A little over a month after releasing its BlackBerry WebWorks SDK 2.1 for Smartphones, Research In Motion (NASDAQ:RIMM) is introducing version 2.1.1, known internally as the Echo Release.
First and foremost among the new tools: A BlackBerry Bold 9930 simulator running BlackBerry 7 OS device software. WebWorks for Smartphones 2.1.1 also enables developers to use WebKit Web Inspector to debug, test and profile browser or application content running on a live device or simulator, and adds the same Microphone API unveiled in the WebWorks SDK for Tablet OS, used for recording WAV audio files in WebWorks apps. In addition, the revamped SDK automatically adds the Gears-to-HTML JavaScript toolkit in the event developers wish to leverage HTML5 features. The SDK is available for download here.
The WebWorks platform enables web developers to create full-featured BlackBerry apps entirely in HTML5, CSS and JavaScript, bringing together existing BlackBerry web development tools along with new resources and platform services. Research In Motion has already confirmed the BlackBerry Tablet OS powering its PlayBook tablet eventually will replace the BlackBerry smartphone operating system across all devices the company produces.
BlackBerry WebWorks SDK 2.1 for Smartphones, issued in early July, introduced a Banner Indicator API enabling developers to place their own icon and number in the banner area of the device homescreen, supporting notifications that alert users to application changes while it's running in the background. Tweaks also include an enhanced Push API, NTLM and BASIC Authentication support, a Camera API supporting both photos and videos, and improved rendering speeds for apps that don't use loading/transition screens.
For more:
- read this Inside BlackBerry Developer's Blog entry
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