Sony Ericsson Web SDK: Complete Guide for Mobile Web Development

Building and Testing Mobile Web Apps Using the Sony Ericsson Web SDK

Overview

The Sony Ericsson Web SDK (aka WebSDK / Capuchin-era tools) let you build hybrid mobile apps using HTML, CSS and JavaScript and package them for Sony Ericsson Android and Symbian devices. It provides a JavaScript-to-native bridge (PhoneGap-derived), device emulators, packaging tools and example projects.

Key components

• Web app project structure: HTML/CSS/JS files plus config/manifest for packaging.
• Bridge API: JS APIs to access device features (camera, contacts, filesystem, sensors) similar to early PhoneGap/Cordova.
• Packager/packaging tool: Wraps web assets into an installable MIDlet (Symbian) or APK (Android).
• Emulator / Device Explorer: Test apps in simulated device environments; connect physical phones via USB/Bluetooth for on-device testing.
• Eclipse integration: Plugins and templates for Eclipse with Android SDK and (for Java ME) the Sony Ericsson Java SDK.

Typical workflow (prescriptive)

1. Install prerequisites: Java JDK, Eclipse, Android SDK + ADT, Sony Ericsson Java SDK (for Symbian), and Web SDK package.
2. Create a new Web SDK project (use provided template). Place HTML/CSS/JS under the web assets folder.
3. Use the Web SDK bridge API to call device features; include provided JS shim.
4. Run in emulator: launch the SDK emulator profile closest to your target device; verify UI and basic functionality.
5. On-device testing: enable Developer Mode on the phone, connect via USB/Bluetooth, use Device Explorer to deploy and debug on device.
6. Package: use the Web SDK packager to generate APK or MIDlet with required permissions and signing.
7. Test signed package on target device(s); iterate and fix issues found in real-device testing.
8. (Optional) Autom