Devs: BlackBerry Java SDK & JDE v7.0 get Maintenance Release Update

RIM released an update to the BlackBerry Java SDK and JDE v7.0 in their latest maintenance release. This new release is not a huge update but has some goodies according to RIM. They did not put up a separate change log I can find but it includes:

Updates to the API documentation, code samples and an auto-complete feature. Multiple fixes to the BlackBerry smartphone simulator and MDS-CS Simulator are also included and the BlackBerry Java SDK now includes Mac.

You can read more about the release on the RIM DevBlog or download the updates at the links below:

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RIM Explains Platform Strategy Including Lack of BlackBerry Java on BBX Platform

We told you that RIM officially said at DevCon last week that the upcoming BlackBerry BBX Platform would not support BlackBerry Java. Now Alec Saunders from RIM has detailed a bit more about that strategy on their DevBlog. They more or less explain that BlackBerry Java will not be supported on the BBX platform and what RIM’s future strategy is. Here is exactly what they have to say about BlackBerry Java:

While we will continue to support our BlackBerry Java developer community as they build for BlackBerry smartphones, after further investigation we decided against supporting BlackBerry Java on BlackBerry BBX. We concluded that the BlackBerry Java experience on the BlackBerry PlayBook platform would ultimately not satisfy us, our development community, or our customers as the platform continues to evolve.

The way to go forward on the BBX platform is either using the BBX C/C++ Native SDK or WebWorks apps or in RIM’s words:

RIM also confirms that the PlayBook and future BBX devices also support two development communities beyond the core super apps through:

The most important thing for BlackBerry Java Developers to read is the end of Alec’s strategy explanation:

So, the next big question on your mind may be: Is this the end of the BlackBerry Java SDK?

The short answer: Absolutely not.

There are currently over 70 million smartphones in market today running the BlackBerry operating system and this number is growing:

For more information on the various development options for the BlackBerry platform, check out the all-new landing page for developer.blackberry.com, as well as the newly launched microsites for theBlackBerry WebWorks SDK, the BlackBerry Runtime for Android Apps, and the BlackBerry Native SDK.

- Alec Saunders, VP of Developer Relations and Ecosystem Development

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RIM Kills off PlayBook Java Player With No Traditional BlackBerry Java on BBX

We heard from quite a few sources at DevCon that RIM finally put the official stake in the BlackBerry Java Player they were talking up at BlackBerry World. I have heard mixed reports on why that didn’t work out though understanding the differences between more modern Java frameworks and BlackBerry Java it starts to make some sense. On the other hand it does leave BlackBerry Java developers in an interesting situation. They can either go back to their C++ roots like me or try their hand at Android development as a way to port their apps.

It seems like RIM is not sure themselves on how that will work though they do have a session at DevCon to show BlackBerry Java developers how to port their skills to Android Player development for the PlayBook. The API’s are not all there though RIM has confirmed that they will be bringing API’s like the BBM SDK to the native SDK but not yet confirmed for the Android Java runtime. The Android Java runtime also does not currently have access to interface with the Native SDK on the PlayBook to create immersive Android Java apps.

On one hand BlackBerry Java apps will be around for quite a few more years since BlackBerry 7 devices will have at least a 2 year life span. Still RIM’s vision for BBX clearly was not focused on Java. RIM has confirmed multiple times that they have dedicated themselves to supporting the BlackBerry Java platform but obviously RIM believes they have taken it as far as they can. You can see the things they are doing with the native SDK on BBX that they could only dream of doing on BlackBerry Java. On the other hand the Android Java alternative is quite a bit different than Java development when it comes to multitasking and other runtime differences for always on apps that RIM devs are used to.

If you are a BlackBerry Java dev I am really curious to hear what you think! You have to admit it is weird that there have been practically no BlackBerry Java development announcements at DevCon 2011 compared to it dominating DevCon 2010 with API’s and such.

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RIM Kills of PlayBook Java Player With No Traditional BlackBerry Java on BBX

We heard from quite a few sources at DevCon that RIM finally put the official stake in the BlackBerry Java Player they were talking up at BlackBerry World. I have heard mixed reports on why that didn’t work out though understanding the differences between more modern Java frameworks and BlackBerry Java it starts to make some sense. On the other hand it does leave BlackBerry Java developers in an interesting situation. They can either go back to their C++ roots like me or try their hand at Android development as a way to port their apps.

It seems like RIM is not sure themselves on how that will work though they do have a session at DevCon to show BlackBerry Java developers how to port their skills to Android Player development for the PlayBook. The API’s are not all there though RIM has confirmed that they will be bringing API’s like the BBM SDK to the native SDK but not yet confirmed for the Android Java runtime. The Android Java runtime also does not currently have access to interface with the Native SDK on the PlayBook to create immersive Android Java apps.

On one hand BlackBerry Java apps will be around for quite a few more years since BlackBerry 7 devices will have at least a 2 year life span. Still RIM’s vision for BBX clearly was not focused on Java. RIM has confirmed multiple times that they have dedicated themselves to supporting the BlackBerry Java platform but obviously RIM believes they have taken it as far as they can. You can see the things they are doing with the native SDK on BBX that they could only dream of doing on BlackBerry Java. On the other hand the Android Java alternative is quite a bit different than Java development when it comes to multitasking and other runtime differences for always on apps that RIM devs are used to.

If you are a BlackBerry Java dev I am really curious to hear what you think! You have to admit it is weird that there have been practically no BlackBerry Java development announcements at DevCon 2011 compared to it dominating DevCon 2010 with API’s and such.

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RIM Shows Off Android PlayBook APK Repackaging (Aka Porting)

 

We know that any Android developer can now start porting or better yet repackaging their Android APK files into apps that are easy to submit to App World. RIM showed off a simple app like Pulse but the took things a few steps further. They showed off an OpenGL game like Pool Break Pro that worked like a charm on the PlayBook. They also showed off IMDB working just by repackaging the APK file without any recompiling.

They showed off how it plugs in right with the Android tools with a RIM Eclipse plugin that just adds the ability to repackage into a Bar file and signing. Definitely something all Android devs should take a look at. Especially since it ties into all of the existing tools that Android devs already use.

Check out the microsite for the PlayBook Android Runtime if you are interested in more!

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RIM Teaching Android PlayBook Development to BlackBerry Java Developers

 

For awhile now I (and many other devs) have had a feeling that RIM might try to push BlackBerry smartphone Java developers into developing Android applications. The Android runtime on the PlayBook will be the first Java runtime for the PlayBook (and possibly QNX phones) and I know Java BlackBerry devs are paying attention. RIM has promised a Java Player for the PlayBook that should emulate BlackBerry Java apps but they have been pretty quiet about it.

Now I noticed in their session catalog for BlackBerry DevCon this month they have a session titled: “Android Development for BlackBerry Java Developers.”

Here is how RIM describes the session:

This session is targeted to BlackBerry Java developers interested in developing Android applications for the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet. Join us if you prefer to continue utilizing your Java skills, or you have a large codebase of an existing BlackBerry Java application that you want to port to the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet with minimum effort. A contrast will be made between the key BlackBerry and Android APIs, followed by break down of the porting process of an existing BlackBerry application.

This session is targeted to BlackBerry Java developers interested in developing Android applications for the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet. Join us if you prefer to continue utilizing your Java skills, or you have a large codebase of an existing BlackBerry Java application that you want to port to the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet with minimum effort. A contrast will be made between the key BlackBerry and Android APIs, followed by break down of the porting process of an existing BlackBerry application.

It seems like RIM is going to help developers in the process of porting their BlackBerry Java apps to the PlayBook using the Android player. That is an interesting move for RIM since it would require them in the future to expand the native APIs (advertising, analytics, push, etc) for the Android Player which they claim they do not plan on doing…

On the other hand RIM will be having two of their employees giving this session on porting to Android:

The key takeaways for the session are:

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RIM Makes BBM Social SDK Updates Official for Java and WebWorks

We told you yesterday about this update but it seems like RIM has finally gotten around to announcing it. RIM has made the new BBM Social SDK 1.0 for Java official so you can now submit apps to App World with these features. They have also made the BBM Social SDK for WebWorks available in public beta so it does not look like you will be able to submit those apps but you can get started developing them.

The catch is that RIM will not make apps using the BBM Social API available for sale until BBM 6 is publicly available outside of App World. This is because BBM 6 is required for the SDK and APIs to work. RIM is saying that apps submitted and approved by July 8th will be available when BBM 6 launches. That means BBM 6 is right around the corner!

Check out more details about the announcement on RIM’s devblog including download links:

More details from RIM’s announcement:

Today Research In Motion (RIM) announced the global availability of the BlackBerry® Messenger (BBM™) Social Platform SDK 1.0 for BlackBerry Java final version and the BlackBerry® Messenger (BBM™) Social Platform SDK 1.0 for BlackBerry WebWorks™ first public beta version. The BBM Social Platform SDK is the toolset which enables developers to build a new class of super apps that leverage the power of the BBM social interactions. BBM has over 45 million active users world-wide and is growing at over 2 million active users per month.

The SDKs give Java and web developers access to new APIs that enable them to deeply integrate BBM social interactions in their apps, providing better differentiation. They can also leverage a powerful paradigm for app monetization through the viral distribution channel represented by the conversations of 45 million BBM users. They can build highly socially engaging apps including multimedia, gaming, location-based services (LBS), VoIP, video and commerce that now bring users’ friends, families, and colleagues into those experiences. Within those apps, not only can users connect and chat with BBM contacts but they can also share application achievements and content in real time.

BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) Social Platform SDK 1.0 for BlackBerry Java

The final version of the BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) Social Platform SDK 1.0 for Blackberry Java adds a few changes and refinements to the platform since the last beta refresh in the spring of this year. These additions further equip BlackBerry to be the mobile platform of choice for delivering social applications and experiences. Below are a few of the APIs new in this release that enable developers to deliver engaging and interactive social experiences:

· The ability for an application to receive invitations from other users who are not on their contact list.

· Contact picker UI changed to improve the selection of multiple contacts and for initiating a multi-user chat.

· The ability to send a join invitation to a user who does not have the app installed. 

· A new API to determine whether the app is running on the test platform or production platform.

Developers can already get started and download the final version of the BBM Social Platform  SDK 1.0 for BlackBerry Java now available from BlackBerry Developer Zone  at http://us.blackberry.com/developers/blackberrymessenger/ to create the new build for their apps. BBM 6 will support apps using the BBM Social Platform.

BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) Social Platform SDK 1.0 for BlackBerry WebWorks

At its first public beta the BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) Social Platform SDK 1.0 for BlackBerry WebWorks adds full support to the BlackBerry WebWorks platform and brings the amazing features of the BBM Social Platform to web developers. Now they can add social features to their web application through the following APIs:

· access and update fields in the user’s BBM profile such as status, avatar and personal message

· create their own custom areas within the user’s BBM profile for promoting recent application activity or storing trophies and achievements

· initiate BBM chats with friends

· initiate BBM file transfers

· share applications virally with friends in their contact list

· initiate application-to-application background communication through BBM for sending and receiving application data, such as game moves, or alternatively, leverage this communication channel for enabling in-app chat

The beta version for BlackBerry WebWorks can be downloaded from the BlackBerry Developer Zone at http://us.blackberry.com/developers/blackberrymessenger/

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