Nokia and Sony Ericsson will make it possible for
software developers to use a single tool to create applications
that will run on phones from both vendors.
Unified toolsets to create software for both Nokia's Series 60
and the UIQ platform used by Sony Ericsson will be available from
the second quarter of this year. Nokia and Sony Ericsson hoped the
move would spur an increase in applications for mobile phones.
Both Nokia's Series 60 and UIQ from UIQ Technology are based on
Symbian operating system. However, developers use Visual C++ tools
to create programs for Nokia's Series 60 framework, while
MetroWerks' CodeWarrior is used to build applications for UIQ.
Nokia and Sony Ericsson have also been looking at offering a
common certification programme for Symbian applications, allowing
developers to test, certify and sign applications for Symbian-based
phones.
Developers who want to port existing applications to run on the
Symbian operating system will also get extra help. Nokia and Sony
Ericsson will offer improved tools, documentation and
guidelines.