Symbian Ltd confirmed to ComputerWire last week that the A920 featured a closed version of its operating system, but 3 has only just confirmed what this means in practice. A spokesperson for the operator told ComputerWire that the device was being treated as a walled garden with users only able to install 3-approved applications on the device.

By doing so, Hutchison is preventing users and developers from taking advantage of the basic similarities between the A920 and Sony Ericsson’s established P800. With both phones using the same fundamental systems software – Symbian OS v7.0 and the UIQ pen-based interface – the A920 could have come to market with a host of ready-made third-party applications. Symbian confirmed that P800 applications should, in theory, work with the A920.

Hutchison’s stance, while potentially irritating to users and developers, has some basis in common sense. The A920 is one of the most sophisticated mobile devices yet brought to market, combining the Symbian OS, high-speed 3G access and assisted global positioning system in one package.

While there is little evidence yet of phone functionality being hijacked by hackers or rogue application writers, the A920’s capabilities offer some of the best opportunities yet for exploitation.

Hutchison’s decision to lock down the A920 is similar to that used by Orange SA with its Microsoft-powered SPV smart phone, which for some months after launch could only run Orange-certified software. However, Orange eventually relented, albeit in the guise of a temporary workaround to give developers access to the device for testing purposes.

Hutchison appears likely to follow suit in due course. The spokesperson said the device would become more open going forward, although no time line was placed on this development. The operator has previously taken a similar approach to content, although it is now starting to bring in partner sites.

Source: Computerwire