Research In Motion Revises Software Development Kits for BlackBerry Tablets and Smartphones

Research In Motion has released new developer tools for those who want to write applications for BlackBerry smartphones and tablets.

On Wednesday the company unveiled version 2.0 of its BlackBerry Software Development Kits (SDKs) for the Tablet OS, and Smartphones, which will allow you people code applications for both platforms using web technologies such as HTML 5 CSS3 and JavaScript. BlackBerry smartphones using the BlackBerry operating system, but the pills run on another operating system, based on the QNX microkernel.

This is the first time the SDK for both platforms shared the same version number, and, according to RIM's "first step towards convergence of BlackBerry SDKs WebWorks and BlackBerry OS comfortable WebWorks SDKs for Smartphone.

"Our development teams have spent considerable time re-architecture of the structure to prepare BlackBerry WebWorks to bring the two platforms together," RIM said in a blog. According to the Post, the JavaScript API are separated from the operating system, so that developers can "easily change and improve the existing API and package your BlackBerry WebWorks," and the entire framework and all its WebWorks API Now , open source and available on GitHub.

In a separate post, RIM said it had also released the final version of the SDK for developers to write applications for Adobe AIR Tablet BlackBerry OS. The SDK contains playbook API, plug-in for Adobe Flash Builder and Simulator playbook. As AIR applications, Android applications can also run a playbook, RIM said earlier.

Mothers Day 2011 in the BlackBerry Applications

Today is a special day where all mothers get all extra special treat or meal just to say thanks for all their work throughout the year. To complete you celebrate the Mothers Day, BlackBerry has some applications for Mothers Day 2011.

Food Pairing and Curiosk Wine is one of BlackBerry applications which helps you match up food with wines. This  BlackBerry application will prove great if you are preparing that special meal with your mummy, and will ensure you choose the best wine to accompany your food. There is no monthly fee, and an internet connection is not needed for use. This can be found on the BlackBerry Applications World for $2.99.

Healthy Recipes.  Recipes From SparkRecipes is a free application which offers users recipes that not only saves money, but will also help you lose weight. There are almost 200,000 to choose from, and calories and carbs are provided for each one. For more information or to download head over to BlackBerry Applications World.

Greeting Cards Maker is an application for users to create and send special eCard. You can use images from the library or add your own, and once it is created save it and share with friends via email or Facebook. You can send cards for all different occasions besides Mothers Day. This application is available on the BlackBerry Applications World for $2.99.

RIM Backs Away from High-end Smartphones

Marvell in its financial results call on Friday may have given signs that RIM is stepping away from high-end BlackBerry phones. CEO Sehat Sutardja blamed a steeper than expected 34 percent revenue drop primarily on RIM moving to "entry-level smartphones," where Marvell doesn't have chips to offer. Most of Marvell's designs in the BlackBerry line have focused on flagships like the Bold and Torch.

Sutardja didn't say how much of the transition was already taking place or if it knew where RIM's business was going.

The transfer would support beliefs that RIM is increasingly turning to beginner smartphone owners or to those in developing countries. Android and iPhone sales go primarily to customers that can afford a smartphone-level subscription, BlackBerry customers can often pick a cheaper messaging only plan or use prepaid service. RIM's most popular phones for more than a year have been the Curve 8500 series and the Curve 3G, both phones that are often cheap on contract or inexpensive enough to be bought outright for a prepaid user.

RIM has been gradually losing share over the last several months and just at the start of the year sank to third place in terms of platform, just behind Google and Apple. It was symbolically outshipped by Apple twice in a row in the last two quarters of 2010.

RIM's departure may not be permanent. Its 2011 BlackBerry roadmap has revealed that many of its future phones, including flagships like the Storm3, are using Qualcomm's Snapdragon chips. The PlayBook is also using a Texas Instruments OMAP processor. RIM may primarily be phasing out Marvell out of discontent with its high-end roadmap and focusing on cheap phones in the short term.

Performance has been one of the most commonly cited flaws of BlackBerry phones in recent years. The complaints culminated with the launch of the Torch, which used a two-year old, 624MHz Marvell processor at a time when Apple, HTC and Motorola were all using modern 1GHz processors. Its problem was compounded when it opted to run the more demanding BlackBerry 6 platform on the phones; in some cases, it led to performance about half as fast as rivals and occasional sluggishness just in basic navigation.

Source: www.electronista.com