Installing apps - .jad vs. .ali/.alx - BlackBerryForums.com : Your Number One BlackBerry Community

DallasFlier · **OS:** 4.6.1.250

I'm a new 7290 owner, have been learning about the BB, reading the manual and the forums here also. Forgive me if this is a newbie question, but I haven't found any references. Several of the utilities referenced here are things I'd like to download and install, but they're all .jad files, and when I bring up the Desktop and Application Installer, it wants .ali or .alx files. Are there different formats for different BB's, or what?

Thanks...

-Gary-

eradis · 02-25-2006, 12:42 PM

The jad file is used to download and install a application wirelessly (known as OTA - Over-The-Air ).

The ali and alx is used to install via Desktop Manager. The ali(Application Loader Information) is for older devices and the alx (Application Loader XML) is for newer java devices.

To load OTA - point your web browser to the jad file and follow the instructions.
To load via Desktop Manager open the alx file.

Silen · 03-08-2006, 03:46 PM

Hi Gary,

you could try to use BB_Manager. Hope it will help you

SimonMac · 03-08-2006, 04:17 PM

When I try an down load a jad ot say 406 Not Acceptable type message, is there any way to turn a JAD to an ALI/ALX?

marwhit724 · **7100i user here -** 03-21-2006, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eradis

The jad file is used to download and install a application wirelessly (known as OTA - Over-The-Air ).

The ali and alx is used to install via Desktop Manager. The ali(Application Loader Information) is for older devices and the alx (Application Loader XML) is for newer java devices.

To load OTA - point your web browser to the jad file and follow the instructions.
To load via Desktop Manager open the alx file.

My question is similar.- i have pictures i want to put on my 7100 and also ringtones. is there a loader for this? the manager doesnt do the pics and ringtones?

marwhit724 · **nvrm -** 03-21-2006, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marwhit724

My question is similar.- i have pictures i want to put on my 7100 and also ringtones. is there a loader for this? the manager doesnt do the pics and ringtones?

no loader has to be loaded via website. sux.. sorry gouys still trying to adjust from off of my i930..

srl7741 · 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marwhit724

My question is similar.- i have pictures i want to put on my 7100 and also ringtones. is there a loader for this? the manager doesnt do the pics and ringtones?

Upload you images to this web address from a pc and send them to your phone. Save the picture when done. Use as you will. 7100i uses 240x260

http://www.blackberrywallpapers.com/upload.htm

Browse here with you phone and download ringtones. Address for 7100i: (Midi files only)

http://inevitabletruth.org/nokia/ringtones/

hope this helps.

djlin · 03-21-2006, 05:50 PM

I have a new 8700c with Cingular and am trying to install some third party software (.alx files) via the Desktop Manager. It doesn't seem to recognize the files. I never had this problem with my 7290 with the same third party software. Can anyone shed any light on this?

Thanks

mabuhr · **how to convert jad into alx -** 01-11-2007, 07:19 PM

I have a jad file (AudibleAir from Audible.com) and I'd like to install on my device. Suggestions?

gdave · 01-20-2007, 01:19 PM

I have the same problem. Did you manage to upload?

please let me know

rivviepop · 01-20-2007, 03:32 PM

Hey guys, allow me to link in an article (I just cleaned it up to add BlackBerry info, mainly COD file type) to help you host your own installers and such:

configuring apache for mobile browsing « rivviepop phantom

This'll let you host those JAD/JAR files to do your own OTA installs. I have plans (don't we all?) tow write an ALX to JAD converter script (bash), but just haven't gotten around to it; it's not too terribly hard to do by hand, though.

kevin.ross · 01-20-2007, 05:37 PM

Ok, this is not for the faint of heart, but it is possible, and maybe easier to make happen for some of you than working out a solution with your own web server. The web server is easy if you have that access, but if you don't, try the following.

You can fairly easily fabricate your own alx file. I would suggest finding an existing one, whether it be from your PC or from another product, and simply opening it with a text editor like notepad and editing the file names. The .alx file is a basic xml file.

Make sure you change:
1. Remove all the other items in the 'files' section, and add every cod file that you have downloaded for your new app.
2. Change the application 'id' attribute to match the codename of the new app.

For basic apps, this will work. For complex apps, you may have more troubles. Give us a file list (of the files you have) and perhaps we can help more.

Example 1 - simple:

Code:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<loader version='1.0'>
    <application id='metova_new_app'>
        <name>Metova New App</name>
        <description>Metova sample alx for a new app.</description>
        <version>1.0</version>
        <vendor>Metova LLC</vendor>
        <copyright>Copyright (c) 2007 Metova LLC</copyright>
        <fileset Java='1.24'>
            <directory></directory>
            <files>
                metova_new_app-1.cod
                metova_new_app.cod
            </files>
        </fileset>
    </application>
</loader>

Example 2 - complex dependencies:

Code:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<loader version='1.0'>
    <application id='metova_new_app'>
        <name>Metova New App</name>
        <description>Metova sample alx for a new app.</description>
        <version>1.0</version>
        <vendor>Metova LLC</vendor>
        <copyright>Copyright (c) 2007 Metova LLC</copyright>
        <fileset Java='1.24'>
            <directory></directory>
            <files>
                metova_new_app-1.cod
                metova_new_app.cod
                org_metova_bb_core.cod
                org_metova_bb_sdk-1.cod
                org_metova_bb_sdk-2.cod
                org_metova_bb_sdk-3.cod
                org_metova_bb_sdk-4.cod
                org_metova_bb_sdk.cod
                org_metova_bb_widgets-1.cod
                org_metova_bb_widgets.cod
            </files>
        </fileset>
        <application id='org_metova_bb_core'>
            <name>Metova Core Blackberry</name>
            <description></description>
            <version>1.0.0701171416</version>
            <vendor>Metova LLC</vendor>
            <copyright>Copyright (c) 2007 Metova LLC</copyright>
            <fileset Java='1.24'>
                <directory></directory>
            <files>
                org_metova_bb_core.cod
            </files>
            </fileset>
        </application>
        <application id='org_metova_bb_sdk'>
            <name>Metova Blackberry SDK</name>
            <description></description>
            <version>1.0.0701171416</version>
            <vendor>Metova LLC</vendor>
            <copyright>Copyright (c) 2007 Metova LLC</copyright>
            <fileset Java='1.24'>
                <directory></directory>
            <files>
                org_metova_bb_sdk.cod
            </files>
            </fileset>
        </application>
        <application id='org_metova_bb_widgets'>
            <name>Metova Blackberry Widgets</name>
            <description></description>
            <version>1.0.0701171416</version>
            <vendor>Metova LLC</vendor>
            <copyright>Copyright (c) 2007 Metova LLC</copyright>
            <fileset Java='1.24'>
                <directory></directory>
            <files>
                org_metova_bb_widgets.cod
            </files>
            </fileset>
        </application>
    </application>
</loader>

I hope that helps!