Wikipedia S40 J2ME app

Overview
A J2ME app for reading Wikipedia addresses large populations in the Global South, which is a strategic priority for the Wikimedia Foundation.

Despite the fact that J2ME is a dying platform for mobile apps, it is still prevalent in many parts of the world on a wide variety of feature phones. Recent feedback from mobile operators in India, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Africa and South America indicate a high preference for a J2ME app over Android apps and browser-based experiences.

Here is a list of basic requirements for a J2ME app:


 * Fast download of articles
 * Easy navigation of articles
 * Option to turn off images (could leverage Zero infrastructure)
 * History
 * Bookmarks
 * Internationalization
 * Inter-wiki language links (nice to have)

It is possible that this app will participate in zero-rated programs with various mobile operators. Part of the preference expressed by operators stems from their ability to market a J2ME app, which can be featured prominently in online portals and optimizes the user experience on basic phones. Since some feature phones are capable of net access but may not have data plans enabled due to cost, a zero-rated version of this app could help expand the audience of WIkipedia beyond those feature phone users already with data plans. See more about Wikipedia Zero and operator programs here.