Nokia to skip Symbian v2 to v3 in 3Q10, says Nokia Taiwan executive

[Micky]

Nokia plans to speed up the development of the Symbian platform by jumping over version 2 to offer version 3 featuring multi-touch functions in the third quarter of 2010 and then version 4 in late 2010 or early 2011, according to Michael Hsu, general manager of Nokia Taiwan.

The Symbian version 4 is believed to be based on the Qt cross-platform application development framework developed by Trolltech, which Nokia acquired in June 2008, said industry sources. The Qt will allow software developers to develop application software supporting Symbian and Maemo platforms simultaneously, added the sources.

For terminal end products, Nokia will continue to offer Maemo-based mobile computing devices, Symbian S60-based smartphones as well as Symbian S40-based feature phones, with the prices for Symbian S60-based models likely to be more competitive in 2010, Hsu said.

By 2011, smartphones based on the Symbian S60-platform will account for 55% of Nokia's total handset shipments, followed by Symbian S40 feature phones at 35% and Maemo-based devices at 10%, according to sources who are familiar with Nokia's product roadmap.

Nokia also plans to launch Maemo 6-based products in the second half of 2010, the sources added.

In other news, Nokia has launched its business-class E72 smartphone in the Taiwan market. The E72 supports multi e-mail systems, including Ovi mail, Yahoo Mail, Windows Live Hotmail and Gmail.

Nokia shipped 6.1 million E-series and 4.6 million N-series handsets in the fourth quarter of 2009, and shipments of E- and N-series handsets reached 18 million units each for all of 2009, according to Hsu.

Source

[Bartmanekul]

If nokia get the new appstore right, then this could mean a massive explosion in apps. For developers to easily develop for both formats, one a popular developing one (maemo), and the other with a massive market (Symbian), it could be really good.

I have to say though, 3rd quarter of this year is looking very late for getting back in the game. Are we going to see no new handsets released between now and then? Or simply the aging V3 and V5 on new handsets?

[Micky]

One would hope Nokia have something in store for us in the way of new handsets before then, hopefully around Easter time.

[Bartmanekul]

I hope so too, but given this current news it would be the same V3/V5 on them.

[93tid]

Originally Posted by Micky

Symbian S40-based feature phones

I thought S40 is not Symbian, same as S80 ?

[Tommie]

This sound confusing and not the latest I have see
as they say in Progress on the Symbian^3 and Symbian^4 contribution plans

Symbian^3 is nearing Functionally Complete (FC is in Q1 2010, likely to be February)

Source Progress on the Symbian^3 and Symbian^4 contribution plans Symbian Blog

I wonder what that Symbian countdown will show ? I hope V3

[dynomot]

So according to this exec, s40 is going to be the OS of choice for 'dumb' phones. S60 new version 3 and then 4 later this year for 'smartphones' with Maemo 5 being for tablets and such like until Maemo 6 comes along ? Sounds like too many platforms and not enough new devices to me.

I too thought s40 and s80 were Nokia's own OS and nothing to do with Symbian. Can anybody clarify ?

[Bartmanekul]

Can anyone clarify the versions?

I thought S60 was over developmentwise. The current versions being S60 V3 which is for non touchscreen phones (N95, N86 etc). And S60 V5, which is for the touchscreen phones (5800, N97 etc).

So these new Symbian versions, are they S60, or simply ^3 ^4 etc?

[Tommie]

I belive also S40 was the Series 40 and not Symbian

About operating systems

in a interview 16 January Nokia's Chief Technology Officer, David Rivas,
Nokia's promising to bring Symbian OS-based devices the user experience Maemon, Android and Apple's level.

Rivas promising two new versions of the Symbian operating system this year.
According to him, invest in the new availability of cell phones by force,
in order to be used for the chassis to become competitive in relation to existing platforms.

- Completely re-design the user interface. We focus on a multi-purpose, dynamic user experience,
and give priority to the introduction of all the heart.

Three fronts

Rivas, Nokia will intends to maintain its three operating strategy. Nokia S40 systems, Symbian and Maemo.
Maemo considered a key to Nokia, where it competes with Apple's iPhone.

We have three operating systems largely because the markets in which we act is so broad.

S40 system is the beginning of large volumes, which is intended for a price range cheapest models.

Symbian is the leading category, operating system, which is the most promising Rivas smartphone market.

Nokia makes Maemo Rivas takes the computer into a pocket of people.
He praises Maemo class as the best system for the user experience.

Source Nokia myöntää: Pelkkä koko ei ratkaise | Kauppalehti.fi

[Tommie]

Originally Posted by Bartmanekul

I thought S60 was over developmentwise.

This make me wonder ? S60.com is now closed