Event-Driven Application Launch

Event-Driven Application Launch

The MIDP Specification version 2.0 defines an option to automatically launch a MIDlet when a notification is received. Notifications can be network- or alarm-based. Network notifications, also known as push notifications, can occur when the device receives an incoming network connection for one of its MIDlets. Alarm-based notifications can occur at a time set by a MIDlet.

Automatic launching is not a required device feature. Devices can support both types of notifications, only one type, or neither.

Notifications can cause MIDlets to be launched without direct user intervention; users could be unaware of the activity. For example, if a device launches a MIDlet at a preset time, the user may not be present or paying attention.

A number of security concerns arise from the potential to launch applications without direct user intervention. Security permissions and policy provide safeguards, however. They ensure that MIDlets can perform only activities allowed by the user. (MIDlets, whether launched automatically or at the request of the user, are always subject to the security policy of the device and any permissions the user has granted. See Section 18.3, "Trusted MIDlet Suite Security Model," for more information.) For example, a user can require the device to ask permission before automatically launching a MIDlet.