RIM has introduced a set of updates to the developer toolkits for its next-generation BlackBerry 10 platform.

The updates include an application invocation framework, which is a set of APIs to allow apps to interact with each other and native BlackBerry 10 features to provide a “seamless and flowing experience for customers”; and a set of push APIs that allow developers to make use of the BlackBerry infrastructure to send notifications and other content to devices from their application servers.

As well as native apps, the BlackBerry 10 WebWorks SDK for HTML5 development, BlackBerry 10 SDK for Adobe Air and the BlackBerry 10 Runtime for Android have been updated to support the invocation framework and push APIs.

The toolkits are currently in beta form and can be downloaded from the BlackBerry developer website.

RIM has also opened up the BlackBerry App World Vendor Portal for BlackBerry 10 Dev Alpha test devices. This portal will allow developers with BlackBerry 10 Dev Alpha test devices to share and access each other’s apps to find out what is being produced for the platform.

RIM's VP for handheld application platform and tools, Christopher Smith, said developers have been making “remarkable progress” with BlackBerry 10 and the update allows developers “to integrate their apps deeply into the core BlackBerry 10 experience, creating a seamless flow between apps for BlackBerry 10 customers”.

According to the Canadian device maker, more than 5,000 developers have so far attended BlackBerry 10 Jam events, which are designed to engage the developer community with the next-generation platform.