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"At the Wireless Enterprise Symposium (WES) today, Appcelerator has announced Titanium beta support for the BlackBerry platform. We've also scored 100 invites to the beta program for Mashable readers. The Titanium platform basically lets web developers use JavaScript, HTML, CSS and scripting languages like Ruby or Python to create native apps for different mobile platforms.We've covered Appcelerator and Titanium in the context of iPhone, iPad and Android development in the past. The expansion to the BlackBerry platform is in response to feedback from Titanium developers and enterprise users who have expressed interest in creating apps for the BlackBerry, but might not know exactly where to start.\nWhile the iPhone and Android platforms both have a lot of developer momentum, its easy to forget that the BlackBerry was in the app game long before either of those platforms even existed. Still, in this second generation of mobile application development, the BlackBerry as a platform has lagged behind.\nFrom my own conversations with developers, I've gathered that one reason the BlackBerry is often relegated to second tier status is that developing for the platform can be more difficult. RIM has made changes to how developers can access portions of the phone, including across the board access to push notifications. Having another development option \u2014 especially one that is targeted specifically at web developers \u2014 might also help spur interest.\nAppcelerator's entrance into the BlackBerry market immediately follows questions about Titanium's future viability on the iPhone and iPad. Earlier this month, Apple made some changes to its developer agreement, prohibiting the use of translation or compatibility layer tools. While applications created using Adobe CS5's upcoming Flash-to-iPhone converter are the most likely target of this rule change, the ambiguity of the statement has left many developers wondering if solutions like Unity and Titanium will be affected as well.\nAppcelerator believes that the changes to the iPhone developer agreement will not impact its product \u2014 and in truth, the way that Titanium works and the way that the tool in Flash CS5 works are extremely different on a number of levels \u2014 but expanding into more platforms is certainly not a bad idea.\nMashable Has Invites\nUpdate: All of our invite slots have been filled but you can still sign-up to get notified as soon as the beta opens up more broadly!\nAppcelerator provided Mashable with 100 places in its limited private beta. Just fill-out this form and check your e-mail.\nThe general beta will be expanded later this summer for anyone who doesn't get in this time.\nWhat do you think of the state of BlackBerry mobile app development? Do tools like Titanium make you more likely to investigate developing for the BlackBerry platform? Let us know.\n\n\nFor more mobile coverage, follow Mashable Mobile on Twitter or become a fan on Facebook\n\n"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://mashable.com/2010/04/28/titanium-blackberry-beta/>