Open C is built on top of Symbian PIPs which implement a number of standard POSIX libraries on Symbian OS. Open C adds additional libraries built on open source projects including OpenSSL, GNOME, and LIBZ.
Open C can thus be used to port existing code (saving time and money), but can also be used to write new code from scratch. This means that the business logic and core of a program does not necessarily have to be written in the Symbian dialect of C++.
For the Open C Challenge there are two categories - firstly porting existing open source assets and secondly native C++ Symbian development which uses Open C / PIPs. Developers may enter up to 5 applications.
The prize pool includes:
- cash prizes totaling more than $20,000;
- an exclusive invitation to distribute their application via the Orange Application Shop direct to Orange customers via www.orange.co.uk or the Orange World wap site in the UK;
- fast track premium membership in the Orange Partner programme for finalists;
- free Symbian Signing for their winning application;
- a free year’s membership in the Forum Nokia PRO developer program; and,
- additional Nokia marketing and business support.
The winners will be announced at the Symbian Smartphone Show.
"Nokia's global invitation to millions of developers to take the Open C Challenge taps the exponential growth in open source and Symbian developers currently working on exciting new applications for smartphone devices," said Lee Epting, vice president, Forum Nokia, Nokia's global developer program. "Identifying and rewarding the latest and greatest applications being built or ported with Open C will showcase the exciting growth in developer productivity that Open C is already driving in S60 smartphone application development worldwide."
"The Open C Challenge offers a fantastic opportunity for the 55,000 members of the Orange Partner programme to get involved in creating mobile applications for the Nokia open source platform" said Steve Glagow, VP Marketing Operations, Orange. "The Orange Partner programme is dedicated to helping to make mobile application development as easy as possible, to generate innovation and to ultimately deliver exciting products that meet the needs of our worldwide customers. We're looking forward to seeing some of the great applications that will come out from this contest".
"Symbian welcomes the Open C Challenge to further encourage innovation from the open source development community," said Bruce Carney, director, developer program and services, Symbian. "Symbian and our worldwide ecosystem continue to make mobile development easier and more attractive for developers migrating existing desktop and server based applications to Symbian OS. The introduction of P.I.P.S. and Open C POSIX libraries, earlier this year will greatly assist competition entrants to mobilize their applications."