BlackBerry announced a number of updates to its developer proposition at its BlackBerry Jam Europe developer event, coming shortly after it unveiled the first devices powered by its next-generation BlackBerry 10 operating system.

The company unveiled its BlackBerry 10.1 SDK, which includes support for the anticipated Q10 device (pictured), which will feature a Qwerty keypad as well as a touch screen. The tools will enable developers to optimise apps for this device, including testing them via a new emulator.

The BlackBerry World vendor portal is also open for BlackBerry Q10 app submissions, enabling developers to have apps ready for customers in time for the expected smartphone launch “in April this year”.

It announced updates to its Built for BlackBerryprogramme, intended to highlight apps that are designed specifically for the platform. This includes a special category on BlackBerry World, intended to increase discoverability and marketability of apps, and “eventually the only apps that will be featured on the BlackBerry World carousel will be Built for BlackBerry apps”.

BlackBerry also announced a partnership with Unity Technologies to create a Unity deployment add-on product for BlackBerry 10 smartphones, “empowering Unity’s over 1.5 million strong developer community to publish their games on these powerful platforms”. The Unity developer base will also be provided with BlackBerry 10 smartphones for testing, and the partners will also hold developer events in Europe and North America.

BlackBerry also said that a limited number of developers who have previously qualified to receive a test BlackBerry device (Dev Alpha A or B) and who have submitted an app to BlackBerry World will be able to swap it for a limited edition red BlackBerry Z10.

“We are listening to our community and are evolving our programs to help them achieve success on BlackBerry 10 and be recognised for their efforts and accomplishments,” said Alec Saunders, VP of ecosystem and developer relations at BlackBerry.