BlackBerry enterprise application middleware (BEAM) is an app development platform that will enable commercial enterprise and corporate developers to more easily build “super app” enterprise applications and services for BlackBerry. Developers can use their favorite development platforms like IBM WebSphere, Oracle Fusion Middleware and the mobility platform from SAP and Sybase to create their app.
Included is a set of APIs, libraries and server software that will make it simpler for developers to create “super apps”. The APIs can access instant data push and alerts, use file transfers with enterprise apps, make it simple to search for a user’s device through geo-location, current camera image, calendar availability, device type, and more. Continue reading ‘RIM Announces BlackBerry Enterprise App Middleware to Accelerate Creation of Super Apps’
Today, RIM announced their next-generation web app development platform – BlackBerry WebWorks. Webworks enables web developers to construct full-featured apps for BlackBerry in HTML-5, CSS and Javascript. The system takes advantage of advanced features through APIs and services like BlackBerry Java applications do already.
Developers can utilize web development tools and platform services with a comprehensive toolset for developing rich apps that can take advantage of core BlackBerry features such as true multi-tasking, true Push technology and access to the full range of BlackBerry services. The platform will also be able to take advantage of location-based services as well as the newly-announced advertising platform. Continue reading ‘RIM Launches BlackBerry WebWorks: Open Web App Platform for BlackBerry’
We’re here at the BlackBerry Developer Conference and there are a lot of cool announcements for developers and users. The best announcement here from a user perspective is the BlackBerry PlayBook which looks really, really, really, cool. Below, you’ll find a roundup of all the announcements that are coming out of the conference. Continue reading ‘BlackBerry Developer Conference 2010 Announcements Roundup’
Foursquare has just released v 1.9.5 of its BlackBerry app. The latest update features push notifications enabled and lazy loading of user/venue pages. Lazy loading means you can check-in to a venue without having to wait for the whole page to load.
Highlights from this release includes:
Push Notification – Now receive check-in notifications instantly via BlackBerry’s push notification service!
Faster User and Venue Screens – Now foursquare loads user and venue data as it gets downloaded, allowing you to view a user profile instantly without having to wait for all the data at once.
Improved Battery Life – With true push notifications enabled and a few additional tweaks, battery life continues to improve.
UI Improvements for Touch – Additionally we’ve focused on the experience for BlackBerry touch users. Improving the menu system and making small changes throughout the application.
Today, during the first DevCon2010 general session, Mike Lazaridis announced the BBM Social Platform. The platform allows developers to access the social features of BBM as well as integrating with nearly all the first party applications in a Super App fashion. The BBM Social Platform includes chat capabilities, content sharing, and invitations. Users will be able to invite their BBM friends to join them in a game and then chat with one another while the game is in progress.
BBM functionality accessible to developers through the BBM Social Platform includes:
Contact list – allows users to choose from their BBM contacts from within another application in order to initiate social interactions such as chatting or initiating game play. BBM user profile – an application can insert application status updates into the user’s BBM profile allowing it to be launched or downloaded from BBM by the user’s friends. Application – specific communities – users can create BBM friend groups specific to an application. Data Transfer – allows users to transfer pictures, audio, video and other content directly from an application to their BBM contacts or groups Invitations – allows users to invite new friends to BBM, invite their friends to interact within or download an application, and accept invitations, all from within an application.
The above video is what they’re showing at Mike Lazaridis’ keynote. The Playbook’s OS is going to be really interesting in terms of content. With full Flash 10.1 support, web developers and gamers are going to be able to create some really interesting applications and games.
