RIM Introduces BlackBerry Development Environment For The Java Platform To Enable Broad Wireless Application Development
JavaOneSM - San Francisco, CA - March 25, 2002 - Research In Motion Limited (RIM) (Nasdaq: RIMM; TSE: RIM) today introduced its BlackBerry™ Development Environment for the Java™ 2 Platform, Micro Edition (J2ME™) to provide the tools needed to support broad development of secure enterprise applications for BlackBerry Wireless Handhelds™. With support for J2ME, the BlackBerry™ platform is now opened up to a large and growing developer community that currently includes over three million Java developers.
"J2ME has become an industry leading standard, providing developers with an open, portable and community driven environment that enables the development of secure, robust and integrated wireless applications," said Rich Green, Vice President and General Manager, Java and XML Software, Sun Microsystems, Inc. "RIM's approach to providing a complete end-to-end wireless development environment puts in the hands of developers an effective tool for building the next generation wireless applications with Java technologies."
The BlackBerry Development Environment for J2ME is a fully integrated development environment and simulation tool for BlackBerry that incorporates Sun's J2ME specifications and RIM's expertise in BlackBerry wireless application development to significantly ease development efforts. Developers, enterprise customers and Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) that use the BlackBerry Development Environment for J2ME can easily and quickly develop applications that leverage the unique features of BlackBerry such as 'always on' connectivity, push technology, end-to-end security, integrated keyboard and back-end integration.
"The availability of J2ME-based devices and 2.5G networks creates a powerful platform for wireless applications; and the new BlackBerry Development Environment for J2ME provides developers with the necessary tools to create secure, wireless applications that integrate effectively with back-end information systems," said Jim Balsillie, Chairman and Co-CEO at Research In Motion. "RIM has played an active role in driving Java community standards along with other manufacturers and carriers, and we believe that substantial opportunities exist for developers interested in extending enterprise applications to the mobile workforce."
With a full-featured, integrated development environment, the BlackBerry Development Environment for J2ME allows for the building, testing and debugging of BlackBerry applications, including facilities for code profiling and optimization. The BlackBerry Development Environment for J2ME includes a BlackBerry handheld simulator that features a full copy of the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) to allow developers to test and monitor the performance of their enterprise applications. In addition, the BlackBerry Development Environment for J2ME includes a network simulator that provides HTTP connectivity, facilitating the development of end-to-end wireless solutions in a fully simulated environment. The BlackBerry Development Environment for J2ME supports Mobile Information Device Profile (MIDP) and Connected Limited Device Configuration (CLDC), the industry standards for Java on small form-factor devices, to ease the development of wireless enterprise applications.
RIM is offering its free JDE to developers, enterprise customers and ISVs on its Developer Zone web site at http://www.blackberry.net/developers. Information about RIM partner programs and support services is also available on the site.
About Research In Motion
Research In Motion Limited is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of innovative wireless solutions for the mobile communications market. Through development and integration of hardware, software and services, RIM provides solutions for seamless access to time-sensitive information including email, messaging, Internet and intranet-based applications. RIM technology also enables a broad array of third party developers and manufacturers around the world to enhance their products and services with wireless connectivity. RIM's portfolio of award-winning products includes the RIM Wireless Handheld™ product line, the BlackBerry™ wireless solution, embedded radio-modems and software development tools. Founded in 1984 and based in Waterloo, Ontario RIM operates offices in Canada, the United States and Europe. RIM is listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market (Nasdaq: RIMM) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSE: RIM). For more information, visit www.rim.net. Investors may contact investor_relations@rim.net. Customers may contact info@rim.net.
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