With the imminent launch of BlackBerry 10 and its associated devices next year, RIM is shoring up its app arsenal by enticing developers to create apps for the next generation OS. BlackBerry has already given developers a bunch of incentives already, and this new batch of goodies is aimed at sweetening the pot further. The most notable of the new incentives is the BlackBerry Dev Alpha C test device for developers who want to test applications on a BlackBerry 10 device with a physical keyboard and the Quality Apps and the BlackBerry 10,000 USD Commitment, which basically means that RIM would top up the amount an eligible developer earns on a BlackBerry 10 app to $10,000, if the app has been approved through the Built for BlackBerry program, and has earned a minimum of $1,000 over 12 months.
We’ve included the entire list of benefits below:
1. BlackBerry Dev Alpha C – developers can now avail of the BlackBerry Dev Alpha C test device for developers who want to test applications on a BlackBerry 10 device with a physical keyboard.
2. Quality Apps and the BlackBerry 10,000 USD Commitment – the Built for BlackBerry certification lab is now open. Developers can submit their apps for testing to earn the Built for BlackBerry designation, which will signify a high-level of quality for customers. RIM has also previously announced that it would top up the amount an eligible developer earns on a BlackBerry 10 app to $10,000, if the app has been approved through the Built for BlackBerry program, and has earned a minimum of $1,000 over 12 months.
3. BlackBerry 10 SDK Update – the BlackBerry 10 SDKs get their latest update today. The developer community has been providing feedback on the tools and this update will add support for installing the BlackBerry 10 IDE on Mac OS X, an update to the Visual Studio Plug-In beta, forward compatibility for BlackBerry WebWorks HTML5 apps, sensor and orientation APIs for BlackBerry WebWorks, and more.
4. The BlackBerry App Generator, powered by Mippin, can turn online content (RSS, Facebook brand/fan pages, blogs, online galleries, etc.) into a great looking native BlackBerry app within minutes. Apps built with the BlackBerry App Generator for BlackBerry OS 5, OS 6, OS 7 and the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet include social sharing organically, including BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) integration.
5. BlackBerry and Appcelerator Offer – RIM and Appcelerator are working together to offer developers a unique opportunity to port their apps with Appcelerator’s Titanium platform and be rewarded for their efforts.