source

Earlier OS 7.1.0.163 for the Torch 9850 was released. Now its time for its friend the Bold 9930 to get a fresh OS upgrade. Sprint is leading the way with OS 7.1, it will be interesting to see what other service providers follow. So if you have a Bold 9930 get out that USB cord and give it a fresh new OS. As always be sure to let us know your findings and fixes.

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

Research In Motion is apparently feeling very generous with its BBM Music users this holiday season. RIM is extending the BBM Music trial to anyone that has downloaded the app between December 16th, 2011 to January 4th, 2012 to 4 months. Also, RIM has let us know they will be extending current users to an extra four months as well. For some, this will make it an extended trial of 6 total months total.

Unfortunately, there will definitely be some unhappy users that have already upgraded to a premium account not knowing RIM would be offering this extended trial. How this offer will affect them is not really clear but odds are they will be on the outside looking in.

It seems as though RIM is pleased with App Worlds speed and performance adjustements that they made in the beta release just a few days ago. BlackBerry App World version 3.1.0.56 is now showing up as an official release. The biggest changes in the last beta release were to speed and performance. This was a breath of fresh air as we were so used to a slow, lagging App World.

If you're not seeing the update be patient it will come. In the meantime keep checking the official page here.

Source

It is pretty clear that 2011 hasn't been the most stellar year for RIM this year. From falling stock, to a bumpy PlayBook launch it would seem as though everything has gone wrong for the BlackBerry maker. Even the launch of its new OS 7 devices seem to have mixed reviews. It's all about the good, the bad, and the ugly for RIM these days.

So called analysts from all over think they have RIM's future all planned out, but history has shown few actually get it right. According to Wall Street RIM's story will only get worse, as shares slipped to a seven-year low at $15. In addition, RIM told us earlier that the PlayBook sales were poor, and that they were actually taking a loss. All of this has left some divided within the BlackBerry community, and many have jumped on the RIM failure bandwagon. Regardless of which side your on, looking at the raw facts clearly tell us that there are issues.

One of the areas where RIM has struggled with has been the ability to adjust to structural market shifts. This is not easy thing to do as we have seen the disaster of company's like Palm, and Motorola. Rod Hall of J.P Morgan states that “Only excellent execution on new BB 10 devices has the potential to drive better numbers in our view, “However, we need to see evidence in order to feel more constructive.” I agree, the key to RIM having a better year next year greatly depends on the launch of BlackBerry 10. If RIM launches BlackBerry 10 to late in the year it could face strong competition from Apples iphone 5 and all the new Android devices that are bound to launch next year. RIM should not be in a place where another device is trumping its glory.

Strategic planning, and strong device launches I believe, are a must for RIM in order to have a good year in 2012. Later today RIM will report results for its fiscal third quarter.

[Mobile? Click Here for Video]

The Indonesian telecommunication regulation body (BRTI) has threatened to block BlackBerry data services in Indonesia. The block is a response to the heavy traffic that the country's service providers have experienced and RIM's inability to provide adequate data centers to lighten the load. The service block would include BBM and BIS (BlackBerry Internet Service), essentially forcing the BlackBerry device to operate as a generic cell phone. BRTI member Heru Sutadi told The Jakarta Post on Friday that, “Because RIM has not been cooperative, it is possible that we will soon end BIS (BlackBerry Internet Service) and BBM service. BlackBerry therefore, would just be like other cellular phones,”.

Foursquare for BlackBerry has received a small bump to v3.4.2 this evening. The change log shows that what's new is "a quick fix to the post check-in screen. Allowing proper support for 3rd party specials by displaying the special source and branding.” Be patient as this update is slowly starting to roll out to everyone's App World. Not even Foursquare's official site is showing v3.4.2 as available for it is still fresh out of the oven.

• More Information On BlackBerry Mobile Conferencing App
• Download BlackBerry Mobile Conferencing App v2.0 via App World
• Discuss Findings/Fixes in our Forums