This document provides an overview and development instructions for creating applications for the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet. It discusses the PlayBook specifications, the BlackBerry Tablet OS simulator, using the SDK for Flash Builder, testing apps on the simulator, compiling for submission to BlackBerry AppWorld, and submitting the application. The presentation was given by Joseph Labrecque and covered setting up the development environment, building and testing apps, and distributing apps through the BlackBerry app store.

1. BLACKBERRY PLAYBOOK
DEVELOPMENT OVERVIEW
Presented January 19th 2011 for the LAFlash Adobe User Group
by
Joseph Labrecque

2. About Me
Joseph Labrecque, MA
Flash Platform Developer
Multidisciplinary Artist
Adobe Education Leader
University of Denver
Fractured Vision Media, LLC
An Early Morning Letter, Displaced

3. What we will cover
• BlackBerry PlayBook Overview
• BlackBerry Tablet OS Simulator
• BlackBerry Tablet OS SDK for Flash Builder
• Application Development
• Application Testing on the Simulator
• Compiling the Application for Submission
• Submitting an Application to BlackBerry AppWorld

4. BlackBerry PlayBook Overview
• QNX® Neutrino® RTOS which powers mission-critical systems on the space
station, government defense systems, life-saving medical devices and millions of
in-car systems
• Reliable, high-performance kernel engineered for multi-core hardware
• Multi-threaded POSIX OS (Portable Operating System for Unix) for true
multitasking
• Built from the ground up to run WebKit and Adobe Flash – and AIR!

5. BlackBerry Tablet OS Simulator (0.9.2)
ISO disc image for VMware Player (Windows) or VMware Fusion (OSX)
• Extract ISO from the downloaded file
• Guest OS should be “Other”
• VM Memory should be 1024
• Accelerate 3D graphics
• Enable development mode and note device IP address

6. BlackBerry Tablet OS SDK for Flash Builder
Run the BlackBerry Tablet OS SDK Beta 3 for Adobe AIR installer (0.9.2)
• Install as Flash Builder plugin
• Be sure to change the install folder for Flash Builder Burrito
• Be sure to point to the Adobe AIR 2.5 SDK folder ({FB}sdks4.5.0)
• Verify installation once finished!

7. Application Development
Create a new Mobile Flex Project (or Mobile ActionScript Project)
• Choose BlackBerry Playbook as target platform
• Once the project is created, you can edit the properties to include Tablet OS libs
• You do not have to include Tablet OS libraries if you will not use them
• Now just build and test your project as normal

8. Application Testing on the Simulator
Create a new run/debug configuration for your project
• Launch method should be “On device”
• Choose “Development mode” for the Deployment mode
• Choose “Install and Launch” for Deployment method
• Pop the IP address from the simulator into the Target input here

9. Compiling the Application for Submission
Export release build for your project
• Choose to export and sign a platform-specific application package
• Choose to include Tablet OS libraries (or don’t)
• DO NOT sign the application
• Blackberry will work with developers to sign later on
• You will now have a .bar file to upload to BlackBerry AppWorld

10. Submitting to BlackBerry AppWorld
Submit your compiled .bar to BlackBerry AppWorld
• Sign up as a vendor (individuals- notarized form, businesses- proof of inc.)
• Add a product – basic info… title, description, et cetera
• You will need; 90×90 icon, 480×480 icon, 640×640 max screen capture
• Add “Releases” – upload your .bar file and provide SKU, version, et cetera

11. Now… wait…
The review and approval process now begins!
• You may be waiting weeks for approval
• Want a free PlayBook? Better get something submitted before March 15 th!
• Tick… tock…

12. In closing…
Joseph Labrecque, MA
Blog: http://inflagrantedelicto.memoryspiral.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/JosephLabrecque
Email: Joseph.Labrecque@du.edu
Thank you!

14. Shameless plugs…
• Buy my book!
Flash Platform and Android cookbook! Published by [PACKT] later this year!
• An Early Morning Letter, Displaced
A Prison of Oneself, Shudderflowers, 6Threads, and more… iTunes, Amazon, Zune…
• Emergent Collective One
FREE community compilation CD - http://bit.ly/FVM005
• Upcoming Conferences
Speaking at D2W 2011 - http://d2wc.com/
Attending Ignite Denver - http://ignitedenver.org/
Attending 360|Flex Spring 2011 - http://www.360flex.com/