Between Cascades and CoreNative, the two main Blackberry Playbook C++ frameworks, which is easier to use?
blackberry, blackberry-10, c++
Solution
It seems like you have the gist of it. Cascades is where the focus should be for any beginner building native BlackBerry 10 applications from scratch. It provides high level tools and APIs for UI development and integration with other elements of the platform (BBM, sensors, notifications, etc.) It will let you easily create applications with the BlackBerry feel using Cascades and QML.
The Core Native option is a lower level option for developers who don't want to or can't use Cascades. It is useful for game developers, for example, who are porting an OpenGL ES game from another platform. With the Core Native option you'll have to worry about things like setting up your screen, which Cascades handles for you. However, many open source libraries have already been ported to BB10 which expand the realm of possibilities beyond just what Cascades offers.
Note that this only applies to BlackBerry 10 development, whereas Cascades is not part of the current Playbook OS.
Problem
I'm thoroughly confused by the number of SDK/API choices in Blackberry Playbook development. Is one or the other recommended more to complete beginners in mobile app development? Leaving aside the Flash/Air, HTML and JAVA options, which of the two native C/C++ choices is easier to start in? I take it that Cascades is the future, so unless there's a reason not to recommend that to beginners, I'm guessing it's probably the "easier" choice for someone who wants to get more done, faster.