Earlier today we reported about a rumor that Samsung was interested in purchasing RIM. We can now put that one to bed as Samsung spokesman James Chung stated that: "We haven't considered acquiring the firm and are not interested in (buying RIM),". It can't get any clearer than that.

Once again, we see false and misleading information from tech blog website BGR. This isn't the first time the self proclaimed "Biggest Letter In Tech" has led the BlackBerry blogging community on a wild goose chase. We have seen this before and even wrote in detail about this biased and mostly inaccurate site. We at BBOS take pride in trying to post the most accurate and up to date information we can.

Although this rumor has been squashed, an acquisition of RIM still cannot be ruled out. Who that may be is still uncertain, and at this point selling the company is till just speculation. What we do know is that RIM is committed to the BlackBerry and that it has been a great year so far.

I have always wondered how come RIM doesn't have us test out more OSes through the Beta Zone. It's probably because that's what carrier testing is for but some reason, every once in a while a T-Mobile USA OS shows up in the Beta Zone. We've seen this as far back as the Curve 8900 and as a recent as the Bold 9900. This time though T-Mobile USA is launching a whole In-Market Beta Program for the new 7.1 OS through the Beta Zone. If you are a T-Mobile subscriber and are rocking an OS 7 device, head on over to the Beta Zone and sign up! Then come back here and share with us what you thought of the upgrade.

It seems as though this year will be packed full of interesting news. Rumors about RIM's acquisition have been circulating for quite some time. We learned late last year that Microsoft, Amazon, and Nokia all mulled over bids on RIM. It is no secret to anyone that RIM had a difficult time last year meeting its financial goals, as well as missed market opportunities.

New information has surfaced that suggests that mobile giant Samsung is also interested in RIM. This new report states that a full sale price of RIM would be somewhere within the $12 to $15 Billion dollar range. These prices would actually be selling RIM's shares at a higher price than they are currently worth.

Does any of this even make any sense? It just might. We have heard from every expert analyst about what RIM should do with its future and have even heard that RIM should abandon the BlackBerry all together and focus entirely on enterprise software solutions. The fact is, RIM will make its own decision based on whats best for the company, but pressure from investors and unhappy consumers definitively have an effect on the decision making.

The problem is that if this does happen, BlackBerry as we know it will change in some way whether its good or bad. In addition to this we also heard that RIM would be releasing devices at a slow pace and even later than expected. This certainly does help. What do you think RIM should do? How do you think a sale would affect BlackBerry users?

Official OS 7.0.0.579 from Brightpoint has reached the BlackBerry Porsche Design P’9981 today. If you are lucky enough to have a Porsche Design P’9981 in your hands, 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 7.0.0.579 for BlackBerry Porsche Design P’9981 From Brightpoint
• How to Upgrade your BlackBerry's Operating System (pictures and video)
• Discuss Findings/Fixes in our Forums

UPDATE: dingleberry 3.0.2 has been released to address some issues with hulu

The popular PlayBook rooting application Dinglberry has been updated to version 3.0. This is update is packed full of goodies from the team lead by Dingleberry creator Chris Wade AKA @cmwdotme. Dingleberry has come a long way since its arrival last year, and has opened the doors up for many creative minds. Thanks to Dinglberry we can now do things like have access to the Full Android Market, and USB storage devices to our PlayBooks. Dingleberry 3.0 now allows for downgrading as well as the much anticipated ability to view hulu.

BlackBerry App World has been updated to version 3.1.0.60. Nothing too special in this version, but RIM did fix a bug that some users were having when reinstalling applications. If you are not seeing the update right away you can try to refresh your App World cache by holding down the Alt key and then press RST.

RIM is starting off the year with some nice giveaways. For the next 10 days RIM will be randomly giving away some nice BlackBerry gear. All of this part of their JanuBerry contest. So how do you win? Well, the short and sweet version is as follows:

Here are some of the prizes that will be offered:

• 3 BlackBerry Bold 9900s
• 3 BlackBerry Bold 9900/9930 cases
• 15 case of our choice codes
• 3 BlackBerry Torch 9850s
• 20 BBMing Gloves
• 4 BlackBerry PlayBooks
• 5 BlackBerry Beanies

Unfortunately, this contest is only open to US and Canada residents. If you play your cards right you may be able to get a nice set of stylish cold weather gear from RIM.

• Discuss this in the forum

The BlackBerry maker RIM, has once again clashed with local authorities over data sharing. The superior security features that help set RIM apart from the rest of the smart phone industry have proved to be too secure for the local governments of some countries.

This time the Pakistan government is requesting that RIM share communication details between former envoy Husain Haqqani and Mansoor Ijaz. Haqqani was forced to resign after Ijaz made public the alleged memo that sought US help to take out a feared military stronghold in Pakistan after the killing of Osama bin Laden last year.

RIM informed the Pakistan government that under its privacy policy, BlackBerry data could only be released only if a request was made by parties involved in the communications. RIM told the Pakistan government that it would not provide data to any third parties. RIM is notorious for its clashes with local government as its been in this situation a few times before. Holding on to security and end user privacy is something that RIM has taken pride in.

source

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.