RIM has announced that the new BlackBerry Widget Software Development Kit (SDK) is now available for download. This SDK would allow developers to build web-based apps that take advantage of BlackBerry’s advanced features and functionality.

A BlackBerry Widget uses the BlackBerry® Browser engine torender an application’s user interface using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.Developers are able to use existing web content to create BlackBerry Widgetsand extend the capabilities of their web applications using BlackBerry WidgetAPIs.

Using the new BlackBerry Widget APIs, developers can, forexample, create seamless interaction between a widget and the BlackBerry emailand calendar applications, create widgets with the ability to view or editfiles and documents stored on the smartphone, access location-based services orthe media player, and more. Developers can also take advantage of RIM’s uniquepush technology, enabling dynamic widgets that can run in the background andprovide proactive alerts to users in a timely manner.

“BlackBerry Widgets open up a world of opportunities fordevelopers to build and bring to market web applications for BlackBerrysmartphones that offer advanced, integrated functionality and an always-on userexperience,” said Alan Brenner, senior vice president, BlackBerry platforms atRIM. “We are very excited by the prospects of this new widget developmentplatform which combines the ease of development of standard web languages withthe rich functionality of Java development.”

One thing about this announcement that stuck out to me is that in order for the BlackBerry Widgets to work the device must be running OS 5.0. Yesterday I mentioned that BBM 5.0 is rumored to be launching tomorrow, this too has features that require a BlackBerry to be running OS 5.0 in order for them to work. Does anyone else see where this is going?

For more info and to download the BlackBerry Widgets SDK visit blackberry.com/developers/widget or check out the press release after the jump.

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This one totally snuck by me last week.

CrackBerry Kevin let us know about a video evaluation put together by equity analyst Chris Umiastowski in regards to how BlackBerry is doing compared to Apple with its core features. Here are some things from the video that Kevin pointed out:

• RIM acknowledges it needs to improve panning and zooming within the web browser and that the issue is an on-device one – it has nothing to do with connecting through the NOC. The key issue is memory management (not enough device RAM). RIM says it’s a fixable problem and expects to have a browser on par with the iPhone’s Safari browser by next summer.
• Javascript support will be enabled by default within the web browser this fall. Currently it ships with the JS support setting disabled (enabling JS support tends to slow things down… remember my Bold’s Buggered browsers post which was written nearly a year ago?).
• And very interestingly, RIM gave a reason as to why WiFi on a BlackBerry can often be very slow (not any quicker than using Edge/3G). Apparently RIM has diagnosed the culprit and it has to do with being too conservative on BlackBerry battery management in that the device puts the WiFi radio to sleep too often. Not many details are given here (other than devices being released in upcoming launches should hopefully have much faster WiFi transfer rates) but it’s quite possible that if you’re using your WiFi browser at the same time that you’re connected to Edge/3G but your device doesn’t seem to be browsing any faster than if WiFi was turned off, that well, WiFi may actually be asleep and you are actually on Edge/3G.

I think RIM is definitely making some smart moves with its BlackBerry development. What do you guys think?

via TD Securities & CrackBerry

Today RIM announced their new and enhanced tools for developing web apps for BlackBerry smartphones.

The BlackBerry Web Development Plug-in for Eclipse, available today at www.blackberry.com/developers/webeclipse, is a new plug-in that allows developers to create web applications and content for BlackBerry smartphones within the familiar Eclipse 3.4 environment. Using this plug-in, developers can debug and profile Internet/intranet web pages displaying HTML and CSS content in addition to more complex rich internet applications using AJAX, Silverlight, PHP, ASP, Ruby on Rails, JSP, and Python.

BlackBerry Plug-in for Microsoft Visual Studio version 1.2, available today at www.blackberry.com/developers/webvisualstudio, provides an all-in-one tool for developers to create web applications and content for BlackBerry^® smartphones within the Visual Studio 2008 environment. Using this plug-in, developers can create simple Internet/intranet web pages or more complex, rich Internet applications using AJAX and ASP.Net.

Both tools feature BlackBerry smartphone simulators for testing and debugging projects, and web application profiling for visibility into data traffic, load time and use of web based content, including elements such as images, CSS, JavaScript, HTML and objects.

For more info visit blackberry.com/developer or check out the full press release after the jump.

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* UPDATE Skyfire has temporarily closed the Alpha testing, rendering the leaked version useless. If anyone notices any other changes please let me know. *

My buddy Danny (aka @buzzedword) let me know that the Skyfire mobile browser for BlackBerry has been leaked!

This is an early Alpha (v1.0.0.12304) of the Skyfire browser so be prepared for some bugs and other issues. Install at your own risk and only if you are comfortable with using unofficial software.

Here are some of Danny’s findings:

• its dominantly web based, the “enter url” function has autocomplete which im assuming comes from Skyfire’s servers
• you’re assigned a unique skyfire ID, and you can create an account on the skyfire homepage, presumably for bookmark and RSS sync– the homepage has a very Digg-like feel to it
• flash is supported as well as javascript, but flash functionality breaks down when you hit version 10
• it appears that the browser has its own independant audio controller because of options in the menu, but i can’t confirm volume buttons, none of my shortcut keys work
• it doesn’t work well with the storm at all but it does install
• its definitely optimized for trackball, the mouse has a kind of crosshair around it that if you click down will zoom to that portion of the page
• overall its pretty quick, they render the webpage on their servers and you download what they render

If you want to give this Alpha version of Skyfire for BlackBerry a try click here from your BlackBerry Browser to install it. Before installing the Skyfire app I highly recommend you backup your BlackBerry’s data. I’ve included some helpful guides below.

• How To:
  • Backup And Restore Your BlackBerry
  • Install applications and themes via OTA with or without using data

Just came across another streaming radio application for BlackBerry called Live365, currently in open Beta.

Live 365 allows you to listen to thousands of commercial-free stations on your BlackBerry and includes a free VIP trial.

• Listen to Live365 in your car
• Connects with your cell data plan or wi-fi
• Artist and track info with album artwork
• Unlimited presets synced to the website
• Multiple skins/themes

Live365 Radio should work on the following devices running OS 4.5 and higher with at least 1mb of free memory in either the device or media card:

• Bold 9000
• Pearl 8703, 8700, 8120, 8130, 8100, 7130a
• Curve 8330, 8320, 8310, 8300
• 8800, 8820, 8830
• Does not currently work on the Verizon Storm. Touch screen version in development.

Although the Curve 8900 is not listed I was able to successfully install and use it without a problem (so far).

Download it now OTA by visiting live365.com/mobile from your BlackBerry Browser (must have JavaScript enabled) or visit the Live365 BlackBerry page for more info.

Skyfire has finally released its first official version for Windows Mobile and Symbian devices. In their press release about version 1.0 they mention BlackBerry as their next platform launch!

Skyfire has plans to bring their browser to more smartphones and recently launched a Private Closed Alpha program for the BlackBerry platform. The company will announce plans for a Public BlackBerry Beta at a later date. This step will offer an approximate twenty-one million BlackBerry users the opportunity to finally be able to access the PC web on their phone.

A little info about Skyfire version 1.0:

Skyfire remains committed to providing everything the PC web has to offer in a mobile experience with blazing fast speeds. For the first time, consumers can use their phones to watch any web video and live events, stay connected with friends, share web pages instantly, and use the full-featured PC versions of their favorite websites. Skyfire is the only mobile browser to support popular web standards and plug-ins such as Flash 10, Silverlight 2, Ajax, Javascript and more, so the rich media on websites work on phones just like the PC. Known for its speed, Skyfire launches quickly and loads web pages quicker than other mobile browsers.

Visit Skyfire.com for more info or check out a list of features in version 1.0 after the jump. Although the features are for the Windows Mobile and Symbian version that was just released, you can probably bet we’ll be seeing similar features (if not better) in the BlackBerry client.

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By Al Sacco:

On the list of reasons why I admire Research In Motion’s (RIM) BlackBerry operating system (OS), the sheer number of built-in, valuable keyboard shortcuts ranks near the top. These tricks help you navigate your devices and data, as well as the Web, as quickly and efficiently as possible.

In fact, your BlackBerry’s literally packing hundreds of “hidden” tips and tricks, many of which I’ve already uncovered on CIO.com, with the help of high-level mobile gurus–even RIM’s co-CEO.

Today, I’m offering up a list of keyboard shortcuts specific to the BlackBerry browser. I’m sharing tricks for rapid movement around a Web page; one-click access to a variety of browser options; a page-wide search function; a tip to instantly enable JavaScript for individual Web pages, and much more. Read on to see a side of your BlackBerry browser that you never knew existed.

(Note: Some of these tips and tricks may not work on devices without full QWERTY keyboards, like the Pearl 81xx and 82xx series, as well as the BlackBerry Storm. I tested them all using a BlackBerry Bold 9000 running OS v4.6.0.228 and a Curve 8900 on OS v5.0.0.90.)

Read more @ CIO.com