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New offerings include Qt 4.5, Qt Creator IDE version 1.0, and the new Qt SDK

Espoo, Finland – March 3, 2009 – Nokia today announced the availability of version 4.5 of the Qt cross-platform application and UI framework. It also introduced Qt Creator, a new lightweight cross-platform Integrated Development Environment (IDE), Qt 4.5 and Qt Creator combined comprises the Qt SDK, an easy to install package that will let developers create applications quickly and easily.

“Qt 4.5 is setting the benchmark for application development,” said Benoit Schillings, Chief Technologist, Qt Software, Nokia. “With the performance improvements in Qt, the introduction of Qt Creator, and the release of the Qt SDK, developers looking for a native or a hybrid native/web application framework now have the power and flexibility they need.”

The release of Qt 4.5 also marks an important milestone for the open source community. For the first time Qt will include the LGPL licensing option to go along with the Commercial License and GPL licensing options currently available. By adding the LGPL license for Qt, developers can now add their proprietary applications on top of Qt without paying a licensing fee.

In addition to the new product releases and licensing changes, Qt Software is also introducing a new flexible technical support package for LGPL and GPL license users. Developers using these licenses will now be able to purchase technical support from Qt Software.

Qt 4.5

Qt 4.5 includes several new features, but sees the greatest improvement via a concerted effort to increase performance across the entire framework. Significant performance enhancements were made to the graphics system, data handling, and the web engine. These improvements result in an appreciable performance increase in Qt-based applications.

Qt 4.5 also improves integration with the WebKit web rendering engine which will blend web and native content into a richer user experience. This includes:
- Netscape Plugin API support; allowing Qt applications to load Flash (such as the YouTube player)
- More advanced web UI effects, including animations, transformations and zooming
- New JavaScript engine for better performance

Qt 4.5 has also been ported to Apple’s Cocoa framework. Previously Qt supported only the Carbon framework, but with Qt 4.5, Qt can now support both. This means developers can create applications that support 32 or 64 bit, Intel or PowerPC Mac binaries from a single source.

Qt Creator

Developers can now download version 1.0 of Qt Creator, a lightweight cross-platform IDE for Qt development. Qt Creator has been designed to deliver two key benefits: it provides the first IDE designed specifically for cross-platform development; and it enables developers that are new to the Qt framework to get up and running more quickly.

Qt Creator includes an efficient tool set for creating and testing Qt-based applications, including:
- An advanced C++ code editor
- Context sensitive help system
- Visual debugger
- Source code management
- Project and build management tools

Qt Creator will be available under the terms of the LGPL version 2.1 license and will be open for contributions. Currently Qt Creator only supports desktop platforms for Qt development (Windows, Linux, and Mac OS), however support for embedded platforms will be added in the coming months.

The Qt SDK

The new Qt SDK, downloadable from www.qtsoftware.com, is a comprehensive package designed to provide developers everything they need to begin cross-platform Qt development from a simple-to-install binary package.

The Qt SDK includes the Qt libraries, the Qt Creator IDE, and the Qt tools, all integrated into one easy-to-install package. It has been tailored to the needs of cross-platform developers and is designed to make new Qt developers more productive, more quickly.

Contribute to Qt

In the coming weeks, Qt Software will be launching the Qt Contribution website where developers will be able to see the Qt code repository and also be able to contribute to Qt, Qt Creator and other Qt-related development projects. More details will be announced soon.

http://www.qtsoftware.com

GENEVA, Feb. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — STMicroelectronics a leader in delivering high-performance, low-power multimedia solutions for next-generation mobile products, today expanded its Nomadik multimedia application processor ecosystem with the integration of Linux and Trolltech’s Qtopia application environment in the STn8815 Nomadik engine.

This powerful platform provides equipment manufacturers with a complete reference design that facilitates fast development and customization of the latest generations of multimedia applications including smart phones, wireless PDAs, internet appliances and car entertainment systems.

Based on ST’s distributed-processing architecture with smart multimedia accelerators, the Nomadik processors enable compelling multimedia applications with ultra-low power consumption.

The newest STn8815 offering combines the application engine with a Linux base port and the Qtopia application framework. The Linux platform integrates major multimedia codecs (MPEG4, H.264, MP3, AAC, JPEG) and a full set of drivers for ST’s embedded peripherals, including Bluetooth, WiFi, digital still camera, video output and power management.

Trolltech’s Qtopia is a popular application platform and user interface for Linux-based mobile and embedded devices. It offers a rich toolkit and intuitive API (Application Programming Interface), fully customizable user interface and highly efficient development framework. The full software stack supports the key functionalities for a rich user experience, including video and voice calls, video and music playback, internet browsing, camcorder, touch screen and smart energy management.

“Until now, equipment manufacturers were largely left on their own to integrate software on top of the OS. The Nomadik Linux platform with the Qtopia application framework bridges the gap, providing a single-source solution that dramatically reduces product development time for both hardware and software,” said Teppo Hemia, Mobile Platform Chipset Director within ST’s Mobile, Multimedia and Communications Group.

“Trolltech’s Linux-based Qtopia running on ST’s latest Nomadik engine enables customers to efficiently deliver compelling multimedia solutions,” said Karsten Homann, VP Professional Services at Trolltech. “This powerful combination significantly simplifies the creation of state-of-the-art user experiences as well as shortening the time to market for device manufacturers.”

Samples of the STn8815 processor engine with the Qtopia software stack are available now. Volume production of the STn8815/ Qtopia offering is scheduled for Q2 2008. Pricing for the STn8815 is below $12 in quantities of 10,000 pieces for stand-alone package versions.

Trolltech www.trolltech.com
STMicroelectronics www.st.com

Trolltech’s Qt based technology assets facilitate application development for multiple platforms and devices

Espoo, Finland and Oslo, Norway – Nokia and Trolltech ASA today announced that they have entered into an agreement that Nokia will make a public voluntary tender offer to acquire Trolltech (www.trolltech.com), a company headquartered in Oslo, Norway and publicly listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange. Trolltech is a recognized software provider with world-class software development platforms and frameworks. In addition to the key software assets, its talented team will play an important role in accelerating the implementation of Nokia’s software strategy.

Nokia will offer NOK 16 per share in cash. The board of directors of Trolltech has unanimously recommended that its shareholders accept Nokia’s Offer. Holders of 35,024,830 shares, representing approximately 66,43 % of Trolltech’s issued shares and votes have as of January 27, 2008 irrevocably undertaken to accept the Offer. Haavard Nord, Vuonislahti Invest AS (controlled by Eirik Chambe-Eng), Teknoinvest and certain funds managed by Index Ventures are among the shareholders who have agreed to tender their shares to Nokia.

The acquisition of Trolltech will enable Nokia to accelerate its cross-platform software strategy for mobile devices and desktop applications, and develop its Internet services business. With Trolltech, Nokia and third party developers will be able to develop applications that work in the Internet, across Nokia’s device portfolio and on PCs. Nokia’s software strategy for devices is based on cross-platform development environments, layers of software that run across operating systems, enabling the development of applications across the Nokia device range. Examples of current cross-platform layers are Web runtime, Flash, Java and Open C.

“The technology landscape evolves and, for Nokia, software plays a major role in our growth strategy for devices, PCs and the integration with the Internet. We continue to focus on areas where we can differentiate and add more value. Common cross-platform layers on top of our software platforms attract innovation and enable Web 2.0 technologies in the mobile space,” said Kai Öistämö, Executive Vice President, Devices, Nokia. “Trolltech’s deep understanding of open source software and its strong technology assets will enable both Nokia and others to innovate on our device platforms while reducing time-to-market. This acquisition will also further increase the competitiveness of S60 and Series 40.”

Nokia aims to continue the development of Trolltech’s products and support of new and existing customers. Nokia strives for an open approach to technology that will encourage and support innovation in the industry, enable fast adoption of new technologies and advance healthy competition. Nokia embraces open source technology and will take further the open source development culture found in Trolltech.

“Trolltech and Nokia share the goal of accelerating the adoption of Trolltech’s Qt based technology in the commercial market and in the open source community,” said Haavard Nord, CEO and founder of Trolltech. Eirik Chambe-Eng, Chief Troll and co-founder of Trolltech continues “We are thrilled to join forces with Nokia. The company’s innovative culture and resources will give our employees new and exciting possibilities and fulfill our vision of “Qt everywhere”.”

Nokia intends to continue to enhance Trolltech products through active and ongoing development, for both desktop and mobile. To further stimulate industry innovation based on Trolltech’s products, Nokia plans to continue to license Trolltech technology under both commercial and open source licenses.

The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions, including acceptance by shareholders representing more than 90 % of the fully diluted share capital, and the necessary regulatory approvals. The complete details of the offer, including all terms and conditions, will be set forth in an offer document expected to be sent to Trolltech shareholders within two weeks. The offer is expected to be open for acceptance for a period of four weeks and to be completed in the second quarter of 2008. If the conditions to the offer are satisfied or waived, Nokia will have a legal duty to make a mandatory cash offer for or compulsory acquisition of the remaining shares.