Symbian has released the latest version of its smartphone operating system, adding compatibility with Microsoft Exchange corporate mail servers, an enhanced Agenda PIM application and built-in SQL database. The platform is also more efficient, enabling Symbian to run on lower-cost handsets as well as smartphones.

Symbian OS 9.5 adds upwards of 70 new features, according to the company. Many are designed to appeal to enterprise customers, such as support for Microsoft's ActiveSync protocol, which enables a handset to directly access mail accounts on corporate Exchange servers. The Agenda personal information manager (PIM) application has been revamped with features such as meeting rooms and time zones found in corporate groupware tools like Exchange and Lotus Notes.

"The big picture is that we're trying to keep up momentum and support all the use cases that will be around in 2008, and all the different standards, such as HSDPA, available in different regions," said Jorgen Behrens, head of marketing at Symbian.

Many additions in 9.5 are also designed to lower cost, and enable Symbian OS to run on lower-cost feature phone hardware as well as smartphones. The first handsets with the new version are expected in mid-2008.

Demand Paging makes more efficient use of memory by selectively loading only code that is required, rather than an entire executable file. This speeds application load times and enables users to do much more on handsets without running out of memory.

"In 2008, people will be using smartphones with rich media, enterprise applications and there will be a greater need for multi-tasking," Behrens said.

This is aided by RAM defragmentation, which runs in the background re-ordering memory to optimise its allocation. This can cut memory use by up to 30 percent, Behrens said, allowing some memory blocks to be powered down to save battery life.

Symbian OS 9.5 includes a SQL database engine, which is used by the new Agenda PIM but also available for other applications. Combined with the Posix application library support that Symbian announced for its operating system earlier this year, the SQL database is a big step forward for firms seeking to mobilise enterprise applications, according to Symbian.

The platform also gains a location-based services framework to provide applications with geographical position data. This works with satellite GPS hardware or information from the cell phone network, Behrens said.

Symbian OS 9.5 also includes greater support for VoIP, with bearer mobility and real-time capabilities added to the network stack so that the voice stream is not interrupted by other applications starting up.

Other new features include support for file read and write caching to boost performance, synchronisation compatibility with Windows Vista, and support for processors with built-in hardware to accelerate cryptographic functions.