11 December 2007
Symbian Signed: New and Improved!
 I’ve already wrote numerous times about terrible Symbian signed service that cause lot of problems to the developers, even worse, these problems are mostly related to developers of the freeware applications and considering that most end users overwhelmingly prefer good freeware applications developed by talented young programmers this is the extremely bad and disappointing fact.
Now I'm glad that I finally have something good to say about Symbian Signed (don't get me wrong, I like Symbian LOL).
Today I can finally say that Symbian Signed is changing. This month three new and simplified signing options will become available to developers, supported by a new and lower-cost Certificate Authority.
Here's a summary of the changes:
Open Signed: This updates and replaces Developer Certificate signing. It includes an online-only option that does not require the purchase of a Publisher ID, making it easy for developers to sign applications for limited deployment to known devices, either for testing or personal use. The option for uploading the SIS for certification will be made available as a beta this month, and it should go into full production early next year.
Open Signed also includes an option to sign applications on one's PC. The PC option provides access to CommDD, DiskAdmin, MultimediaDD, and NetworkControl capabilities (which are not available through the online option). The PC option requires the developer to purchase a Publisher ID.
Express Signed: This new option, similar to Self Certification, is now available to all developers, either directly for those who own a Publisher ID, or via publisher partners for those who do not. This is currently in beta.
Certified Signed: This updates and replaces the mainstream signing option based on independent testing by a Symbian-accredited Test House. This option allows access to CommDD, DiskAdmin, NetworkControl, and MultimediaDD capabilities (not available in Express Signed). When the application passes testing, it can use these capabilities in addition to the 13 capabilities previously offered, with no additional approvals needed. Also, test criteria have been renewed to support the capability change, make it easier to use, and tackle common application-quality-related issues. Certified Signed is set for general availability by year's end.
In addition, TCTrustCenter has become the Certificate Authority for Symbian Signed. It is responsible for issuing and validating Publisher ID digital certificates. However, existing ACS Publisher Certificates issued by VeriSign will remain valid for Open Signed and Certified Signed.
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