Wai Seto presents Qt Web Runtime, the quick solution for powerful web apps

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With the recent Qt WRT announcement, mobile web developers gain a new tool to build powerful web apps for Qt-based platforms. In this conversation, Nokia Devs asks Wai Seto, from Forum Nokia, what Qt WRT is all about and what developers should expect from it.

ND: Welcome Wai, please tell us a bit about yourself.

Hi, My name is Wai Seto working Forum Nokia as Technical Marketeer evangelizing and executing Nokia Web development offering. I have started this role last year, and prior to that I have been software architect for web and Internet related products on Nokia devices. Love to interact with developers who are interested in developing for Nokia, so please connect with me and chat. Check the Forum Nokia Web Talk blog or find me in twitter @waiseto.

ND: We’ve seen the recent launch of Qt WRT: can you tell us what it is?

On Jul 19 2010, Qt WRT was announced to be open sourced and part of Qt’s new open governance model. It is a technology component that is of interest to OEM’s, operators, and other platform development professionals with an interest in open source and expanding the capabilities of web applications.

ND: Which advantages does it bring over standard Qt hybrid development?

Qt hybrid development is a powerful way of programming. It has the best of both C++ and Web world. However, hybrid program does request some level of C++ development knowledge. Qt WTR is completely Web based, and requires no C++ skills.

ND: Talking about APIs: which ones are supported today? Are you working on integrating new APIs in next releases?

Calendar, Camera, Filesystem, Location, Media Messaging, Sensor, Syst Info, and telephony are included in the current package. We think these are the right set of device API for now. Plus Qt WRT1.1 support HTML5 and CSS3 features such as canvas, local storage and CSS transition. As the technology is open sourced, new improvement will be visible to public.

ND: Will Qt WRT be integrated in MeeGo releases?

At this point, the Qt WTR is part of Qt open source governance model. Qt is designed to work on multiple platforms including MeeGo. According to the MeeGo architecture page there will be a Web runtime component based on Qt, but not in 1.0. Please wait for future MeeGo announcement for details.

ND: Will it be possible to distribute Qt WRT apps through the Ovi Store?

This announcement is about Qt WRT technology going to open source under Qt platform. When the Qt WRT technology is available on Nokia devices, we will make the appropriate announcement about the Ovi Store support.

ND: Where can developers find more information about Qt WRT, to start developing widgets?

To get started, download the release from http://get.qt.nokia.com/qtwrt . Source code and examples are available there. Also discussion you questions and comment in the QtWRT Forum.

If you have more questions about Qt WRT, you can leave a comment here or on the official announcement page.