News and Rumors

The BlackBerry Native SDK 2.0 for the BlackBerry PlayBook is out of beta and available for developers around the world. Updates to the Native SDK make developing C/C++ applications for the BlackBerry PlayBook simpler, with enhanced troubleshooting and a more intuitive IDE for developers.

This version includes new APIs as well as new wizards. The Device Information API allows developers to use data on battery, phone, storage and more to alert users on resources. The LED service API will allow notifications in applications. Developers can take advantage of the BlackBerry PlayBook’s stereo sound with the Soundplayer API.

RIM's new BlackBerry 10 devices should be rolling out sometime later this year, and there are still questions about how exactly is it going to integrate into existing enterprise BlackBerry infrastructure. Will organization Administrators still have the same type of awkward meeting they had with the introduction of the PlayBook? How will BB 10 devices fit in to a current BlackBerry infrastructure? These are all questions CIO's, IT Admin's, and BES Admins are all asking.

BlackBerry Mobile Fusion

Some of these questions were answered by RIM's VP of Enterprise Product Management Alan Panezi. BlackBerry 10 devices will not work on existing versions of BES. So what does this mean? Is this another barrier that RIM has to overcome?

The answer is no. Enter BlackBerry Mobile Fusion, RIM's most advanced mobile administration solution to date. This is a game changer and what will set RIM miles apart from it's competitors. It is also what will mange BB 10 devices, and iOS and Android devices. This is a big deal among many organizations today, because they are plagued with many different mobile devices. With Mobile Fusion organizations can forget about the nightmare of trying to keep track of the array of mobile devices.

RIM currently has BlackBerry Mobile Fusion available as a 90 day trial, and it is a PlayBook only version. Why make the switch? Mobile device variety, it is here to stay and is not going anywhere. More CEO's and Executives want to have the mobile device of their choice and that does not always include a BlackBerry. This has created a huge issue for IT staff as they now have to figure out a way to maintain device accountability and security. Mobile Fusion will solve that issue. Security is another advantage, but there is no need to harp it because its clear that RIM will have that area covered.

ActiveSync

PlayBook owners rejoiced with the release of PlayBook OS 2.0, as it provided them with the ability to connect with their company's Exchange Server using ActiveSync. ActiveSync will also be available on BB 10 devices, oh the joys of plug and play type setups. Organizations can breath a sigh of relief as, their BlackBerry users will now be able to sync their devices much like their Android and Apple colleagues.

ActiveSync also eliminates the need for a BES server. However, ease of use mean something has to be sacrificed in this case its security. Although ActiveSync provides an almost care free way of connecting BB 10 devices to an organization, it does leave a certain amount of exposure that some organizations may frown on. Once again, this is ware BlackBerry Mobile Fusion will come into play. Those organizations can simply use it to meet their security requirements.

Together ActiveSync and BlackBerry Mobile fusion will take the BB 10 devices to a new level of security and performance.

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Derek Kuhn, VP Sales & Marketing, QNX, gives us a tour of how BlackBerry technology seamlessly integrates with Porsche's automotive technology. Everything from integrated nagivation to voice over LTE and stereo conference calling. Check out the video above for more!

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Visitors coming to say hello to BlackBerry at the Mobile World Congress stand will have the chance to engage with BlackBerry like never before...via NFC! If you don't have an NFC enabled device, you can still share content through RFID by heading to the BlackBerry registration desks. Check out this video showing you how BlackBerry is bringing social sharing to MWC this year. For more information on BlackBerry at Mobile World Congress 2012, follow live updates here: http://www.blackberry.com/mwc12

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Alex Bowker - Ecosystem Business Development Manager, RIM, showcases some of the new features of the BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 at Mobile World Congress 2012.

As the popularity of RIM's BlackBerry App World begins to rise so does its relationship with mobile carriers. Today at mobile World Congress RIM announced that more carriers were deploying integrated billing for BlackBerry App World, to help ensure a smooth relationship between customers, carriers, and developers.

BlackBerry App World has grown significantly over the past few months and is now has over 600,000 apps and 174 million apps downloaded per month. In addition there have been over 2 Billion downloads since its initial release. These numbers, and additional research helped contribute to carriers deploying an easy payment system.

The deployment of integrated carrier billing makes sense for everyone, most importantly the developer that wants to get paid in a timely fashion. It also allows the user to purchase apps, by simply charging it to their regular monthly bill. Currently one-time and subscription-based purchases are supported.

The following carriers are offering integrated billing on BlackBerry App World:

• A1 Telekom (Austria)
• AT&T (United States)
• Bell (Canada)
• Digicel (25 markets in the Caribbean and Latin America)
• Indosat (Indonesia)
• Rogers Wireless (Canada)
• SFR (France)
• Telefonica (UK)
• T-Mobile (United States)
• Telus (Canada)
• Telstra (Australia)
• Vodafone (Spain, Greece, Italy, Ireland, Portugal, United Kingdom & Netherlands)

• Read The full press release
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SolverLabs has just added free editions to their Angry Birds knockoff game called, Angry Pigs. They've created free versions for both Angry Pigs and Angry Pigs Seasons. I've played these free versions and the main difference is the addition of ads, which aren't really that bad or get in the way. Surprisingly, the gameplay is pretty smooth when compared to the other knockoff, Angry Farm.

Looks like OS 6 and OS 7 devices are compatible, so get updated or installed and leave us a comment on how these free versions work for you!

For all of us Chess nerds out there, my favorite Chess app for BlackBerry has just been updated to v1.2! This update fixes board size and orientation for OS 7 devices. If you didn't know, it's also available for the PlayBook tablet as well.

Amazon Wireless is having a huge AT&T BlackBerry Torch 9810 4G sale, as the going price is only a penny! These sales vary off and on so if you have been looking to pick up one of these sexy OS 7 devices, I'd recommend you get on it before they sell out. The deal also comes with two-day shipping. Let us know if you decide to pick one up!

• Download Bible via App World
• Discuss Finding/Fixes in our Forums

• Purchase Ruby Red BlackBerry Curve 9360 via Rogers Canada
• Discuss Ruby Red BlackBerry Curve 9360 in our Forums

• Download Foursquare for BlackBerry via App World
• Discuss Findings/Fixes in our Forums

The popular sports game by Gameloft, Let's Golf 2 HD, has been updated to v2.0 for the BlackBerry PlayBook. If you read the reviews it looks like users were experiencing a lot of issues with random crashes during game play. I bet this update takes care of that and may add some UI adjustments among other features. You can purchase this game for only $2.99 in App World. Get updated or installed and let us know what you notice in the comments!