More Choice - More Opportunity? ... Nokia's recent announcement that S60 3rd Edition Feature Pack 2 (FP2) would provide native support for widgets adds yet another option for developers to create applications for S60. The choice of development environments on S60 encompasses the original Java and C++, plus Python, Flash, and now widgets. Somewhat related, the passing into history of AppForge means there is a temporary hiatus in support for Microsoft languages, but that option might be back soon.

However, even with all these choices, the hay-day of hobbyist development may be well and truly over. Java, C++, and Python require some degree of skill in programming. Flash requires a significant investment in development tools and widgets, by and large, will need the backend server development to offer any advanced features. For the logical thinker with a great idea but little money, none of these options offer a way to take an idea and build an application with only a minimal understanding of programming.

OPL used to fill this gap, but despite a brief renaissance it has once again faded. Of course the problem is money. Odd ball, amateur developers don't generate revenue, they don't create large knock on device sales, and they don't buy expensive tools. However, some of the greatest ideas of our time have grown from these minds.

It is a little sad to see the smartphone become the exclusive domain of skilled developers, when these devices have so much potential for truly personal applications. However, it is unlikely that heady days of OPL on Psion's organizers will return. What's your take on this? Feel free to shout-out to us – simply email “info” - A TIP... are you searching for leads on developer programs? If so then check out this huge directory of devzones and developer programs.

Forum Nokia Introduces Series 40 Platform 5th Edition For Mobile Application Developers - New API support and advanced Java™ technologies let developers quickly provide latest applications and services to mass-market mobile consumers and business users.

RIP AppForge - The option of creating applications for Symbian devices using Microsoft Visual Basic or C# is no more. AppForge has shut up shop, with no sign of any continuing support of the third-party developers.

Global IP Solutions Announces Availability of VoiceEngine on Sony Ericsson Smartphones - Global IP Solutions (GIPS), the leading provider of embedded media processing solutions, announced today that it will enable VoIP on Sony Ericsson smartphones in the future through a SIP- based VoIP client.

GoDB Tech to partner with Symbian to develop mobile applications - which assists rapid development of wireless applications & services for leading smart phones. The GoDB platform currently supports S60 and UIQ software on Symbian OS.

Symbian OS News updates

• VITO AudioNotes for Nokia Series 60 Released


• Make Your Fingers Happy and Phone Data Safer with New Software Companion for Nokia Phones


• Initiative aims to trial mobile data rates in excess of 100 Mbps


• ShoZu Expands Mobile Video/Photo Uploading to Vox & LiveJournal


• Wayfinder’s Services to be Preinstalled on Nokia N95 GPS Phones by the Operator mobilkom austria


• Handango Releases 2007 First Quarter Yardstick Revealing Smartphone Industry Trends


• AT&T and Nokia Siemens Networks Award $100,000 to Georgia Institute of Technology Students


• SAMSUNG Unveils the Symbian OS Smartphone SGH-i400


• OZ Acquires Thumbspeed – Creating Mobile Messaging Powerhouse


• Top Microsoft Office-compatible mobile productivity solution now shipping on millions of smartphones


• The FierceWireless Fierce 15

LBS News updates

• Wayfinder Systems Agreement with World Leading Handset Manufacturer Based on Tele Atlas Maps


• Goog 411 - Google Delivering Local search to your mobile


• SHAPE Services to Give Away $10,000 in Prizes in Treasure Island Mobile Multi- Player Game


• TruePosition Partners With GPShopper to Offer Wireless Operators Location-Aware Shopping Services

Interested in more LBS news and resources? Visit our friends at LBSzone.com

A MESSAGE FROM OUR SPONSOR

Where 2.0 Where 2.0 takes place May 29-30, 2007 at the Fairmont in San Jose, California - The third annual O'Reilly Where 2.0 Conference brings together the people, projects, and issues building the new technological foundations and creating value in the location industry. There's no better place to meet the people behind the mash-ups and platforms, and the folks looking ahead to the future of geospace.

COMMUNITY / DEVZONE ANNOUNCEMENTS

Latest Tricks and Code from Sony Ericsson - Sony Ericsson Developer World is continuing to build out a useful collection of UIQ 3 tricks and code for Symbian C++ developers. Check out the latest postings for April.

Nokia To Demonstrate Ongoing Support For Advanced Java Technologies At 2007 JavaOne Event - In its seventh consecutive year of sponsorship support for JavaOne, Nokia will host numerous events, demos and workshops that demonstrate its leadership in providing device platforms that help developers to build and deliver mobile applications to consumers around the globe in less time, with less effort and at lower cost than competing solutions

Save The Date - Symbian Partner Event SPE07 London, May 9, 2007 - The first event of this year - SPE07 London - takes place on Wednesday, 9th May 2007. Activities run throughout the day and will include keynote presentations, panel discussions, an exhibitor zone and break-out sessions intended to provide both commercial and technical attendees with their own focus areas during the day.

The Essential Carbide.c++ - Symbian Press has added another title to its Essential series of booklets. This time its an essential guide to Carbide.c++.

Sony Ericsson UIQ 3 Tutorial Part 4 - Part 4 of ony Ericsson's tutorial series on creating C++ applications for UIQ 3 has now been posted. In the latest installment Simon Judge looks at working with code.

From Sony Ericsson Developer World...

• Z750: first Java Platform 8 (JP-8) phone supporting next-generation Mobile Services Architecture
• Sony Ericsson phones in Adobe® Device Central CS3
• 2 new Walkman® Java Platform 7 (JP-7) phones revealed
• New tutorial, creating game music for Java ME phones

New at Forum.Nokia...

• S60 Platform: 3D Game Engine Example v1.1
• Open C Plug-in for S60 3rd edition SDKs, for Symbian OS, for C++
• Symbian OS: End-to-End HTTP API Example v1.3
• S60 Platform: Descriptor Example v2.0
• Carbide.c++ v1.2 beta, the development tool for C++ for Symbian OS and OpenC developers

New in the SymbianOne Downloads...

• VITO AudioNotes
• Oxygen Express 1.6
• Essential UIQ 3 - Getting started
• Programmer's guide to new features in UIQ 3
• WordPress Mobile Plugin

CAREERS

The SymbianOne Career Center - Browse the current opportunities available for wireless developers and symbian programmers. Don't see a job you like? Looking for a developer? Send details to us at SymbianOne and we'll list your announcement right here in the newsletter... best of all this is a FREE service.

• Technical Writer, UIQ
• C++ Symbian Programmer for the Best Mobile Developers in the UK
• Developer Service Manager
• Developer Consultant
• Project Managers

Have you visited the SymbianOne Symbian Freeware Repository Yet?
More than 150 Apps & Growing!

Link to SymbianOne.com - have you added a link to SymbianOne from your web site yet? To make things a bit easier for you, we've included a small graphic [below] that you are welcome to use.

Symbian OS Software Applications for the Nokia E95

Suggested Application... LCG Jukebox (for Symbian) - LCG Jukebox is music player for mobile devices, that is designed to suit all your music listening desires. It has excellent sound quality, comfortable playlist management, easy music selection, equalizer, Internet streaming, and more.

• Handy Tools Pro for S60
• Handy Safe for S60
• WorldMate for Series 60
• Quickoffice Premier v4 (S60 3rd Edition)
• Handy Weather for S60

Sony Ericsson shares end-user trends at UIQ Developer Fast Track events
Sony Ericsson is joining UIQ and Symbian OS experts at the UIQ Developer Fast Track events on May 10–11 in Boston and May 14–15 in San Francisco to share end-user trends, enabling developers to better understand and take advantage of the market segments associated with Sony Ericsson's P990, M600 and W950 UIQ 3-based phones.

Mobile Location Enabled Services 2007 conference
Learn how to expand your profit potential at Mobile Location Enabled Services 2007 conference - a high quality forum for the industry players to meet, discuss and plot the path to mass profits for mobile location enabled services.

Wireless Enterprise Symposium2007
Created exclusively for BlackBerry Solution Administrators, Developers and end-users, this year’s conference offers an unbeatable range of topics on BlackBerry and other wireless technologies.

Request the 2007 SymbianOne Rate Card & Media Kit - Promote your application, device, or services using online banner ads, newsletter sponsorship, or direct email to thousands of mobile technology professionals. Reach thousands of developers and mobile industry architects... Interested in reaching a large, targeted audience of mobile developers, enthusiasts, and wireless technology professionals? Contact us for more information and sponsorship information - info[at]symbianone.com. We can offer you a very competitive, focused campaign. Interested in email a targeted list rental? Contact us for more info.

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