Despite having fewer developers than Apple’s iOS ecosystem, RIM has been making drastic improvements to their SDK in order to catch up to their rival.

The latest involves RIM’s latest update to their push notification system which should give developers one less excuse for avoiding the Blackberry OS.

BlackBerry Push Service allows you to efficiently and reliably deliver information to your users through a BlackBerry Java® or BlackBerry® WebWorks™ Application. It provides an easy-to-use server side API based on the open WAP Push Access protocol v2.2 standard. BlackBerry Push Service is available to all developers and web content providers. By using this service, you can make your application more engaging and help turn it into a Super App. (Blackberry Developers Blog)

According to RIM, the latest update will allow developers to send push notifications to active users as well as help cut down on sending push notifications to unsubscribed users (who might consider these alerts as spam).

Blackberry still has a long ways to go before they can catch up to iOS or even Android (the latter which is surprisingly outselling everyone right now), but it’s good to see the company isn’t calling it quits in their attempt to win the hearts of mobile developers.

Originally posted on January 13, 2011 @ 6:00 pm

It looks like RIM will have yet another reason to jest Steve Jobs (who previously dissed all of RIM’s phones) as apparently Blackberry lovers are more passionate about the web than iOS users.

BlackBerry OS overtook Apple’s iOS for the first time in the US in November in terms of mobile internet usage according to web analytics company, StatCounter. The company’s research arm, StatCounter Global Stats finds that for the first time in the US BlackBerry OS at 34.3% overtook Apple’s iOS which recorded 33% in November. […]

“These figures suggest that developers should not be developing solely for the iPhone to the exclusion of BlackBerry and Android,” commented Aodhan Cullen, CEO, StatCounter. He added that, if current trends continue, BlackBerry and Android combined are on course to become twice the size of iOS as regards mobile internet usage in the next year. (StatCounter Press)

It’s still unclear as to why Blackberry users are using the web more according to StatCounter as the iPhone and iPad’s browser is superior to RIM’s devices (even when compared against the Blackberry Torch).

However it could be the simple fact that more iOS users are spending time using apps instead of surfing the web, something which this author has been doing more of lately.

Either way StatCounter’s latest statistic will probably boost RIM’s confidence as the company prepares to go head to head against the iPad via the Blackberry Playbook (who still does not have a firm timetable of availability in the US).

Originally posted on December 1, 2010 @ 12:54 pm

After bribing developers with the chance to win a free Blackberry Playbook, RIM is finally allowing them to submit their apps for approval upon the Blackberry App World.

We’re excited to announce that starting today, you can now submit your BlackBerry® PlayBook™ tablet apps to the BlackBerry App World™ vendor portal!

As announced at the Adobe® MAX conference earlier this year, developers who create an application for the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet that is approved for distribution through BlackBerry App World prior to the tablet’s initial release are eligible for a free BlackBerry PlayBook tablet. you’re submitting a brand new app, just submit like you would any new app. (Blackberry Developer’s Blog)

After less than thrilling sales of the Blackberry Torch, RIM has been making a huge deal regarding the Blackberry Playbook which they see as their answer to the mighty iPad.

Despite the fact that the Playbook is Flash friendly (unlike the iPad), Blackberry is going to need an army of developers in order to make their brand relevant to consumers as well as the corporate world.

RIM is planning on launching the Playbook “early 2011” (which ironically is around the same time as the rumored iPad 2.0) although the company has yet to announce a price point aside from the corporate sub-$500 mantra.

Note: I suspect the price will fall between $450-$499, but RIM has yet to confirm anything.

Originally posted on December 7, 2010 @ 2:18 pm

After showing off Blackberry’s answer to the iPad, RIM is reportedly considering selling the Playbook below $500 USD in an attempt to give their tablet some leverage against Apple.

Research In Motion Ltd., moving into the tablet-computer market for the first time, said it will begin selling its BlackBerry PlayBook for less than $500, suggesting RIM may try to undercut Apple Inc.’s iPad. […]

RIM may sell the Playbook through retail stores of Target Corp. and Best Buy Co. in the U.S. as well through carriers, Balsillie said.

“Looking at both channels is the likely target,” he said. (Business Week)

The reduced price makes sense considering that the Blackberry Playbook is much smaller than the iPad, which means that users will have less screen real estate to navigate (giving RIM’s tablet a more “crowded” feeling).

In order to remain competative against Apple, RIM may have to reduce the Playbook’s price by at least $100 in order to convince customers to even consider their tablet, especially considering the fact that the Playbook will only tether with Blackberry devices.

Ironically Blackberry Playbook’s success may depend upon the slew of Android tablets that will be hitting stores for the holiday season, whose prices could undercut RIM and make their cherished tablet irrelevant in the eyes of users.

(Hat Tip: Daring Fireball)

Originally posted on November 10, 2010 @ 2:49 pm