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RIM releases WebWorks SDK beta

WebWorks is intended to give Web and mobile developers skilled in HTML5, JavaScript, and CSS the tools to create apps for RIM's upcoming PlayBook tablet.

Kevin Kwang Special to CNET News
WebWorks SDK
RIM announced the WebWorks SDK in September 2010 when it unveiled the BlackBerry PlayBook. James Martin/CNET

BALI--Research In Motion is looking to harness the best of today's Web technologies including HTML5 and JavaScript, to bridge the gap between development efforts for its BlackBerry smartphones and the soon-to-be-released PlayBook tablet.

Tyler Lessard, vice president of global alliances and developer relations at RIM, said the Canadian smartphone manufacturer is intent on bringing the "Web to mobile" by incorporating existing Web technologies into its WebWorks SDK for Tablet OS.

Released today, the beta version of the software development kit will give Web and mobile developers skilled in HTML5, JavaScript, and CSS the tools to create apps for RIM's upcoming PlayBook tablet device, said Lessard, during his keynote presentation here at RIM's first Asia-based developer conference, BlackBerry DevCon Asia 2011.

Additionally, he noted that developers will be able to create "super apps" that are derived from Web technologies as well as tap underlying native application programming interfaces (APIs) for a "more integrated, always-on" experience.

Read more of " RIM taps Web tech to drive mobile development" at ZDNet Asia.