OmniSketch is familiar from the iPad, of course, a drawing and sketching app that has impressed artists with its flexibility and precision. Samsung will allow for basic editing and annotation in the native Gallery app on the Galaxy Note – permitting annotation on both photos and video – but OmniSketch will take those capabilities one step further.

As for Comic Book, that’s a more humorous art tool, also familiar from the iPad, allowing users to create their own comic books complete with box-outs, speech bubbles and effects. Finally, Sooner Workplace takes the Galaxy Note into the enterprise, with pen-enabled support for communal documents and document editing.

It’s unclear what Samsung intends to do when it comes to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, which Google unveiled earlier in the month. Ice Cream Sandwich already has native support for pen input, including pressure recognition, hover tracking and nib-tilt, with differentiation between pen and finger use.

The software made using C# will be run on the PS Certified devices using a virtual machine. This will also mean that there will be more games available for Android devices that are PS Certified. Sony notes that it is working on expanding the list of current PS Certified devices to allow more bang for the buck when developing using the new SDK.

Sony will be offering new content for the PS Certified devices in October through the PlayStation Store. The service will start in nine countries including the US, Europe, and Japan among others. The SDK will be offered to developers that sign a license agreement with SCE and purchase the tool products. It doesn’t sound like the SDK will be free when it lands.

[via Android Community]

With the Google TV add-on preview ready, it means that developers will soon be able to start developing apps specifically for Google TV as well as optimizing existing apps for the platform. In fact, some existing Android apps may already work as is on Google TV.

The add-on in the SDK will allow developers to test whether their apps need to be optimized or if there are aspects that need to be fixed. However, apps that require certain features that Google TV cannot support will not appear in the Android Market on Google TV. For instance, apps that require a touchscreen will not appear.

[via Google TV Blog]

There’s also integration with Windows’ speech recognition API. That potentially means developers will be able to use the microphone array – which can pinpoint which user is talking thanks to beam formation – to transcribe speech to text, open and control applications, and more.

Microsoft has thrown in plenty of technical documentation, samples, all the drivers you’ll need and support for C++, C#, or Visual Basic. This current iteration of the SDK is only for non-commercial purposes; Microsoft says it will be releasing a commercial version later on. You’ll obviously need a Kinect sensor, too, which currently costs around $140.

WebOS 3.0 is scheduled to appear first on the HP TouchPad tablet later this year. Some of the developments in the new platform version should eventually appear on WebOS smartphones as well. The WebOS 3.0 SDK will include plenty of information on structuring apps, and will allow developers to use the new Enyo framework to integrate Synergy, Just Type, and Exhibition into their apps.

However, the WebOS 3.0 Beta SDK is available only to developers registered with HP’s Early Access program. HP will be providing more information soon for the program on a new developer portal located at http://developer.hpwebos.com

[via PreCentral]

The UDK Beta is available with the new DirectX11 features. I’m going to highlight the Subsurface scattering (SSS) technique. This rendering technique simulates light scattering within translucent materials like human skin. Watch the video below and see for yourself how the shadows and highlights are on the Samaritan. His virtual skin glows with a subtle luminosity. It’s still deep in the crevice of the uncanny valley, but we’re beginning to start climbing up the other side. There is a litany of other features included in this demo, image-based reflections, anti-aliased masking, deferred rendering, bokeh depth of field, and high quality dynamic shadows from many lights. We’re impressed.

Epic also included NVIDIA’s APEX technology into the UDK. Apex is a scalable dynamics platform for consoles and PC. This allows for dynamically calculated physics for objects in the game. It’s showcased in the video quite a few times. Pay attention to the Samaritan’s jacket as he stands up. Apex takes care of all of the calculation on how the clothing shifts, in realtime. The raindrops falling from the sky and interacting with the character models is probably another prime example of how Epic is showcasing the capabilities of NVidia’s new dynamics platform.

[via Epic Games]

This is a very flexible package for developers. Devs are going to have access to basic analytics such as the number of times the users open and close the application, screen views, carriers, device models, and usage time. All of this is automatically provided in the basic implementation. This basic data gives developers the ability to plan their patches to focus on a real picture of their user base. The SDK gives developers the ability to track data on everything from media playback to custom triggers. With all of this data the developers can specifically track the way that users interact with their software. The SDK gives them a realtime look into the habits of their users.

What does this mean for the users? The Blackberry Apps that we know and love are only going to get better. Get at it Devs! Let’s see what you can do!

Grab more info on how you can participate in the Beta here: DevLog.

[via Inside Blackberry Developers Blog]

A list of 3.0 Honeycomb platform highlights are here, and there’s a breakdown of differences between APIs here. Meanwhile, details on how to download and get started with the 3.0 SDK – or how to check your existing apps for compatibility with the XOOM and other slates  are here.

[via Android Community]

The updated BlackBerry Tablet OS simulator – along with all the relevant documentation – can be found here. It’s available in versions for Windows, Mac and Linux. For more on the PlayBook itself, check out our hands-on report from back at CES 2011.

Although we’ve already seen one DIY attempt at a Nexus One Android 2.3 ROM, created from the Gingerbread SDK, it’s very much a work-in-progress and not suitable for everyday use. The Nexus S is set to go on sale in Best Buy USA locations later on today, though there’s no definite timescale for Gingerbread’s AOSP submission.

[via Android Community]

That fits in with leaked video of the smartphone – which has both a touchscreen and a slide-out game control pad – showing mention of Gingerbread in the About screen, as well as with Google’s suggestion that v2.3 would be more accommodating of serious gameplay. As well as the support for hardware control buttons, there are also improvements in the graphics performance, which should suit high framerate titles.

Video demo of the PlayStation Phone below; you can see more video footage of the Android handset here. More details on Android 2.3 Gingerbread here.

[via Android Community]

Better known as Gingerbread, Google has brought plenty of updates with the latest firmware version. First and foremost, there’s an improved overall look to the general User Interface, There’s also integrated support for Near Field Communications, and what some people have wanted all along: Internet calling. The end-user will also have a better grasp on power management, which should allow owners to keep their Android-based devices, running Android 2.3, alive for a little bit longer.

Furthermore, Google has also made improvements to the way that applications are run on the updated Operating System, and have made improvements for the user to control them better. The end result should be a handset that users have more control over, especially which applications are running versus those that aren’t, as well as conserving battery life when they need to.

Check out Google’s introductory video for Android 2.3 below. And head through the source link to find the SDK available for download.

Stay tuned in the coming days, as both SlashGear and Android Community will have their own hands-on time with the device.

[via Android Development; via Android Community]

RIM was busy today showing off the BlackBerry PlayBook today, at the Adobe AIR MAX event. And, considering the high focus of Adobe’s AIR for the PlayBook, there’s no surprise there. The kits will allow developers to build, run, and test their applications in the RIM-preferred Adobe AIR format. It will also provide a disk image that will be allowed to run in VMware, as well as other virtual machines. RIM’s focus is allowing developers plenty of time to get their applications ready to go before the launch of the PlayBook itself, as well as BlackBerry App World.

You can try your hand at developing for the QNX-based Operating System now. Just head through the source link below and give it a shot, if you’re someone who’s been waiting for a shot to develop something interesting for the BlackBerry lineage. And, since the tablet will have full support for 3D graphics, and should have plenty of power to play games, let’s hope the development community is ready to give BlackBerry a shot.

[via BlackBerry]

Ford has released a new SDK for smartphone app developers that will allow the devs to make their apps compatible with voice control using Sync. The SDK allows the developers to build integration for Sync voice control into existing apps and to develop new apps that have support. The software uses the Sync API called AppLink to access apps that are stored on the smartphone.

Sample apps that have support for Sync voice control integrated include Pandora, Stitcher, and OpenBreak from Orangatame. Ford is evaluating apps that are appropriate for use in cars with things like financial apps to warn when a stock price drops, location based services for navigation and traffic, as well as notifications and alerts that uses Syncs ability to mesh vehicle data with apps.

For instance, in the digital photo frames demo the Android smartphone can recognize which networked frame is which by the picture it is currently displaying; then a P2P link is used to update that display accordingly.  In Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em robots, meanwhile, on-screen game graphics are overlaid onto a game mat which the phone’s camera recognizes.

Keen developers can download the AR SDK from http://developer.qualcomm.com/ar, where there are also more details on the Qualcomm AR Developer Challenge and its $200,000 prize-fund.

Qualcomm AR Photo Frames demo:

Press Release:

Qualcomm Announces Availability of Augmented Reality SDK

– Industry-leading, Vision-based Technology Will Enable Developers to Create New Generation of Augmented Reality Experiences –

SAN DIEGO, Oct. 4 /PRNewswire/ — Qualcomm Incorporated (Nasdaq: QCOM) today announced the immediate availability of its Augmented Reality (AR) Software Development Kit (SDK) for Android smartphones. Offered through Qualcomm’s online developer network, QDevNet, Qualcomm’s SDK will enable a new breed of applications that delivers interactive 3D experiences on everyday objects, such as 3D gaming experiences on tabletops and interactive media experiences on product packaging and promotional items.

“Qualcomm is making it easy for developers to create interactive 3D content for the real world,” said Jay Wright, director of business development at Qualcomm. “By making the Qualcomm AR SDK available at no charge, we are encouraging all developers to start building innovative applications and services today.”

Qualcomm’s AR platform, which includes the AR SDK, uses computer vision technology to align graphics tightly with underlying objects. The approach is an evolution from current AR techniques that use a phone’s GPS and compass for mapping applications. Vision-based AR enables a fundamentally different user experience in which graphics appear as if they are anchored to real world objects.

Qualcomm’s SDK provides developers with an advanced feature set, allowing for augmentation of everyday images on printed media, as well as simple 3D objects such as boxes used for product packaging. Additionally, it supports the ability for users to interact with AR applications by simply touching real world surfaces.

First announced at Qualcomm’s Uplinq developer conference, Qualcomm’s AR platform has drawn interest from companies spanning a variety of industries, from traditional mobile developers to consumer product manufacturers and marketers. Mattel, Inc., a worldwide leader of toys and family products, was among the first consumer products companies to embrace Qualcomm’s AR platform and developed a concept application to bring Mattel’s classic Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em® game to life.

“We received a very positive response to the Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em project and as a result, we are moving forward with plans to commercialize the Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em game and are now exploring the use of AR in other Mattel brands,” said Andrew Cheesman, director of emerging digital technologies at Mattel.

Ogmento, Inc., another early leader and innovator in AR game development, also plans to use Qualcomm’s platform to develop commercial titles.

“Qualcomm’s AR platform and SDK provides features and performance that are critical to the game experiences we need to deliver,” said Ori Inbar, founder and CEO of Ogmento. “We see Qualcomm’s technology as a key enabler for high-fidelity gaming that will allow us to bring compelling games to market.”

The Qualcomm AR SDK is available immediately as a beta release and can be downloaded at developer.qualcomm.com/ar

According to RIM, there are currently 28 million BlackBerry Messenger users and that number is growing at a rate of 1.5m every month across both social and business applications. Right now users can share photos, flag up what music they’re listening to and do other basic P2P functions; what RIM is now opening up is a suite of APIs and services that will allow third party developers to tie in their own apps as well.

Not only will software be able to share content via BBM, they’ll be able to register as plugins to the BBM service: for instance, you could open a contact in Messenger and then, with a single click, open up that user’s profile in a third-party app. RIM also see it playing an important role in gaming, for instance allowing users to invite their friends to multiplayer titles, and then using BBM as a P2P platform for gaming sessions themselves.

Meanwhile there’s a greater emphasis on commercialization and monetization, with the next step in the 18 month old App World being a push into adverts. RIM says there are over 35m users of App World today, downloading around 1.5m titles each day; they’re pushing to extend carrier billing – which was added for AT&T subscribers last month – and expect more US carriers to allow BlackBerry users to charge apps to their cellphone bill by the end of the year. That will spread to international carriers through 2011.

The new BlackBerry advertising service is, RIM say, based around a few key fundamentals: that it is simple to use, open, flexible, global and inclusive of the entire advertising ecosystem. On the developer side it’s relatively straightforward to implement, requiring just three lines of code in a Java or web-based application to hook into RIM’s new API and pull in ad inventory. That’s because the clever parts happen on RIM’s servers: the company has developed a mediation platform that aggregates dozens of ad networks worldwide, allowing them to submit their commercial content and then matching it with suitable apps.

Carriers can choose their preferred ad networks and plug in their own choices, and developers are free to either leave it entirely up to RIM as to which networks are used, or can be as specific as they want: down to choosing which network, which ads and even which times they run at. RIM will initially launch with five networks onboard – both US-centric and international – and expect location-based and video-based advertising to be introduced within the next few months.

For the user, the adverts will be completely tied into the app experience. For instance, they’ll support click-to-call, mapping, and video playback, and tie into the BlackBerry’s email, calendar and address book allowing them to start new messages or appointments directly from the advert itself. Developers will get 60-percent of ad revenues.

Finally, there’s the new BlackBerry Payment Service, supporting in-app payments for upgrades, unlocking trial apps, opening premium content and buying virtual currencies or credits. The SDK for in-app payments will be released on the BlackBerry developer site today, and the service itself will go live by the end of 2010.

It’s all part of RIM’s push to better engage with the developer community; they’re waiving all vendor fees for App World, both for new users and for existing developers either updating their current titles or adding new ones. They’re also making it easier to monitor app usage, with a new, free BlackBerry Analytics service powered by WebTrends. Implemented with a few lines of code, the new Analytics SDK can pull out when, where and how the app is being used, how the user discovered it, and which features are most and least popular.

It’ll come into its own with BlackBerry WebWorks, RIM’s new web-app platform that creates web-based software with HTML5, Javascript and CSS that has the same potential functionality and integration as native apps. With WebWorks, developers can create titles that tie into the BlackBerry calendar, address book and push-technology, together with using the same in-app payment, analytics and advertising as local software. Available for developers to use today, WebWorks will also be made open-source, and RIM is working with industry partners around Javascript frameworks to promote the platform’s use with other developer groups.

While PC users have been well served with RIM development tools in the past, the experience for Mac-based developers has been less impressive. That should change with the new Eclipse plugin for Java developer on OS X, released as a technical preview today and then as a beta in a month, and which has all the features of the current Eclipse plugin. The Canadian company is hoping that the plugin will remove barriers for Mac developers who might otherwise opt to create titles for Apple’s iOS.

RIM hasn’t forgotten its broad enterprise user-base either, with the new BlackBerry enterprise app middleware that aims to make distributing software to a large number of company users more straightforward. It automates packaging of apps on both the server and the handset ends, together with better managing app security.

Not the iPad-challenging tablet hardware announcements we may have been hoping for, but perhaps of more interest to the developer crowd attending DevCon 2010. Still, there’s plenty of opportunity for a BlackTab tease during the keynote which is just underway now.

While there’s only a select amount of developers being given the new SDK, Palm suggests that it’s actually a larger amount of developers than we might normally imagine. Palm also confirms that there’s going to be plenty of new features in webOS 2.0, but there’s no word on what type of devices that it’s going to launch with, or if it’s going to be brought to market on a new device at all. But, with the upgrades to the software and the new features outlined below, we can’t help but think that a new device would be a great way to show off the new abilities of webOS and it’s integrated Synergy.

New features include: Stacks, which is a new and improved way to utilize webOS’ “true multitasking” capabilities. Instead of just opening an endless amount of cards in the stream, and then having to find where you left off with, whether it be for personal reasons or work related, the new Stacks feature will let cards that are relevant to one another, or that are opened in the same work flow, stack on top of one another. The image above shows it quite nicely. If you open a URL, or several, within an email, then the Browser’s card will not just open a new card, but it will stack that card on that current workflow, so you don’t lose anything you’re working on.

There’s also Just Type, which is the new name for webOS’ Universal Search feature. Palm is opening up the API to developers, too, which means that applications will be able to use it naturally. They will be able to use what’s called “Quick Actions,” which allows applications to be strung together utilizing only one command. Exhibition is another new feature, which takes advantage of the Touchstone charger. Instead of just allowing for conductive charging, developers will now be able to launch an application when the Pre or Pixi are placed against the Touchstone charger. So, like a clock, weather card, or something to that effect. And finally, there’s going to be plenty of improvements to Synergy itself, mainly as Palm is letting developers tap into the feature directly.

There are also going to be enahncements for HTML5, JavaScript services, as well as PDK plug-ins. There’s no word on when the webOS 2.0 SDK will be available for every webOS developer out there, but we can’t say that we’re not excited by this at all. With HP backing the whole endeavor now, there’s plenty of avenues that these new features can be implemented. And we mean in new devices, not just what we’ve already got in our hands.

[via Engadget]

The hardware inside Notion Ink’s Adam tablet is powerful. We all know this. Featuring Android as its Operating System, and a NVIDIA Tegra chipset to power the whole shebang, no one’s arguing that the tablet’s mediocre in any way. And since we already know that the company is going to feature their own custom software, along with a catalog for digital material to read and an app store, getting developers to jump on board to create things is essential.

That’s where the Genesis project comes in. It’s an SDK meant to allow developers to create things specifically for the Adam tablet, so that customers can enjoy them without having to access something like the Android Market. There’s always the idea that, by the time the tablet launches later this year, some of those third-party developed apps could make it onto the device at launch time, depending on what gets developed. Unfortunately, there’s not much else to go on here. But, if you got one of those emails, let us know in the comments.

[via AndroidCommunity]

The new SDK is part of RIM’s play to pull in more third-party developers, since they’re lagging behind Android and iOS when it comes to app selection.  Part of their approach is to make a lot more of the underlying system available for integration, including the Universal Search and improved location-awareness (such as reverse geocoding and a new Travel Time API that calculates ETAs).  There’s also HTML5 support in the new WebKit-based browser, and devs can create widgets and web-apps that tie into the phones’ core abilities.

Developers keen to try out the new tools can download the BlackBerry 6 Java SDK here; there’s also more information for developers on the new OS here.

SlashGear is at the RIM press event in New York today, and will be bringing you a full hands-on report with the Torch 9800 as soon as we grab some time with the new smartphone.  Until then, check out all the details here.

Press Release:

BlackBerry Torch Smartphone First to Feature New BlackBerry 6 Combines New Touch Screen Experience with Easy-To-Use Keyboard and Rich WebKit Browser First Smartphone to Support AT&T’s Next Generation Messaging Experience, and First to Offer Locations Feature New BlackBerry App World Pre-installed with Carrier Billing Support

Dallas and Waterloo, ON – Joining forces to offer the first smartphone to feature the highly anticipated BlackBerry® 6 exclusively on the nation’s fastest mobile broadband network, AT&T* and Research In Motion (RIM) today introduced the new BlackBerry® Torch™ 9800 smartphone. Adept for socially connected consumers and packed with the tools business customers love, the new handset is the world’s first smartphone to combine a BlackBerry® keyboard with a full touch screen experience. Whether users choose to type out messages on the capacitive touch screen or easy-to-use BlackBerry keyboard, browse the Internet using pinch to zoom or fluidly navigate with the optical trackpad, the BlackBerry Torch allows them to communicate any way they want.

“We were the first to launch the BlackBerry solution in 1999 and have a rich history of innovation and collaboration with Research In Motion,” said Ralph de la Vega, president and chief executive officer, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets. “The two companies that brought the first BlackBerry smartphones to market have teamed up again with the new BlackBerry Torch, creating a true generational shift in hardware and operating system for this enormously popular service.”

“This is one of the most significant launches in RIM’s history and we are proud to introduce the new BlackBerry Torch and BlackBerry 6 together with AT&T,” said Mike Lazaridis, president and co-ceo, Research In Motion. “With a new user interface, new browser and new handset design, the highly anticipated BlackBerry Torch and BlackBerry 6 deliver integrated and uncompromising capabilities for consumers and business professionals that preserve the industry-leading strengths of the BlackBerry platform while adding exciting new dimensions.”

BlackBerry 6
The BlackBerry Torch is the first BlackBerry smartphone to launch with BlackBerry 6, a new operating system that retains the familiar and trusted features that distinguish the BlackBerry brand while delivering a fresh, approachable and engaging experience that’s powerful and easy to use.

BlackBerry 6 features a redesigned interface that seamlessly works with the touch screen and trackpad, includes expanded messaging capabilities with intuitive features to simplify the management of social networking and RSS feeds (Social Feeds), and provides integrated access to the BlackBerry® Messenger (BBM™), Facebook®, Twitter™, MySpace™ and various instant messaging applications available on the BlackBerry Torch smartphone. Its enhanced multimedia experience rivals the best in the industry and includes a dedicated YouTube app and Podcasts app.

BlackBerry 6 also integrates a new and rich WebKit-based browser on BlackBerry Torch that renders HTML web pages (as well as HTML email) quickly and beautifully for a great browsing experience. It features tabs for accessing multiple sites simultaneously, pinch to zoom for easy navigation and an auto-wrap text zoom feature that can intelligently wrap text in a column while maintaining the placement of a page’s key elements (simply double-tap on the BlackBerry Torch).

Universal search, always accessible from the Home Screen, allows users to search through email, messages, contacts, music, videos and more on the smartphone, as well as extend search to the Internet or to discover applications on BlackBerry App World™.

Advanced Messaging
Messaging has always been a core element of the BlackBerry smartphone experience and the BlackBerry Torch smartphone expands on RIM’s popular messaging solutions with the support of AT&T’s advanced messaging features for SMS and MMS. RIM’s new Text Messages application is especially exciting for users who communicate most via SMS and MMS, providing support for AT&T’s next-generation messaging experience, which includes group messaging with “reply all” functionality for up to 10 contacts. And for the first time, AT&T’s platform includes a new Locations feature.

Locations lets users easily search for points of interest, businesses, and even the user’s own location, and insert this information directly into a message, all without leaving the messaging application. Using group messaging and locations together, users can arrange to meet a group of friends easily by sending one message to all of them, discussing together where to meet and then sending a map – all in one threaded conversation. AT&T designed the service based on research that revealed customers want features that help facilitate social planning, improved message organization and location sharing.

Apps At Your Fingertips
After powering up the BlackBerry Torch smartphone for the first time, users will notice a set of pre-loaded icons which allow them to download and immediately begin using a variety of rich entertainment and social networking applications to access Bloomberg, ESPN, The Weather Channel and Slacker Radio content in addition to Facebook, MySpace, Twitter and more. Also available is AT&T’s Web Video Search, a unique new app that searches video content from over 70 major Internet video websites.

In addition to searching the Internet for video, the BlackBerry Torch smartphone also features more multimedia apps that let users download TV shows and watch live TV, as well as create video content and upload it to YouTube. The new Podcasts application makes it easy for users to find and manage audio and video podcasts.

Another application that puts a key function of a phone at your fingertips is Visual Voicemail, which benefits customers by allowing them to select the voicemails they want to hear first.

The BlackBerry Torch 9800 is also the first BlackBerry smartphone to include BlackBerry App World™ pre-installed, supporting carrier billing through AT&T, making it easier for customers to discover and purchase applications.

BlackBerry Torch Smartphone Features
• Elegant styling, measuring approx. 4.4″ (5.8″ open) x 2.4″ x .57″ and weighing 5.68 ounces
• 3.2″ 360×480 capacitive touch screen display
• 35 key full QWERTY backlit slide-out keyboard, designed to feel optimally balanced when opened for typing
• Optical trackpad that makes navigation fast and smooth
• Powerful 624 Mhz processor with 512 MB Flash memory
• 4 GB built-in memory storage plus a microSD/SDHD memory card slot that supports up to 32 GB cards; a 4 GB card is included giving users 8 GB of storage out-of-the-box
• 5 MP camera with flash, continuous auto focus, image stabilization, scene modes, geo-tagging and zoom, as well as video recording at up to 640×480 resolution
• Built-in GPS for location-based applications and geo-tagging
• Wi-Fi® (802.11 b/g/n); qualifying smartphone customers can enjoy seamless connectivity to over 20,000 AT&T Wi-Fi hotspots at no additional cost
• 3.5mm stereo headset jack
• Premium phone features, including voice activated dialing, speakerphone and Bluetooth® (2.1) with support for hands-free headsets, stereo headsets, car kits (including systems that support the Bluetooth Message Access Profile standard) and other Bluetooth accessories
• New BlackBerry® Desktop Software 6 with integrated media sync for easily syncing music, photos and videos**. It also includes Wi-Fi Music Sync, a unique feature that allows users to view their entire iTunes® or Windows Media® Player music libraries from their BlackBerry smartphone, create and edit playlists as well as select music for download. When in range of their home Wi-Fi network (or via USB), the changes are synced with iTunes or Windows Media Player and the songs are automatically downloaded to the smartphone
• Tri-band HSDPA (3G) and quad-band EDGE support for the option of voice service in more than 220 countries, data service in more than 195 countries and 3G connectivity in more than 125 countries, including Japan and South Korea
• Removable, rechargeable 1300 mAhr battery that provides approximately 5.8 hours of talk time on 3G networks or 30 hours of audio playback or 6 hours of video playback

Pricing and Availability
The BlackBerry Torch 9800 smartphone will be available only for AT&T customers on August 12 in AT&T company owned retail stores and online at www.att.com/blackberrytorch, as well as Best Buy, Wal-Mart and RadioShack stores.

The BlackBerry Torch 9800 will be available for $199.99 with 2-year service agreement on a qualifying rate plan and smartphone data plan required. New smartphone customers may choose from two AT&T monthly data plan options, $15 for 200 MB of wireless data or $25 for 2 GB. Enterprise and small business customers should contact their account representative for pricing details.

*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

AT&T imposes: a Regulatory Cost Recovery Charge of up to $1.25 to help defray costs incurred in complying with obligations and charges imposed by State and Federal telecom regulations; State and Federal Universal Service charges; and surcharges for government assessments on AT&T. These fees are not taxes or government-required charges.

**Certain music files may not be supported, including files that contain digital rights management technologies. Photo and video syncing is currently only available for Windows-based PCs.

Limited-time offer. Other conditions & restrictions apply. See contract & rate plan brochure for details. Subscriber must live & have a mailing addr. within AT&T’s owned wireless network coverage area. Up to $36 activ. fee applies. Equipment price & avail may vary by mrk & may not be available from independent retailers. Early Termination Fee: None if cancelled in the first 30 days, but up to $35 restocking fee may apply to equipment returns; thereafter up to $325. Some agents impose add’l fees. Unlimited voice services: Unltd voice svcs are provided primarily for live dialog between two individuals. No additional discounts are available with unlimited plan. Smartphone Data Plan Requirement: Smartphones require a DataPlus (200MB) or DataPro (2GB) plan. If you exceed your initial data allowance, you will automatically be charged an additional $10 for each additional 1GB provided on DataPro or an additional $15 for each additional 200MB provided on DataPlus. All data allowances, including overages, must be used in the billing period in which the allowance is provided or they will be forfeited. An Enterprise Data Plan is required for corporate email, company intranet sites and business applications. For more details on Data Plans, go to att.com/dataplans. Offnet Usage: If your mins of use (including unltd svcs) on other carrier’s networks (“offnet usage”) during any two consecutive months or your data use during any month exceeds your offnet usage allowance, AT&T may at its option terminate your svc, deny your contd use of other carriers’ coverage, or change your plan to one imposing usage charges for offnet usage. Your offnet usage allowance is equal to the lesser of 750 mins or 40% of the Anytime mins incl’d with your plan (data offnet usage allowance is the lesser of 24 MB or 20% of the KB incl’d with your plan). Sales tax calculated based on price of unactivated equipment. AT&T Wi-Fi Hot Spots- Based on non-municipal company owned and operated hotspots. A Wi-Fi enabled device required. Other restrictions apply. See www.attwifi.com for additional services, restrictions and locations. Visual Voicemail – Data plan required for AT&T Visual Voicemail. Data used in replying to and forwarding voicemail messages via SMS, MMS or email is counted against your data plan. Applicable data charges apply if data plan limits have been exceeded. International data charges apply to receiving, replying to and forwarding voicemail messages while roaming internationally.

Press Release:

RIM Unleashes BlackBerry 6

Waterloo, ON – Research In Motion (RIM) (NASDAQ: RIMM; TSX: RIM) today announced BlackBerry® 6, a new operating system for BlackBerry® smartphones that retains the trusted features that distinguish the BlackBerry brand while delivering a fresh, approachable and engaging experience that is both powerful and easy to use. BlackBerry 6 features a redesigned interface that seamlessly works with a touch screen and trackpad, expanded messaging capabilities that simplify managing social media and RSS feeds, an advanced multimedia experience that rivals the best in the industry, a convenient new Universal Search tool, and a new and efficient WebKit-based browser that renders web pages quickly and beautifully for a great browsing experience.

“BlackBerry 6 is the outcome of RIM’s ongoing passion to deliver a powerful, simplified and optimized user experience for both touch screen and keyboard fans,” said Mike Lazaridis, president and co-ceo, Research In Motion. “Following extensive research and development to address consumer needs and wants, we are delivering a communications, browsing and multimedia experience that we think users will love, and we are thrilled to debut BlackBerry 6 on the amazing new BlackBerry Torch smartphone.”

Visual, Fluid Interface
BlackBerry 6 has been redesigned making it easier and more intuitive, with clean, sleek visuals and natural, fluid navigation. Designed to be both fresh and familiar, the new interface enables a productive, fun and highly satisfying user experience whether using a touch screen or trackpad and keyboard.

BlackBerry 6 offers multiple views that help users better organize their applications and content. Icons are arranged on the Home Screen in 5 customizable views (All, Favorites, Media, Downloads and Frequent) that are navigable with simple swipes. Users can organize where they want their icons to appear, and can add contacts or web page shortcuts directly to the Home Screen.

Also new to BlackBerry 6 are visually-rich, context-sensitive Action Menus. Within a given application, by clicking and holding the trackpad or through an extended touch of the display, users can bring the most common actions or tasks of an application to the surface. In addition, users can seamlessly multitask by holding down the Menu key, which pops up a visual grid of all the applications currently running, so users can instantly switch between applications.

A powerful Universal Search tool is also accessible from the Home Screen. By simply clicking or tapping the Universal Search icon, users can search for any content on their handset, the web or in the new BlackBerry App World™, which is also integral to BlackBerry 6.

Fast Rich Web Browsing
BlackBerry 6 integrates a new and efficient WebKit-based browser that renders web pages (as well as email) quickly and beautifully for a great browsing experience. It features tabs for accessing multiple sites simultaneously, an auto-wrap text zoom feature that can intelligently wrap text in a column while maintaining the placement of a page’s key elements, and pinch to zoom.

Social Feeds and Text Messaging
The new Social Feeds application simplifies the management of social networking and RSS feeds and provides integrated access to the native BlackBerry® Messenger (BBM™), Facebook®, Twitter™, MySpace™, AOL® Instant Messenger™, Google Talk™, Windows Live™ Messenger and Yahoo!® Messenger applications for BlackBerry smartphones. Social Feeds streamlines the user experience, provides an integrated view of friends’ activities across multiple social networks, and let’s users post updates across multiple networks simultaneously. Users can also easily add their favorite RSS Feeds from the Social Feeds application or directly from a website while browsing.

RIM’s new Text Messages application also adds exciting new features for users who communicate mostly via SMS and MMS, including the ability for users to now view a conversation in one threaded ‘chat’ as well as share photos, videos and other rich content.

Engaging Multimedia Experience
The multimedia experience in BlackBerry 6 is designed to give users a more engaging and streamlined experience with album art everywhere in the new music and video players. The new BlackBerry® Desktop Software 6 integrates media sync for easily syncing photos and videos as well as iTunes® and Windows Media® Player music with the smartphone*. It also includes Wi-Fi Music Sync, a unique feature that allows users to view their entire iTunes® or Windows Media® Player music libraries from their BlackBerry smartphone, create and edit playlists, as well as select music for download. When in range of their home Wi-Fi network (or via USB), the changes are synced with iTunes® or Windows Media® Player and the songs are automatically downloaded to the smartphone.

BlackBerry 6 also gives users access to a range of camera modes that can help them capture better images. Editing, organizing and sharing shots is amazingly simple, with intuitive options for grouping pictures.

The new Podcasts application makes it easy for users to find and manage audio and video podcasts. Users can view all the podcasts saved on their smartphone, browse a catalogue of podcasts available for download, subscribe to them, and wirelessly download the content directly onto their smartphone. There is also a dedicated YouTube® application, so viewing and sharing videos is easier than ever and users can also easily search for videos using the new Universal Search tool in BlackBerry 6.

Compatibility with Existing BlackBerry Smartphones
BlackBerry 6 will debut on the new BlackBerry® Torch™ smartphone (announced today) available from AT&T on August 12 and it is also designed to run on select BlackBerry smartphones already in market. Subject to carrier certifications in the months ahead, the new OS is expected to be available for the BlackBerry® Bold™ 9700, BlackBerry® Bold™ 9650 and BlackBerry® Pearl™ 3G, as well as future BlackBerry smartphones.

Research In Motion is releasing an SDK for BlackBerry 6 (also announced today). Developers can find additional details at www.blackberry.com/developers/blackberry6.

For more information on BlackBerry 6, visit www.blackberry.com/6. To view screen shots, visit the Inside BlackBerry Blog: www.blackberry.com/blog. For more information about the BlackBerry Torch smartphone from AT&T, visit www.att.com/blackberrytorch.

* Certain music files may not be supported, including files that contain digital rights management technologies. Photo and video syncing is currently only available for Windows-based PCs.

Press Release:

RIM Announces Java SDK to Support New BlackBerry 6

User Interface Enhancements, Web Kit Browser Support and New Services Make it Easier to Build Compelling and Fresh Applications for BlackBerry Smartphones

Waterloo, ON – Research In Motion (RIM) (NASDAQ: RIMM; TSX: RIM) today announced a new Java SDK to support BlackBerry® 6, a highly anticipated new operating system for BlackBerry® smartphones. BlackBerry® Java SDK v6.0 takes advantage of new UI features, offers deeper integration with BlackBerry smartphones, access to new and enhanced services and support for rendering and porting content to the new WebKit-based browser.

BlackBerry Java SDK v6.0 focuses on providing developers with powerful tools that enable them to create rich, visually appealing applications on the BlackBerry® Application Platform and make it easier to integrate capabilities that have traditionally been difficult for developers. The BlackBerry developer community can now access more than 40 new APIs that allow them to build visually rich and deeply integrated applications that take advantage of the new features in BlackBerry 6.

“The opportunity for developers to create applications that tie to core applications and features of the BlackBerry Application Platform has never been greater,” said David Yach, Chief Technology Officer, Software at Research In Motion. “Our veteran developers, as well as those who are new to the BlackBerry platform, are going to be thrilled with the new APIs as well as the sleek and powerful user interface.”

Richer User Interfaces
The BlackBerry Java SDK v6.0 supports the fresh new look in the BlackBerry 6 user interface (UI) with new pre-built UI elements including contextual menus, tables, lists, inertial scrolling, activity progress indicators, pane managers, tool bars, title bars and sub menus.

BlackBerry Browser with WebKit
The new browser in BlackBerry 6 leverages a WebKit rendering engine and developers will be able to build dynamic web sites and rich mobile applications as well as advanced widgets that can be seamlessly integrated with the browser and core native applications. BlackBerry Widgets and web applications designed for the BlackBerry Browser v 5.0 will be forward compatible to the new browser.

HTML5 Support
With the added support of HTML5 in the new BlackBerry 6 Browser, web developers will be able to create content for BlackBerry smartphones that is run through the web, including compelling games and interactive media with 3D graphics in real time and more.

Native Feature Integration
Developers can use new APIs to more deeply integrate their applications with various aspects of a BlackBerry smartphone’s core functionality. The Unified Search Framework API will allow developers to register their application and their content partners to be searchable, as well as provide a mechanism for in-app search. The Mapfield API has been redesigned to provide enhanced features including panning, zooming, my location and convenience toolbars. Developers can call the Mapfield API to customize the look of location data and can use multiple mapfields simultaneously on the same screen for added user benefits.

Location Service Enhancements
The Location Service has been enhanced with a Wi-Fi® Geolocation API, allowing developers to build applications that leverage a handset’s location based on its proximity to Wi-Fi networks. The API builds on the LBS features already available to developers through cell tower location and GPS. Reverse Geocoding now allows applications to leverage zip/postal codes to obtain local information. The Travel Time API brings estimated time of arrival (ETA) information into applications. The ETA is based on anonymous real-time crowd sourced data combined with historical traffic information.

BlackBerry Java SDK v6.0 is available for download at www.blackberry.com/developers/java. More information about BlackBerry 6 can be found at www.blackberry.com/developers/blackberry6 .

The SkypeKit SDK lives alongside, rather than replacing, the existing Skype API, which is primarily intended for those producing apps and hardware that works in tandem with the official Skype app.  Developers will initially be charged a “nominal” membership fee of around $20 for access to the SDK, which will be given out on an invitation basis. You can sign up for an invitation here.

Developers will initially be charged a “nominal” membership fee of around $20 for access to the SDK, which will be given out on an invitation basis.  Meanwhile the existing Skype API will continue to be supported, primarily useful for those making apps and hardware that works alongside a standalone Skype app.

Initially only a Linux version will be offered, but Skype plan Windows and OS X builds over the next few weeks.  Developers who create apps or hardware using the technology will be allowed to brand their offerings “Plugged Into Skype”.  Beta applications can be made here and Skype say they’ll be starting SkypeKit access from June 23rd.

[Thanks Tom!]

In the beginning, Facebook didn’t have a very high perception of Google’s mobile Operating System. And so, as they focused on the iPhone Operating System (OS), it wasn’t a surprise for anyone. But then, out of nowhere, Facebook (finally) released an official application for Android, rightly entitled: Facebook for Android. And now, as a recent update finally allows messaging support with the app, Facebook is providing full details for developers to tie their Android native applications to the Facebook platform.

What’s probably more surprising, though, is the realization that the SDK for Android is actually more advanced than the iPhone SDK, as it features Facebook’s Graph API. It also utilizes OAuth 2.0 to take care of authentication, with the ability to publish stories to Facebook from Feed forms.

We know that Facebook didn’t take Android seriously at all in the past, but things look like they’re finally changing for the better. If Facebook is releasing an SDK that’s more advanced than the iPhone OS’ version, that may indeed be the case. Which would be great for all those Android owners out there, who are waiting to get a Facebook application that they’re proud to show off.

[via TechCrunch]

On offer is an 18MB core download, onto which you can then bolt individual packages catering for different Android OS releases.  Versions all the way back to Android OS 1.5 are available, or you can shun the older devices and just focus on the 2.x builds.

[via Android Community]

Given the consistent speculation that the next-gen handset will be dubbed the iPhone HD (so as to avoid confusion with 4th-gen cellular networks were it named the iPhone 4G), HD video recording abilities would certainly make sense.  In fact, given the smartphone vista at the moment, Apple would almost inevitably have to boost video capture to 720p, just to remain competitive against high-resolution rivals.

Previous leaks have suggested that the iPhone HD will have a 5-megapixel camera (along with a front facing camera for video calls).  We’re expecting to hear all about the handset on the first day of WWDC 2010 in early June; SlashGear will be liveblogging the keynote.

The changes came about with the new iPhone OS 4.0 SDK, with the terms of Apple’s developer agreement amended to deny access to private APIs as well as prescribe which languages can be used to create apps: C, C++ and Objective-C.  The change also meant that third-party tools such as the Adobe Flash to iPhone compiler in Flash Professional CS5, MonoTouch and Appcelerator are also banned.  Such tools would allow developers to code apps that more readily ran on various platforms, not just on the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad, a situation which Apple look keen to avoid.

The decision on whether the DoJ or the FCC will take the lead in the inquiry is apparently days away from being finalised.  The process will decide on whether a full-fledged investigation is required, with Apple issued a subpoena for information pertaining the policy.

At its most basic level, Jobs doesn’t want Adobe powering any applications on his new devices, such as the iPod Touch, iPhone, or iPad. Even if Adobe’s CS5 product, Flash Professional, allows for developers to compile and package their finished product in a format for iPhone OS, Apple doesn’t want any part of it. If a developer tries to submit an application developed in that format, they will actually violate Apple’s new Terms of Service, and therefore their application is going to get kicked to the curb, rather than accepted into loving arms.

Writing on Adobe’s Conversations blog, CTO Kevin Lynch told all those listening that the iPhone packager was going to remain, and that if developers wanted to develop their applications in this format, they weren’t going to stop them. The only company that would be hindering the developers would be Apple, and therefore Lynch and the rest of Adobe is leaving it up to the figureheads at Cupertino to figure out the details. The truth is, and Lynch knows this, Adobe is everywhere, and if Apple doesn’t allow for developers to build in Adobe products, other companies will. There’s open arms somewhere else, basically. Apple isn’t the only house on the block. At this point, this fight is just beginning, ladies and gentlemen. It’s time to choose your side.

[via Adobe]

“3.3.1 — Applications may only use Documented APIs in the manner prescribed by Apple and must not use or call any private APIs. Applications must be originally written in Objective-C, C, C++, or JavaScript as executed by the iPhone OS WebKit engine, and only code written in C, C++, and Objective-C may compile and directly link against the Documented APIs (e.g., Applications that link to Documented APIs through an intermediary translation or compatibility layer or tool are prohibited).”

The Flash to iPhone compiler has been Adobe’s flagship feature in the imminent Flash Professional CS5 launch, and was being seen by many as the ideal way to work around Apple’s ongoing reluctance – reiterated at the iPhone OS 4.0 event yesterday – to add native Flash support.  It’s unclear at present how Apple will tell whether an app has been compiled in one of the now banned clients, though apparently the Flash to iPhone compiler does leave traces behind in the app bundle.

Apple has never exactly been the most flexible of companies when it comes to giving developers leeway, but this is being seen as a new leap in closing down avenues for coding.  Their motivation, it’s suggested, is to prevent a third-party platform from becoming the de facto standard for programming apps not only for the iPhone but for cross-platform use; were that to happen, Apple could lose their own control over the developer community, and the iPhone OS would lose some of its appeal as a platform for which hundreds of thousands of apps were exclusively available.

If you’re interested, then head over to Apple’s developer portal and start the download. If you’re a developer planning to develop for iPhone OS 4.0, let us know in the comments, and be sure to tell us what you’re going to develop. A game, the next big application? We’re interested in hearing from you!

Live coverage

Videos after the cut

The videos are the handiwork of Australian tech enthusiast techAU, and go through both an overview of the whole Windows Phone 7 experience together with a more in-depth look at the settings.  Of course, part of Microsoft’s reason for hiding some of the functionality could be that they’re planning to change it prior to the first WP7 devices launching, so things could well change in the meantime.

Windows Phone 7 series emulator walkthrough:

[vimeo]http://vimeo.com/10280305[/vimeo]

Windows Phone 7 series settings:

[vimeo]http://vimeo.com/10281154[/vimeo]

Among the things discovered are a file explorer and a native task manager.  Meanwhile over at xda-developers they’ve already discovered mention of cut, copy and paste functionality, which Microsoft have admitted won’t be in the initial release of WP7 but will instead follow on in a later upgrade.

Unfortunately, Dan has since taken down the files necessary to remove the lock, fearing a negative response from Microsoft.  Of course, this is also a relatively early build of the platform, and part of the reason the company hid certain functionality might simply be because they’re planning to change if prior to launch: if developers created apps using the system as it stands, they might find their software doesn’t work quite right on shipping Windows Phone 7 series devices.

[via istartedsomething]

“Using OpenGL ES on iPad is identical to using OpenGL ES on other iPhone OS devices. An iPad is a PowerVR SGX device and supports the same basic capabilities as other SGX devices. However, because the processor, memory architecture, and screen dimensions are different for iPad, you should always test your code on an iPad device before shipping to ensure performance meets your requirements.” Apple SDK documentation

Previous reports had suggested that the iPad might, in fact, use a less powerful GPU, which seemed at odds with the hardware available elsewhere in Apple’s range.  This new information makes far more sense; Apple has made considerable investment into Imagination Technologies, the company responsible for the PowerVR SGX chips.

The GPU is combined into the custom Apple A4 chip, the 1GHz processor at the heart of the iPad.  For consumers it should mean similar gaming performance to an iPhone 3GS, while for developers it should mean a more straightforward process translating gaming titles and other graphics-intensive apps from the smartphone platform to the new tablet.

[via Everything iPad]

iChat makes at least one appearance in the iPad build of the code, as do some VideoChat strings in the underlying iPad telephony apps.  While they could be remnants of Mac telephony code, 9to5mac admit, it does seem unlikely that Apple would have built iPad-specific icons for functionality that was never intended to be rolled out.

Of course, as it stands the current-gen iPhone lacks a front-facing video camera, and as far as we’re aware there’s no such hardware on the first-gen iPad either.  Apple could add a webcam in, certainly (they may have avoided mentioning it so as not to tip their development hand prior to the next-gen iPhone launch), but we’ll have to wait until units begin shipping to see if that’s been the case.

[via Everything iPad]

The Lua-based development kit permits users to not only concoct and draft up applications for the X-Fi 2 platform, but also to completely customize it. Unlike the iPhone App Store Developer Program which requires a hefty fee to create apps for the iPhone/iPod Touch, the ADK from Creative emerges as an absolutely free of charge kit.

Creative’s unreleased Zii Egg digital media player of late should be out by now, and if Creative wants developers to take full advantage of their ADK, perhaps the sleek Zii Egg should be the one receiving some kind of SDK instead.

For those already in the iPhone Developer Program, you can go ahead and download the beta 2 release (still called iPhone SDK) for OS 3.2.  Not much has been released in terms of detailed updates, but can imagine that most would focus on iPad support.  More information will most likely come in the next several days to come.  Any findings? We’d love to know about them.

[via Apple]

According to some tipsters over at Engadget, it’s “likely the codename of the next iPhone (previous versions were called the M68, N82, and N88)”.  Also may be true is the new model “N80” included in Apple’s released 3.1.3 firmware, which may very well be the new iPod Touch codename.

We’ll keep you updated with anything else we find.  Any thoughts what the N89 or N80 may come out with?

As expected, the SDK adds support for active dynamic wallpaper development and a much visually-stunning 3D-enabled Gallery app.  Furthermore, there are changes to signal strength visual output, view selectors for applications and updates to the WebKit rendering engine to allow for geolocation support. New settings are also included for app cache, web storage, zooming based on screen density and methods for handling video, browsing history and custom Views along with app cache limits.

No unexpected huge changes here, but it does indicate that 2.1 will be indeed coming to other Android phones like the Motorola Droid and other HTC smartphones.

Video demo after the cut

bada is intended, says Samsung, to bridge the gap between current feature-phones and smartphones, with a range of devices spanning multiple price points and specifications that would all be able to access the same application store.  Certain key features would be consistent across all devices – 3G and WiFi connectivity, GPS and a motion sensor, WQVGA or WVGA displays and multitouch-support, and the first bada device will debut the TouchWiz 3.0 UI – giving developers a potentially huge market audience for their applications.  The bada application store will launch with fifty countries supported initially, but Samsung intend to spread it worldwide; users will not have to register in order to use the store, and Samsung hope to add both credit card and mobile billing options for payment.

Samsung will have an open SDK available and developers will be able to use various methods to get their applications up and running.  bada supports C++ together with web runtime widgets and Flash, and Samsung will be running various developer days where coders can work alongside the company’s own software engineers.  There’s already a great deal of developer support; Samsung brought Twitter, Capcom, EA Mobile, Gameloft and Blockbuster on stage with them, who are all planning bada applications, but Facebook, Konami and many others were named on the company’s presentation slides.

As further incentive, Samsung are going along a similar route to Google and others and launching the bada Developer Challenge, which has a $2.7m prize fund to be shared among authors of new applications for the platform.  Obviously gaming will figure strongly in the first wave of releases – Samsung showed Resident Evil running in their concept, as an example of the devices’ potential, and Gameloft’s CEO went so far as to describe bada phones as “a full gaming platform” – but Blockbuster suggested the smartphone would become your “uber-remote” and allow for Video-on-Demand (VoD) to be downloaded to an HDTV and then the viewing picked up on your bada phone.  EA Mobile’s vice president briefly outlined the potential for bada games to take advantage of the handset’s camera, mapping and social networking capabilities, thanks to Samsung’s APIs.

So far so good, but what’s less clear is Samsung’s strategy in bringing bada to market.  We’d argue their point that smartphones have a price barrier keeping general feature-phone buyers away is untrue; there are several entry-level smartphone devices from various manufacturers, especially when you take into account carrier subscription.  When asked why the company chose to launch a new OS rather than take advantage of something like Android or Symbian, the EVP of Samsung’s media solution center, Hosoo Lee, suggested that bada is easier to use, cheaper and has the potential to scale globally.  Since Google are giving away Android, and it – and other platforms – have been adopted in devices pretty much across the globe, we’d argue that’s not quite true.

It was also difficult to get a straight answer on what exactly bada consists of, the presumption being that it’s Samsung’s proprietary OS with new, open APIs and a more accessible SDK.  There’s a sense that Samsung have pushed forward with bada to a large part to maintain control of their platform, while simultaneously being able to sell it as “open”.  Nor was there a definitive answer to whether the bada runtime could be downloaded and installed to existing Samsung devices, thus broadening its footprint and giving owners access to the new applications.  The only real indication of bada’s technical capacity was a briefly shown slide – which you can see in the gallery below – including such things as OpenGL ES support, face recognition and direct graphics buffer access, but Samsung seemed reluctant to dwell on any hardware details beyond repeating that the first bada device would be one of many on the market by the end of 2010.

We’re also very aware that, while the regular SlashGear readers and geeks among us might question the need for a new smartphone platform, the bulk of Samsung’s sales are likely to be to non-tech-aware users.  In that sense, sheer scale of numbers will probably see bada grab market share, even if consumers are buying the devices for their aesthetics, blunt camera megapixels or merely brand-recognition.  bada’s application portfolio, therefore, may be a second-sell after the initial contract is signed, with Samsung having to educate new users as to why their device is now smarter than the feature phone they might have had before.  It’s hard to pass judgement either way until we see a production device (or even just a prototype); despite Samsung’s broad launch window, we wouldn’t be surprised to see something at Mobile World Congress in February next year.

Samsung bada UI concept video:

Press Release:

Samsung unveils new smartphone platform “bada” to the world

Samsung bada offers a powerful opportunity for developers, mobile operators, and consumers with a wider range of smartphone experiences

December 8th, 2009, London, United Kingdom – Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., a leading mobile phone provider, today unveils its new smartphone platform, Samsung bada. At this unveiling, Samsung showcases the bada SDK (Software Development Kit) for partners and presents the unique benefits and unprecedented opportunities that the bada platform will bring to developers, mobile operators and consumers.

Samsung bada is a driving force in accomplishing Samsung’s vision of a ‘smartphone for everyone.’ To achieve this vision, Samsung bada offers a feature-rich platform for enhanced mobile experiences for consumers, and a complete mobile ecosystem through a developer support program that both the application store and consumers will benefit from. Based on Samsung’s accumulated expertise in developing advanced mobile phones, the company will allow its users to enjoy ultimate mobile experience through superb features.

Dr Hosoo Lee, Executive Vice President and Head of the Media Solution Center at Samsung Electronics said, “In providing Samsung bada, I believe that Samsung will become a true leader in the mobile industry; offering a wider range of smartphone choices for consumers.” He added, “At the same time, Samsung bada presents a powerful opportunity for developers to get their applications onto an unprecedented number of Samsung devices across the world“

Samsung bada, meaning Ocean in Korean, possesses the following key characteristics:

User-interactive

Based on Samsung’s signature TouchWiz User Interface, Samsung bada platform provides an easy, simple, and intuitive UI without compromising efficiency. To enhance creativity and user interactivity, Samsung bada provides flash control, web control, motion sensing, fine-tuned vibration control, and face detection. Also, it supports sensor-based, context-aware applications. By using various sensors such as accelerometers, tilt, weather, proximity, and activity sensors, application developers can easily implement context-aware interactive applications.

Service-oriented

Samsung bada differentiates its position by supporting various service-centric features such as social networking, device synchronization, content management, location-based services, and commerce services – all supported by back-end bada servers. These ground-breaking developer-friendly features support developers to implement various services without additional effort.

Open and configurable

Samsung bada enables developers to take full advantage of mobile device capabilities to create compelling applications with ease. Applications can use device functions to make phone calls, send messages, or access the contact list. Also, various service applications can share information such as personal profiles, social relations, schedules, or contents with a simple user confirmation in order to provide services with greater personal relevance and cooperative service extension. The flexibility of the bada platform makes it applicable to a wider range of devices than any other mobile operating system.

Attendees at today’s launch event will also be introduced to the new Samsung bada Developer Challenge. The Challenge is the first chance for developers to win a share of a US$2,700,000 prize fund, simply by using the features of the new bada platform to build a wide variety of applications for bada devices. The competition is one of the largest ever for developers of mobile software and is testament to Samsung’s commitment to the new bada platform.

Samsung is also set to announce a series of Developer Days to take place across the world during 2010. Open to all developers, the initial events will be held in Seoul, London and San Francisco, with more events following as the year progresses.

The event will also feature insights from current bada development partners including micro blogging service Twitter, movies and games rental outlet Blockbuster, Video and iconic games developers CAPCOM, EA Mobile, and Gameloft . Each partner outlined their vision for the future of mobile apps and how they believe that bada will play a key role in the advance of app services to a wider audience in years to come.

“Our heritage is games machines and arcade machines but we’re eagerly branching out to make the most of mobile,” said General Manager of Online Business Division, Yasuhiro Sumida from CAPCOM. “We recognise our customers aren’t all about games in their homes but want them when they’re out and about, in the palm of their hand. To help us make this move into mobile we want to make sure we are working with the right partner. bada is accessible, open to all and very easy to use.”

“Congratulations to Samsung on the launch of bada. It is great to see one of the world’s leading handset manufacturers embrace software and services on mobile devices so wholeheartedly and wish them all the best,” said Luca Pagano, Vice President, EMEA Publishing, EA Mobile. “The marriage of great games on the right devices is something we take very seriously at EA Mobile and we are excited to light up the upcoming handsets with our high quality games in 2010.”

“We are pleased to once again collaborate with Samsung and launch our games on the bada mobile platform,” said Michel Guillemot, chairman and CEO, Gameloft. “With nearly 100 million Gameloft games downloaded by Samsung users worldwide, it is quite clear that our games on these devices have made significant impact with consumers over the years. Utilizing the new generation device’s technological capabilities we plan to enrich the consumer gaming experience. Samsung bada offers a new and exciting digital distribution channel for Gameloft titles, as well as an additional outlet for users searching for high quality entertainment.”

For further information please visit the bada website (http://developer.bada.com)

The beta SDK contains tools for authorization, crash reporting and a consumer store client emulator for testing, and any apps submitted for validation must integrate with the SDK.  The exception is open-source titles, which won’t be revenue-generating.  You can download the SDK here, but you’ll need to register first; that will eventually cost $99, but is currently free.

Intel’s eventual plan is for an on-device download store – similar to the various app stores on smartphones – through which netbook buyers (and in fact any device based on an Atom CPU, including MIDs and some future smartphones) could find free and paid-for software for their new machine.  No timescale in 2010 has been given for the store’s release.

Press Release:

Intel Offers Developer Kit For Future Atom™ Processor Netbook Apps

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS
Developers can now submit their applications and be the first to take full advantage of the Intel Atom Developer Program’s revenue-generating opportunities.
The program’s newly released beta software development kit for Windows* and Moblin* provides developers with tools to ensure their netbook applications are store-ready.
Apps are for Intel-based netbooks, which are forecasted to reach more than 50 million** units sold by end of 2009.

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Dec. 2, 2009 – Intel Corporation has made its beta version of the Intel® Atom™ Developer Program Software Development Kit (SDK) available for Microsoft Windows* and Moblin* operating systems developers. The kit helps software companies and individuals design and submit applications (“apps”) for Intel-based netbooks to ultimately sell at stores opening next year.

Developers can download the kit and learn more at appdeveloper.intel.com.

Unveiled at the Intel Developer Forum in September, the Intel Atom Developer Program is designed for independent software vendors (ISVs) and software developers to create innovative applications and/or components for netbooks. The program provides tools, SDKs and community resources to develop new apps or port existing apps to Atom-based devices, including netbooks, which are forecasted to reach more than 50 million** units sold by end of 2009.

“Consumer adoption of mobile computing and Atom-based netbooks is growing rapidly, and there is an immediate opportunity for developers to capitalize on the popularity of these small form-factor, on-the-go devices,” said Renee James, corporate vice president and general manager, Intel Software and Services Group. “We are excited about the innovation and energy from developers around creating applications and unlocking new uses for Atom platforms.”

The Beta version of the SDK is now available for both Microsoft* Windows (C and C++) and Moblin (C) operating systems. With the Beta SDK, developers can submit their applications for validation and, once validated, begin to take advantage of the program’s revenue-generating opportunities in 2010. Intel is offering incentives for developers to begin submitting applications by offering a chance to win big prizes including a smart car or vacation package.

Developers can download the beta version of the SDK today and learn more about the program, application programming interfaces (APIs), validation process, application store framework and developer contests at appdeveloper.intel.com.

Video demos after the cut

That second preview follows on from October’s first code example, which coincided with the initial confirmation from Nokia that they would be making Qt compatible with the OS running on the Nokia N900.  Before that, developers had been told that Maemo 5 would be bypassed by Qt in favor of Maemo 6, set to debut in late 2010, leaving the N900 in something of a limbo situation.

As well as Qt 4.6, Nokia have updated their Qt Creator tool for cross-platform development.  With them, they reckon it’s easy to create apps with advanced UI and support for multitouch and gestures such as flicking, kinetic scrolling and pinch-zooming (as long as the hardware supports it, of course).

Mobile demos on Maemo and Symbian:

Qt everywhere on Mobile Platforms:

Qt everywhere on all platforms

Qt multitouch and gesture demos:

Qt for Maemo 5 technical preview two demo:

Press Release:

Nokia releases Qt 4.6

Now easier than ever for developers to create great applications for Symbian, Maemo, and other platforms

Espoo, Finland – Nokia today released Qt 4.6, the latest version of the cross-platform application and UI framework. Featuring new platform support, powerful new graphical capabilities and support for multi-touch and gestures, Qt 4.6 makes developing advanced applications and devices easier and more enjoyable.

“Qt 4.6 marks an exciting time for developers, regardless of their target form factor or platform,” said Sebastian Nyström, Vice President, Application Services and Frameworks at Nokia.

“Developers can easily create visually appealing and web-connected applications for desktops or devices, including targeting the hundreds of millions of Symbian and Maemo-based devices,”

“The community will enjoy using Qt’s intuitive programming interface to quickly create powerful, appealing applications.” Nyström added.

More platforms
Qt 4.6 includes support for the Symbian platform for the first time, and also adds Windows 7, Apple Mac OS 10.6 (Snow Leopard) and the upcoming Maemo 6 to the list of Qt supported platforms. Also available is community support for real-time operating systems QNX and VxWorks. Support for Maemo 5 is also currently in development, with the second technology preview being released today.

Qt support for Symbian and Maemo creates the first opportunity for developers to target both of these platforms from the same codebase. Being able to share code across platforms means that the applications they create will reach the market faster and reach a broader audience of device users.

Also released today is a technology preview of new Qt APIs from the Qt Mobility project. These cross-platform APIs provide developers with functionality such as location for navigation-type devices, as well as messaging, contacts, and bearer management.

More eye candy
Qt 4.6 builds upon the graphical improvements of 4.5 and enhances them with the addition of new Animation Framework – including intuitive state machine functionality – plus new advanced graphics effects like opacity, drop shadows, glow, and filtering.

More fingers
One of the most exciting new features in Qt 4.6 is the ability to create multi-touch applications. New multi-touch and gesture based input methods such as flicking and kinetic scrolling make Qt 4.6 a powerful framework for creating dynamic, tactile ways for users to interact with applications and devices.

More horsepower
Qt 4.6 challenges the conventional development notion that advanced UI capabilities normally come with a significant performance cost. Extensive work has been done to deliver the best possible performance while enabling developers to deliver the “wow” effect that is demanded by users.

Key performance improvements come in the form of a highly optimized, re-written Qt GraphicsView rendering algorithm, a new OpenGL paint engine, WebKit, 2D vector graphic support using OpenVG, and new DirectFB support.

Updated tools
Complimenting the release of Qt 4.6 is an updated release of Qt Creator, a cross-platform IDE for Qt development. Qt Creator 1.3 and Qt 4.6 form the Qt SDK which contains everything developers need to create cross-platform applications.

To learn more about Qt 4.6, Qt Creator 1.3 and to download the packages, please visit http://qt.nokia.com/whatsnew.

The London event will be led by Dr. Hosco Lee, EVP and head of the Media Solution Center (MSC) at Samsung Electronics, and is tipped to be followed by a similar launch in San Francisco.  As for bada itself, it’s believed to be a software development environment that will allow new software to run on Samsung devices – and potentially other manufacturers’ phones – regardless of the underlying OS.

If Samsung can sufficiently differentiate it from other platforms then they may be able to bring developers on board, especially if bada offers a streamlined way to get apps onto devices.  However if it’s merely a new abstraction of the company’s own, proprietary OS, then they face a far tougher challenge.