May 20, 2014 —Qt, the leading cross-platform application and user interface (UI) development framework is now available under version Qt 5.3. With Qt, developers can easily develop cross-platform applications and simply reuse code to target all the major desktop, embedded and mobile platforms. Qt 5.3 packs in numerous new features and improvements that enables the simple and effortless development of applications and connected devices that run anywhere on any device, on any operating system making the end users’ life easier. To lower the barrier of entry for application development, Digia is also introducing a monthly subscription plan for Qt Enterprise.
Building on the success of Qt 5.2, which has been downloaded more than 1 million times since December 2013, Qt 5.3 brings enhanced quality across all platforms with improved documentation and new coding examples delivering an improved user experience. In addition, the Qt for Windows Runtime port has now reached the supported Beta state further strengthening Qt’s cross-platform story of defragmenting multi-platform mobile development. Qt for WinRT allows Qt developers reach a portfolio of millions of devices including Windows 8 PCs and tablets, applications using the Modern UI, also for WinRT tablets on ARM chips such as the Microsoft Surface and Windows Phone devices.
Qt 5.3 boasts several improvements on desktop application development easing the migration path for existing users to Qt 5. The introduction of QQuickWidget, which is designed to simplify the migration of larger Qt Widget-based applications to Qt 5, allows for hybrid development with both, C++ Qt Widgets and Qt Quick UI technology, in one application. This enables designers and developers to save time using the best of both UI technologies together without sacrificing the ease and functionality of the other. The Qt Quick Controls have also received new updates which include calendar control, native dialogs and styling for the menu bar as well as several new Qt Quick Enterprise controls for industrial applications.
On the API side, the new Qt Positioning API provides GPS support for both Android and iOS, while the Qt Bluetooth API now provides direct support for also Android. Qt Enterprise mobile application customers will also benefit from the new Qt Purchasing API that provides a simple-to-use, cross-platform Qt API for in-app purchasing from Android Google Play and iOS App Store. In the future, this will be extended to WinRT (Windows Store / Windows Phone Store) and desktop marketplaces such as the Mac OS X store.
Qt 5.3 also announces a new Qt WebSockets API and new Managed WebSockets backend service in the Qt Cloud Services portfolio that enables cloud-connected applications and devices to communicate bi-directionally in real-time. In addition, the Managed WebSockets solution enables any number of client-server communications so that one-to-many communication channels, including chat and notifications, can be implemented.
Qt 5.3 introduces a first look at a new professional build tool under the Qt Enterprise offering, Qt Quick Compiler, which allows you to compile QML files into the application. The compiler ensures IP protection of the the QML source and improves load time and performance by pre-parsing the QML files. With compiled Qt Quick, application start up is up to 90% faster than before. Qt Quick Compiler delivers significant run-time performance improvements on platforms such as iOS.
Qt Enterprise 5.3 also introduces primary support from Digia for QNX® Neutrino® 6.6 with pre-built Qt Enterprise binaries that enable intuitive and attractive UIs for the QNX Car Automotive platforms and also the healthcare, industrial automation, and in-flight entertainment industries.
Qt Enterprise for application development can be downloaded as a 30-day free trial or purchased with a convenient monthly subscription plan from http://qt.digia.com/Try-Buy. The Qt 5.3 open source version can be downloaded from http://qt-project.org. For more information on Qt 5.3, please visit the product page: http://qt.digia.com/qt53
About Qt
Used by over 500,000 developers worldwide, Qt is a full framework that enables the development of powerful, interactive and platform-independent applications. Qt applications run native on desktop, embedded and mobile host systems, enabling them to deliver performance that is far superior to other cross-platform application development frameworks. Qt’s support for multiple platforms and operating systems allows developers to save significant time related to porting to other devices. It also includes built-in Qt Cloud Services that facilitates the whole lifecycle of a connected and data-driven Qt application.
Qt is created by developers for developers where making developers’ lives easier is top priority. It provides an incomparable developer experience with the tools necessary to create amazing user experiences. Qt is platform agnostic and believes in making sure that all developers are able to target multiple platforms with one framework by simply reusing code. Qt gives freedom to the developer. Code less. Create more. Deploy everywhere.
About Digia, Qt
Digia is responsible for all Qt activities including product development and commercial and open source licensing. Since March 2011, Digia Plc, the Helsinki-based services and consulting powerhouse listed in the NASDAQ OMX Helsinki exchange (DIG1V) has been the commercial licensor of Qt. In September 2012 Digia acquired the full Qt business from Nokia. Digia operates in China, Finland, Germany, Norway, Russia, Sweden and USA.
Digia’s goal is to provide desktop, embedded and mobile developers and companies with the most powerful cross-platform UI and application framework. Together with its licensing, support and services capabilities, Digia, Qt operates with the mission to work closely with developers to ensure that the projects are deployed on time, within budget and with a competitive advantage.http://qt.digia.com
