Location API for Java ME
The Location API, is a specification defining an optional API package for communicating with GPS devices using the Java. It extends the capabilities of the Java Platform, Micro Edition, a version of the Java platform tailored for embedded devices such as mobile phones and PDAs. The object-oriented interface consists of 13 classes in the javax.microedition.location package. The Location API was developed under the Java Community Process as JSR 179 released September 2003 and updated to version 1.0.1 March 2006. Nokia is the main author and maintainer of this JSR. OpenLAPI is a GPL implementation, for use in emulator environments where the Nokia reference implementation does not exist.
Goals of Location API
Previously, location service implementations were provider specific. The aim of this API was to provide a common API for retrieving the location information on a variety of devices.
Current state
Since many providers choose not to implement this optional JSR, the goal of universality has still not happened and developers are often required to create custom builds for different devices.