Location API 2.0 for J2ME – A new standard in location for Java-enabled mobile phones

Key aspects in realizing the maximum potential of advanced Location-Based Services (LBS) are the standardization and cross-platform availability of an Application Programming Interface (API) for mobile phones that allows access to real-time location information. To shorten the development time of advanced LBS, such an API should also provide essential features such as map user interfaces, geocoding, and navigation to be used as building blocks in the context of larger mobile applications. Using these available services, application developers can focus on building innovative location-aware applications rather than re-creating existing services. This article’s main goals are to emphasize the importance of such an API and to describe the Location API for Java 2 Micro Edition (J2ME). This description includes the main features of the current “JSR179-Location API v1.0” as well as the significant enhancements and new services included in the development of “JSR293-Location API v2.0.” These new features, illustrated using coding examples, will help software developers create next-generation location-aware J2ME applications.