UIQ
Encyclopedia
UIQ by UIQ Technology
is a software platform based upon Symbian OS. Essentially this is a graphical user interface
layer that provides additional components to the core OS, to enable the development of feature-rich mobile phones that are open to expanded capabilities through third-party applications.
Native
applications can be written in C++
using the Symbian/UIQ SDK
. All UIQ-based phones (2.x and 3.x) also support Java
applications.
Version 2.x and 3.x are pen-based and used in the following 2.5G and 3G
smartphone
s: Sony Ericsson P800
/P900
/P910
/P990
/M600
/W950
/P1
/W960
/G700/G900, BenQ
P30
/P31 and Arima U300/U308, Nokia
6708, Motorola
A920/A925
/A1000
/M1000
/Z8/Z10.
UIQ phones employ touch screens with a resolution of 208×320 pixels (UIQ 1.x & 2.x) and 240×320 (UIQ 3.x). Depending on the phone, the color depth
is 12-bit (4096 colors), 16-bit (65536 colors), 18-bit (262144 colors), and 24-bit (16,777,216 colors) on some newer phones.
For developers the significant items are:
UIQ 3.1 is the first revision from the UIQ 3 series which supports both Touchscreen and Non-Touchscreen navigation. It also supports one handed operation and a number of significant enhancements. This version is based on Symbian v9.2
UIQ 3.2 is an update of the v3.1 and which enhances Java API including the MSA profile being mandated as well as a richer messaging suite with MMS Postcard, IM Client OMA IMPS 1.2, push E-mail and support for sharing media for Web Browser. The new version still uses the v3.1 SDK, same goes for the OS version which is also based on Symbian v9.2
UIQ 3.3 comes as a major update from the UIQ 3.2 and is built on top of the Symbian v9.3. the new iteration integrates the Opera Mobile v9.5 alongside with widgets support handled by the Dash Board application. The new application is accessible with the widget button that will be incorporated on the following UIQ 3.3 phones. furthermore the new version had supported JSR 248 (MSA or 'M'obile 'S'ervices 'A'rchitecture) Fullset API from Java and at the same time broughts Unified Messaging Platform at the forefront. Menu UIs are furtherly refurbished and Transitions were longer than the past versions.
A new UIQ optimized for Touchscreen interface was under development, several screenshots were shown at the Smartphone show on October and is reported to make use for Touch Screen more efficient than the earlier versions. UIQ Fan base from different Mobile Phone Fan Sites refer this as the UIQ 4.
Motorola
Benq
Nokia
Arima
s that have been announced/confirmed as running the newer UIQ 3.x platform.
PDA-style design (similar to a handheld computer)
Hybrid PDA/Phone design (Candy-bar phone with Touchscreen Display)
Slider design
In October 2007, Motorola bought 50% of UIQ from Sony Ericsson.
is the UI choice of Symbian Foundation; UIQ will contribute its assets to the foundation. Patrick Olsson of Sony Ericsson announced on October 21, 2008 at the Smartphone Show 2008 in London that UIQ didn't make it, it didn't attract the operator, manufacturer or consumer interest needed to stop it failing.
At the start of January, 2009 the UIQ company
filed for bankruptcy.
UIQ Technology
UIQ Technology developed and licensed an open software platform to the world's leading mobile phone manufacturers and supported licensees in the drive towards developing a mass market for open mobile phones...
is a software platform based upon Symbian OS. Essentially this is a graphical user interface
Graphical user interface
In computing, a graphical user interface is a type of user interface that allows users to interact with electronic devices with images rather than text commands. GUIs can be used in computers, hand-held devices such as MP3 players, portable media players or gaming devices, household appliances and...
layer that provides additional components to the core OS, to enable the development of feature-rich mobile phones that are open to expanded capabilities through third-party applications.
Native
Native mode
The term native mode or native code is used in computing in two related senses.*to describe something running on a computer natively or in native mode meaning that it is running without any external support as contrasted to running in emulation....
applications can be written in C++
C++
C++ is a statically typed, free-form, multi-paradigm, compiled, general-purpose programming language. It is regarded as an intermediate-level language, as it comprises a combination of both high-level and low-level language features. It was developed by Bjarne Stroustrup starting in 1979 at Bell...
using the Symbian/UIQ SDK
Software development kit
A software development kit is typically a set of software development tools that allows for the creation of applications for a certain software package, software framework, hardware platform, computer system, video game console, operating system, or similar platform.It may be something as simple...
. All UIQ-based phones (2.x and 3.x) also support Java
Java (programming language)
Java is a programming language originally developed by James Gosling at Sun Microsystems and released in 1995 as a core component of Sun Microsystems' Java platform. The language derives much of its syntax from C and C++ but has a simpler object model and fewer low-level facilities...
applications.
Version 2.x and 3.x are pen-based and used in the following 2.5G and 3G
3G
3G or 3rd generation mobile telecommunications is a generation of standards for mobile phones and mobile telecommunication services fulfilling the International Mobile Telecommunications-2000 specifications by the International Telecommunication Union...
smartphone
Smartphone
A smartphone is a high-end mobile phone built on a mobile computing platform, with more advanced computing ability and connectivity than a contemporary feature phone. The first smartphones were devices that mainly combined the functions of a personal digital assistant and a mobile phone or camera...
s: Sony Ericsson P800
Sony Ericsson P800
The Sony Ericsson P800 is a smartphone introduced in 2002 based upon UIQ version 2.0 from Sony Ericsson...
/P900
Sony Ericsson P900
The Sony Ericsson P900 is a Symbian OS v7.0 based smartphone from Sony Ericsson.It was introduced in 2003 and is the successor of the Sony Ericsson P800, and, like the P800 uses the UIQ platform....
/P910
Sony Ericsson P910
The Sony Ericsson P910 is a smartphone by Sony Ericsson introduced in 2004 and the successor of the Sony Ericsson P900. The P910 has a full QWERTY keyboard on the back of the flip The biggest change from the P900 to the P910 is that the P910 now supports Memory Stick PRO Duo and the phone's...
/P990
Sony Ericsson P990
Sony Ericsson P990 is a smartphone and the successor of Sony Ericsson P910. The phone uses the UIQ 3 software platform, which is based upon Symbian OS 9.1. It was released in August 2006. The P990 has a numeric keypad that flips open to reveal a full QWERTY keyboard below the display, on the phone...
/M600
Sony Ericsson M600
Sony Ericsson M600 is a 3G smartphone based upon the UIQ 3 platform...
/W950
Sony Ericsson W950
The Sony Ericsson W950i is the third UIQ 3 smartphone based on Symbian OS v9.1. It was announced on February 13, 2006, a week after the announcement of the Sony Ericsson M600.- Developing for the W950i :...
/P1
Sony Ericsson P1
The Sony Ericsson P1 is a smartphone and the successor of the P990. It integrates many of the hardware features of the P990 in the form factor of the M600. It was announced on 8 May 2007. There is a Chinese version of P1 called P1c...
/W960
Sony Ericsson W960
The Sony Ericsson W960i is a 3G phone that Sony Ericsson announced in June 2007, as an upgrade to the W950.- Features :The W960 is a successor to the W950, and belongs to the Walkman series of phones. Its features include 8 GB of integrated flash memory, UMTS and Wi-Fi connectivity and an...
/G700/G900, BenQ
BenQ
BenQ Corporation is a Taiwanese multi-national company that sells and markets consumer electronics, computing and communications devices under the "BenQ" brand name, which stands for the company slogan Bringing Enjoyment and Quality to life .- Company :BenQ sells and markets technology products,...
P30
BenQ P30
The BenQ P30 is a 2.5G smartphone from BenQ that uses the UIQ platform based upon Symbian OS.The phone was released into the marketplace in October 2004, primarily in Far Eastern markets.-Specifications:* User interface: UIQ 2.1...
/P31 and Arima U300/U308, Nokia
Nokia
Nokia Corporation is a Finnish multinational communications corporation that is headquartered in Keilaniemi, Espoo, a city neighbouring Finland's capital Helsinki...
6708, Motorola
Motorola
Motorola, Inc. was an American multinational telecommunications company based in Schaumburg, Illinois, which was eventually divided into two independent public companies, Motorola Mobility and Motorola Solutions on January 4, 2011, after losing $4.3 billion from 2007 to 2009...
A920/A925
Motorola A925
Motorola A925 is a 3G smartphone from Motorola using Symbian OS. Among the most notable features is its built-in A-GPS. The A925 was preceded by the featurewise essentially identical Motorola A920, and was succeeded by the Motorola A1000....
/A1000
Motorola A1000
The Motorola A1000 is a 3G smartphone from Motorola using the UIQ platform based upon Symbian OS. One of the most notable features is its built-in A-GPS. The A1000 is the successor to the A925 and A920....
/M1000
Motorola A1000
The Motorola A1000 is a 3G smartphone from Motorola using the UIQ platform based upon Symbian OS. One of the most notable features is its built-in A-GPS. The A1000 is the successor to the A925 and A920....
/Z8/Z10.
UIQ phones employ touch screens with a resolution of 208×320 pixels (UIQ 1.x & 2.x) and 240×320 (UIQ 3.x). Depending on the phone, the color depth
Color depth
In computer graphics, color depth or bit depth is the number of bits used to represent the color of a single pixel in a bitmapped image or video frame buffer. This concept is also known as bits per pixel , particularly when specified along with the number of bits used...
is 12-bit (4096 colors), 16-bit (65536 colors), 18-bit (262144 colors), and 24-bit (16,777,216 colors) on some newer phones.
For developers the significant items are:
- Single SDK model - developers targeting core UIQ features can use the UIQ SDK to target any UIQ 3 device. Extensions targeting specific device features (such as WiFi, etc) are available from phone manufacturers websites.
- Increased tools support - developers can use whichever tools they are familiar with (DevStudio, EclipseEclipse (software)Eclipse is a multi-language software development environment comprising an integrated development environment and an extensible plug-in system...
, CarbideCarbide.c++Carbide.c++ is a software development tool for C++ development on Symbian OS. It is used to develop phones that use the OS, as well as applications that run on those phones. It is based on the Eclipse IDE platform enhanced with extra plug-ins to support Symbian OS development. The product is...
, CodeWarriorCodeWarriorCodeWarrior is an integrated development environment for the creation of software that runs on a number of embedded systems. Prior to the acquisition of the product by Freescale Semiconductor, versions existed for Macintosh, Microsoft Windows, Linux, Solaris, PlayStation 2, Nintendo GameCube,...
, NetBeansNetBeansNetBeans refers to both a platform framework for Java desktop applications, and an integrated development environment for developing with Java, JavaScript, PHP, Python, Groovy, C, C++, Scala, Clojure, and others...
). Many of these tools are beginning to support extensive RADRapid application developmentRapid application development is a software development methodology that uses minimal planning in favor of rapid prototyping. The "planning" of software developed using RAD is interleaved with writing the software itself...
features for both C++ and Java developers. Visual Basic programmers can use NS Basic/Symbian OSNS BasicNS Basic is a family of development tools for the BASIC programming language developed and commercially marketed by NS BASIC Corporation in Toronto, Canada for iOS, Android, BlackBerry OS, Newton OS, Palm OS, Windows CE, Windows Mobile and Microsoft Windows....
. - High volume, mid-range devices are now possible, to significantly increase the potential customer base.
UIQ Iterations since Symbian v9.1
UIQ 3.0 was the first Symbian v9.1 Operating System. One of the main tweaks that has been done with the UIQ version was the GUI which now supports both Touchscreen and Non-Touchscreen Navigation. User Interface is enhanced with SVG Tiny support which is responsible for some interface transitions on the Menus, Submenus etc.UIQ 3.1 is the first revision from the UIQ 3 series which supports both Touchscreen and Non-Touchscreen navigation. It also supports one handed operation and a number of significant enhancements. This version is based on Symbian v9.2
UIQ 3.2 is an update of the v3.1 and which enhances Java API including the MSA profile being mandated as well as a richer messaging suite with MMS Postcard, IM Client OMA IMPS 1.2, push E-mail and support for sharing media for Web Browser. The new version still uses the v3.1 SDK, same goes for the OS version which is also based on Symbian v9.2
UIQ 3.3 comes as a major update from the UIQ 3.2 and is built on top of the Symbian v9.3. the new iteration integrates the Opera Mobile v9.5 alongside with widgets support handled by the Dash Board application. The new application is accessible with the widget button that will be incorporated on the following UIQ 3.3 phones. furthermore the new version had supported JSR 248 (MSA or 'M'obile 'S'ervices 'A'rchitecture) Fullset API from Java and at the same time broughts Unified Messaging Platform at the forefront. Menu UIs are furtherly refurbished and Transitions were longer than the past versions.
A new UIQ optimized for Touchscreen interface was under development, several screenshots were shown at the Smartphone show on October and is reported to make use for Touch Screen more efficient than the earlier versions. UIQ Fan base from different Mobile Phone Fan Sites refer this as the UIQ 4.
List of some UIQ 2.x Phones and its Version
Sony EricssonSony Ericsson
Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB is a joint venture established on October 1, 2001 by the Japanese consumer electronics company Sony Corporation and the Swedish telecommunications company Ericsson to manufacture mobile phones....
- Sony Ericsson P800Sony Ericsson P800The Sony Ericsson P800 is a smartphone introduced in 2002 based upon UIQ version 2.0 from Sony Ericsson...
(UIQ 2.0) - Sony Ericsson P900Sony Ericsson P900The Sony Ericsson P900 is a Symbian OS v7.0 based smartphone from Sony Ericsson.It was introduced in 2003 and is the successor of the Sony Ericsson P800, and, like the P800 uses the UIQ platform....
(UIQ 2.1) - Sony Ericsson P910Sony Ericsson P910The Sony Ericsson P910 is a smartphone by Sony Ericsson introduced in 2004 and the successor of the Sony Ericsson P900. The P910 has a full QWERTY keyboard on the back of the flip The biggest change from the P900 to the P910 is that the P910 now supports Memory Stick PRO Duo and the phone's...
(UIQ 2.1)
Motorola
Motorola
Motorola, Inc. was an American multinational telecommunications company based in Schaumburg, Illinois, which was eventually divided into two independent public companies, Motorola Mobility and Motorola Solutions on January 4, 2011, after losing $4.3 billion from 2007 to 2009...
- Motorola A920 (UIQ 2.0)
- Motorola A925Motorola A925Motorola A925 is a 3G smartphone from Motorola using Symbian OS. Among the most notable features is its built-in A-GPS. The A925 was preceded by the featurewise essentially identical Motorola A920, and was succeeded by the Motorola A1000....
(UIQ 2.0) - Motorola A1000Motorola A1000The Motorola A1000 is a 3G smartphone from Motorola using the UIQ platform based upon Symbian OS. One of the most notable features is its built-in A-GPS. The A1000 is the successor to the A925 and A920....
(UIQ 2.1) - Motorola M1000 (UIQ 2.1)
Benq
BenQ
BenQ Corporation is a Taiwanese multi-national company that sells and markets consumer electronics, computing and communications devices under the "BenQ" brand name, which stands for the company slogan Bringing Enjoyment and Quality to life .- Company :BenQ sells and markets technology products,...
- Benq P30BenQ P30The BenQ P30 is a 2.5G smartphone from BenQ that uses the UIQ platform based upon Symbian OS.The phone was released into the marketplace in October 2004, primarily in Far Eastern markets.-Specifications:* User interface: UIQ 2.1...
(UIQ 2.0) - Benq P31 (UIQ 2.1)
Nokia
Nokia
Nokia Corporation is a Finnish multinational communications corporation that is headquartered in Keilaniemi, Espoo, a city neighbouring Finland's capital Helsinki...
- Nokia 6708 (UIQ 2.1)
Arima
- Arima U300 (UIQ 2.0)
- Arima U308 (UIQ 2.1)
List of UIQ 3.x Phones and its Version
The following is a list of the smartphoneSmartphone
A smartphone is a high-end mobile phone built on a mobile computing platform, with more advanced computing ability and connectivity than a contemporary feature phone. The first smartphones were devices that mainly combined the functions of a personal digital assistant and a mobile phone or camera...
s that have been announced/confirmed as running the newer UIQ 3.x platform.
PDA-style design (similar to a handheld computer)
- Sony Ericsson M600/M600i/M608cSony Ericsson M600Sony Ericsson M600 is a 3G smartphone based upon the UIQ 3 platform...
(UIQ 3.0) - Sony Ericsson P990/P990i/P990cSony Ericsson P990Sony Ericsson P990 is a smartphone and the successor of Sony Ericsson P910. The phone uses the UIQ 3 software platform, which is based upon Symbian OS 9.1. It was released in August 2006. The P990 has a numeric keypad that flips open to reveal a full QWERTY keyboard below the display, on the phone...
(UIQ 3.0) - Sony Ericsson P1/P1i/P1cSony Ericsson P1The Sony Ericsson P1 is a smartphone and the successor of the P990. It integrates many of the hardware features of the P990 in the form factor of the M600. It was announced on 8 May 2007. There is a Chinese version of P1 called P1c...
(UIQ 3.0) - Sony Ericsson W950/W950i/W958cSony Ericsson W950The Sony Ericsson W950i is the third UIQ 3 smartphone based on Symbian OS v9.1. It was announced on February 13, 2006, a week after the announcement of the Sony Ericsson M600.- Developing for the W950i :...
(UIQ 3.0) - Sony Ericsson W960/W960i/W960cSony Ericsson W960The Sony Ericsson W960i is a 3G phone that Sony Ericsson announced in June 2007, as an upgrade to the W950.- Features :The W960 is a successor to the W950, and belongs to the Walkman series of phones. Its features include 8 GB of integrated flash memory, UMTS and Wi-Fi connectivity and an...
(UIQ 3.0)
Hybrid PDA/Phone design (Candy-bar phone with Touchscreen Display)
- Sony Ericsson G700 (UIQ 3.0)
- Sony Ericsson G900 (UIQ 3.0)
Slider design
- Motorola RIZR Z8/Motorola Nahpohos Z8 (UIQ 3.1)
- Motorola RIZR Z10 (UIQ 3.2)
First Phones to use platform versions
- The first UIQ v2.0 based phone was the Sony Ericsson P800Sony Ericsson P800The Sony Ericsson P800 is a smartphone introduced in 2002 based upon UIQ version 2.0 from Sony Ericsson...
. - The first phone to use UIQ 3 is the Sony Ericsson P990Sony Ericsson P990Sony Ericsson P990 is a smartphone and the successor of Sony Ericsson P910. The phone uses the UIQ 3 software platform, which is based upon Symbian OS 9.1. It was released in August 2006. The P990 has a numeric keypad that flips open to reveal a full QWERTY keyboard below the display, on the phone...
. - The first phone with UIQ 3.1 is Motorola RIZR Z8.
- The first phone with UIQ 3.2 is Motorola RIZR Z10.
UIQ Acquisition
In February 2007, Sony Ericsson had completed the acquisition of the UIQ platform.In October 2007, Motorola bought 50% of UIQ from Sony Ericsson.
End of UIQ
With the establishment of Symbian Foundation, UIQ will cease to exist. S60S60 platform
The S60 Platform is a software platform for mobile phones that runs on Symbian OS. It was created by Nokia, who made the platform open source and contributed it to the Symbian Foundation. S60 has been used by mobile device manufacturers including Siemens mobile, Lenovo, LG Electronics, Panasonic...
is the UI choice of Symbian Foundation; UIQ will contribute its assets to the foundation. Patrick Olsson of Sony Ericsson announced on October 21, 2008 at the Smartphone Show 2008 in London that UIQ didn't make it, it didn't attract the operator, manufacturer or consumer interest needed to stop it failing.
At the start of January, 2009 the UIQ company
UIQ Technology
UIQ Technology developed and licensed an open software platform to the world's leading mobile phone manufacturers and supported licensees in the drive towards developing a mass market for open mobile phones...
filed for bankruptcy.
See also
- S60 platformS60 platformThe S60 Platform is a software platform for mobile phones that runs on Symbian OS. It was created by Nokia, who made the platform open source and contributed it to the Symbian Foundation. S60 has been used by mobile device manufacturers including Siemens mobile, Lenovo, LG Electronics, Panasonic...
, another Symbian-based platform. - MOAPMOAPMOAP is the software platform for NTT DoCoMo's FOMA service for mobile phones. -Versions:There are two versions of MOAP:...
, Symbian-based platform used in NTT DoCoMoNTT DoCoMois the predominant mobile phone operator in Japan. The name is officially an abbreviation of the phrase, "do communications over the mobile network", and is also from a compound word dokomo, meaning "everywhere" in Japanese. Docomo provides phone, video phone , i-mode , and mail services...
's 3G3G3G or 3rd generation mobile telecommunications is a generation of standards for mobile phones and mobile telecommunication services fulfilling the International Mobile Telecommunications-2000 specifications by the International Telecommunication Union...
mobile phones.