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What Is BlackBerry?
Applications and Services
Standards-based Platform and Developer Tools
BlackBerry® offers leading wireless solutions, providing access to a wide range of applications on a variety of BlackBerry smartphones, as well as BlackBerry enabled devices around the world. BlackBerry wireless solutions combine wireless devices with software and services to keep mobile professionals connected to the people, data and resources that drive their day.
BlackBerry smartphones provide a variety of wireless applications and services, such as:
- Wireless Email
- Phone
- Internet
- Organizer Applications*
The BlackBerry platform also provides a standards-based platform and developer tools, which allow the development and deployment of custom wireless applications. With an HTML web browser, rich Java® development tools and seamless integration with existing .NET and Java Platform, Enterprise Edition (Java EE), application servers, the BlackBerry platform can be leveraged by developers, including Independent Software Vendors, third-party System Integrators and in-house corporate developers**.
Application Development for BlackBerry Smartphones
Java-based Client and Integrated Web Browser
On the client side, BlackBerry smartphones are built on a Java-based operating environment, which supports the development of custom Java applications using the industry-standard Java Platform, Micro Edition (Java ME), programming language.
BlackBerry smartphones also include an integrated web browser, which supports access to standard HTML and WML web pages.
BlackBerry Plug-in for Microsoft Visual Studio
The BlackBerry® Plug-in for Microsoft® Visual Studio® allows enterprise developers and system integrators to leverage existing Microsoft® based developer tools to wirelessly enable applications for BlackBerry smartphones. It lets developers working within a .NET programming environment use their development tool of choice, while still taking advantage of the benefits of the BlackBerry® Mobile Data System. They can still enjoy simplified wireless application development, deployment and management for the enterprise.
BlackBerry MDS Studio
With BlackBerry® MDS Studio, developers can quickly create rich-client applications using a component-based drag and drop approach. It supports XML Web Services and service-oriented architectures for integration and interoperability between mobile applications and existing enterprise applications and back-end systems.
Support for Standard Networking Protocols
Because the BlackBerry platform supports standard networking protocols and seamless connectivity to the Internet or corporate intranet, existing server-side applications can be easily extended to BlackBerry smartphones using a thin-client or thick-client model. These applications can be written in a variety of programming languages, including .NET, Java, Web Services, C# and .ASP/.JSP.
Developer Tools
The BlackBerry platform also provides a suite of complimentary developer tools, allowing the creation of rich-media content for BlackBerry smartphones.
Next Step – Learn about BlackBerry Solutions and Architecture
*Check with airtime service provider for airtime wireless service, availability, roaming arrangements, service plans and features. Some airtime service providers may not offer Internet browsing functionality with a subscription to BlackBerry® Internet Service.
**Installation and use of third-party products and services with Research In Motion (RIM) products and services may require one or more patent, trademark or copyright licenses in order to avoid infringement of the intellectual property rights of others. You are solely responsible for determining whether such third-party licenses are required and are responsible for acquiring any such licenses. To the extent that such intellectual property licenses may be required, RIM expressly recommends that you do not install or use these products and services until all such applicable licenses have been acquired by you or on your behalf. Your use of third-party software shall be governed by and subject to you agreeing to the terms of separate software licenses, if any, for those products or services. Any third party products or services that are provided with RIM products and services are provided "as is". RIM makes no representation, warranty or guarantee whatsoever in relation to the third-party products or services and RIM assumes no liability whatsoever in relation to the third-party products and services even if RIM has been advised of the possibility of such damages or can anticipate such damages.