I’ve built and launched a new mobile and desktop service called BoostApps. It’s an off-portal free app store for Boost Mobile and Sprint Nextel iDEN network users.
Unlike most mobile platforms, iDEN doesn’t support direct over the air downloads of Java applications using the browser. Games and apps can be purchased from Sprint using a desktop or mobile browser. Purchased games are provisioned to the user’s handset and downloaded to the phone through a Java ME application called Download Apps which is pre-installed on the phone. But there is no easy way to get common third party apps like Opera Mini on these phones. It is possible to install third party Java apps with a cable and a developer tool called iDenJAL however the process is rather error prone and most non-technical users find it daunting.
About a year ago, Sprint added an over the air developer tool, the iDEN Content Uploader which somewhat simplifies the deployment process. But it still requires a PC and the ability to create a .zip file containing a properly formatted .jad and .jar. And like iDenJAL, the Content Uploader was designed for developers rather than end users. It is a bit finicky and gives cryptic or no error messages when it fails.
BoostApps is a desktop and mobile Web front end to the iDenContent Uploader. Zipped apps and games are stored on the BoostApps server and sent to the Content Uploader’s web service. They can then be downloaded and installed on the handset using the Download Apps tool just like content purchased from Sprint. All the user has to do is visit BoostApps.com or BoostApps.mobi, pick an app and enter their phone number . BoostApps works in PC browsers, Opera Mini and the built-in OpenWave browser on iDen phones. All the downloads are legal freeware and include essentials like Opera Mini, Gmail and Google Maps. There are also a couple of games and an alarm clock and calculator apps because Boost phones don’t ship with them.
BoostApps is, as far as I know, the only site that lets users send applications directly to their phones without the need for cables or a PC.
Boost, which is Sprint’s prepaid brand features agrressive pricing with a $50/month unlimited voice, messaging, data and PTT plan and pay as you go service as low as $3.33 per month. Thanks to this sort of pricing Boost is one of the fastest growing mobile providers in the US with a nearly 100% annual subscriber growth rate so far this year.
Boost is also the only nationwide US prepaid provider with unlimited data plans. Although iDEN handsets look pretty basic at first glance they all feature a surprisingly sophisticated Java ME runtime. Unlike the iPhone, Nokia S40s and most other feature phones they can task switch both native and Java apps. Even the base model Boost phone, the $50 Motorola i290, is powerful enough to simultaneously run Opera Mini, Gmail and the built in browser with instant switching between apps.
I plan to add much more content to BoostApps in the coming weeks and months and make it the best source of free games and applications for Boost and Sprint iDen users.
Filed in: Wap Review Directory – Technology/Mobile/Boost / Nextel
Ready.mobi Score: 5 “Good”
Mobile Link: boostapps.mobi
I would like to get this app because my phone dont have the apps i want
need virus app got boost mobile sanyo incognito phone sick get it also best app for same phone to remote control a pc even one with no net accecc
It’s not a virus. There are no viri that infect non-smartphones
I’m having a lot of trouble with my Sanyo Juno scp2700. I can’t find hardly any apps that’ll work properly on my phone.!
The following apps have been reported to work on the Juno:
JMEBoy – Gameboy Emulator: http://boostapps.com/games/jmeboy-gameboy-emulator/
Facebook: http://boostapps.com/apps/facebook/
Bananas: http://boostapps.com/games/bananas/
Brick Breaker Explosive: http://boostapps.com/games/brick-breaker-explosive/
BeGemmed: http://boostapps.com/games/puzzle-games/begemmed/
Final Fantasy Legend III (MeBoy): http://boostapps.com/games/final-fantasy-iii/
Opera Mini 6: http://boostapps.com/apps/opera-mini-6/
JX Ovulation Calendar Lite: http://boostapps.com/apps/ovulation-calendar/
vPoker: http://boostapps.com/games/vpoker/
Opera Mini 5: http://boostapps.com/apps/opera-mini-5/
Quick question for Boost. If I just bought MOTO i290, it is good for most of the mobile browsing? How about mobile TV and tethering? Hard to image how everything works under the slow speed….
Sorry. I would like to change the questions. If I bought an used palm tero 700p on ebay and ask boost mobile customer service to activate it. does it work? is it tetherable?
Or if I just bought any boost mobile phone, is it tetherable? I want to use the phone for tether, VOIP and mobile browsing. but not sure if there is a solution.
Keep in mind that I myself have never used a Sprint Phone on Boost. So this is all based on what I’ve read (mainly on the Howard Forums Boost CDMA Forum). You need to do your research and be sure you are comfortable with the process. Start here:
***Boost CDMA FAQs*** – Beginners, READ THIS
You can not directly activate a Sprint phone on Boost. You must first activate a Boost phone (iDEN or CDMA) and then swap the Sprint phone on to the account by calling Boost CDMA.
If seems that it is getting harder and harder to get a Sprint phone activated on Boost. You may have to call many times before you get a rep to do it.
A Sprint Treo 700p with a clean ESN (i.e, the previous owner did not report it as stolen and did not leave Sprint owing them money) should be able to be transfered to a Boost account on Sprint. See this List of Sprint phones.
Tethering any phone on Boost is difficult. No phone is tetherable out of the box on Boost. The only success stories I’ve heard involve using Windows Mobile phones with additional software installed and in some cases registry hacks required as well. Thethering violates the Boost TOS and Boost could potentially terminate your account if they detect it though I have not heard of this happening.
love this site…i have been downloading everything to my phone (i465)..love all the games..hoping for more ebooks…tried the opera mini 4.2 ..works great!!!….tried the iradio but after download it would never load…everything else has been easy and i haven’t needed a cable to do it either…keep them coming!!!!
Love the site, the available apps, and the ease of uploading/installing. From the site I have loaded Opera 3.1, then upgraded to Opera 4.2, and have also installed the accuweather app. Again, really great site, and I can’t wait to see more apps there. Hope the site continues to grow. (Using the Motorola i9 on BoostMobile)
thank you very much was a big help
Thanks Dennis. As a senior 67 all this tech stuff can be over the top. Thanks for the info. Boost mobile and moto have left us uniformed.
Thanks Dennis
I think it’s a wonderful step in the right direction as far as simplifying the process of loading apps…I personally use and recommend the site to everyone I know…good job and thanks Dennis.
One of the things I found out was the apps file name needs to be less than 16 letters. Try saving the last 16 letters of the file. That might the problem for most people. My phone is a 2005?
The data cable with the motorola iden java loader is easy to use.
Have you tried http://BoostApps.com ? It works for most users on Boost, though not all. I’m trying to figure out why not for a view.
Sorry, But for most of the people with Boost phones, a data cable is needed for downloads. I tried this for months with no luck. After I brought a motorola brand data cable from amazon, downloaded the motorola iden java loader and drivers, I have been downloading like crazy with no problems.
Congratulations and thanks, Dennis!