14 DAY TRIAL // Canadian mobile phone maker Research In Motion has just announced that the Sencha Touch framework is now offering support for the BlackBerry 10 operating system, although only in a beta state at the moment.
Sencha Touch provides developers with a JavaScript framework that takes advantage of HTML5, CSS and JavaScript, which provides developers with the possibility to create rich mobile applications.
Moreover, the latest release of Sencha Touch brings not only support for BlackBerry 10, but also offers support for building applications for RIM’s BlackBerry PlayBook tablet.
“Sencha Touch includes all of the core concepts around Controllers, including refs, control and routes as well as Device Profiles, which enables you to easily develop applications that can present customized UIs on BlackBerry 10 devices and BlackBerry PlayBook tablet,” RIM explains.
“In terms of components, Sencha touch 2.1 supports all the major components which helps you to develop compelling application for the BlackBerry 10 Platform.”
Forms, DataView, Carousel, List, TabPanel, NestedList and Navigation View, are all supported in Sencha Touch, as well as the BlackBerry 10 specific CrossCut component.
Sencha Touch 2.1 also comes with upgrades for performance, along with new and improved charting and data visualization package, an infinite list component, and a series of enhancements to the native support through the Sencha Mobile Packager.
Another important improvement brought to the BlackBerry platform is addition of a new BlackBerry theme, complemented by a CrossCut component.
“With over fifty built-in components, state management, and a built-in MVC system, Sencha Touch provides everything you need to create immersive applications for the BlackBerry 10 and BlackBerry PlayBook tablet platforms,” RIM explains.
With Sencha Touch, developers also receive access to local hardware services, including geolocation and accelerometers. Moreover, they can tap into system services like localStorage. Additional info on the platform can be found on this page on the company’s website.