i-Mode Developer's Guide [Paperback]

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.

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

Mobile 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.

This 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.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.

This book is divided into six Parts, which cover current i-mode and future mobile Internet systems.

This Part provides a general preface to many of the features of i-mode that have contributed to its huge success compared to other wireless Internet systems. One of the keys to the success of i-mode is the unique business model that charges users for single-use and subscribed content, with charges that appear on their monthly bill. This Part provides an overview and examples of the i-mode m-commerce model, which makes it easy for users to pay for download and subscribe to premium sites.

• The i-mode Phenomenon
• Handset and Service Features of i-mode
• The i-mode Network and Delivery Protocols
• The i-mode Business Model

This Part provides a review of underlying technology, network and delivery protocols, as well as information about i-mode users and content providers. The differences between i-mode and WAP services are discussed to provide a framework for understanding the importance of key marketing and technological decisions. The Part concludes with an overview of the current features of the i-mode system and describes the next generation of services, with a focus on location-sensitive wireless Internet services such as comparison shopping and e-couponing.

• Global Mobile Networks
• Comparing WAP and i-mode Features
• Current and Future i-mode Capabilities
• Wireless Location-Based Services

This Part provides an overview of creating content in both XHTML Basic and i-mode HTML. While developing i-mode sites, it is necessary to test the site design and view content in the native i-mode environment. However, it is expensive and cumbersome to download each page from within the i-mode-enabled device. Therefore, use of an i-mode simulator that runs on a PC is very important to the development process. Formatting, design, image, and animation creation are discussed, with descriptions of tags that relate to building i-mode documents. The use of XHTML Basic tables and i-mode forms is discussed, with an in-depth look at creating hypertext, email, and telephony links for i-mode applications. Creating original handset ringtones and wallpaper, two of the most popular i-mode content download services, are discussed with tutorials to guide you through the process of creating your own download content. Each chapter concludes with examples and tips for improving usability for small-screen applications. This Part concludes with a look at optimizing the content of your i-mode site.

• Introduction to i-mode Development
• Using Emulators and Simulators
• Creating Page Structure and Lists
• Working with Text Formatting
• Applying Design to the Text and Body
• Adding Images to i-mode Pages
• Linking i-mode Resources
• Adding Structure with Tables
• Creating i-mode Forms
• Developing Animations and Wallpaper
• Working with iMelody Ringtones
• Optimizing Your Mobile Internet Site

The fourth Part of this book deals with developing dynamic i-mode applications. To begin, it provides information about how data can be secured for use with i-mode technologies, and how to create session management to track and remember i-mode users' preferences within your site. From there, the focus is on developing i-mode applications that branch content between wired and wireless devices, integration of database and XML content, delivering content suitable for the capabilities of various mobile platforms and individual i-mode handsets, and creating customized i-mode images.

• Application Security and Session Management
• Advanced i-mode Server Techniques
• Creating an XML i-mode Application
• Building a Dynamic Graphing Application

The final Part of this publication deals with the i-mode Java architecture. NTT DoCoMo defined its own profile named i-mode Java or DoJa, and an application for an i-mode Java device is called an i-appli, short for "i-mode application." This Part provides details of what DoCoMo included in the DoJa profile, and useful tools for creating i-appli, an overview of the i-mode Java API, and an example application that concludes with creating high-level user interfaces.

• The i-mode Java Implementation
• Creating the Java i-appli Shell
• Adding Functionality to i-appli

Appendix A: XHTML Basic Reference is an alphabetical list of XHTML Basic elements, including attributes and character entities.

Appendix B: i-mode Compatible HTML Reference is an alphabetical list of i-mode HTML elements, including attributes, color values, and character entities.

Appendix C: Screen Size of i-mode Terminals is a listing of i-mode terminals.

Appendix D: i-mode Pictograms is a complete listing of i-mode pictogram symbols, with a picture and description of the pictogram.

Appendix E: i-appli API Classes is a listing of the NTT DoCoMo Java i-appli API classes.