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S60 FAQ

What does the S60 software on Symbian OS include in general?


Intuitive User Interface

  • High quality, large high-resolution color screens
  • One-hand operation support - two soft keys and 5-way navigation system
  • Rich UI personalization via Themes
  • Advanced features such as easy switching between open applications and copy-pasting of information between applications

Messaging

  • Short Messaging Service (SMS)
  • Email, with support for multiple mailboxes (e.g. personal and corporate)
  • Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS)
  • Instant Messaging

Java, Symbian OS and Flash Lite applications

  • Download, install and run 3rd party add-on applications. Already thousands of applications available.

Browsing

  • XHTML/HTML/WAP Multimode Browser
  • Java Script
  • Content download
  • Digital Rights Management

Multimedia

  • Multi-format music player (MP3/AAC/eAAC+)
  • RealPlayer media player
  • Camera/Camcorder application
  • Media Gallery

Telephony

  • Make and receive calls
  • Video Telephony support (for WCDMA)
  • Easy to use call log

Personal Information Management

  • Contacts
  • Calendar
  • To-do list
  • Synchronization of contacts and calendar
  • MultiMediaCard (MMC and SD) support

How does the S60 benefit corporate users?

For corporate users, S60 procides features such as

Built-in email, calendar, messaging and browsing

  • Business and personal e-mail accounts in the same device
  • Local and Over-the-Air synchronization of calendar and contacts with popular PC applications

Security and Terminal management

  • Application installation control
  • Third party VPN and Anti-Virus software available

Interfaces that an enterprise developer needs

  • APIs for networking, messaging and email
  • Efficient and flexible file system for storing local data in the device

What are S60 Editions?

S60 platform release versions are named as Editions. Editions include all the main features of the release. The latest S60 release is S60 5th Edition. S60 5th Edition includes all the main features of the S60 3rd Edition plus touch UI and support for sensors.

What are Feature Packs?

Feature Packs include features that are additional to Edition. Feature Packs may also include device specific features. For example, Mobile TV is such a device specific feature.

Can I upgrade the S60 device firmware?

Generally it's not possible upgrade from one edition to another in a single device. However, inside Feature Packs upgrades can be done.

How does the S60 platform aid interoperability between terminals?

S60 embraces the philosophy of openness. Built on the Symbian OS, put together by multiple mobility expert companies, and then licensed as source code to several eminent mobile phone manufacturers, S60 also implements open specifications for service enablers developed by the Open Mobile Alliance (OMA).

Mobile devices from different manufacturers that implement interoperable OMA enabler releases (sets of specifications) and that have undergone OMA interoperability testing, help mobile services to work across different platforms, networks and geographies. The latest version of the S60 platform implements OMA Digital Rights Management, OMA Instant Messaging and Presence Services, OMA Download, OMA Client Provisioning, OMA User Agent Profile, OMA Multimedia Messaging and OMA Data Synchronization.

How security issues will be taken care of?

The new security framework in the S60 3rd Edition includes features such as Data Caging and Trusted Capabilities. These features mean that applications with sophisticated access to the phone will need to be certified, for example, under Symbian Signed. Uncertified applications will be subject to safer operations, with a limited set of higher-level functions allowed and which are under the user's control.

What does S60 touch Ui offer?

The S60 touch UI is flexible to suit the different needs of the user while also retaining a familiar look and feel. S60 touch can be used with a finger or stylus and supports all the familiar S60 applications, as well as various text input methods. Everybody can find their preferred way to input text. It also supports Asian languages.