Kudos to Russell at MobHappy for daring to suggest that Java (J2ME) isn't a cure-all for development needs and the best thing since sliced bread. Interesting perspective and one which will resonate with developers and any users who've ever taken a huge RAM hit to run a program with a less than optimal interface.
Forum Nokia are examining the Javascript extension, Ajax, used in many 'active' webpages to create desktop-like applications, for use in the S60 v3 browser (reports The Register). Two years ago, Nokia looked at using Python in S60. Four years before that they were part of the decision to open source OPL for S60 and S80.
Steve Litchfield adds a playable piano to Musician, a Python project of his for Series 60, and casts an objective eye over the state of this newest S60 development language. How easy is it really to get to grips with and what does the future hold?
AllAboutSymbian caught up with Bruce Carney, Symbian's head of Developer Marketing, at the recent CTIA show in Las Vegas. How many Symbian OS apps are there, why isn't freeware counted and why all the fuss over Platform Security? Here's the full interview.
No, not another site from Rafe and the team, this is a hugely important FAQ from Forum Nokia explaining the ins and outs of the changes needed in applications in the move to Symbian OS 9 (with Platform Security). A must-read for anyone even remotely interested in developing applications for the next gen of Symbian-powered hardware.
Orange have announced more details of their latest developer event. The Orange Partner Camp's Platinum sponsor is Symbian, and with UIQ as Gold sponsors and Nokia as Silver sponsors the event looks like the non-Orange content will be dominated by the Symbian platforms. There are sessions on a wide range of topics from mobile TV and mobile search to usability and segmentation. You can read our report from the last Orange developer event here.
In a further Insight article at Symbian.com, David Wood deconstructs the myth of a mobile Operating System being a commodity, the all-conquering Linux-Phone, and how (naturally) Symbian OS has addressed these problems. As Wood points out, the arguments he is hearing sound similar to the debates about how search was solved and no innovation was needed... just before Google launched.
Nokia's Open Source Research Centre has a reference implementation for Streaming Audio from your S60 phone, and supports the ShoutCAST standard. It's not a polished app, but Nokia are hoping that it helps stimulate audio application developmenton S60 v3. Now, I'm away to set up the N91 as a pirate internet radio station...
Strictly for developers only (or for pointing your development team towards) is this new ZIP archive on Forum Nokia, explaining how to write for both platforms at once and how to adapt existing WinMob apps for S60. The kit is useful for including example game source code, implemented on both platforms.
A tiny bit misleading in places, this new Wikipedia entry has an interesting ready reference table of the pros and cons of the various smartphone development options. Something for everyone?
Nokia is talking to developers about its next generation of mobile gaming at GDC in San Diego. The new platform, evolving out of the N-Gage, will be based on S60 and we can expect to see the first devices supporting it in the first half of 2007. Nokia is also showcasing its SNAP Mobile solution which enables online and community-based Java gaming.
Add the programmer of a new Rapid Application Development system to some sample content from myself, plus a free weekend and you get a full working S60 application. No, really. Guest writer Francesco Aliverti-Piuri takes up the story, as part of demoing how his SoProMach system works.
Forum Nokia has annouced details of the Designed for S60 Devices Logo program for Developers. The program features a logo that developers can use in their application marketing. For end users the logo shows the application is designed for S60 and that the application provider will tell you which devices the application will run on.
Here's the official All About Symbian review of Symbian's "How Smartphones Work" book. Warning: the title's accurate, but it's not quite about what you think it's about...
