Blackberry

RIM adds BlackBerry app storefront, developer tools

Jason Ankeny — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 15:50:15 -0400

In conjunction with last week's BlackBerry Developer Conference, Research In Motion announced both a new online application storefront and a new on-device application center promising to help developers and operators more effectively reach BlackBerry smartphone users worldwide. According to RIM, the online app storefront will go live in March 2009, although developers may begin submitting their applications and content for inclusion on the site in December--the store will give developers the flexibility to set their own prices and award them 80 percent of revenues generated from sales of their apps. RIM will partner with online payment service PayPal to offer consumers a secure mechanism to purchase apps directly from their BlackBerry devices.

Research In Motion adds it is also collaborating with its carrier partners to provide operator-customized, on-device application centers to nurture after-market application downloads. RIM has already launched an on-device distribution system for individual software applications, most notably the Facebook for BlackBerry Smartphones application. According to leaked information obtained by enthusiast community Crackberry.com, the on-device BlackBerry Application Center will make its debut via the BlackBerry Storm version 4.7 operating system.

In other RIM news, the handset maker announced new versions of various BlackBerry developer tools, including a new public beta of the BlackBerry JDE Plug-in for Eclipse, which promises deeper integration with Eclipse and standard Java projects, pre-processing capabilities supporting a multi-build environment and support for the BlackBerry JDE component pack version 4.3.0 to version 4.7.0. Also noteworthy: New releases of the BlackBerry Plug-in for Microsoft Visual Studio (enabling integration of customized mobile applications with core BlackBerry smartphone applications as well as compatibility with Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 and Windows Vista), BlackBerry MDS Studio (including support for collaborative development, fully integrated JavaScript debugging, hotkeys, mobile application access controls and GPS location notifications) and Plazmic Content Developer's Kit for the BlackBerry platform (offering support for the BlackBerry Bold and BlackBerry Pearl Flip smartphones as well as animated content creation).

RIM additionally touted the launch of BlackBerry Web Signals, which promises to leverage its push technology to automatically notify smartphone users when relevant content is published and enable one-click access to online information. According to RIM, BlackBerry Web Signals offers content providers a range of new services connecting consumers to news, weather, sports, entertainment and financial information based on their opt-in preferences, promising users will spend less time searching the mobile web. BlackBerry partners--including Thumbplay, the CBC and Dada Entertainment--are already planning Web Signals-based services.

For more on RIM's new efforts:
- read this release

BlackBerry Partners Fund contest winners named

Jason Ankeny — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 15:30:13 -0400

The BlackBerry Partners Fund announced the grand prize winners of its developer challenge. The fund--a $150 million venture capital effort formed to focus on applications and services for Research In Motion's BlackBerry and other mobile platforms--awarded top honors to three applications:

Poynt (Developed by Multiplied Media): A free location-based search tool that connects users to nearby businesses, movie theatres and retailers and includes such features like target site browsing, interactive maps, driving directions, GPS compatibility, show times, movie railers and ticket purchase.
Strands Social Player (Developed by Strands Inc.): An integrated, social-networking themed music player that enables users to discover new music, connect with fellow listeners and share their tastes with friends in addition to providing cover art, artist info and song recommendations from a catalog spanning 6 million tracks.
Nobex Radio Companion (Developed by Nobex Technologies): Another music application, this one showing you which song is playing on any of 2700 radio stations--if listeners discovers a song they like, they may click the "Get It!" button, which transmits an email with a link to purchase the track.

All three winners will receive a $150,000 investment from the BlackBerry Partners Fund and are entered into its "Jump Start" early-stage program. The grand prize winners were selected from a pool of 15 finalists.

For more on the BlackBerry Partners Fund grand prize winners:
- read this release
- See screenshots of the winners

DeviceAnywhere adds BlackBerry to app dev services

Jason Ankeny — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 08:02:32 -0400

Mobile application development solutions provider DeviceAnywhere announced its membership in the BlackBerry Independent Software Vendor Alliance Program, promising developers worldwide an efficient new mechanism for application development on the Research In Motion platform. According to DeviceAnywhere, developers may access up to 100 live BlackBerry smartphones spanning 16 different carriers, offering an environment to conduct all stages of application creation, testing, porting and monitoring. The DeviceAnywhere service now provides access to more than 1500 real mobile handsets in all, each connected to live networks for remote access over the web--BlackBerry devices available via the service include the BlackBerry Bold and Curve series smartphones, with new handsets added on a continuous basis.

For more on DeviceAnywhere's BlackBerry services:
- read this release

Related articles:
DeviceAnywhere intros T-Mobile Virtual Developer Lab
DeviceAnywhere debuts Palm Virtual Developer Lab

RIM to launch BlackBerry Application Center

Jason Ankeny — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 13:26:52 -0400

Device maker Research In Motion is poised to introduce the BlackBerry Application Center, a virtual software storefront to rival Apple's App Store and Google's Android Market. According to leaked information obtained by enthusiast community Crackberry.com, the on-device BlackBerry Application Center--which will make its debut via the BlackBerry Storm version 4.7 operating system--will enable users to discover, browse and install third-party BlackBerry apps hosted by mobile operators, serving as the primary interface between the consumer and the carrier's directory of downloadable software.

The BlackBerry Application Center promises one-click, browser-based installation--users will only see applications available for their specific device model and OS version, with related information for each app including full descriptions, the date of the most recent software update and alerts when new updates become available. Carriers will assume responsibility for hosting application data and sending updates to a RIM-hosted server backend.

Last month, mobile content and applications provider MobiHand announced a partnership with CrackBerry.com to launch their own on-device application storefront for BlackBerry smartphone users. The digital retail portal enables consumers to browse and search thousands of applications optimized for their particular Research In Motion-produced device, and will integrate with the BlackBerry Wallet m-commerce service to simplify to purchasing process. According to MobiHand, users may purchase applications in a single click, with over-the-air delivery following within seconds of registration. No word on how, if at all, the launch of an official, RIM-operated BlackBerry app service will impact MobiHand's rival effort.

For more on the BlackBerry Application Center:
- read this Crackberry.com article

Related articles:
MapQuest finds its way to BlackBerry
First BlackBerry Partners Fund investments on tap

RIM expands BlackBerry Developer Conference

Jason Ankeny — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 16:16:07 -0400

Research In Motion offered up new details about its BlackBerry Developer Conference, taking place Oct. 20 through 22 in Santa Clara, California. According to RIM, the developer community event will now feature five tracks, more than 75 sessions and presentations from the winners of the BlackBerry Partners Fund Developer Challenge (to be announced Oct. 21) alongside RIM staffers, industry technical experts and related thought leaders--developers may also sit down for pre-scheduled one-on-one meetings with RIM, network with fellow BlackBerry developers and attend hands-on workshops and roundtable discussions.

Scheduled highlights of this year's BlackBerry Developer Conference include the new track dubbed "Future Trends and Technologies for Mobile Developers," which will offer interactive sessions led by the RIM development team. The track will spotlight the future of wireless application development for the BlackBerry platform, with live demonstrations of new and upcoming tools as well as APIs. There are four other tracks:

• Managing Development and Deployment--Presentations by members of the developer community on creating customized build and testing environments as well as taking applications to market.
• The Ins and Outs of Java Development--The latest on the BlackBerry Java Development Environment, including practical insights and sample code reviews for mobile applications including rich media content, location-based services and tight integration with core applications on new BlackBerry smartphones.
• Next Generation Mobile Web Applications--How to extend web-based applications and content services to BlackBerry smartphone users via the Internet or a corporate intranet using AJAX, JavaScript and custom Java code.
• Mobile Applications for the Enterprise--Spanning the basics of integrating mobile applications with corporate application servers to developing, deploying and managing apps in conjunction with the BlackBerry Enterprise Solution.

Submission deadline for the BlackBerry Partners Fund Developer Challenge is Sept. 30. Prizes will be awarded in the categories of Most Innovative Game, Most Innovative Multimedia Application, Most Innovative Personal Productivity and Lifestyle Application, Most Innovative Enterprise Application and Most Innovative Web Application--three finalists will be chosen in each category, with two grand prize winners receiving a $150,000 investment from the BlackBerry Partners Fund. For more information about the competition, click here.

For more on the BlackBerry Developer Conference:
- read this release

Related articles:
Consumer confidence growing at RIM
RIM unveils BlackBerry platform updates

Google intros Search with My Location

Jason Ankeny — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 16:40:32 -0400

Google introduced Search with My Location, a new application optimized for the Windows Mobile OS promising a simpler and more efficient mobile search experience. According to the web services giant, previous google.com mobile search results were tailored to the previous location entered by the user--now, thanks to the Google Gears Geolocation API, Search with My Location approximates real-world location via the same Cell ID technology used by Google maps for mobile, meaning a user who types "sushi" into their handset will receive local business listings. Google adds that Search with My Location does not associate user location with any personally identifiable information in an effort to maintain consumer privacy and security. Search with My Location will be initially debut in the U.S. and U.K. markets.

In related news, Google announced the launch of Google Mobile App for BlackBerry, a free download optimized for Research In Motion's BlackBerry device platform. Promising faster search and more efficient access to Maps, Gmail, News and related Google web-based services, Google Mobile App for BlackBerry also offers direct links to the user's Google Apps Calendar and Documents/Spreadsheets, as well as update alerts in association with new versions of other downloadable Google mobile apps.

For more on the new Google mobile apps:
- read the Google Mobile Blog or check out this Search with My Location video

Related articles:
Google names Android Developer Challenge winners
Google, Microsoft give the App Store a run for its money

RIM details BlackBerry's global expansion

Jason Ankeny — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 19:52:49 -0400

During its annual shareholder meeting last week, BlackBerry device maker Research In Motion outlined plans for international expansion as well as investments in new handsets and software. RIM co-CEO Jim Balsillie said it hopes to extend BlackBerry service into markets including Russia, Latin America, China and Southeast Asia, countering investor and analyst concerns the firm will be unable to sustain its history of expansion. Last month, RIM posted a profit outlook that fell shy of expectations despite more than doubling its quarterly earnings. RIM added it will also introduce new devices and applications as well as bolster R&D spending.

For more on RIM's outlook:
- read this DailyTech article

Related articles:
RIM to launch BlackBerry Developer Conference in fall
RIM unveils BlackBerry platform updates

BlackBerry OS 4.5 due in September

Jason Ankeny — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 19:11:30 -0400

Expect new features including push AOL email and Hotmail/MSN accounts when device maker Research In Motion releases its BlackBerry OS 4.5 in September. According to The Boy Genius Report, which secured a copy of a RIM slide presentation, all new BlackBerry devices launching prior to September will arrive with 4.5 software already installed--the upgraded OS will support a full list of downloadable attachments including .doc, .ppt., .xls, .wpd, .txt, .html, .pdf and .zip, and users may save all attachments including audio and video formats provided the file size does not exceed 3MB.

For more on the BlackBerry OS 4.5:
- read this Boy Genius Report article

Related articles:
RIM unveils BlackBerry platform updates
RIM to launch BlackBerry Developer Conference in fall

Microsoft: No Zune phone in the cards

Jason Ankeny — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 17:56:59 -0400

Despite soliciting feedback on how its Zune portable media device might more effectively interoperate with devices based on the Windows Mobile OS, Microsoft maintains there are no plans to release a so-called "Zune phone" anytime in the imminent future. In an interview with The San Francisco Chronicle, Microsoft's entertainment and devices division president Robbie Bach says the software giant is not working on a converged Zune/Windows Mobile device: "We continue driving the path we are driving with Windows Mobile and we are very excited about the approach we have taken this year. About 20 million devices will ship with Windows Mobile on it. We will outsell the iPhone. We will outsell the BlackBerry. We don't make phones ourselves. We don't have any plans to make phones ourselves. Our focus is on the belief that a phone is a very personal thing. Different people want different types of phones. We think that is going to continue, and we think Windows Mobile is in a great position to service all those different opportunities."

For more on Microsoft's mobile outlook:
- read this San Francisco Chronicle article

Related articles:
Sony Ericsson debuts Windows Mobile device
Microsoft files patent for new mobile user interface

RIM to launch BlackBerry Developer Conference in fall

Tue, 20 May 2008 06:59:58 -0400

Not to be outdone, rival device giant Research In Motion announced it will launch its own annual developer conference, scheduled to take place in Santa Clara, Calif. the week of October 20, 2008. The BlackBerry Developer Conference will provide commercial and corporate developers assistance and insight in building applications for RIM's BlackBerry platform alongside keynotes from mobile bigwigs, general sessions, roundtable discussions, hands-on workshops, networking opportunities and exhibits. Scheduled topics include "Building Powerful Enterprise Applications on the BlackBerry Platform," "Creating Captivating Applications and Services for Consumers," "Latest Development Tools," "Rich Internet Application Development" and "Integrating Location-Based Services." Click here for updates and registration information and check out the new BlackBerry Developer Video Library for related instructional videos.

For more on the BlackBerry Developer Conference:
-read this release

Related articles:
Survey: BlackBerry tops smartphone user survey
Facebook sells stake to Microsoft, partners with RIM
Motorola Q, BlackBerry Pearl top Handango Yardstick