News and Rumors

When your IM application is one of the cornerstones of your mobile device, do you release an update without announcing it to the whole world? RIM has started releasing videos promoting BBM 6 & it's integration with other applications.

At last count, I had 6 applications connected to my BBM & I'm sure we'll see many more released in the upcoming weeks.

What's been your experience with BBM 6 & BBM Integration?

Are you dying to know when that shiny new BlackBerry with OS7 will launch on Verizon?

Well, today on twitter, excitement was created when @liquidcyber tweeted the details of Verzion’s upcoming inventory and it read’s as follows:

If these dates are true, we are less than two weeks away from the Bold Touch being released on Big Red!

If you want a clear indication that a device is launching in the near future, the right of passage through FCC is typically a strong signal of a pending release date.


The three models (RDH71CW/RDP71UW/RDQ71UW) hints to a CDMA (Sprint & Verizon) variant & two GSM (T-Mobile & AT&T) variants of the device, so we're sure to see a global presence of this full touchscreen device. There is no mention of NFC in the documents, so it's possible that NFC will be reserved for the higher end devices (Bold & Torch 2).

Is this yet another sign that BBM6 is coming soon? In just a few days numours applications have releases new updates with BBM integration. Now Navita Translator launches its update to v2.6.2.1, also with BBM Integration.

• Check out Navita Translator on App World
• Let us know what you think of this new update

If you have been paying attention to all the new device announcements, you should know about that the new BlackBerry Torch 2 9810 will be carrying BlackBerry7 OS. It will be carrying this OS all the way to Canada and will land in Rogers lap. Yes! Thats right, Rogers will be carrying the new BlackBerry7 9810 Torch 2.

This is great news for all our Canadian users.

• Will you be buying the new BlackBerry Torch 2 9810?

For those of you that know me well, you know that I am a BBM nut. BBM is one of the main reasons why I continue to stay with BlackBerry. It is one of those amazing super app, that only gets better and better. I personally have had the opportunity to use BBM6 from the beta zone, and it is a solid app.

It is amazing, however it has had some bugs. These bugs have been getting fixed version by version and RIM has said they are close to an official release. It looks like BBM6 will be released to App World within the next 24 hrs, however we do not know what version. We have heard unconfirmed reports about which version is going to release. The version is either going to be v6.0.0.111, which would be a shame, or v6.0.0.125. I, as well as some other BBOS staff, are hoping that the official version is NOT 111. 111 is currently the newest version in the BlackBerry Beta Zone and has a few known bugs that need fixing.

Why would RIM release this version to the public? Those who are reporting that 111 is the new release must be wrong. We are not sure if it will be 125 or some other version.

As soon as we get more information and screenshots we will update you with more information.

Update: We now have confirmation that the update is NOT .111, we will let you know more when we find out.

• Check out the latest info and chat about BBM6 with BBOS Users.

When you start seeing phones with carrier branding, you know that a release date is imminent. Our friends at N4BB have leaked an image of the BlackBerry Torch 9850 with Sprint carrier branding. We've now seen all carriers (minus T-Mobile) with a 9850/9860 device.

Could these devices be released as soon as August?

If you needed more confirmation that the BlackBerry Torch 9860 was coming to AT&T, this photo will help you to feel at ease. No word yet on a release date, but to see it with some carrier branding makes me certain that it's release is near on the horizon.

If you look closely, you'll see the network indicator is H+ (instead of 3G). Some may say this means HSPA+ compatibility, while others may think it's a fake due to this discrepancy.

There was a time when RIM owned the smartphone industry with its revolutionary push email-equipped BlackBerry Devices. They were the King of the empire and there were many Prince's that were trying to remove RIM's crown. Most failed, yet two succeeded in get their own crowns. Today, the 3 Kings of the Smartphone world are RIM, Apple and Google (Android). RIM is barley hanging on. Android and iPhone devices have carved out a big chunk of the smartphone market, largely at RIM’s expense. So RIM makes some ut backs and pushes on!

Is RIM in a ‘death spiral’ or just being smart?

Josh Rubin, staff reporter for Toronto Star wrote up this great report:

• What do you think? Is RIM in a ‘death spiral’ or just being playing it smart? Will they recover and hold their ground?
• Read this users full report and see what our users have to say, in the forums.

Everyone has seen all the news about the Bold 9900, and the recent launch of Facebook 2.0 for BlackBerry. Well, here is the best of both worlds slammed together. Here is a complete walk-through of the top 5 features of Facebook 2.0 on the BlackBerry Bold 9900.

Check out Facebook, and see how smooth the 9900 operates. I dont know what gets me more excited, Facebook 2.0 or Bold 9900. I already have Facebook, all I need is a 9900!

• Will you be buying a BlackBerry Bold 9900? Sound off in the Forums!

Today Shape Services was kind enough to email letting us know about their newest update. IM+ Pro has now been updated to version 9.0, for most devices. The update was a large one. The last time IM+ Pro was updated was 8.7.6, and now it is up to 9. Large number jumps mean large changes.

At this moment in time I do not have a full feature list or update list, however I have taken screenshots of the IM+ Pro v9.0 application from my BlackBerry 9800 Torch.

Update: We now have a change log

• Purchase IM+ Pro from the BlackBerryOS Store
• Head to the Forums to see Screenshots of IM+ Pro

With the release of several OS7 devices merely weeks away, developers are starting to make their applications compatible with these soon to be released device. When looking at the "Compatible Devices" for Easy Smiley Pack for BBM, we can see the new 93xx,98xx & 99xx series devices.

Will we see OS7 devices sooner than we anticipated?

We've seen another video of the BlackBerry Torch 9860 online today. This video shows the virtual keyboard in action. It seems to be a very responsive device interface for the keyboard.

Will this be your new device of choice?

Today Shape Services was kind enough to email letting us know about their newest update. IM+ Pro has now been updated to version 9.0, for most devices. The update was a large one. The last time IM+ Pro was updated was 8.7.6, and now it is up to 9. Large number jumps mean large changes.

Update: We now have a change log, click below to see.

• Purchase IM+ Pro from the BlackBerryOS Store
• Read more about the IM+ Pro Update