BlackBerry 7 OS devices to finally get WiFi Hot Spot support

The BlackBerry 7 OS devices recently launched have on their boxes the label “Hot Spot Capable,” and yet none are capable of this feature just yet. A leaked memo to the Now Network carrier, however, reveals that the mobile WiFi Hot Spot feature will be coming soon via a software update in the coming months.

The leaked memo informs the carrier’s employees to “educate” customers that the Hot Spot feature advertised on the packaging is not yet available, but will arrive with the first major software update in Q4. This means that at least the BlackBerry Torch 9850 will soon be getting the much requested feature.

It’s unclear at this point, whether the other BlackBerry 7 OS devices released recently, such as the BlackBerry Bold 9900/9930 and the BlackBerry Torch 9810, will also be getting the mobile Hot Spot capability in the next update. The feature could be carrier-specific.

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Tags: BlackBerry, BlackBerry OS 7.0, Mobile Hotspots, RIM, Smartphones, WiFi

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BlackBerry App World 3.0 goes live – adds social sharing, looks pretty

After a short beta period, RIM has launched the new version of their software portal, BlackBerry App World. Most of the new stuff is just user interface shuffling, like new app categories, and updated search bar placement. There are a few functional updates, like sharing apps to Facebook, Twitter, and BBM, and every month there will be a new themed section to feature particular types of apps. I’m still not sure why RIM’s splitting up My Account and My World; one is supposed to handle your app library, and the other your payment options (PayPal, credit card, or otherwise), but it seems natural to provide all that information in one section with separate tabs. (Update: Just got a chance to play around a bit with the update, and it looks like one of the two has been renamed Payment Options, which should clear up some potential confusion. App World 3.0 should also be introducing subscription payments, which is awesome, though I can’t see the option My World just yet.)

Overall, there aren’t too many new functions compared to previous App World updates. For example, App World 2.0 launched carrier billing and barcode scanning, and 2.1 introduced in-app purchases. To be fair, App World is running out of new features to include – heck, you can even browse App World in your desktop browser and sideload over USB. At this point, App World just needs to work on spreading its international coverage and filling up with quality apps.

To check out the new App World, point your browser to BlackBerry.com/AppWorld.

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Tags: App World, Apps, BlackBerry, RIM

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Android is King in UK Smartphone Market

In a relentless march to the top, Android has taken over the number one spot for smartphone sales in the UK. This tops off a massive period for Android worldwide, where it’s taken over the top spot in Australia and has made massive impact on the iOS market share in the USA.

Android took a massive 47.1% of the smartphone sales in the UK for the last 3 months (period ending August 7th) compared to Androids nearest competitor Blackberry, at 21.5%, and a loss of 7.2% market share down to 19.1% for iOS. It’s fair to say that Android’s growth has made it the market leader in the UK. Like the Australian numbers in the article Lucas wrote in the middle of August, the iOS numbers are likely a little deflated due to the ever increasing rumours of the pending iPhone 5 release; only time will tell.

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Tags: Android, BlackBerry, Google, iOS, Mobile OS, Smartphones, UK

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BBM Music gets official for BlackBerry owners lusting after Spotify

Nothing warms our hearts quite like the thought of corporate suits and government workers pumping out the tunes of Iris DeMent and Amy Martin as they scurry throughout their busy days. As we’ve previously speculated, a new service for BlackBerry Messenger – dubbed BBM Music — has now become real official. For $5 per month, users may keep up to 50 songs in their personal library, which is kinda reminiscent of the wistful days filled with 128MB MP3 players. Fortunately, it gets better. A social component allows you to add BBM Music friends, which gives you access to their current 50 songs, too — and serves as a real incentive to grow your social circle. Once you get bored of your jam selection, up to 25 songs per month can be swapped out for new ones, and your current library can be stored locally on the handset. The new service begins today in closed beta for residents of the US, Canada and the UK, but more countries will be added down the road. Curious if yours made the list?

Article: RSS via Engadget Mobile

Tags: BBM Music, BlackBerry, BlackBerry Messenger, Music

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Gmail for mobile updated with pull to refresh, new transitions, more

In an attempt to spruce up the existing mobile Gmail site, Google has added a few new features for those who don’t have a dedicated app on their handset. While the updates a rather minimal, all are welcomed, as they bring the web app a step closer to that of a native application.

Google has now implemented a new way to refresh your inbox, which likely won’t look unfamiliar to iPhone and Android users. Instead of the dedicated refresh button on the corner, Big G has opted that the pull-to-refresh option was in order. The implementation is smart and alleviates the need to dedicate an icon for refreshing your mail. This option is only for all iOS devices and BlackBerry Playbook users, it seems. We can imagine Google left its own mobile OS out since Android phones already have their own, very capable, Gmail application.

The other updates for mobile Gmail aren’t nearly as interesting as the new way to refresh your mail, but we’ll take them anyway. Gmail for mobile now features higher resolution icons, as well as new screen transitions when entering or existing an email. The high-resolution icons should appear sharper for those working on a tablet device or high-resolution display on a smartphone, like the iPhone’s Retina display. While transitions may be a bit useless to some, it will just add a little more umph to the web-app, making it appear snappier and more smooth.

While there’s nothing groundbreaking about the newest updates, the new tweaks will bring Gmail for mobile closer to that of a native application, while making it a faster and smoother experience as a whole.

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Tags: BlackBerry, Gmail, Google, HTML5, iOS, Web Apps

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Facebook for BlackBerry updated on PlayBook and smartphones with bevy of new features

RIM has released new versions of their official Facebook apps for smartphones and the PlayBook tablet today, and there’s a handful of new features to enjoy. One thing RIM is pushing hard these days is BBM integration, so Facebook 2.0 for smartphones now lets you share news items with BlackBerry Messenger contacts, as well as invite new contacts when PIN numbers are detected within the app. Chat was added awhile back, but is now accessible from the messages app, just as if you were sending a text message or an e-mail. Notifications have been upgraded so you’ll get a ping in the messages app when one of your items are “liked” or there’s a new post on an event wall. Profile view now lets you dig a little deeper into details like hometown and relationship status.

Meanwhile, the PlayBook app has added events, so you can keep tabs on and participate in parties and other gatherings being organized on Facebook. Another significant addition is Places, so you can check in while you’re out on the town, as well as pull up particular locations on Bing Maps. There are a few smaller additions too, like being able to pick who you share your updates to, and see the names of who’s “Liking” what.

While this isn’t quite the announcement RIM was setting us up for yesterday, these are some nice functional additions. In fact, the Facebook apps for RIM’s devices are getting so good that I’m having a hard time picking out features that I really want to see. The last major complaint was not being able to delete my own wall posts, but that was fixed in the last update. Is there anything bugging you guys about the official apps currently available?  I’m not seeing the updated version of Facebook in the PlayBook’s App World just yet, but you can get the latest smartphone build over here. Check out these demo videos below for a quick tour of all the new features.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMFoNbifjZY

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08deyDGzaLY

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Tags: Apps, BlackBerry, Facebook, PlayBook, RIM, Smartphones, Tablet PC's, Video

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Did you know Windows tablets outpaced BlackBerry PlayBook shipments this quarter?

Here’s a shocker. According to a report by Strategy Analytics, Microsoft shipped more Windows-powered tablets in the second quarter than RIM did with its BlackBerry PlayBook. This resulted in Microsoft tablets commanding 4.6 percent of the market while RIM secured just 3.3 percent.

Neither RIM nor Microsoft can compete with the likes of Google or Apple — at least not for now. Android tablets

accounted for 30.1 percent while Apple iPads held the pole position with 61.3 percent. Though small in comparison,

Microsoft’s 4.6 percent still means it’s third in worldwide tablet market share. With Windows 8 tablets coming soon, growth is all but certain.

Last week rumors began to circulate suggesting RIM was discontinuing its Wi-Fi model of the BlackBerry PlayBook. As we now know, these rumors were untrue and the Canadian-based company is very much continuing in its pursuit of tablet success. Though production continues, how will RIM be able to compete once Microsoft unifies its desktop, tablet and smartphone platform?

Personally, I think Microsoft’s plan to unify the OS across all its products will be devastating. One could argue that Apple was the first to employ such strategy, but semantics will matter little when it comes to device sales. Windows Phone is a solid operating system and bringing this power to the tablet form factor is a compelling proposition. Without a doubt, RIM has its work cut out for itself.

Will RIM or Microsoft be the first to challenge Google in tablet market share?

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Tags: BlackBerry, Microsoft, PlayBook, Tablet PC's, Windows 8

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Twitter for BlackBerry beta includes local trending topics, dedicated profile access

The official Twitter for BlackBerry client just got updated in the Beta Zone with some new stuff for social networking enthusiasts.The top navigation bar in the app now includes a dedicated button for local trending topics, which was until now folded into the Search section (and even then it wasn’t geo-located). There’s also a button to access your profile from the navbar, which RIM hints will also be where we see multiple account support implemented eventually. Aside from that, there are a few UI, performance and colour scheme tweaks.

The official Twitter for BlackBerry client does everything you expect it to: from basic stuff like cruising the feed, following interesting people, and responding to direct messages, to more advanced functions like geotagging tweets, uploading pictures, viewing and editing lists, and integrating with the native address book app. RIM is well-known for push, and their Twitter app is no exception; as soon as you get an @ mention or direct message, it shows up immediately in your Messages without having to launch or refresh the app.

If you’re already a BlackBerry Beta Zone Member, go ahead and log in to see if you’re eligible. If you’d rather not be a lab rat, you can get the latest stable version from App World.

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Tags: Apps, Beta, Beta Zone, BlackBerry, RIM, Social Networks, Twitter

Posted in Apps, BlackBerry, Twitter | 1 Comment »

Seesmic abandons support for the BlackBerry operating system

Poor RIM. After reporting financial losses and poor sales for its recent quarterly report, product delays, upset shareholders and consumers; the company hasn’t exactly been having a ball of a time lately. Now, it looks like even developers are beginning to turn their backs on RIM’s BlackBerry operating system. Seesmic, one of the most popular third party Twitter client developers has officially announced that it will no longer be supporting BlackBerry, effective June 30^th. The company will be focusing its efforts on improving the Android, iOS, Windows Phone 7, desktop and web versions of the app instead.

Things definitely look bleak for the company, and even the developers know it – you can be that Seesmic won’t be the last company to abandon the operating system. And less apps on the platform will eventually lead to less customers, which in turn leads to less revenue for RIM, and you get the whole picture. It’s a downward spiral for the Canadian company who were once considered on top of the game. What do you think RIM could do in order to convince developers to stay and develop for its OS?

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Tags: Apps, BlackBerry, RIM, Seesmic

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O2 UK Will Not Be Bringing In The Blackberry Playbook

Those living in the UK and who are on the O2 network will be disappointed to know that the carrier will not be bringing in the Blackberry Playbook and that they ”will not be selling the device.” To quote their reasoning behind this move, ”unfortunately there are some issues with the end to end customer experience.” There was no specific reasoning behind this other than what was said above but we’re guessing that the lack of native apps found (or not found) in the Blackberry Playbook may be one of the reasons.

RIM has been known for their Blackberry devices which came with certain native applications that made it so popular, namely email, calenders and contacts and of course how could we forget, BBM. Surprisingly the Blackberry Playbook did not come with these and instead users of the Playbook had to rely on the Blackberry Bridge app which basically required the user to own a Blackberry device, which would then “mirror” email, calenders and contacts on the Playbook.

If you’ve read our review of the Blackberry Playbook, you will know that apart from the lack of native apps, the device is otherwise a pretty solid piece of hardware and performs beautifully. We’re hoping that in the future, updates to the Playbook will bring about native apps and features that made RIM so famous to begin with. Until then it looks like O2 users in the UK will not be able to get their hands on the device.

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Tags: BlackBerry, O2, PlayBook, RIM, Tablet PC's, UK

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