RIM Introduces New Java Developer Tools for BlackBerry

Business Wire, Nov 30, 2004

WATERLOO, Ontario -- Research In Motion (RIM) (Nasdaq:RIMM)(TSX:RIM) today announced the availability of the new Java(TM) Development Environment for BlackBerry v4.0. The new release, which supports J2ME(TM) (Java(TM) 2 Platform, Micro Edition), provides developers with more flexibility and support when developing applications for BlackBerry(R) through an enhanced Application Programming Interface (API) set, documentation, code samples and applications, new Java Specification Request (JSR) implementations, an improved Integrated Development Environment (IDE) and a new BlackBerry handheld simulator with usability improvements. The release of the new Java Development Environment for BlackBerry coincides with the availability of BlackBerry Enterprise Server v4.0 announced today and marks another important step in RIM's strategy of providing an open, secure, and global platform for push-based wireless connectivity.

"BlackBerry continues to open new opportunities for developers in the world of wireless data and communications by providing a development environment that removes many of the complexities traditionally associated with wireless technology," said David Yach, Senior Vice President, Software at Research In Motion. "We are pleased to introduce a new release of the Java Development Environment for BlackBerry that builds upon our open, standards-based platform and provides additional resources to advance the wireless strategies of our development partners and customers."

The Java Development Environment for BlackBerry is a fully integrated development environment and simulation tool that incorporates Sun's J2ME specifications and RIM's expertise in BlackBerry wireless application development to significantly ease development efforts. Enterprise customers, developers and Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) can easily and quickly develop applications that leverage the unique connectivity features of BlackBerry such as always-on operation, push-based services, end-to-end security and back-end integration.

"As a company that delivers tailored wireless applications for the investment industry, having access to advanced BlackBerry developer tools is necessary to tightly integrate the technology and meet the mobile needs of our customers," said Todd Christy, Chief Technology Officer, Pyxis. "We're taking advantage of the advanced features of the new Java Development Environment for BlackBerry to enhance existing applications and create new solutions that solve our customers' business challenges."

"Our long-standing relationship with RIM allows Vettro to build market leading field service and mobile sales applications that are being embraced by enterprises today," said Joe Rymsza, President and Chief Executive Officer of Vettro. "We are excited to continue our tradition of delivering world class mobile application functionality, coupled with unparalleled user experience, by leveraging the integrated development environment and tools in the Java Development Environment for BlackBerry."

New features of the Java Development Environment for BlackBerry v.4.0 include:

--An improved Integrated Development Environment (IDE) for enhanced usability and performance

--An enhanced Application Programming Interface (API) set, documentation and samples that enable developers to tightly integrate their applications with BlackBerry email, text messaging, Web browser and organizer applications. The API enhancements include support for Bluetooth and the BlackBerry "push" architecture.

--New Java Specification Request (JSR) implementations, including JTWI, MIDP 2.0, CLDC 1.1 and PDAP PIM, that provide developers with a familiar development environment and greater flexibility with applications.

--A new simulator with improved emulation accuracy, support for new BlackBerry handhelds, and extensive ease-of-use improvements allows developers to quickly emulate and determine how their application will behave on a wide range of BlackBerry devices.

--Synchronization tools that leverage BlackBerry Enterprise Server for managing data synchronization between back-end applications and handheld applications.

--XML Generator that allows developers to perform XML-related tasks without having to write additional code.

--Support for WAP's Push Access Protocol (PAP) providing developers with protocol choice for reliably pushing data with their application.

Key Elements of the BlackBerry Wireless Platform:

BlackBerry Enterprise Server - BlackBerry Enterprise Server(TM) software tightly integrates with Microsoft(R) Exchange and IBM Lotus(R) Domino(TM) (Novell GroupWise(TM) support is expected to be available later this year) and works with existing enterprise systems to enable secure, push-based, wireless access to email and other corporate data. The new BlackBerry Enterprise Server v4.0 is now available.

BlackBerry Mobile Data Service - The Mobile Data Service feature of BlackBerry Enterprise Server is uniquely designed to provide ISVs and in-house corporate developers with an environment that supports corporate data access and interaction capabilities beyond email. With BlackBerry Mobile Data Service, customers can leverage their existing, approved BlackBerry architecture and security model to deploy reliable, secure, end-to-end applications without any additional infrastructure to learn or support.