User Interface

• Qt Framework is the next thing to invest on. Try to keep away from Symbian Avkon framework and GTK+ as much as possible
• Use Adobe Flash Lite for UI as an alternative to C++, if have very few C++ experts in your team.
• Nokia Widget Development (Web Runtime/WRT) is also an great alternative to the current UI frameworks, if you have good web developers with HTML, CSS and JavaScript experience
• Maps are getting lot of attention. Maps integration is a significant plus point for Nokia, since its free for use within Nokia devices.

Devices

• More touch sensitive devices are going to show-up in 2010.
• Most likely get dedicated Graphic Processors like what we have in N95 and N900, for accelerating applications using OpenGL ES.
• Smartphones would use Symbian, while Mobile Computers use Maemo.

Operating Systems

1. Symbian
   • Still stays strong inside Nokia
   • Will continue to empower Smartphone devices
2. Maemo is great in a lot of aspects.
   • Standard Unix port
   • Porting GTK+ applications is very easy
   • Localization road map to Indic languages is not visible yet

Other highlights

• Good showcase on Agile project execution. This was very helpful with tips and techniques for mobile development projects.
• Nokia is going after local app store market approach for INDIA and other emerging markets. So, there is a strong support from Nokia, if you are interested in making money in INDIA market.
• Nokia is positively different from other vendors, when it comes marketing approaches towards making mobile application vendors profitable.

Overall, I was very glad to have participate in this event.

http://www.nokia.com/press/press-releases/showpressrelease?newsid=1358666

Nokia CEO sketches the plans/offerings to cheer mobile users.

Current and Projected Sales

Projected Cost and Sales Expectations

Per the press release, we can now expect Symbian 4 and Maemo 6 in the middle of 2010. Announcement of a new version release, ahead of completing global launch of Maemo 5 with N900, tells us that Nokia is serious on Maemo. I like the way Nokia addresses the market based on device capability (hardware and software) in terms of economic viability (cost).

In areas where we still need mobile devices below INR 2,000.00, S40 series phones does make sense. Not every body needs the delight of having their phone knowing which direction it is pointed at. The theme is still on emerging markets, which is a great thing, considering the 300 Million active users target that they have.

Mobile Phones…Smart Phones…Mobile Computers

Sony VAIO would get a good competitor. Now that Nokia is looking at a small and compact mobile computer as lucrative as the Netbooks, mobility offerings in the next few years should be very interesting.

We need innovations like what Maemo brings to the table…well…the pocket. I hope Nokia keeps Maemo for their high-end products.