Given RIM has already revealed PlayBook's QNX-based OS will be rolled out across its mobile handsets, the firm has begun laying the groundwork for the transition, launching a closed beta for the BlackBerry Tablet OS native SDK.
The tools are specifically being pitched at games developers, offering them the chance to code titles for the platform in C/C++, the Standard Template Library and Open GL ES 1.1/2.0.
Anything EA does...
"When you check out games like Need for Speed: Undercover or the new Dead Space from EA, what you are seeing is the Native SDK in action, providing the framework for EA to build incredible gaming experiences on our platform," said director of developer relations at RIM, Mike Kirkup.
"We are incredibly excited to see what the broader developer community can do when provided with access to these tools."
Kirkup adds the native SDK comes equipped with QNX's Momentics tool suite an Eclipse-based integrated development environment designed to provide memory profiling, app debugging and memory usage statistics.
Just when BlackBerry PlayBook OS will hit handsets is unclear, however. It had been expected BlackBerry 7 was the name for the QNX-based platform, but it has since been revealed the new OS is actually an upgrade for BlackBerry 6.
Instead, BlackBerry Tablet OS is expected to launch on the firm's phones branded 'BlackBerry 8' at an as-of-yet unspecified time sometime in 2012.
Studios looking to apply for the closed beta need to fill out a form on the firm's website.
[source: RIM]
News
With a fine eye for detail, Keith Andrew is fuelled by strong coffee, Kylie Minogue and the shapely curve of a san serif font.
Related Articles
Data & Research
Jul 6th, 2020
37% of iPhone owners game daily while 46% of Blackberry owners have no games
News
Sep 28th, 2016
BlackBerry ceases smartphone manufacturing as company reports $372 million net loss
Top Stories
News
6 hours, 33 minutes ago
Week in Views - Squads busted, Apple crushed, War zoned and Snoozin' with the Snorlax…
News
6 hours, 33 minutes ago
Week in Views - Squads busted, Apple crushed, War zoned and Snoozin' with the Snorlax…
Feature
7 hours, 45 minutes ago
Speaker Spotlight: Dubai Future Foundation's Faisal Kazim on leading Dubai's gaming charge
Events
Esports Future Summit | Middle East | Apr 27th |
Dubai GameExpo Summit 2024 | Middle East | May 1st |
The MENA Games Industry Awards 2024 | Middle East | May 2nd |
GameDev Atlantic 2024 | May 4th | |
Mobidictum Meetup Berlin May 2024 | Europe | May 7th |
Mobidictum Meetup Tallinn May 2024 | Europe | May 21st |
Israel Mobile Summit 2024 | Middle East | Jun 6th |
DevGAMM Vilnius 2024 | Europe | Jun 14th |