Porting from Windows Mobile

Nokia platforms offer excellent opportunities for porting Windows Mobile applications, including those for Windows CE, Pocket PC, Pocket PC Phone Edition, and Microsoft Smartphone. Mobile devices based on the S60 platform and the Series 80 Platform support a diverse range of end users, from consumers with an interest in games and music, to enterprise users with data-intensive application requirements.

For enterprise developers, the Nokia Eseries, based on S60 3rd Edition, offers a range of mobile devices capable of addressing every enterprise niche, from messaging to data-intensive applications. These devices provide the life-cycle-management features that enterprises require to manage their device inventories. These new Nokia Eseries devices are complemented by Series 80 devices.

Devices based on the S60 platform lead the smartphone market in shipment volumes, and most operators around the world offer these devices. New developments in the S60 platform, such as a single-chip architecture, mean Nokia is taking the lead in bringing smartphone capabilities to the mass market.

Targeting Nokia platforms is straightforward for Windows Mobile developers, because S60 and Series 80 devices support key Microsoft desktop and development technology, including:

• Microsoft Office document support, including Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files. This support is either built in to the devices or available as an add-on application from Quickoffice, DataViz, or Mobile Systems.
• Microsoft Exchange Server support. Microsoft Exchange Server can be Push-enabled by Intellisync Wireless Email, which also supports Domino, POP3, and IMAP protocols. Selected devices also offer BlackBerry Connect support.
• Support for C++ development with Microsoft Visual Studio .NET 2003, via Carbide.vs.

Microsoft developers can target S60 and Series 80 devices while continuing to use the Microsoft Visual Studio .NET 2003 IDE. Carbide.vs is a free plug-in that supports the Symbian C++ application build tool-chain while retaining the look and feel of Visual Studio. Development is then undertaken against one of the free S60 or Series 80 SDKs. These SDKs include the platform APIs, documentation, and a device emulator for developing and testing applications on PCs. Other IDEs - CodeWarrior for Symbian OS, and the latest Eclipse-based IDE from Nokia, Carbide.c++ can be used in place of Visual Studio .NET.

All of Nokia's platform devices support Java™ technology, providing developers with access to the largest mobile device market. With their support for Web services and security, Nokia’s platform devices are well-suited to enterprise applications written in the Java language. In addition, Nokia’s Java technology provides developers with all the features they need to create great games and infotainment applications. Java applications can be developed using a range of popular Java IDEs, including Eclipse and NetBeans. To aid Java™ ME development, Nokia supplies Carbide.j. This free tool plugs into several IDEs, including NetBeans and Eclipse, or it can be used as a stand-alone. Carbide.j supports key aspects of the mobile Java application development process, including class creation, GUI design, application packaging, and application signing. As in C++ development, applications are developed against free SDKs, which provide Java APIs, documentation, and emulators that allow applications to be developed and tested on PCs.

To let developers easily take advantage of the opportunities that Nokia devices offer, Forum Nokia makes available not only free tools for porting, but also valuable technical documents, fee-based training, and technical support. For more-established developers of Nokia applications, Forum Nokia PRO offers advanced technical support and access to Nokia marketing channels.

Porting Documents

Tools and SDKs