Espoo, Finland - Nokia (NYSE:NOK), the global leader in mobility, today announced the launch of Python for the Series 60 Platform, allowing the worldwide open-source developer community that utilizes the powerful Python programming language to execute Python commands and run Python scripts and applications on Series 60-based devices.
(Editor: In fact it was available in Decmber 2004.)
 
Available for free download via the website of Nokia's global developer community, Forum Nokia (www.forum.nokia.com/python), Python for Series 60 is a software package that installs to a Series 60 platform-based device, enabling developers to create applications with the simple and consistent, object-oriented Python programming language. It can be used to develop commands, scripts and applications for Series 60-based devices.
 
"Python will make mobile application development easy and accessible to programmers seeking a fast and developer-friendly avenue to writing mobile applications," said Lee Epting, vice president, Forum Nokia. "Python's popular features will now enable a dynamic new community of developers to unlock the vast potential of Series 60-based devices."
 
Python for Series 60 is well-suited to the development of prototype and proof-of-concept applications for Series 60-based mobile devices. Developers can execute Python commands using an interactive console in a Series 60-based device, accessible via the keypad or a remote connection to a PC over Bluetooth.
 
Using Python for Series 60, developers can write Python applications and install them to a Series 60-based device and the device can then run these applications from the Python environment. Python applications can also be developed to run as standalone applications with the selection of an icon from the device menu. Using Python for Series 60, developers also can execute Python commands and scripts in the emulators of Series 60 Developer Platform SDK's.
 
Python for Series 60 packages available for download include Python installer (SIS), with example scripts, release notes, additional libraries and documentation in PDF format, including "Getting Started with Python," "Programming with Python," and "API Reference for Python." Additionally, a Python for Series 60 discussion board on the Nokia site assists developers in navigating development scripts and applications on Series 60-based devices.
 
The Series 60 Platform, built on the Symbian OS, is the world's leading smartphone platform, with millions of devices in the market ready for the deployment of quality mobile applications. It is licensed by some of the foremost mobile phone manufacturers in the world including LG Electronics, Lenovo, Nokia, Panasonic, Samsung, Sendo and Siemens. 
 
About Python
Python is a powerful object-oriented programming language that is developed and maintained by a global community of open source developers under the oversight of the Python Software Foundation. Python is relatively easy to learn for programmers of other languages such as C, C++, Java, and Visual Basic, and can therefore assist programmer productivity. It is often characterized as an agile language that promotes speedy development and includes a unit-testing framework for building more robust applications. Python is often used in large system development to decrease software costs, and meet aggressive schedules. The language is the basis of applications used by tens of thousands of companies and organizations worldwide, and its user base is growing rapidly.
 
About Forum Nokia
Nokia's global developer program, Forum Nokia connects developers to tools, technical information, support, and distribution channels they can use to build and market applications around the globe. From offices in the U.S., Europe, Japan, China, and Singapore, Forum Nokia provides technical and business development support to developers and operators to assist them in achieving their goal of successfully launching applications and services to consumers and enterprises. More information is available at www.forum.nokia.com.

About Nokia
Nokia is the world leader in mobile communications, driving the growth and sustainability of the broader mobility industry. Nokia is dedicated to enhancing people's lives and productivity by providing easy-to-use and secure products like mobile phones, and solutions for imaging, games, media, mobile network operators and businesses.  Nokia is a broadly held company with listings on five major exchanges. For more information, visit www.nokia.com.