RIM updates BB10 toolkit

Research In Motion has released an update of the BlackBerry 10 developer toolkits. Among other features, the updates now include an application invocation framework and push APIs.

Building on the introduction of the BlackBerry 10 platform at the BlackBerry World conference earlier this year, as well as the ongoing positive enthusiasm from developers attending BlackBerry 10 Jam events around the world, Research In Motion (RIM) has released an update of the BlackBerry 10 developer toolkits.

The toolkits are available in beta as free downloads from http://developer.blackberry.com.

The update adds a wide range of new features and enhancements, most notably including two key sets of APIs for BlackBerry 10 developers - an application invocation framework, which will allow BlackBerry 10 applications to seamlessly interact with each other, and the Push APIs that let developers leverage the global BlackBerry infrastructure to send notifications and other content to BlackBerry 10 devices.

“Developers have been making remarkable progress with BlackBerry 10. We’ve seen amazing examples of apps from every category being built for the BlackBerry 10 platform; often in just a matter of days. This update provides enhancements to all four SDKs and introduces two key APIs that allow developers to integrate their apps deeply into the core BlackBerry 10 experience, creating a seamless flow between apps for BlackBerry 10 customers,” said Christopher Smith, Vice President, Handheld Application Platform & Tools at Research In Motion.

Application Invocation Framework

The application invocation framework will give developers the ability to tie their applications to native BlackBerry 10 features and to other applications, providing a seamless and flowing experience for customers. Developers will also have access to a greater pool of sample apps and examples in both native and HTML5 development.

Push APIs

These new Push APIs will allow BlackBerry WebWorks and Adobe AIR developers to leverage RIM’s unique push technology and infrastructure in order to push content from their application servers directly to end users, enabling instant access that engages and connects customers with their applications.

BlackBerry App World Update

In addition to the BlackBerry 10 developer toolkit updates, RIM is also opening the BlackBerry App World Vendor Portal for BlackBerry 10 Dev Alpha test devices. The portal will now allow developers to target the BlackBerry 10 Dev Alpha test device for applications, allowing developers with BlackBerry 10 Dev Alpha test devices to share and access each other’s applications and see what their peers are doing with the platform.

Developer Community Engagement

RIM highlighted its commitment to the developer community during the first BlackBerry 10 Jam event in May and has continued to build on that commitment during the BlackBerry 10 Jam World Tour. Developer sessions have been held in more than 20 countries across the globe, with more events planned for the summer.

Tim Shepherd, Senior Analyst at Canalys, who attended one of the BlackBerry 10 Jam sessions, commented: “There was a positive buzz among developers at the BlackBerry 10 Jam World Tour and real interest and enthusiasm around the platform.”

Over 5,000 developers have attended BlackBerry 10 Jam events and more than 5,000 BlackBerry Dev Alpha test devices will be seeded from these events. For more information on the BlackBerry 10 Jam World tour and upcoming dates and locations, please visit: http://www.blackberryjamworldtour.com.

HTML5 Development

The BlackBerry 10 WebWorks SDK will now support the invocation framework and applications can also be registered as targets for invocation by other apps. Web developers can also access new APIs for push, swipe down events, and context menu. BlackBerry WebWorks allows developers to use HTML5 and CSS for building apps and provides JavaScript bindings to native device APIs along with open source UI toolkits such as jQuery Mobile, Sencha and RIM’s own bbUI.js, to create applications with native-like capabilities,

Please visit the Inside BlackBerry Developer 

Native Development

In addition to the Invocation framework for seamless app integration, the BlackBerry Cascades application framework for C/C++ or Qt developers features new pinch gesture support for zooming and large improvements of the UI look and feel. The BlackBerry 10 Native SDK has added API support for NFC, Cryptography, Audio Manager, Slogger2 and Notifications Manager.

Additional Language Support

The BlackBerry 10 SDK for Adobe AIR and the BlackBerry 10 Runtime for Android Apps tools have also been updated with the AIR tools now supporting both Push APIs and the invocation framework. The Android tools now support: in-app payment; camera; and multi-window support APIs.

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