RIM expands developer toolset

In today's podcast: RIM expands developer toolset; Palm vies for app builders; and Windows 7 to help create jobs, IDC says.

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Research In Motion (RIM) is previewing on Tuesday technologies that help application builders use Web development skills to build programs for the company's BlackBerry smartphone. Previously, Java skills were required to build applications leveraging BlackBerry capabilities. New technologies set for release in a beta format include: the BlackBerry Widget Software Development Kit,; a command line tool to convert the Web application into a Java application; and a simulator to test applications. General release of the three technologies is planned for later this year. RIM officials earlier this year marked the tenth anniversary of the BlackBerry, emphasizing the device as a business applications platform. RIM's move greatly expands the base of developers who can build for its popular device.

Meanwhile, smartphone competitor Palm plans to open a full-scale developer program to encourage third-party applications for its webOS platform by the end of the year and has just begun a trial run of its App Catalog store. In August, Palm allowed developers to begin submitting applications for inclusion in its App Catalog, which is built into devices with webOS. Palm is eventually looking to drive over-the-air downloads for webOS applications and give developers more options for distributing and promoting their applications. Under the program, developers will receive 70 percent of the revenue after tax Palm keeps 30 percent.

Windows 7 will add 25,000 jobs to the U.S. and "do its bit" to help the economy climb out of the crisis, says market researcher IDC in a new study. But overall IT spending and employment growth will be modest over the next few years, according to this Microsoft-sponsored report. By the end of 2010, more than 177 million copies of Windows 7 will be "in place" worldwide, with about 60 million in the U.S. The Windows contribution to this growth will include $41 billion in the Microsoft ecosystem spent by the end of next year by companies that are developing, marketing, supporting and developing services around Windows 7, IDC reported. However Windows 7's release won't dramatically reshape IT spending. IDC estimates that IT spending in the U.S. this year on hardware, software and services will reach $525.5 billion, and increase about 2% to $536 billion next year. Spending through 2013 will see a compound annual growth rate of 2.3%.

Apple's Mac boosted its presence in American households by 33% in the last year, according to a survey conducted by the NPD Group. About 12% of U.S. computer-owning households have a Mac, up a third from 2008. Households with Macs are also more than twice as likely as Windows PC-only homes to have three or more computers. Apple may be on the verge of trying to expand the pool of potential buyers, added Stepehen Baker. "I think we'll see a $799 MacBook and a $999 MacBook in the next few days," Baker said Monday, speaking of rumors that Apple is ready to unveil refreshed models of its iMac desktop and MacBook notebook, which at $999, is currently the company's lowest-priced laptop.

And those are the top stories from the IDG Global IT News Update, brought to you by the IDG News Service. This is Marc Ferranti in the new York bureau. Join us again later for more news from the world of technology.