Overview of SERIES 60 platform 3rd edition

Introduction to Series 60 3rd Edition

Nokia Series 60 ,built on Symbian OS, is the most widespread platform used in mobile devices. The first smartphone based on Series60 has been created in 2002 - it was Nokia 7650. Since then the platform was improved, updated and even, not so long ago, Nokia rebranded its Series 60 trade mark as simply S60.

To understand a difference between versions of the Symbian OS and versions of Nokia S60 platform, it is necessary to describe their interrelation:

• S60 1st Edition - Symbian OS v6.1
  Devices : Nokia 7650, Nokia 3650, Nokia 3660, Nokia N-Gage, Nokia N-Gage QD, Sendo X and RoverPC Sendo X1, Siemens SX1
• S60 2nd Edition - Symbian OS v7.0s
     - S60 2nd Edition, Feature Pack 1 - Symbian OS v7.0s
       Devices : Nokia 6600, Nokia 7610, Nokia 6260, Nokia 3230, Nokia 6670, Panasonic X700, Panasonic X800, Samsung D720, Samsung D730
     - S60 2nd Edition, Feature Pack 2 - Symbian OS v8.0a
       Devices : Nokia 6630, Nokia 6680, Nokia 6681, Lenovo P930
     - S60 2nd Edition, Feature Pack 3 - Symbian OS v8.1a
       Devices : Nokia N70, Nokia N90
• S60 3rd Edition - Symbian OS v9.1
     - S60 3rd Edition, Feature Pack 1 - Symbian OS v9.1
     Devices : Nokia 3250, Nokia N71, Nokia N80, Nokia N91, Nokia N92, Nokia E60, Nokia E61, Nokia E70

So, S60 has versions (Edition) and packages of additions (Feature Pack). One generation S60 includes different versions Symbian OS.

Symbian’s New Real-time Kernel, known as EKA2.
(”Epoc Kernel Architecture 2″)

One of the basic differences is new completely advanced kernel of operational system - ЕКА 2 (instead of kernel EKA1 used earlier).ЕКА2 is real-time (support of real time) a kernel - it is the most important difference! The new multithread kernel with predicted execution time of operations for processes and reduced latency time allows to create applications for which time/performance parameter is critical. For example, IP-stacks, streaming video, VoIP, etc. Also it is necessary to note an opportunity of creation smart phones, based of single-processor architecture, that reduces their cost.

ABI Compiler for ARM

New compiler ,based on the Application Binary Interface for the ARM Architecture, will be used in S60 3rd Edition. This standard, developed by ARM together with other operating-system and software-tool vendors, determines how executables and shared objects work together and optimized for embedded software development

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Security of S60 3rd Edition Platform

Problems of security and protection of the user data are very important today. You can listen, at each corner, about viruses, forums are filled up by questions on viruses and antiviruses. However, the future owners of smart phones, based on Symbian OS v9.1, do not need to worry. Long and laborious work above complex system of protection at a level of OS is completed. So, what the new security system are :

Data caging : New system and structure of directories allows applications to keep the data safely, with the limited access. Applications can get access to the majority of other folders in file system, but with restrictions. Without the arrangement with the manufacturer, access to a system folder “sys” (in which sys files are stored) is absent in general, and access to a folder “resources” in which such resources of applications as pictures, are kept only for reading.

Trusted computing base: This concept covers certification and authorizations of the software, safety of storage and execution, loading and access to hardware. Software ability to fulfilment of any actions depends on a level of “trust” to the application.

Capability model :It is a set of functions and the system activities, grouped by how their execution can affect the device. Each “capability” requires a level of “confidence” when any application tries to use this possibility. For usage of the major possibilities the application does not require a high level of “confidence”, however for the some system activities it is necessary.

So, there are 4 groups of “capabilities”:

• Open. These capabilities make about 60 % Symbian API, including everything, that is necessary for creation of the application, user interface and data storage. These possibilities are accessible to all applications and do not demand to be Symbian Signed.
• Basic. This list includes the majority of the functions linked to communications, access to the Internet, messages, calls. Also it includes access to personal data, such as the contacts book, the personal calendar, etc. These capabilities also are accessible to all applications, however here already there is some difference between signed Symbian Signed the application and the application which developer signs itself. So, for example, if the application tries to send SMS if it Symbian Signed it will occur without any additional manipulations , if it is not (self-signed) the user should confirm that really wants that this application has made sending SMS. The user and system completely inspect an any event.
• Extended. These group of capabilities require a software to be Symbian Signed before they can be accessed.
• Manufacturer. These capabilities are strongly limited and require an agreement with the device manufacturer.

New API for developers in Series60 3rd Edition

Nokia has opened access to various API which will allow to make applications with very big possibilities. List API rather impressive, The most interesting appear such as Location API (for operation, both with external, and with the built in GPS-modules), a set multimedia API for creation of the every possible applications working with a sound, EXIF API for correctly formed headers of files received with the camera and much, many other things.

Conclusion :

New S60 - very powerful platform which, certainly, will be the leader of the smart phones market for a long time.