Nokia sheds Qt app unit, leans more on Microsoft
updated 07:15 am EDT, Thu August 9, 2012
Nokia sheds last ties to in-house software initiatives
Nokia has sold off its Qt app tools unit as the company leans further on its partnership with Microsoft, reports Bloomberg. The Finnish handset maker offloaded the Qt unit including around 125 staff to long-time partner Digia signaling the end of its in-house software development efforts. Nokia had bought into Qt as a cross-platform application development framework to encourage developers to write apps for its now defunct Symbian and MeeGo smartphones.
“Nokia is proud of the contributions we’ve made to Qt over the past four years” said Sebastian Nyström, Nokia's head of strategy. ”We are pleased that we’ve been able to work with Digia to secure continued development of Qt by the current core team. Digia’s plans to acquire Qt mean that it can continue as a successful open source project and also offer continuing employment for many people in the community.”
With Nokia's smartphones powered by the Microsoft Windows Phone OS, the development framework was no longer a part of Nokia's plans moving forward. Instread, Digia, however, with its focus on software development, will retool Qt so that it can be deployed for developing apps for iOS, Android and Windows Phone 8. Although Digia hasn't outlined its redevelopment timeframe, it expects its investment to yield returns before the end of 2012. Terms of the sale have not been disclosed.
