Posts Tagged ‘Apis’

OpenGL Updated to Version 4.1 with More Features for Developers

July 28th, 2010 BBerryNews

blackberry opengl

The Khronos Group has announced the release of the OpenGL 4.1 specification. The OpenGL standard allows developers to create rich 2D and 3D graphics that makes BlackBerry games look especially good. There aren’t many devices that can take advantage of the OpenGL standards, but we hear that all CDMA devices running 5.0 and greater will be able to take advantage. Also, BlackBerry 6 includes a wide variety of APIs in order for developers to take advantage of OpenGL.

New functionality in the core OpenGL 4.1 specification includes:

  • Full compatibility with OpenGL ES 2.0 APIs for easier porting between mobile and desktop platforms;
  • The ability to query and load a binary for shader program objects to save re-compilation time;
  • The capability to bind programs individually to programmable stages for programming flexibility;
  • 64-bit floating-point component vertex shader inputs for higher geometric precision;
  • Multiple viewports for a rendering surface for increased rendering flexibility.


New ARB extensions introduced with OpenGL 4.1 include:

  • OpenGL sync objects linked to OpenCL event objects for enhanced OpenCL interoperability;
  • The ability to set stencil values in a fragment shader for enhanced rendering flexibility;
  • Features to improve robustness, for example when running WebGL applications;
  • Callback mechanisms to receive enhanced errors and warning messages.

Head over to the Khronos Group for more information.

© BlackBerry Cool for BlackBerry Cool, 2010



Posted in BlackBerry Cool Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Comments Off

Facebook For BlackBerry 1.8 & 2.0 Features Leaked

March 22nd, 2010 BBerryNews

Facebook for BlackBerry

BBNews.pl has gotten its hands on upcoming features in Facebook for BlackBerry 1.8 and 2.0 coming out in May and by years end respectively.

Facebook for BlackBerry v1.8 – Coming May 2010

  • Faster load times
  • Video uploading
  • Replacing BIS-E notifications with BlackBerry Push APIs

Facebook for BlackBerry v2.0 – Coming by end of year

  • User interface redesign
  • People Search

I would hope that RIM brings Facebook chat to Facebook for BlackBerr…

Facebook For BlackBerry 1.8 & 2.0 Features Leaked is a post from: RIMarkable

Related posts:

  1. What Do You Think Of Facebook For BlackBerry 1.6?
  2. Facebook for BlackBerry 1.7 Now Available
  3. Facebook 1.5 for BB OS 4.6 Devices Leaked Over The Weekend
  4. Did The Facebook Update Jack Up Facebook For BlackBerry?



Posted in RIMarkable Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , Comments Off

Free hockey scores application available in App World

November 19th, 2009 BBerryNews

Hockey_Scores_app

There is a free app in App World called Hockey Scores that lets you check NHL scores across the league. The app is updated frequently but it’s not clear whether it takes advantage of the Push APIs from RIM, which would push the scores to the device in near-real time.

Hockey Scores is free in App World and available for almost every device.

© BlackBerry Cool for BlackBerry Cool, 2009



Posted in BlackBerry Cool Tags: , , , , , , , , , Comments Off

BlackBerry Developer Conference Day 2 Impressions

November 12th, 2009 BBerryNews

So this is the second day of the BlackBerry Developer Conference and it’s going really well so far. It’s impressive how RIM is responding to the surge of consumer subscribers and the majority of announcements we have seen are consumer-centric.

So far we have seen:

RIM announce Adobe Flash support coming to BlackBerry

RIM announce OpenGL support and a host of rich content features

Since we have been talking consumer here at the Developer Conference, it’s impossible to not mention iPhone and competing platforms. With OpenGL support, multi-touch on the Storm2, as well as some new APIs that will help developers make more compelling content, there is a lot of pressure to not just “keep up with the Johnsons.”

The latest developments for the BlackBerry platform are going to help make apps more competitive with other consumer apps on the market, but BlackBerry is going to do them one better. Generally, BlackBerry is better for the the things you do 90% of the time, but it needs help when it comes to the things we do 10% of the time. This 10% includes rich 3D games, fun applications that drive hype over the platform, and “an app for everything” ecosystem.

So how exactly will RIM do them one better?

In-application transactions – While other platforms such as the iPhone already offer in-application transactions, RIM is going to incorporate carrier billing which could make the environment much more user friendly as well as lucrative for developers.

Now that RIM has announced they are offering an advertising service, we may start to see a wide range of free ad-supported applications. In conjunction with tools that make BlackBerry development easier, such as widgets, 2010 is going to see a big surge in app submissions for App World.

The BlackBerry Developer Conference has done a lot to give developers the tools they need to make apps that are more competitive with what other platforms can offer consumers. The BlackBerry platform has years of experience being a reliable and powerful platform for enterprise for years, and it’s the perfect foundation to build a great consumer experience. Expect big things to come from BlackBerry in 2010!

© Kyle for BlackBerry Cool, 2009



Posted in BlackBerry Cool Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Comments Off

BlackBerry to offer advertising APIs, in-application transactions and more LBS functionality

November 12th, 2009 BBerryNews

The BlackBerry Developer Conference kicked off with Jim Balsillie announcing a wide range of new tools available to BlackBerry developers that are going to redefine what we think of as a BlackBerry app.

The latest set of APIs available to BlackBerry developers are focused on making ad-supported apps easier to develop, and help to more easily monetize the developer’s hard work. The new BlackBerry Advertising Service will allow developers to integrate ads from networks such as Jumptap, Millennial Media, Navteq, 1020 Placecast, Quattro Wireless and Sympatico.ca. The Advertising Service and SDK will be available in the first half of 2010.

RIM have also announced that they will be offering in-application transactions, allowing developers to further monetize their apps. Developers will be able to sell digital content such as premium content, monthly or annual subscriptions, and additional levels or upgrades for games and other entertainment applications from within their applications. The BlackBerry Payment Service will also incorporate merchant services, including customer billing. Again, this service SDK and service should be available mid 2010.

At WES 2009, we learned that RIM made their push APIs available to BlackBerry Alliance Program members, and RIM have announced these APIs will be generally available to registered developers in the first half of 2010.

Finally, RIM have announced new functionality that will help developers make new and better location-aware BlackBerry applications. RIM now offer cell site geolocation, providing accurate location with cell tower triangulation. This service will be available in the first half of 2010.

Also announced for LBS app developers, is reverse geocoding and travel time. Reverse geocoding is a cool service that converts geolocation coordinates to a specific address for use in BlackBerry applications. The Travel Time service allows developers to incorporate estimated travel time within their applications for almost any destination in the US and Canada. Again, this will be available in early 2010.

© Kyle for BlackBerry Cool, 2009



Posted in BlackBerry Cool Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Comments Off
« Older Entries