Android Developer

BlackBerry Browser UI Controls

Developing for the BlackBerry web UI requires a disciplined approach to work within the limitations of the target browser.

There are two separate browser-rendering engines included on the BlackBerry platform

■ browser.field (available since ~v3.8 with most recent changes made in v4.5); The level of content support provided by this browser is limited to:

■ Document Object Model (DOM) L1 (read only access to the DOM).

■ Partial support for HTML, JavaScript and CSS. Content rendered using this browser field will look similar to content rendered by the BlackBerry browser on a 4.5 device.

■ Interaction model supports quick traversal of form fields with trackpad, trackwheel or trackball.

■ browser.field2.BrowserField RIM's second rendering engine for the BlackBerry was introduced with the BlackBerry Bold (version 4.6 handheld software). This browser field greatly improved the capabilities of the BlackBerry browser; however, the interaction model was changed significantly by adding:

■ Support for industry standards such as HTML 4.01, JavaScript 1.5, CSS 2.1.

■ Support for DOM L2 (read/write) and XmlHttpRequest (AJAX). However, modern Javascript frameworks, such as JQuery and XUI, are not supported.

■ Interaction model for control of the pointer require spatial motion that is similar to a mouse on a computer screen or touch interface. This negatively affects usability when using the trackpad, trackwheel or trackball.

The differences between browser.field (4.2) and browser.field2 (4.6) are reviewed in detail. Note that PhoneGap automatically includes the 4.6 control and only supports 4.6 or later devices. By default, Rhodes applications use the 4.2 browser control, but a configuration option allows you to use the 4.6 control. Rhodes supports BlackBerry OS versions 4.2 and above.