Symbian

Symbian27.03.2009

Symbian teammembers

Inês Santos

Joachim Laus

Juha Hollanti

Sven Heremans

Thomas Hoffner

Thomas Wachnik

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Main topics

1. Introduction

2. Platform

3. Software development

4. Overall evaluation

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1. Introduction

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Symbian’s Introduction

The Smartphone operating system Symbian OS is produced by the software development and licensing company Symbian Ltd.

Symbian Ltd was established in June 1998 and is headquartered in Southwark in the UK, and the current CEO is Nigel Clifford.

Research

We had in mind Symbian’s background, the whole history and development behind this operating system, his capabilities, security, performance and so on.

Hardware support and connectivity were, as well, one of our research points.

The native language of the Symbian OS is C++, there for, our research will passes through the programming languages that can be used on Symbian.

The advantages and limitations will be the last tasks we’ll talk about.

2. Platform

2.1 Hardware

Computer Hardware Requirements: (minimum)

CPU: 1.2GHz processor, x86 architectureMonitor: 1024 x 768-pixel screen, 16-bit colorMemory: 512MBHard drive: 200 MB of free disk space

Telephone Hardware Requirements:

A Symbian-able smartphone is needed, not every phone can run Symbian as OS.

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2. Platform

2.2 Operating System(s)

Computer Software:

Most of todays PC are suitable to run the required programs for developing for Symbian.

Telephone Software:

S60 UIQ MOAP

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2. Platform

2.3 Network Connectivity

Which evolution in the various versions?

Symbian OS 6.0 and 6.1 (also called ER6 ): Bluetooth was added for exchanging data over short distances from fixed and mobile devices. (2002)

Symbian OS 7.0 and 7.0s: This version added EDGE support and IPV6. (2003)

What is the EDGE? (Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution)

What is the IPV6?

Symbian OS 8.0: There are not great evolution has shared some API’s to support 3G.

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2. Platform

2.3 Network Connectivity

Which evolution in the various versions?

Symbian OS 9.1: Change of version 1.2 for the Bluetooth has version 2.0 where the difference is the introduction of an Enhanced Data Rate (EDR) for faster data transfer.

Symbian OS 9.3: The WIFI 802.11 and the HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access) appear on Symbian OS.

What is HSDPA?

Symbian Os 9.5: This last version includes native-support for mobile digital television broadcasts in DVB-H and ISDB-T formats and also location services.

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2. Platform

2.4 SecurityThe Symbian security model can be broken down into three main modules:

1. Trusted Computing Base (TCB)Kernel, file system and software installer.

2. Data Caging Protects executables and data files of applications.

3. CapabilitiesDefine what the application can and cannot do.

Capabilities:

Four types of capabilites:

- Open to all

- Granted by the user at installation time

- Granted through Symbian Signed

- Granted by the manufacturer

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2. Platform

Signing an application

- Open Signed

- Express Signed

- Certified Signing ( Symbian Signed )

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2. Platform

2.6 Future possibilities • The leading mobile OS

Symbian OS is still the “leading figure” in the smartphones market and according to Gartner Symbian’s market share is still the majority with a trend to decline.

• Symbian - open source software platform Nokia’s buying the rest of Symbian that it doesn’t already own, and will then create the Symbian Foundation, in collaboration with a number of other companies, and make Symbian royalty-free and open-source.

• Implications to the other OS The Symbian Foundation stirs up the future of the open mobile platform space. It does seem fair to draw the conclusion that the Symbian Foundation puts the Symbian platform in a stronger position and this will negatively affect the other players.

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3. Software development

3.1 Development requirements

The right SDK S60 UIQ MOAP

The IDE-tool of your choice

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3. Software development

UIQ TelephonesUIQ 3.1 (Symbian OS v9.2) Motorola MOTORIZR Z8

UIQ 3.0 (Symbian OS v9.1) Sony Ericsson M600, W960, P990

UIQ 2.1 (Symbian OS v7.0) Sony Ericsson P910, P900, Motorola A1000, FOMA M1000, Arima U308

UIQ 2.0 (Symbian OS v7.0) Sony Ericsson P800, P802, Motorola A920, A925, BenQ P30

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S60 TelephonesS60 3rd edition FP2 (Symbian OS v9.3) Nokia N96, N78 Samsung I8510 innov8, L870

S60 3rd edition FP1 (Symbian OS v9.2) Nokia N95, N82, N77, Samsung SGH-i450, SGH-i550, SGH-i520, SGH-i560, G81, LG JOY

S60 3rd edition (Symbian OS v9.1) Nokia E60, E61, E70; 3250, N71, N80, N91, N92

S60 2nd edition FP3 (Symbian OS v8.1) Nokia N70, N90

S60 2nd edition FP2 (Symbian OS v8.0a) Nokia 6630, 6680, 6681, 6682, Lenovo P930

S60 2nd edition FP1 (Symbian OS v7.0s) Nokia 3230, 6670, 7610, 6620, 6260, Panasonic x700, x800, SDH-D720

S60 2nd edition (Symbian OS v7.0s) Nokia 6600

S60 1st edition (Symbian OS v6.1) Nokia 7650, Nokia 3650, 3600, 3660, 3620, N-Gage(QD), Sendo X, Siemens SX1

3. Software development

3.2 IDE and Tools

What is IDE* ?

An IDE is a software application that allows the computer programmer to develop software for a certain platform. An IDE normally has a: source editor, compiler and/or interpreter and debugger.

*Integrated Development Environment or also known as integrated design environment or integrated debugging environment.

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3. Software development

Which IDE ?

Carbide C++ CodeWarrior Visual C++

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3. Software development

What tools are needed:

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Tool name Description

GCC for Symbian Can be used to compile Symbian C++ applications.

Symbian Certificate Manager Allows you to manage your certificates within Carbide

Symbian DevCert Request Enables you to obtain a Symbian Developer Certificate

Symbian MakeSIS Allows you to “convert” your c++ programs into .sis packages, which simplify the installation on other Symbian OS devices.

Symbian UnSIS Extracts the .sis packages

Programing languages

Symbian OS offers a choice of programming languages to the developer. Symbian

OS is written in C++ , and this is therefore regarded as its primary programming language.

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Programing languages

Java 2nd the most important programing language on Symbian OS.

Others programing languages which you can use on Symbian;

JavaSript, Assembler,WMLScript,C# , Visual Basic, OPL and so on…

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4. Overall Evaluation

4.1 Advantages  • Operating system designed from scratch for mobile platforms

• mobile phones are both small and mobile• mobile phones are ubiquitous – they target a mass-market of consumer,

enterprise and professional users • mobile phones are occasionally connected – they can be used when

connected to the wireless phone network, locally to other devices, or on their own

• manufacturers need to differentiate their products in order to innovate and compete in a fast-evolving market

• the platform has to be open to enable independent technology and software vendors to develop third-party applications, technologies and services

• Best fitted for mobile market

• Great market share

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4. Overall Evaluation

4.2 Limitations  • Steep learning curve for developers 

• Developing in general  

• Porting 

• Symbian signed 

• Dependency on Nokia (!)

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4. Overall Evaluation

4.3 Conclusion

Manufacturs point-of-view• Strong Operating System• Established value

Developers point-of-view• Developing for Symbian brings limitations.• A Symbian developer will only develop for Symbian. Is that interesting?

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Q & A

Any questions??

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