Hello BBOS members and guests, it's time for our Weekly Recap for 1/8 - 1/14, 2012. The links below are the "in a nutshell" of what happened in everything BlackBerry last week. Leave us a comment on what you thought was the most memorable moment of the BlackBerry Weekly Recap!

• Discuss the Weekly Recap with us in the forums

NOTICE: We are also currently looking for outgoing BB enthusiast to join the BBOS team - Click here for more information on how to join.


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• BlackBerryOS.com Weekly Recap 1/1 - 1/7
• O2 Announces BlackBerry Curve 9380 Availability In Ireland
• Verizon Confirms Global Ready Curve 9370 Launching In-Store On Jan 19th
• BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 At CES Preview
• RIM Announces BlackBerry 7.1 OS And Features
• Bold 9930 & Torch 9850 OS 7.1 Updates Coming To Verizon On Jan 10th
• RIM Smartphones Certified By Visa For Use As Mobile Payment
• Video: BBM Hero Band - Sunday At Twelve
• Verizon Now Pushing Official OS 7.1.0.163 Update To Bold 9930 & Torch 9850 Users
• CES 2012: Take Control With BlackBerry Bridge On PlayBook OS 2.0
• Video: Insider Perspective On OS 7.1 For BlackBerry Smartphones
• CES 2012: BlackBerry PlayBook Tablet OS 2.0 Video Walkthrough
• CES 2012: Eric Wood From Electronic Arts Talks Gaming On The BlackBerry PlayBook
• CES 2012: A Look At The Porsche 911 Convertible Loaded With BlackBerry & QNX Technology
• What Happened In Vegas: BlackBerry At CES 2012
• RIM Looking To Regain Momentum At CES 2012
• BlackBerry 10 Device Types Revealed
• Video: BlackBerry Tag Unleashes NFC Technology In Your Smartphone
• Rumor: T-Mobile Blackberry 9810 Reached End Of Life?
• Beats By Dre Headphones Dumps Monster Inc Over Spat
• New Vulnerability Found On PlayBook OS 1.0 Bridge
• Official: OS 7.1.0.163 For BlackBerry Bold 9930 Via Verizon
• Official: OS 7.1.0.163 For BlackBerry Torch 9850 Via Verizon
• Official: OS 7.0.0.594 For BlackBerry Curve 9360 Via KPN
• Official: OS 7.0.0.557 For BlackBerry Curve 9380 Via Indosat
• Official: OS 7.0.0.592 For BlackBerry Bold 9790 Via StarHub LTD
• Official: OS 7.0.0.585 For BlackBerry Bold 9900 Via Telus Mobility
• Leaked: OS 7.1.0190 For BlackBerry Torch 9860
• Leaked: OS 7.1.0.190 For BlackBerry Torch 9810
• Leaked: OS 7.1.0.190 For BlackBerry Curve 9360

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• P'9981 Theme Now Available For Most BlackBerry Devices
  
• BlackBerry Travel v2.0.16.99 Available In App World
  
• BBM 6.1.0.49 Now Available In App World
  
• Cut The Rope Now Available For PlayBook
  
• Fun With FCEUXpb, Play NES Games On Your PlayBook
  
• Foursquare For BlackBerry Updated To v3.5.1
  
• Waze v2.0.2.3 For BlackBerry Smartphones
  
• UberSocial Updated To v1.304
  
• Poynt Updated To v1.8.5 - BlackBerry 7 Device Support & More
  
• BeBuzz Updated To Version 5.0.24
  
• YouVersion Bible App Updated To Version 3.7, Adds New Bookmark Features

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• Win $50 In Cab Rides With The Pound Taxi App
  
• Win A Case-Mate Voucher Of $60 For FREE Via S4BB New Year's Sweepstakes!
  
• Giveaway: 5 Copies Of Email++ Winners Announced!

• More Information on Beats By Dr. Dre
• Discuss Beats By Dr. Dre's Split in our forums

Source

[Mobile? Click Here for Video]

Security researchers at this years Infiltrate security conference have discovered a new vulnerability that has potential to allow malicious applications to access personal information. Zach Lanier & Ben Nell both of the Intrepidous Group are responsible for finding the vulnerability.

This particular vulnerability relates to the PlayBooks native applications. When a native application for the PlayBook is created the developer has access to a unique file called the .ALL file. This file on the QNK based system allows them access to shared data or files. In short, there is a flaw which allows native developers access to files they should not have access to.

The .ALL file when used security researchers allowed them to access a PlayBook owners bookmarks, Wi-Fi access points, BBM username and info, desktop manager token, and the BlackBerry Bridge token. This token is pretty much the key that connects the BlackBerry device to the PlayBook. The Bluetooth connection between the PlayBook and phone is secure, but the problem is that this token can be used by a native developer to query the bridge for data they should not have access to.

RIM has spoken out about this vulnerability in the following official statement:

So there you have it. It looks as though RIM will not be fixing this, as they state that OS 2.0 has resolved the issue. It seems as though the PlayBook and its QNX based OS is getting its fair share of security testing.

A new year means new things, and many of those new things will be electronics. The Consumer Electronics Show or CES, starts off the new year with a display of the years hottest gadgets it is also a place were tech giants can show off their latest projects. Like the other tech giants, the BlackBerry maker RIM is also there to make Bold statement.

This year it seems as though RIM has taken their marketing to the next level. Attendees reported that they were promptly greeted by a team of Blackberry ambassadors eagerly awaiting to connect with BlackBerry owners. RIM even took it a step further and offered limo rides and fresh batteries to those that requested it via BBM. All this to really say thanks for sticking with BlackBerry.

This week RIM has been showing off the much anticipated PlayBook OS 2.0. Its not all about glitz and glam here, it's about much needed functionality and productivity that was missing in the PlayBooks initial release. RIM also released a video walk-through of PlayBook OS 2.0 and another video showing off some nice remote features. It may be the right move at the right time as many say that OS 2.0 will make or break the longevity of the PlayBook. In addition, RIM formally announced OS 7.1 and many have found it to be a breath of fresh air on their new OS 7 devices. Mobile Hotspot and WiFi calling are just two of the new features of OS 7.1.

Last year at CES we saw that RIM's only focus was on the BlackBerry PlayBook. This year its full speed ahead for the company. The PlayBook's OS 2.0 will be the start of something fresh this year followed by the release of BlackBerry 10 devices later in the year. RIM is off to a good start this year.

• Discuss Your Thoughts On T-Mobile BlackBerry Torch 9810 EOL in our Forums

Official OS 7.0.0.585 from Telus Mobility has reached the BlackBerry Bold 9900 today. If you have a Bold 9900, get out that USB cord and give your a device a fresh OS. Be sure to let us know how it works for you!

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

• Download Official OS 7.0.0.585 for BlackBerry Bold 9900 from Telus Mobility
• How to Upgrade your BlackBerry's Operating System (pictures and video)
• Discuss Findings/Fixes in our Forums

[Mobile? Click Here for Video]

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.

It feels like I've had to a million battery pulls these past couple of days due to the amount of apps that are getting updated. I mean I'm not complaining, but I just can't wait till BlackBerry 10 devices (hopefully!) don't require battery pulls after the upgrade. Regardless, we now have another update to our BlackBerry app eco-system. The ever popular Foursquare app has a few bug fixes and enhancements in this new version so be sure to get it while it's hot.

And the cool features just keep on rolling in at CES 2012. The above video posted by Inside BlackBerry's official blog shows off how the new Bridge app that's coming in February will allow us to do a few awesome things on our PlayBooks. February is going to be an awesome month for BlackBerry users everywhere. If you haven't gotten a PlayBook yet, maybe this will convince you to do so.

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.