BitPim
Encyclopedia
BitPim is an open source
program designed for managing content on CDMA devices. Most mobile phone
s using a Qualcomm
-manufactured CDMA chipset
are supported. The program is also cross-platform
, operating on the Microsoft Windows
, Mac OS X
, and Linux
operating systems.
Although BitPim might be taken for a personal information manager (PIM)
, its name derives from "bitpym", a suggestion generated by a pronouncable-password generator
; the "y" being replaced with an "i" simply to eliminate ambiguity in pronunciation. Earlier, the program had been named "Entrocul" by the same method.
Data can be imported and exported from various sources such as Microsoft Outlook
and Google Calendar
.
programming language with various pieces in C
to access hardware. The user interface is wxPython
which in turn wraps wxWidgets
. That gives a native look and feel on each platform.
Most of the functionality is obtained by using the diagnostics mode available in Qualcomm Mobile Station Modem (MSM) used by virtually every manufacturer of CDMA phones. The diagnostics mode provides direct access to the embedded filesystem in the phone. The remainder of the functionality is via protocols provided by the handset manufacturers, but these usually only cover updating the phonebook.
Because the sizes of fields in the protocols differ between every model (even from the same handset manufacturer) and even between the same model offered at different carriers, BitPim has code and field descriptions for every model. A big part of each approximately monthly release is adding support for new phone models.
Open source
The term open source describes practices in production and development that promote access to the end product's source materials. Some consider open source a philosophy, others consider it a pragmatic methodology...
program designed for managing content on CDMA devices. Most mobile phone
Mobile phone
A mobile phone is a device which can make and receive telephone calls over a radio link whilst moving around a wide geographic area. It does so by connecting to a cellular network provided by a mobile network operator...
s using a Qualcomm
Qualcomm
Qualcomm is an American global telecommunication corporation that designs, manufactures and markets digital wireless telecommunications products and services based on its code division multiple access technology and other technologies. Headquartered in San Diego, CA, USA...
-manufactured CDMA chipset
Chipset
A chipset, PC chipset, or chip set refers to a group of integrated circuits, or chips, that are designed to work together. They are usually marketed as a single product.- Computers :...
are supported. The program is also cross-platform
Cross-platform
In computing, cross-platform, or multi-platform, is an attribute conferred to computer software or computing methods and concepts that are implemented and inter-operate on multiple computer platforms...
, operating on the Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
, Mac OS X
Mac OS X
Mac OS X is a series of Unix-based operating systems and graphical user interfaces developed, marketed, and sold by Apple Inc. Since 2002, has been included with all new Macintosh computer systems...
, and Linux
Linux
Linux is a Unix-like computer operating system assembled under the model of free and open source software development and distribution. The defining component of any Linux system is the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released October 5, 1991 by Linus Torvalds...
operating systems.
Although BitPim might be taken for a personal information manager (PIM)
Personal information manager
A personal information manager is a type of application software that functions as a personal organizer. The acronym PIM is now, more commonly, used in reference to Personal information management as a field of study...
, its name derives from "bitpym", a suggestion generated by a pronouncable-password generator
Random password generator
A random password generator is software program or hardware device that takes input from a random or pseudo-random number generator and automatically generates a password...
; the "y" being replaced with an "i" simply to eliminate ambiguity in pronunciation. Earlier, the program had been named "Entrocul" by the same method.
Features
Functionalities vary on the model of the device. The following managing functions are currently supported by BitPim:- Phone Book
- Calendar
- WallpapersComputer wallpaperWallpaper is an image used as a background of a graphical user interface on a computer screen or mobile communications device. On a computer it is usually for the desktop, while for a mobile phone it is usually the background for the 'home' or 'idle' screen...
- Ringtones
- Filesystem
- Media
- Memo
- Todo
- Call history
- SMS
- T9 editor
Data can be imported and exported from various sources such as Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Outlook is a personal information manager from Microsoft, available both as a separate application as well as a part of the Microsoft Office suite...
and Google Calendar
Google Calendar
Google Calendar is a free time-management web application offered by Google. It became available on April 13, 2006, and exited the beta stage in July 2009...
.
Implementation
BitPim is implemented using the PythonPython (programming language)
Python is a general-purpose, high-level programming language whose design philosophy emphasizes code readability. Python claims to "[combine] remarkable power with very clear syntax", and its standard library is large and comprehensive...
programming language with various pieces in C
C (programming language)
C is a general-purpose computer programming language developed between 1969 and 1973 by Dennis Ritchie at the Bell Telephone Laboratories for use with the Unix operating system....
to access hardware. The user interface is wxPython
WxPython
-External links:* * at showmedo...
which in turn wraps wxWidgets
WxWidgets
wxWidgets is a widget toolkit for creating graphical user interfaces for cross-platform applications. wxWidgets enables a program's GUI code to compile and run on several computer platforms with minimal or no code changes...
. That gives a native look and feel on each platform.
Most of the functionality is obtained by using the diagnostics mode available in Qualcomm Mobile Station Modem (MSM) used by virtually every manufacturer of CDMA phones. The diagnostics mode provides direct access to the embedded filesystem in the phone. The remainder of the functionality is via protocols provided by the handset manufacturers, but these usually only cover updating the phonebook.
Because the sizes of fields in the protocols differ between every model (even from the same handset manufacturer) and even between the same model offered at different carriers, BitPim has code and field descriptions for every model. A big part of each approximately monthly release is adding support for new phone models.
See also
- OpenSync - Open Source synchronization framework
- Gammu (software)Gammu (software)Gammu is a project which encompasses applications, scripts and drivers for managing various functions on cellular phones and similar devices.It is a stable and mature codebase with support for many models available on the market and provides functions unavailable in other similar projects...
- a program for communicating with mobile phones - GnokiiGnokiiGnokii is a suite of programs for communicating with mobile phones. It was initially only available for Nokia mobile phones, but later extended to support others...
- a program for communicating with mobile phones - QPST - a program for communicating with mobile phones that feature Qualcomm chipsets