How to Delete the Browser History on your BlackBerry (August,2012)

When you use your BlackBerry browser, some files and information are stored so that the next time you load up a website you have already visited, it will load faster, or store form info so that you won’t have to type it all again. That info takes up space on your BlackBerry, a very small amount but still does. Some people might not want that info stored because they don’t want others to see what they’ve been doing or looking at on their browser. This guide will show you how to delete your BlackBerry browser’s cache, history and other info.1. Open your BlackBerry Browser.2. Press the Menu button and go to Options.3. Scroll all the way down until you see the Clear Browsing Data options.4. Select what you would like to delete and press the Clear Now button at the bottom.That’s it! All the data you selected should be deleted from your browser. If you have any questions or suggestions leave a comment below.

Radiant Defense: An Awesome Tower Defense Game for the BlackBerry PlayBook (August,2012)

I’m a sucker for tower defense games.  I mean, who doesn’t like watching waves upon waves of creeps meet their inevitable doom passing through a maze of your carefully orchestrated death traps?   Today, I’m looking at Radiant Defense, a tower defense game for the BlackBerry PlayBook by the gaming wizardry of the folks over at Hexage.  Let’s dive right in, shall we?PlotHordes of deadly alien creeps are attempting to invade Earth! Oh no! In order to protect the human race, you must destroy all the aliens coming out of the invasion vortex who head directly for the blazing hot spiral reactor.  Even though they’ll burn up and disintegrate in the reactor, if the reactor goes out, there will be no way to close the invasion vortex and then its game over.  Why not just keep them all closed?Well, there’s an incredibly persistent (and borderline hilarious) “Supercreep” bent on taking over who tends to opened up invasion vortices and flooding them with creeps.  This is a creep who loves to be bad, and it fairly bad at being bad.  And you can’t help but laugh at his trash talk and futile and immature attempts at psychological mind games.With the help of a commander and “doc” to guide you, it’s up to you to save the world!GameplayThis is a pure tower defence strategy game, complete with customizable paths and a varied array of weapons which hold advantages and disadvantages against certain enemies and scenarios.At the beginning of a mission, you’re given some blocks called “modules”.  Using modules, you can create detours for the creeps.  You may be supplied with only one or perhaps many.By killing creeps, you get money.  By finishing the level, you get an additional 10% of your total money (up to 50$).  Providing some incentive to keep a stash of cash handy and play efficiently.You also get a score.  This score depends heavily on your total money after each wave.  If you’re ridiculously good at this game, you may be able to see your score in the Hall of Fame.  Clearly, my name isn’t on the list.If you do happen to let a few enemies touch the reactor, its no big deal.  The reactor can typically take 10-20 enemies before showing you the “game over” screen.   If you know you’re not going to survive the wave, you can retry the wave as many times as you like.Don’t confused this as a sign of an easy game.  You can definitely come to a point where you will lose no matter what you do and be forced to retry the entire mission.  Your strategy and positioning from previous waves is crucial in ensuring you are in good position to survive the next.The key information is located at the top of the screen: your score, number of available modules to place, how many creeps you can let through, and have many more waves to go in the mission.  There are 11 mission in total, with anywhere from 8 to over 50 waves per mission.  You also a star rating, ranging from 1-3 stars depending on how well you completed the mission.  I made it a point to get three stars on all levels, and it was challenging.There is typically a huge, ridiculously-hard-to-kill boss creep during the last wave.  Be prepared to have enough firepower to kill it, because it isn’t always a walk in the park.Strategy cannot be underestimated in this game.  Without it, you will never come close to beating the game.  There is very, very little luck involved.  Which is what I like.  While the game starts out fairly easy, it does get progressively harder.  You will undoubtedly have to revise your strategy to account for things you have overlooked, or when situations change.  While I have definitely struggled on a few levels at the beginning, I have found that clever use and stacking of the more advanced weapons is the key.Once I have beaten the game, I did find the levels too easy and longed for a “Hard Mode” where the defense strategies I developed can be improved further.WeaponsUnlike most tower defense games, Radiant Defense kicks it up a notch in the weaponry department.   The arrayâ€"no, the arsenal of weapons at your disposal is outright diabolical and ungodly.  From the Pandora Biocid Dispenser, to the Judgment Day Gauss Gun, I’ve found myself revelling in my evil laughter upon the very thought of using them.With money, you can buy weapons and other structures designed for maximum creep-annihilation.  Without buying any of the in-game upgrades, you’ve got three main weapons:Beliah Gun TurrentStarcrusher CannonSolaris Disruptor Laser The gun turret is your bread-and-butter creep destruction tool of choice. The cannon is a slow, but powerful gun.  The laser is a precise  weapon, ideal for those fast enemies.While these weapons are useful and sufficient for the beginning of the game.  You’ll soon feel longing for some deadlier weapons.  Luckily, after saving up $200 and buying a research unit solves this problem.  You can then deploy:Pandora Biocid Dispenser: a poisionous gas gunStormguard Tesla array: an electric shock generatorTachyon Warp Generator: slows down your enemiesJudgement Ray Gauss Gun:  fires a super-strong laser pulseNeutron Core Megablast: damages all enemies on the screenWith weapons like these, getting a research unit in later missions is pretty much a necessity.Hexage cleverly implements in-game expansion packs that give you access to the more exotic and cruel weapons for a more complex strategy.  Each costs 99 cents.There are four expansion packs:Burning Pack:  Flamethrowers and SearchlightsScience Pack: Omega cannon and Power BladesExplosive Pack: Seraphim Missiles and MinesXenobiology Pack: Psionic Terrorshock and RecuperatorsAs recuperators and searchlights can drastically improve your game, I don’t know if I could have beaten the game without them.  Since this game is free, buying these expansions seems almost a no-brainer.If you manage to beat the entire game without these expansion packs, I salute you.  This game can get hard without these advanced weapons.The three special rechargable weapons (Psionic Terrorshock, Omega Cannon, and Neutron Core Megablast) provide some real-time gameplay to the mix.  You can use these weapons during the level when they are charged.  They can be extremely useful at times, yet remain a very expensive initial purchase.EnemiesThe enemies are as varied as you can imagine.  From regenerating space slugs, to psychic creeps with anti-kinetic forceshields.  After you’ve played this game, you’ve seen it all.  The in-game descriptions of the enemies may reveal their weaknesses and strengths to certain weapons.While you start off fighting against seemingly harmless aliens, more and more strange-looking aliens emerge in later mission.  Some are armored, some are fast.  Some regenerate and some come by the hundreds.  You may fight only three extremely powerful aliens in one wave, or face swarms of hundreds of minion aliens.Some enemies can wiggle around and move fast, making it more difficult to hit some of them.  As soon as they exit the invasion vortex, they’re cannon fodder.  Having the perfect combination of weapons makes all the difference.What’s neat is that as you progress in the game, you’ll start seeing more and more enemies on the main menu screen.  With each 100,000 points, another enemies appears and can “dance” on the screen.  This is a charming addition that you’ll have fun with as you try to populate it as much as possible.GraphicsLike most Hexage game, the graphics are top-notch.  Despite the simplicity of their games, the graphics are rich in detail, fully-animated, and follow a dark futuristic space theme, complete with supersaturated colors and heavy contrast.  Each monster glows with  a presence, foreshadowing the extraterrestrial evil within.  The glowing explosions and fiery embers of the weapons burn brightly in truly arcade fashion.  Running on the spacey all-black-everything PlayBook, the graphics were almost designed for it.The weapons are all distinctly unique.  The animations are smooth and very responsive.  There is actually nothing to complain about here.  Radiant Defense is extremely polished, as with all Hexage’s games.  This does come at a cost though. While running the game, the PlayBook will heat up and battery usage will be quite high.  This is especially true with a 4G PlayBook, which has a smaller battery.  I don’t think the battery would last three hours with this game running.The modern, minimalist design is carried out throughout the game.  Each object has a 3D looks, providing some real depth to the playing field.  The contrast on the object icons on the bottom bar is well done, making it easy to distinguish each deadly gun or tool.Sound and MusicThe soundtrack of the game resembles trace-y futuristic elevator music.   It’s good but gets annoying pretty quick.  I end up just turning it off.  I find it helps me think.  With the awesome speakers on the PlayBook, this game’s music sounds pretty good though.  The only problem with the music is that it’s not epic at all.  Remember the music on StarCraft?  Yeah, its not that epic.  But then again, this game ( and probably ever other game) isn’t as epic as StarCraft.The sound effects are decent and don’t take anything away from the game.  That’s a good thing though.  You don’t want annoying sound effects.  They have to be subtle and realistic.  You can also control the sound effect levels from the options menu.SummaryWhen I first started playing this game, I was addicted.  Hook, line and sinker.  Despite loving most tower defense games, this remains my favourite out of all of them.  The enemies are unique.  The graphics are stunning for 2D game.  The weapons are sinister.  The Supercreep is evil in his intentions, yet human in his amateur ways.  The animations are polished. The strategy is complex.  The game is hours and hours of fun, and fulfilling to those who strive on turn-by-turn strategies with each wave of enemies.In short, this is my favorite game on the PlayBook at the moment.  Angry birds, shmangry birds.  Hexage has a very compelling tower defense game that is almost impossible to dislike.  The in-game purchases and expansion packs are ingenious additions.  Not only are they decent value, but this strategy definitely allows you to try out the game for free.   After reviewing it, I have no doubt that many that play it will feel the need to buy the expansion packs; not only because it feels good to support developers, but because it is actually worth the money.    

Mobile + Social: Why BlackBerry is Perfect (August,2012)

Yup, you read that right. BlackBerry is the perfect and does a great job at combining mobile and social. StephenBB81 shared with us over at the forums the slides from a presentation by Volker Hirsch, RIM’s Global Head of Business development – Games, where he talked about BlackBerry mobile and social. Hirsch shows in these slides how games have become a huge deal on BlackBerry since the PlayBook arrived. Titles like Angry Birds, Tomb Raider, Dead Space and much more are already available and many of these games are social, you can play with friends or share scores and more. These social interactions, along with some other features, is what makes BlackBerry perfect. Check out the slides here and let us know your thoughts in the comments!

You Can Send 10,000 BBMs For Price of 40 Texts (August,2012)

An article today from Seeking Alpha described how Research In Motion has a BlackBerry ‘secret weapon’. This secret weapon is BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) and the BlackBerry Internet Service (BIS). Smartphones are still expensive to own in many developing countries in Latin America, Africa, and East Asia.However, BlackBerry customers pay a relatively affordable monthly fee, and in return get unlimited Internet access, email, and BBM. To put this into perspective, a single text message can cost a user $0.20, but BIS costs only about $8 a month in South Africa. With BBM, a user can send unlimited messages, and Seeking Alpha says “for 40 text messages, a BlackBerry user can send 10,000 messages”.This strategy is what has kept RIM and the BlackBerry brand alive. While BlackBerry continues to struggle in North America and parts of Europe, users in Indonesia, Africa, and other parts of the world are lining up in droves to buy BlackBerry smartphones. Perhaps, with the launch of BlackBerry 10, users around the world will once again realize the money saving benefits of BBM, BIS, and the overall BlackBerry experience.

64GB BlackBerry PlayBook Only £129 in UK (August,2012)

Are you in the UK and have been contemplating the BlackBerry PlayBook? You might want to check out the deal at Dixons. For only £129 you can get a 64GB BlackBerry PlayBook.This is insanely cheap as the 16GB is priced the same! If you need a good 7-inch tablet with lots of space, you cannot overlook this buy. It doesn’t specify if this is a time sensitive deal, but nonetheless it’s a good one to scoop up.Check out the 64GB PlayBook deal at Dixonsvia Unwired View

Lindsay Lohan Rocks a BlackBerry P’9981 in NYC (August,2012)

Your favorite celeb to wish death upon might not have the brains to end her self-demolishing drug habits or DUIs. But, Lindsay Lohan at least has enough sense to keep rocking a BlackBerry. What kind of BlackBerry is Lilo sporting this time? Well, like any celeb with cash to burn, she’s on the Porsche designed P’9981.Lohan, who has a history of using BlackBerry, was seen sporting the BlackBerry P’9981 when leaving The Dream Hotel after a night of partying in New York City. She apparently wasn’t drinking, but we’ll leave that one up to the gossip sites. Nevertheless, we’re at the very least happy to see the indirect BlackBerry plug. Perhaps, any of Lilo’s fans (are there any more out there?) will wonder what that silver phone she’s sporting and do a Google search.via INF Daiy

BBVA Compass 2.0 Now Available for BlackBerry (August,2012)

BBVA Compass launched today version 2.0 of their free BlackBerry app, which has an improved user experience and new functionalities that customers will like. The new app was designed based on customer feedback and incorporates more innovative technology. Version 2.0 offers direct enrollment to mobile banking and allows users to pay bills, view check images, transaction receipts and account pie charts, along with cash flow graphs of bill payments. The app is currently free and available for download from the App World. Check out the press release below for more info.Press ReleaseBIRMINGHAM, Ala., Aug. 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — BBVA Compass today launched version 2.0 of its free BlackBerry app, adding to its suite of mobile banking capabilities.“As part of our commitment to continually update all of our mobile banking apps, our new BlackBerry 2.0 app delivers an improved user experience and features new functionality that will be appreciated by our customers,” said Alex Carriles, executive vice president and director of Mobile Strategy and Retail Innovation at BBVA Compass. “BlackBerry users are some of our most enthusiastic mobile banking customers, and now, they can experience an improved mobile banking platform.”Similar to the iPhoneTM and AndroidTM apps released by BBVA Compass, the new BlackBerry app was designed to reflect customer feedback and incorporate more innovative technology. Version 2.0 offers direct enrollment to mobile banking and allows users to pay bills, view check images, transaction receipts and account pie charts, along with cash flow graphs of bill payments.“As mobile banking rapidly evolves, we remain focused on enhancing the mobile banking experience for all customers, continuing to add new features and elements that help our customers better manage their finances,” said Carriles.To download the free BBVA Compass BlackBerry mobile banking app, visit  the BlackBerry App World and search for BBVA Compass, or text the wordblackberry to 4BBVA (42282).For more information on BBVA Compass mobile banking applications, visitwww.bbvacompass.com/go/mobile.*Access and/or usage fees may apply according to your wireless plan. Please check with your wireless carrier about such fees. The Trademark BlackBerry is owned by Research in Motion Limited and is registered in the United States and may be pending or registered in other countries. BBVA Compass is not endorsed sponsored, affiliated with or otherwise authorized by Research in Motion Limited. iPhone is a trademark of Apple, Inc.  Android is a trademark of Google, Inc.  Use of this trademark is subject to Google permissions.

Angry Birds Seasons for BlackBerry PlayBook Updated to 2.5 – Brings New Levels and Bird (August,2012)

Rovio has released a new update to Angry Birds Seasons for the BlackBerry PlayBook. The new version 2.5 looks to bring two new levels and a new bird. The two levels are Back to School and Piglantis.If you already have Angry Birds Seasons installed, simply check App World for the update. Otherwise, you can get Angry Birds Seasons for $4.99 in App World here.

Wireless Carriers Giving BlackBerry 10 Positive Feedback! (August,2012)

This week, Research In Motion began showing wireless carriers the first two BlackBerry 10 devices. We know those two devices to be the L-Series and N-Series. This is apart of what they’re calling a five-week roadshow.So far it seems “feedback from wireless carriers has been positive,” said Andrew McLeod, managing director of RIM’s Canadian operations. McLeod said the company will begin to discuss the product launches and other business aspects with the carriers soon.“We’re in the process of finalizing the software,” McLeod said. “It was at a point where we had a confidence level that we could really demonstrate the validity of the products and software. Obviously you don’t want to show something that is not going to wow folks. People were excited with what they saw.”However, as RIM’s vice president of developer relations, Alec Saunders, has said, BlackBerry 10 devices are still ”months and months” away from shipping. BlackBerry 10 devices are expected to release Q1 of 2013. Which wireless carriers do you think we’ll see launch BlackBerry 10 devices right away?via AP

Betting On Research In Motion’s Turnaround Isn’t Crazy (August,2012)

I’ve been actively following the bulls and bears on their stances of Research In Motion. It’s been pretty obvious that the company has been in a slump. There’s no questioning that. The big question on everyone’s mind is, “Can RIM make a comeback?” While I’m inclined to be bullish on RIM’s comeback potential due to the nature of running N4BB, I found it nice that one of Seeking Alpha‘s writers felt the same. Here’s an excerpt from Ashraf Eassa’s article:Modern Hardware Is A Great StartIt’s not hard to buy chips from any particular vendor, including Qualcomm: you just need the money to do it. The significance here, though, is that RIM is clearly taking performance seriously. They’re going full out and using what is (arguably) the best smartphone system on chip available currently, meaning that on the performance side, RIM will not be at any significant disadvantage to its competitors (and could be ahead of quite a few), and it will provide competitive differentiation as a squarely high end phone vendor.Further, I believe that the move away from the physical keyboard with BB10 devices and a focus instead on a unique, differentiated on-screen keyboard will bring the company into the “modern” era. Let’s face it: when everyone else has full touch screen phones, do you really want to be the only vendor still having a bulky physical keyboard?A Focus On SoftwareHaving a solid hardware platform is a necessary but insufficient condition. Software will ultimately make or break the next generation RIM phone, and I believe that the company’s decision to redesign the operating system from the ground up was the right thing to do.In order to bring developers and consumers on board, the OS needs to be easy to use from both user and developer standpoints. While it’s still too early to tell how successful all of this will turn out to be, as developer samples just only recently got sent out, it’s key to note that there are a number of very attractive features in the new BlackBerry OS:RIM has made it easy to port Android apps to the BB10 platform with a specially designed API. This is probably the single most significant aspect of the new BlackBerry phones. Android has the dominant smartphone position, so developers will be certainly be lured by the prospect of being able to deploy on both platforms.RIM has focused on developing a number of neat built-in applications such as the new camera application. More importantly, though, RIM will be providing a rich developer toolkit for the camera, which could lead to some “killer” apps from the development communityThe built in keyboard is also a huge point of focus. Many BlackBerry users enjoy the ease of typing on physical keyboards, so the keyboard here is critical. If RIM can combine the ease and convenience of the physical keyboard as well as the benefits of having a digital interface, then this alone could be a rousing success.RIM Can Afford A TurnaroundTurning to fiscal matters, another extremely important aspect of RIM’s turnaround story is that they can afford it. Despite posting a fairly heavy loss in the most recent quarter of $0.37/share against a consensus of $0.04/share loss consensus, the company is still flush with cash, with $1.77B on their books and no long term debt. That means, quite obviously, that they can afford to keep taking losses on the chin in the short term until they can really execute their long term strategy. I don’t think insolvency is in the cards for a good long while, so patient investors with a fair amount of risk tolerance can probably wait it out for a while.ConclusionBetting on a turnaround is risky, especially with incredibly strong competitors like Apple (AAPL) and Samsung to deal with. There’s every chance in the world that RIM’s efforts end up not being enough and that the company eventually goes under, get bought out, or something else that signifies the end of the company as it stands. However, it seems that management has been doing the best that they can with what they’ve been dealt. A new platform with top notch hardware, a modern design, and a developer friendly ecosystem. It seems to me that with the company selling assets, maintaining a large cash position, and focusing on their future platform, this is as credible a turnaround story as it gets.

Official: BlackBerry Curve 9320 OS 7.1.0.569 from Entel PCS (August,2012)

BlackBerry Curve 9320 users are getting a new OS update today. Entel PCS has officially released OS 7.1.0.569 for the Curve 9320. There’s no word on what is new in this build, so do let us know what you might find.Download Curve 9320 OS 7.1.0.569 from Entel PCSThanks Roy!Make sure you join our community to share your thoughts on this!How to: load an OS on your BlackBerry

BlackBerry ‘Buddy’ Kiosks Coming to South Africa Malls (August,2012)

There were Apple Geniuses and then there were the BlackBerry Buddies. Research In Motion has begun setting up BlackBerry Buddy kiosks around major malls in South Africa. These kiosks will help with BlackBerry support, give advice, and even update software. No more having to deal with clueless people at cellular provider’s stores.The BlackBerry Buddies are there to show users how to use their devices more efficiently, help them set up shortcuts, download apps, set up email accounts, and download the latest updates. You can find the BlackBerry Buddy kiosks at these locations:Sandton City â€" JohannesburgMenlyn Park â€" PretoriaMimosa Mall â€" BloemfonteinCanal Walk â€" Cape TownGateway Shopping Centre â€" DurbanSetting up the BlackBerry Buddy kiosks in South Africa was certainly a wise decision. Perhaps we’ll start to see more BlackBerry Buddy kiosks pop-up around the world. Would you like a BlackBerry Buddy kiosk at your mall?Thanks StephenBB81!via BWTH 

RIM Releases BlackBerry 10 Cascades and WebWorks Betas Roadmap (August,2012)

Developers, looking to know when Research In Motion plans to release betas and gold candidates for the Cascades and WebWorks? You’ll be happy to know that RIM has released roadmaps for both in the look of a flight schedule. Check it out for yourself here:Cascades beta roadmapWebWorks beta roadmap

RIM Creating BES 10 to Support All BlackBerry Devices (August,2012)

We briefly touched on the report that RIM was ceasing to develop BlackBerry Enterprise Server (BES) after version 5.0.4. Additionally, we reported on how ActiveSync will not compromise security on BlackBerry 10 or PlayBook.RIM reached out to CIO’s Al Sacco to clear up BGR‘s apparently inaccurate report. RIM’s Senior PR Manager Gene Nakonechny states:“RIM is developing BES 10, which will support existing BlackBerry devices, including the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet and new devices running on the BlackBerry 10 platform.  BES 10 will be the ultimate management solution for all BlackBerry platform devices, as well as iOS and Android devices.  BES 10 will launch simultaneously with the first BlackBerry 10 devices in Q1 calendar 2013.For existing BES customers, RIM will provide an upgrade to BES 10 in order to ensure that our enterprise customers have the most up-to-date technology available to manage their devices.”However, this clarification still hasn’t answered whether or not BES 10 will manage older BlackBerry devices separately from the new ones. Hopefully, BES 10 will be a seamless switch so as to make managing BlackBerry 10 and previous devices a breeze.

How to Setup Print To Go on BlackBerry PlayBook (August,2012)

Print To Go is a new feature that RIM introduced in the PlayBook OS 2.0, with this feature it allows you to print documents from your PC to your BlackBerry PlayBook. This is a very eco-friendly method to save on printing paper. Print To GO converts your documents into .PDF files and transports them wirelessly to your PlayBook with the benefit of organizing them. For those who are looking to setup this feature, included in this post is a tutorial on setting up Print To Go on your BlackBerry PlayBook.Install Desktop ApplicationBefore we begin, please download and install the desktop application on your computer:Download Print To Go*In order to use Print To Go, you must have Windows XP or higher installed on your computer, and both your computer and your BlackBerry PlayBook must be communicating on the same wireless network. When you have downloaded and installed the desktop application, select a file to print via your computer and select the Print To Go printer. This will bring us to the login screen to begin setup to use this feature.After you have started the print, you will see a screen popup asking for your BlackBerry ID credentials, this will include your email address and password used with your BlackBerry PlayBook.Launch Print To Go on your BlackBerry PlayBook1.       On your BlackBerry PlayBook, look for the Print To Go Icon and launch the application.2.       Swipe down from the top bezel and click the setting icon on the top right side of your screen.Under the Desktop PC Pairing Password sub-heading you will need to enter this password into the screen that appear after you have successfully logged in via your BlackBerryID credentials as seen below.Once you have entered the password just as it appears on your PlayBook into the fields on your computer click NEXT.*TIP: Select the “Remember me on this computer” check box. This will prohibit you from having to keep entering this information into your computer each time you choose to use this service.After you have followed these steps carefully and you go to print your document it will be converted and sent automatically to your PlayBook as seen below: CONGRATULATIONS on successfully setting up Print To Go on your BlackBerry PlayBook, happy printing!

BlackBerry Mobile Voice System Saves Financial Technologies Nearly 60% on Roaming Costs (August,2012)

A traditional IP PBX solution has required an IP phone that is fixed in a company’s office. With the influx of mobile device usage, it is not practical to physically take an IP phone on the field or to constantly dial in thus racking up roaming fees.Research In Motion realized this problem and created the solution for it with BlackBerry Mobile Voice System (MVS), which converts the user’s BlackBerry device into an IP extension of his/her office PBX.“BlackBerry Mobile Voice System (MVS) converts the user’s BlackBerry device into an IP extension of his/her office PBX, thus providing the user with feature of single number reach wherever the user goes. The user can make or receive all office calls through office PBX by just using the BlackBerry device,” said Sunil Lalvani, Director of BlackBerry Enterprise Sales, RIM India. “While BES server ensures security and authentication of the user, MVS server connects device to the PBX to make or receive all calls through the office PBX instead of cellular roaming network. Currently, we support the PBX platforms of Cisco, Avaya and Mytel.”Financial Technologies, a company that operates one of the world’s largest networks of nine exchanges, was one of the early adopters of BlackBerry MVS. “Mobility is important when directors and senior officials are travelling overseas. Typically, telephone-related bills are expensive due to a huge number of conference calls, international roaming charges, as well as charges incurred in data consumption,” said Rohit Ambosta , Vice President and Head ESG of Financial Technologies. The huge telephone-related bills incurred while senior officials were on international tours necessitated Financial Technologies to consider BlackBerry MVS and enable the users to alternately call through the office PBX using their BlackBerry devices.Financial Technologies has seen a great reduction in roaming fees, Ambosta says, “Today, using MVS, we can just link up to a Wi-Fi network and have a local PBX extension on our BlackBerry device. As a result, we have got about 50-60 percent savings on roaming costs.”via InformationWeek

ActiveSync Won’t Compromise Security in BlackBerry 10 (August,2012)

Yesterday, there were claims that Research In Motion has had to cease developing the BES service due to QNX incompatibility. While we already knew this tidbit, the claim went further to suggest RIM’s plan of action would be wrong and possibly not manageable or secure as it once was using BES. Whether or not this is true is still up for debate. However, when speaking to RIM they directed me to a blog post on their Biz Blog. In the blog post Jeff Holleran, the Senior Director for Enterprise Product Management, describes how using ActiveSync does not compromise security in BlackBerry 10 or the PlayBook.Why has RIM chosen to use ActiveSync? Here’s a near full excerpt from Jeff’s post:There are a number of reasons that RIM made the choice to go with ActiveSync as the sync engine for our next generation of messaging on BlackBerry tablets and smartphones. Over the past decade, ActiveSync has matured as a protocol. We are able to use ActiveSync to provide a capable sync engine that is supported for both the traditional Enterprise email platforms that RIM currently supports, and for additional email platforms that support the Microsoft ActiveSync protocol. This ability to build a single sync engine increases the reach of BlackBerry devices, while reducing the complexity of the custom sync engine that exists in today’s BlackBerry® Enterprise Server (BES). By selecting ActiveSync, we are able to provide a set of additional options for email connectivity to our customers including growth to support multiple devices for each user. In addition, we increased scalability with BlackBerry Mobile Fusion when compared to the BlackBerry Enterprise Server. Customers also have expressed interest in taking advantage of different levels of security, from the basics that come with Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync through to the advanced security and controls that come with BlackBerry Mobile Fusion and the BlackBerry Infrastructure.What this change didn’t mean was a move away from our core BlackBerry DNA: our full end-to-end encrypted email solution that our customers have come to depend upon. In particular, there is no need to open additional firewall ports or make any other changes that would cause an IT group to change their infrastructure. BlackBerry Mobile Fusion allows each PlayBook (and BlackBerry 10 in the future) user to connect through the secure BlackBerry Infrastructure. This configuration provides the same level of security as today’s BlackBerry Enterprise Server solution, with the encrypted message traffic flowing between the device and the BlackBerry Mobile Fusion server behind the firewall. The only difference is that we connect to the email server using the ActiveSync interface instead of the proprietary MAPI protocol that we used previously. Some customers may not realize that ActiveSync is enabled on their Microsoft Exchange server by default and no changes are required to get a BlackBerry PlayBook tablet up and running on BlackBerry Mobile Fusion.How does all of this work?From an end-user perspective, the steps to connect are straightforward. Conceptually, from a management perspective, there are three options to connect your ActiveSync-enabled BlackBerry PlayBook into your work messaging environment (and these steps will also work for BlackBerry 10 smartphones when they are in market):1. Direct Connection â€" If the ActiveSync interface of your email server is exposed to the Internet, a user can simply configure their account by adding the email address and password of the account from their PlayBook. This will provide full email and PIM connectivity and adhere to ActiveSync configured policies (listed in the Knowledge Base article below):
Read more: Exchange ActiveSync support for the BlackBerry PlayBook2. BlackBerry Mobile Fusion managed â€" An administrator can enable and configure an end user to use BlackBerry Mobile Fusion for device management, and provision the email settings so that when a user activates their PlayBook, their corporate email is configured, a work perimeter is created, and the IT policies set on the BlackBerry Mobile Fusion server are adhered to. Once the device is managed by BlackBerry Mobile Fusion, the ActiveSync policies are no longer applied or adhered to with the exception of the wipe command. This option also supports management of a BlackBerry PlayBook connected into a hosted email system (i.e. Microsoft Office 365).
Read more: ActiveSync policy behavior when a tablet is activated on BlackBerry Device Service3. BlackBerry Mobile Fusion with Mobile Data Services (MDS) â€" Similar to a BlackBerry Mobile Fusion activation, this option differs in that all work traffic on the device can be configured to route through the MDS component of BlackBerry Mobile Fusion, effectively extending the boundary of the corporate network to include the BlackBerry PlayBook without the need for a VPN solution or exposing ActiveSync to the Internet to allow for email/PIM access. One outbound connection over port 3101 provides secure connectivity to your PlayBook users for secure remote access to email and applications â€" just like the BlackBerry Enterprise Server. This is the solution recommended for security-conscience organizations that need to protect their corporate data.
Read more:Security Technical Overview â€" BlackBerry Device Service 6.0 and BlackBerry PlayBook Tablet 2.0.1BlackBerry MDS Connection Service Helps Make Connectivity a Simple TaskIn order to understand the connectivity and Email/PIM synchronization differences between BlackBerry Enterprise Server and BlackBerry Mobile Fusion, let’s first take a look at a BlackBerry 7 smartphone connected to a BlackBerry Enterprise Server:The BlackBerry 7 smartphone connects to the BlackBerry Enterprise Server using a 256-bit AES encrypted connection that carries email and PIM traffic from the server behind the firewall to the BlackBerry smartphone. The BlackBerry Enterprise Server connects to the email server using native email vendor-specific protocols.Examining the connection to the BlackBerry PlayBook below, you can see the same BlackBerry DNA in place; we maintain the 256-bit AES encryption between secure endpoints on the PlayBook and BlackBerry Mobile Fusion server when using the MDS functionality to route the traffic.The key difference is that instead of using the Mobile Fusion server to translate the native messaging protocols into BlackBerry messaging traffic, the PlayBook is making a connection directly into the mail server using ActiveSync protocols to synchronize email and PIM data to the device. This connection is then encapsulated within the 256-bit AES encrypted BlackBerry security connection ensuring that the same level of security that you have depended on for BB7.0 devices is also delivered on the BlackBerry PlayBook.The use of ActiveSync also provides support for customers who are using hosted or cloud-based email providers. End users are able to access their email while the IT group is able to maintain device security, as well as providing behind the firewall access to the Intranet and other applications.Our Enterprise customers are very pleased that we have continued to use the trusted connectivity model in use today. With this model, there is no need to expose ActiveSync to the Internet or increase the investment in VPN solutions to include mobile devicesâ€"the PlayBook is simply able to access and synchronize email and PIM data from the server behind the firewall. Of course, email isn’t the only data that can be accessed. When using the MDS functions of BlackBerry Mobile Fusion, employees also have the ability to access enterprise data and applications that are hosted behind the firewall.This same architecture will be in place to support the launch of BlackBerry 10 devices. We’ve made a small change to the synchronization engine, and we continue to leverage the convenient connectivity and world-class security that the BlackBerry solution has provided our enterprise and government customers for over a decade.In summary, BlackBerry is as secure as ever.We are using ActiveSync to give us greater flexibility and scalability to support more devices per user and more email platformsThe use of ActiveSync gives customers greater choice in how they connect BlackBerry PlayBooks and BlackBerry 10 smartphones to server-based, hosted and cloud email systemsThe secure BlackBerry DNA remains; single outbound connection over port 3101, 256-bit AES encryption between server and device, no need to invest in additional VPNs and no need to expose corporate data to the internet

Blaq Twitter App for BlackBerry PlayBook Updated to 1.8.4 (August,2012)

The popular Blaq Twitter app for the BlackBerry PlayBook has been updated. Here’s what is new in the 1.8.4 update:Even smoother scrollingAuto-reconnect real-time streaming on dropped connectionsPerformance and bug fixesAdditionally, Kisai Labs announced how Twitter’s API announcement affects Blaq:There was a sense of uncertainty over the announcement made by Twitter, last week. We’ve received emails and tweets asking how all this affects Blaq. Rest assured, Blaq will continue to function for those with the app for the foreseeable future. We follow a majority of the strict display guidelines Twitter now imposes on it’s third-party developers. However, we do need to make a few tweaks here and there. Those changes will come in a future update.We will do our best to work with Twitter to ensure compliance with our product. While there are no guarantees, you come first and we want you to know what we know.The new update should show in BlackBerry App World. If you haven’t tried Blaq, check it out here.

Globe Telecom Now Offering BlackBerry Prepaid Kits (August,2012)

Globe Telecom and Research In Motion (RIM) have joined forces to offer BlackBerry smartphones in prepaid kits. Globe has informed that subscribes can get a BlackBerry Curve 9220 prepaid package for P9,990. The package includes a SIM card, three months of free BlackBerry chat subscription and a skin for your smartphone. The other kit includes a Curve 8520 for P6,990, the same SIM card and three month free BlackBerry chat subscription plus two smartphone skins. In addition to all that, those who purchase any of the kits might get free P100 worth of prepaid load.The Curve 9220 and 8520 are both full QWERTY keyboard, great for social networking. The Curve 9220 has a BBM dedicated key for easier access to BlackBerry Messenger.via ABS CBN News

BlackBerry 10 Smartphones to Use Qualcomm S4 Pro Chipset? (August,2012)

Way back in the beginning of this year while we were at CES in January, we spotted Research In Motion’s logo on the backdrop during Qualcomm’s keynote. This keynote was for the announcement of the S4 chipset (at the time it was the MSM8960) and the backdrop was to show OEMs who would be using the new chipset. It was pretty convincing even then that RIM would be using the S4 chipset family for BlackBerry 10 devices.A new rumor suggests BlackBerry 10 smartphones will be using the MSM8960T (S4 Pro), which is the natural evolution of the MSM8960. It only makes sense for RIM to have dumped the original MSM8960 and move onto the next iteration since they delayed BlackBerry 10 devices and by the time BB10 releases the MSM8960 would have been outdated.The Qualcomm S4 MSM8960T is quite impressive with Bluetooth 4.0, 802.11a/b/g/n (2.4/5 GHz), and multiband support for global compatibility across networks (LTE FDD/TDD CAT3, SVLTE-DB, TD-SCDMA, Rel9 DC-HSPA+, GSM/GPRS/EDGE, EGAL, 1x Adv., 1x EV-DO Rev. A/B ) all packed into one chipset.No matter which iteration of the chipset RIM intends to use, one thing is certain that RIM will likely use the S4 chipset family. This just makes us have a smile from ear to ear.Image from CES 2012, courtesy of BGRvia BBOS 

BEWARE: BlackBerry ID Malware Campaign Spreading (August,2012)

BlackBerry users beware, it seems there is a new threat on the rise to the unsuspecting. Websense ThreatSeeker Network intercepted a malware campaign targeting BlackBerry customers. Users will receive an email notification as if they have created a new BlackBerry ID.The messages then continue, “To enjoy the full benefits of your BlackBerry ID, please follow the instructions in the attached file.” This is where it subsequently attempts to lure the user into downloading the attached malware.Though, the email is a direct copy and paste from a legit BlackBerry ID generated email. Keep your eyes peeled as it’s pretty rampant malware. 17 out of 36 AV engines identify the malware in VirusTotal.What does the malware do? Running the attachment drops other executable files and modifies the system registry to automatically start these malware programs when the system starts. Be careful Team BlackBerry, you’ve been warned!via Net-Security

Smarter Apps Celebrating 10 Million Unique Blackberry Users (August,2012)

Smarter Apps, creators of some of the most awesome games and apps on BlackBerry, are celebrating their 10 million and growing unique BlackBerry users. To say thanks to all those who support them, they are making their Angry Farm game available for free. You get all 250 levels in the Angry Farm Free trial! If you haven’t had the chance to try out this game, then make sure you do now. The game is available for download in the BlackBerry App World.Download Angry Farm Free from App World>>

Saudi Arabian Carrier STC Extends Deal on BlackBerry Plan (August,2012)

Living in Saudi Arabia and rockin’ a BlackBerry?  If so, you’re in luck as the carrier STC just extended their promotional BlackBerry plan until September 14th 2012.  The package includes 1000 MB of data, unlimited BBM and email, and 5MB of roaming data at your disposal.  To get this deal, customers are asked to text 8811 to the number “902″ to activate the offer.  Of course, you’ll have to be in Saudi Arabia too…This extended discount plan remains in effect for 2 months until it reverts to the basic plan.STC is a Saudi Arabian telecommunications company which provides 3G services for mobile devices across the country.  The company focuses on introducing all of the newest BlackBerry models first within the country for consumers.

S4BB Limited Releases Stocks and Real Estate Magazine Apps for BlackBerry PlayBook (August,2012)

S4BB Limited has released two new Magazine apps for BlackBerry PlayBook: Stocks Magazine and Real Estate Magazine. Both magazines will bring you the latest news, rumors and trends, every day.Stocks magazineReal Estate MagazineThey’ve also updated all existing Magazines for PlayBook. They’ve improved the user interface, for an ever smoother experience and fixed some minor bugs.All magazines are available for free for the first 30 days, after that it’s only $0.99 per month. Have a look here for the full selection. All magazines are available on BlackBerry App World and are compatible with BlackBerry Tablet 2.0 or higher.

Get LinkedIn on Your BlackBerry PlayBook with InLink (August,2012)

Have you been itching for a natively built LinkedIn app for your BlackBerry PlayBook? Then you’ll be happy to know that InLink has officially released.Features include easy accessible buttons to:Check LinkedIn MailView LinkedIn updatesView and apply jobs via LinkedInConnect and find people you know on LinkedInInteract with your network and groupsSearch LinkedIn for companies, friends and groups.InLink is available now for $1.99 in BlackBerry App World here.

T-Mobile Announces Unlimited Nationwide 4G Data (August,2012)

Today, T-Mobile announced a truly Unlimited Nationwide 4G Data plan. Starting Sept. 5, new and current T-Mobile customers will have the opportunity to take advantage of this new offer. Featuring no data caps, speed limits, or bill shock and access to fast, dependable nationwide 4G coverage, T-Mobile’s new Unlimited Nationwide 4G Data plan offers the ultimate worry-free smartphone experience.The Unlimited Nationwide 4G Data plan is ideal for customers seeking a truly unlimited experience on their smartphone and can satisfy both data-hungry customers as well as those who don’t want the burden of tracking their data usage. With the introduction of the Unlimited Nationwide 4G Data plan, T-Mobile is the only U.S. carrier to empower customers to do what they want, when they want with their smartphones by making fast, nationwide 4G data accessible for everyone â€" without limits and at a great value.The Unlimited Nationwide 4G Data plan will cost $20 per month when added to a Value voice and text plan or $30 per month when added to a Classic voice and text plan. For more information, see the press release below, as well as the attached pricing comparison chart.Press ReleaseT-Mobile Unleashes Unlimited Nationwide 4G DataStarting Sept. 5, T-Mobile will be the only carrier with a nationwide 4G network to offer unlimited nationwide 4G dataBELLEVUE, Wash. â€" Aug. 22, 2012 â€" T-Mobile USA, Inc., today announced an industry first â€" a truly Unlimited Nationwide 4G Data plan. Featuring no data caps, speed limits or bill shock, as well as fast, dependable nationwide 4G coverage, T-Mobile’s new Unlimited Nationwide 4G Data plan offers the ultimate worry-free experience. The new plan is designed to satisfy both data-hungry customers who want to experience all their smartphones are capable of and those wanting the peace of mind of never having to keep track of their data usage.Today’s smartphones offer amazing experiences, and consumers are increasingly relying on them for everything from navigation, entertainment and shopping to just staying connected. With the introduction of the Unlimited Nationwide 4G Data plan, T-Mobile® is the only U.S. carrier to empower customers to do what they want, when they want, with their smartphones by making fast, nationwide 4G data accessible for everyone â€" without limits and at a great value.“We’re big believers in customer-driven innovation, and our Unlimited Nationwide 4G Data plan is the answer to customers who are frustrated by the cost, complexity and congested networks of our competitors,” said Kevin McLaughlin, vice president, marketing, T-Mobile USA.  “Consumers want the freedom of unlimited 4G data. Our bold move to be the only wireless carrier to offer an Unlimited Nationwide 4G Data plan reinforces our value leadership and capitalizes on the strength of our nationwide 4G network.”For customers seeking an unlimited experience on their smartphones, T-Mobile offers several ways for new and existing customers to take advantage of its Unlimited Nationwide 4G Data plan. New customers can purchase any smartphone in T-Mobile’s robust lineup of innovative devices or bring their own compatible smartphone and have access to a worry-free unlimited data experience on T-Mobile’s fast nationwide 4G network. Current T-Mobile customers on Classic or Value plans can simply upgrade their existing service by adding an Unlimited Nationwide 4G Data plan.The Unlimited Nationwide 4G Data plan will cost $20 per month when added to a Value voice and text plan or $30 per month when added to a Classic voice and text plan. For example, a single line Value plan with unlimited talk and text combined with unlimited nationwide 4G data will cost $69.99 or a single line Classic plan with unlimited talk, unlimited text and unlimited nationwide 4G data will cost $89.99.Available starting Sept. 5, T-Mobile’s Unlimited Nationwide 4G Data plan will provide smartphone customers with uncompromised, dependable access to data on the blazing-fast speeds of T-Mobile’s nationwide 4G network. The Unlimited Nationwide 4G Data plan will be available at T-Mobile retail stores, on http://www.T-Mobile.com/ unlimited-data-plan  and through select dealers and national retail stores.About T-Mobile USA:
Based in Bellevue, Wash., T-Mobile USA, Inc. is the U.S. wireless operation of Deutsche Telekom AG (OTCQX: DTEGY). By the end of the second quarter of 2012, approximately 130 million mobile customers were served by the mobile communication segments of the Deutsche Telekom group â€" 33.2 million by T-Mobile USA â€" all via a common technology platform based on GSM and UMTS and additionally HSPA+ 21/HSPA+ 42. T-Mobile USA’s innovative wireless products and services help empower people to connect to those who matter most. Multiple independent research studies continue to rank T-Mobile USA among the highest in numerous regions throughout the U.S. in wireless customer care and call quality. For more information, please visit http://www.T-Mobile.com.   T-Mobile is a federally registered trademark of Deutsche Telekom AG. For further information on Deutsche Telekom, please visithttp://www.telekom.de/ investor-relations .Forward-Looking StatementsThis press release contains forward-looking statements that reflect the current views of Deutsche Telekom management with respect to future events. These forward-looking statements may include statements with regard to the expected development of revenue, earnings, profits from operations, depreciation and amortization, cash flows and personnel-related measures. You should consider them with caution. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and are generally beyond Deutsche Telekom’s control. Among the factors that might influence our ability to achieve our objectives are the progress of our workforce reduction initiative and other cost-saving measures, and the impact of other significant strategic, labor or business initiatives, including acquisitions, dispositions and business combinations, and our network upgrade and expansion initiatives. In addition, stronger than expected competition, technological change, legal proceedings and regulatory developments, among other factors, may have a material adverse effect on our costs and revenue development. Further, the economic downturn in our markets, and changes in interest and currency exchange rates, may also have an impact on our business development and the availability of financing on favorable conditions. Changes to our expectations concerning future cash flows may lead to impairment write downs of assets carried at historical cost, which may materially affect our results at the group and operating segment levels. If these or other risks and uncertainties materialize, or if the assumptions underlying any of these statements prove incorrect, our actual performance may materially differ from the performance expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. We can offer no assurance that our estimates or expectations will be achieved. Without prejudice to existing obligations under capital market law, we do not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements to take new information or future events into account or otherwise.In addition to figures prepared in accordance with IFRS, Deutsche Telekom also presents non-GAAP financial performance measures, including, among others, EBITDA, EBITDA margin, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA margin, adjusted EBIT, adjusted net income, free cash flow, gross debt and net debt. These non-GAAP measures should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for, the information prepared in accordance with IFRS. Non-GAAP financial performance measures are not subject to IFRS or any other generally accepted accounting principles. Other companies may define these terms in different ways.

New Leaked OS 7.1.0.649 Breaks AutoText (August,2012)

With pretty much every BlackBerry 7 smartphone getting a leaked OS this week, all of us were in for a treat.  With some extra memory at boot, and a minor face-lift to the app switcher, the new update appeared to be a clear improvement on previous OS leaks.  However, the 7.1.0.649 build did manage to prevent you from adding or editing your “AutoText” or “Word Substitution” list, something that many BlackBerry users consider very important.AutoText is a classic BlackBerry feature that allows you to use typing shortcuts and automatic word corrections when you type so you can be a more productive when typing on your BlackBerry.Simply pressing “Add” or “Edit” in the “Word Substitution” screen seems to do nothing in the new leaked OS for some reason.  Let’s hope that the official build of OS 7.1 doesn’t have this issue. If you’re rocking another OS that doesn’t have a broken AutoText or you have found a fix, feel free to check out N4BB’s guide on how to use AutoText for BlackBerry 6 and 7 here.

Indonesia’s Telkomsel Sees 226% Surge in BlackBerry Data Traffic (August,2012)

While Research In Motion’s BlackBerry may only account for 1% of mobile traffic in the U.S., it is certainly growing exponentially in Indonesia. Telkomsel, Indonesia’s largest mobile phone operator, recorded a 226 percent increase in BlackBerry data traffic over last year.In a press release issued by Telkomsel, data traffic from BlackBerry services alone hit 7.5 gigabytes per second, while data traffic from other broadband services rose to 157 terabytes, more than 55 percent higher than last year’s figures.Indonesia is also where users have lined up at stores for the latest BlackBerry product launch. We can only hope this same kind of enthusiasm will genesis around the world once BlackBerry 10 is released. Imagine if AT&T or Verizon Wireless were to see a 226 percent increase in BlackBerry services usage!via Jakarta Post

Official: BlackBerry P’9981 OS 7.1.0.569 from Claro Peru (August,2012)

Although BlackBerry P’9981 users have a much higher version in the form of the leaked OS 7.1.0.649, a new official build is now available. Claro Peru has officially released OS 7.1.0.569 for the P’9981. There’s no word on what’s new, so if you’re the owner of this exclusive BlackBerry do let us know what you find.Download P’9981 OS 7.1.0.569 from Claro PeruThanks Roy!Make sure you join our community to share your thoughts on this!How to: load an OS on your BlackBerry 

How to Wipe your BlackBerry Smartphone (August,2012)

Wiping a BlackBerry smartphone is something all BlackBerry users should know how to do. If you sell your BlackBerry, you should always make sure you delete everything on it to prevent the info from getting into the wrong hands. Maybe you just want to wipe your BlackBerry for fun. Either way, you’re not going to delete every file, email and/or contact one by one, right? Here’s how to wipe your BlackBerry:1. Go to Options and select Security.2. From the menu here, select Security Wipe.3. On the next screen, check what you would like to delete. If you checked Media Card, all files in your microSD card will be deleted, so make sure you backup anything you want to keep. Same goes for Emails, Contacts and User Installed Applications.4. Enter “blackberry” in the text field at the bottom and press Wipe Data to DELETE all info from your BlackBerry smartphone.That’s it, now your BlackBerry is back to factory settings, depending on what you deleted. If you have any questions or suggestions leave a comment below!

HedoneDesign Releases Jam Theme for BlackBerry 6 and 7 Smartphones (August,2012)

HedoneDesign has developed a new wallpaper friendly, minimalist theme called Jam. Here’s how they describe it:Put your icons in a spotlight with the new HedoneDesign theme, Jam. Brilliant white circles ensconce a sharp, clean, easily understood, and unique icon set. Fixed icons will be enhanced with the spotlight effect as well. Unique and beautiful meters in the top banner.Even if BlackBerry theme studio is still not released by RIM we are preparing themes for some of BlackBerry 7 devices. It takes a lot more time and precision but we are glad to provide you with this themes.You can get the new Jam theme for $6.99 in the N4BB App Store here.

Use Skype and Make Phone Calls on BlackBerry PlayBook with Taki SIP Softphone App (August,2012)

Looking to use Skype and make phone calls on your BlackBerry PlayBook? Taki is a cross-platform SIP softphone. Phone calls can be made over Wi-Fi or 4G LTE connection. Taki phone can be used with any SIP provider. If you don’t have a SIP account yet, please check out the list of recommended VoIP providers.For the best experience it is recommend to make phone calls with headphones attached to your PlayBook. This will eliminate the echo and gives you a better audio quality. Features of Taki include:Multiple calls supportAddress bookCall HistoryDTMF on active callsCall Hold, MuteEasy setupCall logs for troubleshootingYou can also use this application to talk to Skype contacts if you have Skype SIP profile: https://support.skype.com/en-u s/faq/FA10572/how-do-i-manage- sip-profiles
or use one of SIP providers which provides interconnect with Skype.Taki for BlackBerry PlayBook is available now for only $0.99 in BlackBerry App World here.

StreetSafe Personal Safety Service Now Available for BlackBerry (August,2012)

There is a new service available to BlackBerry users that will help them take charge of their own personal safety. StreetSafe is a service that turns your BlackBerry smartphone into a security system that provides help in any situation before becoming an emergency. Some of the features include:Walk With Me: When activated, it instantly connects you with a trained Safety Advisor who will help you and alert the police if needed.Silent Alarm: When triggered, it instantly dispatches emergency help to your exact GPS coordinates.Sadly we live in a very unsafe world and you can never be too careful. This service can provide with the extra safety that you might need right on your BlackBerry. For more info check out the press release below or visit streetsafe.com.Press ReleaseSTREETSAFE, A MOBILE PERSONAL SECURITY SERVICE,NOW AVAILABLE FOR BLACKBERRY 7 CHICAGO, IL (August 16, 2012) PeopleGuard, one of the fastest growing players in the security industry, announced today that their unique mobile personal security service, StreetSafe, is now available for Blackberry 7, continuing its commitment to supporting next generation devices and platforms.StreetSafe turns smart phones into highly effective personal security devices by combining wireless networks with GPS technologies and a state-of-the-art safety network and database.  It is the only service that connects the subscriber to a live, highly trained personal Safety Advisor each time the service is activated. StreetSafe Safety Advisors, who supervise the call center, are active off-duty police officers who are trained to handle emergency situations.“In addition to being available to more consumers, it also makes our corporate plans more accessible to companies who wish to protect their employees,” said Tom Rissman, CEO of PeopleGuard, LLC. “As technology evolves, so do our services, because we are acutely aware that even when diligent, there are times when an extra measure of protection is the difference between becoming a victim and getting to your destination safely.”StreetSafe works on smart phones on any carrier network from virtually all major manufacturers, including Blackberry 5, 6 and 7; iPhone 3GS, 4 and 4S; Android 1.6 and above; and Windows Phone 7.“Evidence shows that crime is linked to the economic climate — economic stress can cause an increase in criminal behavior,” added Marcia Peot, Chief Safety Officer, StreetSafe.  “We are seeing some evidence of this in cities like Chicago, creating an urgent need for safety services to be available to as many people as possible, on as many types of devices as possible.”StreetSafe Features â€" More than a Call for HelpWalk with Me is a personal security escort. Slide the green button to be connected to a live Safety Advisor, who will stay on the line until the subscriber reaches their destination safely. If help is needed right away, but the subscriber is unable to dial 911, they can activate the Silent Alarm, and StreetSafe will contact the local 911 center with your location and personal profile data. No other action is required.Offering more than just a call for help, StreetSafe will continue to track the subscriber’s location through GPS, relaying their position to the authorities and transmitting vital information such as age, physical description and any medical conditions, so that help can find them quickly.StreetSafe is not a tracking service and maintains its subscribers’ privacy at all times.Access to StreetSafe is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Simply register, choose a plan, create a profile and download the StreetSafe app to your smart phone. Several affordable subscription plans are available, including individual, family, and corporate plans.About StreetSafeBased in Chicago, Illinois, StreetSafe is designed and manufactured by PeopleGuard, one of the fastest growing players in the security industry. StreetSafe recently won the 2011 Vision Award, which is awarded to a company that has shown the most visionary application and forward-thinking use of the Interactive Intelligence solutions.  To order a subscription or for more information visit www.StreetSafe.com.

Twitter for BlackBerry Updated to 3.2.0.5 in Beta Zone (August,2012)

Research In Motion has rolled out a new update to Twitter for BlackBerry in Beta Zone. The new Twitter version 3.2.0.5 has the following changelog:Trends list is incorrect, and not for the proper regionFollow button on users list do not appear in correct stateThe follow button is cut off when using a larger font size on the search pageMisaligned lock image on user listsDetails missing on error dialogs when clicking link for show details – exception in logThe verified logo is cut-off on the following list screenText isn’t vertically in the centre of focus on location selection drop down of trendsEmail popup field opens when you check or uncheck the show password optionTruncated link causes it not to work/open to intended articleYou can get the new update from BlackBerry Beta Zone here.

How to run a Speed Test on your BlackBerry smartphone (August,2012)

Ever want to know how to run a wireless speed test on your BlackBerry?  No worries, there’s an app for that and it’s super simple!First, open up App World.  Search for the app called “Fancy Speed Test”.  It’s free and it works great (even though its not much to look at).Download and open up the app.You’ll see a few choices in “Transport“.You can choose BIS for your BlackBerry HSPA+ speed, or Wi-Fi for the wireless connection speed to your router.  You may have to experiment with the choice of server.  Try picking one that is closest to you.  Once you select what you’re trying to measure, simply press “Begin Test“.The speed test will measure the Ping, download and upload speeds of your BlackBerry and display them for you.  I got 11 Mbps on my Torch once!   What are your network speeds?

HTC Trying to Eat at RIM’s BlackBerry Enterprise Base; Invests $35.4 Million in Magnet Systems (August,2012)

HTC looks to be lining themselves up with others who want to eat at Research In Motion’s BlackBerry Enterprise base. HTC has made a $35.4 million investment into Magnet Systems, which is a U.S. developer of a platform for building enterprise apps.The investment will give HTC a 17.1% stake in Magnet Systems. However, HTC hasn’t had the best track record for investments. Just today, HTC announced a $40 million loss on their OnLive restructuring. Do you think HTC or any other company has a viable foot in the door to enterprise?via SA

Devs: WIN Conference Passes to BlackBerry Jam Americas 2012 – Grand Prize 3 Night Stay! (August,2012)

Research In Motion has teamed up with N4BB to offer BlackBerry developers the opportunity to WIN a chance to attend this year’s BlackBerry Jam Americas. The conference will be held on September 25th – 27th in San Jose, California. BlackBerry Jam Americas is for developers and industry leaders who understand the power of BlackBerry and want to take advantage of building for the platform. Whether you’re a Native, Web, or Android developer, you won’t want to miss this opportunity to explore the powerful, game-changing BlackBerry 10 platform. Here’s some of the reasons RIM says you should attend:For truly compelling content and learningEnjoy a broad technical mix of content, from development basics to deep dive sessions to development time with expertsChoose from 50 sessions that dig deeper than ever before into the BlackBerry 10 platform and the opportunities for app differentiation, amazing UI and revenueHear from Research In Motion® (RIM®) experts, developer leaders who offer the most comprehensive look at building outstanding BlackBerry 10 appsFor the app development know-howDiscover how BlackBerry 10 is a truly open platform with support for Native C/C++, HTML5 and AndroidLearn how to engage users with a beautiful UI and amazing user experience from general design sessions to technical sessions on Cascades or BBUI.jsGet a high level overview of BlackBerry 10 for each platform in engaging keynotes and native and web super sessionsTry the Native SDK and BlackBerry® WebWorksâ„¢ SDK and see how it can work for you – whether you’re new to BlackBerry apps, want to go further with BBMâ„¢ connections or need to power up the performance of your appsFor an exploration of what’s possibleSee how enterprise apps on BlackBerry 10 can change the conversation and take advantage of the BlackBerry 10 Enterprise ArchitectureLearn how to take apps to the market with a profitable app development model that delivers real return on investmentUnderstand how to use BlackBerry App Worldâ„¢ to turn millions of app hungry BlackBerry users into loyal, profitable customersConnect with fellow developers and BlackBerry partners to compare and collaborate on ideasWe understand not all developers are hugely successful, yet. So we’d like to help take some of the pressure off by giving away ten (10) BlackBerry Jam Americas conference passes and one (1) grand prize of 3 nights at the Hilton San Jose and a conference pass, sponsored by Research In Motion Limited. Here’s how to enter:You must be a registered member of N4BB. Make a comment to this post signalling your entry. In your comment, please describe your apps/games and how they will benefit on the new BlackBerry 10 platform.The N4BB team will then select 10 winners for a conference pass and 1 grand prize winner for a conference pass and 3 nights stay in Hilton San Jose. This contest is open only to residents in the US and Canada. All winners will assume their own transportation. These prizes are for admission only, with grand prize including 3 nights stay in Hilton San Jose. Winners will be selected and announced on September 14th.If you’re not feeling lucky, you can go ahead and register for BlackBerry Jam Americas 2012 here. Good luck developers, we look forward to seeing your apps brought to BlackBerry 10!By entering this contest, you agree to our giveaway terms and conditions, which can be found here.

RIM Appoints Rob Orr as Managing Director of UK and Ireland (August,2012)

Research In Motion has appointed Rob Orr as the new Managing Director of its UK & Ireland business, and will take on the role as of 1st September 2012.Rob is currently Vice President, Product Management for the Europe, Middle East & Africa region, and has been with RIM for over six years. In that time he has been instrumental in helping the EMEA region grow to become a major part of RIM’s global business. With this new appointment, he now takes on the fresh challenge of maintaining and building on the strong business momentum in the UK & Ireland markets.As part of plans to ensure the RIM team in Europe is optimally structured to be fully focused on selling BlackBerry 7 smartphones and BlackBerry Mobile Fusion, and is prepared and ready for the launch of BlackBerry 10 in the first quarter of 2013, Stephen Bates, previously MD of the UK & Ireland, has moved to take on a newly created role of Regional Managing Director for Europe. Stephen will be responsible for market responsiveness, customer engagement and maximising employee focus across the European organisation.

Leaked: BlackBerry Bold 9900, 9930 OS 7.1.0.649 (August,2012)

BlackBerry owners of the Bold 9900 and 9930 have received an OS leak today. OS 7.1.0.649 has dropped for these two devices. There’s no word on what is new, so be sure to let us know what you might find.Download Bold 9900 OS 7.1.0.649Download Bold 9930 OS 7.1.0.649Thanks Rroyy! via TheiexplorersMake sure you join our community to share your thoughts on this!*DISCLAIMER* â€" This is an unofficial RIM software release. If you choose to install, do so at your own risk! N4BB.COM is not responsible for any malfunctions or abnormalities that may occur. If you have never loaded a leaked OS before, we highly recommend you read the tutorial listed below:How to: load an OS on your BlackBerry

Leaked: BlackBerry P’9981 OS 7.1.0.649 (August,2012)

BlackBerry owners of the P’9981 have received an OS leak today. OS 7.1.0.649 has dropped for the device. There’s no word on what is new, so be sure to let us know what you might find.Download P’9981 OS 7.1.0.649Thanks Rroyy! via TheiexplorersMake sure you join our community to share your thoughts on this!*DISCLAIMER* â€" This is an unofficial RIM software release. If you choose to install, do so at your own risk! N4BB.COM is not responsible for any malfunctions or abnormalities that may occur. If you have never loaded a leaked OS before, we highly recommend you read the tutorial listed below:How to: load an OS on your BlackBerry

Leaked: BlackBerry Torch 9810, 9850, 9860 OS 7.1.0.649 (August,2012)

BlackBerry owners of the Torch 9810, 9850, and 9860 have received an OS leak today. OS 7.1.0.649 has dropped for these devices. There’s no word on what is new, so be sure to let us know what you might find.Download Torch 9810 OS 7.1.0.649Download Torch 9850 OS 7.1.0.649Download Torch 9860 OS 7.1.0.649Thanks Rroyy! via TheiexplorersMake sure you join our community to share your thoughts on this!*DISCLAIMER* â€" This is an unofficial RIM software release. If you choose to install, do so at your own risk! N4BB.COM is not responsible for any malfunctions or abnormalities that may occur. If you have never loaded a leaked OS before, we highly recommend you read the tutorial listed below:How to: load an OS on your BlackBerry

Angry Birds Space for BlackBerry PlayBook Updated with Utopia – Brings 10 New Levels (June,2012)

Rovio has pushed out an update to Angry Birds Space for the BlackBerry PlayBook. The new update includes the Utopia section, which adds 10 new levels. It is really nice to see Rovio staying on top of updates for their latest edition of the Angry Birds franchise for the PlayBook. You can expect Rovio to continue pushing out new levels.If you’ve already purchased Angry Birds hit up App World to get the update. Otherwise you can pick up Angry Birds for $2.99 from App World here.

10 Ways to Save on BlackBerry Smartphone Plans (June,2012)

Verizon Wireless recently debuted the details of its new Share Everything Plan this week, and users are already speculating on the cost advantages and disadvantages of this much-anticipated plan. Casual voice, text and data users will likely see an uptick in their monthly costs while families with shared plans may finally see some relief.If you find yourself in the category of seeing increased monthly costs, consider the following 10 ways to cut down on your mobile bill without cutting communication with friends and family.1. Try Pay-As-You-Go Plans
Get this: 1GB of data and unlimited talk and text costs $90 per month with the Share Everything Plan, but Verizon’s prepaid smartphone plan is $80 for the same service on select devices. Save yourself $10 per month and avoid the hassle of a contract if this plan works for you. Otherwise, check out providers like Boost Mobile, NET10 and Virgin that offer prepaid plans for as low as $45 per month.2. Text for Free
In addition to apps like Textfree with Voice (iPhone) and chompSMPS (Android), you can sign up for a Google Voice number to text for free. This requires that your friends and family avoid texting to your regular phone number, but will ultimately save you a minimum $10 per month, depending on your plan and carrier.3. Buy Used Devices
AT&T, Sprint and Verizon frequently offer promotions on the latest smartphone in order to stick you with the real money-maker: the plan. However, you can still end up spending over $200 for the latest gadget, so consider purchasing an unlocked device from an electronics retailer. Be sure to search Freeshipping.org for online offers from Tiger Direct and other providers to save even more.4. Ask About Eligible Discounts
Does your employer have a corporate plan? If so, you may be eligible for a discount as an employee. Most carriers require you provide your corporate email address, but you can also check with the person who manages your company’s cell phone plan. Students from select schools may also have access to exclusive discounts, so ask before signing the agreement5. Buddy Up to Family Plan
This one requires trust and communication, but consider signing up for a family plan with close friends and neighbors. Carriers don’t require that family plan holders be related, so see if you can cut costs by pitching in on a collective monthly bill. Just be sure everyone’s on the same page about when the bill is due and what should happen when overages occur.6. Visit Mobile Websites
Mobile versions of websites are not only easier to navigate, they require less data to browse. Ditch the “www” URL prefix and opt for “m” instead. Not all websites are optimized for mobile browsing, so avoid the ones that aren’t as you mindlessly browse the Internet at the doctor’s office.7. Read the Fine Print
Automatic bill pay is a convenient method for paying your bill on time, but it also ensures you don’t catch erroneous charges. Last year, Verizon was dinged with a class-action lawsuit for “mystery data fees” charged to non-data using customers, resulting in a $52.8 million fine. Obviously, it pays to review your statement on a monthly basis.8. Track Your Usage
The fees associated with overages on texts, minutes and data usage are enough to scare you into a higher plan. However, you might be paying more than necessary, so tracking your usage is paramount in finding the optimal plan. The Onavo Count app tracks usage for Android users, and iPhone users can check out this video tutorial from Business Insider to check their usage.9. Stream on Wifi
Streaming music and movies on wireless broadband will instantly eat up your data, so save these diversions for when you have access to Wifi networks.10. Download Apps at Home
While it’s convenient to download apps and music on-the-go, you can save as much as 10 percent in data usage by holding out for home. Download apps and music from your home computer and save your precious data for more important things, like email and the last episode of “The Bachelorette.”