The Top 10 Java Killer Apps
Wednesday, June 7th, 2006Some VERY cool apps that have created, or are creating, quite a buzz not only in the Java world but in the larger populace. I’ve used most of the apps below, although I have yet to try a few.
Just for the few who might get confused, no, these are NOT desktop apps. Java SE does have its share of killer desktop apps (Azureus perhaps?), but Java ME (MIDP) is simply in another world entirely when it comes to possibilities. And btw, I am posting this using the KABLOG MIDP app on my Nokia 9300.
- Opera Mini
Opera Mini is a fast and tiny Web browser, that allows you to access the full Internet on your phone. I use this app ALL the darn time. It’s indispensable. My smartphone also has a full-fledged color browser, but I barely use it, if at all because it’s slow in comparison. Opera Mini is simply, DA BOMB. Enuff said. - Google Maps Mobile
Combining directions, maps, and satellite imagery, Google Maps is a free download that lets you find local hangouts and businesses across town or across the country. Another app that I use all the time, whether to aid me in finding the nearest restaurant, or to view some satellite imagery of some far-off tropical beach (like Puerto Vallarta, where my wife and I went 2 years ago), or just to give me turn by turn directions. Now if only someone connected this app to a GPS…Wow! Well whaddaya know, some independent developers have started on this! Check out J2MEMap, which seems to be able to connect to GPS devices attached to or around the Java-enabled handset! VEDY VEDY cool indeed!
- FlurryMail
Enables you to receive all of your personal email on your cell phone. It even sends SMS messages when a new message comes into your box (although I switched that off fast since I was not sure whether incoming text messages are charged on my plan). You might wonder why I’m not using Opera Mini to do this, but the ease of use and interface in FlurryMail just beats using a mini-browser for doing this task hands down. Just another example of why “Thicker” non-browser-based clients are sometimes preferable to thinner browser-based ones. - Skype Mobile with Eqo
I’ve never tried this, but many people think the world of Skype, so this might be just their thing. Hinkmond over at Sun also notes down this competitor that approaches the problem of long-distance phone service from a difference perspective. - Karaokini: Mobile Karaoke
For the times when you just need to let it all out. Haven’t tried it, but I’m sure it’s a blast
Cocoasoft also has a Karaoke app, and this was one app that was featured in Java.com, but honestly, a company that still has (c) 2004 on its website needs to get with it.
And if you just want the lyrics, LyricTracker from Corpris might be just what you need. It claims to offer 1 million available lyrics!
- GCalSync
Carry your Google Calendar in your pocket! GCalSync will allow two-way synchronization between Google Calendar and your phone’s built-in calendar. Download events to your phone, or add an event on your phone and upload it to Google Calendar. This is a very new app that probably has some bugs, but I’m eager to start trying it. - MobyExplorer FTP Client
Moby Explorer is a powerful File Manager and FTP Client for Java ME enabled mobile phones. It has support for military strength file encryption, a built in text editor which is also integrated with the encryption engine so you can write completely secure notes, and support for file compression using the GZip protocol. The Text Editor can also be used to edit files or web pages remotely on a FTP server. This app still has some kinks on it, but I’ve tried it on my servers and it is so cool to be editing HTML files on my Nokia 9300! - KABLOG
A tool for mobile phones and PDAs that allows you to post photos and blog entries to blog servers and services such as TypePad, Movable Type, Blogger, WordPress, B2, Blog-City, UserLand (Radio), Roller, SnipSnap, and other blog servers that support either the simple blogger xmlrpc interface or the extended metaWeblog interface. It works really well for my WordPress blog, although it keeps adding some weird marks (like question marks) once in a while….Very cool anyways! - FIFA Mobile Matchcast
Mobile Matchcast brings all the action of the 2006 FIFA World Cup straight from the pitch to your mobile! It offers everything you need to keep track of all the action, including match schedules, live match commentary, team standings, photos and much more. Futbol!!!!!! - The various Java ME telnet/ssh clients, as well as remote desktop clients like this and this. These are all pretty cool aps that allow me to do my work no matter where I am!
If you think your killer app could be just around the corner, you might want to visit some Java ME download sites (like this) to take a gander at the Java apps growing quietly in the most mundane of places.
