Nokia and Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications have agreed to further strengthen
the momentum behind Symbian OS by aligning tools for the UIQ and Series 60 terminal
software platforms and by creating an application certification program. This
will substantially assist developers to develop, certify and deploy applications
for Symbian OS phones, thereby accelerating availability of new applications for
the new generation of multimedia mobile phones based on Symbian OS.
This collaboration between Nokia, Sony Ericsson and Symbian will make it possible
for developers to use a unified tool set to develop Symbian OS applications for
products using both UIQ and Series 60 terminal software platforms. Developers
will also benefit from easier verification processes and faster time to market.
David Levin, CEO, Symbian Ltd said:
"With Symbian OS phones shipping in markets worldwide, ever larger numbers
of developers are taking advantage of the rapidly growing commercial opportunity
in creating applications and services for Symbian OS phones. This new collaboration
with Nokia and Sony Ericsson will drive even faster development and availability
of innovative applications and services for Symbian OS phones."
UIQ, developed by UIQ Technology and used in Sony Ericsson's P800 Smartphone,
provides a flexible, large screen user interface for small penbased phones. The
UIQ user interface platform is designed to enable easy to use access to enterprise
applications, seamless messaging, powerful Internet and multimedia capabilities
as well as simple synchronization with common desktop applications and SyncML
servers via Infrared, Bluetooth(TM) and Serial Port connections.
Series 60 Platform is a software product for smartphones that Nokia licenses to
other mobile handset manufacturers. Manufacturers integrate the Series 60 Platform
into their own phone designs running on top of the Symbian OS. The Series 60 Platform
includes mobile browsing, multimedia messaging and content downloading, as well
as a host of personal information management and telephony applications. In addition,
the software platform includes a complete and modifiable user interface library.
Common Development on Common Tools
From Q2 2003, developers will benefit from being able to use a single tool set
to target both Series 60 and UIQ devices. This will enable developers to address
a larger population of Symbian OS phones, creating cost savings and improving
time to market. Unified tool sets targeting both UIQ and Series 60 are currently
under evaluation. Developers currently undertake native application development
on Series 60 using Visual C++ tools. UIQ developers use Metrowerks' CodeWarrior
tools.
Common Certification Program
Nokia and Sony Ericsson are also evaluating a common certification program for
Symbian OS applications. This program is intended to enable application developers,
network operators and phone customers to test, certify and sign applications for
Symbian OS phones. Application developers will be able to assure their application's
quality, helping to broaden the market for Symbian OS applications. In addition,
network operators will be able to control application installation while users
will be sure of the source, quality and integrity of Symbian OS applications.
Development and porting assistance Nokia and Sony Ericsson will further assist
application development for both UIQ and Series 60 by providing improved tools
support, documentation and guidelines to developers who wish to port existing
applications to other Symbian OS phones.
Notes for Editors
About Sony Ericsson
Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB offers mobile communications products
for people who appreciate the possibilities of powerful technology. Established
in 2001 by Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson and Sony corporation, the joint venture
continues to build on the success of its two innovative parent companies. Sony
Ericsson creates value for its operator customers by bringing new ways of using
multimedia communications while mobile. The company's management is based in
London, and has 4,000 employees across the globe working on research, development,
design, sales, marketing, distribution and support. For further information,
please visit: www.SonyEricsson.com
About Nokia
Nokia (NYSE:NOK) is the world leader in mobile communications. Back by its experience,
innovation, user-friendliness and reliable solutions, the company has become
the leading supplier of mobile phones and a leading supplier of mobile, fixed
broadband and IP networks. By adding mobility to the Internet Nokia creates
new opportunities for companies and further enriches the daily lives of people.
Nokia is a broadly held company with listings on six major exchanges.
About Symbian
Symbian develops and licenses the global industry standard operating system
for advanced mobile phones. The world's leading handset manufacturers license
Symbian OS, including Motorola, Nokia, Samsung, Siemens and Sony Ericsson. In
total, Symbian OS licensees represent over 75% of worldwide mobile phone sales.
Symbian's mission is to create a global mass market for Symbian OS mobile phones
by enabling its licensees to build winning products. Publicly announced Symbian
OS phones include the NTT DoCoMo FOMA F2051, Sony Ericsson P800 Smartphone,
Nokia 9210 series, 7650, 3650 and N-Gage.
As at January 2003, 9 Symbian licensees had 20 Symbian OS phones in development.
For further information about Symbian, please visit www.symbian.com
About UIQ Technology AB
UIQ Technology develops and licenses world-class user interface platforms for
Symbian OS based mobile phones. Publicly announced UIQ licensees include Sony
Ericsson and BenQ Corp. The company also supports its licensees in implementing
UIQ and in bringing enchanting mobile phones to market. UIQ Technology also
provides a SDK (Software Development Kit) to enable application development
for mobile phones based on UIQ. UIQ Technology AB, established 1998 in Ronneby,
Sweden, is a fully owned subsidiary of Symbian Ltd. The company currently has
more than 90 employees. Sony Ericsson launched their first UIQ based device,
the P800, at the end of 2002.
For further information, please contact:
Sony Ericsson Corporate Communications
Telephone: +44 (0) 208 762 5858
E-mail: info@SonyEricsson.com
Nokia Mobile Software Communications
Tel. +358 718008000
E- mail: nokia.mobile.phones@nokia.com
Any product features, specifications or statements in this document that are
not historical facts are forward-looking and involve risks and uncertainties.
Actual product features, specifications or forward-looking statements are subject
to change.
