RIM Distributes BlackBerry 10 Developer Toolkit

ORLANDO—RIM today unveiled its new BlackBerry 10 operating system. Not to be overshadowed, the company has also released an initial developer toolkit for native and HTML5 software development.

"Developers building for BlackBerry 10 will be able to easily create the kind of cutting-edge apps that deliver truly engaging experiences and 'wow' customers, whether through integration with native features and other apps like BBM or by leveraging the new signature design elements of this new and powerful mobile computing platform," Alec Saunders, vice president of developer relations and ecosystems development, said here at BlackBerry World.

According to Christopher Smith, vice president of handheld application platform and tools, "developers can use this first beta of the tools to get started building apps for BlackBerry 10 and as the tools evolve over the coming months, developers will have access to a rich API set that will allow them to build even more integrated apps… BlackBerry 10 will empower developers to create attractive and compelling apps that excite customers."

The toolkit includes the BlackBerry 10 Native SDK with Cascades, which allows developers to build graphics intensive applications without having to write graphics code. And the Native SDK for BlackBerry 10 has a large set of APIs that give developers access to core device features and a range of BlackBerry application services, such as Push and Payment services.

The toolkit also includes support for HTML5 application developers with the BlackBerry 10 WebWorks SDK, which allows developers to create native-like applications using common Web-programming technologies.

To help developers get started on the BlackBerry 10 platform, RIM is distributing a BlackBerry 10 Dev Alpha device at BlackBerry World. This testing unit will provide the developer community with the tools needed to build applications for BB10 devices, so that they are ready when the first BB10-powered devices launch "in the latter part of 2012."

The developer toolkit is available in beta as a free download from developer.blackberry.com. Applications created with any of the BB10 tools will run on BlackBerry 10 smartphones as well as the BlackBerry PlayBook when it receives and update to the new OS.

While it's true that current BlackBerry devices have suffered a massive dip in popularity, partially due to the lack of available, quality third-party apps, we still haven't seen a whole lot of BlackBerry 10 itself today. This morning's presentation, and most of the events scheduled for the next few days, are all focused on development.

Check back with PCMag for a hands on look at the BlackBerry 10 Dev Alpha device later today (Update: Check it out here). Also see see Ears On With the New BlackBerry Music Gateway and What to Expect at BlackBerry World.

About Our Expert

Alex Colon

Executive Editor, Reviews

My Experience

I’m PCMag’s executive editor of reviews, steering our coverage to make sure we're testing the products you're interested in buying and telling you whether they're worth it. I've been here for more than 10 years. I previously managed the consumer electronics reviews team, and before that, I covered mobile, smart home, and wearable technology for PCMag and Gigaom.

My Areas of Expertise

I’ve written hundreds of reviews of cell phones, fitness trackers, robot vacuums, smartwatches, and various other products.
I’ve also edited thousands of reviews and articles on consumer electronics technologies and products.

The Technology I Use

I’m writing this bio on my 24-inch blue iMac, which I initially bought for personal use, but quickly decided to use for work instead of my tiny, company-issued ThinkPad (sorry, IT team). The screen is big, bright, and sharp, and the speakers are surprisingly good considering how thin the machine is.

The other big screen in my life is a 65-inch LG C9 OLED TV. If you’re wondering whether OLED is worth the premium over LCD, I’m here to tell you that it is.

I’d be doing my beloved LG C9 a disservice if I didn’t have it hooked up to a capable sound system, so I have a Sonos Beam sitting on a media console underneath the TV, and two Sonos Ones set up as rear channels for surround sound. If you’re a Sonos user, I highly recommend adding the Sonos Sub to your setup. It’s definitely a little more expensive than it should be, but it's truly money well spent.

Of course, as an editor, I also do plenty of reading that isn’t related to work, and I love to sit down with a good, old-fashioned, paper-and-ink book. But when carrying a book isn’t convenient, I break out my first-generation Kindle Paperwhite, which is still working just fine nearly 10 years in.

With 15 years of experience in tech, Alex guides PCMag's product testing to help you decide what's worth buying and how to get the most out of it.

Read the latest from Alex Colon

Read full bio