Visual programming for Nokia developers

By Alun Williams

Posted on 7 Aug 2002 at 13:00

Nokia encourages developers to speed the move to multimedia messaging with a new Internet Toolkit.

The mobile phone manufacturer has updated support for developing Multimedia Messaging Services (MMS) in the form of its Mobile Internet Toolkit, version 3.1.

Providing a PC-based simulation environment (no handset or access to a carrier is required), the Toolkit works with SMIL files (Synchronized Multimedia Internet Language) to shape the presentation of multimedia content. Through the Nokia Mobile Browser 3.0.1 simulator, WAP 2.0 technologies are supported including Extensible Hypertext Markup Language (xHTML).

Designed to ease the development process for bringing MMS applications to market - Nokia is, after all, keen to increase the range of possible mobile services - the phone giant is encouraging people to migrate from existing SMS-based services. 'The merging of rich media and wireless devices is a vital component of Nokia's strategy for accelerating the transition to advanced wireless networks with compelling services,' said Jouko Hayrynen, VP of Forum Nokia.

The Toolkit is available for download at www.Forum.Nokia.com/tools, while more info for developers can be found at www.forum.nokia.com/messaging. For Nokia's take on MMS, click here.

Research from analysts Ovum has suggested that revenues generated by MMS-based services could exceed $14bn worldwide by 2004.