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Nokia's Qt 4.7 app framework goes gold, encourages Symbian and MeeGo development for fun and profit
Qt forms the backbone of Nokia's multi-platform strategy, linking Symbian and MeeGo under a common framework that it hopes will prevent the developer community from fragmenting and allow MeeGo to freeload a bit off Symbian's massive popularity in the global market. To that end, the latest release -- 4.7 -- is a pretty big deal, both in terms of new functionality and timing since MeeGo and Symbian^3 devices are both just around the corner. The biggest change is the addition of a new UI definition framework, Qt Quick, that includes both a new script-based language for describing user interfaces and a drag-and-drop environment for whipping them up. All told, the system should make it easier for devs to quickly throw together a good-looking interface that works across both MeeGo and Symbian -- and considering that apps can (and usually do) make or break a platform, we'd say that's a good thing.
European Commission approves Nokia's acquisition of Trolltech
Not like we were really suspecting any issues or anything, but the European Commission has just made public its "unconditional approval" of Nokia's "voluntary tender offer for all the shares in Trolltech ASA." In other words, Nokia's acquisition of Trolltech is officially complete, with today being the final day in which the latter company is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange. Such a cute couple, don't you think?
Nokia "definitely" preparing Linux-based phones, flavor unknown
With Nokia's dedication to Maemo and the recent Trolltech acquisition, it's no secret that Espoo has its eyes firmly locked on the Linux prize -- but outside the whole Internet Tablet phenomenon, there hasn't been a lot of product to show for it. Looks like that's all about to change, with CFO Rick Simonson commenting this week that the company will "definitely" be releasing some Linux-based cellphones in the future, marking a pretty big move for a company with strong tradition in its long-lived Series 40 dumbphone and S60 smartphone platforms. Simonson refused to get into the nitty gritty details about what flavor of mobile Linux would be used; borrowing from its tablets might make sense, but the Android and LiMo juggernauts seem like they're going to be pretty hard to ignore as well -- not to mention that Google is said to have chatted briefly about Android with Nokia in the not-too-distant past. So what does this all mean? Is S60 Touch in danger here?[Via Thumb Report]Update: A closer look-see at Reuters' report (ignoring the misleading headline) indicates that Nokia has not specifically committed to rolling out Linux on phones -- rather, it has simply said that it intends to expand its use of Linux across its product portfolio. We figure that handsets are bound to get swept into the mix at some point, but technically, we could just be looking at other kinds of devices. Always room for another Internet Tablet or three, we suppose. Thanks, Eric!
Trolltech blesses Qtopia with finger-friendly touch, Outlook sync support
Mobile Linux flagbearer Trolltech appears to be carrying on at a nice clip in the wake of its acquisition by Nokia, and for its Qtopia Phone Edition platform, things just got a little sweeter. The company is using MWC as its stage to announce version 4.3, which is actually a good deal more revolutionary than its one-tenth increment would lead on. Biggies in the new build include a new UI theme designed to be finger-friendly (which makes total sense considering Trolltech's endorsement of the keypadless Neo1973 as the hackable, Linux-based mobile of choice for the moment), the "Qtopia Sync Agent" which ushers data between a Qtopia device and Microsoft Outlook, and support for Real's Helix DNA media engine, among other things. The goods are already available in beta, open source form from Trolltech's site, so hack away.[Via Geekzone]
Nokia acquires Trolltech -- the biggest little company you've never heard of
In a move meant to bolster its software development prowess, Nokia just announced the acquisition Trolltech. Who's Trolltech? Well, its software can be found in some 10 million devices. In fact, Trolltech's Qt is used by such familiar applications as Skype, Google Earth, and Photoshop Elements while their Qtopia was spotted on a hacked Archos 5 series earlier this month. By acquiring Trolltech's software development frameworks and application platforms, Nokia hopes to help developers create Internet applications that work on PCs and across Nokia devices. Specifically, Nokia claims that the move will "further increase the competitiveness of S60 and Series 40." The deal also grandfathers Nokia into the LiMo Foundation and its attempt to bring open-source to your handset. Hear that Android? The $153 million offer must still be processed through regulatory channels and approved by shareholders -- all expected before June in out.
TrollTech, Huawei join LiMo Foundation, forces align against Android
Anyone looking to fight the Android machine is likely going to need to roll in the heavy artillery, and that's exactly the kind of momentum the LiMo Foundation is looking to build with an announcement today that they've added five -- count 'em, five new members to their merry band. Most notable of the bunch are Huawei, the Chinese hardware firm just now making inroads into the American market, and Trolltech, the company possibly best known for its now-discontinued Greenphone Linux candybar that develops and maintains the Qtopia platform. Existing members include NTT DoCoMo, Panasonic, Motorola, NEC, Samsung, and Vodafone, giving these guys some serious firepower in founder NTT's ongoing effort to establish a consistent Linux-based platform across its handsets. Of course, the Japanese megacarrier is a member of the Open Handset Alliance, too, so maybe everyone can end up playing nice in the name of open source success after all.
Trolltech sells its last Greenphone, recommends Neo1973
Seeing the quirky, totally open Greenphone exit stage left brings a tear to our eye, we admit, but at least the torch to a promising successor. Trolltech -- maker of the Greenphone and the Linux-based Qtopia platform it runs -- has announced that they've sold clean out of the handsets having accomplished its reason for existence: hyping Qtopia itself. Trolltech readily admits that it's a software company, and now that Qtopia's out there in developers' hands (and possibly now with a strong ally in Motorola), it returns to its software roots and points in the direction of OpenMoko's up-and-coming Neo1973 open source phone for future devs looking to follow in the Greenphone's footsteps. Of course, the consumer version of the Neo isn't out just yet, but Trolltech says it hopes to be making announcements about support for additional devices in the near future -- so any way you slice it, the spirit of the Greenphone plods happily on.
Motorola hooks up with Trolltech for MOTOMAGX development
When you pair one of the stodgier manufacturers in the biz with a company whose claim to fame is a bright green hacker's delight, good things are bound to happen, right? Trolltech has announced that it'll be providing its Linux Software Development Kit -- based on the same Qtopia Core that powers the Greenphone -- to Motorola in support of its MOTOMAGX platform. MOTOMAGX looks to likely succeed both Synergy and JUIX as Motorola's mainstream platform of choice in future products, meaning that Trolltech could find its way into a market orders of magnitude larger than that for devices running Qtopia alone. Of course, if Trolltech wants to bust out a 3G Greenphone in the meantime, we're not about to complain.
Trolltech gets cozy with OpenMoko, ports platform to Neo1973
Trolltech and OpenMoko are pretty much the two patron saints of open source phoning at the moment -- and seeing how it's a nascent market (to say the least), hooking up is probably the right move to make. Trolltech, maker of that crazy green (and aptly named) Greenphone, has ported its Qtopia Phone Edition software stack to OpenMoko's hardware, giving hackers tooling around with their Neo1973s another platform with which to play. Concurrently with the announcement, Trolltech has revealed that its entire Qtopia reference platform is now available under version 2 of the GPL; previously, parts of the package were only available under a commercial license, so this is a pretty big win for the open source community. Whether this all translates to a better experience once the Neo1973 moves from developer platform to retail device remains unclear, but it certainly can't hurt -- and it might mark the passing of the open source torch from the Greenphone to OpenMoko's efforts.[Via MobileBurn]
Trolltech's Qtopia Greenphone and SDK gets reviewed
The Qtopia Greenphone was announced last summer and it hit up the Linux developer market pretty nicely with the forthcoming support that was announced. Well, linuxlookup.com has just completed a review of the Greenphone and the SDK for the unit as well -- and while the overall impression was favorable in terms of the "out of the box" experience, it's hard to say if this device is ready for prime time. Yes, the Greenphone could pass for a very nice standard candy bar handset -- but its intention is to become another Linux OS standard for mobile according to Qtopia (using its own Qtopia Phone Edition OS). The difference here is that Qtopia wants to open development for this platform to the masses. Now, if we could find some flex-agent spray paint, we'd turn this into the Purplephone. Still, with a QVGA display, Bluetooth, miniSD, Linux kernel 2.4.19, a touch screen and a 1.3 megapixel digicam, this unit is nice portioned for everyday use regardless of color.
Trolltech announces pricing for Greenphone kits
The good news: the Greenphone really is available for purchase. The bad news: Trolltech wasn't joking when they said the phones would be heading straight to developers with nary an end user in sight. The Greenphone is only available as part of one of three software development bundles put together by the company, ranging in price from $695 to $890; to be fair, those aren't unheard of prices to pay for an unbranded, unlocked smartphone these days (SDK or no), but when you take a good, hard look at the candybar's specs, there are clearly better buys on the market. That being said, bright green smartphones running Linux have a certain appeal to them that we're having a hard time denying. Quantities are apparently limited, so consumers hoping to deny actual developers from getting their hands on a kit best get in touch with Trolltech on the double.
Trolltech's Linux-based "Greenphone" for developers
Why wait for Access Linux or a garden-variety consortium to come to market, when Trolltech's got us covered right now with their Qtopia smartphone platform? Of course, devices running Qtopia have been few and far between, and unless you're willing to hit up France for one of your own, tracking down a handset is likely an exercise in futility. Trolltech has been feeling your pain and looks to introduce their "Greenphone" as part of several software development kits they'll be offering starting next month. We had a chance to hit up their launch event last night and snapped a couple shots (our apologies for the quality) and we have to admit, even though this thing is targeted squarely at Qtopia developers, it could just as well be decent looking handset for the masses. The quadband GSM / GPRS Greenphone includes Bluetooth, 64MB of RAM, 128MB of ROM with a miniSD slot for expansion, and a QVGA touchscreen sitting atop a 317MHz XScale; we're even digging the ecto-green exterior. Interested parties best be on their toes -- the phone won't be offered alone, and SDK packages will be available in strictly limited quantities.
