S60 platform

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S60 platform overview

The S60 platform is the world’s most popular smartphone platform. It is implemented in a diverse range of devices and provides application and media developers with a consistent set of technologies. Equally at home delivering advanced enterprise applications, games, or music, the S60 platform gives developers unparalleled opportunities in the mobile space.

To create applications, developers can use Symbian C++ (using native Symbian OS and S60 platform APIs), a set of open C and C++ APIs, the Java™ language (using MIDP 2.1 with an extensive range of additional JSRs), Web Runtime (WRT) (using standard web technologies), Flash Lite from Adobe, and Python.

In addition, developers may wish to explore the Qt for S60 technology preview, which provides an insight into a new, cross-platform API that will become available on the S60 platform in the future.

Content developers have comprehensive support for audio, image, and video formats. In addition, Flash Lite from Adobe and SVGT can be used for animated content, while the Web Browser for S60 supports standard desktop web technologies. Artists and graphic designers can create themes for S60 devices that can completely alter a device’s look and sound.

Once applications and content have been created, support for OMA DRM protects developers’ intellectual property.

The S60 platform enables developers to create high-value applications and content with lucrative revenue opportunities. The platform approach — with uniform implementation of technologies and supporting tools, documentation, and examples — requires less effort by developers to grasp the biggest market opportunity.

Find out more about the platform’s value proposition to consumer and enterprise users at S60.com, the "one-stop shop" for consumer information on the S60 platform — including applications, licensees, devices, news, and blogs.

S60 5th Edition touches new heights in functionality and usability

S60 5th Edition is the next generation of the S60 platform. A new touchscreen capability with tactile feedback, sensor framework, and support for nHD screens brings an unprecedented level of expression and usability to S60 devices. These new features enable application developers to build more features into their UIs using the extra screen real estate, and to leverage touch, tactile feedback, and sensors to provide users with innovative ways of interacting with applications. Web and Flash Lite developers are now able to fully participate in the creation of mobile-aware applications and services, since S60 5th Edition gives them access to device data and information such as location. For content developers, nHD screen support opens the way for richer, more engaging content.

The S60 platform has already spawned many innovative applications. S60 5th Edition offers new opportunities for developers to innovate further with a range of new APIs:

• C++ developers get new UI controls and touch feedback APIs; a sensor framework to support accelerometers, magnetometers, and tap sensors; and improved features for web services and XML processing.
• Standard C/C++ developers get access to Open C++ (STL, IOStreams, and Boost libraries) as standard platform features.
• Java developers get an updated version of the Advanced Multimedia Supplements (JSR-234).
• WRT and Flash Lite developers gain access to S60 Platform Services, allowing them to access the application manager; S60 application data (Calendar, Contacts, Logs, and Messaging [SMS and MMS]); device location and landmarks; system information; and sensors.
• Media developers gain support for Windows Media (WM) DRM 10, WM Audio 9, and WM Video 9 (in selected devices).

To find out more, read S60 5th Edition: What’s New for Developers »

For assistance with all aspects of S60 5th Edition, contact the experts at Forum Nokia Technical Support. They are more than willing to answer any questions about the new APIs and touchscreen UI.

Find out more about Forum Nokia Technical Support »

C++ application developers

The S60 platform provides developers with C++ APIs from Symbian OS and the S60 UI and application engines. In addition, Open C/C++ enables developers familiar with standard C/C++ on desktop computers to create application engines and middleware using their existing skills.

S60 3rd Edition provides industry-leading security underpinned by Symbian Signed and a highly efficient binary format. C++ developers have access to new location, SIP, DRM, and IM APIs in this edition. S60 3rd Edition, Feature Pack 1 adds APIs for OCR, OpenGL V1.1, and improved interaction with platform features such as the gallery, settings, and phonebook. S60 3rd Edition, Feature Pack 2 adds APIs for seamless connection transition.

Find out more about platform security »

In addition, S60 3rd Edition includes Open C, which gives developers access to a set of standard POSIX and middleware C libraries, and Open C++, which provides the STL, IOStreams, and Boost libraries. This access significantly improves developers’ ability to use existing C/C++ code and smoothes the path for C/C++ developers who want to build applications for the S60 platform.

S60 5th Edition provides Symbian C++ developers with a range of new APIs that take advantage of the touchscreen with new UI controls, touch feedback, and sensor information. In addition, new APIs offer enhanced web services capabilities. These new features offer C++ developers the opportunity to explore new UI interaction paradigms and work more extensively with information on the web.

The latest S60 5th Edition device, the Nokia N97 mobile computer, provides C++ developers with two additional APIs:

• Homescreen Publishing API, which enables developers to publish native applications so that users can view data from these applications in the home screen.
• Out-of-Memory Monitor API, which provides methods for applications to quickly reallocate memory blocks or register themselves with higher priority — thus preventing the shutting down of an application running in the background when a device’s available memory is low.

These APIs can be found in the Nokia N97 SDK for Symbian OS, which also provides emulation of the Nokia N97 mobile computer’s home screen to enable testing of applications using the Homescreen Publishing API.

Java™ application developers

Java™ technology provides developers with a robust cross-platform alternative to C++.

With S60 3rd Edition, Java developers gain access to CLDC 1.1 and a more extensive range of APIs: FileConnection API (JSR‑75), Java™ APIs for Bluetooth (JSR-82), the Security and Trust Services API (JSR‑177), Java Location API (JSR-179), SIP API for J2ME™ (JSR-180), Mobile 3D Graphics API (JSR‑184), Wireless Messaging API 2.0 (JSR-205), and Scalable 2D Vector Graphics API (JSR-226). S60 3rd Edition, Feature Pack 1 also adds the Advanced Multimedia Supplements API (JSR-234) and Scalable Vector Graphics 2D API (JSR-226). S60 3rd Edition, Feature Pack 2 provides support for the subset of the Mobile Service Architecture (JSR-248).

S60 5th Edition provides Java developers with touchscreen interaction (as natively supported by the Java APIs) and an updated version of the Advanced Multimedia Supplements (JSR-234).

The latest S60 5th Edition device, the Nokia N97 mobile computer, provides Java developers with the Java Runtime (JRT) 1.4 for S60. This new JRT includes:

• Support for the Mobile Sensor API (JSR-256).
• Improvements in touch screen usability.
• Provision of an on-screen keypad for devices with touch screen and hardware keyboards.

These APIs and features can be found in the Nokia N97 SDK for Symbian OS.

View the Getting Started with JSR-226 Applications for S60 Devices screencast to see how NetBeans supports the use of SVGT graphics in S60 devices.

The Java implementation on the S60 platform shares many features with the implementations on the Series 40 platform. This allows developers to easily extend their applications’ reach.

Flash Lite from Adobe developers

Flash Lite from Adobe became an optional feature of S60 3rd Edition with support for Flash Lite 1.1. In Feature Pack 1, the supported version is Flash Lite 2.0, while Feature Pack 2 supports Flash Lite 3.0.

S60 5th Edition continues with support for Flash Lite 3.0, adding new ActionScript commands to access the S60 Platform Services. Using these new commands, developers can access and use information from the application manager; S60 applications (Calendar, Contacts, Logs, and Messaging [SMS and MMS]); device location and landmarks; system information; and sensors. Now Flash Lite applications can add location and user-data context to the information they display.

Flash Lite offers a development option for both content and applications. Flash Lite technology can deliver content or applications on S60 devices. The Web Browser for S60 can also play Flash Lite content offered on websites, and Flash Lite animations can be used as device screen savers from S60 3rd Edition, Feature Pack 1 onward.

Read more about support for Flash Lite »

Python application developers

Python developers now have access to a Python interpreter for all editions of the S60 platform. Whether prototyping applications for later C++ or Java™ implementation or delivering fully functional applications, Python provides a rapid-development environment for the S60 platform.

Read more about Python for S60 »

Download the latest Python interpreters for the S60 platform »

Web developers

The web has never been more accessible to people on the go than with the Web Browser for S60 and WRT.

The Web Browser for S60 was introduced as an option in S60 3rd Edition, becoming the standard browser in S60 3rd Edition, Feature Pack 1 onward. With support for WAP 2.0, XHTML Mobile Profile over TCP/IP, HTTP/1.1 over TCP/IP, and JavaScript™, the Web Browser for S60 allows web developers to deliver content targeted at PC browsers to S60 devices. In addition, secure applications are possible through support for SSL and TLS.

Read more about the Web Browser for S60 »

S60 3rd Edition, Feature Pack 2 introduced the WRT, enabling web developers to create widgets that deliver Web 2.0 functionality to S60 devices.

S60 5th Edition extends the possibilities for widget development with JavaScript extensions to access S60 Platform Services. Using these new commands, developers can access and use information from the application manager; S60 applications (Calendar, Contacts, Logs, and Messaging [SMS and MMS]; device location and landmarks; system information; and sensors. Now widgets can add location and user-data context to the information they display.

The latest innovation in web widgets is provided in the Nokia N97 mobile computer, which enables widget developers to add read-only views to the Nokia N97 device’s home screen. To enable widget with this feature to be tested, the Nokia N97 SDK for Symbian OS provides emulation of the Nokia N97 mobile computer’s home screen.

Read more about support for widgets in S60 »

Media and content developers

The S60 platform provides media developers with options to create messaging applications, deliver streaming audio and video, and create themes to personalise devices.

Developers of music-based applications and services for the S60 platform have access to an extensive range of APIs for manipulating and playing music. Those capabilities, coupled with the S60 platform’s state-of-the-art music player, afford developers extensive opportunities to create music-related applications and services. The S60 platform also provides support for streaming audio and video.

Messaging developers have the ability to use MMS through the SMIL support added to S60 2nd Edition. This allows messages to be created as animated slide shows.

Read more about messaging technology on Nokia devices »

Finally, S60 2nd Edition and S60 3rd Edition give media developers the ability to create themes for S60 devices, allowing customisation of the look and sound of the user interface.

Read more about theme technology »

Featured devices

Nokia N97 The Nokia N97 is a S60 5th Edition mobile computer with a large 3,5“, bright nHD (640 x 360 pixels and 16:9 aspect ratio) TFT color display with resistive touch screen and tactile feedback. The device provides excellent user experience for internet and entertainment by combining qwerty keyboard with touch UI and Home screen functionality. Use the N97 to connect to mobile broadband using WLAN or HSDPA (3.5G). Find directions and locations with the integrated A-GPS and included maps. Additional features include game titles with N-Gage, a 5 mega pixel camera with dual LED flash and automatic geotagging of images and videos.

Nokia 5530 XpressMusic The Nokia 5530 XpressMusic is a S60 5th Edition device with a resistive touch screen and tactile feedback. The device has a 2,9“, bright nHD (640 x 360 pixels and 16:9 aspect ratio) AFFS display with homescreen featuring Contacts Bar and media bar. Input methods include full screen QWERTY, alphanumeric keypad and handwrite recognition. Other features include a 3.2 megapixel camera with flash, Bluetooth 2.0 +EDR, and USB 2.0 High-Speed.

Nokia E72 The Nokia E72 is optimized for messaging and e-mail with a full messaging keyboard and support for EGPRS, WCDMA, HSDPA/HSUPA (3.5G) and WLAN. The device features two customizable Home Screen modes, active noice cancellation and a 5 Mpix autofocus camera. Write messages with intelligent text input, enjoy videos, music, and graphics on the 2.36” QVGA display. Additional features include GPS and Nokia Maps 3.0, UPnP, Bluetooth 2.0 +EDR, and USB 2.0 High-Speed.

Nokia 6730 classic The Nokia 6730 classic supports EGPRS, WCDMA and HSDPA/HSUPA (3.5G). Enjoy videos, music, and graphics on the 2.2” QVGA TFT display. Take photos with a 3.2-megapixel FullFocus (EDOF) camera. Additional features include integrated A-GPS and Nokia Maps 3.0, USB charging with simultaneous data transfer, Bluetooth 2.0 +EDR, and USB 2.0 High-Speed.

View all S60 devices »

Getting started

Not yet developing for the S60 platform? These resources provide introductions to the platform, to developing applications using C++ or Java™ APIs, to delivering content as themes, and to using WAP 1.2.1, XHTML, and MMS.

S60 Platform: FAQ
This document answers some of the most frequently asked questions posed by developers and business managers regarding the S60 platform. The questions and answers cover all the platform editions, development options, available tools, and market information. The document covers the platform’s features through S60 3rd Edition, Feature Pack 2.

S60 Platform: A Developers Introductory Guide
This document provides an introduction to the S60 platform from the developer's point of view. It provides application, service, and content developers with the information they need to understand the basics of the S60 platform, along with pointers to more information.

Read documents on getting started with Symbian C++ »

Read documents on getting started with Java »

Tools and SDKs

Forum Nokia’s main Tools and SDKs page provides details about all the tools and SDKs available from Nokia for the S60 platform. The page also links to getting-started articles that give overviews of the tools and SDKs.

Read more on the Tools and SDKs page »

Most recent tools and SDKs

Download what you need for stand-alone development or to extend your favourite IDE.

View all S60 tools and SDKs »

Most recent documents

Check out these recent documents for the latest information.

View all S60 documents »

Support

Forum Nokia provides developers with several support options.

Forum Nokia Developer Libraries

The Forum Nokia Developer Libraries provide complete guides to web, Flash Lite, Symbian C++, and Java™ developers working with Nokia platforms. Each library guides developers through the development process and provides detailed technical information on the available APIs.

Access the Web Developer’s Library »
Access the Flash Lite Developer’s Library »
Access the Java™ ME Developer’s Library »
Access the S60 3rd Edition C++ Developer’s Library »
Access the S60 5th Edition C++ Developer’s Library »

Wiki

The Forum Nokia Wiki offers developers an invaluable resource of information and code examples generated by the Forum Nokia developer community.

Access the Forum Nokia Wiki »

Knowledge Base

The Forum Nokia Knowledge Base, housed in the Forum Nokia Wiki, is where known issues and technical solutions are published regularly.

Access the Forum Nokia Knowledge Base »

Discussion Boards

The Forum Nokia Developer Discussion Boards offer an alternative source of support. Here, developers can access the knowledge of other S60 developers.

Access the Forum Nokia Developer Discussion Boards »

Technical Support

Finally, Forum Nokia offers pay-per-incident technical support services.

Find out more about technical support »

Code and examples

Select from a broad range of example application source code that can help you jump-start development:

Java™ code and examples »

Symbian C++ code and examples »

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