Research In Motion has launched the beta version of its BlackBerry WebWorks SDK for Tablet OS alongside new services and developer tools for BlackBerry smartphones running the version 6 operating system. Drawing on collaboration with the open source community, the WebWorks platform is intended to allow web and mobile developers to use the SDK in combination with their web development tools of choice.
“With BlackBerry WebWorks, developers will be able to use standard web technologies to build integrated applications. The GitHub open source project around BlackBerry WebWorks means more support for developers, enabling them to participate in defining the future of this platform and tooling. We are also excited to launch the new Payment service for BlackBerry smartphones, along with enhancements to the Push Service and an update of the Java Plug-in for Eclipse,” said David Yach, CTO for Software at Research In Motion.
The BlackBerry WebWorks SDK for Tablet OS provides the following developer benefits:
- RIM's WebKit web rendering engine (which is at the core of WebWorks) supporting the latest web technology standards including HTML5, CSS, and JavaScript.
- Deep access to device capabilities and components such as native dialogs, application invocation and system information.
- A command-line tool that allows developers to use their favorite web development environment to develop WebWorks applications.
- The capability to automatically transform a W3C widget archive file containing web assets into a BlackBerry WebWorks application package.
A new webcast series to help developers create BlackBerry WebWorks applications for the BlackBerry PlayBook will start on February 1, 2011. Developers will get first hand details on how to install tools, set up development environments, create their first application, and test applications on the simulator.
