[blackbirdpie url=”http://twitter.com/#!/BlackBerryDev/status/82882166735904768″]
However, it is important to note the following two key items as a BlackBerry developer regarding BlackBerry 7 and how you can prepare for launch:
1. Re-Posting Your Apps in BlackBerry App World for BlackBerry 7: Applications that are currently posted for download or sale in BlackBerry App World will not be automatically posted for sale for BlackBerry 7 smartphone customers. BlackBerry App World vendors are encouraged to test their applications as soon as possible using the new BlackBerry 7 SDK, and then return to the BlackBerry App World vendor portal to post their applications for sale for the new BlackBerry Bold 9900/9930 running BlackBerry 7.
2. Preparing Now for New Screen Sizes and Resolutions Supported by BlackBerry 7: Though BlackBerry 7 retains binary compatibility with our BlackBerry 6 platform, it will support a variety of new screen resolutions and screen sizes that will require some developers to update and re-compile their existing applications. We’ve heard loud and clear from our developers that they want to know this type of information well in advance so that they can build and test their applications ahead of time and have them ready for future devices as they launch. To address this, we have now posted new information on what screen characteristics will be supported by BlackBerry 7 along with new BlackBerry 7 smartphone simulators to emulate each of these different configurations. Read on for more information!
New Screen Characteristics Supported by BlackBerry 7 and New Simulators for Testing
The new BlackBerry 7 smartphone operating system will support the following new screen characteristics on BlackBerry smartphones:
To assist our developer community in preparing their applications for BlackBerry 7, we have now posted new BlackBerry 7 smartphone simulators to emulate each of these form factors and screen resolutions. Each simulator has an associated simulator model number as referenced in the above table. With these new simulators, you can now start to test and develop your applications for BlackBerry 7 while working to ensure compatibility with various form factors and screen characteristics that it will support.
Posting Your BlackBerry 7 Apps to BlackBerryApp World
BlackBerry App World is now open for new app submissions and re-posting of existing applications that are compatible with the BlackBerry Bold 9900/9930 running BlackBerry 7. As additional new BlackBerry 7 smartphone models, that correspond to the additional screen characteristics and form factors outlined here, are introduced, we will open up BlackBerry App World for posting of applications to these new smartphones as well. In the interim, we encourage all developers to test your apps across these various new simulators to ensure you’re ready for upcoming launches.
Additionally, you can attend our webcast “What You Need to Know To Develop for BlackBerry 7” on June 29 at 2:00 pm EST to learn more about developing for BlackBerry 7 and the new BlackBerry Bold 9900 and 9930 smartphones, as well as other BlackBerry 7 form factors. And as always, we will have an interactive Q&A session to directly answer your questions.