Cascada Mobile
Are you a web developer trying to get into mobile development? Are you concerned about Java ME fragmentation and the need to create and distribute multiple versions of your Java application?
Cascada Mobile has just launched a beta of their Breeze mobile application development and distribution platform. Breeze takes applications that are written in HTML, JavaScript and CSS and compiles them into J2ME. It then ports them to 100s of phones (a version is created for each phone type) and makes it easy for developers to distribute applications. Breeze also allows you to use some of the native features of mobile phones such as contact lists or the camera.
Developers receive a simple line of code they can put on their websites, blogs or social network pages allowing people to download the application merely by entering their mobile number. Breeze also takes care of distribution via SMS, WAP Push and direct download from a mobile phone, ensuring the right version of the application is sent to each end user’s phone.
The Breeze platform is free for any developer or programmer to use to create and distribute their mobile applications. To subsidize the cost of distribution, Cascada Mobile ad-enables each application. End users of Breeze-created applications will see mobile ads while using the applications. Options are available for developers who wish to pay for their use of the Breeze platform in order to offer ad-free applications to end users.
I had some questions about this that were answered by Alan Lysne, Cascada Mobile CEO…
Q) Where (and when) do the adverts appear in an application?
A) The adverts appear at the bottom of the application in a location next to the softkey bar
Q) Are the adverts fixed of does the app download new ones?
A) The app downloads new ads at startup; several ads are downloaded at once so the app can run even when no network is present
Q) If they are downloaded, how often is this and what is the data overhead?
A) Text ads are usually under 1 kb and are refreshed the next time the app starts up
Q) Can a developer embed their own adverts instead?
A) They can if they license our software
Q) What’s the (license) cost of switching off Cascada adverts?
A) Developers that are interested in distributing ad-free applications will typically have a commercial application which will be downloaded by a larger user base. A number of variables will affect the cost including the nature of the application, its size, how many downloads, etc. Our pricelist isn’t disclosed but the cost is highly competitive to other distribution portals and mechanisms.
Q) Where do Cascada adverts come from? (Google, Admob, Cascada inventory)?
A) Cascada Mobile works with 3rd party ad networks such as Admob and others, and we serve our own ads as well.
Q) Is it possible to distribute own apps (eg internally in an organization) rather than using Cascada portal?
A) Yes, developers completely customize their download process and brand it to fit within their own sites. We offer several tools right down to a web services interface.
Q) Would the apps remain runnable should Cascada cease to exist or get bought out and no longer function as now?
A) Yes, the applications are pure j2me applications that don’t require validation of any kind once installed – But not to worry, Cascada won’t cease to exist!
Q) What phone features are supported? i.e. What Java ME JSRs or parts of JSRs?
A) Support for the following is built into Breeze – contact list access, sound player, camera access, internet access, browse URL (start a web browser), dial phone number, local storage. Non JSR specific support includes DOM, XMLHTTPRequest and JSON support. These are outlined in our technical documentation.
Q) Do you have a phone compatibility list?
A) It’s here.
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