News
Issue #2002 - 40 (October 2002)
(Updated Oct. 22, 2002)

APPLICATIONS & DEVELOPMENT

PointBase & NSBasic Upgrade Mobile App Development Tools, Insignia Integrates Java into Brew

PointBase updates Java developer suite with v4.4
PointBase has released version 4.4 of its family of relational database and synchronization products for developers to Java applications. The new version promises new ease of use features, increased high transaction load capability, improved functionality and localization capabilities.

Part of the software suite is PointBase Micro 4.4, which was recently named "Best Mobile Database" in Java Developer's Journal 2002 Readers' Choice Awards. Micro 4.4 uses less than 45K of space on handheld devices and is specifically designed for the J2SE and J2ME platforms.

NSBasic
Oct. 15, 2002 --  NS Basic Corporation today released version 3.0 of its software development tool for Palm OS devices, including those using the new Palm OS 5. The tool, called NS Basic/Palm 3.0, has new features and promises improved performance. The new version also adds support for add in memory cards, which are increasingly popular on Palm OS devices. 

NS Basic allows developers who have programmed with tools such as Visual Basic to use their experience to develop applications for Palm OS based devices. NS Basic features include databases, serial and IR communications, bar code and signature capture. (Source: MobileVillage)

Insignia integrates Java platform into Qualcomm's BREW
Oct. 17, 2002, Fremont, CA -- Insignia Solutions today announced that the company's Mobile Foundation Java-enabling software technology is available for mobile operators using Qualcomm's BREW (Binary Runtime Environment for Wireless) platform, to leverage content and services created by Java developers.

The companies have signed a definitive agreement that enables the product, which has been written as an extension to the BREW platform, to be deployed on mobile networks as well as incorporated into mobile devices at the factory. Insignia Mobile Foundation for BREW supports the latest Java 2, Micro Edition (J2ME) standards and is integrated into Qualcomm's BREW Distribution System (BDS). This enables mobile operators to provision both Java- and native C/C++-based content from their Qualcomm servers onto BREW devices that don't have a VM present when the end user initiates a download of a Java-based application. 

To date, 16 carriers have indicated support for the BREW solution. Twenty-four BREW-enabled handsets are already available to consumers worldwide, and 30 device manufacturers have indicated their support for BREW.

For more information: http://pointbase.com, http://www.nsbasic.com and http://www.insignia.com

MobileInfo Comments and Advisory: Application developers have many development tool choices on each of the device hardware and device OS platforms. BREW device developers should seriously look at Insignia to bring Java-developed applications on to these devices.

Note: This news release may contain forward-looking statements. Readers should take appropriate caution in developing plans utilizing these products, services and technology architectures.  All trademarks used in this summary are the property of their respective owners.