14 DAY TRIAL // Japanese-Swedish mobile phone maker Sony Ericsson announced on Wednesday, at the Web 2.0 EXPO in New York, the launch of a beta version of its Sony Ericsson WebSDK, for its handset based on Google Android OS and Symbian. According to the company, the new solution is meant to offer both web and mobile developers the possibility to come up with applications for its devices running under the aforementioned platforms.
“With the Sony Ericsson WebSDK our focus is on bringing all the capabilities of web technologies to mobile applications and giving web developers wide access to easy-to-use tools and mobile phone platforms,” says Christopher David, head of Developer and Partner Engagement at Sony Ericsson. “We are driving this initiative together with the PhoneGap open source community and invite developers to join us as we offer advanced mobile devices and a clear monetization path.”
According to Sony Ericsson's website, developers can use the tools they like for authoring the HTML/CSS/JavaScript part. However, the company delivers the necessary tools for simple testing and deployment, including: - PhoneGap Cross Platform Framework – provides the bridging functionality to access platform features - Sony Ericsson PhoneGap Simulator – runs the application and simulates phone features for testing - Packager – packages the application to deploy in sales channels - Emulator – Use the Symbian or Android Emulator together with our Satio or XPERIA X10 skins.
The new Sony Ericsson WebSDK has been built in collaboration with the PhoneGap open source community and is aimed at enabling the development of apps for its Android and Symbian-based handsets, starting with the XPERIA X10 and Satio. Developers should find it easy to come up with mobile apps using HTML, CSS and JavaScript programming, the company stated, adding that the WebSDK will also offer them access to phone data like accelerometer, GPS, Camera, and contacts.
“Sony Ericsson's collaboration with the PhoneGap community is a huge win for mobile users, developers, and the future of the open web on mobile devices. Having already adopted and benefited from open platforms like Google Android OS and Symbian, Sony Ericsson is now completing the puzzle for developers of cross-platform mobile applications", commented Nitobi's CEO, Andre Charland.
The Sony Ericsson WebSDK is available for download here. The Sony Ericsson PhoneGap Simulator can be downloaded from here.
