Research In Motion (RIM) has launched the beta version of the BlackBerry WebWorks SDK for Tablet OS, as well as new services and developer tools for BlackBerry phones, at BlackBerry DEVCON Asia.

The BlackBerry WebWorks platform will allow web and mobile developers to use the SDK in combination with their web development tools of choice to create deeply integrated apps for the BlackBerry PlayBook, but which will also support BlackBerry smartphones running the BlackBerry 6 operating system.

The BlackBerry WebWorks SDK for Tablet OS includes RIMs WebKit web rendering engine, supporting the latest web technology standards, including HTML5, CSS and JavaScript; deep access to device capabilities and components such as native dialogues, application invocation and system information; a simple command-line tool that allows developers to use their favorite web development environment to develop WebWorks applications; and the capability to automatically transform a W3C widget archive file containing web assets into a BlackBerry WebWorks application package

In order to provide an opportunity for WebWorks developers to qualify for the previously announced ‘free BlackBerry PlayBook’ offer, RIM is extending the offer to March 15, 2011. Web developers can download the BlackBerry WebWorks SDK for Tablets OS, build BlackBerry PlayBook apps and qualify for a free BlackBerry PlayBook. There are more details about the offer here. And the SDK can be downloaded here.

A webcast series to help developers create BlackBerry WebWorks applications for the BlackBerry PlayBook will start on 1 February, 2011. Developers will get first-hand details on how to install tools, set up development environments, create their first application, and test applications on the simulator. There’s more information on this here.

RIM has also launched the BlackBerry Payment Service SDK in Beta, as well as an update of the BlackBerry Push Service SDK (v 1.0.1) and a new release of the BlackBerry Java Plug-in for Eclipse (version 1.3).