Trolltech Does Windows CE
Trolltech’s QT cross-platform development kit, used primarily for user interfaces, will be making it’s way to Windows CE (e.g. Windows Mobile). QT is already available for Windows, Linux, Mac OS X. I expect that once Nokia acquires Trolltech, we’ll also see it integrated into the S60 platform as well. I did ask Trolltech CTO Benoit Schillings about this (along with specific support for the Nokia Internet Tablets), but he was unable to comment, given the regulatory conditions related to the pending merger.
While I have no inside knowledge about anything in this area, this development would make it easier to write cross-platform applications for S60 and Windows Mobile while preserving the same user experience across both operating systems. Nokia Services could suddenly be available for Windows Mobile devices as well as S60 devices. Seems like a winning idea to me, at least.
Full press release after the jump.
Trolltech launches Windows CE version of Qt for mobile phones, internet tablets, and industrial embedded devices
Trolltech enables customers to create applications that support both Windows CE and embedded Linux devices from one code base
Embedded World, Nürnberg, Germany – February 26, 2008 – Trolltech’s Qt® cross-platform development framework is adding support for Microsoft®’s Windows® CE operating system. This means that applications developed using Qt on Windows, MacOS X®, and Linux® desktop and embedded platforms can now be easily deployed to a range of mobile devices running on the Windows CE and Windows Mobile operating systems.
“Qt for Windows CE is another milestone in Trolltech’s vision of ‘Qt everywhere’. It will allow application providers to reach out to even more devices by enabling their applications to run across yet another operating system without rewriting the code” said Haavard Nord, CEO and co-founder of Trolltech.
Qt for Windows CE enables developers to write rich, easy-to-use, platform-independent applications, using the intuitive API that Qt is known for. Rather than spending time rewriting their application for new platforms, developers are free to focus on value-adding innovations that can differentiate the user experience of their product.
The Windows CE version of Qt includes all the functions needed for end-to-end application development, and provides integrated developer tools, such as a powerful graphical user interface (GUI) and forms builder and robust features for translation of applications into new languages.
Cross-Platform Embedded: Companies that build similar devices running both embedded Linux and Windows CE can use Qt to create one application for deployment across both device types.
Desktop to Devices: Applications built with Qt on the desktop can now be extended to run on a variety of Windows CE-based devices such as tablets, mobile phones, and other mobile devices.
Unique approach to Windows development: Qt is unique in its ability to provide developers with a single, consistent API that works on a wide number of Microsoft Windows platforms, ranging from Windows 98 to Vista® to Windows CE and Windows Mobile®.
Enhanced speed and user experience
Qt for Windows CE helps developers to use the full capabilities of the hardware they are working with. It integrates Scalable Vector Graphics drawings with full support for multiple displays and supports OpenGL® ES. It comes with Qt GraphicsView, a powerful 2D graphics canvas that enables the creation of interactive applications that can handle thousands of 2D graphics objects. Qt Style Sheets customizes the look and feel of applications without changing the code enabling easy differentiation of the user interface with minimal efforts.
Qt includes a wide range of components needed to build rich and complex user interfaces, including data-aware item views, offering a high degree of customization. Qt for Windows CE is also integrated with Visual Studio® 2005, and Visual Studio 2008 support is planned for the upcoming Qt version 4.4 release.
Availability
Qt for Windows CE will be be available as part of the upcoming Qt 4.4 release, which is scheduled to be released in May. Currently technical previews are available in the Qt release snapshots and the latest Qt 4.4 beta release, available on Trolltech.com. Qt for Windows CE will be available under Trolltech’s dual-licensing model, which includes both commercial licenses for commercial development and a GPL-licensed version for open source development.
About Trolltech
Trolltech provides cross-platform software development frameworks and application platforms. Trolltech’s Qt is used in popular software such as Skype®, Google Earth, Adobe® Photoshop® Elements, Lucasfilm® and by more than 5000 customers worldwide. Trolltech’s Qtopia® has enabled a new generation of exciting consumer devices such as mobile handsets, video-phones, set-top boxes and media players. Trolltech’s software has shipped in more than 10 million devices.
Trolltech’s products enable companies to easily build and deploy software across a wide range of operating systems and electronic devices. The company serves desktop and embedded application providers, as well as consumer electronics and mobile vendors, who face challenges in delivering user-friendly and differentiated software. Trolltech enables customers to accelerate innovation, shorten time to market and increase revenues. Trolltech’s software improves the user experience by increasing the appeal and quality of customer’s applications on desktop and devices. The future proof Qt software allows developers to code less, create more and deploy anywhere.
Trolltech supports open source and commercial customers. The company has offices in California, U.S.A.; Brisbane, Australia; Beijing, China; Berlin and Munich, Germany; Oslo, Norway. It is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol TROLL. For more information about Trolltech, please visit www.trolltech.com.
###
Trolltech, Qt and Qtopia are registered trademarks of Trolltech ASA. All other trademarks are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners
