BitPim Program Interface on an LG VX5200
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Initial release | February 25, 2003 |
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Stable release |
1.0.7 / January 24, 2010
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Development status | Active |
Written in | Python, wxPython, SQLite, C |
Operating system | Microsoft Windows 2000/XP/Vista, Mac 10.3, Linux |
Available in | English |
License | GNU GPL |
Website | bitpim |
BitPim is an open source program designed for managing content on CDMA devices. Most mobile phones 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.
Bitpim is comparable to Gammu, QPST, Open Sync, and Gnokii applications.
Functionality varies depending on the model of the phone. Once the drivers are installed on the PC operating system, the following managing functions are generally supported:
Data can be imported and exported between the phone and Microsoft Outlook or Google Calendar.
BitPim is implemented using the Python 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.