Building Symbian Apps Using JavaME, Python, Flash, Ruby & .NET
The Symbian Foundation has launched a beta of its new developer site. The site provides code, bug-tracking, reference documentation, a wiki and forums. It also has guides to building applications for a Symbian device using various software development alternatives like JavaME, Python, Flash, Ruby & .NET
Almost exactly an year back, Nokia acquired all of the rights to the Symbian operating system (OS) and open sourced it under the Eclipse license. With 60 percent of the mobile market, Symbian has long been the dominant mobile OS.
The Symbian Foundation FAQ on the site answers various queries about the foundation.
What is the Symbian Foundation?
The Symbian Foundation is a non-profit organization founded in 2009. Our mission is to enable a global business ecosystem that collaborates to create the richest and most satisfying mobile user experiences.
Our organization exists to provide support and technology to a fast-moving, creative and inspired community that is building devices and solutions that make money, based on the Symbian platform. The Symbian Foundation is here to enable the best possible user experience – the technology contributors, member companies and participating individuals will create it.
What is the Symbian platform and who can use it?
The Symbian platform is open source software based on Symbian OS, the most widely used open operating system for mobile phones. The OS has been integrated with software assets contributed by Nokia, NTT DOCOMO, and Sony Ericsson, including the S60 and MOAP(S) user interfaces.
Portions of the source code are already being moved to open source, under the Eclipse Public License. By mid-2010, this process will be complete. At this point, the complete source code will be available to all – members and non-members, enthusiasts, Web designers, professional developers, service providers and device manufacturers.
Until this time, members of the Symbian Foundation have access, under a royalty-free Symbian Foundation License, to the portions of the code that are not yet open source.
The most exciting aspect of the Symbian platform is that it will evolve and grow as more people and companies participate. Together, we will collaborate to create an industry standard, through open implementation, that will generate revenue for companies and choice for consumers.
