Symbian OS Tips, Tricks & Code

December 2006: example application updated from UIQ 3 beta SDK to final UIQ 3 SDK

Listening to feedback from Symbian OS developers, we've put together some tips on building and installing UIQ 3 applications on the Sony Ericsson P990 smartphone. These tips are equally valid for the recently announced Sony Ericsson M600 UIQ 3-based phone.

Here are the three areas where developers have encountered problems:

1. New UIDs: Protected and unprotected
2. Signing applications using certificates
3. Installing on the P990 smartphone

There are also two example applications to try, to experience the building, signing and installing procedures.

1. New UIDs: Protected and unprotected

UIQ 3 requires developers to use new UIDs obtained from Symbian Signed. Old UIDs from UIQ 2.1 will simply cause an error during installation. There are two sets of UIDs: protected and unprotected.

The simple difference between them is when using the protected range, an application has to be signed, otherwise the installer will issue an error. More information can be found here>>

2. Building application using certificates

In UIQ 3, "app" applications have been replaced by ".exe" applications

The Sony Ericsson UIQ C++ Developers' Guidelines contains useful information about building and signing applications. Download here>>

a) "Building for the device from the command line", of the UIQ C++ Developers' Guidelines, contains a description of how to create and sign a .sis file. Please note, the 'password' in the signsis command is the password entered while creating the developer certificate with the DevCertRequest tool.

DevCertRequest tool.

b) When building from the command line, make sure the environment is set up properly. Use the 'devices' command to check that the default SDK is set to UIQ 3.

To build a general application:

$ bldmake bldfiles
$ abld build gcce urel
$ makesis project.pkg

This creates an unsigned sis file.

• If your application uses a protected UID, you need to sign it.
• If your application does not require any capability and the UID is unprotected, you can simply use the sis file to install the application directly on the P990 smartphone.
• If your application uses basic capabilities (unprotected UID):
  • If it is not signed, the installer would simply just ask for confirmation and one can install it after agreeing.
  • If application is signed, it can be installed without any warning.
• If your application uses more restricted capabilities, you need to sign it to be able to install it.

c) During the development process, a developer certificate is used to sign a UIQ 3 application.

You can create developer certificate using the DevCertRequest tool that is available from symbiansigned.com. When you create a certificate this is created for a particular device, using the IMEI number for the device. An example of a valid IMEI number is: 00460101-678659-9.

You can create a Developer Certificate with or without an ACS Publisher ID. However not using an ACS Publisher ID limits the number of mobile phones for which the certificate is created. It also limits the capabilities that can be chosen.

• Request a DevCert from the symbiansigned.com site (you need to be logged in).
• After using the DevCertRequest tool and you have created a .csr file, apply for a Developer Certificate through the Symbian Signed website.
• Send the .csr file to be able to download the .cer file.
• Sign the application from the command line using signsis as described in "Building for the device from the command line" in the Sony Ericsson UIQ C++ Developers' Guidelines.

More information about developer certificates can be found here>>

3. Installing on the P990 smartphone

a) Transferring files
A convenient method to transfer sis files to the P990 is to use a Memory Stick and the Memory Stick reader attached to a PC. From the PC, put the sis file in this folder on the Memory Stick: "\Media files\other"
 
When the Memory Stick is inserted into the P990 smartphone, select:

"Control panel->Other->Install->Second tab on the top"

Or simply use the file manager and tap on the sis file from the Memory Stick directly.
 
b) Setting correct time and date
Sometimes developers get the installation error "certificate had expired". This happens if the date and time on the P990 smartphone does not match the certificate. The date and time on the P990 should be set between the creation and expiration date of the Developer Certificate.

Two applications to try

Below are two applications using the basic capability NetworkServices. These are basic applications to try, to get some more experience with the building, signing and installing concepts.

• The MySign application uses an unprotected UID, so you can install it using a created sis file. You'll just get a warning.
• The MySignProt application uses a protected UID, so you need to sign the sis file before being able to install it.

Download example applications>>

Useful information

Developer Certificate FAQ and troubleshooting pdf from Symbian>>

Specifically check the "Troubleshooting" chapter of this document:

Chapter 3. Troubleshooting
 3. My SIS file fails to install on the phone.
   There could be a number of reasons for this. Here is a checklist:
   1. The Developer Certificate has expired
   2. The Developer Certificate is not signed for your phone i.e. IMEI
   3. Not enough capabilities have been granted in the Developer Certificate
   4. You have signed with  wrong Developer Certificate
   5. You might have signed the SIS file multiple times with different Developer Certificates