New operating systems always suck

Sorry for my language, but sometimes it's best to be blunt.  An operating system is an incredibly complex piece of software, just about the most complex software you can write.  In the first version of an OS, the list of features you want to add is always much longer than what you can implement, there are always bugs you can't find, and performance is always a problem.  What's worse, there is a built-in tension between those three problems -- the more features you add, the more bugs you create.  The more time you spend fixing bugs, the less time you have to improve performance.  And so on.  As a result, every new operating system, without exception, is an embarrassing set of compromises that frustrates its creators and does not deliver on the full promise of its vision.  

Remember these beauties?

--The original Macintosh can't create a word processing document longer than 10 pages.

--The original version of Windows can't display overlapping windows.

--The original iPhone doesn't allow third-party native apps, and lacks 3G and MMS support.
The operating systems that succeed are the ones that survive long enough for their big flaws to be fixed.  That happens if the OS's supporter has a deep, multi-version commitment to it (Windows) or if the OS does something else so compelling that customers are willing to buy it despite its flaws (graphics on the Mac).  Your chances are best if you have both patience and differentiation.


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Fujitsu and Toshiba agree to merge mobile phone businesses

Fujitsu and Toshiba agree to merge mobile phone businesses

Qt Essentials and Qt for Nokia Mobile

Hello my dear technical folks,

Sorry it’s really a long time to post something on my blog. I was busy since last several months in Nokia Events and Device Assesment. We had a wonderful Nokia Developer Conference in Dec 2009. Anyways, leaving all those things behind, I come on the main topic. Well as you know very well about Nokia’s old devices and their platform like S40 Java based and S60 Symbian C++.

This year Nokia released something new for developers. It’s Qt. Some of you must be aware of Qt Desktop development but now it also supports Nokia Mobile Devices.

So I would like to give you some information about this new born Baby of Nokia Inc.

Qt(Pronounced as 'Cute' “Q” looked beautiful in Emacs font. “t” for toolkit) is a product of QtSoftware, Originally named Trolltech. Actually the approach behind Qt developement was to develop an Object Oriented Presentation System. So very first prototype was ready in 1993 and next year they formed a company in Norway named as TROLLTECH. And next year in 1995 the 1st Qt version released in market (Qt V0.9).

A lot of Companies are using Qt since several last year. Companies like Google, Skype, Volvo and many more...

Actually basic Idea behined Qt genartion was to develope a C++ or Java application once and deploye it across many destop and embeded Operating System without chaning the code atall. That’s why we call CODE LESS CREATE MORE AND DEPLOYE EVERYWHERE

Although Qt developed as GUI Framework but now it is much more than a UI Framework. In starting Qt was only suporting the desktop OS like (Windows, Machintosh, Linux etc), but as apprach was so appealing and addoptive so it expeded over Embeded OS too. In 2000 when Samrt Phone market was rising like a beautiful sun, Trolltech also decided to give support Qt for Mobile.

They started working on it and finally in 2006 there was 1st Qt phone realesed in Market. The name was GREEN PHONE and Manufacturer Company was Qtopia. Greenphone had already touch screen and several wireless interfaces.

So fnally in 2008 Nokia acqaried the Troltech and stated to use Qt for their Linux based device. Also nokia started palning to strech Qt over Symbian S60 devices. So that can share mass volume market.

Ofcourse Qt supports both desktop and mobile palteform with similar code. But there are certain features available in Mobile Devices which are not the part of desktop OS. Features like Camera, Sensor, Masseging, GPS etc. SO for accessing this feature there was a niche for set of special APIs. Nokia started working closely with Symbian Foundation and realeased Mobility APÌs package for accessing thease features.

N 97 (S60 5th Edition)

Nokia N900 (Maemo Device)

Right now Nokia Mamemo and S60 3rd Edition onwards devices supporting Qt developemnt. The upcoming Nokia N8 would be 1st Fully fledge Qt device. Althouh current S60 devices are also supporting Qt with Qt installer.

The beta version of Qt SDK is avialble on Forum Nokia Website. You can download it free of cost from there.

Qt in nutshell

"Qt is Class Library for plateform independent developemnt of Graphical User Interface based on C++."

The framework also inclide XML, database, Internationalization, Networking, multithreading etc.

Some can raise a question if Qt came into existance for plateform independent developemnt of GUI then why did they forget Java. When Java was there then what was the need of Developing Plateform Independent GUI farmework. Yup, question is having a point. But I have better answer also. :p

Java Swing is very good for creating GUI but not in terms of Native Look n feel. For example if u create a buuton in Swing and see output on different OS like Windows Linux Machintosh would be same. Some time it irritates user (or developer) that what the heck, I am using Machintosh but my button is looking similar to Windows output or similar to Linux output. But in Qt if u use QButton object for creating a Button on screen the Output of Button UI would be different on each plateform. e.g. On Symbian Device it would look like Symbain Native button and On Windows screen it would come like windows default button.

So, Native look and Feel is very advance and special feature of Qt.

Comparison: Java vs. Qt

Java: write (and compile) once, run everywhere

Runs on JVM (Java Virtual Machine)

Executing byte code is slow and restricted

Qt: write once, compile everywhere

Compiles straight onto the device’s processor -> fast

Native performance and feeling

Full access to APIs available for 3rd party development

GUI –development: Qt vs. Java

Whitepaper about Swing vs. Qt available

Motivation for bringing in Qt to Symbian

We already have huge mass of Symbian Develpers out there. But Symbian developement productivity is not best possible. Now a days there is so much diversion in market. Sevaral plateforms are available for development like Android, Objective C, Brew, J2ME and many more. And my Symbian Folks would probably know better how steep is learning curve of Symbian S60. So it is not easy to getting new developers to learn Symbian. Even I tell you honestly when I satrted Symbian Development long time back, It took almost a week to understand the complete flow of Helloworld Basic program. ;-) Yeah of course I love Symbian S60 developemnt but in challenging market Nokia decided to take some steps to rducing the complexity of coding for Symbian Devices. So they layered Qt over Symbian S60 and started working to remove Avkon completly. Symbian^4 will repalce S60 UI with Qt Based UI.

Qt Nokia SDK contains

Qt Creator

It is powerful IDE for Qt developemnt. It is having advanced C++ code editor, Context Sensitive Help System, GDB based visiul Debugger and many more.

Qt Designer

For creating from based UI. You can create UI with drag-drop of components. It would remind you Visual Basic Style Form Designing. :-)

Qt Linguist

For Intenationalization, Change the language of ur Code for ragetting international Market. By using this tool u can convert your application in several different natural languages(e.g. English, Chinese, Russian bla bla).

So if you are feeling excited after knowing the facts with Qt then why are u waiting. Just Log-on to Forum.Nokia.com and download the Beta SDK and start your own development.

See you soon with some other interesting facts. Good Bye till then.

Happy Reading :-)

Technically Urs,

Superbyte ..!

NOKIA Booklet : Innovation Comes “Standard”

Nokia Booklet 3G brings all day mobility to the PC world

Espoo, Finland : August 24, 2009 - After more than 25 years as a pioneer and leader in the mobile industry, Nokia will bring its rich mobility heritage and knowledge to the PC world with the new, Windows based, Nokia Booklet 3G.

Powered by the efficient Intel Atom processor, the Nokia Booklet 3G delivers impressive performance with up to 12 hours of battery life, enabling people to leave their power cable behind and still be connected and productive. Delivering the rich experience of a full-function PC inside an ultra-portable aluminum chassis, the new mini-laptop weighs 1.25 kilograms, measures slightly more than two centimeters thin, and has the features one would expect from the world's leading mobile device manufacturer. A broad range of connectivity options - including 3G/ HSPA and Wi-Fi - gives consumers high speed access to the Internet, including Nokia's broad suite of Ovi services, and allows them to make the most of every moment and every opportunity.

"A growing number of people want the computing power of a PC with the full benefits of mobility," said Kai Oistamo, Nokia's Executive Vice President for Devices. "We are in the business of connecting people and the Nokia Booklet 3G is a natural evolution for us. Nokia has a long and rich heritage in mobility and with the outstanding battery life, premium design and all day, always on connectivity, we will create something quite compelling. In doing so we will make the personal computer more social, more helpful and more personal."

The mini-laptop also comes with an HDMI port for HD video out, a front facing camera for video calling, integrated Bluetooth and an easily accessible SD card reader. Other premium features include the 10-inch glass HD ready display and integrated A-GPS which, working with the Ovi Maps gadget, can pinpoint your position in seconds and open up access for a truly personal maps experience. The Nokia Booklet 3G also brings a number of other rich Ovi experiences to life, whether its access and playback of millions of tracks through the Nokia Music Store, or using Ovi Suite to sync seamlessly from your Nokia smartphone, to your mini-laptop, to the cloud.

The Nokia Booklet 3G will widen the Nokia portfolio, satisfying a need in the operator channel, and bringing another important ingredient in the move towards becoming a mobile solutions company.

Further information, including detailed specifications, market availability and pricing, will be announced at Nokia World on September 2. For more information on Nokia World, visit: Us at Youtube

Trip for Chennai Code of Partnership

So finally that day came. Forum Nokia India Team has been decided this time to do something different as comparison of normal Code Camp. This time we were planning to do it as a hackethon event. We wanted to invite mid and small segment Indian companies as well and make them aware how Nokia can be fruitful for them and we are not partial in working with Brand Names. Agenda for this event was that what Nokia is offering for developers and publisgers and how can they become partener with Nokia. So we gave this event name as “Code Of Partnership”.

26th August 2009:
So Forum Nokia India guys (Mr. Prakash Sayini, Mr. K S Balagopal, Mr. Shiraz Datta and Mr. Sunil Rao and of couese me) were so excited on 26th August 2009. We started our journey in morning form Bangalore Nokia office for Chennai. It was so fun and floric business trip. A Cambridge Managmnet trainee Miss Jacquline Lim was also with us as she is doing her internship with Forum Nokai India Team. So via Vellore and ShriPrembedur we reached The Park Sheraton Chennai at 6:00 PM in eveing. We had loads of work as next day there was huge day for us. I really thanks to Shiraz and his event management team for such a nice setup for event. As we reached in Bussness meeting hall of The Sheraton, we saw everybody was working in their full zeal. I and Bala started our technical setup task for successful day.

We were in seminar room till 11 PM of night, then after being assured everything is fit for event we left for our rooms with promise to meet tomarrow at sharp 8:30 AM. Yeah what a stressful day was it. As I enterd in room just took a aromatic warm bath in tub. I spend more than a hour in warm bath tub. Haah now I was feeling bit relaxed. Now fell down in bed with dreams for next day.

27th August 2009:
My God next day when I saw my swiss watch, It was 7:30 AM. I had to be in hall @ 8:30 AM and I have to dress up and also had to go breakfast. Anyway I rushed and was there in Hotel Rest @ 8:00 for breakfast. After filling our tummy we moved for Hall. Wow we couldn’t stop ourself to admire Shiraz for such a wonderful setup. I was little bit tense for event. Bala adviced not worry. As a senior he always advices me whenever I feels uncomfortable. I feel myself so lucky to work with such a supportive team.


The event started with Keynote of Mr Prakash Sayini. He satred his speech with agenda how companies can share their mobile platform work with Nokia, He told them about OVI Store, TPO Activites etc. People were too interested in knowing the opprtunities.

After Praksh, Sunil took charge for Stage; He also gave such a nice speech. I remember after his speech when we were in greenroom few of Audinace came to us and admired Sunil for wonderful speech. Sunil told them how Forum Nokia worked with Indian Compnaies for N 97 widgets and applications in last two quarter. He showd them famous widgets like Rediffmoney, NDTV, BookMyShow, CNBC MoneyControl and other so many application collected by Forum Nokia for N 97 and now these all apps are part of Nokia’s flagship device.

After Sunil’s notation, our technology expert Mr. BalaGopal engaged audience with Nokia development technologies and platform for developers. He told them about WRT, Flashlight, S40 J2ME development, Maemo, Qt and others. He also told them about Flashlight Open Screen project.


Finally at 5:00 PM with hands on and QA session we eneded this event till dinner in evening. As we were so tired so left for our rooms for rest as we had to come again after 2-3 hours for dinners with companies deligates.

So dressed in nice tuxedo for dinner as I reached for dinner the hotel was more looking like police HQ. When I enquired, come to knew that there was marriage of daughter of Pondicherry Governer in same hotel. As evening dinner was more formal so we were enjoying the atmosphere.

After dinner Sunil told me that there is Women Night in Dublin, Dublin was pub in The Shraton. Sunil and I decide to go there for bit fun. Bala and Jacquline also joined us. We spend more than hour there. After cracking dance we left Dublin @ 12. I needed some rest badly so we moved along swimming pool side. Aaah what a nice envioroment was there. We fell down at pool couthes. Nice wind was blowing and a big banyan tree near pool was hanging smoothly. I can’t explain that relaxing moment. We are lying there like anything. Even Bala suggested swimming there at that time. Well as I was boozed with bodycracking dance So was not possible. Anyway we left for our rooms as we reached hotel lobby we saw a family coming from inside rest. As they reached near to us we just shoked. He was Narayan Kartikeyan with his family. So we didn’t miss that chance. Bala and I caught him near exit gate and talked with for few moments. I first time met with Narayan and can say was nice person. Without any attitude he met with all of us and of cource shared a photoshoot with us.

At 1:00 AM of night I was on my bed.

28th August 2009
Next day I woke with Bala call, I saw the time in my N97. It was 7:30 AM. My gosh we had to leave a 8:00 AM as we had plan for visit Nokia Factory in ShriPrembedu. I rushed and left room without taking bath and reached rest for breakfast. After getting a quick diet we left Sheraton. Sunil and Shiraz were teasing me as usually. Because they know I like to be teased by them hehe.

We reached Nokia Factory around 12 in noon. So after a quick coffee with Mr. Rajiv Awasthi, Head of production unit we moved with visitor jackets and showcaps for factory workshop. First time I was in any Mobile Manufacturing Unit. Yeah I build millions of codes for mobile but this was pretty nice experience to see how they build the mobile hardware. I saw complete making of Nokia 2626 mobile device from scratch.

My 7 Deadly Sins

My Dear Friends

As most of you know me only by this virtual medium called internet. So it is obvious to develope own thinking about me. Some says its too good to find out me as a mate and some treat like beast on the earth(lolz). But I think myself a ordinary man with extra ordinary thoughts. Yeah of course being a human being I too do some mishapening in life. But eventualy I avoid to do so.

It's difficult to keep onself away from the slight swell of pride that comes once in a while with an achivement. Similerly, it's difficult to keep the greeninsh tinge of envy at bay if something or possesses something better... So is the case with lust, anger, avarice, gluttony and sloth. Let's be honest, it's natural; after all, we are all human and vulnerable by nature to commit sin. These biblical seven sins can't be easily given a dodge by its residents!

I'm a little unconvinced; it can't be possible that a guy can ever be a complete goody-two-shoes... After all, men are men. "Yeah, I have commited some small sins that anybody else must have.. like cheating during class tests, smoking a cigarette secretly as a teenager, having drink and getting tipsy... I have done all the normal things that any young chap is likely to do."

Actually, I have done one really nasty thing as a kid. I had a professor whome I was very fond of and vice versa. As my dad was a reputed civil engineer in small city, So he is well known by society. So my teacher happend to be big fan and just order to speak to him he would call up often to give false complaints to my daddy... Stuff like I had not completed my homework and I wasn't paying attention and so on... which was totally false. He also told him that I am comfy amongs the girls of class, as I was in 4th std, So it wasn't my fault or sexual things at all that those small girls used to like me as friend. One day my dad got irritatted and scolded me severely about having to hear complaints about me almost everyday. I was obviously furious and in a rage I went and punctured my professor's bajaj scooter! The next day I learnt that he was in hospital because of a fracture, which had obviously been caused by the punctured tyre. I felt really bad and instantly went and apologised...I think that was the meanest and worst sin I have ever commited.

Now that's pretty honest, and before I can loose the tone of candour, I quickly move on to the seven deadly sins- Pride, Avarice, Wrath, Sloth, Gluttony, Lust and Envy.

Pride

I think pride is something really negative. For me personally, I don't think I have any pride. It all depends on how you are brought up. My mumma always tells me one thing... as the tree grows and starts bearing fruits the more it bows down towards its roots. Similerly as man achieves success in life, as he become big, he also needs to become more humble. Thanks to my upbringing, I'll always have a down to earth attitude. Sometimes self-confidence can easily be mistaken for pride and arrogance. Also, There is thin line between being proud of oneslef, which is very essential for further growth, and being arrogant. Being self-confident and proud of one's achivements only helps develope one's career and inspires one to do better in future and move ahead to another level. I am pretty proud of the fact that I have managed to survive in this downsizing IT Industry so far. You know, there were many questions about me... whether I would go for Army as i was fascinated since childhood but couldn't qualify NDA Entrance, if I would be able to do engineering like my dad, if I would manage to survive. So obviously feel happy when you come such a long way without any support. It helps boost you confidance further. But yeah, it's upsetting if translated as pride.

Envy

"I think every man should be content with what he has, because if you are not content with what life gives you, you won't be able to appriciate even the smallest pleasures of life. Also, its hust ruins your ability to think rationally . Thankfully, God has been very kind to this Srivastava family. We have alwyas had enough, so there has never been an envious feeling towards anyone ever...I have never really been jealous of anybody - except for my elder sister. As she is one yr elder than me, she was usually most pampered one...so I used to be jealous of her, but in a good way!"

Lust

(lolz..) I'm a normal man, who wants to be loved...but please, I'm not a sex maniac or womenizer! Being a normal human being, you'r bound to get attrected to pretty girls.. but I don't think I will call it lust. It can be infatuation; lusting is creepy. Lust is about wanting to get physical with everyone you see... you are sex maniac then. Yes, I do get attrected to gorgeous woman, but that's because I'm completely normal. That doesn't mean I want to take each one of them to bed, tough! And I know people wouldn't beleive but it's true I am a virgin guy.

Warth

Now thats something I need to work on. I'm little short-tempered. I lose my cool easily. But my anger is not in order to hurt someone; I generally get angry out of excitement or fear. Fear especially for my loved ones. Like the other day, I saw my younger cousine crossing the road and there was car coming towards him, but he was not paying attention..so my immediate reaction was to slap him hard. I was angry because I was concerned for him. Also my fury doesn't last for too long and I immediatly apologise to the person who has borne the brunt of my warth. Generally I get upset with my surroundings and with myself if I have not done my work properly. Sometime I use my staff as scapegoat, because if I'm angry with someone else who has made me upset, and if I can't directly tell them about their mistake. However, I ensure that I do say sorry soon after. So I think getting angry is my weakness; I need to keep my calm in some situations.

Avarice

Like I said earlier, I'm a content being, so there is no question of feeling greedy. I'm happy with what I have and I relly thank God for whatever he has offered ne and my family. Of course, I want more, I desire to do better and I wish to work with bigger persons and do better in all my work. But that I shall not call greed...that's ambition. Even as a child, my parents had provided us with almost everything so there was never a feeling of wanting something that someone else had. I remember, as a kid, there was this very expensive game called Sega that was too hot in those days and I wanted to be first in my class to get that... At that time it cost Rs. 10,000 or so. I had really wanted that game and at that time this was expensive game price for my father but I remember I demanding that game from him. He didn't say a word at that time, he only smiled. Soon after , he went to delhi or lucknow for some official work and when he returned he handed over a huge packet to my sister and me. It was the game I wanted! You can't imagine how delighted I was. I still have that game with me. This is not a single incident It happens a lots if time. During school days I had best one bags, pencils, staionary, accessories, simply we always got attention from surroundings since childhood. So you see, thankfully, we have got what we had desired, so there has never been a feeling of greed. I have wonderful family, I'm getting work, so why should I ask for anything more?

Sloth

I'm, in general, not a lazy person; in fact, I'm pretty hard-working. I respect a love my job my company my work so there is no question of not wanting to give my 100% at work. Also I'm a God-fearing person. I don't go too much to a particuler place or tample everyday to pray, but do wake up every morning remembering Him and asking for His blessings and every night before sleeping I do thank Him for everything that He given me. I have great faith in Shirdi Sai Baba and we usually go Shirdi once in a year. I always try to get opprtunity to go there because I love to be around Him. Also I'm a Hanuman bhakt. whenever I get time I go to the SAI temple at BTM. I sit there and disconnect from the rest of world. I respect all the religion because I think "GOD is too big to be fit into one religion"

Gluttony

The only temptation for me is mousse. I don't like sweets too much but I love that soft fluffy taste of Strawberry mousse. I just can't keep away from it! I love nuts and dryfruits too and can eat loads of it. Now I'm not supposed to eat too many such type of things but I buy lots of them and keep them in my room...my couboard is fillled with chocolates and nuts and fruit-flavoured candies. whenever my sister's daughter Ana come home I give her lots of these things; else they can simply lie with me till they cross their expiray date.

The verdict has to be saint over sinner. Unless there's seamier stuff that SuperByte is keeping stashed away in his closet, besides innocent chocolates!