Earlier this week we caught word that there was a major update planned for all of the BlackBerry 10 developer SDKs. Today, those updates are now available. RIM has released updates to both the Native SDK and the WebWorks SDK. In addition to these SDK releases, RIM has released the Android Runtime Environment for BlackBerry 10.

But wait, there’s more the  just SDK updates available today. RIM has also released a BlackBerry 10 OS update to the owners of the Dev Alpha. This update is OS 10.0.6.361 and it is rumored to bring a plethora of updates to the BlackBerry 10 device. Along with the OS update, RIM has opened up App World on the Dev Alpha to allow BlackBerry 10 developers to start sampling each others apps.

RIM has issued a Press Release to coincide with these updates and you can find it after the break. If you’re a developer, be sure to read the full release and then hit the link below to check out and download all the new BlackBerry 10 development tools.

• Visit the BlackBerry 10 Development Center

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RIM has released some information on the BlackBerry 10 SDK update. The current SDK for BlackBerry 10 is very full-featured; however, there are some notable gaps that need to be filled ASAP. RIM is looking to fill at least some of these gaps by the end of the month by releasing an update to ALL the BlackBerry 10 SDKs. There’s no word on what advancements we will see with the SDK updates, but with RIM calling them MAJOR updates, it should be some good stuff.

In addition to these updates, RIM is hosting two webcasts this Thursday, July 19th, for developers looking for more information on building for BlackBerry 10. The two webcasts will focus on the two core development methods for BlackBerry 10, HTML5 and Native. Here’s the details:

• HTML 5 - Learn about all the new enhancements in the updated BlackBerry WebWorks SDK during our upcoming interactive webcast. Date: Thursday July 19, 2012 Time: 11:00 am EST
• BLACKBERRY NATIVE - Learn more about all the enhancements in the updated BlackBerry Native SDK including Cascades in this interactive webcast. Date: Thursday July 19, 2012 Time: 2:00 pm EST

Register for these webcasts at the link below and be on the lookout for the new BlackBerry 10 SDKs, coming your way sometime in the next two weeks.

• Register for the BlackBerry 10 Webcasts

RIM has just released its latest Beta iteration of the Adobe AIR SDK for BlackBerry 10 devices. Developers can use this SDK to port their existing AIR apps to BlackBerry 10 or create new apps based on AIR. Developers looking to create apps for BlackBerry 10 using Adobe’s AIR platform can find all the necessary information and download the SDK from the link below. BlackBerry 10 is going to be a great platform for consumers and developers alike, so getting on the development bandwagon now will help give you an edge over other developers.

• Learn more about the Adobe AIR SDK for BlackBerry 10

RIM has made the first Beta version of Cascades for BlackBerry 10 OS available. The Cascades site, which is linked to below, offers application samples, code framework examples, and downloads of the Cascades SDK. If you’re a developer working towards BlackBerry 10, this is one SDK you MUST have. Grab it at the link below and get started developing today!

• Download the Cascades SDK for BlackBerry 10

RIM is looking for techies to come help jumpstart the Native SDK Gaming Development of the Playbook. RIM is offering developers more incentive to show the Playbook some love with this new contest. Those with a background in C/C++ are encouraged to enter for a chance at a Playbook and 1 of 12 available spots for an intense 2-day training session to learn the fundamentals needed to create and release games for the Playbook.

The conference will cover:

• Set up a development environment to create a Native BlackBerry PlayBook tablet game
• Create, compile package and deploy a Native (C/C++) BlackBerry PlayBook tablet game
• Incorporate 3rd party libraries into your app
• Interact with different BlackBerry PlayBook tablet components such as accelerometer, keyboard, etc.
• Have a solid understanding of the available native networking components
• Setup a system for in-game purchases and subscriptions
• Use the Scoreloop™ SDK to share gamer scores and achievements

The contest is open to residents of Canada and the US (excluding Quebec (sorry)), must have C or C++ experience with OpenGL experience being a plus but not required.

• To enter and find out more, Click Here

RIM has pushed out the Scoreloop social gaming SDK v1.0 for developer use on PlayBook OS 2.0. This SDK allows developers to use the Scoreloop system, which RIM acquired last year, for things like high-scores and achievements. This SDK allows developers easy access and development for:

• Leaderboards – Allow players to compete on regional and global leaderboards
• Awards and Achievements – Keep players engaged with challenging achievements
• Player Challenges – Add competitive edge with social challenges
• Player Profiles – Personalize the experience with editable profiles
• Friend Management – Spur competition between closest rivals

This new technology is available now for developers to begin implementing into their applications. RIM worked with the developers of Kami Retro HD to implement the Scoreloop SDK into their app as a conceptual design for other developers to follow. If you’re a developer and interested in using the Scoreloop SDK in your app, hit the link below for all the details.

• Get the Scoreloop social gaming SDK 

Source : BlackBerry DevBlog

RIM has just let us know that the BlackBerry Native Development Kit (NDK) 2.0 for the PlayBook has just left ditched its Beta status and is now an official release. Here’s what RIM has to say about the NDK and its new official status, it starts below and continues past the break.

• Download the PlayBook NDK 2.0

The BlackBerry Native SDK 2.0 for the BlackBerry PlayBook is out of beta and available for developers around the world. Updates to the Native SDK make developing C/C++ applications for the BlackBerry PlayBook simpler, with enhanced troubleshooting and a more intuitive IDE for developers.

This version includes new APIs as well as new wizards. The Device Information API allows developers to use data on battery, phone, storage and more to alert users on resources. The LED service API will allow notifications in applications. Developers can take advantage of the BlackBerry PlayBook’s stereo sound with the Soundplayer API.

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RIM has just let us know that the Ripple Emulator development engine for BlackBerry developers has been updated to a newer Beta version. This new version is v0.9.1 and contains the following new features and fixes:

• Support for JavaScript® breakpoints in Web Inspector
• Added SSL support for Microsoft Windows®
• WebWorks File I/O API support
• HTML5 Audio/Video support on Microsoft Windows
• Local solution for emulating your app without configuring a local web server
• Ability to work offline after an initial connection to the Internet

This version of the Ripple Emulator works for both Windows and Mac and brings some big updates for WebWorks development. If you’re a developer that works, or is interested in working, with Ripple, hit the link below to grab the latest version and get to work! If you’re interested in learning more about Ripple development you can Click Here to find out.

• Download the Ripple Emulator for BlackBerry 

RIM has just released an update to the BlackBerry Payment Service SDK. This SDK was previously at v1.0 and is now at v1.5. This new version enhances the platform’s abilities and adds the ability to check a subscription status or cancel a subscription. This new service automatically sends out subscription reminders to customers so developers can set this service up and forget it. If you’re a developer using this SDK for your apps, you’ll want to hit the link below to grab this update and add these new features in today.

• Download the BlackBerry Payment Service SDK

RIM has just released a new update to the BlackBerry WebWorks SDK for Smartphones. Update 2.1.1 brings support for BlackBerry 7 and a few other features to the Smartphone WebWorks SDK. The new features include:

• BlackBerry® 7 OS simulator – a BlackBerry® Bold™ 9930 simulator running BlackBerry 7 OS device software is now included in the WebWorks SDK download.
• Web Inspector – Developers can now use WebKit Web inspector to debug, test and profile Web browser or BlackBerry WebWorks application content running on a live device or simulator.
• Microphone API – The same API that was recently made available for the BlackBerry WebWorks SDK for Tablet OS can now be used to record WAV audio files in BlackBerry WebWorks applications running on BlackBerry smartphones.
• Auto injection of Gears-to-HTML5 shim – BlackBerry WebWorks developers that wish to use HTML5 features on BlackBerry 5.0 smartphones no longer need to manually add the Gears-to-HTML JavaScript toolkit to their projects. The BlackBerry WebWorks SDK automatically does this for you.

This looks to be a solid update to one of RIM’s newest development platforms. If you’re a developer using the WebWorks SDK you’ll want to grab this update and get to work. And for all the consumers out there, this update means even better applications for your BlackBerry. For more information you can check out the BlackBerry Developer’s Blog.

• Download the BlackBerry WebWorks SDK for Smartphones

RIM has just announced that availability of the BlackBerry Java SDK version 7.0. This new developer SDK features all the tools that developers need to begin working on Java apps for the soon-to-be released BlackBerry OS 7. The new release features the simulator of BlackBerry OS 7 running on the Bold 9900 series. In addition to the simulator and OS 7 support, the Java SDK 7.0 features updated support for the Eclipse plug-in and BlackBerry Java development environment. Keep in mind that this is a Beta release and that the official version should come around the time the 9900 is released. If you’re a developer, or just want to check out the new simulator, you can hit the link below to head over and download this new SDK.

• Download the BlackBerry Java SDK 7.0 here

Source: Inside BB DevBlog

RIM has let us know that both WebWorks SDK 2.0 and the BlackBerry Tablet OS SDK for Adobe AIR have both been updated and are available to the public. First, the WebWorks SDK version 2.0. With the release of WebWorks 2.0, Javascript API’s are now separate from the OS, which allows developers to easily access and modify the use of API’s in their applications. The SDK’s are now open sourced and available on GitHub for all to use. Version 2.0 is now the official version that developers should use for PlayBook and smartphone apps.

Next is the BlackBerry Tablet OS SDK for Adobe AIR. This SDK has now been upgraded from beta to the official release version 1.0. This release includes:

• Special APIs for the BlackBerry PlayBook Plugins for Adobe Flash Builder
• A BlackBerry PlayBook Tablet Simulator
• A Getting Started Guide

These new updates will give developers even better tools to develop for both the BlackBerry PlayBook and smartphones. If you’re a developer, or just want to take a look at these new SDK’s, you can get them at the links below.

• Download the WebWorks SDK for Tablet OS
• Download the WebWorks SDK for Smartphones
• Download the BlackBerry Tablet OS SDK for Adobe AIR

If you remember back at DEVCON 2011 RIM announced they will be making an in house analytics service to help developers find out how, when and how long their BlackBerry apps were being used. Today they have made this service available in beta form.

The analytics service will let you;

• Overview metrics showing active users, new users, frequency of use, engagement in duration and depth of use, number of screens viewed, and conversions
• Detail in usage of screens, content, media, features, products, in-app search, and in-app ads
• User information including country and language, device characteristics, carrier, connection type and errors
• And more…

Like I said the service is now in beta allowing developers to get their hands on it and better market their applications. Developers can sign up for the analytics service at http://www.blackberry.com/developers/analyticsservice and are available at no cost to the developer.