RIM has announced today that they have introduced v2.1 of the BlackBerry WebWorks SDK for the BlackBerry PlayBook Tablet OS. This release adds new APIs and application functionality which developers can easily leverage to create WebWorks applications that deliver a richer, more interactive end user experience. The new APIs include more ways for developers to accomplish more within their PlayBook applications including:
- More Ways to Monetize: With support for the BlackBerry In App Payment API developers can now include In App Payment Services as part of their applications. This enables them to sell digital goods directly from their BlackBerry PlayBook applications.
- More Ways to Integrate: Developers can now further integrate their applications with the functionality of the Tablet OS for PlayBook and can create new BlackBerry experiences that leverage the PlayBook's professional grade features. Among the new APIs that enable deeper integration are the Camera API for taking pictures/video taping from within the WebWorks applications with the PlayBook's powerful dual HD cameras; the Microphone API which developers can use to activate the capability to record audio with the PlayBook's microphone; the Identity API provides applications with the ability to retrieve information about the BlackBerry PlayBook PIN; and the File IO API which gives developers the possibility to read, copy and write files onto the Tablet OS file system.
- More Development Choices: In addition to JavaScript, many Tablet OS WebWorks APIs can now be called using AJAX which allows for increased development flexibility for developers who prefer a RESTful or URI implementation.
To help developers with a smooth transition to version 2.1 of the BlackBerry WebWorks SDK, RIM has also updated the API Reference Guide and included an additional mechanism to call some of the WebWorks APIs. To learn more about how to get started and download the latest WebWorks SDK for Tablet OS.
