Linux phone app platform gains major update

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Nov. 09, 2004

Trolltech has revised its development platform, user interface, and application stack for Linux-based mobile devices, mainly adding features for mobile phones. New features in Qtopia 2.1 are said to include touchscreen phone support, full-screen handwriting input, new interface "themes," MMS support, and reduced Flash footprint requirements.

Qtopia initially gained popularity as a mobile application environment for PDAs and palmtops such as Sharp's Zaurus and other Linux PDAs. With PDA sales falling and mobile phone sales growing, Trolltech wisely adapted Qtopia for mobile phones, launching a phone-specific version in May of 2004. Qtopia Phone Edition went on to win "best embedded solution" at the August LinuxWorld trade show.

With the 2.1 release, Qtopia remains available in both PDA and Phone editions, as well as in a Qtopia Core subset edition. However, most of the new features are aimed at improving mobile phone support.

Qtopia 2.1, Phone Edition

Version 2.1 of Qtopia Phone Edition (QPE) includes support for touchscreens, in addition to the keypad support previously offered -- making it the first mobile phone application stack to support both input modes, Trolltech says. Touchscreen support has also enabled Trolltech to add full-screen handwriting recognition (HR) to the Phone edition -- the company has also improved the HR in the PDA and Core versions, it says.

Support for touchscreens and HR should enable QPE to scale up into higher-end feature phones, and even smartphones (high-end mobile phones that enable users to install software). At the same time, Trolltech has broadened QPE's down-market reach, with reduced Flash requirements for Qtopia 2.1. When Trolltech originally announced QPE, it said the package would bring smartphone features to feature-phone level hardware.

Another major improvement for QPE 2.1 is a more powerful theming engine that enables manufacturers, operators, and end users to make customizations and personalizations, Trolltech says.

Additional new features include:

MMS (multimedia message support) added to messaging client
Over-the-air configuration
GPRS networking
Much improved Pictures application
Server storage monitor
Memory monitor
Serial port access
Extra functionality to the Calculator
Multi-language dictionary look-up
Music and Video applications separated
Improved dictionary look-up
Build system improved
Additional features listed here

CEO Haavard Nord said, "Qtopia version 2.1 extends the innate customizability of Qtopia with many new design options, while also adding important features for improved usability and performance."

Trolltech additionally announced today that Chinese 3G mobile network powerhouse Datang has chosen QPE for a Linux mobile phone reference design, and that Motorola will use the platform in its forthcoming Linux phones expected in the US before the holidays, including the music-oriented E680 and business-oriented A780.

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