PRESS RELEASE: RIM Announces Java SDK to Support New BlackBerry 6
on Tuesday, August 3, 2010
User
Interface Enhancements, Web Kit Browser Support and New Services Make it
Easier
to Build Compelling and Fresh Applications for BlackBerry Smartphones
Waterloo, ON – Research In Motion
(RIM) (NASDAQ: RIMM; TSX: RIM) today announced a new Java SDK to support
BlackBerry® 6, a highly anticipated new operating system for BlackBerry®
smartphones. BlackBerry® Java SDK v6.0 takes advantage of new UI
features,
offers deeper integration with BlackBerry smartphones, access to new and
enhanced services and support for rendering and porting content to the
new
WebKit-based browser.
BlackBerry Java SDK
v6.0 focuses on providing developers with powerful tools that enable
them to
create rich, visually appealing applications on the BlackBerry®
Application
Platform and make it easier to integrate capabilities that have
traditionally
been difficult for developers. The BlackBerry developer community can
now
access more than 40 new APIs that allow them to build visually rich and
deeply
integrated applications that take advantage of the new features in BlackBerry
6.
“The
opportunity for developers to create applications that tie to core
applications
and features of the BlackBerry Application Platform has never been
greater,” said David Yach, Chief Technology Officer, Software at
Research
In Motion. “Our veteran developers, as well as those who are new to the
BlackBerry platform, are going to be thrilled with the new APIs as well
as the
sleek and powerful user interface.”
Richer User
Interfaces
The BlackBerry Java
SDK v6.0 supports the fresh new look in the BlackBerry 6 user interface
(UI)
with new pre-built UI elements including contextual menus, tables,
lists,
inertial scrolling, activity progress indicators, pane managers, tool
bars,
title bars and sub menus.
BlackBerry
Browser with WebKit
The
new browser in BlackBerry 6 leverages a WebKit rendering engine and
developers
will be able to build dynamic web sites and rich mobile applications as
well as
advanced widgets that can be seamlessly integrated with the browser and
core
native applications. BlackBerry Widgets and web applications designed
for the BlackBerry
Browser v 5.0 will be forward compatible to the new browser.
HTML5
Support
With
the added support of HTML5 in the new BlackBerry 6 Browser, web
developers will
be able to create content for BlackBerry smartphones that is run through
the
web, including compelling games and interactive media with 3D graphics
in real
time and more.
Native
Feature Integration
Developers
can use new APIs to more deeply integrate their applications with
various
aspects of a BlackBerry smartphone’s core functionality. The Unified
Search Framework API will allow developers to register their application
and
their content partners to be searchable, as well as provide a mechanism
for
in-app search. The Mapfield API has been redesigned to provide enhanced
features including panning, zooming, my location and convenience
toolbars.
Developers can call the Mapfield API to customize the look of location
data and
can use multiple mapfields simultaneously on the same screen for added
user
benefits.
Location
Service Enhancements
The
Location Service has been enhanced with a Wi-Fi® Geolocation API,
allowing
developers to build applications that leverage a handset's location
based on
its proximity to Wi-Fi networks. The API builds on the LBS features
already
available to developers through cell tower location and GPS. Reverse
Geocoding
now allows applications to leverage zip/postal codes to obtain local
information. The Travel Time API brings estimated time of arrival (ETA)
information into applications. The ETA is based on anonymous real-time
crowd
sourced data combined with historical traffic information.
BlackBerry
Java SDK v6.0 is available for download at www.blackberry.com/developers/
More information about BlackBerry 6 can be found at www.blackberry.com/developers/
.
About Research In Motion
(RIM)
Research In Motion is a leading
designer, manufacturer and marketer of innovative wireless solutions for
the
worldwide mobile communications market. Through the development of
integrated
hardware, software and services that support multiple wireless network
standards, RIM provides platforms and solutions for seamless access to
time-sensitive information including email, phone, SMS messaging,
Internet and intranet-based
applications. RIM technology also enables a broad array of third party
developers and manufacturers to enhance their products and services with
wireless connectivity to data. RIM’s portfolio of award-winning
products,
services and embedded technologies are used by thousands of
organizations
around the world and include the BlackBerry® wireless platform, the RIM
Wireless Handheld™ product line, software development tools,
radio-modems
and software/hardware licensing agreements. Founded in 1984 and based in
Waterloo, Ontario, RIM operates offices in North America, Europe, Asia
Pacific, and Latin America. RIM is listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market
(NASDAQ:
RIMM) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: RIM). For more information,
visit www.rim.com or www.blackberry.com.
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