About a month after RIM announced its BlackBerry PlayBook tablet, the company is releasing its BlackBerry Tablet OS SDK for Adobe AIR, a software developer kit that can be used to program apps and games for the PlayBook.

The SDK specifically targets Adobe AIR, a tool that allows developers to create software that can work on a variety of platforms, including Windows, Mac, and the BlackBerry PlayBook. Working with the cross-platform Adobe AIR is part of RIM's strategy for getting more Web developers to generate PlayBook apps, who might not ordinarily create applications for the smaller BlackBerry smartphones.

In particular, RIM hopes its SDK will encourage developers familiar with Adobe's tools to program for RIM's contender to the iPad and GalaxyTab.

In late September, RIM outlined its goal to woo traditional Web developers in addition to mobile programmers by delivering tools like the Adobe AIR SDK. The PlayBook will also integrate the contentious Flash Player 10.1 in addition to Adobe AIR applications. The SDK is available beginning today, with RIM accepting app submissions by the end of 2010, in time to get BlackBerry App World ready for the PlayBook's projected release date in early 2011--although there's no specific sale date yet named. Read more from RIM.

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