As you know, there are BlackBerry 10 smartphones coming in Q1 2013 – an all-touch model similar to the BlackBerry 10 Dev Alpha, and a BlackBerry 10 smartphone with our industry-defining BlackBerry QWERTY keyboard.
Today we announced the next phase of the BlackBerry 10 Dev Alpha program – the BlackBerry Dev Alpha C. It is a testing device for developers so that you can adjust, debug, and test your BlackBerry 10 applications to get ready for the launch of the BlackBerry 10 QWERTY device next year.

We’re only producing a limited number of these testing devices, and they will be reserved on a priority list for developers who have demonstrated that they are building apps for BlackBerry 10.

Distribution will be limited to developers who submit two or more applications; these developers will be given priority seeding for the BlackBerry 10 Dev Alpha C. These developers will be determined on the following point system:

• 50 points for ported Android™ applications
• 250 points for all other applications (Native, BlackBerry® WebWorks™, Adobe® AIR®)
• 1500 points for Built For BlackBerry certified application
• BlackBerry 10 Dev Alpha A/B recipients start with 200 points
• BlackBerry Elite Members start with 200 points

The BlackBerry 10 Dev Alpha C offer will run from December 1, 2012 through February 5, 2013. The details on the program can be found here, and keep following @BlackBerryDev for more info.

We’re extremely excited to let you know that we have just launched the BlackBerry® Elite program for our developer community. This is an exclusive program that recognizes, empowers and rewards our most influential and passionate BlackBerry developer advocates around the world.

In the initial launch wave, we are inviting 100 developers from around to become members of the BlackBerry Elite. What do they all have in common? Whether it’s someone who consistently ranks as a top contributor in the BlackBerry developer forums, brings together the community by leading local developer groups, is regarded as a subject matter expert on BlackBerry development, or is a code contributor to BlackBerry open source projects – every individual has and continues to show their commitment to our platform and the community in their own unique way.

Some of the cool and exclusive rewards that BlackBerry Elite members receive are opportunities to travel to regional BlackBerry® Jam events, priority access to developer SDKs, among the first to receive new BlackBerry products, meetings with the RIM® senior executive team, and so much more. We realize our BlackBerry Elites do a lot for us, and we want to ensure they are well rewarded.

If you know amazing people who should be considered for the BlackBerry Elite program, please make sure you nominate them — and yes, you can nominate yourself! We are always searching for the best candidates and want the community to tell us who you think stands out.

Congratulations to all our 2012 BlackBerry Elite members and make sure to check them out in our Hall of Fame!