Qt is a cross-platform application and UI framework. Qt will change the way you develop C++ applications for mobile devices forever. The easy-to-use Qt framework means you will be tied no longer to a single platform: Develop your application once and deploy to multiple platforms without rewriting the source code.
Qt enables you to take desktop applications mobile and bring mobile applications to the desktop. Qt combines power with simplicity. Enhanced UI features, such as opacity, drop-shadows, glow, and filtering support, along with improved graphics and web support enables rich, attractive UIs. The Qt APIs for mobile development simplify the use of key mobile-platform features — such as bearer management, contacts, and location information — across mobile and desktop platforms, Now Qt applications can offer a superior user experience along with rich functionality from a single set of APIs, across multiple platforms. Use Qt Creator to create your applications or consider trialling the next generation of Qt tools: the Nokia Qt SDK Beta.
Key resources
Why should I be developing with Qt?
The power and simplicity of Qt is further expanding its presence in the mobile world. Qt provides core support for Symbian and Maemo 5, along with a range of common APIs designed to access key platform features, such as navigation, bearer management, contacts, and messaging. It will soon be possible to deploy Qt applications without the need to bundle the entire framework with each application, thanks to Smart Installer for S60 devices and the forthcoming integration of Qt into Maemo 5 and Symbian^3 .
Using the Qt APIs is free of charge, with no licence fee to pay for applications that dynamically link to the Qt libraries.
If you are serious about mobile applications, the time is right to switch to Qt and realise the benefits of cross-platform development.
Qt simplifies development for Symbian
Mobile developers have always recognised Symbian C++ as one of the most powerful and robust runtimes for mobile devices. However, developing in Symbian C++ requires a paradigm shift from standard desktop development practices and learning a new, comprehensive API set. You may have found this has been a barrier to entry into mobile applications development.
IQt offers you APIs that work in a way similar to other desktop APIs. Importantly, Qt delivers the same APIs for Symbian, Maemo, and desktop applications. This provides you with two significant advantages:
- Applications development becomes straightforward, because the time it takes to code and test applications is reduced.
- Applications can be easily ported to multiple platforms, thereby increasing the opportunity for application sales.
To simplify the development process, the Nokia Qt SDK has been designed to provide all the resources you need to create great applications as easily as possible. This new Qt development tool — currently available as an early access beta — incorporates the latest version of Qt Creator, which includes a technology preview of Qt Quick a tool that enables fast collaborative creation of UIs. In addition to the standard Qt tools, Nokia Qt SDK delivers a lightweight simulator — eliminating the need for Symbian SDKs — and other tools to ensure applications can be compiled, tested, and deployed quickly and easily.
Try out the Nokia Qt SDK Beta »
Get started for Symbian using Nokia Qt SDK »
You can continue to use Carbide.c++ if you wish, as this Symbian optimised IDE includes support for Qt and the Qt tools.
- Symbian^3 devices. See specifications for the Nokia N8 device here »
- S60 5th Edition devices. See specifications for S60 5th Edition devices here »
- S60 3rd Edition, Feature Pack.2 devices. See specifications for S60 3rd Edition, Feature Pack 2 devices here »
- S60 3rd Edition, Feature Pack.1 devices. See specifications for S60 3ed Edition, Feature Pack 1 devices here »
Kick start your Qt development for Symbian
Kick-start your Qt development for Symbian with the Introduction to Qt on Mobile Platforms and S60 Background e-learning modules.
Qt accelerates development for the Maemo platform
Qt for the Maemo platform is now ready to use. Qt offers you the dual benefits of a powerful set of APIs and multi-platform support. Ultimately this will enable you to create Maemo 5 applications faster and take those applications to other mobile and desktop platforms easily.
To simplify the development process, the Nokia Qt SDK has been designed to provide all the resources you need to create great applications as easily as possible. This new Qt development tool — currently available as an early access beta — incorporates the latest version of Qt Creator, which includes a technology preview of Qt Quick a tool that enables fast collaborative creation of UIs based on QML. In addition to the standard Qt tools, Nokia Qt SDK delivers a lightweight simulator — eliminating the need for Maemo 5 SDK — and other tools to ensure applications can be compiled, tested, and deployed quickly and easily.
Try out the Nokia Qt SDK Beta »
Get started for the Maemo platform using Nokia Qt SDK »
You can use Qt to develop Maemo 5 applications for the Nokia N900 device. See the specification for the Nokia N900 device here »
Kick-start your Qt development for the Maemo platform
Kick-start your Qt development for the Maemo platform with the Introduction to Qt on Mobile Platforms and Get Started with Maemo 5 e-learning modules.
It’s not just about cross-platform UIs
Qt offers developers a single set of APIs that can be used to implement applications on desktop PCs through to embedded devices. In addition, the new Qt APIs for mobile development simplify the use of key mobile platform features — such as bearer management, contacts, and location information — across mobile and desktop platforms, This means you will no longer have to create applications that target one platform only. By leveraging the internet or device synchronisation, applications will be able to offer a truly seamless user experience from the desktop to mobile devices and for the ambitious developer into cars and domestic appliances.
Download the new Qt APIs for mobile development »
Development of mobile applications is not only becoming quicker and easier with Qt, but the commercial opportunities for developers are being greatly expanded. Whether it be selling applications in parallel for multiple platforms or increasing an application or services value with multiple-platform support, Qt provides real opportunities to reap greater rewards.
