SMARTPHONE DEVELOPMENT

If you have ever been in an unfamiliar place or stuck in traffic and looking for an alternate route, then you already know the magic that is GPS. One of the hottest areas in smartphone development today is location-based services, and BlackBerry is on the cutting edge when it comes to providing those services. In this article we will discuss BlackBerry’s support of JSR 179, and learn to incorporate GPS functionality into our applications.

As a BlackBerry developer, it makes sense that a majority -- if not all -- of the apps you create are business applications. That's not likely to change in the near future. Fortunately, though, there are some great tools available to make your job easier.

BlackBerry’s Java Development Environment (JDE) is crucial for a developer to understand, because it's the heart and soul of the development process. The JDE is a fully-integrated development environment and simulation tool for building Java Platform, Micro Edition (Java ME) applications. BlackBerry’s JDE is a Mobile Information Device Profile (MIDP) compliant Java ME environment, which is ideal for developers who want to uphold seamless portability in their wireless applications.

BlackBerry and Java have a long and storied history together. Since the launch of the BlackBerry 5810 in 2002, all BlackBerry smartphones have been Java-based. All core BlackBerry applications have been written in Java. As you can see, there are many benefits to being familiar with Java, especially as it pertains to being a BlackBerry developer.

The Java platform is ideal for any developer who wants to create rich client apps, because it is capable of providing the most flexibility and power. The possibilities are literally endless because Java can be used to create a wide array of applications that feature a broad reach in terms of functionality. Whether you want to create games or corporate apps, it’s all possible using Java.

One of the reasons BlackBerry devices have become so popular is that they are very intuitive to use. As a developer, you will need to make sure the applications you build for BlackBerries fit this model. But how do you build an intuitive app? Keep reading.

Device simulators help developers by letting them get as close as possible to running their applications on the real thing. Fortunately, there are some very good BlackBerry simulators available, which can save developers a great deal of time when creating applications.

It seems as if everyone uses a BlackBerry these days. But not everyone organizes their information in quite the same way. If you're going to build the programs that help people stay organized with BlackBerry devices, you need to understand the kinds of data types that users acquire, organize, and use to get through the day.

As a developer, you will find that creating applications for the BlackBerry smart phone device is not only fun and exciting, but relatively easy as well. That being said, sometimes the apps you create will not behave, or perform, the way you’d like them to. Keep reading for the solution.

BlackBerries, on more than once occasion, have been called the phones of the future. In a world where multi-tasking has become a necessary life skill, that factoid should come as no surprise. People need their phones to be as multi-functional as possible, and a phone that simply makes phone calls is a thing of the past. Thanks to BlackBerry, a “smartphone” has become a necessary tool in the development and general maintenance of both small businesses and major corporations. This is where BlackBerry developers come into play. Whether it is your intention to leverage the standards-based BlackBerry platform and developer tools to create applications that are just right for your organization or you’re looking to branch out and create solutions for other companies, there are a few things you should know before you begin to seriously consider becoming a BlackBerry developer.

When you’re first starting off as a BlackBerry developer you’ve got quite a few decisions to make. One of the most pressing will probably be which application programming interface -- or API -- you choose. Simply put, an API is a set of routines, data structures, object classes, and/or protocols that are provided by libraries or operating system services. So much importance is placed on choosing the right API because essentially, it will serve as your foundation and it will support the building of all of your BlackBerry applications. Let’s find out more about APIs and find out the specifics on both the RIM and JAVA ME API.

If you consider yourself to be an avid BlackBerry developer, you’re probably in search of some advanced tips that will put you ahead of the game. Well, you’ve come to the right place. Here we will discuss more of the advanced features that have become available thanks to BlackBerry’s Push technology. The beauty of this development is the fact that users do not have to request the data they receive; it simply gets sent to them as soon as it becomes available.

BlackBerry’s new Push API is obviously worth trying out. Aside from enabling developers to create better, more efficient apps, it also comes equipped with a wide array of thoughtful features that benefit everyone from investors, to users and developers. Keep reading for a close look.

Those interested in becoming a BlackBerry developer, it’s of the utmost importance that you get to know the BlackBerry browser like the back of your hand. The good news is that the architecture for BlackBerry browser applications is quite simplistic and straightforward. Essentially, the BlackBerry browser is a Java ME application and according to BlackBerry, this particular application has been a part of the company’s technology for almost ten years.

It seems as if the smartphone revolution is upon us. Gone are the days where cell phones were simply used to make calls. Now, they can plan your life, allow you to stay in touch with loved ones, ensure that you’re always connected to all things work-related (which may or may not be a good thing), and give us directions to the nearest Thai restaurant, among other tasks. The leader of the smartphone pack can officially be declared the BlackBerry, which is well known for its addictive quality.