BlackBerry 10 Showcases PC Capability Features; Top App Brands Partner

BlackBerry staged its BlackBerry Jam Asia Conference in Hong Kong last September 26 to 27, 2013 with a keynote that showcased new BlackBerry 10 capabilities and demonstrated some new applications using Peer-to-Peer technology.

Developers attending the conference saw a concept demo of how BlackBerry 10 could extend onto a desktop environment – a demonstration that showed how applications could be projected from a BlackBerry 10 device onto a computer running Windows or Mac OS.

Several updates were also highlighted for the Built for BlackBerry designation in the BlackBerry World storefront, providing developers attractive incentives to further support building their business on the BlackBerry 10 platform.

Here are some of the highlights from event’s keynote:

BlackBerry 10.2 SDK Release

Developers and budding appreneurs alike witnessed how the re-designed BlackBerry 10 can extend to a desktop device. (Contributed photo)

Developers were shown a number of APIs, including those available in the recently released 10.2 SDK, that allow developers to build enhanced mobile experiences for customers. With the inclusion of sensors such as NFC, GPS, Gyroscope and Accelerometer, for example, BlackBerry 10.2 smartphones can detect inputs and data connections within the user’s immediate environment to provide constant information about surroundings and location. The contextual information gathered by sensors can also be processed by applications to adapt to what’s happening in the environment in ways that enhances relevance and user interaction, which, for example, can be further enhanced through deep integration with the BlackBerry Hub, Contacts and BBM. The capabilities also enable the smartphone to act on or control endpoints beyond the phone. APIs for Bluetooth, for example, enable integration for alternate input devices like a wireless (Bluetooth) keyboard, as well as alternate displays, such as a monitor or HDT, through the HDMI port.

Concept Technology Demonstrations

Capabilities of the BlackBerry 10 platform were further showcased in a few concept demonstrations that capture the development paradigm of sensing the environment, understanding the various inputs and adapting to real-time contextual information. The first one involved the extension of an app user interface beyond a BlackBerry 10 smartphone onto a desktop environment. A BlackBerry Z30 was paired up with a desktop computer over Wi-Fi to seamlessly and securely project real-time applications and content on the phone to the desktop computer. A BlackBerry expert projected the BlackBerry Hub from the smartphone and rendered the user interface on the PC where full use of the keyboard and mouse was available. This showed an enhanced experience on the desktop powered by a BlackBerry 10 smartphone.

Another concept demonstration showed a rocking chair tennis game running on a BlackBerry Z30 smartphone, where the tennis paddles were controlled by the accelerometers in BlackBerry 10 smartphones mounted on the armrest. The application adapted to users’ actions signaled over Bluetooth to the controllers through an Arduino microcontroller. The demonstrations showed how applications can extend beyond the phone.

Peer-to-Peer Demonstration

Alec Saunders, Vice President, Developer Relations, BlackBerry was here at the event also. (Contributed photo)

The BlackBerry 10 infrastructure and Peer to Peer (P2P) network solve the problem of connectivity by providing a direct, secure and authenticated communication between different endpoints and providing a secure tunnel for data.  BlackBerry’s P2P infrastructure connects two endpoints without having to worry about firewalls, Network Address Translation or protocol. BlackBerry experts showcased the BlackBerry 10 platform’s Peer to Peer technology by controlling two heart monitors remotely through a BlackBerry 10 smartphone. BlackBerry’s P2P technology can manage multiple network technologies and enable the smartphones to handover from protocol to protocol, such as from Wi-Fi to cellular connectivity, without dropping the peer connection. The demonstration maintained a connection by automatically detecting and adjusting to available connections, and also included authentication with a BlackBerry ID. The P2P APIs will be available in the coming months.

Highlights for  Revitalized Built for BlackBerry Program

Developers also heard about some enhancements to the Built for BlackBerry Program, including a checklist with detailed criteria for receiving Built for BlackBerry accreditation for apps. Apps with the Built for BlackBerry designation also benefit from increased visibility in the store with new features such as Top Lists on the home page and exclusive Built for BlackBerry badges that let customers easily identify Built for BlackBerry apps. More details can be found here: devblog.blackberry.com

Partners Show Support for BlackBerry 10

In addition to the platform updates, major application partners Sina Weibo, a Chinese microblogging website, Kereta Api Indonesia, which allows customers to book and confirm train ticket reservations, and WeChat, a messaging application, joined Martyn Mallick, Vice President of BlackBerry World and Global Alliances, on stage to showcase their applications and support for the BlackBerry 10 platform.