Posted on January 29, 2009, at 1:33 pm .
Some great, if not belated news, for all the BlackBerry Developer Conference attendees that were given an IOU for a free BlackBerry Storm during the show. One of the developers at the show has informed us that those near-forgotten devices are in the home stretch of their Odyssian journey:
We are happy to tell you that your BlackBerry Storm smartphone from the device giveaway at the BlackBerry Developer Conference has been shipped!
We hope to see you again at next year’s conference.
Sincerely,
The BlackBerry Developer Conference Team
For those keeping score at home, this post indicates an almost 3-month turnaround. But I guess you can’t look a free Storm in the mouth, especially since RIM just sold 1 million of them.
Special thanks to my main man, Rob K., for the tip!
Posted on January 23, 2009, at 12:04 pm .
When BlackBerry Cool broke the news earlier this week that RIM was accepting submissions for the BlackBerry Application Storefront, we were really excited. It was the first step towards bringing more application goodness to our BlackBerrys. But the call for submissions really generated more questions about the Storefront than it answered. Thankfully, RIM’s crack Developer Support Team (lead by Guru Mike Kirkup) ignored my recommendation to take today off, and have provided everything developers need to know about the BlackBerry Application Storefront in the latest edition of the BlackBerry Developer Newsletter.
This edition of the BlackBerry Developer Newsletter is centered upon the Open Mike with Mike Kirkup Podcast, which discusses the key aspects of the BAS from a Developer Perpspective. While I HIGHLY RECOMMEND that you listen to the podcast in full — there will be a test later — I’ve co-opted CBKevin’s crib notes for those that just can’t wait.
Developers: What you need to know about the BlackBerry Application Storefront
* The store front is OPEN to developers. You can start submitting apps now.
* App storefront will deploy applications via its own mechanism – there will be an on device client that will allow end users to browse, buy and download apps directly. Developers just need to focus on building awesome apps!
* Users will be able to write reviews (I’m guessing rating and other expected functions like that will be in there as well)
* The App Store will initially be rolled out in English only to North America and UK markets. More language/geographic support coming down the road.
* App Store will support OS version 4.2.1 software and higher on trackball and touchscreen devices (sorry trackwheel users – time to upgrade!)
Getting your apps into the app storefront:
o 1. Signup as a Vendor
o 2. Suitability test – RIM does an initial check to make sure your app has appropriate/suitable content and that the app meets basic quality standards
o 3. Smoke test – RIM tests the app to make sure it meets the high quality standards that people have come to expect
But don’t think that’s all to this month’s BlackBerry Developer Newsletter. After the jump you’ll find links to key developer resources to the BlackBerry Nation will have the best software possible when the BAS launches. Don’t forget to SIGN UP FOR THE BLACKBERRY DEVELOPMENT NEWSLETTER, so you’re not the last to know about the latest in BlackBerry Development!
BlackBerry Developer Key Resource Links
Posted on January 19, 2009, at 2:07 pm .
Press Prelease
Symphony, Quickr, Domino Designer and XPages to Expand Capabilities on the BlackBerry
LOTUSPHERE — IBM and Research In Motion today unveiled new Lotus collaboration software and developer tools on the BlackBerry platform that will bring collective intelligence to BlackBerry smartphones. The new features will help customers find expertise, form teams, share information, and stay in touch in real time making them more effective and productive while on the move.
“The new Lotus collaboration features and developer tools on the BlackBerry platform will deliver productivity beyond the office extending IBM software and services so that individuals can access all of the resources they need to keep their business moving, anytime, anywhere,” said Bob Picciano, general manager, IBM Lotus Software.
“Team collaboration shouldn’t stall when employees are on the road or away from their desks,” said Jim Balsillie, co-CEO, Research In Motion. “RIM and IBM are strengthening the BlackBerry platform for Lotus with a portfolio of mobile office productivity and collaboration capabilities that will make BlackBerry smartphones even more effective in mobilizing businesses around the globe,”
Continue reading ‘IBM, RIM Mobilize Business With Lotus Software and Developer Tools for the BlackBerry Platform’
Posted on January 19, 2009, at 12:00 pm .
Big news for those of you waiting for RIM’s answer to the iPhone application store. RIM has sent out a message to all registered BlackBerry developers that they are now accepting application submissions for the BlackBerry Application Storefront. Note that this doesn’t mean the Application Storefront is right around the corner, but that RIM is planning to launch it with a large mass of software.
Developers can hit the link below to learn about the submission process and sign up. As you’re submitting your applications for the BlackBerry Application Storefront, please post a comment and let us know how it stacks up to Apple’s notoriously painful process. Do you like the setup? How long does it take to get approved? Whatever you have to say, we want to know.
BlackBerry Application Storefront
Posted on December 23, 2008, at 8:52 am .
God bless the Developer Support team at RIM; it’s Christmas Eve Eve and they’re still hard at work pumping out important tools for the BlackBerry development community. Last night the BlackBerry JDE 4.7 left beta and went live, and boy is it jam packed with features. Beyond updated device simulators and the full API set for the BlackBerry Storm, there’s new stuff like the ‘Set Theme Wallpaper’ feature, which provides the ability for an application to set the homescreen wallpaper.
You can see the full feature list after the jump, and download JDE 4.7 at the link below.
Download BlackBerry JDE 4.7
BlackBerry JDE 4.7 Feature Enhancements
Posted on December 22, 2008, at 10:48 am .
Hmm, it seems as though my stocking hanging upon the BBCool HQ mantle is already stuffed with holiday cheer. Such a gift just in time for Christmas can only mean one thing: RIM Developer Support Guru Mike Kirkup and his merry elves were hard at work all weekend preparing the latest installment of the BlackBerry Developer Newsletter! The BDN Holiday Edition seems to be all about taking advantage of the myriad BlackBerry MDS Runtime tools to create feature rich BlackBerry Applications. You’ll find all the relevant links below, as well as the latest Open Mike with Mike Kirkup, which focuses on the Breaking New Ground Technical Seminar that was such a hit.
DB-00683: How To – Push data to a BlackBerry MDS Runtime Application created in BlackBerry MDS Studio
DB-00650: What Is – Supported BlackBerry MDS Runtime versions for BlackBerry smartphones and BlackBerry Enterprise Server software
BlackBerry MDS Runtime Deployment Guide
Managing MDS Runtime Applications: BlackBerry Enterprise Sever Administration Guide
OPEN MIKE WITH MIKE KIRKUP
Don’t forget to SIGN UP FOR THE BLACKBERRY DEVELOPMENT NEWSLETTER, so you’re not the last to know about the latest in BlackBerry Development!
Posted on December 18, 2008, at 2:13 pm .
Have you recently purchased one of those fancy new BlackBerry devices with multimedia features? Have no idea what types of media your BlackBerry supports? Worry not, your friends at RIM have your back, and have published a BlackBerry Knowledge Base stating which media formats work with your BlackBerry. Click the link below for the knowledge base, as well as handy instructions on how to transcode audio and video files for the Media application.
BlackBerry Multimedia Support Knowledge Base
How to transcode audio files
Posted on December 18, 2008, at 9:42 am .
RIM has now officially released the BlackBerry JDE 4.6.1 on their handy developer site. One would assume that it includes support for the BlackBerry Curve 8900, which runs OS 4.6.1, but if anyone notices new additions, post about it in the comments. RIM considers this a ‘premium resource’, so you’ll have to log in to download. Click the link below and you’re well on your way!
http://na.blackberry.com/eng/developers/
Posted on December 8, 2008, at 9:31 am .
Remember the Breaking New Ground BlackBerry Technical Seminar that happened last Wednesday? Of course you do, because you followed along diligently from your computer! Well, in case you somehow missed it (for shame), RIM’s Developer Support Guru™ Mike Kirkup gave a seminar on what great new tools are coming next for BlackBerry developers. Here’s a rundown of what’s coming:
* Gears support – Kind of like Google gears, which allows users to access and store web content locally on their BlackBerry.
* BIS-B Push applications – Push to BIS public devices (making WebSignals irrelevant) and push data to applications (think IM clients)
* SQlite applications on device – Think about a database of information on your BlackBerry like a clients list or price list
You may remember that support for Gears and BIS-B Push was originally announced during the BlackBerry Developers Conference, but it’s good to know that it’s inching ever closer to release. You can see a few more slides from the seminar after the jump.
|via BerryReview|
BlackBerry Breaking New Ground Seminar Slides
Posted on December 2, 2008, at 10:40 am .
BlackBerry Cool was the first to tell you about RIM’s FREE Breaking New Ground: Fall ‘08 BlackBerry Technical Seminar a few weeks a go, and now we’re here to remind you that Breaking New Ground takes place TOMORROW from 9amET – 5pm ET. Here’s some of the Seminar’s highlights in case you’ve already forgotten.
Mike Kirkup, RIM’s developer relations guru will provide a recap recap of the key presentations from the BlackBerry Developer Conference held in October
“So You Want to Develop for BlackBerry Smartphones” on the Developer Agenda
“Application Deployment, Security and Management Best Practices” on the Administrator Agenda
Breaking New Ground BlackBerry Technical Seminar — Register Now!
Full Breaking New Ground Developer Agenda
Full Breaking New Ground IT Administrator Agenda
