If you own a BlackBerry PlayBook before, you may have seen the “Video Chat” app. You will be needing that app to call any BlackBerry Z10/Q10 users. Here’s a video demo of this experiment:

How it works:

1.) Using your PlayBook, find the “Video Chat” app

2.) You need to ask your friend’s Z10/Q10′s BBM pin

3.) Put the BBM pin on the text input and press “Call”

Please take note that i recommend that both parties must be connected to a Wifi network. I haven’t really tried if this feature works if a certain Z10/Q10 phone is connected under  cellular network

I’m sure you may now able to enjoy BBM Video using your PlayBook! It’s really awesome that it actually works just fine. Also take note that “Screen Share” doesn’t work on PlayBook-Z10 BBM Video. Well not yet, maybe BlackBerry will implement “Screen Share” on PlayBook on future updates?

If you have any further questions in mind, please feel free to ask in the comment section below.

They were passionate about the platform tools and “how things works” and i couldn’t hide that awesome feeling that they are enjoying what they are doing. But there are few curious devs that asked me this same question, over and over again. “I really want to make a BlackBerry 10 app. But where do i begin?”

This posts aims to answer that question, but feel free to contribute if i miss something.

“Not all developers are equal”

This is true when it comes to knowledge, expertise and experience. Some came from a C++ background and probably some of them might have been developing web apps or some of them might have an extra experience on making android apps (or may even work as full time).

Not everyone is equal. And not everyone is interested in learning a new programming language just for the sake of supporting a certain platform. So that is why BlackBerry  made a way to support multiple language/tools in making your dream BlackBerry 10 come true! So what are these tools anyway?

The BlackBerry Experience – Cascades?

Go Native! If you have an experience developing C++ or QML applications, this is the best way to go. It has built-in tools to make that signature “BlackBerry 10″ experience on your app. Grab the SDK and simulator and get started coding! Visit http://developer.blackberry.com/cascades

HTML5 Rocks! – WebWorks

If you already know how to make websites or web apps. You’ve come to the right place! Make an app based on your exisiting knowledge and you can even use mobile frameworks like Built for BlackBerry Boilerplate,bbUi.js, jQuery Mobile, Sencha Touch etc. To learn more about WebWorks visit this site: http://developer.blackberry.com/webworks

Adobe Air

Make apps with your existing ActionScript knowledge! Or if you know how to make an app using Adobe Air, the better! Start here: http://developer.blackberry.com/air

Android. Jump to BlackBerry 10!

Got an existing Android app on Google Play? Want to maximize your app’s audience target? You can port it to BlackBerry 10 and upload it to App World! Get started here: http://developer.blackberry.com/android

P.S: After porting, if you’re Android app receives a positive feedback from users, why don’t you make a Native app that has the signature “BlackBerry Design” and make them feel home. But it’s your choice!

That’s it! Feel free to explore BlackBerry Development with the tools you’re comfortable with. Also here’s my 5 reasons why you should develop a native app for BlackBerry 10.

1.) BlackBerry is committed to its developers

From the start BlackBerry is committed to its developers. Developers asked for a testing device to test their BlackBerry 10 apps and BlackBerry responded by giving them a Dev Alpha devices. While developers are working really hard to bring awesome native apps for BlackBerry 10, BlackBerry in return launched a trade up program by offering a BlackBerry Limited Edition device by trading up the Dev Alpha device. You get the actual BlackBerry Z10 phone in a limited edition color made only for developers.

And since BlackBerry is confident enough that your awesome app will have a knack in BlackBerry World, they launched a 10k commitment program for eligible apps! What does that mean? It means BlackBerry will pay the difference between $1,000 to $10,000 if your app reached more than $1,000 in sales!

Though 10k commitment program is now closed, you can still submit your app for the “Built for BlackBerry” program.

Quoting from the site:

Vendors with apps carrying the Built for BlackBerry designation may have a higher profile to consumers in the following channels:

• BlackBerry World

• Social media

• Digital media

• Direct marketing

• Channel marketing

How cool is that? That’s commitment made right!

2.) Truly an open platform for every developer

Are you a C++ developer? An aspiring Web Developer whose interest is to make mobile apps using HTML5? Do you code in AIR? Well.. Good news! You can still use your existing skills to make apps for BlackBerry 10! You don’t have to get stuck in one programming language to get your dream app rolling!

3.) Need help for your app? There’s BlackBerry Dev Rel or a local developer group near you!

In dire situation, you need someone to help you get your code running. We all need help, and that’s why the BlackBerry Dev Rel (@BlackBerryDev) is here to support you! Just send them a tweet and they shall answer your questions!

It’s awesome to hack with your fellow countrymen! Join a local developer group near you! Here’s a list. If you’re residing from the Philippines, you can join us at PinoyBBDev.com! Follow us on twitter (@PinoyBBDev) !

4.) Get tools and BlackBerry World account, all for free!

Got that killer app idea and wanted to translate it to an actual app? Make it happen with BlackBerry 10! Get started by choosing your platform and download the tools needed to build your app!

And once your app is ready for prime time, you can deploy it to BlackBerry World by getting a BlackBerry World Vendor Account for… FREE! Yes, you read that right. FREE! No annual fees! No One time payment! No joke! Just sign up and get verified and submit your app to BlackBerry World! How awesome is that?

5.) BlackBerry Z10 and Q10 is amazing!

At the time of this writing, BlackBerry announced they have sold 1 Million Z10‘s all over the world in just a couple of months! Plus the dawn of seeding the Dev Alpha C to eligible developers, developers can then test their apps to support the upcoming BlackBerry Q10 smartphone, also an amazing BlackBerry 10 device with the BlackBerry signature qwerty keyboard! Imagine your app running on a beautiful hardware on a full touch screen + touch & qwerty smartphone to millions of happy Z10 and future Q10 owners! Imagine the possibilities!

So don’t miss the opportunity to change the world with BlackBerry! Get your hacker hats on and start making apps for BlackBerry 10! There’s a lot of reason why you should make apps for this platform and i believe you can discover it personally, and if you have found a reason to believe in BlackBerry 10. Share it here.

Please take note that you are the one who is responsible for your own device. If you break it, it’s not my fault. So be careful!

Also, please do not upload any ported Android apps to BlackBerryWorld  if the original APK is not yours.

How to sign, convert and install Android files for your BlackBerryPlayBook using a Mac or Windows.

Obtaining files from Google Play without any Android device.

I hope this will help you enjoy your Android apps from your Android device to your own BlackBerry 10 Smartphone or BlackBerry PlayBook tablet. Have fun hacking!

Are you an aspiring I.T/C.S student whose passion is to share amazing app development or designing experience with co-students or faculty? Do you believe in BlackBerry? Want to be part of the only BlackBerry sanctioned developer group in the country? If all of these questions screams YES! PinoyBBDev needs you!

PinoyBBDev is currently finding talented students to evangelize, recruit, and help other students on their app/games and all things related to BlackBerry Development.

How about the perks? We got that covered! Once accepted you are entitled to the f.f:

- Priority pass to any BlackBerry Philippines and PinoyBBDev events!
- Be the first to get your hands dirty on the latest BlackBerry development tools you need!
- Mobile App Development and Design training from the industry experts!
And the best part:
PRIORITY ACCESS TO PINOYBBDEV AND BLACKBERRY SWAGS!!!!!!
… And other awesome stuff!

Interested? Here’s how you can join…

E-mail us your Full name, course, current year, mobile phone number to joincampuselite [at] pinoybbdev [dot] com

Once we have received your e-mail, we will send an instruction on the next few steps.

Take Note:

1.) This is a volunteer work. It means, you will not be paid with “cash” but with deep technical experience and some awesome PinoyBBDev and BlackBerry swags! Sounds awesome right?

2.) Students who will be graduating a year from now will not be allowed to join. You must be at least an incoming 3rd year student in a 4 year course in able for you to join. (Or a 4th year student in a 5 year course)

Are you the one we are looking for? Join now and grab this AWESOME opportunity!

How to join? It’s simple!

1. Your app must be approved on BlackBerry World
2. Built for BlackBerry apps are allowed to join
3. Apps made from BlackBerryAppGenerator.com is not allowed – Apps made/ported with Cascades, WebWorks,Air and Android are the only apps allowed to join
4. Proudly Pinoy!
5. E-mail the f.f information to: aaroncajes [at] pinoybbdev [dot] com with a subject: Feature my app!

• App Name
• Your FULL name
• Vendor Name
• Working E-mail Address

So join now and get featured! Yes it’s totally free!

So let’s talk about Pinmash.

Pinmash is all about connecting BlackBerry(R) Messenger users all around the world, anonymously. It’s simple! You have two options – Drop your pin or pick one.

If you want people to add you on BBM, you just have to drop your pin. Effortless! And if you’re kind enough to add someone on BBM, you can use Pick a Pin.

Pick a Pin randomly selects a pin based on your search query. It only generates BBM  pins and other personal information a user dropped are safely kept with us for reference purposes only.

So if you are a BBM user, and haven’t tried Pinmash, it’s the best time to do so.

Download Pinmash for BlackBerry PlayBook - https://tinyurl.com/PinmashApp

Pinmash on every browser, device, anywhere. Use Pinmash Web View – http://web.pinmash.net

In the year 2013, we’ll see

Apple releasing iOS 7

Google releasing the next version of Android (Rumored: Key Lime Pie)

Microsoft releasing an update for the Windows platform (Codename: Blue) and the Windows Phone 7.8 update

 BlackBerry will launch BlackBerry 10

 and

Mozilla will be releasing Firefox OS.

It’s really awesome to know that we are truly living in the Post-PC era.

Now just like what i’ve said on my last post, i’m writing this because we wanted to focus more on the workshop content and less on the technical side of things. If you’re joining a Cascades workshop, this is the right article that will guide you on how to install the tools you need before the main event.

This will not be a lengthy post, so let’s get started!

Cascades is a native framework exclusively for BlackBerry 10. Cascades WILL NOT WORK on BB Smartphones <7.x and the PlayBook OS <2.1.x.

Installing the SDK

Step 1: Download BlackBerry 10 Native SDK for Windows

(If you’re using a different O.S, you might want to visit the download site: https://developer.blackberry.com/cascades/download/)

After installing the native sdk:

Step 2:

Launch the QNX Momentics IDE by running bbndk.bat in the Native SDK installation folder. In the IDE, click Window > Preferences, select BlackBerry, click BlackBerry Deployment Setup Wizard and follow the steps.

(Detailed: Set-up documentation)

Installing the BB10 Simulator

Step 1: Download VM Player (It’s free and LEGAL lol)

Step 2: Download and Install the emulators:

Download BlackBerry 10 Dev Alpha Beta 3

 Setting up the Simulator:

Step 1: Launch the VM Player

Step 2: Install the BB10 Simulator

Step 3: Open the BlackBerry10Simulator.vmx from where you installed the simulator.

Important Note: IF you’re experiencing Java related errors when opening the .exe files you need to download the 32-Bit version of JDK. I repeat: INSTALL THE 32-BIT VERSION AND NOT THE 64-BIT VERSION.

You can download the JDK here.

After installing the JDK, you have to update your environment variables, here’s how:

1.) go to Control panel > Systems and Security >System

2.) On the left side click the “Advanced system settings”

3.) (A new window will appear) Click the “Environment Variables”

4.) (A new window will appear… Again) Look for “System Variables” and click “new”

Variable Name: JAVA_HOME

Variable Value: YOUR 32-BIT JAVA FOLDER HERE. (Example: C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jdk1.7.0_09)

Take Note: JDK != JRE. So you have to be careful.

Find the “path” variable and insert this code at the end of the long list of strings in the path’s var value: %JAVA_HOME%\bin;

Click OK and OK.

To test if you have the latest JDK: Open cmd.exe on run. Type: java -version

If the response has the same version of JDK you have installed and configured then you’re doing it right.

 Also an Important Note: If you’re using Windows 8 PRO all the installers (event the BlackBerry 10/PlayBook SDK’s) must be in Compatibility mode to Windows 7 and has administrative privileges.

That’s it! I hope you can use this as a guide to install these important tools. These instructions will help the speaker save more time and focus more on the important topics to be discussed on that day. You can also play with the tools you’ve just installed by following BlackBerry’s awesome documentation for Cascades available right here.

Questions? Comments? Please write a comment below.