Mobile Media API (MMAPI); JSR 135 Overview

The Mobile Media API, JSR 135 in the Java Community Process (JCP), extends the functionality of the J2ME platform by providing audio, video, and other time-based multimedia support to resource-constrained devices. As a simple and lightweight optional package, it gives Java developers access to native multimedia services available on a given device.

The MMAPI is an optional package within the J2ME platform. While the main emphasis is on devices that implement profiles based on the Connected Limited Device Configuration (CLDC), the API design also aims at supporting devices that implement the Connected Device Configuration (CDC) and the profiles based on CDC.

• The MMAPI 1.1 specification includes changes to take into account the MIDP 2.0 security framework.

• The MMAPI 1.0 specification is the original specification growing out of JSR 135.

The MMAPI reference implementations (RIs) include support for simple tone generation, tone sequencing, audio/video file playback and streaming, interactive MIDI, and audio/video capture.

• MMAPI 1.1 RI source code is not yet available. Application developers who want to test their application against the MMAPI 1.1 RI should download the Sun Java Wireless Toolkit, which includes additional tools and utilities for developing MMAPI-compliant applications.

• MMAPI 1.0 RI is built on CLDC 1.0.3 RI and MIDP 1.0.3 RI running on Windows 2000. The MMAPI 1.0 RI source code is available through the Sun Community Source License (SCSL) program to device manufacturers who want to port MMAPI to another platform.

The MMAPI technology compatibility kit (TCK) can be licensed from Sun to certify a MMAPI implementation on a specific platform. For more information about licensing terms, please contact Sun's Java Partner Engineering group.

• Scalability: There is no other generic sound or multimedia support in J2ME at the moment that would be suitable for the resource-constrained devices that are targets for CLDC and CDC. The specification brings scalable sound and multimedia support capabilities to J2ME.

• Small footprint: The API allows easy and simple access and control of basic audio and multimedia resources on devices with limited memory and processing capabilities.