Kamis, 10 November 2011

BerryReview.com Giving Back to the BlackBerry Community

BerryReview.com Giving Back to the BlackBerry Community


RIM Confirms BBX Phones Will Look Like PlayBook – Similar Resolution

Posted: 10 Nov 2011 12:41 AM PST

playbook_02

We told you last month that the first wave of upcoming BBX phones would have the same pixel density as the BlackBerry PlayBook. Now we have more confirmation of that fact from PC Mag which interviewed Alec Saunders of RIM this week. Alec confirmed that the first BBX phones would have the same screen resolution and pixel density as the PlayBook. Namely 16:9 ratio and 1024×768 resolution which is an unusual resolution for a phone. On the other hand this will make it much easier for apps to immediately work on the BBX phones.

On the other hand Alec also mentioned that BBX also has the ability to upload multiple dimension graphics which hopefully means it can support different resolutions and aspect ratios. Alec also confirmed that the BBX phones would have all the features of the PlayBook at launch including the addition of BES support and native email.

We also got a chance to sit down with Alec this week so we will have more for you later!

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Posted by Ronen Halevy for ©BerryReview, November 10, 2011, 3:41 am. | RIM Confirms BBX Phones Will Look Like PlayBook – Similar Resolution | Leave a comment |


RIM Investigating BlackBerry BIS Delays – EMEIA Reported “Operating Normally”

Posted: 09 Nov 2011 03:55 PM PST

BlackBerry Delays 

RIM has posted on their official Twitter @BlackBerry account that they are investigating delays reported by users. They just posted a few minutes ago that BlackBerry services are currently operating normally in EMEIA but no word on if there is an issue or not elsewhere. Personally things have been working on my end but they have been a bit delayed. Like BBMs are not instant or messages take a few seconds to send.

BlackBerry Delays2

What have you been seeing?

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Posted by Ronen Halevy for ©BerryReview, November 9, 2011, 6:55 pm. | RIM Investigating BlackBerry BIS Delays – EMEIA Reported “Operating Normally” | 3 comments |


Looking at the Competition HTC Flyer From T-Mobile

Posted: 09 Nov 2011 02:52 PM PST

GROUP-0QS7I3KJJTGMQ3HGThe HTC Flyer launched earlier this year and recently became one of the newest tablets with 4G service from T-Mobile USA. T-Mobile sent us a review unit of their HTC Flyer with a 4G ready simcard that allowed us to test the speed and service they offer. The HTC Flyer from T-mobile is one of the  increasing list of tablets to enter the tablet market with Android OS used by different vendors on their mobile devices. Those offering tablet devices are trying to cater to both the enterprise and consumer market but  out of the box tend to fall short on security standards for safe enterprise use.   That gap is currently being met by 3rd party applications and email management systems which allows companies more control over the sensitive data stored on these mobile devices. At this point that is still a growing market, with companies like RIM trying to move from a enterprise mindset to offering devices that are more consumer friendly whereas Android devices are consumer driven trying to enter the enterprise market.

Overview: HTC Flyer From T-Mobile

The HTC Flyer is a slim portable 7" device a bit smaller than the BlackBerry PlayBook because of the extra bezel space on the PlayBook that uses gestures which is one feature the Flyer lacks.  The Flyer is running on Android 2.3 Gingerbread ingle-core 1.5GHz processor, paired with 1GB of RAM allows for speedy multitasking. It features a 1.3 megapixel front facing camera for video chat or self pictures, and a 5 megapixel camera for recording HD videos. The 1024 x 700 pixel resolution capacitive touchscreen display also works with a stylus, the HTC Scribe Pen.

IMG_1209

User Interface:

If you have used an HTC android device is is almost looking at oversized HTC Sensation.  HTC uses a customized UI over the android OS called HTC Sense UI this is one of the reasons why  the Android OS looks different from vendor to vendor. Using different Android devices I find the HTC Sense UI more user friendly and provides the user a more fluid experience.

HTC Scribe Stylus Pen:

The main difference with this table is the stylus, which connects wirelessly to the Flyer, and enables you to annotate, highlight and erase in supported apps. It offers a measure of pressure sensitivity very different from other stylus. The stylus does not work for pressing and selecting apps, it only allows you to write, and erase or draw within the application. A button on the tablet allows the user to simply turn off the connection to the pen. Another cool feature with the tablet and the stylus is that the note application automatically syncs with your evernote account.   Note that the scribe pen is not included with the device but you can purchase it separately.

Email

Unlike the BlackBerry PlayBook the HTC Flyer and android devices offer a range of different ways to connect and receive e-mail. Android devices have active sync from Microsoft similar to BES on the BlackBerry but this is all included on the OS. Active Sync allows the user to sync e-mails, contacts, and appointments from one device to the other. The e-mail experience is not on par with how BlackBerry devices do e-mail but it is better than none.  Other methods methods include 3rd party e-mail clients including K-9mail, Kaiten Mail, Exchange By TouchDown Key, Enhanced Email, among other options that can be downloaded via the amazon android market or Android Market. This allows android users to connect to to their companies exchange server.  The Flyer also comes with a native android GMail App that gives users a close to Gmail on PC experirence.

Connectivity Other options users have to connect their HTC Flyer to e-mail servers include POP3 and IMAP. The setup for both IMAP and POP3 is the same this allows the HTC Flyer to receive POP3 email server for incoming email, and an SMTP server for outbound email.

Options within the app include

  • Set Email check frequency
  • Set Default account
  • Set Email notifications
  • Select Ringtone
  • Vibrate
  • Incoming settings (to modify IMAP or POP3 server settings)
  • Outgoing settings (to modify SMTP server settings)
  • Includes refresh, compose, folders, accounts and account settings.

Data Connetivity:

The email experience is solid not on par with that of BlackBerry but it does offer options that does not require extra or special data plans such as BES. The main features of e-mails are there but if you go from a BlackBerry to android you will find yourself missing little features that make BlackBerry e-mailing so much easier. One thing that I found myself missing right away was the option to delete only from BlackBerry devices and keep original copy on the server. Features such as this is why BlackBerry simply does a better job foe the power user.z

The Flyer can connect using any available Wi-Fi network, or you can sign up for ta data plan that includes T-Mobile's fast 4G Speeds. For those that are constantly on the road this option is probably your best bet.

The HTC flyer connects to T-Mobiles fast 4G network, allowing users to stream video, download content on the go at almost the same speeds regular DSL home networks offer. While using the Flyer I was able to stream videos, and watch Netflix with hardly any buffering issues.

Flash and page rendering:

The HTC Flyer like any other android device is capable or rendering flash enabled websites and video. The Flyer was able to run most websites without any issues but compared to the BlackBerry PlayBook the PlayBook takes the win. The Flyer crashed a few times when running heavy flash content sites and streaming video. The PlayBook since it has flash integrated with the OS does a much better job processing and streaming video content. That is not say the Flyer can’t do it, it just doesn’t do as good of a  job as the PlayBook.

Most websites that have mobile sites enabled usually redirect the Flyer and any other mobile device to the mobile site. The Flyer does a good job rendering full websites and the browsing experience is good.

Third Party Apps:

Android ecosystem offers an array of both free and paid applications that allows users to stay connected to social networks, news content, and blogging. Android offers quite a few different browsers to choose from aside from the native browser. Some of the browser include Dolphin Browser, Opera, and Bolt Browser.

Enterprise User:

Some of the basics that an a company will look for in a mobile device is the ability to monitor, restrict or enforce IT policies, remote wipe, and push content to a workers phone. Android covers most of the basics but there is still some work they need to do to compete with the standards RIM has set when it comes to security. Android is base on open source which means the code is available where savvy users with enough time on their hand can dig into the inner workings of the OS. That means that Android has potential for easy access to root the device. This may discourage some companies to use Android for enterprise. Google has taken some steps to make Android more secure through application-sandboxing, and offers document editing applications.

Android allows users to connect to corporate data via VPN and 3rd party vendors offer Enterprise management systems that allows corporations to manage private data on their workers devices. One of those 3rd party applications include.

Overall android offers a less expensive option for small businesses and users who want to have their own device for business use. The HTC Flyer is a slick 7" tablet that offers a close resemblance to the BlackBerry PlayBook if portability is a key feature for you. The other parts that make this tablet a close competitor for the PlayBook is that it allows users to have the option of connecting with a data plan with fast mobile speed. The HTC flyer allows users to share their data over mobile hotspot connection. This is something the PlayBook lacks until a 4G device is released.

While Android is a good option and has the app category covered the PlayBook is going to be able to use some of those applications.

Pricing: T-Mobile has been offering the HTC Flyer to enterprise customer for a while at $299.00 on a two year contract which is lower than what the PlayBook has been selling.

The fact that Android already has all those features RIM has a tough job ahead just to catch up. Native apps are months away and their success will depend whether they can make a solid delivery on PIM apps, with a user experience similar if not better than it is on Android.

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Posted by Luis Merlos for ©BerryReview, November 9, 2011, 5:52 pm. | Looking at the Competition HTC Flyer From T-Mobile | 2 comments |


Unity 3D Releases Snuggle Truck & Psychoban for the BlackBerry PlayBook

Posted: 09 Nov 2011 12:23 PM PST

Snuggle Truck2 Psychoban 

The games keep on coming in thanks to RIM supporting Union's Unity 3D engine on the BlackBerry PlayBook. The latest two games in Union's catalog that have come to the PlayBook are Snuggle Truck and Psychoban. Snuggle Truck is a funny "over the top" physics game where you take your truck of fuzzy animals that you are saving from extinction. You need to tilt your truck to all over to win. Psychoban on the other hand is a fun puzzle game from Dedalord that has you moving crates across 50 levels in 5 creepy asylums. Sadly both games do not support the PlayBook OS 2.0 beta.

Snuggle Truck Psychoban2

You can pick up both games below:

Check out cross platform trailers of the games below:


Desktop Video Link | Mobile Video Link

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Posted by the BerryReview Team for ©BerryReview, November 9, 2011, 3:23 pm. | Unity 3D Releases Snuggle Truck & Psychoban for the BlackBerry PlayBook | One comment |


BlackBerry PlayBook Models for $199 $249 & $399 at Staples on Black Friday?

Posted: 09 Nov 2011 11:36 AM PST

PlayBook 2011 Black Friday 199

We don't have any official confirmation from Staples or RIM here but ShvartzBerry let us know that BFAds has scored an interesting promotion for Black Friday. According to this screenshot they show above Staples will be offering the 16GB BlackBerry PlayBook for $199 on Black Friday. The 32GB version will be $249 and the 64GB version is $399. Jared over @CrackBerry seems to have spotted a similar ad but that one only shows the 16GB version.

So who is going to pick one up? I am starting to eye that 32GB model for only $249!

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Posted by the BerryReview Team for ©BerryReview, November 9, 2011, 2:36 pm. | BlackBerry PlayBook Models for $199 $249 & $399 at Staples on Black Friday? | 3 comments |


Adobe Gives Up On Flash for Mobile for HTML5 – RIM Committed to Supporting All

Posted: 09 Nov 2011 10:00 AM PST

 IMG_5027

Adobe just dropped an interesting bomb this morning. They have decided to relegate Flash to PC browsing and mobile apps while giving up on flash in mobile browsers to focus on HTML5. They plan on releasing Flash 11.1 for the PlayBook and Android and from then only continue to offer critical bug fixes and security updates.

Alec Saunders from RIM confirmed to me that RIM is a Flash source code licensee which means they can continue to release their own implementations even when Adobe stops. RIM has confirmed as much on their official blog saying that they are committed to "support a full web and app experience today and tomorrow" whether it be Flash, WebWorks, or HTML5 websites. This also sort of makes sense since RIM is just trying to attract developers though they mentioned at DevCon that HTML5/WebWorks and Native development are the future.

Check out Adobe's announcement here and what RIM's Dan Dodge, President and CEO of QNX had to say:

RIM is committed to delivering compelling user experiences so you can stay connected and take action wherever your life takes you. Often, that action is enabled by a BlackBerry® smartphone or BlackBerry® PlayBook™ app, and other times it's through your BlackBerry device's web browser. We're able to deliver a full-featured web and app experience because BlackBerry embraces and integrates a variety of developer platforms to make it possible for you to experience and consume the content you want, while you're on the go – whether that's powered by the BlackBerry native applications, BlackBerry PlayBook OS, Open Source, superior Flash integration, Adobe® AIR®, Web Works, or websites that use HTML5 to deliver cutting-edge graphics and video.

Earlier today, Adobe announced plans to stop investing in Flash® for mobile browsing, and focus more efforts on HTML5. As an Adobe source code licensee, we will continue to work on and release our own implementations, and are looking forward to including Flash 11.1 for the BlackBerry PlayBook.

The strategic direction announced by Adobe today further validates RIM's decision to launch the BlackBerry PlayBook with a full-powered and uncompromised desktop class browser supporting both Flash and HTML5. We are pleased that Adobe will focus its efforts on next generation Flash-based apps delivered via AIR and BlackBerry AppWorld as well as the great opportunities that HTML5 presents for our developers as we discussed at DevCon Americas.

"The PlayBook browser does a great job of supporting both HTML5 and Flash, including industry leading HD video streaming. Adobe and RIM are focused on HTML5 innovation for mobile browsing and believe it is the best solution for developers to deliver rich web experiences on RIM's BlackBerry products and other mobile devices. RIM has the ability to continue working on and releasing its own implementations of Flash Player 11 and beyond," said Danny Winokur, VP & GM, Interactive Development, Adobe Systems Inc.

RIM is also energized by the powerful, open standards-based development platform that HTML5 delivers through our BlackBerry products. To us, this means working with thousands of talented BlackBerry developers to bring new gaming, entertainment, and video experiences that deliver depths of experience we had only dreamed of a few years ago. That's progress we support, and we look forward to seeing the innovation soon in BlackBerry App World™.

If you have questions or comments, please log in and share them with us. We promise to read them all and come back and answer what we can.

- Dan Dodge, President and CEO, QNX

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Posted by the BerryReview Team for ©BerryReview, November 9, 2011, 1:00 pm. | Adobe Gives Up On Flash for Mobile for HTML5 – RIM Committed to Supporting All | 2 comments |


Sweet “Earth and Legend” & “Crusade of Destiny” 3D PlayBook Games!

Posted: 09 Nov 2011 09:29 AM PST

earthandlegend_combat Crusade of Destiny 

DVide Arts Incorporated released two slick new PlayBook games today. The first is Crusade of Destiny which is a 3D RPG for the BlackBerry PlayBook pitting you against lots of foes on your crusade. It has a fun control set and lets you be either a warrior, archer, or mage. All in all a very cool game. The second is Earth and Legend which takes things a step further as a multiplayer 3D RPG on the PlayBook. It lets you play multiplayer over Wi-Fi which I have never seen on a PlayBook before.

All in all both games are well worth checking out on the PlayBook:

Check out trailers of the games below:


Desktop Video Link | Mobile Video Link

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Posted by the BerryReview Team for ©BerryReview, November 9, 2011, 12:29 pm. | Sweet “Earth and Legend” & “Crusade of Destiny” 3D PlayBook Games! | One comment |


AT&T Releases Low Cost International Calling App

Posted: 09 Nov 2011 08:55 AM PST

 ATT Call International ATT Call International2ATT Call International3

We have another head scratcher from AT&T. They are offering a new AT&T Call International BlackBerry app for their new VOIP calling service. Essentially AT&T is offering their own Dial-Around service like Telna (which I use) and offering low rates to 220+ countries with $0.02 calls to Canada and $0.04 calls to China, France, Germany, and UK landlines. There are no monthly fees and they simply bill you to your credit card. The irony of it is even AT&T does not use AT&T's carrier billing…

ATT Call International4 ATT Call International5 ATT Call International6

You can check out the new AT&T Call International app in App World or read more on their website

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Posted by the BerryReview Team for ©BerryReview, November 9, 2011, 11:55 am. | AT&T Releases Low Cost International Calling App | Leave a comment |


BlackBerry OS 5.0 Ringtones & Alerts Available in App World

Posted: 09 Nov 2011 07:56 AM PST

BlackBerry Tones 

I never really understood why RIM stripped out the classic ringtones and alerts from BlackBerry OS 5.0 when they released OS 6.0. They then capitulated and released a download of the OS 5.0 tones for OS 6.0 users. The thing is they they turned around and released OS 7.0 yet again without the OS 5.0 ringtones…

Either way you now have an easy way to get those ringtones back on your device. Just head on over to this official link in App World and download your classic BlackBerry tones!

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Posted by Ronen Halevy for ©BerryReview, November 9, 2011, 10:56 am. | BlackBerry OS 5.0 Ringtones & Alerts Available in App World | 4 comments |


Evernote for BlackBerry Smartphones v3.3.350 Released

Posted: 09 Nov 2011 06:30 AM PST

Evernote

I just got an update notification for the Evernote app for BlackBerry smartphones. Evernote pushed out a small bug fixing update to v3.3.350 that thankfully includes a change log. This is especially appreciated since the update is over 2MB. The new version 3.3.350 includes various bug fixes and improvements including:

  • fix disconnection and crash when loading a note
  • fix special characters not displayed
  • improve note list loading

You can pick up this latest version of Evernote in App World

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Posted by the BerryReview Team for ©BerryReview, November 9, 2011, 9:30 am. | Evernote for BlackBerry Smartphones v3.3.350 Released | Leave a comment |


Google Discontinues Standalone Gmail App for BlackBerry

Posted: 09 Nov 2011 05:33 AM PST

Well this is no big surprise. After not receiving updates for years Google has decided to stop developing and releasing their standalone Gmail BlackBerry app. It hasen't worked right on BlackBerry 7 devices either way but still I used it every blue moon to access old emails that were no longer on my device. On the other hand Google has really done a great job with the new HTML5 mobile websites which now offer a pretty "App-Like" experience.

Either way the old Gmail app is going away on November 22nd 2011 according to Google. Google says that current users can continue to use the app but it will not be supported by Google and will no longer be available for download after Nov 22nd. Anybody sad to see it go? My guess is that you will be able to find it on third party sites for awhile before it goes away from m.google.com/mail.

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Posted by Ronen Halevy for ©BerryReview, November 9, 2011, 8:33 am. | Google Discontinues Standalone Gmail App for BlackBerry | 4 comments |


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