BlackBerry developers have just been given some more tools as RIM has announced the availability of the BBM Social SDK 1.0 for BlackBery Java and BBM Social SDK 1.0 for BlackBerry WebWorks. The new SDK's being provided will allow developers to access new APIs that enable them to deeply integrate BBM social interactions in their apps, as we've most recently seen from ScoreMobile and Foursquare. Full details and download links are past the break.
BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) Social Platform SDK 1.0 for BlackBerry Java
The final version of the BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) Social Platform SDK 1.0 for Blackberry Java adds a few changes and refinements to the platform since the last beta refresh in the spring of this year. These additions further equip BlackBerry to be the mobile platform of choice for delivering social applications and experiences. Below are a few of the APIs new in this release that enable developers to deliver engaging and interactive social experiences:
- The ability for an application to receive invitations from other users who are not on their contact list.
- Contact picker UI changed to improve the selection of multiple contacts and for initiating a multi-user chat.
- The ability to send a join invitation to a user who does not have the app installed.
- A new API to determine whether the app is running on the test platform or production platform.
Developers can already get started and download the final version of the BBM Social Platform SDK 1.0 for BlackBerry Java now available from BlackBerry Developer Zone at http://us.blackberry.com/developers/blackberrymessenger/ to create the new build for their apps. BBM 6 will support apps using the BBM Social Platform.
BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) Social Platform SDK 1.0 for BlackBerry WebWorks
At its first public beta the BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) Social Platform SDK 1.0 for BlackBerry WebWorks adds full support to the BlackBerry WebWorks platform and brings the amazing features of the BBM Social Platform to web developers. Now they can add social features to their web application through the following APIs:
- Access and update fields in the user’s BBM profile such as status, avatar and personal message
- Create their own custom areas within the user’s BBM profile for promoting recent application activity or storing trophies and achievements
- Initiate BBM chats with friends
- Initiate BBM file transfers
- Share applications virally with friends in their contact list
- Initiate application-to-application background communication through BBM for sending and receiving application data, such as game moves, or alternatively, leverage this communication channel for enabling in-app chat
The beta version for BlackBerry WebWorks can be downloaded from the BlackBerry Developer Zone at http://us.blackberry.com/developers/blackberrymessenger/
To learn more about the BBM Social Platform SDK 1.0 for BlackBerry Java and the BBM Social Platform SDK 1.0 for BlackBerry WebWorks and how developers can submit their apps to App World go to http://devblog.blackberry.com/2011/06/bbm-sdk-for-java and http://devblog.blackberry.com/2011/06/bbm-sdk-for-webworks respectively.
A new 5G BlackBerry Android smartphone with a keyboard will arrive in 2021
A new joint announcement from BlackBerry, OnwardMobility, and FIH Mobile lays out the plans for a new 5G BlackBerry Android smartphone with a physical keyboard to be brought to market in North America, and Europe within the first half of 2021.