Rabu, 11 Juli 2012

BerryReview.com Giving Back to the BlackBerry Community

BerryReview.com Giving Back to the BlackBerry Community


Free GeoMinder Utility Lets You Set Reminders Based on Location

Posted: 11 Jul 2012 02:31 AM PDT

GeoMinder GeoMinder2

The developer of one of the more innovative BlackBerry GTD apps, Wise Tasks, just released a new app called GeoMinder. While Wise Tasks lets you set location based contexts for tasks GeoMinder is more for people who just want simplistic location reminders. For example, it will let you set a reminder to pick up food on the way home when you get near your house or pick up your kids.

Check out GeoMinder free in App World and let us know what you think! Thanks Tuggy for letting us know about the new app in the forums.

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Posted by Ronen Halevy for ©BerryReview, July 11, 2012, 5:31 am. | Free GeoMinder Utility Lets You Set Reminders Based on Location | Leave a comment |


BlackBerry Protect Gets Nice Update to v1.1.1.73 With Loads of Improvements

Posted: 10 Jul 2012 01:15 PM PDT

BlackBerry Protect

BlackBerry Protect is one of those services that I really hope RIM tightly integrates into BlackBerry 10. They pushed out a new update to the app for BlackBerry smartphones today bringing us to v1.1.1.73. This update brings a boatload of improvements and fixes including:

  • Support for backing up additional databases like password keeper and Wi-Fi network profiles
  • Improvements to backup and restore feature
  • Enhancements to application deletion protection
  • Ability to stop and resume BlackBerry Protect service
  • Ability to automatically return your device to silent mode after making it play a sound
  • BlackBerry ID enhancements and setup fixes
    • Expansion of supported wireless service providers and BlackBerry device models
      • Support for additional display languages

      If you are not on a BES there is absolutely no reason not to have BlackBerry protect installed to backup your critical information on your BlackBerry. Hell I think every carrier should make it required for users to set it up so they no longer lose their contact info and other precious data. Check out the latest version of BlackBerry Protect in App World.

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      Posted by the BerryReview Team for ©BerryReview, July 10, 2012, 4:15 pm. | BlackBerry Protect Gets Nice Update to v1.1.1.73 With Loads of Improvements | 3 comments |


      Understanding Mobile Apps for Automotive (QNX Auto)

      Posted: 10 Jul 2012 12:49 PM PDT

      We have covered RIM’s QNX Automotive group quite a few times especially as RIM presents BlackBerry 10 as a mobile platform solution beyond the mobile space. We can all understand how apps are helpful in mobile products. But how can automotive apps help us and and how do they differ from those in the mobile space? That is exactly what QNX Auto is doing with the QNX platform and BlackBerry 10 in the future.

      QNX, the company which was acquired by RIM in 2010 and whose operating system is the basis for BlackBerry 10's OS, set out to answer these questions in a webinar entitled "Understanding Mobile Apps for Automotive" which they presented earlier this month. Automotive Product Marketing Manager Andy Gryc led the webinar and attempted to explain how developers could get their mobile apps into the car.

      One important thing to realize, according to Gryc, is the differences in requirement for mobile apps when compared with apps for cars. In mobile, production time and life-cycle time are both very short – possibly as short as a few months. In vehicle electronics, on the other hand, production time can take years. This is not due to incompetence on the part of car manufacturers, but due to the very nature of the automobile: When dealing with a product, like a car, which is very expensive and which has a great potential for danger, great care has to be taken when designing the apps and the infotainment system.

      The biggest concern of all with mobile apps is driver distraction. Obviously, it’s everybody’s concern if drivers are focusing their attention (not to mention their eyes) on infotainment and not on the road. Because of this, apps should be designed differently for the automotive space. For example, animation in apps, which can be cool in a mobile unit, can be deadly in a car and should obviously be kept to a minimum.

      However, looking at car infotainment systems as an evil which should be contained is only looking at half of the picture. Various technologies, some of which exist today and some of which are not too far off in the future, can actually help keep eyes on the road. For example, voice recognition technology which can dial phone numbers – and which could one day post statuses to Facebook – can play a big role in keeping drivers from taking their hands off the wheel and their eyes off the road.

      Some of Gryc’s talking points, though not necessarily directly relevant to developers, were interesting in and of themselves. One of these concerned the necessity of relegating apps to sandboxes so as to allow the vital car infotainment features (i.e. navigation) to operate even when other applications crash. Another was the importance of “fast boot” – having the infotainment system power up quickly. This is necessary because, as Gryc put it, people don’t want to have to plug their cars in and have them charge all night. Due to that, the entire infotainment system is generally turned off along with the car, and the ability to boot quickly becomes most important.

      Bringing the mobile app into the car might not be as simple as it sounds. Because of the nearly unlimited warranties commonly found on cars, customers expect to be able to have their cars serviced at the dealer and expect the dealer to fix or replace the defective parts. So dealerships have to have the parts to fix the infotainment systems even ten years after the car is purchased.

      Also, as mentioned earlier driver distraction is a big concern. Conginzant of that, Gryc gave some distraction avoidance guidelines for developers. Some of these were suggestions that developers should: limit the amount of time required for offroad glances (to 2 seconds or less); use speech recognition technologies when possible; minimize total task duration to 15 seconds;  keep apps predictable and consistent (i.e. shifting menus should certainly be avoided); and last but not least, make applications ignorable (in case you really have to pay attention to the road).

      With regard to how to developers can get their existing mobile apps into a car, there are a few different options.  Mirrorlink (which used to be called Terminal Mode) is an existing standard which can take a phone app and adapt it into an app for a car. Another possibility is using a QNX CAR based platform. Discussing that angle, Gryc stated that in the near future they hope to have a QNX CAR SDK with Webworks and Ripple that will allow applications in HTML5 to be deployed in various devices.

      The automotive space, while intriguing, has its own challenges and should not be treated by app-developers as though it were just another mobile platform. Driver distraction is an issue that must be dealt with and even putting existing apps into the infotainment systems is not necessarily that simple. But whatever obstacles there may be, there’s no question that the automotive space can provide an alluring opportunity to motivated developers.

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      Posted by Shlomo for ©BerryReview, July 10, 2012, 3:49 pm. | Understanding Mobile Apps for Automotive (QNX Auto) | One comment |


      Thorsten Heins Confirms BlackBerry 10 OS to have BBM Video Chat Natively

      Posted: 10 Jul 2012 09:44 AM PDT

      Video Chat BlackBerry 10

      This was hopefully a no brainer for RIM but Thorsten Heins confirmed during the shareholders meeting today that RIM will not be slouching with BBM on BlackBerry 10. They plan on packing in video chat into BBM along with its other features. It will work sort of like it does now on the PlayBook with PIN and BBID's. Hopefully RIM also extends it with a desktop client to round it out. The Verge was kind enough to transcribe what Heins said:

      With upgrading it into a new experience, think about adding features on BB10 such as video chat, for example, within BBM. There’s many other features to come with BB10 that will really level this BBM experience, which is good today, right? It’s still the major used social network in Asia Pac, which will upgrade that experience to a whole new social networking experience based on BBM. That’s why we want to build on that strength, and that’s why we don’t want to share that strength. We believe this is something that is very unique to us, that is very strong in our portfolio, and we want to use this to build a BlackBerry-driven social networking platform.

      Hopefully carriers don't try to limit this to Wi-Fi only and RIM does some of its video compression magic so we don't go over our data limits. Kudos to CrackBerry for the screenshot in an older leak.

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      Posted by the BerryReview Team for ©BerryReview, July 10, 2012, 12:44 pm. | Thorsten Heins Confirms BlackBerry 10 OS to have BBM Video Chat Natively | 4 comments |


      RIM Rumored To Be Selling One of Their Jets As Part of Cost Reductions

      Posted: 10 Jul 2012 08:35 AM PDT

      Dassault Falcon

      You have to love how certain parts of the media jump on even the most obvious news. RIM announced at their last shareholders call that they are focused on reducing costs by $1 billion. Now Bloomberg is reporting that RIM is planning on selling one of their corporate jets as part of that effort. It seems like this is also a symbolic move on some part but this is what RIM had to say:

      "We're looking at options with both our aircraft costs and finding ways to reduce our travel while still making sure we keep in close contact with our partners around the world. It's all part of the effort to find ways to reduce costs and drive efficiencies that [CEO] Thorsten Heins has talked about." ~RIM

      So far todays shareholders meeting has been relatively tame and boring with some downright idiotic questions but more on that later. It would be funny if this story is the biggest news coming out today.

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      Posted by the BerryReview Team for ©BerryReview, July 10, 2012, 11:35 am. | RIM Rumored To Be Selling One of Their Jets As Part of Cost Reductions | 3 comments |


      RIM’s New Chief Marketing Officer Opens Up in Interview

      Posted: 10 Jul 2012 08:09 AM PDT

      Frank Boulben1

      In what seems to be a continuation of RIM's media blitz in Canada we now have The Star interviewing RIM's new Chief Marketing Officer. Frank Boulben has been relatively quiet so far since he left Lightsquared and joined RIM as their new CMO. When Brian pointed out the new interview to me I was excited to learn a bit about what direction Boulben has for RIM.

      So far I agree with what Boulben shared with The Star. He sums up nicely in his answer to the following question:

      Q: What aspect of RIM's marketing has been a problem, and is it something you'd like to take a different approach to?

      A: There hasn't been a consistent thought or identity in all of our commercials. We are going to market BB10 in a much more unified way. The people who it's aimed at have the same values and needs all around the world. Obviously, there will need to be some small differences in the advertising in each market, but the general theme will be the same.

      I highly recommend checking out the full interview over at The Star. Let us know what you think in the comments!

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      Posted by the BerryReview Team for ©BerryReview, July 10, 2012, 11:09 am. | RIM’s New Chief Marketing Officer Opens Up in Interview | One comment |


      BlackBerry Curve 9310 Coming to Verizon This Week for $49.99 AR

      Posted: 10 Jul 2012 07:01 AM PDT

      BlackBerry Curve 9310

      We knew it was coming but now we have all the details. Verizon announced today that the BlackBerry Curve 9310 will be coming to their network starting July 12th. They keenly target the easy to use smartphone to help customers make the move from a basic phone to smartphone. It features the dedicated BBM key we have seen before and they are promoting RIM's new on device parental controls.

      The new BlackBerry Curve 9310 will be available starting July 12th on www.verizonwireless.com and in stores in the coming weeks. It will be priced at $49.99 after a $50 mail in rebate. Check out the details in their press release.

      Verizon Wireless And RIM Announce New BlackBerry® Curve™ 9310 Smartphone

      BASKING RIDGE, NJ and WATERLOO, Ontario — Verizon Wireless and Research In Motion (RIM) (NASDAQ: RIMM; TSX: RIM) today announced the BlackBerry® Curve9310 smartphone, a stylish new smartphone for socially-connected customers.

      The BlackBerry Curve 9310 is a slim and easy-to-use smartphone ready to help customers make the move from a basic phone to a smartphone.  It includes all the core BlackBerry messaging and social-centric applications that let customers easily connect to the people and things that matter most to them.  Running on BlackBerry 7.1, the Curve 9310 also features the iconic BlackBerry keyboard for quick and easy typing and a dedicated BBM key for instant access to RIM's popular mobile social network.

      Facebook® and Twitter apps allow customers to easily interact with their social network in real time, and, with the new Social Feeds 2.0 app, they can post updates to multiple social networks simultaneously and capture updates from news sources (RSS feeds), social apps and instant messaging apps, all in one consolidated view.

      Additional features:

      • 3.2-megapixel camera – easily share pictures and video with friends through text, BBM, Facebook and Twitter
      • VZ Navigator® capabilities for customers to receive audible turn-by-turn directions to millions of points of interest and share directions withothers
      • On-device Parental Controls – customers can grant as little or as much access to the Internet, social networking and messaging as they see appropriate.  Create a select list of contacts for both incoming and outgoing calls
      • microSD card slot with support for up to 32 GB

      Pricing and availability

      • The new BlackBerry Curve 9310 smartphone will be available online at www.verizonwireless.comstarting July 12 and will be in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores in the coming weeks for $49.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement.  Customers receive the rebate in the form of a debit card; upon receipt, customers may use the card as cash anywhere debit cards are accepted. 
      • New customers who purchase the BlackBerry Curve 9310 will need to subscribe to a Share Everything plan starting at $80 monthly access for unlimited talk and text messaging and 300 MB of data.  Customers can visit www.verizonwireless.com/shareeverything for additional information on data plans.

      For more information on Verizon Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or go to www.verizonwireless.com.  Business customers can contact their Verizon Wireless Business Sales Representative at 1-800-VZW-4BIZ.

      About Verizon Wireless
      Verizon Wireless operates the nation's largest 4G LTE network and largest, most reliable 3G network. The company serves 93.0 million retail customers, including 88.0 million retail postpaid customers.  Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 80,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ) and Vodafone (LSE, NASDAQ: VOD). For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

      About Research In Motion
      Research In Motion (RIM), a global leader in wireless innovation, revolutionized the mobile industry with the introduction of the BlackBerry® solution in 1999. Today, BlackBerry products and services are used by millions of customers around the world to stay connected to the people and content that matter most throughout their day. Founded in 1984 and based in Waterloo, Ontario, RIM operates offices in North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Latin America. RIM is listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market (NASDAQ: RIMM) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: RIM). For more information, visit www.rim.com or www.blackberry.com.

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      Posted by the BerryReview Team for ©BerryReview, July 10, 2012, 10:01 am. | BlackBerry Curve 9310 Coming to Verizon This Week for $49.99 AR | 4 comments |


      Free Taptu Social RSS News Reader Updated to v2.2 for the PlayBook

      Posted: 10 Jul 2012 06:45 AM PDT

      Taptu PlayBook Taptu PlayBook2 

      Taptu is one of my regularly used apps on my PlayBook so I was happy to see it get an update this week. Sadly I have not managed to find a change log of what is new in this update. Still Taptu is definitely a standout app with its integration with Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and better yet Google. It also integrates with Instapaper though I have never used that function.

      Check out Taptu free in App World and let us know if you spot anything new!

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      Posted by the BerryReview Team for ©BerryReview, July 10, 2012, 9:45 am. | Free Taptu Social RSS News Reader Updated to v2.2 for the PlayBook | Leave a comment |


      Funny Promo Video Shows Off BlackBerry Tag Feature

      Posted: 10 Jul 2012 05:38 AM PDT

      BlackBErry Tag Ad

      A new promo video was spotted this week that does a hilarious job of highlighting RIM's NFC implementation BlackBerry Tag. belfastdispatcher uploaded the video (via N4BB) and credits it to RIM EMEA and their marketing efforts on BlackBerry Tag. I have watched the video 4 times already and I have to say it makes me laugh every time. Now if only RIM could capture some of that over the top magic in their other advertisements.

      Check out the video below:


      Desktop Video Link | Mobile Video Link

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      Posted by Ronen Halevy for ©BerryReview, July 10, 2012, 8:38 am. | Funny Promo Video Shows Off BlackBerry Tag Feature | Leave a comment |


      4G BlackBerry PlayBook Gets Certified for Mobile Networks

      Posted: 10 Jul 2012 04:42 AM PDT

      PTCRB PlayBook 4G

      Research in Motion's 4G BlackBerry PlayBook is now certified to fly on the airwaves. Bla1ze noticed one model of it hitting the PTCRB database listing OS 2.0.1.668 as the OS at certification. There is no release date which RIM has also been coy about so far. I am really curious to see what RIM has planned for the 4G PlayBook rollout. I know there are enterprises that are waiting for them and carriers like Verizon are almost definitely carrying them. My big questions are when and for how much.

      via PTCRB via CrackBerry

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      Posted by Ronen Halevy for ©BerryReview, July 10, 2012, 7:42 am. | 4G BlackBerry PlayBook Gets Certified for Mobile Networks | Leave a comment |


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