What is exactly Medium ?.. technically

Medium is a complete Framework, similar as it can be ,NET, but specifically designed for mobile devices.
Instead of having a project for each device, one project suits most devices, even for many different operating systems.
The major goal of developing with Medium is to have a common development “virtual” environment to create the application on one screen size, and Medium will convert display coordinates, adjust font size using True Type, colors, and different existing input devices (5 way, stylus, keyboard, virtual keyboard, function buttons, mouse) can work together automatically with all existing objects without defining devices.
Virtualization simplifies difficult tasks as internet communication, file transfers, using a file system, etc. Also enable to break some limits on some devices as “maximum number of objects in screen”, transparencies to have more visible screen, animated objects, and gaming objects as sprites, multiple plane objects, collision control, etc.
We can go on and on.. there are many more important features as these.

So Medium is like JAVA (J2Me)?

Virtualization in J2Me is running inside a Virtual Machine that is independent from device. Excellent idea, but the implementation is not so great.
J2Me in slow processors is slow comparing to native OS software in smartphones. To work in advanced graphic mode requires a project for each type of device, model and brand. And worst of all, J2Me API sometimes is limited by carrier or call phone maker.

Medium Virtualization works like a “homogenizer” . It converts Medium instructions into native OS instructions, giving same result to the application with no need to know the device that is running. It means that it is not an isolated virtual machine,.
It is an Dynamic Integrated Virtual Environment, compatible with most smartphones.

I just downloaded Medium with my phone browser, but I cannot download applications. I checked the connection with my browser using other sites and is working.

Some mobiles need to configure a network connection for third party applications. Some browsers auto configure internally and directly with SIM card, or sometimes are preprogrammed embedded in devices.
Other applications that will need data connection need a network access to be created. Ask your carrier for that information.
Be aware that some carrier limited data plans requires Medium to use a proxy. Just go to Configuration in Medium main menu, and fill the correct values of server and port.



What about Medium versions?

The latest Medium version is 1.4 Beta. It is a release version in many devices (Symbian Series 60 versions 6 to 8.x , Windows Mobile and Pocket PC) , but waiting until some features as camera handling and Bluetooth are implemented on the others (Palm OS, Windows 2000/XP/Vista) specially if some modifications are needed. When implemented , totally operative and “homogenized”, then full version name is released.

How can I upgrade my Medium to last version?

Medium auto updates automatically when a new application is downloaded or when a connection to HiTecnia Server is made. Manual updates are also allowed but you will need to erase Medium directory in your device.

Why Medium is running slow in Palm OS?

Medium Palm OS version was built on C++ using standard development kit. It can be fully optimized in close future replacing some slow codes with “Armlets”. Still speed is fair and usable.
Most concerns came because Medium uses external card on Palm OS. This means that main memory downloads resources from card on demand. We notice that same application running on a Corsair 1Gb SD card was much faster than on a slow SD card.
So if you want a full speed, first check if you have a fast read and write SD card, performance will be increased a lot.


How many Medium SDK will I need to create applications for many different cellphones running different OS?

Just one.