Who Is this Book For?
Since Python is easy to learn, you do not need to master any advanced
computing concepts before touching this book. You only need an understanding
of some basic programming principles or a scripting language,
such as PHP or JavaScript, to get started with programming in Python for
S60.
Because of the steep learning curve of most mobile platforms, the
creative community and novice programmers have been excluded from
developing their own ideas for applications for mobile phones. We
believe that Python for S60 remedies this problem. Therefore, this book
is primarily aimed at people who are new to mobile programming, who
lack the time and enthusiasm to learn C++ or Java or who cannot afford to
spend weeks or months on development. Rapid prototyping with Python
for S60 gives them a fast entry ticket. At the same time, many experienced
developers find Python a refreshingly agile alternative and may enjoy the
additional sense of elegance and freedom that it provides.
We think the following groups of people will benefit from this book:
• Lead users and ‘prototypers’
If you want to gain knowledge and practical skill for quickly programming
working prototypes of innovative mobile applications, you may
find Python for S60 your toolkit of choice. It is open source, so you
will not be hindered by closed, proprietary platforms which severely
restrict your freedom to experiment. If you are an enthusiastic mobile
phone user who has many ideas on new ways of using your phone,
we show you how to realize your own novel concepts in practice.
• Mobile artists and mobile interaction designers
Python for S60 will open the door for you to the world of programmable
mobile phones. As a creative media artist or interaction
designer you might be less constrained by conventional thinking than
a typical software engineer – and this is your opportunity. By using
Python for S60 to combine several smartphone features, for instance,
camera, sound recording, SMS and Bluetooth, you can explore new
frontiers of art and design. If you are a designer who has worked with
ActionScript for Flash or Director’s Lingo and want to start creating
mobile applications, you will find Python for S60 already familiar to
you in many respects.
• Web developers
If you have worked with PHP or JavaScript but haven’t used Python
before, start today! Python for S60 allows you to quickly write mobile
client applications that can be part of your website or service. You
can also create novel mashups that combine information from a web
service with that from your physical surroundings.
• Experienced mobile application developers
Converting to Python for S60 makes development feel light, happy and
productive while retaining your old powers. Whenever a colleague
complains that Python is slow or it misses feature X, sit down and
write a C++ extension for Python in a few hours. This way, you get
the best of both worlds.
• Researchers
Python for S60 is a perfect platform for doing various kinds of
research. It is the easiest way to collect rich empirical data with
mobile phones and you can prototype novel applications quickly.
Since it is open source and easily extendable in C++, you can even
perform some demanding computations on the device. Moreover, you
can get started right away, since Nokia smartphones are ubiquitous,
off-the-shelf products and Python for S60 is freely available.
• Teachers and students
If you are teaching introductory programming classes in Python, this
book might serve as a source of motivation and inspiration for your
students. The smartphone is a rich and ready-to-use platform with
many built-in functionalities such as networking, camera, graphics,
image handling, GUI design, Bluetooth, telephony and more, so a
plethora of concepts can be demonstrated and experimented on it.
Nowadays, many students are motivated by the mobile phone, which
is an integral, personal part of their lives, rather than by a PC. Being
able to easily ‘pimp up’ the mobile phone and learn programming at
the same time is a strong incentive even for younger students.
• Python community
If you are one of the hundreds of thousands of Python programmers
and want to enter the mobile space using completely free and open
tools as well as open
Since Python is easy to learn, you do not need to master any advanced
computing concepts before touching this book. You only need an understanding
of some basic programming principles or a scripting language,
such as PHP or JavaScript, to get started with programming in Python for
S60.
Because of the steep learning curve of most mobile platforms, the
creative community and novice programmers have been excluded from
developing their own ideas for applications for mobile phones. We
believe that Python for S60 remedies this problem. Therefore, this book
is primarily aimed at people who are new to mobile programming, who
lack the time and enthusiasm to learn C++ or Java or who cannot afford to
spend weeks or months on development. Rapid prototyping with Python
for S60 gives them a fast entry ticket. At the same time, many experienced
developers find Python a refreshingly agile alternative and may enjoy the
additional sense of elegance and freedom that it provides.
We think the following groups of people will benefit from this book:
• Lead users and ‘prototypers’
If you want to gain knowledge and practical skill for quickly programming
working prototypes of innovative mobile applications, you may
find Python for S60 your toolkit of choice. It is open source, so you
will not be hindered by closed, proprietary platforms which severely
restrict your freedom to experiment. If you are an enthusiastic mobile
phone user who has many ideas on new ways of using your phone,
we show you how to realize your own novel concepts in practice.
• Mobile artists and mobile interaction designers
Python for S60 will open the door for you to the world of programmable
mobile phones. As a creative media artist or interaction
designer you might be less constrained by conventional thinking than
a typical software engineer – and this is your opportunity. By using
Python for S60 to combine several smartphone features, for instance,
camera, sound recording, SMS and Bluetooth, you can explore new
frontiers of art and design. If you are a designer who has worked with
ActionScript for Flash or Director’s Lingo and want to start creating
mobile applications, you will find Python for S60 already familiar to
you in many respects.
• Web developers
If you have worked with PHP or JavaScript but haven’t used Python
before, start today! Python for S60 allows you to quickly write mobile
client applications that can be part of your website or service. You
can also create novel mashups that combine information from a web
service with that from your physical surroundings.
• Experienced mobile application developers
Converting to Python for S60 makes development feel light, happy and
productive while retaining your old powers. Whenever a colleague
complains that Python is slow or it misses feature X, sit down and
write a C++ extension for Python in a few hours. This way, you get
the best of both worlds.
• Researchers
Python for S60 is a perfect platform for doing various kinds of
research. It is the easiest way to collect rich empirical data with
mobile phones and you can prototype novel applications quickly.
Since it is open source and easily extendable in C++, you can even
perform some demanding computations on the device. Moreover, you
can get started right away, since Nokia smartphones are ubiquitous,
off-the-shelf products and Python for S60 is freely available.
• Teachers and students
If you are teaching introductory programming classes in Python, this
book might serve as a source of motivation and inspiration for your
students. The smartphone is a rich and ready-to-use platform with
many built-in functionalities such as networking, camera, graphics,
image handling, GUI design, Bluetooth, telephony and more, so a
plethora of concepts can be demonstrated and experimented on it.
Nowadays, many students are motivated by the mobile phone, which
is an integral, personal part of their lives, rather than by a PC. Being
able to easily ‘pimp up’ the mobile phone and learn programming at
the same time is a strong incentive even for younger students.
• Python community
If you are one of the hundreds of thousands of Python programmers
and want to enter the mobile space using completely free and open
tools as well as open
