Java ME user interfaces are about to get an exciting boost with the early release of a new library and tool from Sun called LWUIT.
by Jim White
June 26, 2008
ne of the hardest things about developing Java ME applications, especially for Connected Limited Device Configuration (CLDC)/Mobile Information Device Profile (MIDP) apps, has been trying to figure out how to build a palatable graphical user interface. Just getting the job done is hard enough given the restrictive Limited Capability Device User Interface (LCDUI) API. Trying to build user interfaces that are engaging and “rich” is pretty close to impossible. There have always been options for building the UI, but the options usually leave developers choosing between easier-to-build/poor looking displays versus harder-to-build/better-looking displays and potential portability issues. Thus many consider the "Limited Capability" part of the LCDUI acronym an understatement. At this year's JavaOne conference (held in early May), Sun unveiled a fountain of hope for Java ME developers responsible for user interfaces.
Introducing LWUIT
The Lightweight UI Toolkit or LWUIT (pronounced loo-it by Jeet Kaul, Sun Vice President, Client Software Group) is a free UI library and tool for creating richer and more portable Java ME user interfaces.
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ne of the hardest things about developing Java ME applications, especially for Connected Limited Device Configuration (CLDC)/Mobile Information Device Profile (MIDP) apps, has been trying to figure out how to build a palatable graphical user interface. Just getting the job done is hard enough given the restrictive Limited Capability Device User Interface (LCDUI) API. Trying to build user interfaces that are engaging and “rich” is pretty close to impossible. There have always been options for building the UI, but the options usually leave developers choosing between easier-to-build/poor looking displays versus harder-to-build/better-looking displays and potential portability issues. Thus many consider the "Limited Capability" part of the LCDUI acronym an understatement. At this year's JavaOne conference (held in early May), Sun unveiled a fountain of hope for Java ME developers responsible for user interfaces.
