Digia @Web - Webkit Based Internet Browser For UIQ 3.

At the moment, all available UIQ 3 based smartphones from SE and Motorola, are using an internet browser developed by Opera. And many UIQ 3 users are not happy with it. The only alternative (a good one) is Opera Mini but it’s a Java Midlet, not a full blown native app. Realising the vacuum, Digia (formerly SysOpen Digia) just announced their project to bring a new browser to UIQ 3 market. It is the first full finger touch web browser for UIQ and is based on the open-source S60 webkit engine version ported to UIQ platform by Digia. Other users of the webkit browser engine include Apple Safari browser, iPhone, Google Android and Nokia S60 browser. Digia will contribute source code modifications of the webkit engine to open-source. Digia @Web 1.0 public beta will be available for downloads during June 2008. More info after the break.

Digia announces first full finger touch web browser for UIQ platform phones

Digia Plc has created a first fully finger touch controllable web browser for UIQ based mobile phones. Designed for UIQ 3 and Symbian OS the Digia @Web provides user oriented mobile browsing experience. Browser is based on the open-source webkit browser engine ported to UIQ by Digia, and a whole new browser UI that gives powerful and intuitive access to true web content.

Mobile browsing is gaining huge popularity due to flat rate 3G data access and possibility to use WLAN connections. Digia @Web empowers mobile phone users with browser designed to give the optimal mobile browsing experience. Direct access to true web content is achieved through the first full finger touch browser interface designed by Digia.

Jari-Pekka Heikkilä, VP Smartphone from Digia says: “We see internet content becoming more and more important for users of mobile phones, and browser as the single most important application in the truly converged devices. By creating the new browser we want to provide the users of UIQ based mobile phones the opportunity to see the web as it has been intended.”

Tuukka Turunen, Director, Special Projects from Digia continues: “We chose webkit as the engine for our browser because it is fast and reliable, and allows web content to be seen in its true form. By combining the open-source webkit engine with our new and intuitive browser UI we have created the best and most powerful tool to surf the web with touch enabled UIQ phones.”

Digia @Web 1.0 browser engine is based on the open-source S60 webkit engine version ported to UIQ platform by Digia. Other users of the webkit browser engine include Apple Safari browser, iPhone, Google Android and Nokia S60 browser. Digia will contribute source code modifications of the webkit engine to open-source. Digia @Web 1.0 public beta will be available for downloads during June 2008.

Please visit www.digia.com/browser to learn more on the Digia @Web features.