BB10 Development - BerryStore

Python Development on BB10

Using Term49, we can run Python 3.11 directly on BlackBerry 10 devices, enabling modern development capabilities. This approach transforms BB10 devices into powerful development platforms, allowing us to create and run sophisticated applications natively.

The QNX foundation of BB10 provides Linux-like capabilities, making it possible to SSH into the device and develop as if working on a remote server. This enables a familiar development workflow while leveraging BB10's unique features.

Native Binary Development

Beyond Python applications, we've successfully compiled and ported various terminal-based programs to run natively on BB10's QNX environment. Some notable achievements include:

Nano text editor - Full terminal-based editing capabilities
NetCat - Network utility for reading/writing network connections
Various system utilities and tools
Custom compiled binaries for QNX architecture

This demonstrates BB10's capability to run sophisticated Unix-like tools, making it a powerful platform for both development and system administration tasks.

Native System Integration

Through extensive research and development, I've discovered methods to interact with BB10's native systems through the PPS (Persistent Publish/Subscribe) service. This enables:

Native notification integration
Audio playback capabilities
Haptic feedback control
Full filesystem access
System service integration

This deep system integration allows for creating apps that feel native to the BB10 platform while using modern development tools and languages.

App Distribution & Management

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My BB10 Store was developed as a revolutionary solution for modern app deployment on BlackBerry 10 devices. Unlike traditional app stores, it's designed to run locally on the device while maintaining a connection to our central repository. This unique approach enables:

Local app execution and management directly on the device
Real-time server queries for new apps and updates
Sophisticated task management for running applications
Automated Term49 integration and startup management
Seamless updates and dependency management

The store maintains a local database of installed applications while intelligently checking for updates from our server. This hybrid approach ensures reliable app management even with intermittent connectivity, making it perfect for the modern BB10 user.

BB10 Store Task Manager Interface

BB10 Task Manager Architecture

The BB10 Task Manager is a sophisticated system that manages Python applications on BlackBerry 10 devices. Here's how it works:

Core Components

Web-based interface running on port 8001
Automatic app discovery and management
Process monitoring and control
Integrated installation system

Application Structure

The task manager recognizes two types of applications:

CLI Apps: Located in ~/usr/local/bin
Web Apps: Located in ~/apps with an app.py entry point

Key Features

Automatic Port Detection: Monitors application output to detect and register port numbers for web interfaces
Process Management: Start, stop, and monitor Python processes with real-time status updates
Installation System: Handles .zip packages, automatically sets execute permissions, and manages dependencies
Auto-start Configuration: Configures applications to launch automatically on system startup

Application Lifecycle

App installation from .zip package
Automatic executable permission setting
Process launch with Python 3.11
Port detection and registration
Web interface accessibility
Process monitoring and management

Example App Structure

~/apps/myapp/
  ├── app.py         # Main entry point
  ├── template.html  # Web interface template
  └── static/        # Static assets

Developer Note:

When creating web applications, ensure your app.py outputs the port number to stdout for automatic port registration with the task manager. The task manager monitors this output to create the launch links in the interface.