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S60 (software platform)
S60 (software platform)
S60 (software platform)
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S60
DeveloperNokia
Working stateDiscontinued
Marketing targetSmartphones
Influenced byPearl
Succeeded bySymbian^3 (in name)
Support status
Unsupported

The S60 Platform, originally named Series 60 User Interface, is a discontinued software platform and graphical user interface for smartphones that runs on top of the Symbian operating system. It was created by Nokia based on the 'Pearl' interface from Symbian Ltd.[1] S60 was introduced at COMDEX in November 2001 and first shipped with the Nokia 7650 smartphone; the original version was followed by three other major releases.

In 2008 after Nokia bought out Symbian Ltd., the Symbian Foundation was formed to consolidate all the assets of different Symbian platforms (S60, UIQ, MOAP), making it open source. In 2009, based on the code base of S60, the first iteration of the platform since the creation of Symbian Foundation was launched as S60 5th Edition, or Symbian^1, on top of Symbian OS 9.4 as its base. Subsequent iterations dropped the S60 brand and were named solely under the Symbian name.

Overview

[edit]
S60 5th Edition idle screen. Bottom left "button" brings up a virtual number pad, to compensate for removal of actual numerical keys.

The S60 middleware was a multivendor standard for smartphones that supports application development in Java MIDP, C++, Python[2] and Adobe Flash. Its API was called Avkon UI.[3] S60 consists of a suite of libraries and standard applications, such as telephony, personal information manager (PIM) tools, and Helix-based multimedia players. It was intended to power fully featured modern phones with large colour screens, which are commonly known as smartphones.

Originally, the most distinguishing feature of S60 phones was that they allowed users to install new applications after purchase. Unlike a standard desktop platform, however, the built-in apps are rarely upgraded by the vendor beyond bug fixes. New features are only added to phones while they are being developed rather than after public release. Certain buttons are standardized, such as a menu key, a four way joystick or d-pad, left and right soft keys and a clear key.

S60 was mainly used by Nokia but they also licensed it to a few other manufacturers, including Lenovo, LG Electronics, Panasonic, Samsung,[4] Sendo,[5] Siemens Mobile, Sony Ericsson, Solstice and Vertu. Sony Ericsson notably was the main vendor using the competing UIQ Symbian interface.

In addition to the manufacturers the community includes:

S60 editions

[edit]
S60 3rd Edition menu on a Nokia N73

There have been four major releases of S60: Series 60 (2001), Series 60 Second Edition (2002), S60 3rd Edition (2005) and S60 5th Edition (2008). Each release had an updated version called Feature Pack, sometimes known as relay. Each runs on top of a different Symbian OS version.

Series 60 1st Edition
The devices' display resolution was fixed to 176×208. The Siemens SX1 meanwhile had 176×220.
  • Version 0.9 was the original and first shipped with Nokia 7650.
  • Version 1.2 (marketed as Feature Pack 1) first shipped with Nokia 3600/3650 in 2003.
Series 60 2nd Edition
Also known as S60v2.
  • Version 2 was the original and first shipped with Nokia 6600.
  • Version 2.1 (Feature Pack 1) first came with Nokia 6620.
  • Version 2.6 (Feature Pack 2) first came with Nokia 6630.
  • Version 2.8 (Feature Pack 3) first started shipping with Nokia N70 in September 2005. FP3 now supports multiple resolutions, i.e. Basic (176×208), and Double (352×416). The N90 was the first Series 60 device to support a higher resolution (352×416).
S60 3rd Edition
S60v3 uses a hardened version of Symbian OS (v9.1), which has mandatory code signing. In S60v3, a user may install only programs that have a certificate from a registered developer, unless the user disables that feature or modify the phone's firmware through third-party hacks that circumvent the mandatory signing restrictions. This makes software written for S60 1st Edition or 2nd Edition not binary-compatible with S60v3.
  • Version 3 was first introduced with Nokia N91 in 2006.
  • Version 3.1 (Feature Pack 1) first shipped with Nokia N95.
  • Version 3.2 (Feature Pack 2) first shipped with Nokia N78.
In 2006, a "Designed for S60 Devices" logo program for developers was launched. The logotype can be used with conforming programs regardless of them being native Symbian or Java.
S60 5th Edition / Symbian^1
In October 2008 Symbian^1, also known as S60v5, was launched as the first OS under the Symbian Foundation, based on the S60 code so therefore also called S60 5th Edition. Nokia skipped the number 4 as they traditionally always do (due to East Asian tetraphobia).[6] S60 5th Edition runs on Symbian OS version 9.4.[7] The major feature of 5th Edition is support for high-resolution 640×360 touchscreens; before 5th Edition, all S60 devices had a button-based user interface. S60 5th Edition also integrates standard C/C++ APIs and includes Adobe Flash Lite 3.0 with S60-specific ActionScript extensions that give Flash Lite developers access to phone features like contacts, text messaging, sensors and device location information (GPS). : Despite the introduction of S60 5th Edition, the 3rd Edition continued to be marketed new as well, as 5th Edition is specially designed for, and exclusively available on touchscreens (e.g. Nokia C6-00, Sony Ericsson Satio).
S60 5th Edition was the last edition of S60. It was succeeded by Symbian^2 (based on MOAP) and Symbian^3 in 2010.

Unification of Symbian interfaces

[edit]
Main article: Symbian
See also: Symbian Foundation

As an OS, Symbian OS originally provided no user interface (UI), the visual layer that runs atop an operating system: this was implemented separately. Other than S60, other examples of Symbian UIs were MOAP; Series 80; Series 90 and UIQ. This separation of UI from underlying OS created both flexibility and some confusion in the market place. The Nokia outright purchase of Symbian in June 2008 was brokered with the involvement of the other UI developers and all major user interface layers had been (or pledged to) donating to the open source foundation, Symbian Foundation, who would independently own the Symbian operating system. It announced its intent to unify different Symbian UIs into a single UI based on the S60 platform.[8]

S60 5th Edition was the first version under the unified Symbian interface, and it was therefore also named Symbian^1. After this, the S60 name was dropped entirely with the release of Symbian^3 in 2010. In November 2010, Nokia abruptly announced that the Symbian Foundation will close down, leaving further Symbian development in question. The company had previously stated that MeeGo would become its smartphone future.[9][10] In February 2011, Nokia instead announced a partnership with Microsoft to adopt Windows Phone 7 as Nokia's primary operating system, while promising continued support for Symbian and its newer devices until at least 2016. On 29 April 2011, Nokia announced that it would transfer Symbian activities to Accenture along with 3,000 employees.[11]

Symbian^3

[edit]

Symbian^3 was announced together with Nokia N8 on 27 April 2010.[12] The software is faster than the previous S60 5th Edition and takes better advantage of hardware capabilities to create a snappier performance.[13][14] Interface wise it is not drastically different although it does have multiple home screens. The task switcher has been revamped and now show thumbnails of each open app.[15] Web browsing experience is also improved with the addition of pinch-to-zoom. The native text messaging app now features a "conversation" interface. While the virtual keyboard is still T9, a QWERTY is offered in landscape view.[14]

Symbian Anna

[edit]

On 12 April 2011, Nokia announced Symbian Anna as a software update to the Symbian^3 release.[16] Three new devices (500, X7 and E6) were announced which will have Symbian Anna pre-installed. The most significant changes were:

  • Portrait QWERTY with split-view data entry
  • New Icon Set
  • New web browser with an improved user interface, search-integrated address field, faster navigation and page loading.
  • Updated Ovi Maps (search public transport, download full country maps via WLAN or Nokia Ovi Suite, check-in to Facebook, Twitter and Foursquare).
  • Java Runtime 2.2, Qt Mobility 1.1 and Qt4.7.

Symbian Belle

[edit]

On 24 August 2011, Nokia announced Symbian Belle (later renamed Nokia Belle)[17] as a software update to the Symbian Anna release. Three new devices (603, 700 and 701) were announced with Belle pre-installed. The most significant changes were:

  • Free-form, differently-sized, live widgets
  • More homescreens
  • Improved status bar
  • Dropdown menu
  • Modernised navigation
  • New apps
  • Informative lock screen
  • NFC devices
  • Visual multitasking

Symbian Carla and Donna

[edit]

In November 2011, Nokia announced the Carla and Donna updates. Carla was expected to be released in late 2012 or early 2013 and feature a new web browser, new widgets, new NFC capabilities and Dolby Surround audio enhancement. Donna was going to be a dual-core processor exclusive, and was planned to be released late 2013 or early 2014.[18] However, in May 2012 a Nokia executive claimed that Carla and Donna were cancelled, and that Nokia would instead only release Belle Feature Pack 2 later in 2012, lacking many of the new features that were planned for Carla and Donna.[19][20]

Version history and supported devices

[edit]
See also: Symbian

Many devices are capable of running the S60 software platform with the Symbian OS. Devices ranging from the early Nokia 7650 running S60 v0.9 on Symbian OS v6.1,[21][22] to the latest Samsung i8910 Omnia HD running S60 v5.0 on Symbian OS v9.4.[23] In Symbian^3 the version of the revised platform is v5.2.

The table lists devices carrying each version of S60 as well as the Symbian OS version on what it is based. Devices since Symbian^3 may be capable of upgrading to newer versions.

Product Name S60
Version Number 		Symbian OS
Version Number 		Devices[21][22][23]
Series 60 1st Edition 0.9 6.1
Series 60 1st Edition,
Feature Pack 1 		1.2 6.1
Series 60 2nd Edition 2.0 7.0s
Series 60 2nd Edition,
Feature Pack 1 		2.1 7.0s
Series 60 2nd Edition,
Feature Pack 2 		2.6 8.0a
Series 60 2nd Edition,
Feature Pack 3 		2.8 8.1a
S60 3rd Edition 3.0 9.1
S60 3rd Edition,
Feature Pack 1 		3.1 9.2
S60 3rd Edition,
Feature Pack 2 		3.2 9.3
S60 5th Edition
(Corresponds to Symbian^1) 		5.0 9.4
Symbian^2 [citation needed] [citation needed]
  • Fujitsu: DoCoMo F-07B, DoCoMo F-08B, DoCoMo F-06B
  • Sharp: DoCoMo SH-07B
Symbian^3 5.2 9.5 Original firmware
Symbian Anna 5.2 9.5 Original firmware
Nokia Belle
(renamed from Symbian Belle) 		5.3[25] 10.1[26]
Nokia Belle,
Feature Pack 1 		5.4[27] 10.1[26] Original firmware
Nokia Belle,
Feature Pack 2 		5.5[27] 10.1[26] Latest firmware

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

S60 (software platform)

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from Grokipedia
The S60 platform, originally known as the Series 60 , is a discontinued software platform and for smartphones that runs on top of the operating system. Developed primarily by and licensed to other manufacturers, it served as a UI framework utilizing the AVKON toolkit to provide an interactive environment for mobile applications, supporting development in languages such as C++, Qt, Python, , and Lite. Introduced in late 2001 and first shipped with the in 2002, S60 marked Nokia's entry into modern smartphones, featuring innovations like integrated cameras and MMS messaging alongside OS capabilities. It quickly became the dominant interface for devices, evolving through multiple editions to address growing demands for advanced functionality. The platform progressed from the 1st Edition (released in 2002), focused on keyboard-based navigation, to the 2nd Edition with enhanced support, the 3rd Edition in 2006 introducing feature packs for improved and connectivity, the 5th Edition in 2008 adding native capabilities, followed by in 2010, which integrated Qt for broader touch interactions, and later updates such as Anna and Belle. Key features included a WebKit-based browser for faster web access, customizable home screens, and robust application ecosystems, powering devices from , , , and others. By 2009, over 250 million devices ran OS worldwide, with S60 powering the majority and holding a significant share of the global smartphone market. In 2008, acquired Ltd., leading to the formation of the and the open-sourcing of OS in 2010 to foster broader adoption. However, facing competition from and Android, shifted focus; the last S60-based device, the , shipped in 2012, and official support for and S60 applications ended on January 1, 2014.

Introduction

Overview

S60 is a software platform and framework developed by , built on top of the OS for . It provides a standardized (GUI), application framework, and layer, supporting both traditional navigation and later interactions on mobile devices. Primarily designed for resource-constrained mobile environments, S60 emphasized efficient , multitasking, and extensibility to enable robust smartphone functionality. The platform was introduced by in November 2001 at and first shipped in June 2002 on the , marking it as one of the earliest complete platforms. Its origins trace back to Ltd, a established in 1998 by , Psion, , and to develop a common operating system for advanced mobile phones, with joining as a licensee in 2002. This collaborative foundation allowed S60 to leverage OS's core while focusing on UI standardization. The primary purpose of S60 was to create a consistent and development across Symbian-based devices from multiple manufacturers, promoting cross-compatibility for applications and reducing fragmentation in the early market. It supported a range of programming options, including Java ME for portable midlets, native C++ development via Symbian APIs, and built-in multimedia capabilities such as MMS messaging and connectivity. Initially targeted at high-end business and consumer mobile users in the early 2000s, S60 powered premium devices emphasizing productivity, connectivity, and entertainment features, establishing Nokia's dominance in the Symbian ecosystem before evolving into unified versions like Symbian^3.

Development History

The development of the S60 software platform traces its roots to the formation of Symbian Ltd. in June 1998, a joint venture established by Psion, Nokia, Ericsson, and Motorola to create a standardized operating system for mobile devices based on Psion's EPOC OS. This consortium aimed to address the fragmentation in mobile software by developing a common platform for smartphones, with Symbian OS serving as the foundational operating system upon which user interfaces like S60 would later be built. S60 itself was announced by Nokia at in November 2001 as the Series 60 User Interface, a customizable software platform running on OS designed for advanced feature phones and early smartphones. It integrated libraries, applications, and a to enable richer and connectivity features, marking Nokia's push toward a unified for its devices. The platform debuted commercially in 2002 with the , the first device to ship with S60, establishing it as the core interface for Nokia's Series 60-branded smartphones and expanding its adoption across subsequent models. By the mid-2000s, S60 had evolved to support more diverse hardware, including initial adaptations for touch input announced in October 2007, which laid the groundwork for full touchscreen compatibility in the platform's fifth edition released the following year. Nokia consolidated its dominance over the Symbian ecosystem through strategic acquisitions, culminating in June 2008 when it announced the purchase of the remaining shares in Symbian Ltd. from partners Ericsson, Motorola, and others for approximately €264 million, gaining full ownership by December of that year. This move was tied to the creation of the Symbian Foundation in 2008 (operational from 2009 to 2011), a non-profit entity backed by Nokia and other licensees, which unified fragmented Symbian variants—including S60—and donated over 40 million lines of code to open-source the platform under the Eclipse Public License to foster broader developer and manufacturer adoption. Facing intensifying competition from Apple's (launched 2007) and Google's Android (2008), which rapidly captured market share with more intuitive touch experiences, Nokia pivoted dramatically in February 2011 by partnering with to adopt as its primary smartphone OS, effectively deprecating further S60 and development. This shift marked the end of active investment in S60, with Nokia committing to limited support for existing Symbian devices while transitioning resources away from the platform.

Technical Architecture

Core Components

S60 serves as a reference design layered atop the OS, providing a standardized graphical environment for mobile devices while relying on the underlying operating system's kernel for core functionality. S60 integrates with the EKA2 kernel from the 3rd Edition (based on OS v9) onward, a real-time, nanokernel-based architecture introduced in Symbian OS v8.1b and standardized in v9, which supports multitasking, high-throughput data processing, and hardware isolation through privileged mode execution. This kernel enhances performance in areas such as and by enabling fast interrupts and efficient scheduling, while the S60 layer abstracts OS services into a cohesive platform for application execution. The platform's key subsystems form a modular foundation for device capabilities. The application framework, built primarily on C++ with Uikon and Control Environment (CONE) libraries, employs a model-view-controller (MVC) pattern to separate user interfaces from underlying engines, supporting two-phase construction for robust error handling via cleanup stacks; Python scripting was later integrated for simpler development tasks. The multimedia engine handles audio and video processing through components like SOUNDDEV for playback, ECAM for camera control, and the Media Device Framework with plug-ins for formats such as MP3, MP4, AAC, and multimegapixel imaging, alongside OpenGL ES for graphics rendering. Connectivity is managed by the ESOCK stack, which provides sockets for TCP/IPv4/v6, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi (from Symbian v9), 3G/UMTS via the ETel telephony framework, and GPS location services, with modular telephony server (ETel) plug-ins adapting to hardware like GSM or CDMA2000. Security in S60 was significantly bolstered with the platform security model introduced in the 3rd Edition, aligned with OS v9, which mandates for all executables to verify trust and enforce a capabilities system granting granular access to sensitive APIs, such as network or operations. This model includes data caging to isolate application resources and a certificate management system (CERTMAN) for handling keys, ensuring that only signed applications—via Symbian Signed or developer certificates—can install and run, thereby mitigating risks from untrusted code. Capabilities are assigned during development and checked at runtime by the plug-in framework, preventing unauthorized access to privileged functions. Development for S60 is facilitated by tools like the Carbide.c++ IDE, an Eclipse-based suite for C++ coding, debugging, and GUI design, paired with platform-specific SDKs that include emulators, GCC/RVCT compilers, and APIs for native, Java ME, and later Python applications. From 2009, integrated the Qt framework into S60 SDKs to enable cross-platform C++ development, simplifying UI creation with its signal-slot mechanism while maintaining compatibility with Symbian's native APIs. Hardware adaptation is achieved through the (HAL) within Symbian OS's kernel services, which provides a polymorphic interface for device drivers and variant-specific modules to handle diverse specifications such as screen resolutions, processors (e.g., ARMv6 in v9), and peripherals like modems or sensors. The HAL, operating in user-side and kernel modes, uses plug-ins (e.g., for serial or ) to isolate hardware dependencies, allowing S60 to port seamlessly across manufacturers without altering core platform code.

User Interface Elements

The of the S60 platform centered on an icon-based , typically arranged in a grid or list layout that provided quick access to applications and functions. This design emphasized simplicity and efficiency for mobile use, with users able to customize the arrangement of icons for personalized . A key feature was the Active Standby mode, which transformed the idle screen into a dynamic display showing real-time information such as the current time, date, battery status, upcoming events, unread messages, and missed calls, alongside shortcuts to frequently used apps like the contacts list or music player. This mode allowed users to glance at essential notifications without unlocking the device, enhancing usability on early S60 devices. Navigation in S60 relied on intuitive paradigms tailored to the hardware, primarily using two softkeys below the display for context-sensitive actions like "Options" or "Back," which changed labels based on the current screen or menu. A five-way key (up, down, left, right, and select) enabled scrolling through lists, menus, and icons, supporting one-handed operation common in keypad-based devices. Early touchscreen support was introduced in S60 5th Edition, incorporating input for precise selection and interaction, allowing users to tap icons or drag elements directly on the screen while maintaining compatibility with traditional methods. Core applications in S60 were deeply integrated into the UI, providing seamless access to essential functions with a consistent visual style. The built-in web browser, powered by the WebKit rendering engine starting from S60 3rd Edition, offered standards-compliant browsing with support for HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, enabling full web experiences on mobile screens through zoom and panning gestures in later touch variants. The messaging client handled SMS, MMS, and email with threaded conversations and quick-reply options, displaying notifications prominently in the Active Standby view. The multimedia player supported audio and video playback with playlist management and now-playing overlays, while customizable themes allowed users to alter colors, fonts, icons, and animations across the entire interface for a personalized aesthetic. These elements were built atop the Symbian OS kernel for responsive performance. Input methods in S60 prioritized accessibility and speed for text entry across diverse hardware. Predictive text input via T9 technology analyzed key presses on numeric keypads to suggest common words, reducing typing effort and supporting multiple languages through user dictionaries. For touch-enabled devices in S60 5th Edition, handwriting recognition converted stylus-written characters into text in real-time, accommodating various scripts and integrated into apps like messaging and notes. Voice dialing enabled hands-free calling by speaking contact names after pressing a dedicated key in standby mode, leveraging built-in speech recognition for quick access to the phonebook. Accessibility features in S60 focused on enhancing for diverse users, with high-contrast modes available through theme customization to improve for those with visual impairments by adjusting color schemes and font weights. Haptic feedback, introduced in touch iterations like S60 5th Edition, provided subtle vibrations upon screen taps or key presses, confirming actions tactilely and aiding users with motor or sensory challenges in precise interactions. These options were configurable via settings menus, ensuring broader inclusivity without compromising the platform's core design.

Editions and Versions

Early Editions (S60 1st to 3rd)

The S60 1st Edition, released in , marked the initial commercial deployment of the platform on Symbian OS 6.1, primarily designed for keypad-based smartphones with a focus on basic elements optimized for one-handed operation. It introduced core (PIM) applications, support, and connectivity features such as GPRS and , alongside WAP 2.0 browsing and MMS messaging capabilities. The edition debuted on the , Nokia's first camera-equipped smartphone, which featured a color display with 4,096 colors, representing a key advancement from earlier monochrome Symbian interfaces toward richer visual experiences. Building on this foundation, the S60 2nd Edition, introduced in 2003 and spanning through 2004, upgraded to OS versions 7.0 and 8.0 across its feature packs, enhancing multimedia handling with stereo audio output and improved camera integration. It added support for EDGE data connectivity for faster mobile internet and an advanced runtime environment compliant with MIDP , enabling more sophisticated third-party applications. The edition was exemplified by the , a 3G-capable device that benefited from these upgrades, further solidifying S60's role in bridging traditional phone functionality with emerging smartphone features. The S60 3rd Edition, launched in 2006 and active until 2008, shifted to OS 9.1 as its base, incorporating a robust platform model with and capability-based access controls to mitigate vulnerabilities in an increasingly app-rich ecosystem. It supported advanced graphics via Tiny 1.1 for scalable vector rendering, alongside full integration for , , and modern multimedia codecs, enabling smoother video playback and web experiences. Feature Pack 1, released in early 2007, introduced enhancements like an improved settings hierarchy, auto-keypad locking, over-the-air firmware updates, and SIM contact integration. S60 3rd Edition Feature Pack 2, announced in February 2008, further refined connectivity with optimized management and progressive download for media, allowing instant playback of streaming content without full buffering, while expanding support for broader audio and video formats. It also prepared the platform for evolving input methods by laying groundwork for compatibility in subsequent iterations, including active application indicators in menus, enhanced messaging with threaded views, and timed profile switching. Across these early editions, S60 progressively enabled color screen adoption—starting with the 1st Edition's 176x208 QVGA displays—and fostered initial channels that preceded formal app stores, such as Nokia's online catalogs for PIM and utility downloads.

Feature Packs and Iterations

The S60 3rd Edition Feature Pack 1, released in 2007, introduced enhancements focused on and connectivity, including support for instant media playback during downloading and animated notifications for inbound calls. These updates built on the base 3rd Edition's foundation, enabling more seamless integration of web services in applications while maintaining compatibility with existing S60 3rd Edition software. S60 3rd Edition Feature Pack 2, launched in 2008, further refined the platform with widgets powered by Web Runtime, allowing developers to create mini-applications using standard web technologies like , CSS, , and Ajax for personalized content delivery directly on the device interface. It also enhanced browser capabilities with support, including faster rendering and better handling of dynamic content, alongside social features such as photo tagging and geo-tagging for easier sharing via integrated GPS and media apps. Architectural updates in FP2 improved overall usability, particularly for mid-range devices, with refinements to application switching and media playback. The S60 5th Edition, introduced in 2008 and based on Symbian OS 9.4 (also known as Symbian^1), marked the platform's first full native support for devices, featuring a finger-friendly with larger icons, , and tactile feedback via haptics. Nokia skipped a 4th Edition as a to Asian markets where the number four is considered unlucky. Key UI innovations included kinetic scrolling, which simulates physical momentum for smoother navigation across menus and content, rolled out in initial updates like v20 for devices such as the . Additional iterations in the S60 platform extended support to varied screen resolutions, including QVGA (320x240) for budget touchscreen models like the and nHD (640x360) as the standard for premium devices, ensuring broader device compatibility without sacrificing core functionality. The integration of Ovi Store in 2009 provided a centralized app distribution hub for S60 5th Edition devices, allowing over-the-air downloads of applications, games, and content with social recommendations based on user connections. Performance tweaks in Feature Pack 2 addressed key bottlenecks, with optimizations to that reduced fragmentation and improved multitasking stability, alongside faster boot times through streamlined kernel processes. These changes contributed to more efficient on hardware-constrained devices. For developers, the introduction of enhanced Qt Mobility APIs in S60 editions from 2008 onward facilitated cross-platform app porting by providing unified access to device features like location, multimedia, and sensors via a single codebase compatible with desktop environments. This shift simplified development for iterations, enabling faster adaptation of applications across S60 variants and reducing the need for platform-specific code.

Evolution and Unification

Symbian^3

Symbian^3, released in October 2010 as part of OS version 9.5, marked the first major implementation of the unified platform, integrating the previously fragmented user interfaces of S60, , and MOAP into a single, cohesive framework to streamline development and device consistency. This unification effort, initiated by the , aimed to consolidate the ecosystem by adopting S60's touch-oriented design as the baseline while incorporating elements from other variants, reducing fragmentation that had hindered app portability across devices. The platform introduced a refreshed with enhanced customization options, including up to three interchangeable home screens populated with resizable widgets for quick access to apps, notifications, and social feeds, building on prior touch features from S60 5th Edition feature packs. Improved multitasking capabilities allowed seamless switching between applications via kinetic scrolling and gesture-based navigation, while support for enabled wireless media sharing to compatible devices like TVs. These changes emphasized a more intuitive, finger-friendly experience to address criticisms of earlier interfaces. On the technical side, Symbian^3 elevated the Qt framework to the primary UI development toolkit, enabling cross-platform app creation with richer graphics and easier integration compared to legacy Symbian C++ tools, which simplified porting from desktop environments. Security enhancements built on Symbian OS 9's platform security model, introducing APIs for better detection and sandboxing to protect against emerging threats in the mobile space. The served as the flagship debut device, featuring advanced camera integration with optics and output for direct TV connectivity, showcasing the platform's multimedia prowess. Overall, these updates sought to revitalize the Symbian ecosystem by lowering developer barriers and boosting app availability, positioning it as a competitive alternative to rising platforms like Android and .

Symbian Anna and Belle

Symbian Anna, released in July 2011 for new devices and made available via over-the-air updates starting August 18, 2011, served as the first major refinement to Symbian^3, introducing usability enhancements and new hardware support. Key additions included a refreshed user interface with new icons, a virtual QWERTY keyboard optimized for portrait mode, and split-screen text input for improved messaging efficiency. The update also featured an upgraded web browser with enhanced CSS3 support, multi-window browsing, and smoother rendering for a faster internet experience. Additionally, Symbian Anna enabled near-field communication (NFC) functionality, allowing compatible devices like the Nokia C7 to support NFC widgets and sharing capabilities. Building on Anna, Symbian Belle rolled out in September for select devices and expanded through over-the-air updates into early 2012, further polishing the platform's touch interface and customization options. It introduced up to six customizable home screens, enabling users to arrange resizable, live widgets such as clocks, previews, and music players via long-press gestures for dynamic . Belle also added enhanced notifications through a pull-down that consolidated alerts and quick toggles for settings like , alongside improved features to optimize battery life during network switches. file sharing received refinements for easier pairing and transfer, complementing the NFC single-tap sharing introduced in prior updates. Both Anna and Belle advanced social networking integration by incorporating and widgets directly into the home screen and enhancing Nokia Maps with free navigation, capabilities to social platforms like Foursquare, and location sharing via or text. These updates collectively reduced the platform's through a revised RAM management scheme and improved touch responsiveness, resulting in snappier app switching and overall performance gains on devices like the E7. delivered these refinements primarily via over-the-air (OTA) updates through the SW Update app or Ovi Suite, ensuring broad accessibility for existing Symbian^3 hardware without requiring full device replacements.

Symbian Carla and Donna

Symbian Carla was envisioned as a significant evolution of the platform, planned for release in 2012 as the successor to Nokia Belle. This update, internally codenamed for a major redesign, aimed to overhaul the with innovative navigation elements resembling patterns for unlocking and , alongside support for up to eight customizable screens to enhance multitasking and . Additionally, Carla was set to bolster compatibility for web-based applications, enabling richer browser experiences and improved app development. These features were part of Nokia's effort to revitalize Symbian's aging interface amid growing competition from and Android. Building on Carla, Donna was slated as the subsequent iteration in 2012, targeting mid-range devices with further refinements to user interaction and system efficiency. Planned enhancements included gesture-based controls for intuitive navigation, deeper cloud service integration for seamless data syncing, and efforts to minimize pre-installed bloatware to streamline the . Donna was positioned to support emerging hardware like dual-core processors, reflecting 's intent to extend Symbian's viability in budget segments. As a precursor to these concepts, Belle had introduced foundational UI improvements such as increased home screen options, setting the stage for Carla and Donna's more ambitious changes. These updates emerged during Nokia's final push to sustain Symbian development, following the company's February 2011 announcement of a strategic partnership with Microsoft to adopt Windows Phone as its primary smartphone platform. However, by mid-2012, both Carla and Donna were canceled, with Nokia confirming that Belle Feature Pack 2 would be the last major Symbian release. The abandonment stemmed from resource reallocation toward Windows Phone initiatives, Symbian's plummeting market share—which had fallen below 5% globally by 2012 amid dominance by Android and iOS—and challenges in the platform's open-source transition under the Symbian Foundation, which failed to attract sufficient developer interest and ecosystem growth despite efforts starting in 2008. Despite their cancellation, remnants of Carla and Donna persist through leaked artifacts, including demo videos and code snippets that preview advanced multitasking capabilities, such as enhanced widget management and smoother app switching. These materials, surfaced via developer emulators and internal previews, offer glimpses into the unrealized potential of Symbian's late-stage innovations but underscore the platform's abrupt end.

Supported Devices and Impact

Device Compatibility by Version

The S60 platform evolved alongside Nokia's hardware innovations, with early versions primarily supporting keypad-based devices optimized for one-handed operation and basic multimedia. S60 1st Edition, running on OS 6.1, was compatible with initial smartphones like the , which introduced integrated VGA cameras and 176x208 pixel displays for enhanced imaging and navigation. Transitioning to S60 2nd Edition on OS 7.0s, compatibility expanded to devices such as the (released in Q4 2003), featuring a 176x208 screen, 104 MHz processor, and MMC expansion for improved storage and performance in keypad-focused designs, alongside models from licensees like Samsung's SGH-D500. Further refinements in S60 2nd Edition Feature Pack 2 on OS 8.0a supported 3G-enabled hybrids like the (announced Q2 2004), incorporating a 1.3 MP VGA-equivalent camera, EDGE connectivity, and a compact 110x60x20.6 mm form factor for portable multimedia capture. By S60 3rd Edition on OS 9.1, device compatibility shifted toward hybrid input methods, accommodating both numeric keypads and keyboards while introducing and higher-resolution displays. Feature Pack 1 (S60 3rd FP1 on OS 9.2) powered GPS-integrated flagships like the (released March 2007), with a 240x320 screen, 5 MP camera with optics, and integrated A-GPS for location-based services, as well as Sony Ericsson's K800i. S60 3rd Edition Feature Pack 2 (S60 FP2 on OS 9.3) extended support to business-oriented devices such as the (released July 2008), featuring a slim 114x57x10 mm aluminum body, 3.2 MP autofocus camera, and for efficient and productivity on the go. The introduction of touch capabilities marked a significant hardware pivot in S60 5th Edition (on OS 9.4), designed for interfaces and larger displays to enable gesture-based interactions. This version was tailored for devices like the (released November 2008), which included a 3.2-inch 360x640 , 3.2 MP camera with LED flash, and for optimized touch navigation in multimedia-heavy use cases. ^3, building on S60 5th Edition foundations with enhanced multitasking, supported premium touch flagships such as the (announced April 2010, released October 2010), boasting a 3.5-inch display with , 12 MP camera with flash, and output for superior video and imaging hardware integration. Subsequent updates like Symbian Anna and Belle provided firmware retrofits for existing hardware, extending compatibility without requiring new devices. Symbian Anna (2011) added NFC support to select models, including the (released May 2011), which combined a 2.46-inch 640x480 capacitive with a keyboard and 8 MP camera for secure contactless transactions on business hardware. Nokia Belle (2011-2012) enabled up to 48 home screen widgets and deeper personalization on devices like the Nokia C7 (released October 2010), which received the update via over-the-air firmware, enhancing its 3.5-inch display and 8 MP camera with improved multitasking on 680 MHz processors. Version upgrades were typically delivered through updates, maintaining for apps while respecting hardware limits; for instance, the (S60 5th Edition) received Belle via official updates, adding features such as enhanced multitasking and UI improvements despite its original resistive touch limitations. However, later iterations such as Symbian Carla and Donna (planned for 2012) were never released for any devices due to Nokia's strategic shift to , leaving hardware compatibility capped at Belle Refresh without support for advanced processors or screens.

Market Adoption and Legacy

S60 achieved significant commercial success during its peak years, with over 100 million devices shipped cumulatively by licensees by , establishing it as a cornerstone of the early market. By 2010, the broader platform, predominantly powered by S60, had reached nearly 450 million units shipped worldwide since 2000, reflecting S60's dominance in powering the majority of Nokia's high-end smartphones. In 2006, OS, with S60 as its primary , held 67% of the global smartphone operating system , up from 63% in 2005, according to analyst firm Canalys. This dominance was particularly pronounced in and , where Nokia's S60 devices captured a dominant share of the regional smartphone markets. The platform found strong traction among business users through Nokia's E-series lineup, which integrated S60 with features like corporate email support, Wi-Fi connectivity, and compatibility with , appealing to enterprise professionals seeking reliable mobile productivity tools. In emerging markets, S60 contributed to adoption via affordable Nokia models that blended advanced features with cost-effective hardware, helping extend access in regions like and the , where Nokia maintained leading device market shares into the late 2000s. S60's decline accelerated in the late due to its fragmented application ecosystem, which struggled to match the unified developer momentum of Apple's and Google's Android Market, leading to slower innovation and fewer high-quality apps. Nokia's announcement of a with in February 2011 further hastened the platform's fade, as the company shifted focus to , signaling the end of active development and eroding consumer and developer confidence. Official support for S60 and Symbian concluded with the last major software updates delivered in 2014, after which the open-source Symbian codebase was archived by the . Nokia committed to patches extending through 2016, fulfilling earlier promises to maintain stability during the transition. Despite its eventual obsolescence, S60 left a lasting legacy in mobile software by pioneering customizable user interfaces and widget-like active objects that influenced subsequent platforms, including early Android design elements for . The platform's robust developer community fostered skills in mobile programming that transferred to modern ecosystems, while iconic devices like the became cultural touchstones for early mobile gaming, popularizing Java-based titles and shaping user expectations for portable entertainment.

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