Today Nokia Devs talks with Manikantan Krishnamurthy, a mobile developer from Singapore, about his development experience on Nokia platforms. Manikantan has recently published a Flash Lite game for Series 40 devices, Deep Days, and other applications realized with the Ovi App Wizard.

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

I am Manikantan, a student of NTU, Singapore studying Masters in Digital Media Technology and I posses a computer engineering background from under-graduation. My interests lean towards developing games and Web 2.0 apps for mobile devices. I primarily have used Flash Lite for development over the past two and half years. Sometimes, I also indulge in programming using PyS60 and J2ME, and lately Qt. I am also part of Adobe Flash communities in India (a.k.a. IndiMaD). I also have published a broad range of applications and games at the Ovi Store under the publisher name Chompgames. I am a Forum Nokia Champion since 2009 and also a Forum Nokia Wiki moderator. I blog at flashactions.com and croozeus.com and active on twitter @manikantan_k.

ND: Which platforms and technologies do you use for mobile development on Nokia devices?

As far as Flash development goes, Adobe Creative Suite is the only thing I use. Adobe toolkit comes with an emulator program called Device Central with which all Flash content can be emulated on a plethora of phones. I like the Nokia Qt SDK that was released few months back. I faced problems installing the Symbian S60 SDKs on my Vista. But Qt for Nokia has solved those problems for me. I also sometimes use Eclipse and ERIC IDE for PyS60.

ND: When have you started working on Nokia devices, and what has changed since then?

My first app on mobile phones was in 2006, when I was not aware of Forum Nokia. My only support was Adobe Documentation. Over the years, there has been constant innovation and many transformations in various aspects. Devices have grown smarter with multiple sensors, UI has undergone a complete revamp. Mobile web is exploding and I have seen the mobile developer community grow multi-fold. Mobile development is starting to become the key skill that companies are hiring.

ND: Have you used Ovi App Wizard? If yes, what’s your opinion and how would you improve it?

Yes, Ovi App Wizard is an excellent tool that helped me build three applications, King Khan, Bollywoodie and Wallet Watch in practically no time. Though the tool doesn’t offer much UI customization, it promises a clean UI and has supports feeds from Twitter, Flickr and mechanisms like RSS and ATOM feeds.

I think, with mobile web exploding and many people enjoying internet from their handsets, these tools with quick time-to-market are handy. Some UI customization is an improvement I would like to witness.

ND: You have recently published a Flash Lite game for S40: Deep Days. Can you describe how you had the original idea, and the main hurdles you’ve found during development (and how you solved them)?

Deep Days has a funny starting, quite similar to Doc. Brown’s idea of time travel in Back to the Future movie. It was a sudden vision that came to my mind on a Saturday night at 2 am. And I was off to my machine to code it immediately. Within a few hours, I had written the core logic and mechanics of the game.

Being a programmer, I am not good at designing game assets. After some time, Wrecker Tike was generous to do the design and skinning of the game and I finally launched it in Ovi as Deep Days. I must say, being targeted at the lower S40 audience, it has been doing phenomenally well in the Ovi store.

ND: As a developer and publisher, which was the overall impression about the Ovi Store itself?

I am happy with how Ovi Store has been evolving in the recent months and Nokia users are beginning to enjoy a wider range of applications. However, not many indie developer studios have seen cash flow. I would also like to see featuring of localized applications in the Ovi main menu just like recommendations, and better costing abilities in for developers. For example, iAd from Apple is a wonderful initiative for developers creating free content. I would like to see more protection for these indie developers from Ovi and in totality a richer mobile ecosystem.

ND: How Flash Lite did help you to create your apps, and which limits did you find in using it?

Flash Lite is the rapid prototype creator’s dream tool. I think it is the best and quickest way to create games and rich media content. However putting it in a mobile context from Flash is a bit hard. For example, getting access to native file system or the sensors can sometimes cause erratic behavior on some Nokia phones.

So, if I had to harness these resources, I wouldn’t take Flash Lite, as I did in my master’s dissertation, where I control a vehicle on the PC using the sensors on my phone.I used PyS60 in this project and it proved to be very reliable.

ND: Which are the main resources and libraries/frameworks (if any) that you use for Flash Lite development?

Many game development or physics engines in Flash are available today only in AS3, which is still not supported in Nokia handsets. So I generally don’t use third party libraries. I think the Adobe Help and Documentation is the best resource for Actionscript developers. I sometimes use UI Frameworks like Shuriken in app, and sometimes use the Forum Nokia UI components.

ND: Is there something in Nokia technologies that you think it’s missing, and you would like to see in the near future?

After seeing iPhone, Android and Maemo phones, I am beginning to feel the Symbian phones’ UI is a bit outdated. I hoped to see a complete revamp in Symbian^3, but Symbian^3 looks quite similar to the current S60 phones in the market. I hope to see them in Symbian^4 devices. I also feel that there are too many programming languages within Symbian phones like java, Flash Lite, Python, Symbian C++ and now Qt apart from WRT. I hope this streamlines into fewer languages and more libraries in them rather than seeing the same platform services in different languages.

ND: Something else you’d like to tell to Nokia developers?

I have enjoyed my way in developing for Nokia handsets. I think it’s the right time to develop for these handheld computers today and encourage others to do so.

ND: Welcome Leonardo, please tell us a bit about yourself!

Hi! I’m Leonardo Risuleo, a passionate mobile designer/developer working as freelancer from Italy. Forum Nokia Champion & Co-Manager of MobileRevamp.org, the Italian Adobe Mobile and Devices User Group (J2me user group too). I started my career as graphic designer but my passion for mobile began in 2003, when I started developing Flash Lite and Symbian mobile applications for Nokia devices. During the past years I worked as freelancer on a variety of mobile-related projects for big firms and studios in the mobile industry.

ND: Which platforms and technologies do you use for mobile development on Nokia devices?

I use different technologies for my Nokia projects: from Symbian c++ to WRT and Webkit but my main focus is on “Flash on Devices”. Recently I’m playing with a little bit of QT too.

ND: Talking about Flash Lite: which do you think are its greatest pros and cons?

Well, the first pro is definitely the active developers community. Friendly people always ready to help and share ideas. With Flash is easy and fast to build stunning mobile interfaces, working prototypes and multi-screen applications running on a big variety of devices (hardly possible with other technologies… ah right, now we have Qt too!).

The con is that while is super-easy to create mobile content with Flash is not so easy to find “Quality” contents. But I hope that new Adobe efforts with Flash Player 10.1 and Flash Lite 4 will bring a new quality standard for Flash on mobile.

ND: Which improvements would you like to see in Flash Lite support on Nokia devices?

I can’t really wait to see Flash Player 10.1 or AIR Mobile running on a Nokia device. The biggest limit I see now is all about packaging our Flash Applications. A real cross-device standard is actually missing from Nokia…

ND: Which technical resources would you recommend for developers who want to start learning Flash Lite?

Developer communities first. Places like Forum Nokia and Adobe user groups are really indispensable for developers to find answer to their questions. My suggestion is to follow as many top bloggers as possible too in order to be always updated with latest news! NokiaDevs.com for example.

ND: Have you published some app on the Ovi Store?

Yes, of course. My latest Flash Lite project “10×10 Mobile” is free to download from the Ovi Store. It’s basically the mobile version of 10×10™ (www.tenbyten.org). “Ten by ten” is an interactive exploration of the words and pictures that define the time. For this application I used Flash Lite as the only technology (except for the stub application used for packaging). The application is designed for touch enabled device and gives to users an engaging user experience balancing visual animations and performances. Curious? Give it a try, it’s free!

ND: Which is your overall impression about the Ovi Store experience?

With the Ovi Store now Nokia users have a real, working app store. The overall experience is pretty good but unfortunately is still a little behind competitors.

ND: Please share with us your impressions about Nokia, and how you see it in the next few years.

I would like to see Nokia investing a lot more effort on User Experience. Other platforms are gaining a more solid position in the market while Nokia lost the leadership on UX. My suggestion is to put more attention on the design phase for both Nokia and Symbian.

ND: Something else you’d like to tell to Nokia developers?

Yes: keep up the good work! =)

Are there any more questions you’d like to ask Leonardo? If yes, please leave a comment!

Today Nokia Devs talks with Alessandro Pace, a.k.a. Biskero, experienced Flash Lite developer and blogger.

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

I am a mobile architect, with more then 12 years experience. I hold a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, concentrations in digital signal processing and communication networks, and a Master’s degree in Telecommunications systems Management, with a concentration in networking and mobile communications. I am the manager of the Boston Adobe Mobile and Devices User Group, an Adobe community professional on mobile devices, certified instructor and developer for Flash Mobile. I am very active in the Flash Mobile developer community. I am a WURFL contributor for Flash Lite. I am also Co-founder of Mobile Monday Boston. Architect of Kero Mobile Independent AppStore. Forum Nokia Champion and Forum Nokia Launchpad member.

ND: Which platforms and technologies do you use for mobile development on Nokia devices?

I use several different technologies for my projects from Flash Lite to Symbian C++, mobile web and WRT. Now looking at Qt too.

For tools I use Flash Professional, Carbide C++, Qt Creator and my old good text editor.

ND: What is Kero Mobile?

Kero Mobile is a project that I had in mind from several years. Kero Mobile is the next generation service oriented mobile independent AppStore.

Kero Mobile allows mobile users to access mobile applications, games, media, music, social networking communities, news, sport news, blogs, city information, RSS feeds and more. You can browse, view, play and download content via OVI Store. There are 12 different Kero Mobile services, content feedback and social sharing features. Also Flash Mobile and mobile ads are part of the platform.

ND: How did you have the original idea, and why did you choose Flash Lite to implement it?

When I started to look at Flash Lite technology back in 2004 I was surprised how easy is develop mobile content. Also Flash Lite content can be considered an application that can be used within another one. So I started to investigate the feasibility and I begin to design the architecture on my spare time.

ND: Is Kero Mobile open to third party developers?

I am working really hard to allow third parties to create content for Kero Mobile. It will be another distribution channel for developers with an instant revenue stream.

ND: Can you show us some of the apps distributed through Kero Mobile?

At the current moment there are more then 700 apps in Kero Mobile on 80 mobile phones and 197 countries. Here is a short video of Kero Mobile in action:

ND: Which were the main difficulties during its development, and how Nokia resources helped to solve them?

I have spent most of the time to design the architecture of the platform. I had in mind to keep it as simple and flexible as possible to allow me to add new features and complexity over time.

The openness of Nokia devices was key to distribution and reach for Kero Mobile.

Also the number of different mobile technologies supported by Nokia devices allows me to potentially add features to the Kero Mobile platform.

ND: Are you working on new features?

Yes. I am adding more content everyday. Also I am working on automating some parts of the content creation.

For Kero Mobile client I am adding some community features and distribution opportunities. But my focus is to keep Kero Mobile as simple as possible.

ND: Which distribution channels do you use to distribute Kero Mobile?

You can download Kero Mobile from http://www.biskero.mobi. Also I am looking at the OVI Store for distribution. In fact content available in Kero Mobile can be downloaded from within the AppStore. For example some of the games can be played within Kero Mobile and then downloaded from OVI Store directly from the game itself.

As I said before you can browse, view, play and download content via OVI Store. This is the unique feature of Kero Mobile.

More information is available on the blog: http://www.biskero.com/blog/

ND: Which are the major difficulties that you see today for Flash Lite developers? Which the greatest benefits?

Probably the most common issue is to generate revenue streams. And for the technology I do not see any particular issues.

With Nokia devices there is a very clear technology roadmap for the different Flash Lite versions. At the current moment Flash Lite 4 is coming to Symbian^3 Nokia devices.

Also Nokia is supporting Flash Lite developers with tools for free packaging and distribution, a great initiative!

The benefits are definitely the speed of development compared to any other mobile technology.

As the development cost and time to market are fundamental now for anyone in the mobile ecosystem and Flash Lite offer great benefits on this side.

ND: Something else you’d like to tell to Nokia developers?

Nokia is present in every market and giving the Nokia devices reach and upcoming new platforms I see Nokia as number one choice for mobile developers.

Nokia Devs launches its first contest for all Flash and Flash Lite developers: you can win two full licenses for FDT 3.5 Pure, worth $129, with just a tweet or joining our Facebook page! The same license will also allow you to fully use FDT 4 beta versions.

We asked Bruno Fonzi, from the Powerflasher team, some questions about FDT:

What is FDT?

FDT is the most powerful Flash/Flex development environment for Actionscript 2, 3 and MXML. The only editor built from the ground-up to support the needs of ActionScript developers, built by Flash developers for Flash developers. With highly efficient and time-saving features, FDT enhances your workflow while increasing your productivity.

FDT enables you to focus on what you love best: coding. It offers a non-intrusive, intuitive way to help you write, debug, test, and refactor your code. FDT is not about making rules. Since you are in complete control it goes with your flow. FDT gives freedom and creativity while coding. Enable FDT to do the uninteresting, tedious and repetitive work. This is our meaning of pure coding comfort.

Why should Flash Lite devlopers use FDT?

As some versions of FlashLite still supports AS2, FDT 3.5 users can take full advantage of the FDT coding environment. Being an Eclipse-based IDE, developers will be able to use all the powerful Eclipse features, together with new and specific features built for Flash and Flash Lite development. Also, FDT allows to develop Flash Lite applications without the need to use any other commercial tool (e.g.: Flash Professional), by allowing you to use free solutions as MTASC.

Where can we get more information about FDT?

Contest Rules are simple:

1. To participate in the Twitter contest, follow nokiadevelopers on Twitter and post this tweet (multiple tweets will not be counted):
   

   Follow @nokiadevelopers and RT to win a FDT 3.5 Pure license! Full rules here: http://bit.ly/cFLgiS #flashlite #fdt #nokiadevscontest

2. To participate in the Facebook contest, become a fan of Nokia Devs’ Facebook page and drop a comment (saying “Hello!” is fine!) on the official contest Wall post
   
3. Cross your fingers!

One winner will be chosen from the Facebook fans, and the other one from the posted Tweets: both the winners will be randomly selected. To increase you chances of being picked as a winner, you can participate in both contests.

The contests will run until the end of Tuesday, July 20 2010 (GMT time), and results will be published here on Nokia Devs.