Tag Archive for 'Developers'

Nokia’s Qt SDK 1.0 improves App Developer Opportunities.

Published on June 24, 2010 in Uncategorized. 1 Comment Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , .

Starting yesterday, Nokia is increasing the opportunity and lowering barriers to entry by supporting individual developers, reducing investment costs and providing cross-platform app development for Symbian and Maemo devices with the Qt SDK 1.0.

Following the new Forum Nokia developer mantra of “Design, Develop and Distribute”, several developer-related announcements are being consolidated into one main message to show developers the improvements that have been made to the overall ecosystem.

There are five noteworthy announcements that will benefit developers working on Nokia platforms:

• Availability of Nokia Qt SDK 1.0
• Individuals can now register as Ovi Publishers
• Public beta of Nokia signing Symbian apps for free
• Availability of Nokia Smart Installer for Symbian
• Ovi Store intake for Qt apps

Availability of the Nokia Qt SDK 1.0

The Nokia Qt SDK 1.0 is available starting today (http://www.forum.nokia.com/Develop/Qt/), and it offers a true cross-platform development environment allowing developers to create applications for both Symbian and Maemo devices. Installation is easy, as it only requires one installation package that downloads all of the Qt and Symbian/Maemo components that developers need using the same Qt Creator 2.0 as standard Qt SDK’s for use on Windows, Linux and Mac (beta). The Nokia Qt SDK 1.0 includes the Qt 4.6 libraries plus additional API’s for mobile development. With a fast, new simulator along with on-device debugging and the ability to compile to both .sis (Symbian) or .deb (Maemo) packages, it provides developers with a great opportunity to start creating amazing apps right away.

Individuals can now register as Ovi Publishers

Individuals (i.e., people that are not part of a specific company or business) can now register as an Ovi publisher (https://publish.ovi.com/register/country_and_account_type) and easily distribute their apps worldwide through Ovi Store. Individuals will still have to pay the one-time 50 Euro registration fee, and they can submit apps that are written in Qt, Symbian, Java, Flash Lite or Web Runtime (WRT). Allowing individuals to publish their applications to Ovi Store is competitive to what Apple and Android allow today and helps to provide parity for Ovi Store.

Public beta of Nokia signing Symbian apps for free

The goal here is to lower the barrier to entry for developers by simplifying the tools and the process, as well as removing some of the cost associated with developing mobile apps for distribution in Ovi Store. For developers creating Symbian apps there are initial investment costs such as obtaining a Publisher ID and paying a third party to have their apps Symbian signed. Currently, this can take around four weeks, and impose expenses for the developer up to $215 (USD). With this public beta, we are exploring a developer workflow to reduce the time for developers to two weeks and bring the cost involved to $0 (USD). Eliminating the fee for signing Symbian apps makes our investment story for developing for Ovi Store competitive with Apple and Google.

Availability of Nokia Smart Installer for Symbian

Qt developers can use the new Nokia Qt SDK 1.0 to easily bundle the Nokia Smart Installer for Symbian SIS with their app SIS to reach millions of users with Nokia Symbian devices worldwide. When an end user downloads an app, the Nokia Smart Installer for Symbian will check for dependencies, and if any missing files or Qt libraries are detected the Nokia Smart Installer for Symbian will download them from Nokia servers.

Ovi Store intake for Qt apps

Finally, Qt developers can upload Qt Symbian apps targeting both the Nokia N97 mini and Nokia X6, as well as Qt Maemo apps for the Nokia N900 mobile computer. The Nokia N8 will be supported when it’s released later this year, and additional Nokia Symbian (5.0 and 3.1/3.2) devices will be supported in the future, allowing Qt developers to reach a growing market of Nokia users worldwide. Applications will be published to Ovi Store beginning next month.

Safaricom and Strathmore University partner for Mobile Applications Academy.

Published on May 16, 2010 in Uncategorized. 5 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

Safaricom, Kenya’s largest mobile network and Strathmore University, one of Kenya’s leading private Universities have partnered for mobile applications training in Kenya via the “Safaricom Academy” initiative. According to Safaricom, the goal of the Safaricom Academy is to create employment through innovation and grow young talent through mobile application development that is relevant to Kenya.

The Safaricom Academy also aims to create the relevant competence in mobile applications development through partnership with existing educational institutions by enhancing their curriculum. The media announcement also emphasized that the Safaricom Academy will also act as a incubator for young application developers, enabling them to create and innovate. The main goals for the Safaricom Academy are:

  • Promote local innovation in developing relevant applications for the Kenyan market.
  • Create an enabling environment for the development of relevant mobile applications.
  • Attracting companies with applications to host them within the Safaricom Portal.

I have to admit that of all the goals the last one points to the fact that Safaricom is ultimately looking to build a mobile applications store within their Safaricom.com mobile portal that it would be able to monetize. This will possibly further strengthen their leadership as the only 3G mobile network in Kenya. In a nutshell, Safaricom is going as far as training the next generation of mobile application developers to “feed” its data business.

In addition, by rolling out the Safaricom Academy, it goes to show that Safaricom is investing in ensuring that more and more local content and mobile applications are available in the marketplace, going forward, via their mobile network. Its a smart move not just to own the pipes but also the content that goes through it (I hope the other mobile networks are paying attention to the implications of this initiative!).

The criteria for enrollment into the Safaricom Academy as published are as follows:

  • Be self-motivated and have a strong interest in mobile application development as a career.
  • Be a recent graduate for final year student in Degree/Diploma in information technology, computer science, electrical engineering, business information technology or equivalent course.
  • Should have attained an upper second/distinction or equivalent (final year students should have a cumulative grade leading to an upper second or equivalent).
  • Have experience in java programming and object-oriented design.
  • Have a good knowledge of a relational database management system (e.g. MySQL, MS SQL, Oracle or a similar DBMS) and experience in database design.
  • Be fully available to attend this course for its entire duration (5 weeks on full-time basis).
  • Experience handling SMS APIs will be an added vantage.

Candidates for the Safaricom Academy can apply for entry via Strathmore University’s web site at
http://www.strathmore.edu/mobile/register.php

Kenyan Mobile Apps and Content to go on Nokia’s OVI Store.

Published on April 30, 2010 in Uncategorized. 3 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

Application Developers and Publishers in Kenya can now publish and distribute their mobile applications directly on Nokia’s OVI Store. The OVI self service tool provides an easy way to distribute and monetize local mobile applications and content by potentially reaching millions of consumers around the world who use Nokia devices.

Through OVI Store, Nokia device users in Kenya and globally will have access to relevant and locally developed solutions that address their day to day needs. Publishers and Application Developers will be able to keep the larger 70% of revenue generated from sales with the smaller 30% going to Nokia via applications and content that they distribute through the OVI Store. This will create a healthy and fair incentive for Application Developers and Publishers to use the OVI Store.

Anyone can publish their won content in OVI Store, by selecting Publish to Ovi or going to publish.ovi.com, or to Forum Nokia. Once registered, you follow the instructions and submit your application and content for distribution through OVIStore. As a publisher for OVI, you will also have access to the publishing guide and more information to assist you in the publishing process.

Nokia Head of Solutions for East and Southern Africa, Agatha Gikunda, said Nokia would work closely with Application Developers in Kenya and innovators to develop locally relevant mobile phone applications. “Nokia is keen on developing personalized and relevant local applications that can used to address local problems that are unique to Africa. We want to raise awareness on how developers can tap into mobile applications thereby improving the local content and also make money in the process,”

Ms Gikunda said mobile phone penetration in Africa has surpassed that of computers and therefore mobile devices and relevant software will play a crucial role in entrenching ICT development in Sub-Saharan Africa. She said Forum Nokia would assist developers get their products to the market quickly and efficiently by delivering resources covering the entire mobile application lifecycle, from development to sales.

Nokia Communications Manager for East and Southern Africa, Dorothy Ooko said OVI Store has the potential to reach over 60 million Nokia devices users globally, expected to reach up to 300 million consumers by 2012, making it the world’s largest media network. “We want to engage developers in Kenya to learn about the latest technologies and business opportunities that are at available at Nokia,” said Ms. Ooko. Ms Ooko asked Application Developers to seize the opportunity to create locally relevant applications and distribute it to as many consumers as possible.

Ms. Ooko also  added that the Forum Nokia seeks to bring Application Developers, Network Operators, Content Partners, Media and Nokia experts together in a truly collaborative learning environment that explores how Nokia can help Application Developers improve their business and tap into the growth in mobile application development opportunities worldwide. Nokia’s OVI Store applications are supported by more than 75 Nokia devices to-date.

Photos from dotMobi Meetup at the iHub.

Published on March 12, 2010 in Uncategorized. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , .

These are photos from the dotMobi registry meetup at the iHub yesterday. An interesting presentation was made by Francesco Cetraro who is the Business Development Manager for the registry. They have lots of web sites that are useful for mobile (web) developers. Here is the link to the photos which you can also tag.

Kenya launch for US$ 1Million Nokia Mobile Developer Competition.

Published on February 4, 2010 in Uncategorized. 4 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , .

USD 1 million (Ksh 75 million) is up for grabs in a new competition announced by the world’s leading maker of mobile phones, Nokia.

Targeting local innovators and developers, The Growth Economy Venture Challenge is part of Nokia’s global Calling All Innovators 2010 competition, with participants expected to create a mobile phone solutions that raise living standards of the local people. The contest which officially kicked off this week is not limited to software or hardware that uses Nokia device or software platforms, and will consider any submission that enhances the target growth economy and also provides a potential return on the investment. The prize money will go to a single winning organization with the best idea as decided by a combination of judges from Nokia Growth Partners, Nokia’s venture arm, and Forum Nokia- Nokia’s organization dedicated to third party developers and other innovators

Targeting local innovators and developers, The Growth Economy Venture Challenge is part of Nokia’s global Calling All Innovators 2010 competition, with participants expected to create a mobile phone solutions that raise living standards of the local people. The contest which officially kicked off this week is not limited to software or hardware that uses Nokia device or software platforms, and will consider any submission that enhances the target growth economy and also provides a potential return on the investment. The prize money will go to a single winning organization with the best idea as decided by a combination of judges from Nokia Growth Partners, Nokia’s venture arm, and Forum Nokia- Nokia’s organization dedicated to third party developers and other innovators.

Ten finalists from the contest will be invited to present their ideas and business models to a panel of Nokia business people and private venture capitalists. This will provide an opportunity for the innovators to receive business guidance and possibly other funding from participating venture capitalists. Finalists will be announced by mid May 2010 while the final winner will be announced in June, 2010. The deadline for submissions is April 18, 2010.

Nokia will welcome any local mobile solution that can be applied to boost the local economy and ultimately uplift their living standards of the people. And the good news is that the contest is not limited to solutions that use a Nokia device or software, said Ms Agatha Gikunda, Nokia Head of Solutions, East and Southern Africa. Ms Gikunda said Nokia would offer developers and innovators technical support and marketing opportunities designed to promote their mobile phone solutions.

Addressing local developers at a Nairobi Hotel, Ms Gikunda said Nokia would accept innovative ideas in four main categories in the competition namely; Eco/Being Green applications that help to save the planet with innovative, eco-friendly uses, and Productivity applications that make life easier, and helps someone to be more efficient in utilities, business, or personal finance applications.

The other category is Life Improvement applications that positively affect the daily lives of people living in developing countries by using the prevalence of mobile devices to teach children and illiterate adults critical skills, and agriculture health.The final category falls under Entertainment applications that bring out musical talent and show off the coolest multimedia features, including music, multimedia and games to bring an element of having fun.

Mr Bitange Ndemo, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information and Communication challenged local developers to come up with mobile solutions that can compete with the best in the world. Mr Ndemo said the competition was designed to inspire innovators to create a mobile phone product or solution that will enhance the lives of the local people. Interested innovators can learn more and enter their submissions at www.callingallinnovators.com

About Nokia Growth Partners

Nokia Growth Partners is a leading global growth stage venture firm focused on mobile technology, services and media. Nokia Growth Partners is funded by Nokia to provide superior returns and investments into companies, firms, and people that are changing the face of mobility, communications, and the internet. Nokia Growth Partners works closely with
the promising companies adding value through deep domain expertise and network in the mobility market combined with many years of venture investment experience. Nokia Growth Partners offers companies in which it invests a global engagement model through its presence in the U.S., Europe and Asia. For more information visit: www.nokiagrowthpartners.com

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, India, 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 a pioneer in mobile telecommunications and the world’s leading
maker of mobile devices. Today, we are connecting people in new and
different ways – fusing advanced mobile technology with personalized
services to enable people to stay close to what matters to them. We also
provide comprehensive digital map information through NAVTEQ; and
equipment, solutions and services for communications networks through
Nokia Siemens Networks. More information at www.nokia.com