The Forum Nokia Developer Conference 2009

As we mentioned last week, yesterday we were fortunate enough to attend the Forum Nokia Developer Conference 2009.

And Egads, were we impressed. Forum Nokia has big plans for both Symbian and Maemo, and are driving developers to code and innovate on the platforms. They’re also trying to promote QT and WRT (Web RunTime) as alternate platforms to develop on, since Qt has cross platform compatibility.

Quick Facts :-

• Forum Nokia is Nokia’s global developer program that reaches out to developers and connects them to tools, technical information, support and distribution channels they can use to build and market applications across the world.
• Forum Nokia operates in several markets such as U.S. Europe, India, China and Singapore to provide technical and business development support to developers and operators.
• What this means is that if a developer or an operator looking to launch applications and services to consumer and enterprises can reach out to Forum Nokia and benefit.
• Forum Nokia has been working closely with developers helping them add value to Nokia devices and the consumers who use them.
• Forum Nokia has over 180,000 registered developers in India and accounts for the single largest concentration of incoming web traffic on www.forum.nokia.com from any country.
• Forum Nokia enables developers get their products to market quickly and efficiently, by delivering resources covering the entire mobile application lifecycle, from development to sales.
• Forum Nokia delivers resources to more than 4 million registered developers and receives more than 1.5 million unique visitors per month to forum.nokia.com.
• For application and web developers this includes: Symbian C++, OpenC, Java™ technology, Python, Flash, and Web technologies. `Content developers working with images, video, audio, SVGT, themes, SMS, MMS, and the Web are also supported.

Developer Resources —

• Forum Nokia offers developers free access to tools and SDKs to assist with their development efforts. Resources include documentation, videos, training, a Wiki, blogs, and discussion boards. The SDKs enable developers to create applications and content for Series 40 , Symbian, and Maemo Devices.
• Carbide Tools — The Carbide family of tools provides developers with state-of-the-art development environments for key Nokia supported technologies. Carbide.c++ supports all Symbian C++ and OpenC developers working with the Symbian platform . Carbide.ui supports content developers with a complete tool for theme creation.
• Web Tools – Nokia is investing in a wide range of tools to support the ecosystem being built around
• Web Runtime (WRT). Aptana is the first of these solutions to help developers create, edit, test and deploy WRT widgets for Nokia Symbian devices
• Forum Nokia PRO Accelerator — This program targets developers of innovative, industry-changing mobile software and services selected for funding by top-tier VC firms, including Nokia Growth Partners. Members receive expanded technical, marketing, business development and channel distribution services. It is the highest-level developer tier in Nokia’s elite invitation-only mobile developer program, Forum Nokia PRO.
• Publish to Ovi Store – This self-service, web-based tool provides an easy way to distribute and sell applications and content to millions of consumers using Nokia devices around the world via Ovi Store.
• Ovi Store – In 2009, Nokia launched this one-stop shop for consumer content. The Ovi Store consolidates the best experiences from Nokia’s current content services including Download!, MOSH, and WidSets, to a single channel. The evolving service will deliver media according to the consumer’s social location, the combination of their social connections and physical location.

About Open Screen Project Fund

• The Open Screen Project Fund is a $10 million market development fund designed to accelerate the creation of applications, content and services that leverage the Adobe Flash Platform across mobile, desktop and consumer electronics handsets. Nokia and Adobe are the joint t contributors to the fund.

What is the Open Screen Project (OSP) Fund?

• The Open Screen Project Fund is a $10 million market development fund designed to accelerate the creation of applications, content and services that leverage the Adobe Flash Platform and run across mobile, desktop and consumer electronics devices.
• The global program was created to fuel innovation by directly commissioning select developers to create innovative apps, and by providing developer education and support. Adobe and Nokia are the first contributors to the Open Screen Project Fund.

How To Apply for Funding

• Visit http://www.openscreenproject.org/developers/get_started.html or http://openscreen.forum.nokia.com
• Complete simple online form (in English only) – one form per submission
• Submissions to be reviewed by Adobe and Nokia every two weeks
• Submissions can be made from all over the world
• Submission must be made in English, though final app may be localised as long as it has an English UI variant
• If localisation would be needed to produce an English UI variant, go ahead and include that request in the submission
• Feedback from judging panel to applicants within 28 days
• Winners to be awarded funding in amounts that will vary by project

How Developers Apply for Funding

• Visit http://www.openscreenproject.org/developers/get_started.html or http://openscreen.forum.nokia.com
• Complete simple online form (in English only) – one form per submission
• Each submission must include a mobile component
• Submissions to be reviewed by Adobe and Nokia every two weeks
• Submissions accepted from around the world
• Submission must be made in English, though final app may be localized
• Feedback from judging panel to applicants within 28 days
• Winners to be awarded funding in amounts that will vary by project

Flash Developer Workflow:-

Develop :

• Use Adobe Creative Suite tools
• Use resources on Adobe.com about developing Flash Lite apps
• Visit forum.nokia.com/devices to learn more about Flash devices and platforms
• Test with Adobe Device Central and Forum Nokia Remote Device Access

Package :

• Use the Forum Nokia Flash Packager
• Create SIS and NFL files
• Sign your SIS files via Symbian Signing

Distribute :

• Distribute through publishing to Ovi
• Consumers discover on device via Ovi Store

Get Started Today!

• Open Screen Project Fund developer info: http://www.openscreenproject.org/developers/get_started.html
• Submission form: http://www.adobe.com/cfusion/mmform/index.cfm?name=fund
• Forum.Nokia.com: http://openscreen.forum.nokia.com

Ovi For Developers :-

Nokia offers several simple ways for developers and publishers to quickly develop and distribute applications and services for Ovi users. The Ovi platform includes Ovi APIs, such as the Ovi Maps Player API, as well as the Ovi SDK Beta and Ovi apps. Distribution is made possible through Ovi services, such as Ovi Maps, and via the Ovi Store. Developers can easily submit applications on Ovi Publish and get support through Forum Nokia.

Ovi APIs
Ovi APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) open access to the industry-leading Ovi services platform, starting with Ovi Maps. The Ovi Maps Player API enable developers to make Ovi apps highly contextual and increases their utility and relevance to consumers on-the-go.
The Ovi Maps Player API is available for both the web and mobile, offering a simple way to embed the unique,
dynamic and personalized Ovi Maps experience with positioning in several map modes (2D, 3D, satellite or
terrain) to create dynamic activity mash-ups (such as rotation or fly-overs).
With only a few lines of JavaScript, the Ovi Navigation Player API [coming soon] integrates industry-leading
Drive and Walk navigation services that can be used on Nokia mobile devices.

Ovi SDK Beta
The Ovi SDK Beta (Software Development Kit) is a developer toolkit to create Ovi apps for Nokia mobile
devices. The Ovi SDK Beta packages the unique capabilities of Ovi APIs as well as a comprehensive set of
native-like UI libraries and standard web technologies (including HTML, CSS, JavaScript). Using the Ovi SDK
Beta, it is easy to develop visually compelling, consistent and contextually relevant Ovi apps that take the
user’s location as a starting point.

Ovi apps
Ovi apps represent a new class of mobile applications that bring together the simplicity and familiarity of
standard web technologies (HTML, CSS, JavaScript), along with dynamic user features, such as 2D/3D maps
from the Ovi Maps Player API, for use on Nokia’s entire smartphone portfolio. By using standard web
technologies, new Ovi apps can be built in a matter of weeks, not months. Features of Ovi APIs can be used
across platforms, on both Symbian and Maemo, and distributed globally via Ovi Store.

Go to forum.nokia.com/ovi to apply for the Ovi for developers beta programme.

Key Announcements :-

- Nokia funds five Indian developers under the US 10$ million Open Screen Project in phase 1

• Invites more developers to submit applications in the second phase
• Takes Indian developers global
• Developers shortlisted by Nokia
• Five multi screen infotainment applications, Bollywood Hungama, Eros Bollywood, India Today and Aaj Tak Video, under the joint Open Screen Project Fund with Adobe in the first phase of selection.
• The applications were shortlisted through a stringent short listing process, from over 900 entries submitted from over 60 countries
• The applications will be available to consumers across the world through Nokia Ovi store

Applications Shortlisted

• India Today, by Living Media India Limited (India)

What it does?
Enables the user to catch up on news, photos and videos selected by the editors from the India Today Group. The application will feature several sections including latest news, cinema/bollywood, sports and politics. The app will also feature videos and photo galleries, ratings and integration with social bookmarking systems. News will be in English and/or Hindi.

Why we liked it?
Huge brand in India with all the right features.

Average score = 16/20

Target categories:
ACHIEVE, EXPLORE: Pragmatic Leaders and Technology Leaders are both interested in the latest news and information.

Flash Version: TBD
Platform Version: S60 & Series 40 devices
Completed by: December 2009
About Living Media India Limited:
Living Media India is a media conglomerate based in New Delhi, India. It has interests in magazines, newspapers, books, radio, television, printing and the Internet. It include JVs with magazines such as Cosmopolitan, Prevention, Harvard Business Review and more.

• Aaj Tak Videos, by Living Media India Limited (India)

What it does?
Enables the user to watch the videos being run on the Aaj Tak channel (selected by the editor of the AajTak website). The application will feature a top of the hour section along with sections on news, cinema and fun.

Why we liked it?
Big pop culture brand in India with all the right features.

Average score = 14/20

Target categories:
EXPLORE: watches a lot of TV and movies.
CONNECT: likes watching TV (mostly films and soap operas).

Flash Version: TBD
Platform Version: S60 & Series 40 devices
Completed by: November 2009
About Living Media India Limited:
Living Media India is a media conglomerate based in New Delhi, India. It has interests in magazines, newspapers, books, radio, television, printing and the Internet. It include JVs with magazines such as Cosmopolitan, Prevention, Harvard Business Review and more.

• Bollywood Hungama, by Hungama (India)

What it does?
The application will be a one point destination for all the updates on Bollywood. The content populated inside the application will be in sync with the Bollywood Hungama Portal. Features associated with GPS on N97 include show times and DVD locator. The application will be wrapped in an intuitive FL3.0 user interface. The target audience for the application will be primarily people who want to stay updated with Bollywood

Why we liked it?
Significant Bollywood film studio mobilizing its content.

Average score = 15/20

Target categories:
EXPLORE: watches a lot of TV and movies.
CONNECT: likes watching TV (mostly films and soap operas).

Flash Version: 3.0
Platform Version: S60 5th Edition
Completed by: November 2009
About Hungama:
Hungama shows its might in the mobile, digital and activation fields by bringing to the forefront creativity and leadership like no other. Over the years we have reinforced our positions in all three fields. Today Hungama Mobile is the leader in the Mobile Entertainment and Value Added Services(VAS) in India.

• Eros Bollywood by Eros Entertainment (USA)

What it does?
Stream the best Bollywood movie trailers right to a user’s device. Users can tag the movies that they like so they can be watched later.

Why we liked it?
App taps into a massive culture phenomenon in Bollywood, which by some accounts out produces Hollywood, giving users a chance to preview Bollywood movies wherever they go.

Average score = 13/20

Target categories:
EXPLORE: watches a lot of TV and movies.
CONNECT: likes watching TV (mostly films and soap operas).

Flash Version: FL 3.0
Platform Version: S60 5th Edition (2 devices)
Completed by: July 2009
About Eros Entertainment:
Largest vertically-integrated studio in Indian entertainment.
Unbeatable combination of Content and Distribution
Valuable catalogue of over 1,900 films.
Only Indian entertainment Company with worldwide offices and distribution network in 50 countries across five continents.

- Releases SDK 40 5th Edition ‘Lite’ SDK to Indian developers for high volume developer platform (S40 5th Edition, Feature Pack 1 ‘Lite’ SDK )

• Nokia announced the global release of new software development kit for its Series 40 mass services for the high volume feature phone market worldwide
• Series 40 is the world’s highest volume mobile developer platform
• Series 40 Lite devices represent some of Nokia’s most popular mass market devices
• The new SDK is likely to make it easier for publishers and developers to create innovative applications for millions of mobile consumers
• This SDK will also feature support of Indian regional languages such as Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam, Tamil, Telegu, Punjabi, Marathi and Bengali.

Great devices with huge volumes

• Nokia 5000
• Nokia 2680 slide
• Nokia 2320 classic
• Nokia 2323 classic
• Nokia 2330 classic
• Nokia 7100 Supernova
• Nokia 2720 fold
• Nokia 2220 slide (in the picture)

Java ME in Series 40 Lite

• Connected Limited Device Configuration 1.1 (JSR-139) and MIDP 2.1 (JSR-118)
• Java Technology for Wireless Industry (JSR-185)
• File Connection and PIM API (JSR-75)
• Bluetooth API (JSR-82)
• Mobile Media API 1.1 (JSR-135)
• Security and Trust Services API; APDU and CRYPTO packages (JSR-177)
• Wireless Messaging API 2.0 (JSR-205)
• Nokia UI API

- Announces Forum Nokia Code Competition for Qt Mobility APIs

• The competition invites developers across the glove to create code samples for Symbian that utilize Qt and Qt Mobility APIs (Click here to read What is Qt?).
• The entries will be assessed on their innovativeness and usefulness by a board of Nokia technical and business development experts.
• Many examples will be chosen for publishing on to www.forum.nokia.com as a resource for the Forum Nokia community and to help accelerate the use of Qt even further.
• The grand prize winner will be nominated Forum Nokia Champion and receive a trip to the upcoming Nokia Forum Developer Summit to be held in San Francisco, California USA on June 9th and 10th, 2010.
• The competition encourages multiple entries and there will be other winners to be nominated as a Forum Nokia Champion as well as Nokia devices.
• Entries to the contest will be open till January 31, 2010, so get coding y’all !

And lastly, our tweets from the event (in reverse order unfortunately) :

So the bottom line is WRT API is awesome, and everyone should use it #FNDC09

They’re displaying example codes of Maps API and Messaging API #FNDC09

WRT Is basically lightweight Mobile Applications that give you easy access to web #FNDC09

Distribute through the Ovi Store to reach tens of millions of users globally witha 70% revenue share #FNDC09

WRT widgets provide an effective channel for web service providers to engage with their mobile audience #FNDC09

Persistent application presence on the homescreen increases visibility #FNDC09

S60 enables live internet content on homescreen from S60v5 #FNDC09

Web runtime widgets can access platform services including messaging, PIM, Audio, etc through Javascript Extensions #FNDC09

Anyone who can create web pages can be a mobile application developer using WRT tech #FNDC09

Develop WRT Widgets using standard based web tech like HTML, CSS, Javascipt, AJAX, etc #FNDC09

“Widget development with Web Run Time (WRT)”

Nicholas Foo Head of TSC APAC, Forum Nokia APAC is now on stage. #FNDC09

Anything that’s UI related in code, will become unsuable in Symbian^4. Seperate your UI code and Engine code #FNDC09

Should I throw away all my Symbian C++ Skills for QT ? No. But be prepared to forget some of it #FNDC09

“Be prepared to port your application to QT”. #FNDC09

QT4.6 for Symbian coming late Dec 2009. Coming for Maemo Q1 2010. Symbian^3 will have QT 4.6.1 built in #FNDC09

Symbian^4 will have a QT based UI and application framework #FNDC09

Apparently noone really likes the Symbian Signed program (duh) #FNDC09

QT 4.5.3 is available for Maemo now for use #FNDC09

QT follows platform security rules on Symbian #FNDC09

QT will be preinstalled in coming Symbian Devices #FNDC09

130 Million devices out there that supports QT #FNDC09

QT is the preferred native developer offering on Symbian and Maemo #FNDC09

Now talking about the QT Mobility API #FNDC09

Apparently QT is pronounced “Cute” lol. I always pronounced it “Qu Tee”

QT was started from a desktop perspective #FNDC09

Talk about the QT Webkit. Based on Open source #FNDC09

Video on QT being shown off #FNDC09

“We’re trying to reduce the number of clicks it takes to use/start an app” – #FNDC09

The Ovi Store (might) be coming Q1 for Maemo #FNDC09 No fixed date

Ovi Maps covers more than 60 cities in India right now #FNDC09

It’s a Global Market for the Indian Developer. Dont stick to just India, expand #FNDC09

The N900 is definitely coming to India. No dates yet though #FNDC09

“We have the most secure platform out there” (re S60) #FNDC09

74 Million users across Nokia’s services #FNDC09

“Get the consumer engaged in apps; Good for developers” #FNDC09

Verve Wireless from San Diego is one of nokia’s main developers #FNDC09

Publishers want to get their content on Mobile, without being a developer #FNDC09

Highligthing the fact that QT is a cross platform situation #FNDC09

Indiagames developer already have games ready for Maemo #FNDC09

Not just big companies developing for Symbian, lots of individuals too #FNDC09

Lunch break over. Now a short Q&A session with Purnima from Forum Nokia #FNDC09

Innovations are driven by what the consumer needs (duh) #FNDC09

Ovi Store will support promotion codes and subscription models next year #FNDC09

The best apps are always going to rise to the top. No matter what brand #FNDC09

What matters is relevance in apps, not the number of apps in an app store #FNDC09

15 minute Q&A session now starting #FNDC09

A small percentile of developers get to a large consumer base. Act Quickly or you’ll end up at the tail. Be proactive #FNDC09

There are a lot of big brands that want to mobilise their business #FNDC09

In India developers have 2 oppurtunities: Ovi Store and Local App folder (pre-loaded apps in devices) #FNDC09

Most apps are used by consumers in a very short span of time #FNDC09

Apparently the Ovi Store is not *officially* launched in India #FNDC09

India publisher page launching soon. Page dedicated to Indian users and local apps #FNDC09 (wasnt the ovi store s’pose to do this automtly?)

Many apps compete for the same user #FNDC09 Be Innovative. Constantly evolve the app. #FNDC09

Top 50 apps from the Ovi Store in India are in Productivity (Opera) Casual (Night stand) Games (Asphalt) communication (SMS preview) #FNDC09

Symbian is still the largest shipping OS #FNDC09

Smartphones generate 27% mobile web traffic in india. Thats in comparison to total number of mobiles. #FNDC09

“Will my app get lost in a crowded app store?” Questions that devs ask #FNDC09

The press ppt we got in the #FNDC09 usb sticks, mention things about a new S40 5th edition API. S40 5th edition eh ?

Jasmeet Gandhi Head OPM & Devices, Nokia India is now on stage : http://www.nokiadevcon.in/jasmeet_gandhi.php

Eric’s just wrapping up. Nothing really new about the Ovi Store in his presentation tho #FNDC09

And we’re back in business. Send in an email to @ovidailyapp for them to feature your app #FNDC09

Ovi Store recent enhancements (nothing new; the improved search, redownloads enabled) #FNDC09

Couple examples of localized apps and how they’re doing in India. Hungama, Eros, Media apps and the like #FNDC09

Consumers love free (no kidding?) #FNDC09

Only 7 devices now shipping with Ovi Store embedded #FNDC09 (not a great number y’all)

Holy crap they suddenly just played a really loud song that scared the crap out of me lol #FNDC09 (Ringtones on the Ovi Store)

Eric John from Forum Nokia now on stage at #FNDC09

Cherish Process architects as well as product architects #FNDC09

“Promote an understanding of Compatibility and Interfaces” #FNDC09

If you put all your focus into the platform, you’ll end up with mediocre products #FNDC09

“Users but products not platforms” – David Wood #FNDC09

Ha managed to turn it on. I am awesome #FNDC09

Crap I just killed the screen next to me while trying to plug in my laptop charger. Halp ? #FNDC09

David Wood on stage now. #FNDC09

Q&A now over. Next session now starting #FNDC09

Kenny Mathers talking about how useful Remote Device Access can be #FNDC09

Ovi Store will/might soon be on AT&T devices #FNDC09

@mad_nad It’s the hash tag for the Forum Nokia Developer Conference in Bangalore #FNDC09

Ovi Store is not just symbian. It’s on S40 and soon on Maemo – Kenny Mathers #FNDC09

“We’re working to make the Symbian Signed process a lot smoother and Easier” – Kenny Mathers #FNDC09

“We’re not in a numbers game” (re Ovi Store) #FNDC09

Q&A with Kenny Mathers now on. Recording the Audio so i’ll let you guys listen in as soon as i have decent internet #FNDC09

Tea break ! Time to Socialize (at our Q&A with Kenny Mathers) #FNDC09

Apparently one developer is particularly agitated lol #FNDC09

W’ere @ZOMGitsCj Sitting with @thesymbianblog @fonearena @s60blog and @mynokiaworld ready for our Q&A with Kenny Mathers

Any questions for Kenny Mathers ? Head of Developer Relations at Forum Nokia #FNDC09 Meeting him in a couple minutes

Purnima’s done with her presentation now. Did I mention she gave me a shoutout :D ? #FNDC09

Interview with Kenny Mathers in a couple minutes. with @fonearena and @mynokiaworld and me @Clintonjeff #FNDC09

Examples of Shazaam and Midomi : make Music experience so much better #FNDC09

“The device knows where you are” Ovi Maps #FNDC09

Our Goal is to make sure that we can get these apps built by people in days, not weeks #FNDC09

Talk about Ovi Maps API and Navigation #FNDC09

“Help us make User Interfaces better” #FNDC09

Our devices, our services will be opened up to you #FNDC09

Nokia spent 8 billion dollars to buy Navteq, to open it up to YOU #FNDC09

“Simplify Cross Platform Access” #FNDC09

Indian Forum Nokia community is one of the most active #FNDC09

Connection with Open source communities is really important #FNDC09

Apparently Indians love puzzles (Its true !) Digital chocolate found a huge market in India #FNDC09

When you’re thinking about Local content for Indians, dont forget which devices they use #FNDC09

To follow everyone here at #FNDC09 dont forget to check out our list : http://twitter.com/clintonjeff/forum-nokia-dev-conf-09

The market isnt “India”. It’s “Indians” (both here and abroad) #FNDC09

“What we do at Forum Nokia is interested, thanks to YOU” #FNDC09

I gotta check out this ‘EyeSight’ app later. #FNDC09

Now they’re talking about Joikuspot. Gotta love that app y’all !

Talking about ‘EyeSight’. A company that used the camera as an input mechanism. Gestures, etc

Did you know that @Qik got the first video out of Iran and the rebellion ? @FNDC09

“Nokia believes in Openness” “In the hands of people; that allow it to happen”

“A whole new world of Consumer Media” #FNDC09

Nokia allows companies to innovate more than another other platforms. Eg @Qik #FNDC09

You will see amazing things on the Symbian platform soon. #FNDC09

“Our Nokia services are a backdrop to Developers ” #FNDC09

Offscreen Tech apps shown on the screen. Apparently they’re based in Finland #FNDC09

Tomorrow’s Silicon valley can be here #FNDC09

Utility is what makes people use apps. But sometimes they just have to be fun too #FNDC09

Hyper Local Apps drive Local innovation Globally #FNDC09 Eg: Netflix in North America

w00t ! Purnima just gave me a shout out. From my conversation about how Ovi Maps saved me in Delhi lol #FNDC09 (check ZCJ for that post)

“We’ve done some amazing developments with Ovi Maps” #FNDC09

“Homescreens are also about being connected to people” #FNDC09

We need to be locally relevant #FNDC09

“Mobile” frees you. #FNDC09

“I want my life on the mobile phone. On my terms” Its individual. “I want to be connected” #FNDC09

Coincidentally Purnima Kochikar is from my town in India. Represent y’all ! #FNDC09 “Our Mobile Future” is her presentation

Purnima from Forum Nokia now on stage #FNDC09

And that’s it for Shiv’s presentation #FNDC09

2 Questions. What has got you this far ? Who should you partner with to get to where you want to go ? (Nokia?) #FNDC09

Education apps are going to be BIG #FNDC09

We teach people english. 30rs a month, one word a day. With Nokia LifeTools #FNDC09

The Ovi Store has a million downloads a day (What!?) #FNDC09

“What can we do so that more consumers come into the Digital Era” #FNDC09

The government will be a big buyer of apps if the UID is involved #FNDC09

UID can be the most powerful catalyst for apps #FNDC09

UID will be BIG #FNDC09 Transactions will be made on a mobile phone.

Video apps are going to be big. Dont underestimate it #FNDC09

10 to 11 languages in a mobile phone in India. Needs to be the same in Apps #FNDC09

180,000 developers in India #FNDC09

Who here at #FNDC09 thinks this topic might start trending soon at this rate :D ? #FNDC09

India has a 10:1 Mobile to PC ratio! #FNDC09

India is an information rich, content poor country #FNDC09

“What can we ensure that the consumer will do more on a mobile phone?” #FNDC09

Ratio of mobiles to pc’s being shown. Mobiles outnumber pc’s by HUGE margins (duh) #FNDC09

More than 200 million people with Nokia phones in India #FNDC09

Nokia is India’s most trusted brand (I knew they’d bring this one out lol) #FNDC09

Why Nokia will win ? Brand, Scale and Services #FNDC09

Nokia has more than 30% share of the mobile market . Huge advantage to develop apps for Nokia #FNDC09

4 Billion people have a mobile phone. 1.3 Billion are Nokia #FNDC09

In 2012 App market will be 4 Billion #FNDC09

App market valued at 1 billion #FNDC09

2 years ago global apps market didnt exist. Today there are more than a dozen app stores #FNDC09

Battery life gets more and more important #FNDC09

“We started putting things into mobiles. Fm radio, music players. Convergence happened” #FNDC09

Mobiles were first all about voice. That’s changed now #FNDC09 (duh)

“All consumers are saying I want to connect” “A hunger to re-connect” #FNDC09

“Individuals are saying there’s too much info in this world. I want a condensed version” #FNDC09

“in a virtual, app filled world” “Phones getting smarter, sharper” #FNDC09

“People are living their life on a mobile phone 24/7″ “Carry it with them all the time” #FNDC09

“Indians love to talk” (WHAT?) #FNDC09

Mobility has overcome the Landline issue in India #FNDC09

In terms of Telecom, India is the highest growing market #FNDC09

Too many operators for this market. (really?) 15 in India. Average elsewhere is just five #FNDC09

“I want to improve non-voice revenue” #FNDC09

Half sms, 10% data ; Of the total bill of a consumer in India #FNDC09

95% of Indian market is pre-paid #FNDC09

Decline in average revenue per user #FNDC09 in India

Operator wise, the Market is very crowded #FNDC09

Highest number of new subscribers in India #FNDC09

100 Million subscribers a year #FNDC09

Nokia started operations in India in 1995 #FNDC09

India’s the world’s second largest mobile subscriber base (second only to China) #FNDC09

Who in the room uses a Nokia phone ? (almost every hand goes up) #FNDC09

If you use a Nokia. You’re an intelligent person. Ooooh snap :P #FNDC09

Shiv from Nokia India now on stage #FNDC09

2 Keys are all you need. Eh ? #FNDC09

9:45 AM Dec 7th from web in reply to symbianguru
Holy crap the whole stage just parted to show an “Unlock Star” Banner. Fireworks y’all #FNDC09

Our tweets are being displayed on a giant screen here lol. Awesome #FNDC09

Will all the Forum Nokia Champions please stand up ? #FNDC09 rounds of applause y’all .

Seated next to Varun from @fonearena. Looking for a power socket for our not-so portable laptops y’all lol #FNDC09

Connect with a vibrate community #FNDC09

Likes that the main stage display behind the speakers at #fndc09 is a huge model of the Nokia E72. Good to see this handset promoted!

“Unlock star” #FNDC09 The key to developers making a killer app

*cough* I mean Kenny Mathers on stage. Workin’ teh crowd y’all

There’s a seperate Maemo tiny booth and a couple OVI sdk booths setup. Cant wait to check them out later #FNDC09

For anyone looking for us, we’re seated behind the right screen near the door. Come get free ZCJ stickers and Cards y’all #FNDC09

They keep playing the LifeCasting video over and over again lol #FNDC09

We’re LIVE at the Forum Nokia Developer Conference 09 ! Follow us at @ZOMGitsCj for updates as it happens #FNDC09

In a nutshell :

From a consumer point of view, there wasnt anything ‘new’ announced at FNDC09. There werent any new phones, or services launched. But from a developer perspective it was fascinating ! (which is what I think they were going for).

Nokia is really REALLY pushing development and Innovation (and they’re right to do so). Symbian is still a priority, and so is Maemo. Forum Nokia is encouraging people to experiment with Qt as it has a cross platform appeal. There was also talk of how developers should seperate their engine and UI code in their applications, since the UI code will be rebundant when Symbian^4 comes around. They’re also pushing WRT, especially with the Symbian S60v5 homescreen on the N97 (which apparently is still an experiment, and was not supposed to come with the OS before Symbian^2)

The Ovi Maps API was also shown off a bit, and localized content on the Ovi Store. We also had a couple brief Q&A’s with a couple important people over at Forum Nokia, which we will be posting (as audio) seperately soon.

We’d like to thank Nokia India for letting us attend this particular event. As a consumer, and an enthusiast, I am immensely excited about the future of both Symbian and Maemo, especially after seeing how much Nokia is backing them up. QT looks particularly interesting to me, and I cant wait to see where they take it.

To view more Pictures and a couple Videos from the Forum Nokia Developer Conference 2009, dont forget to check out our Flickr Album.

Follow us on Facebook:

Author Description

Clinton Jeff

Clinton is currently based in New Delhi, India and is executive editor for UnleashThePhones. He is responsible for all editorial decisions, and covers all forms of Mobile things. Cj is addicted to caffeine, social media, and technology. Always up for a good conversation, you can reach him through the contact form, his website, on Google Plus or on Facebook or Twitter: Follow @clintonjeff

CONTACT THE AUTHOR: