Borland Software Corporation, the software development and deployment solutions provider, has announced that its solution is now compatible with Nokia’s Series 60 platform.
Borland’s C++ Mobile Edition for Series 60, provides developers with technology to rapidly create applications for the emerging mobile device market. The solution includes a version of Borland’s C++ Builder 6, engineered to help teams work together with greater efficiency, speed and precision. It also includes the Series 60 Software Development Kit (SDK) for Symbian OS, Nokia Edition, and a C++ Mobile Edition plug-in. This plug-in functions as an interface between C++ Builder 6 and the SDK, which includes a Series 60 emulator, full documentation sample source code and other essentials for the creation of applications for Series 60 based devices.
The company, which has gained a reputation for its Java capabilities, made the move to offer the Series 60 following demands from the market. J-P Le Blanc, the company’s vice president and general manager of mobile and C++ solutions explained, “Mobile developers have asked for C++ solutions as there are still limitations for Java on mobile devices. Most of the operating systems are written in C++, as are the libraries, therefore the natural language is C++.”
Le Blanc suggested that around 65% of all mobile-specific Symbian develop-ers are using C++ and that games developers in particular like to gain control of the device. “To do this they require direct access to the latest and best features and that means access to the libraries which are in C++,” he said.
The Borland software is provided free and downloadable from both the Borland (www.borland.com/products/ downloads/download_cbuilder.html) and Nokia websites.
Le Blanc explained that the decision to offer the software free (not open source) is aimed at building the company’s C++ expertise and gaining credibility and recognition in the marketplace. It is, however, on the first stage of a three part plan.
The second stage will see the release of a an updated commercial product with greater functionality for which developers will have to pay. This will be available before the end of the year and the third stage is for the company to developer a C++ development ecosystem similar to that it has for the Java market.