Third party developers get boost

ESPOO, Finland – Third party application developers got a boost today when Nokia announced a change to the way Qt is licensed. Qt Software (formerly Trolltech) creates and markets Qt, a development platform that enables developers to create apps across mobile and desktop, making multiple deployments easier and faster. The change, the impact of which Tuxmachines.org describes as “enormous” means third party developers will find Qt much more permissive, specially when dealing with proprietary software.

Fundamentally this change, which will take affect with the next release of the software in March, means the software will be available under the Lesser General Public License (LGPL) which many believe will boost adoption and even shift the landscape of application development.

Like any change though, it comes down to what it means for us, as users. Although there are already thousands of applications available for our devices, this shift will open up the platform to even more developers, and existing and new applications which haven’t previously appeared on S60. The upshot? More and better applications than ever before.

One of the things I most enjoy with my S60 devices is that ability to instantly extend the device’s ability by adding new applications. Whether widgets (which Qt can also be used to develop) or full blown applications, finding and using those gems can make all the difference to getting the most of out your device.

What’s more, this shift further underlines Nokia’s strategy for openness, both in how it works but also how it develops and evolves its software platforms.

Bring it on, I say. What say you?

Related posts:

• Widgets getting a boost
• Nokia’s “Ovi Store 101 for Developers” video previews
• Qt for Maemo 5 – the floodgates are now open

Tags | development, Nokia, Qt software