The browser supports HTML, XHTML and JavaScript as well as page re-formatting along the lines of Opera’s mobile browser and Access’ NetFront. Functionality will shortly be further extended through a browser plug-in application programming interface (API).
Antti Vasara, Nokia VP technology marketing and sales for technology platforms, told ComputerWire that a built-in browser will bring benefits in terms of integration with other applications in the S60 platform, as well as maintaining a consistent application feel.
Opera and Access may be a bit better in some areas but overall we think we have comparable performance, said Vasara. We will leave open the option [for mobile operators, device manufacturers and users] to run Opera or Access on Series 60 if they wish to.
While Vasara was keen to play down the negative impact Nokia’s development could have for Opera and Access, S60, as the largest segment of the smart device category (Nokia alone has shipped more than 10 million devices using the software), has become an important showcase for their wares.
Opera, particularly, has had great success on S60 devices (and Symbian OS generally) and was specified by Nokia as the default browser on its recent 6600 smart phone. The first Nokia handset to feature the updated browser is the soon-to-be-shipped 7610.
