[GasBot]

Hey, I've developed an app for the Google Android platform and am looking to write a port for the BlackBerry platform.

Do apps written for one blackberry work on all of the others or is it very device specific? I'm mainly interested in writing for the Pearl and Storm.

Are there any location and maps APIs available in the BB system for getting the user's current GPS coordinates (I know all BB's don't have GPS receivers, but I figure they might be able to geocode based on cell tower).

Is there any ability to have easy mapping in an application or to send coordinates to Google Maps on the phone to have it map the location?

Thanks in advance for the help!

[simon.hain]

the location classes are within the location package. blackberry uses the j2me implementation, you should be able to find some samples here or in j2me forums.

i have seen geocoding implemented on android only, but the core functions will be the same on blackberry:
Poor mans GPS - Cell(Tower)ID / Location Area Code -Lookup :: anddev.org - Android Development Community | Android Tutorials

as for maps:
there is blackberry maps and google maps. the first is preloaded on some, but not all, devices.
see the developer guide about handling it.

google maps is not preloaded but used by many people nontheless (as it offers superior quality).
here is a thread about using it:
http://www.blackberryforums.com/deve...-landmark.html