BlackBerry Desktop Software 7.1 Now Available in Beta Zone – Support for Dev Alpha, 4G PlayBook (May,2012)

RIM has at last released BlackBerry Desktop Software 7.1 in the Beta Zone. The new update brings support for the BlackBerry 10 Dev Alpha and 4G PlayBooks. The new version also includes:Media sync enhancements including individual selection, sync by album, and customizable columns in collections modeSupport for 4G PlayBooksSupport for new BlackBerry 7 OS devicesMajor bug fixes and PIM sync improvements as highlighted in the Release Notes (in downloads section)Support for BB10 Alpha Developer devicesIf you’re a developer, you can finally back up your device or re-load it’s firmware using the new 7.1 of Desktop Software. Get it now from Beta Zone here.

BlackBerry, The Rebirth! Part 2: Developer Relationships (May,2012)

There is one word that comes to mind when you think of BlackBerry’s shortcomings and we all know it: Apps! Research In Motion has put all of its talent behind the implementation and development of BlackBerry10, BUT they absolutely understand that with no apps it doesn’t matter how amazing the software might be.  That’s where RIM has made the best decision it could, which was to put in place a new Developer Relations team.  Lead by the man himself , Alec Saunders, this team absolutely stole the show at BlackBerry 10 Jam.RIM has already paved the grounds with the developer hackathons. They have been relentless in offering free PlayBooks and any advice you might need. You know what the outcome has been? It’s working! The success stories are there. Look at Angry Birds, Madden and the other awesome games that have been released.  The app catalogue is expanding in a time where everyone is ready to bury our beloved company. Transforming a company won’t happen over night. While we may still lack apps like Netflix and Skype, after BlackBerry World and BlackBerry Jam 10 I am CERTAIN all these companies would be insane not to push their apps to the platform! Why am I so sure? I saw the amazing jobs the RIM employees are doing. Let me share some of my personal experiences from these events:During my walk-through at BB10 Jam, I met Luca Sale, who I believe is one of the rising stars within RIM.  Luca is a developer evangelist and HTML 5 expert. After chatting with him for a while, I realized how passionate he was about the company. The next day I was at  BlackBerry 10 Jam ran into Luca again by the HTML 5 booth. I introduced him to a group of friends I made in a great BBM group chat. I walked away for a bit, while I greeted other RIM employees, and returned back to the booth within 5 minutes. To my surprise, their conversation had gone FULL HTML5 with Luca showing them how easy it can be to develop and passing his card out, telling them, “Email me, any question any time I am here for you guys”. He showed us all some amazing stuff you could do with HTML.Conversation with my friends continued on about developing for BB10! Five of my friends who never thought about developing for BlackBerry, were now in serious thought of what and how can they build their first BlackBerry app. One of them wanted  to create a sports app, another a special weather app for pilots.  So many awesome app ideas were being thrown around I was shocked. My initial reaction was, “Are you guys seriously going to give this a go?” They all replied, “Hell yeah”, “Absolutely” and “Why wouldn’t we if we have RIM there to help.”  Today my friends are all working on apps for BB10 for the simple reason that they know they have some one to contact in case of an issue. All of this was due to one RIM employee who took the time to sit with them for 30 minutes to listen and offer his help! RIM successfully gained five new developers in that moment. Luca Sale deserves a lot of credit for his achievements during BlackBerry 10 Jam and I thank him for taking the time to speak to us.The next RIM employee I’d like to talk about is “THE HTML5 Guru” also commonly known as Adam Stanley (Though, I believe he enjoys that nickname). Adam for one more time, spent 3 days pouring all his knowledge and hard work into developers trying to pass his message about what BB10 can do.  Adam is simply the best. It doesn’t matter what is going on, if you needed help, Adam was there. Not once did he say he wasn’t available or that he had an obligation. I was glad to find out he went on vacation right after BB10 Jam, he deserved it.Last, but not least, I want to bring up one of RIM’s Evangelists, Patrick Mollins. Patrick is currently running a hackathon in Bogota, Colombia. I ran into Patrick at the Innovations Booth and we started chatting.  A few minutes later the rest of the group joined and I had the pleasure to introduce them to Patrick. They engaged in conversation about HTML5, cascades and other capabilities of the platform. Patrick immediately picked up on their interest and quickly offered his services.  He offered them assistance and devices if they set up a BB Dev Group. He promised he would attend their meetings and invite them to other shows. It’s a great incentive to know that if you do get together with a couple of developers and create  a group that BlackBerry will be there for hands-on support! Cards were exchanged along with ideas and now a much better relationship has been formed between a handful of Devs and RIM.  Patrick’s character is exactly how an evangelist needs to be. RIM is lucky to have his services.These are three examples that I witnessed at BB10 Jam. There were plenty more and some amazing sessions and labs that took place.  The seeding of a developer device was an amazing incentive for developers to attend the BlackBerry 10 Jam event. RIM guaranteeing 10,000 dollars for a good app gives a developer a great drive towards succeeding. RIM will also give out a limited edition BlackBerry 10 device if your app qualifies and you return the Dev alpha. The Developer Relations team is building the Relationships RIM needs for BB10 to succeed. After the BB10 Jam event I am now more confident than ever that success is finally within reach.

Official: BlackBerry Curve 8520 OS 5.0.0.1075 from Vodacom South Africa (May,2012)

Still rocking a Curve 8520? Then you might want to get ready for an OS update. Vodacom South Africa has released a new OS for the 8520, OS 5.0.0.1075.  We saw this one leak a while back, not expecting to see any leaks for this OS. No changelog for this one, so if you find anything let us know in the comments or forums!Download BlackBerry Curve 8520 OS 5.0.01075>>Discuss this in the forums >>Make sure you join our community to share your thoughts on this!How to: load an OS on your BlackBerry

eBuddy XMS Updated with Group Messaging and Support for OS 4.6+ (May,2012)

eBuddy XMS was updated today to version 2.0, adding some cool new features. As requested, the team added support for group messaging with up to 30 friends in one conversation. You can send messages, pictures and more to the groups. The app also now supports OS 4.6 and up. The update is now live and available in the App World. Check it out and let us know your thoughts!Download eBuddy XMS 2.0 from App World>>

Babylon-Enterprise Now Available for BlackBerry (May,2012)

Press ReleaseSAN FRANCISCO, May 17, 2012 –/PRNewswire/ –Babylon Enterprise http://enterprise.babylon.com/, the world’s leading provider of single-click enterprise information access, is now available on all leading mobile platforms“In today’s business world, it is essential to have quick access to organizational information, whenever and wherever you are. The extension of Babylon-Enterprise to any mobile platform enables our customers to attain key information and data required for making critical business decisions on the go,” explains Liat Sade – Sternberg, Babylon’s VP of Marketing & Sales.Babylon-Enterprise offers increased individual productivity. With a single click on any screen text, all relevant information is instantly delivered to the user, without the need to switch tools or applications.Babylon-Enterprise is the perfect solution for complex systems.  The solution provides a simplified approach for our customers to bring together the business processes and data from systems such as SharePoint and SalesForce, aggregated in a single view. Enabling users to quickly scan results and rapidly respond to shifting business needs and environments.“Knowledge management and access to knowledge are critical to securing the company’s future. Babylon-Enterprise is playing a significant role at Schaeffler in that respect,” Comments Paul Seren,  Head of Knowledge Management, Schaeffler Group.Among our customers are Petrobras, Alstom, SAP, Elbit, Schaeffler and more.Babylon-Enterprise’s new innovative client is a secure, cloud-ready solution supporting the latest operating systems on the market.For more information about Babylon Enterprise, visit enterprise.babylon.comAbout Babylon.comBabylon.com is a publicly traded company founded in 1997. The Company is a leading provider of language solutions such as online dictionary  http://www.babylon.com/ and translation software, translation services, language learning solutions, English writing enhancement and more. Babylon.com has set a Guinness World Recordâ„¢ for Most Downloads of a Translation Software with over 150 million users in more than 231 markets, supporting 75 languages and listed among the 45 most popular websites worldwide.Press Contact: Babylon Ltd. Tel: +1-866-808-6361 Email: press@babylon.comSOURCE Babylon

Parkmobile USA Launches NFC-Enabled Mobile Parking Payment Solution (May,2012)

Parkmobile USA has launched a new NFC enabled mobile paying system, available now in Oakland, CA. Customers will be able to pay for parking with their cellphones using Parkmobile’s application or by simply waving or tapping their phone on any of the NFC enabled stickers. To use the new Parkmobile system, customers register for free at www.parkmobile.com, once you registered you can download the app or use one of their other methods. Check out the press release below for more info.Press ReleaseOAKLAND, Calif., May 17, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ — Parkmobile USA, Inc. announced today that their revolutionary new mobile payment service has been implemented in Oakland, CA. Not only can customers now pay for parking with their cell phone using Parkmobile’s native mobile applications for the iPhone, Android, Windows 7, and Blackberry smartphones anywhere in the city, but they can also choose to pay with NFC-enabled mobile phones by waving or tapping their phone on any of Parkmobile’s NFC-enabled stickers.To use the new Parkmobile system, customers register for free at www.parkmobile.com . Once registered, they can use a mobile app, the internet, QR Code, NFC sticker or call toll free at 1-877-727-5718 to pay for parking. After setting up the account, customers can immediately start using the system with their registered mobile phone. They can also select the option to receive both text message or email alerts and reminders.“Parkmobile is very excited to launch our mobile payment parking service in Oakland,” said Albert Bogaard, CEO of Parkmobile USA, Inc. “With this technology, customers no longer have to search for change at their destination. With the addition of NFC to our suite of payment options, our mobile payment service continues to be an example of innovative technology that can make our lives easier and more efficient.”The program is offered citywide at all on-street parking meters in Oakland. Parkmobile’s progressive technologies and services will enhance the experience of motorists. Parkmobile’s mobile payment solution is an ideal parking option, and is simple and convenient.“The City of Oakland is excited to offer motorists a hassle-free and convenient payment option at parking meters,” said Noel Pinto, Director of Parking Operations with City of Oakland. “Motorist can now pay for parking at a meter by utilizing their cell phone and seamlessly buying time to park at a metered space; no more digging for coins, no more frustrations and no more stress. Parking in Oakland is no longer an adventure but rather as easy as parking at a meter, making a phone call and walking away. The City of Oakland and Parkmobile are working together to make parking in Oakland a convenience and not a challenge.”Oakland marks the seventh West Coast market following Santa Cruz, Santa Monica, Sausalito, Long Beach, Newport Beach and the University of Southern California, that offers the Parkmobile mobile payment solution.For additional information and locations, please visit: www.parkmobile.com .About ParkmobileParkmobile is a leading global provider of seamlessly integrated end-to-end mobile payment solutions for parking. Its offerings include cashless mobile payments for on and off-street parking, digital parking permits and real-time enforcement. Their services are used in 250 cities around the world by millions of registered users. Parkmobile USA was founded in Atlanta, Georgia and its call center, engineering team and corporate headquarters are located in the U.S. Parkmobile’s investors include BCD Holdings and Fontinalis Partners. With annual global revenues of $20.8 billion, BCD Holdings is an international market leader in the travel industry. Fontinalis Partners invests in and partners with innovative technology companies that modernize and improve transportation. Fontinalis is led by Bill Ford, a lifelong environmentalist and the executive chairman of Ford Motor Company. For more information please visit www.parkmobile.com .SOURCE Parkmobile USA, Inc.

Official: BlackBerry Bold 9930 OS 7.1.0.355 from C Spire Wireless (May,2012)

BlackBerry Bold 9930 users are receiving an official update today. OS 7.1.0.355 is now available to download from C Spire Wireless. No word on what’s new in this update. Nonetheless, let us know if you find anything nice in this build.Download Bold 9930 OS 7.1.0.355 from C Spire WirelessMake sure you join our community to share your thoughts on this!How to: load an OS on your BlackBerry

PlayBook to Receive BlackBerry 10 OS Upgrade Soon After Release of First BB10 Device (May,2012)

We’ve previously heard from RIM that the BlackBerry PlayBook will indeed receive an upgrade to the BlackBerry 10 operating system in the future. However, it was unclear as to the time-frame for that upgrade. Today, RIM once again reiterated that the PlayBook will receive BlackBerry 10 via a Tweet stating, “Cascades support for PlayBook will come w/ the PlayBook OS upgrade to BB10, shortly after launch of 1st BB10 smartphone.”We exclusively told you that the first BlackBerry 10 device will be announced in August and then pegged for a release in early October. Given that time-frame, we could possibly expect BlackBerry 10 for the PlayBook to release sometime later this fall. Perhaps, we’ll see it hit PlayBooks before the Holidays, which will allow RIM to re-market the tablet with its shiny new operating system. When do you think BB10 will become available to the PlayBook?Image via BBNews.pl

BlackBerry PlayBook Makes Up 10% of Indian Tablet Market (May,2012)

India loves BlackBerry! This is why RIM’s BlackBerry PlayBook is the third largest competitor in the Indian tablet market, making up 10% of it. Apple’s iPad takes up the first place with 51% market share, and Samsung’s Galaxy Tab is on the second spot with 24%.After the PlayBook’s prices were dropped, the tablet acquired more presence in the Indian community, making it one of the best low cost tablets and helping it get to 10.4 percent market share. I wouldn’t be surprised to see these numbers grow now, with all the new apps and games being released for the tablet, it only gets better. To our Indian readers, did you get a PlayBook recently? Are planning on getting one? Let us know in the comments below!via PCAdvisor

Learn Spanish with Hello-Hello Spanish for PlayBook (May,2012)

Want to learn spanish but don’t feel like going to a class? Then this might be the solution for you. Hello-Hello has released a new Spanish lessons app for the BlackBerry PlayBook. It is a full-fledged language course that will give you the ability to communicate in spanish! Here are some of the features:30 conversational lessons based on realistic situationsHundreds of flashcards to practice vocabulary.11 modules of learning including specific exercises to practice speaking and writing skills.Learn vocabulary from the dialogues and with flashcardsThe course is developed in collaboration with the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL),Nine-language localization: Users can learn Spanish in 8 different languages along with English. Hence Spanish, German, French, Italian, Portuguese, Chinese, Japanese, Indonesian, Dutch and Russian natives can learn Spanish with Hello-Hello Spanish app.All the content is stored in the app so that user can have a great responsiveness when they do the lessons or exercises.Hello-Hello Spanish is currently available in the App World for $14.99, you don’t need to have a WiFi or 3G connection to use the application.Buy Hello-Hello Spanish for BlackBerry PlayBook for $14.99>> 

Telmap Navigator, FREE for Blackberry users in the UK (May,2012)

Telmap has announced today that they have released a new version of their Telmap Navigator application and is now available for users in the UK. The new release supports the following touch and non-touch devices:BlackBerry Bold 9900BlackBerry Torch 9810BlackBerry Bold 9790BlackBerry Curve 9380BlackBerry  Curve 9360BlackBerry Torch 9800BlackBerry Curve 9320BlackBerry Curve 9300.Downlod Telmap Navigator for free>>Press ReleaseLONDON, 17 May, 2012 â€" Telmap, pioneers in mobile location-based services, announced today that a new version of its Telmap Navigator mobile application is now available for free to Blackberry users in the UK.Telmap Navigator can be downloaded on Blackberry’s AppWorld and for the first time enables Blackberry users to turn their devices for free, into a real local search, mapping and navigation system with in-car navigation with 3D moving maps, voice-guided instructions, a dedicated pedestrian navigation mode, and a postcode business and address search that’s specially tailored for UK users.In addition, Telmap Navigator enables easy exploration of one’s surroundings with free access to nearby restaurants, pubs and plenty of activities provided by TripAdvisor and Lonely Planet. Moreover, Telmap Navigator offers a layer of ultra-local content that’s specific to UK users and will optimize their on-the-go experience with access to information from local brands such as Barclays Cycle, Ordnance Survey, and more. With Telmap Navigator, users can also keep in touch with their community through integrations with Facebook, Twitter, and the extremely popular BlackBerry Messenger, a must-have for BlackBerry users who will be able to communicate their location through BBM and locate their BBM contacts, all from within Telmap Navigator.“Telmap’s vision is all about providing people with instant, relevant, reliable and fun information while on-the-go, and we are happy to be able to offer just that to UK users of Blackberry devices. We have optimized the app to the Blackberry device for a great user experience and are confident that by using Telmap Navigator, Blackberry users will be able to derive a lot more value from their devices”, said Motti Kushnir, Telmap Chief Marketing Officer.Telmap Navigator is available for free download on Blackberrry’s AppWorld. It’s available to UK users, on the following Blackberry models (both touch and non-touch devices): BB9900, BB9810, BB9790, BB9380, BB9360, BB9800, BB9320, BB9300. Click here to download.

T-Mobile Introduces New No Annual Contract Mobile Broadband Service Passes (May,2012)

T-Mobile USA announced today new, flexible and worry-free No Annual Contract mobile broadband service passes to make it easier for customers to enjoy their 4G network across mobile broadband devices. The new service will debut May 20th, here’s how princing goes:300MB 1-week pass for $151.5GB 1-month pass for $253.5GB 1-month pass for $355GB 1-month pass for $50You can read more about this in the press release below or on T-Mobile’s website.Press ReleaseNew Passes, Available May 20, Offer Flexible, More Affordable Access to High-Speed Internet on the Go on an Advanced Lineup of 4G Tablets, Mobile Hotspots and Laptop SticksBellevue, Wash. â€" May 17, 2012 â€" T-Mobile USA, Inc. today announced that its new, flexible and worry-free No Annual Contract mobile broadband service passes will debut May 20, making it easier for customers to enjoy access to high-speed Internet on the go whenever they want. With T-Mobile’s new, more affordable No Annual Contract data passes, customers can experience T-Mobile’s blazing-fast 4G network speeds across a variety of mobile broadband devices including tablets, mobile hotspots and laptop sticks â€" with no strings attached.Starting at just $15, T-Mobile’s lineup of No Annual Contract mobile broadband passes delivers a pay-in-advance, overage-free solution that offers an allotment of mobile data, making it possible for customers to choose a pass that best fits their data needs without committing to a two-year contract:300MB 1-week pass for $151.5GB 1-month pass for $253.5GB 1-month pass for $355GB 1-month pass for $50“Although most of our mobile broadband customers choose postpaid rate plans for the best device prices and data rates, we know that many of our customers want the flexibility to be able to experience mobile broadband without committing to an annual contract up front,” said Jeremy Korst, vice president of marketing, T-Mobile USA. “With better pricing and new features like an auto-refill option and a simpler purchase experience, T-Mobile’s No Annual Contract mobile broadband passes make it easier and more affordable than ever to experience high-speed Internet on the go on a range of devices.”T-Mobile® offers a variety of 4G mobile broadband devices that, when connected to T-Mobile’s high-speed 4G network, offer customers fast access to the Web, e-mail, gaming, movies and more, while on-the-go.T-Mobile’s lineup of mobile, connected tablets, including the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1, the Samsung Galaxy Tabâ„¢ 7.0 Plus and the T-Mobile® SpringBoard™ with Googleâ„¢,  deliver a premium on-the-go entertainment and Web experience, making it possible to stream movies on a road trip or shop online while the kids play at the park.The T-Mobile® Sonic™ 4G Mobile Hotspot and the T-Mobile 4G Mobile Hotspot are ideal for staying connected on-the-go with colleagues and clients or providing Internet on the go for the family on vacation. Providing simultaneous access to T-Mobile’s 4G network for up to five Wi-Fi-enabled devices, customers can use their mobile hotspots to connect their iPad® devices, laptops, music players, portable gaming devices and e-readers, among other devices, to T-Mobile’s high-speed 4G network.T-Mobile’s laptop sticks, including the HSPA+ 42-enabled Rocket™ 3.0 USB Laptop Stick, are perfect for customers looking for a blazing-fast mobile Internet connection on their laptop.AvailabilityT-Mobile’s new No Annual Contract mobile broadband passes are expected to be available beginning May 20 at T-Mobile retail stores, select dealers, national retailers and online at http://www.t-mobile.com. More information on T-Mobile’s mobile broadband offerings is available at http://mobile-broadband.t-mobile.com.

RIM Announces BlackBerry Bold 9900 to be Available in Russia (May,2012)

RIM has announced today that their BlackBerry Bold 9900 smartphone will be available for business customers in Russia, through authorized carriers Mobile TeleSystems (MTS) and Vimpelcom. For information about pricing and availability you should contact said carriers. Check out the press release below for more info.Press ReleaseMoscow, Russia â€" Research In Motion (RIM) (NASDAQ: RIMM; TSX: RIM) today announced the BlackBerry® Boldâ„¢ 9900 smartphone will be available for business customers in Russia through RIM authorised carrier partners Mobile TeleSystems (MTS) and Vimpelcom.The BlackBerry Bold 9900 smartphone is the thinnest BlackBerry smartphone yet and the first to offer the perfect union of a high-performance keyboard and touch display integrated within the iconic BlackBerry Bold design. It supports high-speed networks around the world as well as Wi-Fi® connectivity. With its industry-leading keyboard, responsive high-resolution touch screen and high-speed browser capabilities, the BlackBerry Bold 9900 continues the tradition of delivering the world’s best mobile communications experience with a highly refined and integrated suite of phone, email, messaging, social and business apps to keep customers connected and productive throughout the day.The new BlackBerry Bold 9900 is also the first BlackBerry smartphone to include built-in support for NFC (Near Field Communications), a new technology that is enabling many new and exciting capabilities, including the ability to make mobile payments, pair accessories or read SmartPoster tags with a simple tap of the smartphone.“We’re excited to launch the BlackBerry Bold 9900 smartphone in Russia together with our  partners MTS and Vimpelcom,” said Paul Lucier, Managing Director for Russia at Research In Motion. “The Bold 9900 features the new BlackBerry 7 operating system and provides users with an outstanding communications, web browsing and multimedia experience. IT managers will also benefit from the renowned enterprise-grade features of the BlackBerry solution.”Next-Generation BlackBerry 7 OSThe BlackBerry® 7 operating system introduces a next-generation BlackBerry browser that is among the best in the industry. Combining the dramatically improved performance of the advanced WebKit browser engine, together with the powerful hardware enhancements of the BlackBerry Bold 9900, means that browsing results are up to 40% faster than BlackBerry® 6-based smartphones and up to twice as fast as BlackBerry® 5-based smartphones*. Additional enhancements to this next-generation BlackBerry browser also include optimized zooming and panning for smoother web navigation and optimized HTML5 performance for incredible gaming and video experiences.For information about pricing and availability, please contact: Mobile TeleSystems (MTS) or Vimpelcom.* Testing was performed by RIM and measured average page load speeds using pre-release BlackBerry 7 software.About Research In MotionResearch In Motion (RIM), a global leader in wireless innovation, revolutionized the mobileindustry with the introduction of the BlackBerry® solution in 1999. Today, BlackBerry products and services are used by millions of customers around the world to stay connected to the people and content that matter most throughout their day. Founded in 1984 and based in Waterloo, Ontario, RIM operates offices in North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Latin America. RIM is listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market (NASDAQ: RIMM) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: RIM). For more information, visit www.rim.com or www.blackberry.com.

BlackBerry 7 Operating System Approved for Government Use (May,2012)

Press ReleaseLONDON, UNITED KINGDOM–(Marketwire – May 17, 2012) - Research In Motion (RIM) (NASDAQ:RIMM)(TSX:RIM) today announced that CESG, the National Technical Authority for Information Assurance in the UK, has approved the BlackBerry® 7 operating system for government use. The approval enables public sector workers to utilise the enhanced performance and rich functionality of the latest BlackBerry smartphones available in the UK.The BlackBerry® Enterprise Solution from RIM is the only mobile solution approved by CESG to protect material classified up to and including ‘Restricted’.Stephen Bates, UK Managing Director, RIM, said: “We’re pleased to see CESG taking such positive steps to help ensure UK government workers have access to the latest suite of BlackBerry 7 smartphones. Thanks in part to our industry leading security credentials, BlackBerry smartphones are widely deployed in UK public sector organisations including the Ministry of Defence (MoD), most of Central Government and more than half of the UK’s police forces, NHS and local government organisations. BlackBerry smartphones are enabling greater efficiencies and improved citizen service by providing access to data such as patient records, the Police National Computer and other government systems at the point of need.”Using the BlackBerry Enterprise Solution has led to striking savings and improved citizen service across many public sector bodies, including UK police forces who are using BlackBerry smartphones to increase productivity amongst officers and to enable them to spend more time on the streets and less time in the station.BlackBerry smartphones currently available in the UK and covered by the new approval from CESG include the BlackBerry® BoldTM 9900, BlackBerry Bold 9790, BlackBerry® TorchTM9810, BlackBerry Torch 9860, BlackBerry® CurveTM 9360 and BlackBerry Curve 9380.About Research In MotionResearch In Motion (RIM), a global leader in wireless innovation, revolutionized the mobile industry with the introduction of the BlackBerry® solution in 1999. Today, BlackBerry products and services are used by millions of customers around the world to stay connected to the people and content that matter most throughout their day. Founded in 1984 and based in Waterloo, Ontario, RIM operates offices in North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Latin America. RIM is listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market (NASDAQ:RIMM) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX:RIM). For more information, visit www.rim.com or www.blackberry.com.Forward-looking statements in this news release are made pursuant to the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws. When used herein, words such as “expect”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “may”, “will”, “should”, “intend,” “believe”, and similar expressions, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on estimates and assumptions made by RIM in light of its experience and its perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors that RIM believes are appropriate in the circumstances. Many factors could cause RIM’s actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including those described in the “Risk Factors” section of RIM’s Annual Information Form, which is included in its Annual Report on Form 40-F (copies of which filings may be obtained at www.sedar.com or www.sec.gov). These factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on RIM’s forward-looking statements. RIM has no intention and undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.The BlackBerry and RIM families of related marks, images and symbols are the exclusive properties and trademarks of Research In Motion Limited. RIM, Research In Motion and BlackBerry are registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and may be pending or registered in other countries. Wi-Fi is a registered trademark of the Wi-Fi Alliance. All other brands, product names, company names, trademarks and service marks are the properties of their respective owners. RIM assumes no obligations or liability and makes no representation, warranty, endorsement or guarantee in relation to any aspect of any third party products or services.

Windows Phone 7 Running on a BlackBerry PlayBook?! (Video) (May,2012)

Here’s a little interesting pre-weekend video. A YouTube user in the Netherlands by the name of Gamer109X has uploaded a video of what he says to be Windows Phone 7 operating system running on a BlackBerry PlayBook. It could be a fake, but if so he did a  good job by using a WP7 emulator in some fashion.The guy only shows that the Windows Phone 7 OS is running smoothly on the BlackBerry PlayBook. He doesn’t go into detail as to how he got the WP7 ROM running on the hardware, or if he intends to release it. Assuming it is what the guy claims it to be. Nevertheless, it makes for some interesting debate. Check out the crazy video below and let us know what you think!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhvV35upTT4On a BlackBerry? Click here for mobile YouTube videoThanks J. Duke!

B77 – Windows 7 Theme from Hedone Design Now Available for all BlackBerry 7 Devices (May,2012)

The guys over at Hedone Design let us know that they updated their Windows 7 replica theme, B77, and it now supports all BlackBerry 7 devices! The theme was built on the original BlackBerry 7 theme and has Windows 7 graphics and icons. This upgrade also includes some bug fixes so if you already had it, you should update.B77 is available for only $6.99. Get it here.

Verizon to Migrate Grandfathered Unlimited Data Users to Shared Data Plans (May,2012)

Verizon Wireless’ CFO, Fran Shammo, said the company is planning to eliminate their unlimited data plan, still available for 3G customers who were grandfathered into the plan. Verizon will be migrating these users to their shared data plans so, eventually, everyone will be on data share once they move to LTE. Shammo made the announcement at the 40th J.P. Morgan Technology, Media and Telecom conference saying he believe it will make it easier to connect multiple devices.“If I can add as many devices as I want, that is more efficient from a family perspective and a small business perspective,” Shammo said.The data share plan is scheduled to launch in mid-summer, no pricing details have been announced yet. For more information listen to the full webcast here.via Engadget

beExecutor for BlackBerry Released – 8 bit Sound Effects (May,2012)

Generation Media Group has just released their new app called beExecutor. This fun little app has 8-bit sound effects similar to the ones in the Executor Keychain. Sound effects go from Bomb, Explosions, Siren, Machine Gun, Phasers, Lasers, Falls and a Gatling Gun. The app is now out and available to download from the BlackBerry App World for just $0.99!Buy beExecutor for $0.99>>

Vampires vs. Hunter From Smarter Apps On Sale for a Limited Time (May,2012)

Smarter Apps let us know that they are running a special offer on Vampires vs. Hunter with the release of that “Summer Vampire” movie. They have put Vampires vs. Hunter ON SALE for a limited time! For only $1.99, that’s 60% off, you can have hours of blood-thirsty battles defending your castle from the Vampire Lord and his demonic creatures! Check out some of the features:Engaging audio and visual experience3 unique game boards45 levels of intense vampire hunting gameplayProgress and earn new weapons and defences to fend off more challenging enemiesDon’t miss out on this great offer, head over to App World and get Vampire vs Hunter now!

BlackBerry, The Rebirth! Part 1: RIM is Now Younger and More Eager (May,2012)

Over two weeks ago I had the honor of joining my fellow BlackBerry enthusiasts and businessmen for a week full of BlackBerry! When I arrived in Orlando for BlackBerry World and BlackBerry 10 Jam, I expected to find a bunch of older businessmen in signature suits and fresh polished shoes, with the same attitude of the past, “we are strong, we have 77 million subscribers, our browser is competitive , etc.” To my surprise, I encountered the opposite.  I saw youth , cool jeans and blazers , eagerness and hunger to prove a point, prove that we aren’t just the 3rd platform but we will be THE platform of the future. I saw executives walk up to me and say “hello” and strike conversation. When an issue came up in our conversation the answer I received was “I’m so sorry , give me your card, I will look into it and let you know”.Lucas and I sat in a session for press about developing for BlackBerry10. In the back of the room quietly I saw Anders Jeppsson who is the head of gaming for Research In Motion.  After the session, I just wanted to introduce myself to him. Jeppsson’s immediate response was “Hey what’s up, come let’s sit down. I want to show you some awesome stuff we are working on, and love to hear some feedback.” Both Lucas and I were shocked.  We didn’t ask for an interview, we didn’t have to harass RIM PR, but a high level RIM exec wanted to eagerly show us some cool stuff on his PlayBook. To our surprise, RIM sure has some cool gaming stuff coming soon.After an awesome slide show we proceeded to have a quick little chat about the overall state of RIM and Jeppsson told us two things I never thought I’d hear out of a RIM exec. First, he said, “I own an iPad and I look at our competitors. If we didn’t acknowledge they are doing something right we would be blind.” Jeppsson added, “Look at my Converse shoes, they are so cool and they have a Peace sign on them.” To understand why the Converse-wearing-shoes statement is so awesome, you need to understand the fundamental change within RIM. He was proud that he didn’t have to suit up. He is the head of the Gaming department and is all about fun, youth, energy, and his shoes symbolize that. He acknowledged that he “heard” in previous BlackBerry World events (or WES as it was before) that it was all about a suit and tie with a pair of black polished shoes. Mr. Jeppsson, keep staying awesome and you are everything that is right within BlackBerry!Walking around the rest of the convention, I had the privilege to meet more and more of RIM’s youth. From the awesome BlackBerry App World Team to RIM’s awesome and very talented, revamped PR team. It was great to see BlackBerry evangelists such as Patrick Mollins, and the HTML guru Adam Stanley. The best part was to finally shake hands with the one and only Mr. “Stay Calm and Be Bold” himself, Alec Saunders. The BlackBerry team is focused with one goal and a new sense of urgency! Actually, the best part is the team finally feels like “A TEAM”! I have a brand new feeling for this company and can sense the “fun” surrounding those who are striving to win.

CIBC and Rogers Unveil the Future of Mobile Payment in Canada (May,2012)

Press ReleaseAnnounce plans to launch the first, secure mobile payment solution of its kind to CanadiansTORONTO, May 15, 2012 /CNW/ – CIBC and Rogers Communications today announced an agreement to launch Canada’s first joint mobile payment solution, allowing Canadians to pay with their CIBC credit card at the checkout counter using their Rogers “Near Field Communications” (NFC) enabled smartphone. Beginning later this year, customers will be able to use this payment capability at merchants across Canada where contactless credit card payments are accepted.This announcement represents the first time a bank and a wireless carrier have joined forces to offer a commercially available mobile payments solution to Canadians that leverages the secure SIM card inside an NFC-enabled Rogers smartphone. This new solution aligns to guidelines announced yesterday by the Canadian Bankers Association for mobile payments in Canada, as well as those developed by respected international associations such as the GSM Association (GSMA), the association of mobile operators and related companies dedicated to standardizing and supporting GSM technology.“As the leader in delivering mobile financial services innovations in Canada, we are pleased to introduce yet another innovation in the market that will shape the payments experience of the future,” commented David Williamson, Senior Executive Vice President, Retail and Business Banking, CIBC. “By teaming with Rogers, CIBC clients will soon enjoy the convenience of paying at the checkout with their mobile device while enjoying the existing benefits of their CIBC credit card, including loyalty rewards.”“Canadians are embracing new technologies at an accelerated pace and we know they’re interested in using their smartphone for mobile payments,” said Rob Bruce, President of Communications, Rogers Communications. “We’ve been laying the foundation for mobile commerce and the ecosystem is ready to give Canadians the convenience, security, and peace of mind they deserve,” said Bruce. “Today’s announcement with CIBC represents an important first step toward a whole new world of mobile transactions which is a key growth area for the company.”Some of the key features of the new mobile payments solution include:Full access to a client’s existing CIBC credit cards on their smartphone at no extra cost – whether Visa or MasterCard – this gives clients the opportunity to earn loyalty points on purchases as they do today.Multiple layers of security – Paying with your NFC-enabled smartphone will be as secure as using your credit card today. Clients will receive the same fraud protection they do with their contactless credit card, and secure encryption technology will add to the layers of security already in place on credit card purchases. Clients will also have the option to set additional password protection.No “stickers” on your phone – this new payment capability will leverage the secure SIM card inside a mobile device for payments, meaning clients can manage their credit card credentials on a secure platform, and won’t need to worry about stickers attached to their phone.This new CIBC mobile payments capability will be available on select BlackBerry® smartphones on the Rogers wireless network when the solution launches later this year, with additional device choices for clients available following launch.MasterCard’s Mobile Payments Readiness Index ranks Canada ahead of the United States and second out of 34 countries.  A key finding emphasizes that partnerships among the key players in the mobile payments ecosystem – financial institutions, payment networks, telcos, governments, technology providers – are essential to accelerate the commercialization of mobile payments.Today’s announcement builds on CIBC’s leadership position in delivering mobile innovations to clients. CIBC was the first bank in Canada to launch a mobile banking App in 2010, and more recently became the first bank in Canada to deliver an App that allows clients to trade stocks on their mobile device through the CIBC Mobile Brokerage App. The bank also offers the CIBC Home Advisor App, free to all Canadian homebuyers, giving them access to information about housing prices and other key neighbourhood data in an area they may be considering. CIBC was named “Best in Mobile Banking” globally by Global Finance magazine in 2011.In 2002, Rogers launched its GSM wireless network, and last year was the first carrier in Canada to launch LTE, bringing the largest and fastest network and a global wireless standard to Canada. Today’s announcement builds on this foundation of world-class networks, Rogers history of innovation and mobile commerce expertise, specifically in the area of mobile proximity payments. Over the past six years, Rogers has worked with the GSM Association, including the “Pay-buy-Mobile” initiative to get industry standard payment cards – like MasterCard or Visa – on industry standard GSM devices. In the past year, the GSM Association further named Rogers as one of many operators worldwide committed to SIM-based NFC solutions and services.“The GSMA congratulate CIBC and Rogers on the launch of their mobile NFC services and we look forward to many more markets following Canada’s lead in bringing exciting and interoperable NFC services to life,” said Anne Bouverot, Director General, GSMA. “This is the year when mobile NFC is set to take off and the GSMA will continue to support our members around the world who will be launching their mobile NFC services later this year.”CIBC (CM: TSX;NYSE) is a leading North American financial institution with nearly 11 million personal banking and business clients. CIBC offers a full range of products and services through its comprehensive electronic banking network, branches and offices across Canada, and has offices in the United States and around the world. You can find other news releases and information about CIBC in our Press Centre on our corporate website at www.cibc.com.Rogers Communications is a diversified Canadian communications and media company. We are engaged in wireless voice and data communications services through Wireless, Canada’s largest wireless provider. Through Cable, we are one of Canada’s leading providers of cable television services as well as high-speed Internet access and telephony services. Through Media, we are engaged in radio and television broadcasting, televised shopping, magazines and trade publications, and sports entertainment. We are publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: RCI.A and RCI.B) and on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: RCI). For further information about the Rogers group of companies, please visit www.rogers.com.The BlackBerry and RIM families of related marks, images and symbols are the exclusive properties and trademarks of Research In Motion Limitedvia CIBC

RIM Patent Shows a Battery Charging Holster (May,2012)

RIM has been focusing on a lot more that just BlackBerry 10. Another patent shows what RIM has been working on, besides the new OS. The patent shows what seems to be a battery charging holster that can recharge your phone’s battery on the go. It also has its own speakers which it’ll use for your BlackBerry’s alerts. Looks pretty cool right? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!via Engadget

US Government Apps Now Available for BlackBerry devices (May,2012)

S4BB Limited let us know that they have released a series of 16 U.S. Government Apps to provide you with the latest information from various U.S. Government Agencies. These apps are available for both, BlackBerry smartphones and the PlayBook, absolutely free! Here’s the list:National Weather ServiceFederal Aviation AdministrationMy TSAAlternative Fuel LocatorFederal Emergency Management AgencyNational Hurricane Center MobileThe White HouseFind your EmbassyUSA.govMember GuideGobierno USAMedlinePlus MobileAIDS.govDepartment of EducationCollections Search Center from the SmithsonianEnvironmental Protection Agency Waste ReductionThese apps will help you stay informed and up to date with the latest news. All U.S. Government apps are compatible with all BlackBerry® Smartphones running OS 6.0 or higher and PlayBookâ„¢ OS 2.0 and higher and available on BlackBerry App Worldâ„¢.

Alec Saunders in the BlackBerry 10 Jam Keynote (Video) (May,2012)

At BlackBerry 10 Jam, Alec Saunders, RIM’s VP of Developer Relations and Ecosystem Development, spoke on what’s possible with the upcoming BlackBerry 10 platform and what’s coming for BlackBerry developer communities.Before BlackBerry 10 Jam, we had the exclusive opportunity to interview Alec on BlackBerry 10 and ways they’re working with developers to bring their apps the the BB10 platform. You can find that interview here.If you did not make it to the BlackBerry 10 Jam conference, you’ll be glad to know that RIM has posted the entire keynote of Alec Saunders. Check it out below:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7EAmJfEIlgOn a BlackBerry? Click here for mobile YouTube video

Giveaway: BlackBerry World & BlackBerry 10 Jam Pins (May,2012)

Niko and myself had a great time while at BlackBerry World 2012 and BlackBerry 10 Jam. RIM gave out some small swag (a BlackBerry notepad and Enterprise customer-branded cantine) with the best thing being pins with the BlackBerry World and BlackBerry 10 Jam logos and dates.We have enough great memories ourselves of what might have been the most important events in RIM’s history (Showcase of BB10 features). To share these historical events with you, we’re giving away two BlackBerry World and BlackBerry 10 Jam pins. Here’s how to enter:You must be a registered member of N4BB. When you comment, you’re name will appear in green and it will link to your profile. If you’re not logged in and comment, your entry will not be valid. Make a comment to this post signalling your entry, and state which pin you’d like to win.You have until next Tuesday May 22nd. We will randomly select the winners. This giveaway is open to users world-wide. Good luck!

Official: BlackBerry Curve 9320 OS 7.1.0.398 from Brightpoint Australia (May,2012)

BlackBerry Curve 9320 users are receiving an official update today. OS 7.1.0.398 is now available to download from Brightpoint Australia. If you previously installed the leaked version, there is no need to update. Nonetheless, let us know if you find anything nice in this build.Download Curve 9320 OS 7.1.0.398 from Brightpoint AustraliaMake sure you join our community to share your thoughts on this!How to: load an OS on your BlackBerry

BlackBerry 10 Dev Alpha Getting OS Update Soon (May,2012)

Developers get ready for an impending OS update to the BlackBerry 10 Dev Alpha. Alex Kinsella tweeted out via the @BlackBerryDev account that “[RIM] We’re getting the update for BlackBerry 10 Dev Alpha ready”.There’s no word on what will be added/fixed in the Dev Alpha OS update. Although, developers are able to directly send RIM feature requests and issues through the Developer Issue Tracker. The Developer Issue Tracker is a web application that provides third-party developers with several new capabilities:Submit new issues and feature requests for consideration by Research In Motion (RIM)Track submitted issues and feature requests from start to finish to understand when those issues are resolved and in what releasesView issues submitted by other developers and vote on issues that also affect your applicationReceive full notifications of changes to the state of any issue you submit or add to your watch listLeverage the comments section of the application to understand workarounds and helpful tips for submitted issuesGet started submitting any issues or feature requests in the Developer Issue Tracker here.

How To Pair BlackBerry Smartphones with Mac Computer Using Bluetooth (May,2012)

Research In Motion is constantly issuing Knowledge Base articles to help users get the most out of their BlackBerry devices. The latest article shows how you can pair a BlackBerry smartphone to a Mac computer using Bluetooth. You can do so by the following:To use Bluetooth® technology to pair a BlackBerry smartphone with a Mac computer, complete the following steps:Open System Preferences on the Mac computer and select Bluetooth.Note: To have the Bluetooth icon appear on the menu bar of the Mac computer, select Show Bluetooth status in the menu bar.Click the + button.Click Continue on the Bluetooth Setup Assistant Welcome screen.On the Select Device Type screen, select Mobile Phone from the list, then click Continue.On the Bluetooth Mobile Phone Setup screen, wait until the Mac computer completes a search of Bluetooth devices within range, then select the BlackBerry smartphone from the list and clickContinue.When the Mac computer completes gathering information about the BlackBerry smartphone, clickContinue.When prompted to Enter numeric passkey for <Mac Name>, type the passkey that is displayed on the Bluetooth Setup Assistant.Note: There is a limited amount of time for this step. If necessary, click Continue and then try again.When prompted to Accept connection request from <Mac Name>, click Yes.Click Quit.You can also then configure your BlackBerry smartphone to trust connections from the Mac computer.On the Home screen of the BlackBerry smartphone, click Options and select the Bluetoothoption.In the Paired Devices area, select the connection to the Mac computer. Then, press the Menukey and select Device Properties.Select the Trusted option and set it to Yes.Press the Escape key and select Save.

Have You Sold Off Your RIMM Stock? (Poll) (May,2012)

Today marks a disappointing time in Research In Motion’s history as a publicly traded company. RIM’s shares has hit an 8 year low, with its shares dropping to $11.32 a piece. “When will the sinking of RIM’s stock end? Will BlackBerry 10 make a big impact? Should I sell now or hope it goes back up?” are just a few of the question many shareholders must be pondering at the moment.If RIM’s stock hits the $10 (or lower) per share mark, they might be an attractive purchase to many. RIM is especially attractive given that they have zero debt, quite a bit of cash left, and an ever growing patent portfolio. Vote in the poll below and sound off in the comments to let us know how you’ve been managing your RIMM stake.Take Our Poll

Anders Larsson Demos Cascades During BlackBerry 10 Jam (Video) (May,2012)

Research In Motion’s Anders Larsson, Product Manager for Cascades, and Christopher Smith, VP Handheld Application Platform & Tools, demonstrate the Cascades UI framework for BlackBerry 10 during the Jam keynote session.You can see just how powerful and fluid the Cascades UI framework is for developers. This will be just like this out-of-the-box, allowing developers to utilize all aspects. Check out the video demo below and let us know what you think.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szU-8e3OurIOn a BlackBerry? Click here for mobile YouTube video

BlackBerry 10 Hands-on: Swipe Gestures, Predictive Keyboard, Photo Time-Shifting Preview (May,2012)

The new BlackBerry 10 operating system showcased at BlackBerry World earlier this month marks a clear change in the BlackBerry experience. Flow, Connect, Extend. That’s what BlackBerry 10 is all about, according to VP Developer Relations, Alec Saunders. So how does BlackBerry 10 flow, connect and extend? Here’s an in-depth, preview of this new BlackBerry operating system:UI: Designed for you and I
Some may say it’s simple like iOS, others say it’s like Windows 7 with those tiles. Others saying it’s clearly like WebOS with the flowing panes. If that’s the case, it’s not like any of them. Sure, it’s got the ubiquitous grid of icons, the small connectivity icons at the top, but that’s where the similarities end. It fits in perfectly with the BlackBerry look-and-feel: sharp, subtle, professional, and efficient.One of the main panes of BlackBerry 10 is what you would expect from a modern operating system: the standard grid of icons. We’ve seen this before. Swiping to the left gives you a view of the multi-tasking pane, which shows four large tiles of apps that are currently running. Another swipe to the right and you’ll see a super-inbox, filled with your email, BBMs, LinkedIn, text messages, Twitter, Facebook, and much more all in one place.Navigation in BlackBerry 10 is done through gestures, much like the BlackBerry PlayBook. This time, however, you can access your inbox anytime by using gestures. Swiping from the bottom right of the phone onto the screen gives you a “peek” into your inbox. This type of gesture was coined by Vivek Bhardwaj as a “looking type gesture”. As you move your finger to the left, more and more information is displayed. The size of the “peek” follows your finger exactly, giving you a powerful feeling of control over the OS.The bottom bar comes with three software buttons: call, search, and camera. This gives you three very popular selections in an accessible location. These three software keys at the bottom also change depending on the context of the pane that’s open.From the inbox, you can do everything you would normally expect to do: open e-mails, view PDF attachments, and check Facebook messages, all without the unnecessary transitions and closing/re-opening of an app. This is by far to more efficient and the fastest way to check messages on any platform, which kind of makes you wonder why anyone else hasn’t thought of this before? Closing an app, and opening up a messages app just to check messages seems like a waste of time now.In Android/iOS, you type keyboard. In BlackBerry, keyboard types you!
The virtual keyboard has been completely revamped. RIM has been working on replicating the superior typing experience from their QWERTY offerings to a virtual keyboard in BlackBerry 10. The fretted keys we’ve become familiar with from previous QWERTY BlackBerry smartphones are here. The keys are dark and subtle. What you’ll notice right away as you type are suggested words hovering above certain letters which try to predict what you want to say. To quickly write a successfully predicted word, you swipe upwards from the key. This action types out the word for you. This feature is so great it has already been copied from third-party iPhone app developers.In an area that seems to have no room for innovation, RIM seems to have found a way to make touch screen typing that much easier. Mr. Bhardwaj has explained that the speed and accuracy of the virtual keyboard has also been a priority for RIM. The latency of the input has been reduced. The keyboard now actually learns how you type. As you type, the keyboard is constantly tracking where exactly you press each letter. By adapting to your typing style, you’ll get fewer typos from the keyboard. In addition, the keyboard will actually scour the words you use in your texts, e-mails and pretty much anything else you type, to better understand and predict what you will type in the future. Genius.Time-shift…because you blinked in that last picture
Another one of the highlighted features is the Camera. Yes, yes, it takes pictures. But it takes a quick series of photos when you press the trigger. Nothing special. Many android phones, windows PCs, and even Nikon cameras can do this, called “Burst mode”. But the implementation makes all the difference. After taking a picture, you can tap on a section of the image, and “move” it forwards or backwards in time. Just drag your finger clockwise or anti-clockwise around the section of the image and you can instantly change your image for the better. The ease of using it and the accuracy of the software sets it apart from the pack.These features are of course still in the refining process and are not present on the Developer BlackBerry 10 Alpha device. You can count on these features to be present in the first BlackBerry 10 device to be released later this year. Are you excited for the release a BlackBerry 10 device? Let us know what your favourite feature is and any other features you’d like to see in BlackBerry 10 with a comment below!via CNet, KnowYourMobile

Review: Formula 1 Timing App 2012 (May,2012)

Since I was a young boy Formula 1 racing was a big part of my weekends. Who could ever forget the epic battles of Michael Schumacher and Damon Hill? With the release of the new F1 time app (also available for the PlayBook) I decided to do a review but unfortunately with BBW and BBjam10 on full swing I couldn’t find the time. Lucky for us all our good friend and N4BB community member Urbanglowcam stepped up to the plate and did a review for us. Enjoy and feel free to comment!Since 2010, Soft Pauer Limited, a small company based out of the UK was given the rights to develop the Official Formula 1 Timing App. It was initially released for the iOS platform. Later it was released for Android. As you might have guessed, BlackBerry and Windows Phone 7 have been left out of the fun. BlackBerry has had timing apps that functioned fairly well. However, for the 2012 F1 season, Soft Pauer has generously released their Official F1 2012 Timing App in BlackBerry App World for a hefty $19.99.Being built on an old Java platform, one would imagine that the BlackBerry version of the app could not match the rich features of the more modern Android or iOS counterparts. While this holds true, it holds its own in several ways. Fortunately, Soft Pauer saw the value in releasing a BlackBerry app despite the recent growth in the Windows Marketplace. It’s most likely due to the demand internationally with Formula 1 being so prevalent. BlackBerry still has a strong presence throughout the world, even as they transition to BlackBerry 10. Now to the app..Once it’s downloaded and started, it will begin to automatically download updates to the app. After the updates, you will be presented with the main live leaderboard. The track location will be automatically selected using your data service and detect which practice, qualifying, or race session is currently going on. You will typically be given an alert to say when the next session will occur or which is currently taking place. Information like driver position, tyre, lap time, gaps, and sector times are presented in real time and pulled from the official F1 data center. There is a ticker at the bottom with up to date highlights as well as a race timer and lap indicator.If there is not a current session, the app will go into demo mode where the app runs as a simulated occurrence of a race in every regard. Race packs can be downloaded to view the desired race session after they are completed.Navigating to different areas of the app for more information just takes a press of the BlackBerry key and selecting the desired section. This includes full timing, map, info, news, and setup. The full timing goes more into depth for each driver currently with specific gap times, sector timing, pit stop count, and laps completed.The map menu shows a birds-eye visual of the current track location while each driver zooms around the track in real time with their locations accurately represented. You can highlight whichever driver you choose and the view will follow them on the track. There is also a pinch-zoom capability which allows you to see more of the track or get in closer to the driver. Unfortunately, this is where the BlackBerry version is lacking. The Android/iOS versions are shown in full 3D and can be rotated beautifully in real time. There is also a live pause and replay feature. Still, the BlackBerry app gives the general information, only without the bells and whistles.The next menu is the info section. Initially, it will prompt you to download the info pack. You will be taken to a sub-menu with latest results, standings, drivers, teams, and races. Upon clicking each, you will be given more detailed information for that section.The news section will briefly list the latest information popping up from the world of F1. There are two tabs here. One is for the news articles and the other includes live feed messages for when they are available from the race sessions.Lastly, there is the options menu. Here you can choose which 2012 track to view at any given time. The session can then be selected. Here you can toggle between practice 1-3, qualifying, or the race of the race track that was chosen. The start time is given to you after. The other options relate to the map section where you can choose to hide stopped cars and/or fade cars. Finally, you can clear your local store to clean up the apps downloaded components if necessary.All in all, if you are a big F1 junky, this app is a great companion for the season. It gives fans information quickly without having to browse the internet for it. It can also be useful during races when your favorite broadcast might be on a commercial break. Extensive, live information can be difficult to get while viewing the race during the live broadcast. It will be difficult to get specific lap records and sector times any other way. There have been times when the app has failed to receive information from the server, but with the app being fairly new, I’m sure updates will come to fix these annoyances. Soft Pauer Limited is a group of developers that listens fairly well.  I have personally received feedback and insight into their project. I suggest anyone to contact them through Facebook, Twitter, or their e-mail with any feedback. Their information can be found at http://www.softpauer.com/f1site/.At the price of $20, it is hard to recommend it for just anybody. But if you’re the type that needs a constant feed of Formula 1 data, and are still on the BlackBerry train this is the app for you. Hopefully, they Soft Pauer Limited will develop a BlackBerry PlayBook app with even better features.Additional reporting from Cameron Hirbodi

Facebook for BlackBerry Updated to Version 3.1.0.9 in Beta Zone (May,2012)

A new version of Facebook has been released in the Beta Zone adding a few bug fixes and improvements. Here’s the full change log:Status Cleared notification doesn’t make senseUpdate help URLs for Facebook 3.1Got a state that could not exit Facebook setup wizard if Facebook opened from other access pointsNo photo on postFacebook does not update while on Wi-Fi. Mobile Wi-Fi does work however.App takes very long time to refresh comments.Clicking “resend” on a status update doesn’t seem to workFocus is lost after scrolling thru a very long post.Likes count incorrect in Likes list if launched from stagnant comment screenDoesn’t work on Wi-Fi only connectionSend icon is missing in command screenUser is not able to scroll to Facebook title bar to open navigation screen on the new chat conversation screen if cursor is not at the beginning of text boxComments for Notes are limited to 1000 characters while on the web the limit is 8000Event Created By lists incorrect nameBBM Text for check in is not localization friendly and might cause issues in other languagesFocus order on comment pageFocus jumps to the top of the notifications list after marking an unopened notification as openedYou can download version 3.1.0.9 from the Beta Zone

VCMS Updated to Version 2.0 with Support for BlackBerry 7 (May,2012)

i-Mentalist let us know that have released a new, updated version of VCMS, version 2.0! This new release has added some cool new features, as well as support for the BlackBerry 7 OS. For those who don’t know, VCMS is a GPS bases speed meter, which includes the following new features:lap timersocial networks (including BBM on BB7 devices)statistics (you can export it and import them to google maps (or similar) and check your routes)maximum speedaverage speedspeed alarms (yes, not alarm but alarms) For more information and to download the app visit i-mentalist.com/ applications/vcms/

Celebrate BerrySet’s 1st Birthday, All Premium Applications for Only $4.99 (May,2012)

Berryset is celebrating their 1st birthday with an amazing sale. They are selling all their premium apps, including SuperWallpaperChanger, XWeatherPro, XAppLock, Call Assistant, MP3CutterPro and more for a single price of $4.99 (regular price $16.93)! Enjoy the offer while it lasts, will only be available for a month. For more info head over to berryset.com/celebrate.php

Official: BlackBerry Curve 9350 7.1.0.355 from Cellular South (May,2012)

BlackBerry Curve 9350 users are getting an official update today. Cellular South has officially released OS 7.1.0.355 for the 9350. There’s no word on what is new in this build, so be sure to let us know what’s new.Download Curve 9350 OS 7.1.0.355 from Cellular SouthMake sure you join our community to share your thoughts on this!How to: load an OS on your BlackBerry

RIM Announces Dates for BlackBerry Jam Americas in San Jose, California (May,2012)

Research In Motion looks to be re-branding the BlackBerry DevCon event to ‘BlackBerry Jam’. The first BlackBerry Jam Americas has been set a date for September 25-27 in San Jose, California. Previous BlackBerry DevCon events were held in San Francisco, California. By then, RIM should have its first BlackBerry 10 device ready for developers and on the cusp of its final release.To get an earlier look, you can attend one of the BB10 Jam World Tour events, listed here. The BlackBerry 10 Jam World Tour is a series of full-day events dedicated to providing the developer community with insights on the BlackBerry 10 platform; its strengths, the vision, and how developers can make apps that stand out to app-hungry BlackBerry users.By attending a BB10 Jam tour event, you can:Be one of the first to develop for the BlackBerry® 10 platform.Discover the power of BlackBerry 10. Learn about the unique capabilities of BlackBerry 10 to set your application apart.Collaborate with your community. Learn, share and network with your fellow developers. Make valuable connections that will make you even more successful with BlackBerry.Get one-on-one expert guidance. Jam with BlackBerry platform experts and build a better app.A limited number of BlackBerry® 10 Dev Alpha devices will be available to qualified developers* at each city in the World Tour. During the event registration process, apply to receive a BlackBerry 10 Dev Alpha device, available only to developers attending BlackBerry 10 Jam!Attendees will gain insight on building applications for the launch of the new BlackBerry 10 platform later this year. Beginner and master mobile application developers will be able to attend in-depth breakout sessions focused on HTML5 + BlackBerry® WebWorksâ„¢ and Native C/C++ development for the BlackBerry platform. Developers will be able to interact with development experts who can provide guidance, tips and tricks, and other information to help developers get started building apps for BlackBerry 10.Stay tuned to http://www.blackberryjamconference.com/ for more information on the events.

RIM Outlines BlackBerry 10 Grid Lists Implementation on GitHub (May,2012)

Research In Motion has really been doing all they can to cater to developers for BlackBerry 10 app development. Their latest piece details how you can implement the BlackBerry 10 Grid List. Grid layouts allow you to present your information in a graphical and cinematic way. RIM further describes this:“If you have multiple images to show you can arrange them in groups and rows. A grouping of information can have a header title which will be the color provided by the bb10AccentColor property used in the bb.init() function. Highlights of items will use the bb10HighlightColor.Each group has one or more rows. Each row can have up to 3 items. The layout by default assumes that images are a 16:9 aspect ratio, or you can set the data-bb-style=”square” attribute to make the images be scaled to a 1:1 aspect ratio. NOTE: The “square” aspect ratio is currently only available in the “next” branchIf a row has only one item in it, it’s width will be the full width of the size of the grid. A row with 2 items will be 1/6, and 3 items will be 1/9 the height of the screen. All images are currently set to be stretched to the size of their container.Every item in the grid has an image, a title and a sub-title which is provided as the contents of the <div>. Each item can also provide an onclickhandler for when the user selects the item.”Check out the full source codes and implementation guideline on RIM’s BlackBerry GitHub page here.

Review: Kids Memory Game HD – MatchUp Exercise Memory from TrustBe (May,2012)

Of the thousands of games on the BlackBerry PlayBook, it’s so hard to choose just one. But we did. This game is called “MatchUP I” by TrustBe, and it’s perfect to keep the audio levels from your kids to a minimum while in the car, plane, or waiting room. It’s a simple Matching game where you try to match two identical tiles from an array of face-down tiles. Easy enough? I know we’ve seen this type of game before, but no two are ever alike. Let’s take a deeper look!Graphics:
The interface is clean, friendly and simple, perfect for kids. You’ll be greeted with a green menu screen where you can choose between 8 equivalent themes. You can choose between “Beach stuff, animals, weird tooth-shaped monsters, a brown rabbit, Halloween monsters, sheep, pumpkins, and ridiculously happy horseshoe-shaped guys”. The graphics are crisp and detailed. The backs of the cards have a simple cartoon landscape pattern on them.The beach theme is the easiest as all the items are very different and familiar. Some themes might be borderline scary, which might be something the big kids might like. The pumpkin theme is tough as all the pumpkins look very similar.There are no fancy transitions but at least everything is very quick. The wood background is nice and comforting and the scoreboard comes across as a familiar chalkboard. Overall, the graphics are good and detailed.Gameplay:
By touching a tile, it flips and stays face-up until your next selection. If you guess wrong, those two tiles return face-down. If you guess right and have a match, they remain face-up and greyed out slightly. As an added bonus, you hear a kid saying “YEA!”. I’m sure kids love this sound and should get them to play more. You’ll also see a small message at the top left that reads “Ohh, wrong…”, “Great shot!!!” or “Playing…” depending on if you just guessed wrong, guessed right or selected only one tile, respectively. There’s also a satisfying “click” sound when flipping a tile.You get timed and the number of times you flipped a tile is counted. Once finished, you get a score from 1 to 5 stars. I usually get three stars. Pretty sad for a kids game eh? At least it’s difficult to get less than that though. It doesn’t work in portrait mode, but for young kids, this is a good thing. You can also change the theme during a game, but this also resets the game. You can also reset the game from the top right “Play New Game” button.For a very reasonable $0.99 (on sale for a limited time), this game can be yours…or your kids if you never managed to get your PlayBook back. Young kids need a game that is easy to play and accessible, which is exactly what this game is. I consider it a solid buy at this price. Plus, the peace and quiet you get in the car is priceless.Buy MatchUP I for the BlackBerry PlayBook for $0.99 in BlackBerry App World here.

BlackBerry P’9981 Wins Plus X Award for ‘Smartphone of the Year 2012′ (May,2012)

BlackBerry and Porsche Design have been honored to win ‘smartphone of the year 2012′ award by Plus X. The award is for the BlackBerry P’9981, which combines typical straight-line and puristic design by Porsche Design and innovative technologies by BlackBerry.“We are very proud to receive this seal of quality. Receiving the Plus X Award for the Porsche Design P’9981 smartphone confirms we are operating at the cutting edge with our demand for design and quality,” said Axel Kettenring, Managing Director RIM Germany.Press ReleaseStuttgart/Cologne. The Porsche Design P‘9981 smartphone by BlackBerry has been awarded as “Smartphone of the Year 2012” by a distinguished jury at the renowned Plus X Award®. The German luxury brand’s product combines typical straight-line and puristic design by Porsche Design and innovative technologies by BlackBerry.“Porsche Design has been a symbol for Iconic Style since 1972,” says Dr. Juergen Gessler, CEO of the Porsche Design Group. “Products with clean lines and no frills are at the heart of our design philosophy. Our collaboration with BlackBerry led to a smartphone that implements our credo without compromises. The Porsche Design P’9981 Smartphone by BlackBerry is a modern luxury smartphone that combines timeless design with state-of-the-art technology.”Axel Kettenring, Managing Director RIM Germany, says: “We are very proud to receive this seal of quality. Receiving the Plus X Award for the Porsche Design P’9981 smartphone confirms we are operating at the cutting edge with our demand for design and quality.”The Plus X Award is awarded in the categories technology, sport and lifestyle paying particular attention on innovative and future-oriented products that distinguish themselves from others by a noteworthy added value â€" the Plus X Factor.Please find more information on the Porsche Design P’9981 Smartphone by BlackBerry under de.blackberry.com/devices/p9981.

RIM Announces Reto BlackBerry – Developers Challenge for Latin America (May,2012)

RIM has announced a new developers challenge for Latin America called Reto BlackBerry. This one is actually quite interesting because it doesn’t require participants to have any programming knowledge at all. You will get 3 months to learn to code to create your app with help of experts in mobile development. To participate, you must live in Venezuela and create an app for the BlackBerry PlayBook in one of the following categories: Entertainment or Games.Winners will get US$10,000 for the first place and US$5,000 for the second place as well as a trip to MTV in Buenos Aires. All of the participants, once they have uploaded their app to the App World, will get a free PlayBook! If you want to learn more and participate, just head over to retoblackberry.com for more info and registration.

BlackBerry 10 Swipe-based Predictive Text coming to iPhone ‘First’ (May,2012)

If you followed the BlackBerry 10 coverage during BlackBerry World 2012, you may remember this short demo of the new keyboard in BlackBerry 10. The new ’3D’ keyboard, which slightly resembles traditional BlackBerry keys will have a swipe-based predictive text feature. It is quite innovative and allows for keeping your eyes set on the keys themselves. Rather than having to glance upwards to see if the word you’re trying to type is an option. Then by swiping upwards on the selected word, it will be added.Nevertheless, a developer is taking a similar approach with building the Octopus Keyboard. iDownloadBlog has announced it is available in Cydia. Therefore, if you happen to have an iPhone, it be jailbroken before you can install the Octopus Keyboard. Check out the video below of the Octopus Keyboard.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjpUNe9NbwwOn a BlackBerry? Click here for mobile YouTube videovia BGR

BlackBerry Bridge Updated to Version 2.0.0.31 (May,2012)

A new version of BlackBerry Bridge has been released and is available for download from App World. The new version 2.0.0.31 brings the following fixes:Fixes issue where BlackBerry Bridge is disabled after BlackBerry OS 7.1 UpgradeMake sure you update to this latest version to ensure that everything works smoothly. Let us know if you find anything else new!Download BlackBerry Bridge 2.0.0.31 from App World>>

RIM Confirms BlackBerry 10 Jam World Tour Dates (May,2012)

Research In Motion previously announced the BlackBerry 10 Jam World Tour, which will give developers who couldn’t make it to Orlando, Florida, an opportunity to go somewhere closer to home. RIM has since updated the list of cities that will have the BB10 Jam tour. The updates dates and cities include:May 29 â€" Milan, ItalyMay 31 â€" Barcelona, SpainJune â€" CaliforniaJune â€" New YorkJune 5 â€" Austin, TX, USAJune 12 â€" Paris, FranceJune 13 â€" London, UKJune 21 â€" Toronto, ON, CanadaJune 26 â€" Moscow, RussiaJune 28 â€" Berlin, GermanyJuly 3 â€" Warsaw, PolandJuly 4 â€" Delhi, IndiaJuly 6 â€" Beijing, ChinaJuly 9 â€" Singapore, SingaporeJuly 10 â€" Jakarta, IndonesiaJuly 12 â€" Sydney, AustraliaAugust â€" Buenos Aires, ArgentinaAugust â€" Mexico City, MexicoRIM says there will be a limited number of BlackBerry 10 Dev Alpha devices. Additionally, if you previously received a Dev Alpha device, you will not qualify to receive another. Any of these cities close enough for you to attend? We’ll keep you updated when it is time to register for the tour.via BB Dev Blog

Maxthon Mobile for BlackBerry PlayBook with Advanced Gesture and Screenshot Assistant (May,2012)

SAN FRANCISCO, May 11, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ — Maxthon ( www.maxthon.com ), a global software and web services company, announces the release of newly customizable features – including Advanced Gesture and Screenshot Assistant – for the BlackBerry PlayBook. These options, built exclusively for the BlackBerry Playbook, transform the web with added convenience and personalization. Users can download Maxthon Mobile for the BlackBerry PlayBook at http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/98559/?lang=en“Expanding on our 5-star rated reviews, Maxthon Mobile delivers superior performance with a browser designed to enhance the power of the BlackBerry PlayBook. Starting with Advanced Gesture, which enables users to create their own gestures and shortcuts to quickly access their favorite sites, and Screenshot Assistant, which allows people to capture, crop and save part or all of a web page (including text and rich photographs), the BlackBerry PlayBook is now an ideal tablet to enjoy the web,” says Jeff Chen, CEO of Maxthon.“Maxthon Mobile is the only browser of its kind that was established with the user in mind. Our R&D team devoted significant hours to crafting a browser that delivers a great experience. The top ratings for Maxthon Mobile, direct from owners of the BlackBerry PlayBook, speak for themselves in this regard. It’s a winner,” says Karl Mattson, GM of Maxthon International/Chief of Product Development.About MaxthonMaxthon Ltd. is an innovative software company and developer of superior web browsers which continue to set new standards for innovation, simplicity, speed and security. Each month more than 130,000,000 people use Maxthon’s web browser in 120 countries across the world. Maxthon also brings its best-of-breed browsing to the Android platform for mobile devices and tablet computers. Maxthon has offices in San Francisco, Hong Kong and Beijing. For more information about Maxthon please visit www.maxthon.com .

Review: Drop or Fall for BlackBerry PlayBook (May,2012)

This week, N4BB reviews a new featured PlayBook game called “Drop or Fall” created by the software wizards at Modern Alchemists, an Austrian mobile app development firm. The idea behind the game is simple: You tilt the PlayBook from side to side, trying to get the ball to fall through the holes in the rising platforms fast enough to keep the ball on the screen. Sounds simple enough, right? Well, there’s more to it than that. You’d think that the monkey face says it all…but read on to find out more!GameplayIt isn’t the first time we’ve seen a falling-ball-through-the-holes-in-a-platform-style game, I know. I remember a really, REALLY simple on BlackBerry smartphones that I played for a bit called Falldown. But this one really is in a different league. And it’s not because the monkey in the game is probably the cutest image of one you’ll ever see (even though that helps), it’s because the ball actually bounces, the platforms can be sloped, you can play one of four different themes as well. You also have items which you can buy.Yes, that’s right! You make money with this game! Or….well, at least in “Drop or Fall” coins. This lets you buy items, such as a “Ghost”, a “Heavy Burden” and a “Sand of Time”. The Ghost item can be used to slip through platforms regardless if there is a hole or not. This is very useful when you’re about to lose the level. A quick tap on the Ghost icon, and you’re at the bottom again in great shape. This effect doesn’t last long, but it does the job and is well worth the 20 coins it costs to buy it. The Heavy Burden icon changes the physics of the ball, reducing the bounciness of the ball. This makes it easier to get through to the next platform since you’re not bouncing as much as before. You can buy the Heavy Burden item for 15 coins. The last item is called the “Sand of Time” that you can buy for 10 coins. It’s an hourglass that (you guessed it) slows down the speed at which the platforms rise. The sweet part is that the ball keeps its original speed, making it easier for that extra bit of time to improve your position if things are getting tough.Using the Shiva 3D and Open Dynamics Engines, the physics behind the game is solid. The ball bounces like it should, rolls under gravity, and accelerates under gravity exactly as you would expect. The game has a slight 3D feel to it even though it’s a 2D game. The game never stutters or lags at all, which is super important in a game like this as timing is everything.The game is fairly easy, and you get used to it pretty quick. But it’s not a walk in the park. Things can get tricks pretty quick. The game appears more dynamic as you get further as platforms seem to move side-to-side and may tilt occasionally.At the main screen, you can buy items, choose the theme, and view your coin count and high score. While playing the game, you can pick up an item that adds two extra balls on the screen, allowing you to rack up some serious scores quick if you can manage them all. You can pick up all the items you can buy just buy playing to games if you’re cheap with your coins. You can also pause the game by simply swiping the bezel from any direction, like many other PlayBook games, or double tapping the screen.There is a dedicated FaceBook page for the app, where you can “like” the game. Liking the app instantly gives you an extra 400 coins as well! You even get a few coins every day just buy opening up the app. I find that this keep you playing that game more since you want to use all your coins to buy items.The game doesn’t really end if you have god-like talent and focus. You collect a number of “special points” every time you go through a platform in one bounce or less. But when you do eventually lose, these banana/egg/moon/ninja star (depending on the theme) points get translated into coins. You get about 1 coin per 5 of these things. You also get a score, which usually goes up by 1 point every time you pass through a hole in a platform.There is also specific music in each theme, each suiting the theme exactly right. The music is simple, but not annoying or overly detracting, so it helps the experience.GraphicsThe graphics are friendly and inviting. The animations are extremely smooth and as responsive as you could ever want. You’ll notice that switching between “themes” changes the experience extensively, making it feel like a completely different game with each world. You can play as a cute monkey ball bouncing through the jungle, or a planet through outer space, a ninja though the sunset in an exotic land, or an egg through a stone level reminiscent of the humpty-dumpty story. All the items, backgrounds and platforms in the game change as well, giving the themes some depth.
There are a few things that can be improved however. Almost all the graphics in the game appear fuzzy like they’ve been anti-aliased from a lower-resolution version of the game. Instead of being crisp as they could be, they simply don’t do the PlayBook’s amazing screen justice.There’s also a black bar at the bottom of the screen, an indication that this game was originally developed for aspect ratio, but it doesn’t really detract from the experience.I’ve noticed that the PlayBook does get a little warm while playing the game, but it’s nothing to be concerned about. It happens with almost every decent game. When I can fry an egg on the screen, I’ll let you know there’s a problem.The game does do a good job in helping you out with occasional instructions and tips. They do go by really quick though so be ready. I actually prefer it that way, since it gets to the gameplay faster.Overall, it’s a fun game. It’s simple, cute and responsive. My main concern is the fuzzy graphics, which is a little weird on the eyes if you play it for a while. It’s not too hard, and not too easy. The music, themes, items, coins make this game more mature than most of the other games with similar gameplay. For a reasonable $1.99, it’s a deal. It’s got enough polish to make it worthwhile, and it’s quite accessible for kids of all ages to play for hours.