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Fundamentals Guide
Understanding BlackBerry and programming for
BlackBerry devices
BlackBerry® devices provide a Java® ME wireless environment that supports client/server applications. Application developers
can create a BlackBerry® Java Application that has sophisticated UIs for data entry and searching, and that supports
multithreading, internationalization, network communication, and local data storage. Applications can communicate with
networks using standard TCP and HTTP connections, regardless of the underlying wireless network.
Application developers can also create a BlackBerry Java Application that integrates tightly with core BlackBerry device
applications, such as the message list, organizer applications, phone, and browser, for an essentially seamless user experience.
Design principles for BlackBerry devices
Applications designed for BlackBerry® devices should provide a balance between the best possible user experience and a long
battery life. When you design your BlackBerry device application, consider the differences between mobile devices and computers.
Mobile devices
•
have a smaller screen size that can display a limited number of characters
•
have slower processor speeds
•
use wireless networks that have a longer latency period than standard LANs
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have less available memory
•
have shorter battery life
•
display one screen at a time
Mobile device users use applications on their mobile device differently than they would use applications on a computer. On
mobile devices, users expect to find information quickly. For example, a CRM system can provide a massive amount of information,
but users only require a small amount of that information at one time. The BlackBerry device UI is designed so that users can
perform tasks easily and access information quickly.
When you design applications for BlackBerry devices, try to be as consistent as possible with other BlackBerry device applications.
Consider the following guidelines:
•
Use or extend existing UI components where possible so that your application can inherit the default behavior of the
component.
•
Follow the standard navigation model as closely as possible so that users can make full use of the keyboard and trackball.
•
Make all actions available from the menu. Verify that the actions available in the menu are relevant to users' current context.
When you design your application, also consider the following guidelines:
•
Stay focused on users' immediate task. Simplify data selection and presentation to display only the information that users
need at any one moment.
Understanding BlackBerry and programming for BlackBerry devices
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