Yesterday, RIM released a Java plug-in for Eclipse for Mac OS X enabling developers to develop Java apps for the BlackBerry on a Mac. BlackBerry Java development on the Macintosh has been absent and developers have been asking for a solution for a long time.
The initial beta will focus on Java development for BlackBerry 6 with a tethered device debugging on the BlackBerry Torch: no simulator required.
Eclipse is a free java-based open source software development environment mostly based on plug-ins. With the exception of a small run-time kernel, all of Eclipse’s functionality relies on plug-ins. This beta has all the features of the BlackBerry Java Plug-in for Eclipse v1.1.2 including the ability to package a single app project for multiple BlackBerry devices. It also supports Eclipse project artifacts and folder structures.
You’ll need a Mac running Snow Leopard (Mac OS 10.6), Java version 1.5, as well as a BlackBerry Torch in order to get started. Then download the beta plug-in here.
You can find the latest version of Eclipse here.
Also, be sure to check out the Installation Guide and the Development Guide.
