Onscreen Indicators

In addition to the title and ticker, a MIDP implementation can also reserve screen space for other purposes. For example, the MIDP Reference Implementation also renders a signal strength indicator, battery indicator, trust indicator (see for more information), input mode indicator (see for more information), scroll indicator, and the labels of abstract commands (see ). It could, but does not, put a network activity indicator on the screen. Screenshot points out these indicators and labels.

Screenshot Reference Implementation Indicators and Labels

Within some contexts, a volume indicator also may be helpful.

MIDP Implementors

Strongly Recommend: Follow your device conventions as much as possible when designing the layout of your MIDP screens. Consistency among Java apps and native apps makes using MIDlets a more predictable experience for users.

Consider: Include an indicator that turns on when a MIDlet uses airtime. (All MIDP implementations must provide a visual network-usage indicator. If your device has such an indicator on its body, that is sufficient to satisfy the MIDP 2.0 Specification [19].)

Strongly Recommend: If you provide an onscreen network-usage indicator or a trust indicator, do not put them in the app area. For security, these indicators should not be controlled by the Java app. Instead, put them in a part of the screen that is controlled by the system.