, but within these systems they have different platforms, and as such you must watch out for your specific platform when wanting ti get programs to run on that platform, hopefully this makes sense lol.