If you've been wondering how to get started in developing serious applications for Symbian and weren't quite sure whether to knuckle down and get into the official C++-based Symbian SDK or head for the new programming wunderkind, Qt (pronounced 'cute'😉, then have a look at this interview with Lucian Tomuta, also embedded below. He gives an intro and then shows how easy it is to compile and test apps, right onto the phone.
Read on in the full article.
Subtitles of English.. in English is slightly annoying.
Dynite wrote:Subtitles of English.. in English is slightly annoying.
Is it just me or the difference between developing applications on Symbian C++ and Qt is just like the difference between night and day?
I still remember how easily I abandoned programming in Symbian C++ in the years of SX1 (even a Hello World app was a nightmare to do)... maybe I should try again!!!
The Qt SDK is really nice. I've spent the last 3 years coding in Carbide, and I'm pretty proficient by now, but Qt Creator is just way slicker. Plus, it works on Mac and Linux too!
The Qt simulator is very fast to work with, and on device debugging is reasonably good too. When the IP based TRK arrives and we can debug over WiFi, this will be the leading mobile development platform.
Teknolog, I assume you work for/on app developer? Do you develop for other OSs as well? Will you develop for Symbian in the future, and why?
I can guess some of the answers, but would be fun to hear a real developers perspective rather than forum goers "expert" views on and on. 😊
I'm the worst person to ask, because I work for Symbian Foundation. Before this, I used to be an app developer for Symbian.
I am thinking of making an app in my spare time, for Symbian. I'd say it's probably the platform where it's the easiest to make money these days, because there is little competition and a massively untapped market.
Of course, virtually nobody makes money on apps for any platform, so I'd be surprised if I make more than pocket money. You really need a service as well in order to pull in serious money on apps.
I am iphone app developer and took up iphone app development around 1.5 years back (before that win mob 5/6.x and garnet). Xcode and doc made life very simple and huge crowd online were ready to help. 1 month back i took up Qt development for a client (insisted upon Qt) for 5th edition devices. The UI is completely customized but Woah!! Qt is awesome and GUI development is quick and easy. All the apis are readily available, and qt assistant is top notch (not boring like apple's). As c/C++ developer Qt can be caught easily and online help is growing. I think i will stick on to Qt irrespective of OS coz of the framework gives stupendous power to developers.
viipottaja wrote:Teknolog, I assume you work for/on app developer? Do you develop for other OSs as well? Will you develop for Symbian in the future, and why?I can guess some of the answers, but would be fun to hear a real developers perspective rather than forum goers "expert" views on and on. 😊
I work for Nokia in Symbian Devices, but not and engineer (in fact I have not done real engineering, hardware mostly, for the last 10 years) and am a marketing type. I wanted to see how good Qt was so thought I would have a go.
I installed Qt 1.0 SDK and followed the instructions and created an app based on an example they had (not using the code, just following the guidelines). And got it work and installed it on my Symbian^3 device.
It all worked and I did not touch any code at all, just used the designer view 😉 OK the app is pointless but I did it!
Cheers,
Kevin McIntrye
Folks,
Some good testimonies here, thank you. Would be great to put some more together about Qt - have you tried it? What did you like/not like? And especially, how does it compare to iPhone/Android if you've used those.
Please post here or email them to me at: alex [at] phonething.com
I'm a mobile and web software developer and mobile industry analyst with my own co, but would love to give some testimonies wider exposure in the industry network where I constantly hear about how iPhone and Android development is wonderful and making devs loads of money and that Nokia's rubbish for devs and makes no money - I don't believe either side to be true! (especially as I've heard to the contrary) And also stick them on a web page and publicise it a bit. I'll keep names/contact details private of course.
Cheers
Alex Kerr
phonething.com
Qt is excellent and mature framework. It was probably Nokia's best decisions for the past 10 years to buy Trolltech and bring Qt to Symbian. If you are familiar with C++, development is unbelievably easy. For example, within just two months we were able to develop and release as public open source project WordPress client at the same time for three platforms: N900, S60 3.1 and up, S60 5.0 and up, and now Symbian 3. We are dealing with touch and non touch keyboards, and variety of screen sizes:
Of course it is evolving very rapidly, and there are hiccups, but it is definitely Nokia's future.