On the heels of BlackBerry App World getting a makeover, the Mac is now fully supported to use the interface. This means you Mac users will now be able to download and install apps directly to your device from your Mac computer. Who else thinks this was long overdue?

• Head over to BlackBerry App World now
• Discuss App World on the Mac in the forum

RIM announced today the availability of the BlackBerry WebWorks SDK v 2.1 for BlackBerry Smartphones. This update comes shortly after the introduction of the BlackBerry WebWorks SDK v 2.1 for Tablet OS and brings similar functionality and APIs to the BlackBerry Smartphone OS.

The new capabilities that WebWorks developers can now leverage include NTML & BASIC Authentication support, Camera API, Top Banner Indicator API, Enhanced Push APIs and improved rendering speeds for some applications. The APIs enable web developers to deeply integrate with the BlackBerry Smartphone OS and thereby build feature rich apps that offer more immersive and interactive end user experiences. Other benefits developers can derive from the new application functionality and APIs are better app monetization, diversified development approaches, support for standardized security and better integration with the widely popular BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) Social Platform.

If you are a developer head to the BBOS forum and let us know about what you think about this new developer content.

• Developers can learn more about the new APIs here
• Download the latest WebWorks SDK for BlackBerry Smartphones

RIM is extending the BlackBerry DevCon Americas early bird registration to hopefully build up the event. If you haven't registered yet, get in before the early bird deadline expires and save yourself some cash. Here is the full update from RIM:

• Register for the Event here
• Discuss Devcon Americas in the Forum

Recent numbers put out by comScore shows that RIM continues a steady slow decline this year in the US Smartphone Market share. RIM has suffered a 1% drop from 25.7% to 24.7% since the last report given by comScore ending in April 2011. It will be interesting to see how the numbers change when Verizon starts to sell three of the upcoming BlackBerry Smartphones in their stores later this year. Let's hope RIM can climb back up on top with this rekindled Verizon partnership.

• Discuss the comScore report with us in the Forum
  

Google has just updated their search experience for BlackBerry devices running on OS 6. They have added a number of enhanced search features integrated throughout the homepage and search result pages, making searching faster and easier on google, especially on touch-enabled BlackBerry devices. These features and more are available on most RIM OS 6.0+ devices with WebKit browsers like the BlackBerry Torch and BlackBerry Bold 9780, and can be accessed in 20 languages across 70 countries:

• Enter searches faster: Save time by using autocomplete and search history queries that appear beneath the search box as you type.
• Web search: Find what you're searching for fast. Comprehensive results pages let you see relevant websites, images, videos, news, real-time results and more. Simply click on the arrow button ‘>>’ to the left of the top search box for more refinement options.
• Image search: Swipe through image results quickly and easily on touch enabled devices. Start by selecting ‘Images’ at the top of google.com, then enter a search. From there, click on any image to view a larger size.
• Local search: Find restaurants, shops and other popular business categories with a single tap. Start by selecting ‘Places’ at the top of google.com, then click on an icon from the Places homepage.

To try out the new features, go to www.google.com from your mobile browser.

• Discuss this with us in the BBOS Forum

Google is stirring up quite a "Buzz" once again with their new Google social network, Google+. With this new network comes the mobile apps. And if Google wants to make it as a Facebook competitor, they will need to have a great mobile system in place. Good news for Google, is they have just that. The Google+ app is already available for the Android OS, and is coming soon to iPhone, iPad, iPod with iOS 4+. BlackBerry will see Google+ mobile, but in the form of a basic web app, which I'm assuming won't be much different from the Android app as the video above demonstrates. It will require a OS 6+ BlackBerry device to be able to use the web app as stated in the details of Google's website. See the picture below of what the menu of the web page currently looks like when you access the basic Google+ mobile site...


How about everyone? Will you leave your Facebook cave to jump on the Google+ bandwagon? I for one, am very interested in the new features and how the hangout video chat groups will work out. As of now, you can only use Google+ by invitation only. See the links below for more info and how to receive an invite. Head to the BBOS Forum and leave us your thoughts on Google's new endeavor.

• Apply here for a Google+ invite
• Access the basic Google+ mobile site
• Get more details on Google+ for mobile