Oslo, Norway and Santa Clara, CA — (press release excerpt) — Trolltech today announced the release of Qtopia 1.6 Beta. This new version is particularly noteworthy because of its enhanced applications, improved customization, and integrated Outlook synchronization.

Based on Qt/Embedded, the embedded Linux port of Qt, Qtopia is an application environment that brings the power of desktop computing to mobile embedded devices. Qtopia is already being used to power the Sharp Zaurus SL-5500 and SL-A300.

“Since we first launched Qtopia in March, the response from device manufacturers, developers and users has been overwhelming, validating Qtopia as the first viable 'Third Way' in mobile computing,” said Haavard Nord, chief executive officer for Trolltech. “Only Qtopia delivers the kind of flexibility, simplicity, power and portability that are missing from the Palm OS and Pocket PC platforms. With the release of 1.6, Qtopia becomes an even stronger choice for today's device manufacturers and developers.”

Key Qtopia 1.6 Benefits

Outlook Synchronization: Trolltech has integrated Microsoft Outlook synchronization into Qtopia Desktop, providing synching of PIM data between Outlook, Qtopia Desktop, and Qtopia-based PDAs.

Application enhancements: Trolltech has made several improvements to its PIM applications, media player, and calculator. The PIM applications now offer improved “find” functionality, tighter integration of the email and contacts applications, and enhanced IMAP support. The media player can now choose between different skins and users can skip, fast forward, or rewind songs while listening to music.

Improved Customization: Qtopia 1.6 has a new, customisable look that allows users to switch various look and feel properties including, adjusting background images and fonts, and icon size and layout, giving handheld users the most flexibility and personalization available.

Other Qtopia 1.6 benefits include . . .

• Better desktop synchronization, including improved plug-in support for Qtopia, which allows third-party developers to implement syncing with Qtopia devices and other desktop PIM clients.
• Improved Qtopia Desktop, including one click installation, improved back up and restore, plus numerous usability enhancements.
• New security features that provide users with network synchronization choice and notify users when new computers are trying to sync with their device.
• Display size and orientation enhancements.
• Enhanced usability, including more consistent filtering by categories in all applications, mapping of the hardware button to user defined functionality, and the scalability of font sizes for each application.
• The ability to sync data across TCP/IP networks.
• Better support for Asian input methods.

Qtopia 1.6 Beta is free of charge to open-source developers. Contact Trolltech for conditions, prices, and license terms for commercial use.

 
This article was originally published on LinuxDevices.com and has been donated to the open source community by QuinStreet Inc. Please visit LinuxToday.com for up-to-date news and articles about Linux and open source.