Kamis, 12 Mei 2011

BerryReview.com Giving Back to the BlackBerry Community

BerryReview.com Giving Back to the BlackBerry Community


RIM Flipping the Switch on Web Signals – Anybody Surprised?

Posted: 12 May 2011 03:05 AM PDT

NOTE: Due to this announcement the BerryReview WebSignal will no longer update after the end of May. We recommend that you use our new BerryReview Mobile push application.

BerryReview-Websignal1 BerryReview-Websignal2

When RIM first announced BlackBerry Web Signals in mid-2009 I was kind of excited about the program. RIM then proceeded to make the process of creating/deploying one a full on gauntlet along with limiting its features thus dooming it. The release of RIM's push API also kind of relegated it to the back burner. With BlackBerry OS 6 released without support for Web Signals we knew its death was coming soon.

RIM sent out a notice to all Web Signal users that they will no longer be accepting registrations for Web Signals as of May 31st but will still push out updates. After November 29th they will be killing off the whole program. RIM is recommending that companies migrate to a Push Service app and it looks like they will be helping companies do so.


Please be advised that Research In Motion ("RIM") will discontinue the Web Signals service effective from May 31 2011. Pursuant to the terms of your Web Signals Service Agreement, RIM hereby provides notice of termination of the Web Signals service.

In order to improve the user experience for BlackBerry® subscribers, RIM intends to work closely with content providers and developers to migrate them from the Web Signals service to Push Service enabled applications.

The  Web Signals service enabled content providers to place an icon that is associated with a web URL on a subscriber's device and push updates to the icon and URL which changed the icon appearance (splat) and notified subscribers to click on the icon to access the latest application content through their browser. With Push Service enabled applications, content providers will be able to push up to 8KB of updated content directly to their subscribers' application – not just a visual notification – for a timelier and richer user experience. Push Service is also designed to provide improved features support.

End User Experience

Existing subscribers to a Web Signals service will continue to see an updated icon and associated URL(s) for the latest content as content providers issue pushes up until the close of the service on November 29 2011. After the Web Signals service closes for new registrations on May 31 2011,  users will no longer be able to access the RIM hosted subscription URL(s) that enable registration to a specific content providers Web Signals service. As described in Action 2 in the table above, it's important that content providers remove any links on their web sites to RIM's Web Signals service application registration URL before May 31.

Note that if an existing subscriber to a Web Signals service changes either the SIM card in their BlackBerry device or carrier service plan, the subscriber would then have to re-subscribe to the specific Web Signals service. This re-subscription process will no longer be possible after May 31, when new registrations to the Web Signals service will be closed.

Developing with Push Service

Push Service is available to all BlackBerry devices running BlackBerry® Device Software 4.2 and later with integrated handheld APIs from BlackBerry Device Software 5.0 upwards. Push Service enables push updates to all members of a group or specific subscribers, notification of deliveries, and status queries, for improved monitoring and trackability.

To enable end-to-end application development Push Service has three components: the Java® server side SDK to manage subscriptions and initiate pushes and receive notifications, the Push Data Service which uses industry standard interfaces, and the handheld APIs and sample applications.

Further information on Push service can be found at: http://us.blackberry.com/developers/platform/pushapi.jsp

If you liked this article, you might find these interesting:


Posted by Ronen Halevy for ©BerryReview, May 12, 2011, 6:05 am. | RIM Flipping the Switch on Web Signals – Anybody Surprised? | Leave a comment |


Review: Bodyguadz Carbon Fiber Armor for the BlackBerry PlayBook

Posted: 11 May 2011 04:00 PM PDT

file_2_5The guys from Bodyguardz sent over their new carbon fiber armor protective skin for the BlackBerry PlayBook. The skin is a carbon fiber style and also comes with an HD PlayBook screen protector. The carbon fiber armor gives your device a nice clean look and while providing protection.

Package: One black (also available in white) carbon fiber skin, a cleaning clothe, and one HD screen protector.

Product description:

Looking for a product to protect your device from scratches and add style? Look no further. Our BodyGuardz Armor Carbon Fiber is designed to custom fit your device and provide tough scratch protection. Its carbon fiber pattern is stylish and smooth the touch. Installation is simple and, when removed, the BodyGuardz Armor Carbon Fiber will not leave any sticky residue. Each protector is very thin and will not add bulk to your device. The BodyGuardz Armor Carbon Fiber is tough and durable, and you can be assured that your device is protected.

Applying the armor to the device is fairly easy since it is one piece. Make sure you clean the device free of any lint or smudges on the screen. The best way to do this is to follow the instructions that come with the box. I simply aligned the skin so that the BlackBerry logo on the back of the PlayBook is not covered and then continued to apply it to the rest of the PlayBook. The Armor carbon fiber is designed to custom fit the BlackBerry PlayBook so it is not that hard to place it on it. They also have a tutorial on their website on how to perform the install. Is fairly simple and much easier than similar products I have tried in the past for other devices.

IMG-20110509-00489

The skin covers the back of the BlackBerry PlayBook and the sides without covering the ports or the buttons on the top.

The skin feels really nice on the PlayBook, feels sleek but also gives it a nice grip. You don't have to worry about accidentally scratching it, it is not designed as a tough durable case. For those that like to use the PlayBook bare this skin will fit your style nicely as it does not add too much bulk to it. It protects from small bumps and accidental nicks but probably would not do so well on hard surfaces.

The screen protector gives the screen a different feel to it, but does not take away from the touch screen responsiveness. The best part is that you don't' have to worry about scratching the screen on your PlayBook. The screen protector seems to have less finger prints left on it which I noticed the PlayBook screen by itself did. Applying the screen protector is not a challenge either and it does not leave bubbles on it if you align it correctly.

To apply the screen protector maker sure you align the top first with the camera openings so that it does not cover them. The screen protector is designed to custom fit the PlayBook as well so you won't have any confusion as to where you need to place it.

Overall this product gives your PlayBook a new look at the same time providing a protection from accidental scratches. The carbon fiber armor is designed to protect against scratches and not drops into hard surfaces such as concrete, it may have a better chance of surviving and less damage to it but I wouldn't recommend testing it.

Also remember that most cases made for the PlayBook are made to custom fit, that means that adding any extra bulk to it even if it is as thin as the the carbon fiber armor it is likely it will not fit into an Otterbox or other cases similar to it. I did manage to fit it back in an Otterbox case and surprisingly enough the touch responsiveness of the screen is not affected. The skin is not very thick so it should not make much of a difference for those that want to keep the device naked.

To purchase it simply visit their website at this link.

The cost is $29.95 and it is available in both Black and White.

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars It is easy to apply and it looks stylish, while providing an extra layer of protection.

 

file_2_3IMG-20110509-00483IMG-20110509-00484IMG-20110509-00488

If you liked this article, you might find these interesting:


Posted by Luis Merlos for ©BerryReview, May 11, 2011, 7:00 pm. | Review: Bodyguadz Carbon Fiber Armor for the BlackBerry PlayBook | 4 comments |


One Reason Your BlackBerry May Not Connect to Wi-Fi Immediately

Posted: 11 May 2011 01:25 PM PDT

Wifi Control

Over the years I have noticed that my BlackBerry 9700 and then 9800 would sometimes not connect to my Wi-Fi network. This would usually happen when I walked downstairs (Poor Wi-Fi coverage) and then came back up and stood mere feet from then access point. It turns out that there may actually be a reason for this happening and a quick fix if it does.

Mel let me know that RIM has a knowledge base entry that mentions an interesting "Blacklisting" feature that is in BlackBerry OS 5 and 6. What happens is that your Wi-Fi access point may be blacklisted for 5 minutes if you run into "Poor coverage, environmental issues, or access point equipment". It kind of makes sense since RIM wants the device to ignore a more powerful network if it is having issues and there are other less strong networks that work. To fix it all you need to do is turn off Wi-Fi and turn it back on again or simply wait 5 minutes.

If you liked this article, you might find these interesting:


Posted by Ronen Halevy for ©BerryReview, May 11, 2011, 4:25 pm. | One Reason Your BlackBerry May Not Connect to Wi-Fi Immediately | One comment |


RIM Details The Ports Needed for BlackBerry PlayBook Video Chat

Posted: 11 May 2011 11:10 AM PDT

IMG_3253

Some people trying to run the latest BlackBerry PlayBook Video Chat app at work may notice that it is not working do to blocked ports. For most home and personal networks this should not be a problem since you probably are not blocking outgoing ports but many companies do lock down outgoing ports which may stop your BlackBerry PlayBook from being able to Video Chat. RIM was nice enough to detail which ports you would need to forward to enable BlackBerry PlayBook Video Chat in a restrictive network though I wish you the best of luck trying to get your network administrators to open them:

  • 443 (TCP)
  • 3478 (TCP)
  • 3478 (UDP)
  • 45535 to 65535 (UDP)
  • NOTE: Depending on the Network Address Translation (NAT) configuration for the network, additional ports may be used for video traffic.

You can find more details at this link

If you liked this article, you might find these interesting:


Posted by Ronen Halevy for ©BerryReview, May 11, 2011, 2:10 pm. | RIM Details The Ports Needed for BlackBerry PlayBook Video Chat | One comment |


BlackBerry PlayBook Interactive How To Guides

Posted: 11 May 2011 09:26 AM PDT

PlayBook Guides2 PlayBook Guides

I was trying to help a friend learn how to make the most of his BlackBerry PlayBook and spotted a great resource while looking. RIM has posted a whole slew of BlackBerry PlayBook how to guides for practically every feature and app on the PlayBook. It is really thourough and since it is a Flash app it even works from the PlayBook. The guides are all housed inside one help site and range from how to perform spell checking to step by step instructions for bridging to your BlackBerry.

Check out the BlackBerry PlayBook How To Demos from your desktop or PlayBook

If you liked this article, you might find these interesting:


Posted by Ronen Halevy for ©BerryReview, May 11, 2011, 12:26 pm. | BlackBerry PlayBook Interactive How To Guides | 3 comments |


Seesmic for BlackBerry v1.5 Adds Salesforce Chatter and More!

Posted: 11 May 2011 08:20 AM PDT

 seesmic chatter seesmic chatter3

Seesmic updated their free Twitter client for BlackBerry to include support for the popular Salesforce Chatter service. This new update is great news for Salesforce users who can now add their account to the application. Once you are signed it you will be able to see your timeline, comment on posts, join groups, view your contacts, and post to your Chatter account. Pretty nice feature update right?

Other than that we have a few other updates in v1.5 including:

Enhanced Twitter Support

  • View Twitter users’ full profiles
  • Add Twitter users to your lists 
  • New Twitter search: view trending topics and search for Twitter users

New Composer

The composer is revamped and attachments are now uploaded only when you send your update. View and manage attachments before they are actually uploaded to the image sharing service of your choice.

Simpler Account Navigation

Nowadays, most people manage far more than one social media account. With improved account navigation, you can easily view your accounts and switch back and forth between them.

Check out a video of it in action below:


Desktop Video Link | Mobile Video Link

You can pick up the updated version of Seesmic for BlackBerry here

If you liked this article, you might find these interesting:


Posted by Ronen Halevy for ©BerryReview, May 11, 2011, 11:20 am. | Seesmic for BlackBerry v1.5 Adds Salesforce Chatter and More! | Leave a comment |


TouchUp Pro Wants to Edit Pictures on Your BlackBerry PlayBook

Posted: 11 May 2011 07:31 AM PDT

TouchUp TouchUp3

While I have been doing really well with Picnik as the photo editor on my BlackBerry PlayBook (Previously covered) I know there are a few users who want to be able to edit pics without having to fire up the browser. TouchUp Pro is a perfect fit in that case letting you do things like reduce red eye, crop, or rotate your pictures. It has a nice touch interface that is easy to work with and reviewers seem to be liking it.

TouchUp2 TouchUp4

TouchUp pro is going for $1.99 in App World at this link and they also have a free trial for you to give it a shot before throwing down for it. via CrackBerry

If you liked this article, you might find these interesting:


Posted by Ronen Halevy for ©BerryReview, May 11, 2011, 10:31 am. | TouchUp Pro Wants to Edit Pictures on Your BlackBerry PlayBook | 2 comments |


BB-Freaks Urban Nightmare Animated Theme – 50 Freebies!

Posted: 11 May 2011 06:30 AM PDT

When it comes to interesting and unique theme ideas, BB-Freaks has theme junkies covered. This recent theme, Urban Nightmare, offers dark background with colorful popping accents (almost reminds me of ‘Sin City’ movie look). Though it may not be everyone’s style, it certainly is creative.

From the description:

Yesterday night, in one of Freaksville's street, Something happened! Use the enviroment to create your own story based of the already given details. The homescreen features an animated layout where you'll be really surprised!! There's a HIDDEN DOCK on the homescreen with 5 customizable icons that you can show using the SPACEBAR key and hide it using the ESCAPE key, for Touchscreen devices just touch the screen to show it. The theme features the newest released 7.0 BlackBerry Icons!!! The theme is compatible ONLY with BlackBerry's using software 5.0 & 6.0!!! The theme runs very smoothly.

Regularly costing $5.99, Urban Nightmare, available for a variety of BlackBerry devices, is on sale for $3.99 in our Berryreview Store. HOWEVER, generous as they always are, BB-Freaks is giving away 50 for FREE. You know the drill…head on over to the Berryreview Store, select your device and enter coupon code URBNGH at checkout! (code works, I checked it) Please say thanks in the comments if you get lucky. A BIG THANKS TO THEM FROM BERRYREVIEW!

If you liked this article, you might find these interesting:


Posted by Vicky for ©BerryReview, May 11, 2011, 9:30 am. | BB-Freaks Urban Nightmare Animated Theme – 50 Freebies! | 4 comments |


Review and GIVEAWAY: DODOCase For BlackBerry PlayBook

Posted: 11 May 2011 04:30 AM PDT

img_9326

If you're not familiar with DODOcase, you should be. They have been around since April of 2010 and have been extremely successful with manufacturing cases for the iPad using traditional book binding techniques. The great news for all of us is DODOcase has decided to make an equally awesome case for the PlayBook!

I have had the privilege of trying this case out for the last week and I am impressed. The workmanship is excellent, the functionality is impressive, and it looks amazing. Keep reading to find out how you could be the lucky BerryReview reader to receive a FREE DODOcase for your PlayBook!

The first thing I noticed about this case is how cool it looks. Since the PlayBook is a portable 7", when nestled in a closed DODOcase, it looks like a moleskin journal or notebook; elastic enclosure and all. Upon closer examination one can tell that those are not pages from a book, but bamboo; precision carved to fit the PlayBook snugly with no worry of falling out. There are also 4 rubberized pieces in each corner for added protection.

dodocase-560-playbook-1

The DODOcase has an opening to allow access to the bottom ports. This is the only hint that this is not your grandma's notebook when the DODOcase is closed. There are also openings to allow access to the top buttons and headset jack. I have heard of concerns about the DODOcase covering the mics at the top of the PlayBook. There is actually a very small amount of space at the top allowing for the mics to function properly. I can tell that this is true when I look closely and compare the gaps on top and bottom.

IMG_0442

The DODOcase can fold back to function as a stand. Initially I had problems balancing it since the back tends to slip out when it is pushed back too far. The angle shown below is close to the maximum angle I have found that works on smooth surfaces.

dodocase-560-playbook-7

When folded all the way back the DODOcase provides a nice angle for typing. It makes it a bit cumbersome when holding the PlayBook for extended periods, but not a big deal.

IMG_0440

This is definitely a nice way to look sophisticated while reading through some ebooks from kobo, but not a position I favor for very long. I like to have the cover out of the way.

IMG_0409

Summary:

Pros

  • Unique and stylish look disguises your PlayBook as a moleskin notebook.
  • Fits the PlayBook snugly but not so tight as to make it difficult to remove.
  • Excellent protection from nicks and bumps since the PlayBook is almost completely enclosed in the closed position.
  • Standup and typing positions are convenient for watching videos or tapping out emails.
  • Elastic keeps case firmly closed when not in use.

Cons

  • No cutout for rear camera. This is a tough one. If there was a cutout, it would mess with the cool notebook disguise. It would also be awkward to take pictures because you would have to hold the cover so it wasn't blocking your view of the screen or the camera's view. Since the PlayBook is not too difficult to remove, this is not a huge issue for me.
  • A bit cumbersome when holding open for extended periods
  • Standup slips on some smooth surfaces if angle is too steep. Small rubber grippers on the edge of the cover would be a cool feature to fix this problem.

The kind folks at DODOcase have offered to send a PlayBook case to one lucky BerryReview reader! To win a FREE DODOcase for PlayBook, simply leave a comment on this post. You must be registered for your comment to count. I would also recommend following @dodosays on twitter and liking DODOcase on Facebook. The deadline for comments is this Saturday (May 14) at 11:59pm EDT. Only one comment per person will be counted.

For more information on DODOcase for BlackBerry PlayBook click here. It retails for $59.95.

To learn more about DODOcase and their unique approach to quality and craftsmanship, check out the video below.

If you liked this article, you might find these interesting:


Posted by jforce for ©BerryReview, May 11, 2011, 7:30 am. | Review and GIVEAWAY: DODOCase For BlackBerry PlayBook | 54 comments |


Tidak ada komentar:

Posting Komentar