[EDIT: as some web-links point to this post, I want to point out that the newest version and description of the product is always at my jaikuBerry page]
I’ve converted my jaiku MIDlet into a native BlackBerry app. As with the original MIDlet, the main reason to do this is just to learn the ins and outs of BlackBerry programming. However, there are some nice improvements already.
- OTA Install: http://www.movethemarkets.com/downloads/JaikuBerry.jad
- Source + Binaries for Desktop Mgr Install
Improvements include:
- All the screens generally look a little nicer. There’s some color, as in the title bars.
- The screens for reading jaikus look much better, as far as I’m concerned. The BlackBerry UI allows me to make parts of strings bold, and put separators between strings. Plain old MIDlets can’t do that without resorting to Canvas displays (which are not worth the effort when you are just trying to display some text).
- The HTTP/network code no longer freezes your display. This is a MAJOR improvement, which I could have done with the MIDlet as well, to be fair. I just never got around to it. And, you get nice status on the amount of data read so far, so you have some clue what’s going on while you’re waiting. And, you can also put jaikuBerry in the background and read your email when the connection is particularly slow. Sweet!
Some screenshots from my BlackBerry 8700c:
You’ll notice, I still don’t pull down the avatar images. And, it’s mostly not because of laziness… Until mobile phone internet speeds improve a bit, I’d actually rather not display images for this particular app. It takes long enough just to pull down the JSON feed!
It’s available for download and OTA install on my software page. I will also leave the last plain MIDlet available, as it will run on non-blackberry phones. Any BlackBerry users out there should definitely upgrade!
The tar.gz will have all the source, as well as .alx/.cod files that you can use with the desktop manager to load the app onto your blackberry. I have ONLY tested on a BlackBerry 8700c. I believe it will work with most BB devices, but I have NO IDEA which ones this COD file works against. You have the source, so you should be able to build it (or get someone to build it) for any model you want. Enjoy!
May 11th, 2007 at 4:36 am
I am on Cingular in New York using an 8700. I get a Java ioException - could not open tunnel.
Cingular could not help me because the application is unknown to them. How can I get around that? Any ideas?
May 11th, 2007 at 6:29 am
@Neil: Chances are, this is your fix:
http://www.shapeservices.com/en/faq/sections/bb_tcp.php
It communicates with jaiku over sockets, and everybody seems to have to set their settings manually. I had to do it when I started using AIM clients on my blackberry. Little BB apps like this are addictive… Be sure that if you are not on an unlimited data plan, that you don’t overdo it!
May 13th, 2007 at 8:24 am
I tried using the client on my BlackBerry Pearl and get the error message HTTP Rep Code 302 Moved Temporarily, when trying to post or see my overview. I am on Cingular service.
May 13th, 2007 at 8:31 am
@John: I believe you probably are not using the correct “Personal Key”. Did you use your password? As of last night, there is a note on the settings screen that explains that you get your personal key from http://api.jaiku.com. If you go there from your computer while logged into jaiku, it will tell you what your personal key is. It’s a pain, I know, but that’s how jaiku works.
If the version of jaikuBerry you’re running doesn’t have that notice on it, you might want to go to the OTA install link again download the newest copy, as there are a couple other improvements as well.
May 13th, 2007 at 8:48 am
I am using the API key from Jaiku as my personal key, and I did the OTA install of the client this morning, so it is the current one. I can view “my posts”, but when attempting to post, or view “my overview” that is when I get the error.
May 13th, 2007 at 8:52 am
If you are positive beyond all doubt that every letter of your personal key matches the website in every way (and no spaces after it or anything), then I’m at a loss. Every time someone has reported this error, it turns out to be a problem with their personal key. It’s not needed to fetch your posts, but has to be used to post jaikus and view your overview.
May 13th, 2007 at 9:04 am
I have checked the personal key on my BlackBerry against the one that I got from Jaiku, and they are the same number for number and letter for letter with no extra spaces. I will keep playing with it and hopefully get it to work.
May 13th, 2007 at 9:09 am
Maybe email it to yourself, and then cut-and-paste it into the field?
May 16th, 2007 at 3:53 pm
Hey Richard, we want to link to JaikuBerry from Jaiku’s application list on devku.org. So far we’ve linked to these blog posts - but every time you post an update we need to update the link. A permanent Jaikuberry page with the latest up-to-date information would be awesome
May 16th, 2007 at 11:26 pm
@Jyri: ok, here it is: http://www.movethemarkets.com/richard/jaikuberry/