Official OS 7.1.0.163 has been released for the Torch 9850 from Verizon. If you have a Torch 9850 its time once again to get out that USB cord and give your device a fresh OS. And as always, please remember to let us know about any findings/fixes.

Note: The Software Platform and Applications version numbers can be found under Options-About screen on the handheld.

• Download Official OS 7.1.0.163 for Torch 9850 from Verizon
• How to upgrade your device (pictures and video)
• Discuss any findings/fixes in the forums

We reported that Verizon would soon be releasing OS 7.1.0.163 to subscribers. Today that day has come, as many Bold 9930 and Torch 9850 users, including myself, have already gotten our notifications to update our devices via OTA. Remember, if you don't want to wait for the release, you can always download the Sprint version of 7.1 in our site Downloads Center. It's the same version 7.1.0.163 Verizon is releasing today. Just don't forget to delete the vendor xml file before installing on your Verizon smartphone. Also, a note to Verizon subscribers: you will have to pay a $20/month fee if you want to use the mobile hotspot feature, and NFC capability has not yet been enabled either by Verizon. I would highly recommend you call your local Verizon support and make a complaint about the $20/month mobile hotspot surcharge.

CES 2012 is in full effect in Las Vegas and BlackBerry is making their presence felt. With the big announcements yesterday of BlackBerry 7.1, and BBM 6.1; the preview of the BlackBerry PlayBook Tablet OS 2.0 was the next thing on the agenda for BlackBerry. Today Inside BlackBerry has posted a new video highlighting these great features.

The messages app has a great look and seems pretty easy to use. It brings something new and fresh while at the same time having the BlackBerry email reliability that we're all use to. The fact that it's integrated with social media just makes it that much cooler. Same can be said for the calendar and contacts apps as well. The tight integration between apps is something we've seen more and more in our BlackBerry smartphones but that has been missing from our PlayBooks. This is apparently being addressed in 2.0.

I've been called a BlackBerry fanboy because I get excited about the smallest little new features that others may not think are so great, but honestly this is pretty awesome. Yes, these are features that should've been implemented on the PlayBook since the beginning but can we please let that go and focus on what is here now?

Now it's RIM's time to make sure this OS gets polished and shipped out in time to inject a little credibility in the time frame they've put out for their future devices and products. Keep the momentum going RIM.

The most recent news that the BlackBerry community has gotten wind of was that Research in Motion has plans to show off the new BlackBerry 10 operating system at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain from February 27th through March 1st.

A spokesperson at RIM has stated:

"2012 will be the year of BlackBerry 10 so we'll be showcasing the capabilities of our future operating system as well demonstrating the power of BlackBerry 7, with a particular focus on NFC and BBM connected apps. Research in Motion will be there in force."

While this doesn't necessarily mean that the actual phones will be set up to be played with, having official details on how the new OS will work is a definite plus. That may hold off the riots for a little while longer. On top of the reveal of BB10, BB7 seems to be another popular aspect of RIM's revival plan. I'm curious about the new operating system, sure, but those phones could be a long way out. I'm more excited to see how much more I can get out of my BlackBerry Bold 9900. Research in Motion says this is "The year of BlackBerry 10", but the year is young, and we've got a long way to go. Hopefully their determination stays strong and continues for a long time down the road.