Hey, app developers! RIM’s hosting an event in New York from August 11-12, and are giving us a plane ticket and a hotel room key for one enterprising BlackBerry developer. It’s called the BBM Apps Hackathon, and it will have RIM staff on hand to help you realize a new app idea, and integrate BlackBerry Messenger into it using their new Social platform. If you’ve already got a BlackBerry app ready, and you just want to plug in some BBM integration, that works too. We’ll have one of our boys in New York to check out your app as it’s being built, which means instant coverage on IntoMobile. As if that wasn’t enough, RIM’s agreed to send out a free BlackBerry Bold 9900 to our pick when the device launches later this summer!
Plugging into RIM’s signature instant messaging client can add a lot of interesting features. Group chat is a no-brainer, and a solid choice for anyone trying out multiplayer gaming. You can also have share app data over BBM between contacts, as well as affect status and profile pictures. Take a look at the BlackBerry Messenger SDK for more details.
So what have you got to do? Pitch us your BlackBerry app idea in the comments before July 22! If you’re feeling shy, you can also drop a message in our contact form. There are a few things to keep in mind before entering, though… You’ve got to be in the U.S. or Canada for one. You need to have a laptop with all of the pertinent developer tools loaded and know how to use ’em. Of course you’ll need to be okay to travel from August 10-13. Full contest rules and event details can be found over here.
So let’s hear your ideas! I’m really hurting for a Campfire app for BlackBerry, and I think BBM Social might be able to help there. RIM has been pushing the flirtatious qualities of BBM for awhile now… Maybe a location-based dating app is in order? Sound off in the comments, devs!