At CES 2012 this year, RIM is putting more weight on showcasing Apps and Software. Along with the press release, RIM has showcased BlackBerry OS 7.1 at the CES 2012.

The OS 7.1 includes new features and some nice enhancements to the overall operating system. The introduction of BlackBerry Tag on NFC capable BlackBerry smart phones,  Mobile hotspot, updated BlackBerry Apps such as BBM, BlackBerry Travel and BlackBerry Traffic; FM radio for BlackBerry Curve 9360 and 9380 are few additions coming with OS 7.1

Press Release

RIM Showcases New BlackBerry 7.1 OS at CES 2012

New BBM, BlackBerry Traffic and BlackBerry Travel Updates Also Released

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA–(Marketwire – January 09, 2012) – (CES 2012) – A wide range of software improvements await BlackBerry® 7 smartphone customers at the BlackBerry® booth (South Hall 3 Booth # 30326) at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES 2012). Research In Motion (RIM) (NASDAQ: RIMM)(TSX: RIM) is showcasing the new BlackBerry® 7.1 OS as well as updates to the BBM^TM (BlackBerry® Messenger), BlackBerry® Traffic^TM and BlackBerry® Travel^TM apps. The new OS and app updates make seizing and sharing the moment even easier.

BlackBerry 7.1 will begin rolling out from carriers around the world beginning today and over the coming weeks(1). The new releases of BBM, BlackBerry Traffic and BlackBerry Travel will be available on BlackBerry® App World^TM beginning today.

"BlackBerry 7 delivered a next-generation platform for our customers around the world and the range of software updates announced today build upon the strengths of that platform to further enhance the mobile experience and make life easier, from managing daily tasks to planning big adventures," said Mike Lazaridis, President and Co-CEO at Research In Motion.

Life Is Better Shared

The BlackBerry 7.1 OS incorporates a new feature called BlackBerry® Tag that can change the way BlackBerry users share information and content. By simply tapping their NFC enabled BlackBerry® smartphone against another NFC enabled BlackBerry smartphone, users can make sharing easier than ever. They can instantly invite a friend to BBM, exchange contact information, documents, URLs, photos and other multimedia content, and they can also pair their BlackBerry smartphone with an NFC enabled Bluetooth® device.

Support for BlackBerry Tag is just one of a number of enhancements in the updated BBM app (version 6.1) being released today. Additional features allow users to personalize their experience even more with support for animated avatars (animated GIFs)(2), a dozen new and fun emoticons to spice up conversations, and the ability to customize chat bubbles with different colors. In addition, the new BBM app allows users to add customized personal messages of up to 160 characters in their online Profile, more than double the length supported in previous versions. Users can also now set the picture for their BBM avatar directly from the camera app – simply snap a picture and select "Set as BBM Display Picture" from the menu.

Make Things Happen

With BlackBerry 7.1, users can be productive from virtually anywhere. They can now turn their BlackBerry smartphone into a mobile hotspot that can be shared by up to 5 Wi-Fi® -enabled devices, including laptops and tablets(3). The 7.1 update also supports carrier implemented Wi-Fi calling services (UMA/GAN where available), allowing users to make Wi-Fi calls from their BlackBerry smartphone that don’t eat into their airtime minutes.

Getting to any location is now so much easier with the new BlackBerry Traffic (version 3.0), a free app from RIM that is being released today. BlackBerry Traffic determines a user’s estimated time of arrival (ETA) based on current traffic conditions, and now includes hands-free turn-by-turn voice guidance.

Planning, booking, managing, and sharing travel activities are also easier than ever thanks to the updated BlackBerry Travel app that is being released today. The new version adds support for contextual deals, such as offers for hotels and car rentals, or for arranging limo services to and from the airport. BlackBerry Travel can automatically keep track of a user’s bookings and schedule and quickly notify them if their flight is delayed or cancelled, and can then help them find a new flight right away. The automatic trip scanning feature pulls the travel details into the app, allowing the user to see all their travel updates in one place.

Seize the Moment

Sometimes it’s nice when someone (or something) does the thinking for you. The Universal Search capability has again been enhanced to help users find what they are looking for. It now includes an auto-suggest feature that intelligently filters Bing® search results to offer users a variety of relevant Web sites based on their search terms.

Love a good deal? Now finding and taking advantage of them is so much easier thanks to BlackBerry® Maps – an essential app that comes preinstalled on BlackBerry smartphones and has been enhanced in the BlackBerry 7.1 OS update. When users launch the new BlackBerry Maps application they can discover special offers, coupons, and discounts from nearby vendors. Users can immediately act on the deals presented to them by clicking to call the vendor or clicking to get the best route to the location where the deal is offered(4).

Customers with a BlackBerry Curve 9360 or 9380 smartphone will find a nice surprise with the BlackBerry 7.1 OS update in the form of an FM radio. The FM radio circuitry is already built in to the Curve 9360 and 9380 models and BlackBerry 7.1 provides users with a new app that allows them to tune in and enjoy local FM radio stations. Listening to the FM radio does not require a data plan or use data services.

For more information about the BlackBerry 7.1 OS update, visit www.blackberry.com/bb7. For more information and to download the new versions of BBM, BlackBerry Traffic and BlackBerry Travel visit BlackBerry App World at www.blackberry.com/appworld.

1. The BlackBerry 7.1 OS update is subject to carrier certification. Please check for availability with your service provider.
2. The animated avatar feature is supported on BlackBerry smartphones running OS 5.0 and higher.
3. Mobile hotspot feature requires BlackBerry 7.1 and may require an additional data plan. Please check with your service provider.
4. Please check with your service provider for availability of this feature.

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Post tags: BBM, BlackBerry Traffic, CES, OS 7.1

PlayBook OS 2.0 is currently available to download in Beta Zone while it is expected to be officially release sometime in next month.

Via – Inside BlackBerry

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Post tags: BlackBerry Bridge, CES, OS 2.0, PlayBook

RIM has rolled out the official update for BlackBerry App World to all users. The new BlackBerry App Word version 3.1.0.56 include following new features.

Gifting/Request a Gift
BlackBerry App World users will now be able to request that a BlackBerry Messenger contact purchase an application for them. This also allows for a BlackBerry App World user to gift an application to one of their BlackBerry Messenger contacts.

Content Rating
Each item in the BlackBerry App World is assigned a rating based on the audience that it is intended for. Users can filter the content they see in BlackBerry App World, and lock their settings using a four-digit password.

WiFi Only Support
Allow BlackBerry App World to operate when only a Wi-Fi connection is present and without the need for a carrier data plan.

New Language Support
Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Korean, Thai, Indonesian, Vietnamese, and Dutch

RIM introduced the Content Rating with the App World 3.1 and you can enable the content Controls in BlackBerry App World 3.1.

How to enable Content Controls within BlackBerry App World 3.1

Each item in the BlackBerry App World is assigned a rating based on the audience that it is intended for. You can filter what content you see in BlackBerry App World, and lock your settings using a four-digit password.

To enable the password, please complete the following steps within BlackBerry App World 3.1:

1. Click My Account > Content Controls.
2. Choose the type of content you want to see.
3. To lock the settings, click Lock Settings. Type a four-digit password.
4. Press the Menu key > click Save.

You should be prompted to update if you have an earlier version installed, or you can head to blackberry.com/appworld from your device to download.

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Post tags: App World

Press Release

Research In Motion Reports Third Quarter Fiscal 2012 Results

WATERLOO, ONTARIO–(Marketwire – Dec. 15, 2011) – Research In Motion Limited (RIM) (NASDAQ:RIMM)(TSX:RIM), a world leader in the mobile communications market, today reported third quarter results for the three months ended November 26, 2011 (all figures in U.S. dollars and U.S. GAAP, except where otherwise indicated).

Highlights:

* Revenue of $5.2 billion, up 24% from last quarter
* BlackBerry smartphone shipments of 14.1 million, up 33% from Q2
* GAAP net income of $265 million or $0.51 per share diluted; adjusted net income of $667 million or $1.27 per share diluted
* Subscribers up 35% year-over-year to almost 75 million
* Cash flow from operations of approximately $895 million
* Total of cash, cash equivalents, short-term and long-term investments of $1.5 billion

Q3 Results:

Revenue for the third quarter of fiscal 2012 was $5.2 billion, up 24% from $4.2 billion in the previous quarter and down 6% from $5.5 billion in the same quarter of last year. The revenue breakdown for the quarter was approximately 79% for hardware, 19% for service and 2% for software and other revenue. During the quarter, RIM shipped approximately 14.1 million BlackBerry smartphones and approximately 150,000 BlackBerry PlayBook tablets.

“Despite the challenges faced in the third quarter, the BlackBerry subscriber base grew to almost 75 million customers around the world. In addition, RIM launched a range of new BlackBerry 7 based smartphones globally and introduced holiday promotions that helped drive growth in the installed base of BlackBerry PlayBook users,” said Jim Balsillie and Mike Lazaridis, Co-CEOs at Research In Motion. “RIM continues to have strong technology, unique service capabilities and a large installed base of customers, and we are more determined than ever to capitalize on our strengths to overcome the recent execution challenges surrounding product launches and the resulting financial performance. As part of our commitment to improving our performance to better meet the expectations of shareholders and customers, we continue to evaluate ways to improve in several areas of the Company’s operations. It may take some time to realize the benefits of these efforts and the platform transition that we are undertaking, but we continue to believe that RIM has the right set of strengths and capabilities to maintain a leading role in the mobile communications industry.”

The Company’s GAAP net income for the quarter was $265 million, or $0.51 per share diluted, compared with GAAP net income of $329 million, or $0.63 per share diluted, in the prior quarter and GAAP net income of $911 million, or $1.74 per share diluted, in the same quarter last year. Adjusted net income for the third quarter was $667 million, or $1.27 per share diluted. Adjusted net income and adjusted diluted earnings per share exclude the impact of pre-tax charges of $54 million ($40 million after tax) to revenue related to the service interruption experienced in the third quarter, $485 million ($356 million after tax) for the PlayBook inventory provision taken in the third quarter and $7 million ($6 million after tax) for the Company’s cost optimization program that was implemented in the second quarter of fiscal 2012.Q4 Outlook

Revenue for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012 ending March 3, 2012 is expected to be in the range of $4.6-$4.9 billion. Gross margin percentage for the fourth quarter is expected to be approximately 38%. BlackBerry smartphone shipments are expected to be between 11 million and 12 million units. Earnings per share for the fourth quarter is expected to be in the range of $0.80-$0.95.

Conference Call and Webcast

A conference call and live webcast will be held beginning at 5 pm ET, December 15, 2011, which can be accessed by dialing 1-800-814-4859 (North America), (+1)416-644-3415 (outside North America) or through your personal computer or BlackBerry® PlayBook^TM tablet at www.rim.com/investors/events/index.shtml. A replay of the conference call will also be available at approximately 7 pm ET by dialing (+1)416-640-1917 and entering passcode 4466493#. A replay of the webcast will be available on your personal computer or BlackBerry PlayBook tablet by clicking the link above. This replay will be available until midnight ET, December 29, 2011.

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Post tags: Financial Results, News, Press Release, RIM

Three months on from RIM’s network outage were asking if the problems they experienced this October across Europe, Africa and North America will turn users away from renewing their BlackBerry service.

Once upon a time if you wanted a portable device that could text, call, e-mail and check the internet you had very little choice. It seemed to be that the only device on everyone’s mind was the BlackBerry.

However since the market is now more competitive with companies like Apple & Samsung offering great products at basically the same price and similar service will worries about future network problems turn users away?

Shortly after RIM fixed their network problems, the UK managing director at RIM Stephen Bates held a Q&A with users, he had this to say:

“Our chief technology officer has started a full audit of our full infrastructure. He’s got the authority to do whatever he needs to do to ensure that resiliency is maintained”

Well those network outage problems have been certainly resolved however when the time comes to upgrade your Smartphone are you going to stay with BlackBerry despite their network problems this year? Get in touch and let us know in the comments.

Original Post: When the time comes to upgrade your Smartphone are you going to stay with BlackBerry? | Add to del.icio.us | One comment
Post tags: Network, Outages

After the long wait from the initial announcement of BlackBerry PlayBook, today is the official launch day of the BlackBerry PlayBook. You can buy BlackBerry PlayBook in US and Canada from major retailers. There are currently 3 BlackBerry PlayBook WiFi versions available in this first release.

• 16GB Storage with Wi-Fi: $499
• 32GB Storage with Wi-Fi: $599
• 64GB Storage with Wi-Fi: $699

BlackBerry PlayBook Features

• 7″ 1024×600 WSVGA capacitive LCD touch screen
• Ultra-portable at less than a pound and less than one-half inch thick: 0.9 lbs (425g) and 5.1” x 7.6” x 0.4” (130mm x 194mm x 10mm)
• 1 GHz dual-core processor
• BlackBerry Tablet OS with support for symmetric multiprocessing
• MP3, AAC and WMA audio playback
• Support for high resolution video playback (H.264, MPEG4, WMV)
• 1080p HDMI output
• Dual 1080p HD cameras for video conferencing and video capture (3MP front and 5MP rear)
• 1 GB RAM memory
• Up to 64 GB internal storage (16, 32 and 64 GB models)
• GPS, Orientation Sensor (Accelerometer), 6-Axis Motion Sensor (Gyroscope), Digital Compass (Magnetometer)
• Stereo speakers and stereo microphones
• Wi-Fi (802.11 a/b/g/n) connectivity
• Bluetooth 2.1+EDR support

So are you going to buy the BlackBerry PlayBook or considering buying one near future. Don’t forget to check out the collection of Free BlackBerry PlayBook Wallpapers when you get your BlackBerry PlayBook.

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Post tags: News, PlayBook

RIM has sent out the email notification to developers and vendors about the planned back-end server upgrade, scheduled for today and this weekend to prepare for the launch of App World 2.1. With the release of App World 2.1, users will be able to purchase apps that have digital goods and it will allow in-app purchasing.

With these two upgrades in App World, it will be very interesting for BlackBerry developers to offer in-app purchases like more power/speed/credit/coins commonly found in games. Check the email after the jump.

Dear App World Vendor,

We are happy to announce that we are starting to launch the first phase of BlackBerry App World version 2.1.

Over the weekend and today we are upgrading our backend systems as well as the BlackBerry App World Vendor portal. During this time the reporting system will be down. It will be back online tomorrow.

Once the Server is launched you will be able to:

• Upload digital goods for BlackBerry Payment Service (in-app purchases)
• Register and manage digital goods in the BlackBerry App World Vendor Portal

Please note that this is simply the BlackBerry App World Vendor Portal. End-users will not be able to download digital goods through BlackBerry Payment Service until the BlackBerry App World 2.1 client is launched in the future. We will announce more information regarding the client launch in the future.

Thank you for building for BlackBerry,

BlackBerry App World Team

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Post tags: App World

RIM has released the BlackBerry OS 6.0.0.317 device simulators for Bold 9650 & Curve 3G 9330; and now developers can test their apps and themes for these devices before RIM and carriers decides to make it is officially available. The availability of OS 6.0 device simulators is certainly hopeful for anyone to expect the official release of OS 6.0 for these devices.

> > Download BlackBerry Device Simulators 

[Source: BerryReview]

Original Post: BlackBerry OS 6.0 device simulators now available for Bold 9650 and Curve 3G 9330 | Add to del.icio.us | Leave Comment
Post tags: Bold 9650, Curve 3G

BlackBerry App World is officially out of Beta and now available to the public with several new features over older versions. It has been available in Beta Zone for a few weeks now, users who have been using the beta version should get the update right away. If you haven’t used the beta version and still getting the previous App world update, hang tight, you should get the notification for App World 2.0 version any time soon.  Along with the update, RIM has allowed developers to offer apps for $0.99 and $1.99, so we should see an increase in choices in the App World soon.

Following are some of the new features introduced in App World 2.0.

• BlackBerry ID: You can now create a BlackBerry ID and log into the BlackBerry App World storefront using a BlackBerry ID.
• Payment methods: Depending on your organization, region, and wireless service provider, you can now pay for items in the BlackBerry App World storefront using a credit card, or by adding it to the monthly bill from your wireless service provider.
• Top 25 items: You can now view lists of the top 25 newest items, free applications, paid applications, themes, and recently updated items.
• Scan a barcode: You can now quickly find an item by scanning a barcode for that item.

What I liked about App World 2.0 is – overall it’s more user friendly. With top 25 items in each category, it’s easier to find the app you’re looking for. The barcode scanner is very convenient. At last it’s good to see additional payment options.

> > Download the BlackBerry App World 2.0

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Post tags: App World

Carrier Billing

As of today with the old version of App World, users have to use the PayPal to buy Apps from the App World. In the new version along with PayPal, users will have an option to directly bill their credit card or choose Carrier Billing where it will be billed to user’s monthly bill through their respective carrier.

BlackBerry ID (BBID)

The other new feature is the BlackBerry ID (BBID) through which users can maintain their unique ID with carriers and will remain same even though they change their BlackBerry devices or change their carrier.

QR Code & User Interface

There will be a few minor UI changes, including an upgraded search feature for returning better results. Words are on the Internet that RIM will be integrating QR code in App World. This will allow developers to advertise their apps with a QR code; where a potential customer can scan the bar code and be taken directly to the app.

There is not any confirmed date for the release of the App World 2.0 but we should expect it in very near future. These changes in the App World may help RIM to allow App World access in more countries and in turn help app developers sell more apps.

Via: PhoneScoop

Original Post: BlackBerry App World 2.0 Introduced; Includes Carrier Billing | Add to del.icio.us | 2 comments
Post tags: App World