Nokia taps Qt as its sole app development framework

Roughly a month after new president and CEO Stephen Elop assumed the reins, Nokia (NYSE:NOK) outlined plans to reverse its declining fortunes in the mobile marketplace, promising to deliver an integrated Ovi experience across its full range of devices and to simplify product creation across its smartphones unit. Most notably, Nokia will embrace the Qt cross-platform development environment as its sole application creation framework--moving forward, developers who build apps in Qt will be able to deploy their software across devices running both the Symbian and MeeGo operating systems. Nokia adds it will create its own applications and UI in Qt as well, also committing to the HTML5 standard for web content and apps across both Symbian and MeeGo.

"For Nokia smartphone users out there, this is great news as the move will lead to a more compelling and engaging experience, with more apps available for your device," writes Nokia Conversations editor-in-chief Phil Schwarzmann on the handset maker's official blog. "Even more importantly, you can buy a Nokia smartphone confident that any improvements introduced later to the Symbian platform, such as the user interface, can be made available to download on your device as well. No need to wait for Symbian^4--the improvements we were planning for Symbian^4 will be introduced as and when they become available. In fact, we will no longer be talking about Symbian^3 or Symbian^4 at all--it will be one constantly evolving and constantly improving platform."

In addition, Nokia said its Ovi emphasis will evolve from distinct end-to-end service lines to an integrated platform approach delivering more compelling information and entertainment services. Nokia states the proposed changes will result in a reduction of up to 1,800 employees worldwide, the result of streamlining corporate functions and research initiatives.

For more on Nokia's Qt plans:
- read this Nokia Conversations blog entry

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