This is not exactly the Cascades UI packing Native SDK we have been waiting for but it is a nice step forward. RIM has released the BlackBerry PlayBook Tablet OS Native SDK Beta 3 today. I am really loving the rapid release cycle for these SDK’s especially considering RIM’s previous track record with Java SDKs. According to RIM this new beta release builds in feedback from the many different companies and individual developers who are bringing their apps to the PlayBook. That feedback allows them to evolve their tooling, APIs, and more.
Here are the updates in this Beta 3 release of the Native SDK:
Tooling enhancements:
- A new easy-to-use Add Library Wizard, which is designed to simplify the process of adding library dependencies to a project
- Improved navigation and workflow in the Deployment Setup Wizard
- The ability to filter files out of the BAR package to which helps to exclude unnecessary assets
- Enhancements to the BAR file editor to view localized manifests for each locale
API improvements:
- BPS services can now use channels as chosen by the application for multi-threaded messaging
- Scoreloop social gaming APIs
Documentation updates:
- A new “Hello Native SDK” tutorial provides a walkthrough of the OpenGL ES 1.1 Application Project template that comes with the QNX® Momentics® IDE
- A new “Displaying a dialog” recipe instructs users how to display dialogs on the screen and handle dialog events
You can pick up the new BlackBerry PlayBook Native SDK Beta 3 from RIM with full release notes or read more in their blog announcement.
