RIM put out a notice on the BlackBerry DevCon Asia website today in regards to the event coming up.  It looks like due to flooding in Bangkok, RIM will be relocating DevCon Asia this year.  The new location has not been announced yet, but I can imagine this poses a problem for those in the region or already planned their trip out there.  Here’s the notice from RIM:

Important Notice: due to the current high levels of flooding in Bangkok, Research In Motion® (RIM®) has decided BlackBerry® DevCon Asia will not take place in Bangkok this year. The decision was made following advisories that warn of ongoing dangers related to the serious impact of rain and floods on the local infrastructure in Bangkok, where the conference was scheduled to take place. The safety of attendees at any BlackBerry event is of utmost importance to RIM. RIM is committed to the developer community in Asia and we are currently evaluating new locations and possibly new dates for the conference. Further details will be communicated in the coming days. We regret not being able to hold the conference in Bangkok this year, but we look forward to returning the event to Bangkok in the future. RIM apologizes to all current registrants for the late notice and inconvenience this may have caused, but appreciates their understanding due to the unforeseen circumstances that Bangkok is currently suffering. Existing registrations will remain active pending confirmation of the location and timing for the BlackBerry DevCon Asia event.

Stay tuned as RIM announces a new location for the event.  Any devs out there discouraged by any of this?

Source: BerryReview

Browsing via BlackBerry? Click here to view video

DEVCON Asia wrapped up a few weeks ago and RIM ahs released this developer round up video from the event showing what developers thought about the very first DEVCON abroad and how they benefited from it.  Most buzz was on the BlackBerry PlayBook and developers felt they the event should be longer than two days as well.  Either way, they did get the better end of the deal than we did in the US since they actually had a real “hands-on” with the PlayBook where we just got the announcement and got to drool at it behind glass.

Browsing via BlackBerry? Click here to view video

Here’s a quick video on some highlights with developers at DEVCON Asia 2011.  Here we get to see what developers have to say about the event, what they look forward to in the future of BlackBerry, and of course what their current involvement in development is.

Browsing via BlackBerry? Click here to view video

Here’s a video I spotted on the BlackBerry YouTube channel, which seems to be have used for DEVCON Asia 2011.  It’s all about BlackBerry in Indonesia and how people use their devices.  BlackBerry Messenger seems to be everyone’s main favorite in the BlackBerry, but that’s everywhere not just Indonesia.

At DEVCON Asia 2011, RIM officially announced BlackBerry 6.1 Application Platform.  So we know that BlackBerry 6 OS is going to be around for a while without all the QNX stuff we’ve been excited for.  We had two devices leaked today, one the Dakota and the other Apollo which have been rumored to rock OS 6.1.  In any case, for developers, 6.1 Application Platform tools include:

• Magnetometer / Digital compass APIs
• Open GL-ES 2.0
• Window API – overlay native app surfaces
• Event-based geo-fencing location APIs
• Enhancement to Barcode API’s for additional formats and custom decoding
• Much More

So the biggest news here I believe is Open GL-ES 2.0 which will give developers a lot more to work with.  I expect we’ll be seeing BlackBerry 6.1 launch by the BlackBerry World event, hopefully.  Sooner would be better of course!

Source: CB

As you know, DEVCON Asia 2011 starts tomorrow and just as we had an application for the event when it was here in the US, Asia gets one as well.  Here’s the full description of the app:

• DEVCON Asia 2011
  Find our more about DEVCON Asia 2011, its agenda, the keynote speakers, speakers, add the event’s official BBM PIN and download the SDK.
• Sessions Details
  With the diverse topics up for discussions during the conference, attendees would be better equipped knowing their area of interests. This feature offers details on Java Development, Web Development, Java & Web Development, BlackBerry Playbook, Hands On and Business-Focused sessions.
• Maps
  Even if it is not your first time to Bali , having the maps of the venue will absolutely help navigate your way during the conference.
  Also direction to reach some cool places in Bali.
• Social Networks
  What’s the buzz on DEVCON Asia 2011? Don’t miss out the variety of information disbursed via the event’s social networks (blog, Twitter, Facebook and Flickr)
• Digital Goodies
  Get cool digital goodies such as themes and digital coupons via this feature.

So DEVCON Asia 2011 is January 13 and 14th.  If you’re attending, this application will come really handy to manage all your sessions, and to do all that’s mentioned above.

Download the DEVCON Asia 2011 App >>

Well it looks like BlackBerry DEVCON is hitting Asia as early as January 2011.  The dates have been confirmed for January 13th and 14th.  Registration is open for those out and about and interested in attending.  BlackBerry DEVCON Asia 2011 will be held from January 13-14, 2011 in Nusa Dua, Bali Indonesia at the Bali International Convention Center.  Hit the jump for more details.

(more…)