News and Rumors

The faithful day that you've been waiting for is upon us. Mere days after BBM 6.0 was announced at Mobile World Congress 2011, we are now seeing the first leak of it online.


Warning #1: Please remember that this IS NOT an official release of BBM. If you wish to install this version keep in mind that this may cause your phone to not function correctly. BlackberryOS and any other BlackberryOS Official sites are not responsible.

Warning #2: Your old version (5.0) of BBM must be unistalled before installing this newer version. This is only compatible with OS 6 devices.

Hockey fans rejoice! Polar Mobile has updated the Maple Leafs Mobile App for OS6/Bold 9780 support. No changelog, but I do see Push Updates as an available option within the app.

SocialScope is apparently giving away free invites today to anyone who signs up. It is quite coincidental that they choose to do this on the same day that UberTwitter gets suspended. What do you think?

Although some of you might be slightly disappointed that it's not BBM 6.0, BlackBerry Beta Zone members can now download the newest version of BlackBerry Messenger 5.0.2.11!

The updates/fixes include:
**Update 02.18.11: It's now been re-added to Beta Zone**

If you are a BlackBerry Beta Zone member who has been testing BlackBerry News Feeds, you'll be glad to know that an update is available today. Although only available in Canada & USA, Version 1.0.1.2 brings a few key product updates, including:

When Research In Motion said they'd be introducing Super Apps this year at Mobile World Congress, they weren't kidding. Let me present to you BlackBerry Travel. This application automatically searches your emails & LinkedIn profile for any upcoming trips that you have. It will help you book (within the app) flights, hotels, etc.


It's seem to currently only be compatible with US, Canada & UK but there is reports of the application being compatible in Spain.

FourSquare for BlackBerry received an update today, allowing for photos. This feature has been available on the iPhone version for quite some time. It seems the comments feature has yet to added, but hopefully that will be resolved soon!

The battle heats up and more comes forward in the case between Kik and RIM. Kik fired back in a defense statement to RIM that the creator of Kik, whom also is an ex-employee to RIM, had no access to sensitive information that may have aided Kik in creating their cross-platform instant messaging client in 2009. In the suit RIM alleges Kik has made a breach of confidentiality, trademark infringement, and patent infringement. See Kik’s full Statement of Defense and Counterclaim (available here, 7MB PDF).

• Any thoughts on who is in the right or wrong here? RIM or Kik?
  

RIM announces in a official press release today, that Electronic Arts is going to be porting their games, Need for Speed, and Tetris, to the BlackBerry PlayBook at launch. Research In Motion and Electronic Arts Inc. made the announcement today, ahead of this year’s Mobile World Congress, (February 14 to February 17, 2011, in Barcelona, Spain) where the companies will demonstrate Need for Speed Undercover and Tetris running on the highly anticipated BlackBerry PlayBook and showcasing the tablet’s next generation high definition 3D capabilities. RIM goes on to say:

This doesn't really come as a surprise as the PlayBook has been boasting impressive specs and has gained momentum since the recent DEVCON Asia event. I'm sure RIM has also cut a deal with EA as this is a co-announcement to prop up the PlayBook for users who appeal to mobile games and apps.

Will this change your positition on getting the PlayBook now that we know EA will be on the forefront of PlayBook gaming?

• See the full press release and discuss in the BlackBerryOS Forums

As of today we already heard rumors that the BlackBerry PlayBook 4G may be carried by Verizon. Now, from the image above, reports that we will see the PlayBook WiFi 16GB model sold at Office Depot for $499. How did RIM arrive at that price? Well, it is very much in tune with what Apple's iPad starts in at for the iPad 16GB WiFi model. Looks like RIM is coming right in with Apple in market pricing of tablets - unlike Motorola who just announced the XOOM tablet which comes in at a wallet busting $799!

• Are you willing to spend $499 for a PlayBook Tablet? Let us know in the Forums

We knew this was bound to happen - according to an article on ReadWriteWeb, smartphones outsold personal computers in the fourth quarter of 2010, marking the first time such an event has occurred. Data crunched by the analytic company IDC indicates that smartphone OEMs sold 100.9 million units worldwide, which is an 87.2% jump. While PC OEMs sold 92.1 million units worldwide, for only a 5.5% increase.

The report also lists the top five smartphone vendors of 2010 as: Nokia, Research In Motion (BlackBerry), Apple, Samsung, and HTC. No surprise that RIM was holding second on the list and continues to show great numbers, even with all of the outside skepticism that RIM has been falling in the market as a Smartphone leader.

• How many of you bought a shiny new Smartphone instead of that new computer?