mobileu.co.uk

Symbian takes on Google Android by opening up

The Symbian operating system – the world's most popular smartphone platform, associated most with Nokia phones – has been made open source.

From now on developers will be able to download free source code and experiment with it, paving the way for faster and more exciting development of mobile apps by eliminating the need for lengthy contract negotiations.

The move follows the increase in popularity of Apple's iPhone operating system and the Google Android platform – a favourite among handset makers like Motorola and HTC.

Symbian Foundation chief executive Lee Williams has pointed out that mid-2010 was the target for the completion of the open-source release of the platform, attributing the ahead-of-schedule development to the "extraordinary commitment and dedication from our staff and our member companies".

Non-profit outfit the Symbian Foundation was established by Nokia in 2008 after it purchased the software and implemented its development and transition to open source. In addition to the Finnish mobile phone giant, the foundation includes AT&T, LG, Motorola, Samsung, Sony Ericsson and Vodafone.

The Symbian operating system is used in 330 million handsets worldwide, and the latest version of the platform – Symbian 3 – is slated for delivery later this year.