PlayBook or Bust – A new developer’s journal

March 22, 2011 - By Mike Hepples

Here’s the deal. I have been lusting after a BlackBerry PlayBook since it was first announced months ago. Recently, I have had discussions with some great people on Twitter, via email, and right here on the GSL blogs, which all really kicked off with this article here. One of the main points that has been tossed around the past few days is the availability of apps for the PlayBook on release.

The BlackBerry platform has long been heavily criticized as being one of the most difficult to develop for, and a result many developers have been turned off developing for BlackBerry. In anticipation of the PlayBook’s launch, RIM developer relations had a stroke of genius, opening a program whereby anyone who can develop and submit an application (with some restrictions) to App World by March 31st, and have it approved, will receive a FREE 16GB PlayBook.

All of this got me to thinking, just how hard is it to develop an application for the PlayBook? I know that there are quite a few developers that have developed and submitted their applications already, but the ones I’ve seen are already established developers for the BlackBerry platform (and other platforms) who have a few apps under their belt already. I don’t personally know anyone who picked up the tools and created an app, although I’m sure there are some out there, given the incentive.

So, here’s what I am going to do, we’ll call it an experiment of sorts. Each and every one of you that read this blog will be the audience.

I am going to develop an app for the PlayBook. I will attempt to do it by March 31st, which gives me 9 days from the date of this post. I have zero to negligible programming experience, so I will be relying on tutorials and my own brains to try and make this happen. I intend to update you, via GSL, as to what progress I am making, as regularly as possible. Just like someone who is quitting smoking having a support group to fall back on, you will be my audience that I report my progress to.

If I can do this, it will be pretty conclusive proof to potential developers that it can be done. Tonight, I began registering as a Vendor for App World, and I currently have all the tools required downloading, which will be installed tonight. I am literally starting from scratch here, so it’s going to be one heck of a learning experience. Wish me luck!