RIM released an updated BlackBerry Java Plug-In for Eclipse v1.1 and the BlackBerry Web Plug-in v2.0. Adding to this RIM has also released BlackBerry Widget SDK (Software Development Kit) v1.0 and the BlackBerry Java SDK v5.0. With these new tools developer will be able to build web-based BlackBerry Widgets or Java applications that can seamlessly share information across and interact with core BlackBerry applications or other third party applications. These applications can be integrate with a BlackBerry Smartphone’s inbox, calendar, address book and other native BlackBerry applications to deliver a highly engaging user experience.

BlackBerry Java Plug-In for Eclipse v1.1

• Enables Java developers to leverage a familiar open source development environment (Eclipse 3.5) to create, debug, profile and simulate their applications using a wide selection of BlackBerry smartphone simulators, actual devices and multiple versions of the BlackBerry OS
• Improved productivity features include the ability to instantly load and immediately run a modified application being debugged without having to reset the simulator or device, providing tremendous time savings.

For more information on the Java Plug-in v1.1, visit www.blackberry.com/developers/java11.

BlackBerry Web Plug-In v2.0

• BlackBerry Web Plug-ins are now available for both Eclipse and Microsoft Visual Studio.
• Enables developers to easily create web applications (includes BlackBerry Widgets) and web content using standard web technology and programming languages (e.g., HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and AJAX)
• Enables JavaScript access to core BlackBerry Java API’s.
• New features in the latest 2.0 release include BlackBerry Widget debugging and profiling, support for Eclipse 3.5, and simulator “hot swap” to greatly reduce the time required to test and debug between iterations.

For more information on the BlackBerry Web Plug-In v 2.0, visit www.blackberry.com/developers/web20

BlackBerry Java SDK v5.0

• OpenGL ES support for 3D graphics, touch-screen, and accelerometer enables visually stunning interactive 3D games
• Rich multimedia audio and video support, Media Play features, camera zoom and focus, and embedded video capture and audio/video streaming support.
• New pre-built UI components (e.g., spin-box fields, file pickers, and screen transitions) enable advanced graphics and built-in animation and increased developer productivity.
• SQLite support for data sharing across different applications, as well as Gears JavaScript API for persistent database storage.
• Location Based Services APIs enable cell-site geolocation, GPS, geocoding and reverse geocoding to obtain address and location information

For more information on the Java SDK v5.0, visit www.blackberry.com/developers/java50

BlackBerry Widget SDK v1.0

• Allows third-party applications to access the calendar, contacts, camera, maps, messaging, browser, files, location via cell-tower or GPS, and receive BlackBerry push content via BlackBerry Widget APIs
• Includes navigation support for touch-screen handsets and screen transition and image transition support for BlackBerry Widgets startup and shutdown
• Location-Based Services and SQLite / Google Gears enabled persistent data storage is also available for BlackBerry Widgets.
• The widget architecture allows for extensibility by letting a third party developer develop their own JavaScript extensions, for use and distribution within a BlackBerry Widget.

For more information about the BlackBerry Widget SDK, visit www.blackberry.com/developers/widgets