Why Do We Need Symbian Signed?
Opinion March 18th. 2007, 2:01amI notice that there are some freeware applications for Symbian OS 9.1 that are now distributed as unsigned SIS files. For example:
- ActiveFile - a free file manager for S60 3rd Edition.
- GNUBox - an application that allows you to use PC’s Internet connection from your phone.
- TaskSpy - a task manager for S60 3rd Edition.
- Screenshot - a screenshot capturing application (this application is developed by me).
Why do the developers release unsigned applications? I think the biggest reason is because Symbian Signed Authority normally needs a couple of weeks (and sometimes months) to sign an application. Although they said on their web site that signing for freeware applications should take 2 - 3 weeks, this will not happen in most of the cases. It had made frustration to many of freeware developers.
How do the users install unsigned applications then? There are some people who have provided step-by-step instructions how to sign them ourselves. Basically, a user who wants to sign an unsigned application has to register with Symbian Signed and then download a certificate/key pair for his/her phone.
If everyone can sign any applications using their own certificates, why do we need Symbian Signed at the first place? What is the point of having signing if the users can sign applications themselves? It just creates extra steps for the users and makes developers’ life more difficult.
10 Responses to “Why Do We Need Symbian Signed?”
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March 18th, 2007 at 5:12 am
I think, maybe because people who can sign the sis files themselves are technical enough to take the risk of use of unsigned application.
March 18th, 2007 at 1:56 pm
What is the point of having signing if the users can sign applications themselves?
the answer is : simply because some apllications requires some Sensitive Capabilities that only symbiansigned can give and approve
check pdf files on symbiansigned’s web signed for more information…
March 18th, 2007 at 2:29 pm
@SilkKoRnSaad: I understand about manufacturer-approved capability. And I understand that we need Symbian Signed for that.
My point is for basic and extended capabilities (All - Tcb -Drm -DiskAdmin -MultimediaDD - NetworkControl -AllFiles -CommDD). Why do we need signing for those capabilities? Anyone can request for developer certificate and sign themselves.
March 19th, 2007 at 6:04 am
Antony,
This is exactly what I asked from myself at the following address: http://mobile-thoughts.blogspot.com/2007/03/here-is-my-program-sign-it-yourself.html
June 7th, 2007 at 5:56 am
I think Symbian Signed is a mistake because:
- It only promotes bud-ridden software that is never updated.
- It is destroying the symbian third-party ecosystem (and there\’s no first-part software development).
- Even freeware developers won\’t bother as one can currently see all around.
- Symbian certification is basically an enemy of small-scale software development.
- Most of the benefit in new software and developer commitment should go to Windows Mobile which has very little of this nonsense.
It\’s not only the price of the certification, it\’s the freezing it imposes that\’s simply not compatible with current-day dynamic software development.
The self-signing is really not a realistic mass-market option.
June 7th, 2007 at 6:50 am
@George: I fully agree with you. I am currently also stuck with my latest freeware. It’s been a month and I got no news at all from them.
June 13th, 2007 at 10:09 am
I hate this signing crap. Props to people who have the patiants to do it. Could someone please please create a signed app to hack the need for signed apps! As long as app is running durring intallation it takes care of it. I would pay dollors for it. Start a team on it. Make a statement that we don\’t like as consumers. They can take their toll booths and shuvem\’.
June 13th, 2007 at 10:18 am
also forgot to ask, what happens to our cells if symbian signed page shuts down for whatever reason? Do our cells become obsolete to app downloads cause a company chooses to nolonger operate? To me, thats alot of trust in one company. So now my cell is only good if my carrier is operational AND this company prospers. Sorry for multiple posts.
September 25th, 2007 at 8:29 am
dear all, I\’m Symbian developer. Like most of you I\’ve spend lot of time learning Symbian… now this people have throw all to the trash (simply the debug work is impossible if I\’ve to use MULTIMEDIADD cap, I\’m trying to get it from 3 weeks ago). Currently I\’m working in convert my application MobileRecorder from Symbian 7.0 to Windows Mobile…
if you want to take a look see:
http://www.radioexe.com/mobile_recorder/html/mobile_recorder.htm
November 2nd, 2007 at 9:54 am
This signing sucks and is stupid. It only makes people quicker not to try software.
One needs to fiddle a few hours with software just to make one tiny tool on your phone work. Worst thing… software that only runs on Windoze. Haven’t seen any Linux or MacOS-X versions.