# Symbian

> mobile operating system

**Wikidata**: [Q483318](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q483318)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symbian)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/symbian

## Summary
Symbian is a mobile operating system designed for mobile devices, originally developed by Symbian Software. Established in 1998, it served as a primary platform for the early smartphone market, powering a wide range of devices from manufacturers like Nokia and Sony Ericsson.

## Key Facts
- **Inception:** June 5, 1998.
- **Developers:** Symbian Software, Symbian Foundation, and Nokia.
- **Classification:** Mobile operating system.
- **Platform Architecture:** ARM architecture.
- **Latest Version:** Nokia Belle Feature Pack 2 (also known as Nokia Donna).
- **License:** Proprietary license (as of April 2011).
- **Headquarters:** London, United Kingdom (Symbian Software).
- **Aliases:** Symbian OS, S40, Nokia Belle, EPOC, Symbian S60, Series 90, Series 80, and Symbian^3.

## FAQs
### Q: Who created the Symbian operating system?
A: Symbian was created by Symbian Software, a development and licensing company founded in 1998 in London. Development was later managed by the Symbian Foundation and Nokia.

### Q: Which mobile phones used Symbian?
A: Symbian powered numerous devices, most notably Nokia models such as the N95, N82, E71, and the 808 PureView. It was also used in hardware from other manufacturers, including the Sony Ericsson Satio and the Mitsubishi D705i.

### Q: Is Symbian an open-source operating system?
A: No. While there were transitions in its development history, as of April 2011, it was officially described as "not open source, just open for business" under a proprietary license.

### Q: What were Symbian's primary competitors?
A: Symbian competed directly in the mobile market against Apple's iOS, various versions of the Android operating system (such as Android Marshmallow), and Mozilla's Firefox OS.

## Why It Matters
Symbian was a foundational technology in the evolution of mobile computing. As one of the first widely adopted smartphone operating systems, it bridged the gap between basic cellular phones and modern mobile computers. Developed by a dedicated software industry entity in the United Kingdom, it provided the framework for multi-functional devices that integrated cameras, navigation, and internet browsing long before the current dominance of iOS and Android. Its lifecycle reflects the rapid shift in the mobile industry, moving from a dominant market position to a legacy system as touch-centric platforms emerged.

## Notable For
- **Early Smartphone Pioneer:** Powering the Nokia 7650, a landmark smartphone model released in 2001.
- **Advanced Imaging Support:** Serving as the platform for the Nokia 808 PureView, known for its high-resolution camera technology.
- **Broad Device Ecosystem:** Supporting a diverse range of hardware including the Nokia N-series, E-series, and Sony Ericsson's P-series.
- **ARM Optimization:** Specifically engineered to run on ARM architecture, which remains the standard for mobile processing.

## Body
### Development and Ownership
Symbian Software was established in 1998 in London, UK, to develop and license the Symbian operating system. Over its history, the development was handled by Symbian Software, the Symbian Foundation, and eventually Nokia. The system is also known by several aliases, including EPOC, Symbian OS, and various interface names like Series 60 (S60), Series 80, and Series 90.

### Technical Profile
The operating system was built for the ARM architecture. While it was associated with various development phases, its final major release was Nokia Belle Feature Pack 2. Despite its historical association with various licensing models, it is classified as having a proprietary license.

### Supported Hardware
Symbian was the primary OS for a vast catalog of mobile devices, particularly those from Nokia. Notable supported devices include:
- **Nokia N-Series:** N70, N72, N73, N82, N86 8MP, N90, N91, N92, N93, N95, N96, and N97.
- **Nokia E-Series:** E50, E71, and E72.
- **Multimedia and Specialized Devices:** Nokia 5800, 5230, 5500 Sport, 5700 XpressMusic, 6210 Navigator, and the Nokia 600 (running Symbian Belle).
- **Third-Party Manufacturers:** Sony Ericsson (Satio, P1) and Mitsubishi (D705i).

### Market Context
Symbian maintained a competitive presence against other mobile platforms. Its primary rivals included Apple's iOS and Google's Android. It also competed with niche or later entries like Firefox OS. The system's online community presence included a dedicated subreddit (r/symbian) established in October 2008.

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  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "Symbian",
  "description": "A mobile operating system originally developed by Symbian Software for mobile devices.",
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## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. [Not Open Source, just Open for Business. 2011](http://symbian.nokia.com/blog/2011/04/04/open-source-just-open-for-business/)
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
4. YSO-Wikidata mapping project
5. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File
6. KBpedia