Symbian launched an improved version of its operating system--that includes native WiFi and other features, such as improved start-up time--in a bid to make smartphones more attractive to mainstream users and play into operators' plans for fixed-mobile convergence. The upgrades in the Symbian OS v9.3 will also make it easier for developer to eliminate more high-end smartphone features so they can bring down the cost of the phones. The addition of native WiFi means developers can add that capability without having to write most of it. Unlicensed Mobile Access (UMA) is also supported. One of Symbian's major goals in 2006 is to push the Symbian OS down to the masses.
To read more about Symbian's new OS that supports native WiFi:
- read this article from IDG