Research In Motion has delivered a new version of its BlackBerry WebWorks software development kit for Tablet OS.
Research
In Motion has released version 2.1 of the BlackBerry WebWorks SDK for Tablet
OS.
This
new release adds new APIs and application functionality for developers to
create WebWorks applications that deliver a richer, more interactive end user
experience. Developers can learn more about how to get started and download the
latest WebWorks
SDK for Tablet OS.
The
BlackBerry WebWorks SDK is the toolset that supports developers who build
applications using standard web technologies for the BlackBerry WebWorks
Platform. BlackBerry WebWorks is RIM's open source, mobile web platform that
enables developers to build standalone, integrated applications for BlackBerry
devices, RIM officials said.
The
new APIs include support for the BlackBerry In App Payment API
so developers can include In App Payment Services as part of their
applications. This enables them to sell digital goods directly from their
BlackBerry PlayBook applications, RIM said.
Moreover,
with the new release, developers can now further integrate their applications
with the functionality of the Tablet OS for PlayBook and can create new
BlackBerry experiences that leverage the PlayBook's professional grade
features. Among the new APIs that enable deeper integration are the Camera API
for taking pictures and videotaping from within the WebWorks applications with
the PlayBook's powerful dual HD cameras; the Microphone API
which developers can use to activate the capability to record audio with the
PlayBook's microphone; the Identity API,
which provides applications with the ability to retrieve information about the
BlackBerry PlayBook PIN; and the File IO API
which gives developers the possibility to read, copy and write files onto the
Tablet OS file system, RIM officials said.
Moreover,
RIM said in addition to JavaScript, many Tablet OS WebWorks APIs can now be
called using Asynchronous JavaScript and X M L (AJAX), which allows for
increased development flexibility for developers who prefer a RESTful or
Uniform Resource Identifier (URI)
implementation.
In
addition, RIM said the new File Properties API,
Home Screen Category and App Securities Permissions also enable deeper app
integration with the BlackBerry PlayBook and expand development choices.
Meanwhile,
to help developers with a smooth transition to version 2.1 of the BlackBerry
WebWorks SDK, RIM has also updated the API Reference
Guide and included an additional mechanism to call some of the WebWorks
APIs.
The
release of the new version of the BlackBerry WebWorks SDK also provides an
opportunity for developers to create new or update existing applications and
submit them to the BlackBerry Developer Challenge 2011 - "Most Innovative
BlackBerry WebWorks app on the BlackBerry PlayBook and BlackBerry 6"
competition, which is open until August 26. More information about the
challenge and prizing valued at $3 million is available at http://www.blackberry.com/developers/challenge.
Darryl K. Taft covers the development tools and developer-related issues beat from his office in Baltimore. He has more than 10 years of experience in the business and is always looking for the next scoop. Taft is a member of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) and was named 'one of the most active middleware reporters in the world' by The Middleware Co. He also has his own card in the 'Who's Who in Enterprise Java' deck.
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