Nokia delivers Qt SDK 1.1 supporting faster app creation

MANILA, Philippines - Nokia announced the release of Qt SDK 1.1 offering one integrated development environment for creating both consumer applications on Nokia’s Symbian platform as well as for desktop applications such as Windows 7, Mac OSX and Linux. 

Using the Qt SDK to build their apps, developers have a complete, easy-to-use tool cutting app creation time in half for Nokia touch-screen devices.

Within the release of Qt SDK 1.1 is Qt Quick, a new UI creation kit that benefits both graphic designers and application developers. 

Designers can create fluid, animated user interfaces with complete project and code editing support for developers to then implement into the overall application. This speeds up the development process further bringing applications to market quicker.

Qt Quick also includes QML, a CSS and JavaScript-like language that makes UI development for touch screens much easier to implement.

In addition to Qt Quick, the Qt SDK 1.1 includes map and navigation features, imaging features for camera and photo gallery access, notification API plug-ins and other enhancements that enable developers to provide access to user content on the device.

“Developers are seeking to provide high quality, graphically rich applications to stand out in the ever-increasing crowded application stores,” said Purnima Kochikar, vice president of Forum Nokia.

“With this new version of the Qt SDK, designers and developers can work together to achieve this quicker and more effectively,” Kochikar added.

Strategic tie-up with Accenture

In another development, Nokia and Accenture announced plans for a strategic collaboration in which Nokia would outsource its Symbian software activities and transition about 3,000 employees to Accenture.

At the same time, Accenture would provide mobility software services to Nokia for future smartphones.

The collaboration, which is subject to final agreement, calls for Accenture to provide Symbian-based software development and support services, with the expected transition of about 3,000 Nokia employees to Accenture.

The companies expect completion of the final agreement in summer 2011, and expect the transition of employees by the end of the year.

Transitioning employees, located in China, Finland, India, the United Kingdom and the United States, will initially work on Symbian software activities for Nokia.

Over time, Accenture and Nokia will seek opportunities to retrain and redeploy transitioned employees.

This collaboration also includes plans for Accenture to provide mobility software, business and operational services around the Windows Phone platform to Nokia and other ecosystem participants.

Under the proposed agreement, Accenture would become a preferred partner for Nokia’s smartphone development activities, as well as a preferred provider of services.

“Mobility is a key area for Accenture,” said Marty Cole, chief executive of Accenture’s Communications and High Tech Group.

“This collaboration with Nokia will enhance our ability to help clients across multiple industries leverage mobility to advance their business agendas. It is a real win-win for Accenture and Nokia,” Cole said.

“This collaboration demonstrates our ongoing commitment to enhance our Symbian offering and serve our smartphone customers,” said Jo Harlow, Nokia executive vice president for smart devices. 

“As we move our primary smartphone platform to Windows Phone, this transition of skilled talent to Accenture shows our commitment to provide our Symbian employees with potential new career opportunities,” Harlow added.

Accenture and Nokia have been working together since 1994. In October 2009, Accenture acquired Nokia’s professional services unit that provides engineering and support of the Symbian operating system to mobile device manufacturers and service providers, and which then served as a key building block in Accenture’s mobility services portfolio.