• Rule 1: If a process gets created it will run with the capability set as specified in the .MMP file of the executable.
• Rule 2: If a process loads a DLL this DLL needs to be trusted with the same set or a larger set of capabilities.

For a DLL capabilities are a level of trust and this level of trust (the set of capabilities) is specified in the MMP file. For a EXE capabilities indicate what a process can do (which APIs it is entitled to use).

Mostly an executable links against static interface DLLs (using the LIBRARY keyword in the MMP file). If the executable uses static interface DLLs the code for these DLLs is loaded into the process directly at startup. The file loader loads the code for the EXE and associated DLLs. Simultaneously it checks whether the EXE and set of DLLs complies with the platform security rules. If only one of the DLLs in the LIBRARYs list violates against rule 2, the process will not start.

A common symptom for this is, if you click on an application icon in the shell of the phone, the application does not start. The icon only shortly blinks and then nothing happens anymore.  As a developer, if this symptom shows, you should immediately think “most likely this is a platform security problem”.

Turn to the Series 60 emulator – turn platform security off in the menu – run the application (A) – then try to run the application with platform security enabled in the emulator (B). If the application runs in situation (A), but not in situation (B) it is confirmed that there is a platform security problem.

Now look into the file epocwind.out to find out which capabilities are missing. The file epocwind.out can be found in c:\Documents and Settings\<your username>\Local Settings\Temp (make sure Windows Explorer shows hidden directory – select on “Show hidden files and folders” under Tools | Options | tab View). Search for the text “*PlatSec*”.

For example:

147.680    *PlatSec* ERROR – Capability check failed – Can’t load sample_0x20030359.exe because it links to slogtool.dll which has the following capabilities missing: ReadDeviceData WriteDeviceData NetworkServices ReadUserData WriteUserData Location.

This gives you the information to add the capabilities “ReadDeviceData WriteDeviceData NetworkServices ReadUserData WriteUserData Location” into the MMP file of slogtool.dll to fix the platform security problem. Rule 2 has been violated here. The sample.exe links against slogtool.dll. Sample.exe has capabilities “ReadDeviceData WriteDeviceData NetworkServices ReadUserData WriteUserData Location”, but slogtool.dll has not. The slogtool.dll has less capabilities as the loading process (EXE). Therefore the process can not be started.

Correct the situation in the MMP file of slogtool.dll and compile again for the device (do not forget to re-run bldmake bldfiles) and try to run the application again on the device.

If you are unsure about the capability set for a EXE or DLL then ELFTRAN is a handy tool which comes pre-installed with your Series 60 SDK to query the capability set of a DLL or EXE. See below for examples of the commands. Note that ELFTRAN will only work for DLL/EXEs which have been compiled for the device (armv5 or gcce) and can list the capabilities for DLL/EXEs which have been compiled for the emulator (winscw).

Query the caps of an executable:

elftran -dump s <filename of executable or dll>

Query the dependencies of an executable:

elftran -dump i <arm executable>

Show the exports of a DLL:

elftran -dump e <arm executable>

Note:

petran should be used only for Symbian OS versions before 9.1

If you need more information or expertise on platform security for Symbian OS consult the training page of Inmote or drop me an email at rene@inmote.com.

Samsung introduced AMOLED (=Active Matrix Organic Light Emitting Diode) screens into mobile phones such that the end user can also read things on the display in bright sunlight. Touchscreens have become extremely popular with the introduction of iPhone, though some users did give it a try and are returning to keypad only mobile phones as the touchscreens tend to be too ‘touchy’ (things can get started easily while carrying your phone in your pocket).

0.1 mm flexible AMOLED screen from ITRI (Taiwan)

Improvements in display technologies are also important for other devices beyond mobile phones like e-readers, navigation equipment, TVs, etc. Improvements in display technology has a direct impact on the user experience. Displays allow a larger viewing angle, will be thinner, consume less power, have brighter colors and deeper black.

For touchscreens there is two types of main technologies:

• resistive
• capacitive

A resistive touchscreen responds to pressure from a stylus or your finger. Nowadays more phones are equipped with capacitive touchscreens. A capacitive touchscreen uses the fact your body is conductive and therefore a capacitive touchscreen can only be operated using your finger. Personally I do not like this idea as I can press buttons and small items on the screen more easily using a stylus (normally I would just use a pen for this although manufacturers warn you this can harm your resistive touchscreen).

Currently Samsung is the main manufacturer of AMOLED displays for mobile phones. There is difficulties to meet the demand of mobile phone manufacturers for AMOLED displays. Some manufacturers like HTC have turned to alternative sources and competing technologies for displays like Super technology from Sony (HTC Desire). Apple developed their own Retina display technology for the iPhone 4.

Interestingly Nokia took the lead in touchscreen enabled mobile phones as reported by Canalys earlier in february this year. Canalysis estimates touchscreen smartphones took 55% of the mobile smartphone market in Q4 2009. By volumes Nokia has been the leading vendor for touchscreen phones (mostly N97 and 5800) followed by Apple, HTC and Samsung. More details can be found here.

It is a good practise to reset the phone using *#7370# to test a software application before final release to the customer to avoid any interference of previous installed versions or user actions that may affect the behaviour of your application during acceptance testing.

The Nokia codes below are not working on my Nokia 6220 Classic, but may have some use on other Nokia models.

An example of USSD is call forwarding. The service codes associated with call forwarding are fixed and all GSM handsets will be able to use them. The menu on the handset which allows the user to define the call forwarding options may well be implemented in terms of USSD.

USSD is supported by nearly every phone (both Phase 1 and Phase 2). Most handsets also support Network Initiated USSD (NI USSD or “Push USSD”). USSD services by the network can be interactive. USSD acts as the bearer for selection menu which will be presented to the user. USSD menus should not be confused with STK (SIM ToolKit) menu’s. USSD is a bearer for menus presented by a server side application and are independent of the SIM card and the handset. This gives operators huge opportunities to deploy simple applications and informational services.

STK will use SMS mostly as a bearer for informational services. Hence it will be very slow. STK can use USSD as a bearer, but it is very dependent on the STK implementation of the particular handset.

An USSD message contains maximum 182 characters. On the GSM network level the USSD gateway (which needs to be deployed in the operator network) is defined as a gsmSCF (GSM Service Control Function).

USSD applications do not necessarily need to run at the GSM network operator. A content provider may connect to the USSD infrastructure of the operator provided the content provider has been given permission by the operator.

Omzet van OZON
De geloofwaardigheid van e-commerce in Rusland wordt bedreigd door veel kleinere internet shops met dubieuze produkten of handelspraktijken voornamelijk in cosmetische producten. In Rusland is de drempel om produkten online te kopen lager, omdat de betaling vaak pas plaats vindt bij aflevering van het product. OZON handelt uitsluitend in legale producten en in de markt toelaatbare producten.

De omzet van OZON is ongeveer 102 miljoen dollar in 2008. Ook in 2009 zal de omzet (in RUB) blijven groeien met zón 10%. OZON heeft 450.000 verschillende items in het assortiment voornamelijk boeken (nieuw en gebruikt), maar ook antiek. OZON garandeert haar klanten dat de antieke stukken authentiek zijn.

Voor elektronica is het belangrijk een grote voorraad te hebben en direct te kunnen leveren. Omdat elektronica ingekocht wordt in dollars is er een groot risico op koersverlies. De marge op elektronica is laag. OZON poogt daarom het assortiment beheersbaar te houden.

OZON is een proef begonnen met het aanbieden van digitale boeken. Men heeft een assortiment van ong. 3000 e-book titels. Voor OZON is dit een test om het software platform voor het verkopen van digitale producten te testen en te bouwen. OZON gebruikt geen protectie schema om kopieren digitale produkten te voorkomen.

PayPal is niet beschikbaar in Rusland en ook niet legaal toegelaten in Rusland.  Met ten minste 10 betalingsmethoden biedt OZON echter voldoende andere betalingsopties waaronder cash per terminal, transfer via bank en post, WebMoney, Yandex Money, SMS betalingen en betalingen via de telefoonrekening en credit card betalingen. De populaire betalingsmethoden zijn cash bij aflevering (80%) en transfer via bank en post. De overige betalingsmethoden zijn te verwaarlozen.

Gemiddelde waarde van een order is 60 dollars. December verkopen zijn ongeveer 10 – 20% van de totale verkoop. Dagelijks komen er ongeveer 5000 orders binnen.

Kosten voor levering zijn laag, ongeveer 200 RUB (6 tot 7 dollars). Indien er sprake is van cash bij aflevering wordt de consument voor de aflevering gebeld om een afspraak te maken. Dit beperkt fraude.

Distributie van goederen in Rusland
Er zijn 14 afleveringsopties. In Moscow en St. Petersburg het is mogelijk de producten binnen 24 uur in huis te hebben. Elektronica kan dezelfde dag worden afgeleverd in Moscow.

Agenten helpen bij het afleveren van producten in de grootste steden van Rusland. In St. Petersburg en Moscow zijn er 40 afhaalpunten voor consumenten. Van alle verkopen valt 53% in Moscow met nog eens 2% in de directe omgebing van Moscow. St. Petersburg is verantwoordelijk voor 17% van de verkopen en 26% gaat naar de rest van Rusland. De resterende 2% gaat naar het buitenland.

Drie maal per dag rijden eigen vrachtauto´s tussen Tver, Moscow en St. Petersburg om de producten op tijd bij de klanten te krijgen. Er werken ongeveer 80 mensen in de marketing afdeling (search optimization, business development, analytics). Deze afdeling fungeert ook als customer care center. Er is een eigen IT afdeling van 20 – 40 mensen voor data mining en het ontwikkelen van eigen ondersteunende IT systemen. Communicatie systemen en het data center zijn dubbel uitgevoerd. Er is een satelliet backup systeem voor internet verbindingen voor het geval de vaste lijnen uitvallen.

Ambitie van OZON
OZON is de online marktleider in de verkoop van elektronica en andere segmenten. Concurrentie komt natuurlijk ook traditionele postorderbedrijven. Otto is hiervan een voorbeeld. Otto is ook aanwezig in Tver en verkoopt offline door een samenwerking met de post. De postkantoren worden als afhaalpunt gebruikt door Otto en het merk Otto is zichtbaar met uithangborden in de postkantoren. In Rusland is er grote vraag naar kleding van hoge kwaliteit. Otto start nu ook online verkopen. Verder zijn er nog veel andere postorderbedrijven actief in Rusland.

Doelstelling van OZON is echter wel de grootste e-commerce partij in Rusland te blijven. OZON gebruikt affiliate marketing. Verder wordt er gewerkt aan een engine voor aanbevelingen en mobiele toegang tot de website. Er wordt uitgebreid naar andere regio´s in Rusland, afleveringstijden worden geoptimaliseerd alsmede kosten voor aflevering.

This article is also available on MarketingFacts along with a powerpoint presentation on OZON in English.

However, it occurred to me it will be possible to write an application on Series 60 to transmit files using audio FSK through the normal voice channel of the phone. This may be a very interesting technology option for certain type of use cases. This would remove the requirement for the user to have a GPRS subscription. Only requirement for the user would be to have a voice subscription and software installed for decoding and encoding the audio FSK stream.

File exchange would be possible between mobile phones (P2P) or between a desktop computer/webserver with modem and a mobile phone. Optionally this data stream can be encrypted for security.

On CeBIT 2009 there were a lot of suppliers for Crypto GSM solutions. However, I did not see any supplier for a solution which only uses the voice channel. All suppliers also focused on voice encryption. No suppliers had any focus on file sharing which could be equally important, I guess.

DVB-H has a feedback channel which allows for interactivity between the TV watcher and the TV program. Electronic Programme Guides (EPG) are delivered through this feedback channel.

The new ways of delivery of TV into the home is often referred to as IPTV or Internet TV. Where Internet TV would be the correct terminology for TV delivered through the public internet (like YouTube) IPTV uses a closed network infrastructure, i.e. a cable company has its own cable network and can use IPTV to deliver both live TV and on demand TV into the home.

IPTV and Internet TV uses protocols like RTP/RTCP. The signalling for pause, slow motion, wind/rewind is assured by RTSP (Real Time Streaming Protocol).

In the webciety hall state of the art web solutions could be found. An very interesting idea is to have interactivity within videos. Using JetStream Video (HD) you can modify a video mid-stream.

Imagine you can show off a kitchen, furniture, interior designs using video and have the customer select colors while interacting on the internet. Or you can display additional information about products within a video. If a consumer like that jeans he or she can click and the website shows where to buy such a jeans. Possibilities are endless. In sports games you could click a player and display statistics and background information about a player.

There are multiple products in the market which make mid-stream video modification possible. Interestingly many of the companies (Impossible Software, TVNEXT) come from Germany and are situated in or near to Berlin. Some of the companies are member of the German IPTV association: Deutcher IPTV Verband.

For communications, however, I mostly use MSN and Skype on my PCs. Finally I resolved the mystery. If Skype is started, it will occupy port 80. When you start Apache from the XAMPP Control Panel afterwards Apache will not start and will show no trail whatsoever in the logfiles (located in (<installdir>\apache\logs) about the cause of the failure.

The solution is to first start Apache, then start Skype. If that case Skype will search for some other port for communication as Apache will already have captured port 80. Hope this help for anyone using Skype and XAMPP.