Nokia Targets Web DevelopersNokia Targets Web Developers

Nokia on Tuesday introduced a set of developer tools that seeks to make it easier for Web developers to create widgets for mobile phones.

Nokia released Web Runtime plug-ins for Microsoft's Visual Studio, Adobe's Dreamweaver, and Aptana Studio, enabling third parties to create mobile widgets using HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Ajax, and other standard Web development code. The company said this should streamline the development process, as well as attract a new set of content creators who may not have mobile experience.

"These new Nokia WRT tools open up the mobile market to Web developers and creative professionals worldwide who work every day in these widely used development environments to create Web applications and content," Craig Cumberland, director of WRT tools and technologies for Nokia, said in a statement. "WRT plug-ins enable the easy creation of feature-rich widget applications for the enjoyment of mobile consumers around the globe, providing new horizons to untold numbers of individuals and organizations seeking to extend their Web content and Internet presence into the mobile space."

The world's largest cell phone manufacturer said this move is part of its broader strategy of attracting developers for its cell phones and smartphones. Nokia said it expects to see an uptick in demand for widgets that can access Web information like weather and stock prices, and it's giving these apps a prominent role on its touch-screen N97.

Nokia said it expects these widgets will not affect demand for full-fledged apps that can take advantage of the phone's hardware, and it has launched the Ovi Store to fill that need. The virtual store is looking to emulate the success Apple has had with its App Store for the iPhone and iPod Touch, but Nokia is looking to differentiate itself by integrating social-networking and location-based services into the Ovi Store.

information has published an in-depth report on smartphone security. Download the report here (registration required).