BlackBerry launched the
beta version of the BlackBerry WebWorks SDK for Tablet OS and new
services and developer tools for BlackBerry smartphones at BlackBerry
DEVCON Asia.
With BlackBerry WebWorks, developers will be able
to use standard web technologies to build integrated
applications quickly and easily for both BlackBerry smartphones and the
BlackBerry PlayBook tablet. The GitHub open-source project around
BlackBerry WebWorks means more support for developers.
RIM also introduced a new Payment service for BlackBerry
smartphones, along with enhancements to the Push Service and an update
of the Java Plug-in for Eclipse.
With features that include access to core functionality in the
BlackBerry PlayBook, as well as extensibility and robust security, the
BlackBerry WebWorks SDK for Tablet OS provides many benefits to
developers including:
- RIM's powerful WebKit web-rendering engine (which is at the core
of WebWorks), supporting the latest web technology standards, including
HTML5, CSS and JavaScript. - Deep access to device capabilities and components, such as native dialogs, application invocation and system information.
- A simple command-line tool that allows developers to use their
favorite web development environment to develop WebWorks applications. - The capability to automatically transform a W3C widget archive
file containing web assets into a BlackBerry WebWorks application
package.
In order to provide an opportunity for WebWorks developers to qualify
for the previously announced 'free BlackBerry PlayBook' offer, RIM is
extending the offer to March 15, 2011. Starting today, web developers
can download the BlackBerry WebWorks SDK for Tablets OS, build
BlackBerry PlayBook applications, and qualify for a free BlackBerry
PlayBook. For more details about the offer, including the Terms and
Conditions visit www.blackberry.com/developers/blackberryplaybookoffer.
Download the SDK at www.blackberry.com/developers/tabletos/webworks.
A new webcast series to help developers create BlackBerry WebWorks
applications for the BlackBerry PlayBook will start on February 1, 2011. Developers will get first-hand details on how to install tools, set up
development environments, create their first application, and test
applications on the simulator. Please visit
www.blackberry.com/developers/tabletos/webworkswebcasts.
New Services and Tools for BlackBerry Smartphones
At BlackBerry DEVCON Asia, RIM is also launching the BlackBerry
Payment Service SDK in Beta, as well as an update of the BlackBerry
Push Service SDK (v 1.0.1) and a new release of the BlackBerry Java
Plug-in for Eclipse (version 1.3).
Integrated into an application as a library, the BlackBerry Payment
Service offers new ways to monetize applications by allowing developers
to incorporate options, such as subscriptions, feature unlocking and pay
per use. For more details on the BlackBerry Payment Service SDK, visit www.blackberry.com/developers/paymentservice.
The latest update to the BlackBerry Push Service SDK improves the
management of Push operations for Content Providers through a new
Subscription Check API, offers simpler Statistics Gathering and Query
Capabilities, as well as Installer enhancements. The new Subscription
Check API provides the ability to check the registration status of a
smartphone with the specific application via a server-side framework,
ensuring that Push only occurs to currently subscribed users of the
application. For additional details, visit www.blackberry.com/developers/pushservice.
The BlackBerry Java Plug-in for Eclipse version 1.3 includes many
enhancements and new features that help making Java development more
productive on the BlackBerry platform. For more information on the
latest version, check out www.blackberry.com/developers/java for Windows and www.blackberry.com/developers/javamac for Mac.