Trolltech Supports Windows CE in May

trolltechlogo.jpgTrolltech’s Qtcross-platform development framework is adding support for Microsoft’s WindowsCE operating system. This means that applications developed using Qt on Windows, MacOS X, and Linuxdesktop and embedded platforms can now be easily deployed to a range of mobile devices running on the Windows CE and Windows Mobile operating systems.

“Qt for Windows CE is another milestone in Trolltech’s vision of ‘Qt everywhere’. It will allow application providers to reach out to even more devices by enabling their applications to run across yet another operating system without rewriting the code” said Haavard Nord, CEO and co-founder of Trolltech.

Qt for Windows CE enables developers to write rich, easy-to-use, platform-independent applications, using the intuitive API that Qt is known for. Rather than spending time rewriting their application for new platforms, developers are free to focus on value-adding innovations that can differentiate the user experience of their product.

Qt for Windows CE will be be available as part of the upcoming Qt 4.4 release, which is scheduled to be released in May.

The Windows CE version of Qt includes all the functions needed for end-to-end application development, and provides integrated developer tools, such as a powerful graphical user interface (GUI) and forms builder and robust features for translation of applications into new languages.

* Cross-Platform Embedded: Companies that build similar devices running both embedded Linux and Windows CE can use Qt to create one application for deployment across both device types.
* Desktop to Devices: Applications built with Qt on the desktop can now be extended to run on a variety of Windows CE-based devices such as tablets, mobile phones, and other mobile devices.
* Unique approach to Windows development: Qt is unique in its ability to provide developers with a single, consistent API that works on a wide number of Microsoft Windows platforms, ranging from Windows 98 to Vista® to Windows CE and Windows Mobile®.

Enhanced speed and user experience
Qt for Windows CE helps developers to use the full capabilities of the hardware they are working with. It integrates Scalable Vector Graphics drawings with full support for multiple displays and supports OpenGL ES. It comes with Qt GraphicsView, a powerful 2D graphics canvas that enables the creation of interactive applications that can handle thousands of 2D graphics objects. Qt Style Sheets customizes the look and feel of applications without changing the code enabling easy differentiation of the user interface with minimal efforts.

Qt includes a wide range of components needed to build rich and complex user interfaces, including data-aware item views, offering a high degree of customization. Qt for Windows CE is also integrated with Visual Studio® 2005, and Visual Studio 2008 support is planned for the upcoming Qt version 4.4 release.

Availability
Currently technical previews are available in the Qt release snapshots and the latest Qt 4.4 beta release, available on Trolltech.com. Qt for Windows CE will be available under Trolltech’s dual-licensing model, which includes both commercial licenses for commercial development and a GPL-licensed version for open source development.