IM to Bring the Power of the Web to BlackBerry Application Development
BlackBerry Developer Conference – Santa Clara, CA – Research In Motion (RIM) (Nasdaq: RIMM; TSX: RIM) today announced plans to introduce powerful new tools and technologies for web application developers to build highly-responsive, interactive, standalone web applications on BlackBerry® smartphones. The new tools and technologies will include a new plug-in for Eclipse developers and new features for the BlackBerry® Plug-in for Microsoft® Visual Studio® that support web development capabilities; as well as support for Gears, enabling web applications to run as standalone applications on BlackBerry smartphones.
“As the BlackBerry Browser evolves to provide customers with a richer, more desktop-like experience, we are introducing powerful new web development tools and technologies to help developers create a more robust and optimal web experience for BlackBerry smartphone users,” said Alan Brenner, Senior Vice President, BlackBerry Platform at Research In Motion. “Supporting web technologies and services is part of our ongoing commitment to providing best-in-class tools and services for mobile application development on the BlackBerry platform.”
New Developer Tools for Web Development, planned for availability in 2009, include a new plug-in for Eclipse developers and new features for the BlackBerry Plug-in for Microsoft Visual Studio that support web development capabilities, enabling developers to create rich, dynamic BlackBerry applications that leverage the push capabilities, security and efficiency of the BlackBerry® platform. Developers will be able to build applications using HTML, JavaScript and XML that get packaged and executed as native Java applications on BlackBerry smartphones.
Gears Support, planned for availability in 2009, will enable developers to create highly-responsive, standalone web applications on BlackBerry smartphones that can be used both in and out of network coverage. Support for Gears will include local cache, database and multi-threaded JavaScript execution, which allows web application functions to run in the background.
RIM also separately announced the availability of BlackBerry Web Signals today, which leverages BlackBerry push APIs to enable content providers to push relevant and timely alerts to BlackBerry® smartphone users based on a customer’s opt-in preferences.
About Research In Motion (RIM)
Research In Motion is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of innovative wireless solutions for the worldwide mobile communications market. Through the development of integrated hardware, software and services that support multiple wireless network standards, RIM provides platforms and solutions for seamless access to time-sensitive information including email, phone, SMS messaging, Internet and intranet-based applications. RIM technology also enables a broad array of third party developers and manufacturers to enhance their products and services with wireless connectivity to data. RIM’s portfolio of award-winning products, services and embedded technologies are used by thousands of organizations around the world and include the BlackBerry® wireless platform, the RIM Wireless Handheld™ product line, software development tools, radio-modems and software/hardware licensing agreements. Founded in 1984 and based in Waterloo, Ontario, RIM operates offices in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. RIM is listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market (Nasdaq: RIMM) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: RIM). For more information, visit www.rim.com or www.blackberry.com.