How To Series: Where To Get Java VM for Palm

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First of all, this may not necessarily affect all Palm users but only those who need to install and use programs that require the Java Virtual Machine. Such programs include the Opera mini browser, Google Mail (also here if you’re browsing via a mobile: m.google.com/mail ) and some Java games. If you don’t need to use these programs, you won’t need to install JVM as it takes up a huge chunk of RAM. And no, it won’t work if you put it on the expansion card as it’s required in RAM. Uh, okay, maybe you do need it since Opera mini and Google Mail are quite nice to have. I personally ended up uninstalling it myself since it took up way too much RAM but that’s just me. I’m one of those people who want apps that are small in size and work well. If an app takes too much RAM, and unless I HAVE TO HAVE IT, I won’t keep it installed.

On Jan 12, 2008, Palm has pulled the JVM download link off their website, obviously affecting a lot of Palm users who may require the file. According to Palm via their official Palm blog, this is their explanation:

For the past few years, Palm has provided a download of the IBM WebSphere Micro Environment Java

Virtual Machine (JVM) to our customers, which allowed users to install and run Java applications and games on their devices.

As of Jan. 12, 2008, we will no longer be providing this as a downloadable application from our website. We will continue to support JVM on our website, but will not be able to offer version upgrades or software downloads.

Tim P. – Product Manager

UPDATED:

There were many comments regarding the rationale for no longer providing the JVM, and we appreciate your comments on the JVM availability. The reason that this is being not being offered after the 12th, is that Palm no longer has rights to distribute the JVM for Palm OS. We will continue to support users who have downloaded the JVM, but cannot continue to distribute it.

But don’t worry. Although it’s no longer available from the Palm website, it’s still available via many other places (thus why this post is around).

(UPDATED Aug 27 2011). Sorry, but it looks like the links from Versiontraker and Softtonic are no longer valid.

Also, check out this thread on the topic at Brighthand. As member jigwashere has mentioned, check out the Palm JVM 5.7.1 link in his signature. For the lazy ones, this is the direct link which is the shortened version of palmone.r3h.net/downloads.palmone.com/WEME571.zip. Since this link is still technically from Palm, it may be pulled at any time (especially if this post is popular enough to get their attention). So grab it now.

In case the above links no longer provide you with the file, you can get it from my site. Download it here. If I get any notification regarding this file, I will remove the link to avoid getting into trouble.

As well, check out this blog posting from Joe Chavez regarding a workaround.

Once you have it and it is working, I’d strongly recommend you make many backup copies of this file as these downloads may not necessarily be around in the future. Also, you can always participate at any of the popular Palm forums and reply to any of the old threads on Java Virtual Machine (do a search and don’t start new threads or you may get flamed). Chances are, some members may be able to help you.

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