Developer: BlackBerry PlayBook apps too costly, too obtuse
updated 07:20 pm EST, Fri February 25, 2011
Open letter argues PlayBook SDK too hostile
An open letter to RIM has given a look into potentially serious problems with the development process for the BlackBerry PlayBook. Jamie Murai noted that the costs of getting involved were far more expensive than with the iPad or Android. The PlayBook will not only cost $200 for most developers but only covers the first 10 apps; users also need to have a full copy of VMware Fusion or another ISO-friendly virtual machine to run the emulator, which could cost another $80.
The complaint also pointed out that many of the processes were unnecessarily complex, even for the improvements the WebWorks SDK was supposed to bring over regular BlackBerry app development. The kit divides the AIR SDK, PlayBook SDK and the emulator into three downloads. Much of the content was provided without documentation and wasn't intuitive even for a developer, Murai said.
Just compiling an app for the emulator was difficult, he explained. In addition to having to create an app archive without instructions, creating a proper app executable needed command line instructions. VMware wouldn't see the app without it being pushed to the virtual machine's private IP address.
Apple and Google skipped many of the hassles: both can effectively compile and run an iPad or Android app in emulation with a single button. The difference was enough to prompt an exit from PlayBook development altogether and an urging for RIM to understand that was losing the support even of people such as Murai, who lives in RIM's Waterloo, Ontario, Canada hometown.
"Being the underdog, you need to make your process AT LEAST as simple as Apple’s or Google’s, if not more so," he said. "You need to make your tools AT LEAST as good as Apple’s or Google’s, if not more so. You have failed at both."
The experience is likely to vary from developer to developer but may support the relatively quiet development news for the PlayBook, which has mostly centered on a handful of big-name apps from Amazon and games from EA. RIM nonetheless may be concerned about smaller developers' help and is rumored to be writing in Android app support to fill in the gaps artificially.
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industry, gadgets, developer, Google, Android, BlackBerry, RIM, vmware, Research in Motion, Apple, iPad, PlayBook
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Free VMWare player for Windows/Linux
The only developers who need to pay for VMWare fusion are those who decide to do development on MacOS.
VMWare has a free player application that anyone developing on Windows or Linux can use. The free player is not licensed for commercial distribution but that means that you cannot package the player in software you are selling. You can use the player all you want even for commercial development as long as the result of your work does not require the customer to be given a copy of vmware player.
A VMWare rep posted this to clarify commercial use in the player license:
"Yes, you are able to use Player for your internal company's use. That clause is intended to prohibit the sale or redistribution of VMware Player without permission. I hope that clears this up for you.
Thank you for contacting VMware Sales Support."
They have a document that companies can fill out that grants them permission to install the player on company computers. There is no fee for this, they just need you to agree not to distribute the player with your products.
http://communities.vmware.com/thread/303342?tstart=0
So if you have a mac, just setup bootcamp and boot into Windows or Linux if you refuse to pay. Also VMWare fusion goes on sale from time to time for about 50% off if you did want to stay in MacOS.
Basically the problem right now is the development environment isn't currently well integrated with the packaging and simulator environments along with a general lack of documentation. Those are good things to criticize RIM for. But the actual product has not been sold yet and the OS may not even have reached final release status yet. I'm guessing the release date is dictated much more strongly by the software than hardware. I get the sense that the hardware design is ready to go and they just need to finish up the operating system. Do you think RIM really wants to delay release to redesign their development tools at this point in time?
Developers can post questions on the RIM forums, or if they are signed up for more advanced partner programs they can submit support requests or phone their support and engineering contacts at RIM to clarify issues they may be having until RIM has time to go back and update the tools and documentation.