BREW: Encyclopedia - BREW

BREW

BREW is an application development platform created by Qualcomm for mobile phones. It is air-interface independent, i.e. it can support GSM/GPRS, UTMS and CDMA. However, when BREW was first introduced it was solely developed for CDMA handsets. Standing for Binary Runtime Environment for Wireless, it is a software that can download and run small programs for playing games, sending messages, sharing photos, etc. The main advantage of BREW platform is that the application developers can easily port their applications between all the Qualcomm ASICs. The BREW runs in between application and the wireless device's chip operating system; therefore BREW enables a programmer to develop applications without needing to code for system interface or understand wireless application. It debuted in January 2001.

Even though Qualcomm has demonstrated that BREW can support i.e.BREW applications can run in GSM handsets,due to technological restriction BREW applications are currently (Jan'05) meant only for CDMA handsets.

BREW - Software

For software people, it is a complete set of APIs that enables software development and applications in C, C++ and Java and is supported (platform) by an ASIC. It has a footprint of about 150K.

BREW - BREW Application Development

Software for the BREW-enabled handsets can be developed in C or C++ using the freely downloadable BREW SDK. The SDK includes a BREW Emulator which can be used for testing during development process. Unlike J2ME platform, where any developer can upload and execute software on any supported handset, BREW applications must be digitally signed. Because BREW gives complete control over the handset hardware, only content providers or authenticated BREW developers have the tools necessary to create a digital signature. Furthermore, developer-signed applications can only execute on test-enabled handsets. Once the application has been developed and internally tested, it must be submitted to Qualcomm for TRUE BREW Testing. After the application passes all tests, it may be offered to a mobile operator (content provider) to be accessible for download to general handsets. The application is then signed by the content provider, to allow its execution on any supported BREW handset.

For testing purpose,BREW applications such as games can be downloaded using a USB cable to any BREW phone regardless of the manufacturer. The application AppLoader from Qualcomm is used to transfer files to the phone. A BREW application is packaged differently from a java one. The application will have a name.mif file, a name.mod file, and other resource files usually ending with .bar. The application must also have a file containing the signature of that specific phone.

Because BREW Emulator (currently called Brew Simulator) is not reliable enough, developers must test their applications on real BREW-enabled handsets. To do that, the handset must be enabled for BREW testing (Qualcomm's development labs can do the service). Starting from BREW 3.1, test-enable bit functionality was removed, and now all that is needed is a developer digital signature.

But in the case of commercial use of the application,users need to download the applications from the service provider.

See also

• Smartphone
• platform

Category: Smartphones

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "BREW", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki