Initial Qt 4.4 Release Candidate
The new version includes Webkit and Phonon as part of the cross-platform library for graphical user interfaces. Trolltech has asked developers to test the RC.
New to Qt 4.4 is the integration of Webkit, a Web browser engine used, for example, by the S60 mobile browser and the Mac OS browser Safari. Webkit supports the integration of Javascript Web services such as Google Maps. Another new features is Qt 4.4's support for multimedia applications. To allow this to happen, the Qt developers have integrated a multimedia framework based on the KDE Phonon project for video and audio. On top of this, Qt 4.4 or newer is also available for Windows CE embedded platforms.
Trolltech provides the Qt library RC under a restricted license designed for testing. Trolltech is asking both commercial developers and the Open Source community to put the RC through intensive tests and return feedback via the Qt4 mailing list. The Qt 4.4 release notes have only been published in the form of a "Sneak Preview" website thus far.
The integration of the open source Webkit Web browser engine in Qt was triggered back in February by Lars Knoll, who Trolltech had appointed as chief product developer just previously . Webkit started life as a branch of the Khtml library. Lars Knoll is the founder of Khtml and still the library's maintainer today.
The first Qt 4.4 beta was released at the end of February. In February, Trolltech, which is based in Oslo, Norway, also changed the licensing of its GUI library from GPLv2 to v3. The download page is still slightly out of date, however, and still refers to GPLv2.
The Norwegian software developers lost their independence in January when they were acquired by cellphone manufacturer Nokia, to secure cross-platform developer know-how for its own devices. Nokia is already using Webkit for its devices. The dual license and Qt's Open Source basis will remain, Nokia promised after the takeover.
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
Canonical Bumps LTS Support to 12 years
If you're worried that your Ubuntu LTS release won't be supported long enough to last, Canonical has a surprise for you in the form of 12 years of security coverage.
-
Fedora 40 Beta Released Soon
With the official release of Fedora 40 coming in April, it's almost time to download the beta and see what's new.
-
New Pentesting Distribution to Compete with Kali Linux
SnoopGod is now available for your testing needs
-
Juno Computers Launches Another Linux Laptop
If you're looking for a powerhouse laptop that runs Ubuntu, the Juno Computers Neptune 17 v6 should be on your radar.
-
ZorinOS 17.1 Released, Includes Improved Windows App Support
If you need or desire to run Windows applications on Linux, there's one distribution intent on making that easier for you and its new release further improves that feature.
-
Linux Market Share Surpasses 4% for the First Time
Look out Windows and macOS, Linux is on the rise and has even topped ChromeOS to become the fourth most widely used OS around the globe.
-
KDE’s Plasma 6 Officially Available
KDE’s Plasma 6.0 "Megarelease" has happened, and it's brimming with new features, polish, and performance.
-
Latest Version of Tails Unleashed
Tails 6.0 is based on Debian 12 and includes GNOME 43.
-
KDE Announces New Slimbook V with Plenty of Power and KDE’s Plasma 6
If you're a fan of KDE Plasma, you'll be thrilled to hear they've announced a new Slimbook with an AMD CPU and the latest version of KDE Plasma desktop.
-
Monthly Sponsorship Includes Early Access to elementary OS 8
If you want to get a glimpse of what's in the pipeline for elementary OS 8, just set up a monthly sponsorship to help fund its continued existence.