[jsmmd]

Just was in on a webcast hosted by RIM on the new tool they plan to release this "fall". (Seems more like winter.) "Late in the year" when the 4.1 OS is released. Free of charge.

This looks like a real cool tool for developers. The interface looks more like a MS Visual Studio tool, then traditional tools.

Should help some of us make more apps. for the BB.


-me

Link to slides, since it's too big to attach:

http://www.resourcecenter.blackberry...Studio_v41.pdf


PS - I sent in a question about the Bluetooth Stack.

Q: "Will we see an increase in the bluetooth stack this years"
A: "I believe we will... It depends on each carrier... We are investigating adding additional profiles... I believe it will be this year... There are bluetooth security concerns with each profile we look at..."

http://www.resourcecenter.blackberry...ntSelected=152

[Graywolf]

Do you know if this is going to be a free tool, or something that will cost more than a casual programmer would be willing to spend?

[jsmmd]

MDS 4.1 will be a part of BB 4.1, which is scheduled to be released late this years

There are 3 components:

1. MDS Services - part of BES Server (not free, connectivity piece of server to corporate apps)
2 - Studio off BB website (free)
3 - MDS runtime environment component (free, app. part of 4.1 OS like Memopad)


I'd compare this as very similar to AvantGo's enterprise software model (iAnywhere). Client app, with data that can sync and be stored on the BB, etc....
http://www.ianywhere.com/products/mobile_solutions.html

[udontknowjack]

It is supposed to be free with BES 4.1. They are changing MDS to mean Mobile Data System which includes the development tool as well as the mobile data service we know today.

I really is pretty cool. You will install a little piece on the BBs and then you develop what you want, pretty much drag and drop. Then compile it to the MDS server and users can then see it via the app on the bb and download it if they want to or if you give them rights.