We had a chance to interview Sébastien Peirone, Developer Communications Manager at UIQ Technologies. Not to rant too much – here’s the interview:
Q: Symbian has many “versions”, such as UIQ, S60, Series 80 and Series 90. Can you explain to our readers what exactly UIQ Technology does and where is UIQ’s place in the Symbian ecosystem?
A: UIQ Technology creates and licenses the open software platform, UIQ, to the world leading mobile phone manufacturers. Our goal is to pave the way for the successful creation of user-friendly, diverse and cost-efficient mobile phones.
UIQ is a flexible and customizable user interface and development platform; it makes it possible to create an entire portfolio of highly diversified phones for different user segments, all based on a single codeline. The user interface (UI) is the software on a mobile phone that the end-user operates – from the moment the phone is switched on to the moment it is switched off. It defines how all applications on a phone behave and how the user interacts with the phone.
UIQ is pre-integrated and tested with Symbian OS, the leading industry standard operating system for smartphones. UIQ Technology is a fully owned subsidiary of Symbian Ltd, but operates independently, that is why you can find other user interfaces and software platform using Symbian OS, such as the ones you mentioned.
Q: As far as I remember, we’ve had Nokia (6708) and Motorola UIQ 2 handsets. However, at the moment Sony Ericsson is the only company which uses UIQ 3 on their phones. I suppose that UIQ Technology wants to get more handset manufacturers to use UIQ 3 platform. What’s your take on this? Can we expect more UIQ 3 phones in the near future? 🙂
A: It’s entirely up to our licensees to make announcements around their phones. Official licensees of UIQ 2 are Sony Ericsson, Motorola, BenQ and Arima.
Q: What would you say to the potential developers – why should they make their programs work under UIQ handsets? Any advice for them?
A: UIQ 3 is an open flexible platform, and this alone gives several strong arguments to adopt UIQ 3 as one of the main platform to target by developers.
It is flexible because is engineered so the same developer code can run on multiple phone configurations, for example with or without flip, pen and/or keypad, landscape or portrait, etc. without change. This allows UIQ 3 licensees – the phone manufacturers – to produce many different phones for different market segments, based on UIQ 3 – based on the same codeline. This is a clear business case.
At the same time, the flexibility helps reducing the maintenance costs and increasing the lifecycle of applications and content as well as addressable markets. One SDK enables developers and content providers to target all UIQ 3 phones, increasing the compatibility of the applications, without complexity.
The UIQ platform offers a rich API set, enabling the creation of compelling applications, content and services.
UIQ developers also benefit from dedicated developer tools and support to guide and help them during the whole development process. The UIQ Developer Program is a manufacturer-independent source of support, focusing on providing the necessary tools and information to develop for UIQ, and sets the basis for our active developer community that has kept on growing since it was launched last year.
Finally, there is a choice of programming languages and tools: in addition to its native C++, UIQ allows development of applications and services in several other programming languages, such as Java MIDP. UIQ is also supported by the major development tools and IDEs.
Q: Which phone do you use? Why?
A: I use a M600i; many reasons for that. It’s a UIQ 3 phone, and, undoubtedly because of that, it’s the best phone I’ve had: it looks great, it works well and it’s real a pleasure to use it. Other UIQ 3 phones have been launched since, but the shape and size of the M600 still makes it my favorite.
Q: Finally, Microsoft’s Windows Mobile and Linux are slowly gaining momentum. However, Symbian still rules. Where do you see mobile industry in five years?
A: Our aim is to continue helping our licensees bring successful mobile phones to market by developing and licensing a world-class open software platform based on Symbian OS. This aim speaks for itself when it comes to future speculations!