Building Apps for the BlackBerry PlayBook

By Chris Black

Comic Relief

• http://www.csectioncomics.com/2010/11/iphone-vs-android-vs-blackberry.html

• Everyone has different device preferences, there is no single device that’s right for all users

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smartphone

Share of Worldwide 2010 Q4 Smartphone Sales

Background

• I am a self employed…– ActionScript developer– Mobile applications developer– Google AdWords consultant

• My devices…– BlackBerry– Android– iPod Touch

INTRODUCING THE PLAYBOOK

BlackBerry

• 300,000+ registered developers• 35 million+ app world users• 2 million downloaded every day• 33 million+ global BBM subscribers

Free BlackBerry PlayBook Offer

Click the image for official rules and details. Submission deadline is March 31, 2011!

PlayBook Specs

• 1 GHz dual core• 1 GB RAM• HD Video• 5.1” x 7.6” x 0.4”• POSIX OS, SMP, Open GL, WebKit, Adobe Flash

and Adobe Mobile AIR

Video Demo

• http://www.viddler.com/explore/engadget/videos/2103/56.545/

Cool Features

• Swipes– Use the black border to control device options– Swipe left and right to switch apps– Swipe up to get the menu– Swipe down for app options menu

• Great multi-tasking• Organization of applications• Full web browsing• Tethering with a BlackBerry phone

SIZING UP THE COMPETITION

Best Web Experience

• PlayBook & Xoom

• Both of these devices render JavaScript content faster and smoother than the iPad

• These devices support Flash 10.2

Cost of Entry

• BlackBerry PlayBook– Free, use any computer

• Google Android– $25 one time fee, use any computer

• Apple iOS– $99 / year + $999 MacBook

Ease of Entry

• Google wins hands down– Less than one hour

• BlackBerry requires a bit more work– 4 to 6 hours

• Apple… I’m done pulling out my hair– 24 hours and counting

*Time to register, sign and upload application to the market

Miscellaneous

• Most attractive: iPad• Best monetization: PlayBook• Best map application: Xoom• Most apps: iPad• Feels most like a tablet: PlayBook

BUILDING APPLICATIONS

Options

• WebWorks (link)– Use HTML5, CSS and JavaScript to build native

apps

• Adobe AIR (link)– Compile to the BlackBerry PlayBook and Android

2.2+ devices in a single click

Adobe AIR

• Use Adobe AIR to cross deploy apps

Building Your App

• DON’T just build a PlayBook app• Consider…

– All screen sizes– All input devices– Variety of processors and RAM– Variety of operating systems

• DO layer device specific features

Flash Builder Demo

• Use Flash Builder Burrito to cross compile applications for Android and the PlayBook

• More information and sample code can be found here:

• http://www.blackcj.com/blog/2011/02/02/publishing-apps-to-ios-android-and-blackberry-with-air/

Virtual Machine Demo

• Use VMware to test on the PlayBook locally• http://

us.blackberry.com/developers/tablet/adobe.jsp

Code Signing Demo

• Requires command line tool right now• http://www.hsharma.com/tech/tutorials/10-e

asy-steps-to-package-and-sign-air-apps-for-playbook/

Device API

• Change what your app does based on battery status events

• Use device id for tracking purposes and identifying the user

• http://www.blackberry.com/developers/docs/airapi/1.0.0/qnx/system/Device.html

MARKETING YOUR APPS

Know Your Market

• Over saturated markets are harder to sell on, the AppWorld is less saturated right now

This simple game built by Ebscer on the BlackBerry market has tons of reviews / downloads!

Payment Models

• Free / Paid• Try & Buy• Licensing options available• Vender portal demo

App Statistics

• Track unique users with device key• Advanced BlackBerry analytics will be

available soon

Conclusion

• There are over 50 million BlackBerry users who will be considering a tablet over the next two years.

• The AppWorld is the least saturated market to date so start building your application today!

Questions?