In an open letter to developers, Steve Litchfield muses on the unique requirements of software on the smartphone (compared to the limited restrictions when run on a standalone PDA). Nobody ever said this would be easy, but hard work will reap rewards.
The first version of EMP-compiler has been released, which is based on the prototype of the EMP-language. EMP-language is a new easy-to-use programming language for developing independent Symbian OS applications. Currently it can be used for creating simple applications such as simple games with bmp-graphics for Series 60 1st edition.
Following on from Nokia's release of Python as Open Source and my own intro article, it seems that applications are starting to appear. Just to recap, with Python anybody can create their own Series 60 programs very quickly. Here's a gallery of apps so far and here's my own Musician 1.5, hopefully a professional example of what can be achieved.
Announced at the 2005 Smartphone Show, Forum Nokia have released the first edition of Carbide.C++ Express, a free developer enviroment for Symbian C++ and Nokia devices (thanks to NewLC for the link).
Guido van Rossum, the creator of the Python programming language that holds a lot of the cool stuff on the Internet together, has been personally enthusing over the recent Nokia S60 port of the language, which allows users to create innovative smartphone applications extremely rapidly.
On the heels of the launch of the Yahoo! Go! client, Yahoo! have signed up to the Symbian Platinum Program, which gives members access to technical support, commercial services, and marketing opportunites from Symbian.
Sony Ericsson have announced changes to their developer network. As well as reducing the tiered membership structure to just two categories (Community, which is free, and Premier Partner, which is by invitation only) there are new feedback and commenting systems for articles, and a Forum Ranking system to highlight the work of active members.
If you thought Nokia were resting on their Sync laurels, then you'd be wrong. Last year's move for Intellisync has been completed, so expect to see the technology brought to the Nokia Phone Suite at some point in the future.
UIQ today announced a new level of membership for its developer program. The new 'Premium' level, which costs $500, includes 5 technical support tickets, early access to content and SDKs, additional content, discounted offers and co-marketing opportunities.
Rafe Blandford's been poring over the information available on UIQ 3 - here's his take on the implications of the changes made in UIQ 3 and what they mean for developers and third party applications.
Forum Nokia has announced the first few members of its Forum Nokia Champion reward program. The Forum Nokia Champion reward program is an invitation-only program that honors Forum Nokia members for their activities and contributions to Forum Nokia and the mobile industry. Benefits include rights to the title, showcasing their achievements in Forum Nokia channels and twice yearly meetings.
Is Python a replacement for OPL on Series 60? Is Nokia on the right track by backing it? Is it easy to get started? And can you produce full standalone applications using Python? Steve Litchfield answers these questions and produces an application as concrete proof.
PyS60 is now available on SourceForge. This means you can get and contribute to the source code for the Python runtime for S60. Python for S60 is rapidly gaining a dedicated following. For those wanting to learn more about Python for S60 Jurgen Scheible's comprehensive Python S60 tutorial and the Python Series 60 Wiki are very useful.
Fancy running an Apache Server on your S60 device so anyone in the world could log onto a site hosted inside your phone? Well Nokia Research have made it possible, with their Apache powered Mobile Web Server Software. The code itself is still internal to Nokia, but if you want to let Forum Nokia know you'd like it, I'm sure they'd appreciate your opinion (via Butt Ugly). There's a number of other projects at the Research Centre, including Python, NNTP newsreaders and a mobile games server.
Write Once Run Anywhere is one of thsoe software phrases that AppForge have been attacking with their CrossFire product. CrossFire allows .Net and Visual Basic code to be run on a number of PDA platforms (including Symbian and Palm). Their first patent, for "methods and systems for providing platform-independent shared software components for mobile devices" has just been award, with others pending (thanks to Symbian One for the link).
