Symbian Signed just got a new partner – Germany-based specialist for certificates and security solutions TC TrustCenter. The new Certificate Authority is offering a $150 reduction of cost of the Publisher ID, slashing the price to $200, which is not that much considering that the prior cost was $350.
In case you’re wondering, Symbian Signed program ensures that developers meet all the guidelines required by Symbian LLC, the maker of Symbian OS. The argument is that it’s a matter of security — non-signed apps can NOT access all of the Symbian smartphone features, only the ones that are not crucial for the phone’s overall stability. Now let’s just hope that the entrance of TC TrustCenter in the Symbian ecosystem will bring more apps to the platform. Full release after the jump…
Hamburg, Germany – June 18, 2007 – TC TrustCenter, a leading specialist in identity verification and security services, today announced it is joining the Symbian Platinum Partner Program as the new Certificate Authority for Symbian Signed. As the new Certificate Authority, TC TrustCenter is offering a $US150 reduction to Symbian developers when officially signing and certifying applications through Symbian Signed and is providing global technical support 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Symbian Signed is a signing program operated on behalf of the industry by Symbian. Applications and content are tested against industry-agreed criteria, and to date 20,000 native Symbian applications and their associated content have been Symbian Signed.
Symbian Platinum Partners represent the top technology innovators and service providers in the mobile industry. TC TrustCenter works as part of Symbian Signed to ensure a thriving, open market for verified mobile applications by providing a single, low-cost and unified certification program. As part of the process, a Publisher ID digital certificate is required to secure an application for verified delivery and execution on Symbian smartphones. TC TrustCenter is reducing the cost of the Publisher ID to $US200, significantly less than the prior cost of $US350, further helping to reduce the cost of entry for developers to the Symbian Signed program.
TC TrustCenter – “TC TrustCenter is delighted to be joining the Symbian Platinum Partner Program and providing the Certification Authority needed to secure Symbian smartphone applications,” said Dean Coclin, Managing Director, TC TrustCenter. “We look forward to working with Symbian and the Symbian ecosystem to provide expert support for getting applications signed and improving the efficiency and cost-effectiveness throughout the Symbian Signed program.”
Symbian – “Symbian developers are creating compelling smartphone applications at an increasing rate, and seeing increased revenues as Symbian smartphones become ubiquitous throughout the world,” said Bruce Carney, Director of Developer Programs and Services, Symbian. “We are committed to ensuring there is a low-cost, unified signing and certification mechanism for the Symbian ecosystem to get their verified applications to the global marketplace. We look forward to working with TC TrustCenter to provide even better support to developers when signing applications through Symbian Signed.”
Symbian enables a thriving ecosystem of partners, handset vendors, operators, developers and other key mobile players that create value for the growing smartphone market. This value is cultivated by the continuing development and commercialisation of new software solutions and award-winning applications for Symbian OS and its user interface platforms including MOAP, S60 and UIQ.