| Every day, new mobile applications are pumped out | | | | Java Plug-in for Eclipse v1.1 or the BlackBerry Widget |
| by armies of developers, and an exciting race is on | | | | SDK v1.0. This means using either Java 5.0 or |
| between platforms to develop mobile applications for | | | | BlackBerry Device Software v5.0. |
| in 2010. The old guard is led by Nokia against | | | | To produce professional looking custom smart phone |
| interlopers like Apple and Google, with the vast | | | | themes, download the BlackBerry Theme Studio. It |
| middle occupied by the BlackBerry app. | | | | can be used to create Scalable Vector Graphics |
| Let's start with a list of the platforms for mobile | | | | (SVG) content and mobile websites. Test the themes |
| application development. This includes Google Android, | | | | or graphics created with the simulators to make sure |
| RIM BlackBerry, Apple iPhone, Nokia Symbian and | | | | it works properly with all kinds of OS and devices. If |
| Windows Mobile. There's also Sun J2ME and | | | | it's good enough, developers can also use the vendor |
| Qualcomm BREW. | | | | portal to upload a creation to App World. |
| BlackBerry application development sits at the top of | | | | Both BlackBerry plug-ins - Java and web - have |
| this pyramid with a North American market share of | | | | certain minimum system requirements. It needs |
| 55%, over 20 million App World subscribers and | | | | Windows Vista, XP or Windows 7 as the OS. The |
| almost 1 million app downloads every day. RIM has | | | | system must, of course, already have either Eclipse |
| been around this block more than once, and they're | | | | or Microsoft Visual Studio. |
| better equipped to decide how the future mobile | | | | New developers usually get bottlenecked at the |
| application will look like. | | | | beginning, when it's hard to make choices without |
| Building a BlackBerry app ain't beans, but RIM has a | | | | knowing what it means. BlackBerry makes it easy by |
| very systematic way of initiating new developers. It | | | | taking them forward in simple steps. There's also a |
| starts with an overview of how wireless networks | | | | support network in the form of local developer |
| transfer data. Once this concept sinks in, it's time to | | | | groups and a video library that demonstrates clearly |
| choose a development environment. That's either | | | | what needs to be done. |
| Java development or web development. | | | | Of course, other mobile application development |
| Using Java development needs some expertise and a | | | | platforms including Apple iPhone and Google Android |
| clear understanding of the logic used for coding. Web | | | | offer pretty much all the same stuff, and also have |
| development is easier for new developers who | | | | large communities of developers and app users. But |
| simply have to use Microsoft Visual Studio. Either | | | | RIM has fine-tuned the whole system so that new |
| way, RIM has huge amounts of developer tutorials, | | | | developers are not made to jump through any hoops |
| documentation, simulators for testing, and a support | | | | and can use the tools to follow clearly defined steps. |
| network. | | | | These tools are good enough to allow even new |
| The RIM BlackBerry developer portal also offers | | | | developers to create very professional BlackBerry |
| useful mobile app development tools. Developers | | | | apps. |
| should start by downloading either the BlackBerry | | | | |