Python For Maemo 5 Info

The python used in the Nokia N900 is known as PyMaemo. It is basically the normal python, with additional device related commands.

API Documentation (non-pythonic): Maemo 5 Api Docs

Python Tutorials: Python for newbies

It is also possible to access C APIs that don't have Python bindings. However, this can bring some interesting problems. Not recommended, as most of the maemo APIs should work just fine with Python. However, check Accessing APIs without Python bindings for more info.

Download this source from here: Accelerometer.py

accelerometer.py

"""
Created August 9, 2011
 
@author: Janne Parkkila
@contact: japskua@gmail.com
 
@summary: This file contains class implementation on connecting 
          to maemo dbus and receiving accelerometer data
"""
 
import dbus
 
class Accelerometer(object):
    """
    @summary: This class is used to get accelerometer data
              from the dbus
    """
 
    bus = None
    accelerometer = None
 
    def __init__(self):
        """
        @summary: The Constructor for the class
        """
        self.bus = dbus.SystemBus()
        self.accelerometer = self.bus.get_object("com.nokia.mce",
                                            "/com/nokia/mce/request",
                                            "com.nokia.mce.request")
 
    def getData(self):
        """
        @summary: This function returns the data of the accelerometer
        @return: orientation, stand, face, x, y, z
        @rtype: list
        """
        return self.accelerometer.get_device_orientation()
 
 
    def displayData(self):
        """
        @summary: This function is just used to display data
        """
        orientation, stand, face, x, y, z = self.getData()
        print "Orientation: ", orientation
        print "Stand: ", stand
        print "Face: ", face
        print "X: ", x
        print "Y: ", y
        print "Z: ", z
 
 
# This is only if we want to run the accelerometer test straight from the command line
if __name__ == "__main__":
    print "Starting the Accelerometer test"
    accel = Accelerometer()
    accel.displayData()

Note: The python location might not be installed on the device. In this case, you need to install it with apt-get install python-location

IMPORTANT TO NOTICE The GPS on the N900 is not very fast! Acquiring a signal can take a great amount of time. Thus it is just recommended to simulate this in some other manner. The probability of receiving a signal in the basement is really small, so please, don't waste too much of your precious time with this.

More info on location API with pyMaemo can be found from PyMaemo Location API at maemo wiki