BlackBerry Provides Updates to Developers at BlackBerry Jam Europe
BlackBerry announces updates to SDKs, reward programs, opens BlackBerry World vendor portal for BlackBerry Q10 app submissions
AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS--(Marketwire - Feb. 5, 2013) - At its second annual BlackBerry® Jam Europe developer event, BlackBerry® (NASDAQ:BBRY)(TSX:BB) today provided updates to the BlackBerry developer community, including updates to the BlackBerry® 10 developer toolkit, new benefits of the reward programs, and the opening of app submissions in the BlackBerry® World™ storefront vendor portal for the BlackBerry® Q10 smartphone.
BlackBerry Jam Europe, fully booked for the second year, follows closely on the heels of the extremely successful global launch of the BlackBerry Z10 and BlackBerry Q10 smartphones on January 30, which highlighted the support and commitment by developers for the BlackBerry 10 platform with 70,000 apps at launch - more apps than any first-generation mobile platform. In addition, a recent study by Vision Mobile found that 38% of developers identified BlackBerry as their lead platform*.
"I have never seen as much excitement and enthusiasm for a platform that compares to what we are seeing with BlackBerry 10. BlackBerry Jam Europe is a great time for us to thank the developer community for their continued loyalty, support and amazing enthusiasm," said Alec Saunders, Vice President of Ecosystem and Developer Relations. "We want to keep that momentum going and are today announcing updates to the toolkit, our reward and incentive programs, and more. We are listening to our community and are evolving our programs to help them achieve success on BlackBerry 10 and be recognized for their efforts and accomplishments."
BlackBerry 10.1 SDK
The updated tools for building or tweaking applications for the BlackBerry 10 smartphone, which features a physical QWERTY keyboard, are now available. The tools will allow developers to optimize their apps to run on the smartphone's 720 x 720 display. The toolkit also contains a new BlackBerry Q10 simulator. Apps built natively for BlackBerry 10 using the Cascades™ framework have built-in functionality that automatically adjusts to various screen specifications. More information on this update is available here: http://devblog.blackberry.com/2013/02/blackberry-q10-sdk-update/
Built for BlackBerry App Program
BlackBerry continues to support its developer community and reward the effort and work for building quality applications through the Built for BlackBerry app program. At BlackBerry Jam Europe, BlackBerry announced updates to the Built for BlackBerry program including a top Built for BlackBerry list on BlackBerry World to increase discoverability and marketability of Built for BlackBerry apps. Eventually, the only apps that will be featured on the BlackBerry World carousel will be Built for BlackBerry apps. For more information see here: https://developer.blackberry.com/builtforblackberry/documentation/overview.html
Limited Edition BlackBerry 10 Smartphones
BlackBerry also announced that 12,000 Limited Edition smartphones are being built exclusively for developers who created apps in time for launch. Developers who had previously qualified to receive a BlackBerry Dev Alpha A or B testing device, and who have an application submitted on BlackBerry World, may apply to swap the testing device unit for the red, limited edition model of the BlackBerry Z10. Details around the terms and conditions can be found here: https://developer.blackberry.com/limitededition/
BlackBerry World Vendor Portal Open for BlackBerry Q10 App Submissions
Developers can now add the BlackBerry Q10 smartphone as a targeted device in the BlackBerry World vendor portal. This will allow developers to have their apps published at the outset, when the BlackBerry Q10 is expected to launch in April this year.
Useful Links
DevZone: http://developer.blackberry.com
DevBlog: http://devblog.blackberry.com
About BlackBerry
A global leader in wireless innovation, BlackBerry® revolutionized the mobile industry when it was introduced in 1999. Today, BlackBerry aims to inspire the success of our millions of customers around the world by continuously pushing the boundaries of mobile experiences. Founded in 1984 and based in Waterloo, Ontario, BlackBerry operates offices in North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Latin America. Research In Motion announced that effective January 30, 2013, the Company would operate around the world under the iconic name BlackBerry. The legal name of the company has not changed, but the Company will do business as BlackBerry until shareholders vote for the official change at the Company's Annual General Meeting later in 2013. Effective Monday, February 4, 2013, the Company commenced trading under its new ticker symbols "BB" on the Toronto Stock Exchange and "BBRY" on the NASDAQ. For more information, visit www.blackberry.com.
* Vision Mobile 2013 Developer Economics Report (January, 2013).
Forward-looking statements in this news release are made pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws. When used herein, words such as "expect", "anticipate", "estimate", "may", "will", "should", "intend," "believe", and similar expressions, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on estimates and assumptions made by Research In Motion Limited (BlackBerry) in light of its experience and its perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors that BlackBerry believes are appropriate in the circumstances. Many factors could cause BlackBerry's actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including those described in the "Risk Factors" section of BlackBerry's Annual Information Form, which is included in its Annual Report on Form 40-F (copies of which filings may be obtained at www.sedar.com or www.sec.gov). These factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on BlackBerry's forward-looking statements. BlackBerry has no intention and undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
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Veronica Orzechowski
BlackBerry Media Relations
mediarelations@rim.com
519-888-7465 x76521
Investor Contact:
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