The ZoisClock Midlet

Some time ago, in the last century, a Clock application was written as a refresher exercise in Java. It was time to update this work, and to this end a so-called Midlet was produced. This proved challenging, for the oldest earliest standards were used (JSR 30). The 'Java' involved surprisingly didn't support floating-point numbers, which made the trigonometry interesting, and the multitasking was a bit difficult too. The results should work on most 'phones with Java though, even if they're a bit old.

Update (2009-10-01): A Technical Note has now been written about this work.

The clock should display the current time on the 'phone adjusted for the time-zone. The expectation is that the internal time of the 'phone is UTC and that the Time Zone information is correct. So if the clock is hours out, this is the reason. It will display an 'ADJUST' button, which when actioned ('phone dependent) it will go off and get a time from the Internet and update the displayed clock accordingly, possibly incurring costs. The difference between the clock and the 'phones idea of the current time is squirrelled away and the clock adjusted accordingly on subsequent start-ups. Adjusting the clock's time won't alter the time on your 'phone though. Further features, documentation and source-code will appear in the fullness of time, so consider this explanation ephemeral.

To get your version of the clock, download the following JAD and JAR files into your 'phone using either an off-line method such as USB, Bluetooth or InfraRed or directly into the 'phone using your favourite mobile browser. Be warned that you'll almost certainly be charged for the later, and some 'phones will only support this method (for example Samsung's). The whole thing is highly make and model dependent so consult your documentation. Tradition has it that you need both files, but in most instances the JAR is all that is required. The Midlet has not been signed or obfuscated:

JAR * JAD

JAD and JAR files, themselves, are explained elsewhere.

Thank you for your interest.

2009-10-01