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- MEElectronics In Ear Headphones With Microphone. Review and Giveaway!
- LoudTalks Releases Free Beta Push To Talk App for BlackBerry
- BlackBerry Bridge Updated to v1.0.0.93 with OTA Links for OS 6 & 5
- Readability Bookmarklet Makes Cluttered Websites More “Readable”
- Giveaway: 100 Free Copies of BerryPopup From BellShare
- Review: Verbatim External Storage
- BeBuzz v4 Released With Support for BerryReview Mobile App Notifications
- Interview: RIM’s Mike Kirkup on BlackBerry PlayBook Development
- Amazon Now (Sort Of) Selling the BlackBerry PlayBook
- Upcoming BlackBerry ID API for Developers – One ID to Rule Them All
- BlackBerry PlayBook OEM Convertible Case Back in Stock
- Rumor: BlackBerry PlayBook OS Update Scheduled for Today?
- RIM Announces Winners of BlackBerry PlayBook Haiku Twitter Contest
| MEElectronics In Ear Headphones With Microphone. Review and Giveaway! Posted: 07 Jun 2011 04:00 AM PDT MEElectronics has been around since 2005. They started out making MP3 players and soon realized that quality earphones are extremely important to the best sound experience. They shifted their focus to producing earphones that are affordable, durable, stylish and provide exceptional sound quality. Mike from MEElectronics let us know about his headphones and will be providing THREE pairs to lucky BerryReview readers who comment on this post! Raise your chances of winning by liking MEElectronics on Facebook and following them on twitter. I have recently had the privilege of testing out four different headphone models that MEElectronics produces. I will be posting separate reviews for each model. This will be the only post where you have a chance to win a free pair, but there is another surprise in store for the other models. The first model I will be reviewing are the award winning M9P in-ear headphones with microphone. I was very pleasantly surprised by these headphones which are currently on sale for $24.99. The sound range and quality are very impressive for headphones in this price range as evidenced by the awards this model has received: The second generation M9 line has a new cable and redesigned housing which reduces cable noise while maintaining high sound quality. I do like the look and feel of the cable and have found that the design also reduces tangling. The M9's come with 5 different eartips so you can find the size and fit that work best for you. I have kind of small ears so the smallest tips are the most comfortable for me. Bigger sizes make my ears ache a bit if I wear them for a while. The important thing to remember is to make sure the seal is good. Don't just throw out the extra eartips. Try them all out to see which size is the most comfortable and creates the best seal. The microphone doubles as a play/pause button for your music, which is nice. It would be even better to have a skip button as well. On iOS a double click skips ahead and a quick triple press starts the track over or goes to the previous track. This could be a simple software fix for BlackBerry (couldn't it?). Another small button on the microphone could fix this as well. Find out the full functionality of the built-in microphone at this support page. MEElectronics is serious about their headphones. They have a very extensive product support page and excellent customer service. I can confidently recommend the M9P headphones to any of our readers. As mentioned above, MEElectronics has kindly offered to give THREE of our lucky readers a pair of these award winning headphones. Leave a comment on this post for your chance to win! And don't forget to like them on facebook and follow them on twitter and retweet this review! Stay tuned for the other 3 reviews of MEElectronics’ headphones! Comments will be counted until this Saturday June 11 at 11:59 EDT. One comment per person. Good luck! If you liked this article, you might find these interesting:
Posted by jforce for ©BerryReview, June 7, 2011, 7:00 am. | MEElectronics In Ear Headphones With Microphone. Review and Giveaway! | Leave a comment |
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| LoudTalks Releases Free Beta Push To Talk App for BlackBerry Posted: 07 Jun 2011 02:57 AM PDT
Over the years there have been quite a few push to talk BlackBerry solutions with even RIM/carriers joining in though none have really caught on. Luis let me know about the latest to join the fray called LoudTalk which recently released (May 19th) a beta push to talk application for BlackBerry. The app actually works nicely and doesn't use a ton of data and there is a PC client if you want to try it out. It also works on all OS 4.5+ devices which is a perk. Features include:
Check out the beta at loudtalks.com/bb and let us know what you think! If you liked this article, you might find these interesting:
Posted by Ronen Halevy for ©BerryReview, June 7, 2011, 5:57 am. | LoudTalks Releases Free Beta Push To Talk App for BlackBerry | One comment |
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| BlackBerry Bridge Updated to v1.0.0.93 with OTA Links for OS 6 & 5 Posted: 06 Jun 2011 06:33 PM PDT It looks like the PlayBook update we told you about might still happen today. We are now hearing that BlackBerry Bridge v1.0.0.93 is rolling out in App World. The team at BBEmpire managed to score a screenshot of it showing v1.0.0.93 in App World along with an OTA download link for OS 6 devices. Download BlackBerry Bridge v1.0.0.93 in App World OTA download link for BlackBerry Bridge v1.0.0.93 courtesy of @rr_yy we also have it for OS5 at this link Everybody still mashing their PlayBooks check for updates button? If you liked this article, you might find these interesting:
Posted by Ronen Halevy for ©BerryReview, June 6, 2011, 9:33 pm. | BlackBerry Bridge Updated to v1.0.0.93 with OTA Links for OS 6 & 5 | 9 comments |
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| Readability Bookmarklet Makes Cluttered Websites More “Readable” Posted: 06 Jun 2011 02:31 PM PDT
We introduced you to Bookmarklets on the BlackBerry last week and since then I have been trying different ones to see how things go. The latest one I have found that I really like is a Bookmarklet from Readability that converts complex websites into something that is much easier on the eyes. I read TheWeek.com often on my BlackBerry and they don't have a mobile website which makes reading the site a pain. The readability plugin fixes that by just leaving the content without all of the zooming. You can add the Readability Bookmarklet to your BlackBerry by hovering over this link, pressing the menu button, and then selecting "Add link to Bookmarks". Next time you want to make a site more "readable" just click the "K" Bookmarks shortcut key in the browser or open up the bookmarks in the menu and select the Readability bookmark. You can find more details about the readability bookmarklet here.
If you liked this article, you might find these interesting:
Posted by Ronen Halevy for ©BerryReview, June 6, 2011, 5:31 pm. | Readability Bookmarklet Makes Cluttered Websites More “Readable” | 5 comments |
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| Giveaway: 100 Free Copies of BerryPopup From BellShare Posted: 06 Jun 2011 11:00 AM PDT
For more features and to purchase the the app visit the berryreview store at this link for $4.99 Giveaway details: You want to win a free copy? all you need to do is leave a comment below and we will contact the winners once the contest is over. Thanks to the guys from BellShare for their support and our readers. Keep an eye on our site as we have more goodies for you in the days to come. If you liked this article, you might find these interesting:
Posted by Luis Merlos for ©BerryReview, June 6, 2011, 2:00 pm. | Giveaway: 100 Free Copies of BerryPopup From BellShare | 145 comments |
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| Review: Verbatim External Storage Posted: 06 Jun 2011 10:01 AM PDT
One of the things I find I can never leave home without is a solid USB drive. There are so many cases where they come in handy from simply transferring files to sharing a program install file. I sometimes wish that RIM would build the USB cable into BlackBerrys so I could use my BlackBerry as a USB drive. Until then I have been trying out Verbatim’s lineup of new USB drives ranging from a leather clad offering to a tiny keychain addon. Check them out below: Wallet drive Rating: 8 out of 10 stars 8 /10 Pros
Cons
Tuff-’n'-Tiny Rating: 9 out of 10 stars 9 /10 Pros
Cons
I still don’t consider myself old, but if there’s anything that would get me to say “That was so long ago!”, it’s the way computers have grown. The first computer I used, which I thought was fantastic, had 50 MB of hard disk space, had a clock rate of 128 MHz, and ran Windows 3.1. I don’t think I need to say how far we’ve come as any 2 dollar toy these days is more technologically advanced than that. What I find most amazing about this is that because of the huge technological disparity from then to now, I keep thinking that we’re done. That’s it! Engineers should just stop making new computers as there’s certainly no need to build anything better. While that is certainly a false statement, it does hold true with regards to external memory. Let’s face it, even if your computer comes with only 100 GB of space, and you might need an external HD because 100 GB isn’t cutting it for your basic needs, 1 TB external HD are becoming more and more standard these days; and you can install programs from today to tomorrow and you probably won’t fill up 1 TB. Yea, people mostly use external HDs for their enourmous multimedia libraries, but even so, you can shell out the cash for the 2 TB drive if you really wanted to. Now if you’re talking about USB sticks, they can theoretically grow in space, but it’s not completely necessary. USB sticks are approaching 50 GB in size, and for the niche they fill, that’s more than enough. My point is it’s going to be hard to impress me with any kind of storage device these days; size just won’t cut it. I need to see something more. Verbatim must have known that people are starting to think this way, because they have some devices that are a somewhat above ordinary. I’m talking about Verbatim’s Wallet Drive external HD, and their Tuff-’n'-Tiny USB stick. Both are fairly big in actual capacity, having up to 640 and 32 GB of space respectively, but both also fill some basic needs that other storage devices seem to overlook. The Wallet Drive, as the name suggests, looks like a money wallet. It pulls off the mimic so well, with its smooth leather and stitched borders, that unless told, and onlooker would easily mistake it for an actual wallet. The drive is also only 0.44″ thick, so it easily fits in any pocket or purse without bulging too much. I think the Wallet Drive is a big step in making external HDs more and more inconspicuous, which is the direction that I think portable storge devices should be taking. Like I said, storage size is becoming less and less of a deal, so why is one external HD really any better than any other? However, if you can give me a HD that I can stick in my pocket, and not be embarassed to take out in Starbucks and watch a TV show over some coffee without being stared at by people, then you’ve just given me a reason to buy your product. On that note, the Wallet drive takes its power directly from your USB drive, so it requires no extra power cords to bother you with. It also attaches to your computer with an included small (3 to 5 inches) USB cord, allowing you to switch it for a longer cord if you want to use the drive while it’s hidden on your shelf. The Wallet Drive almost looks like a joke when compared side-by-side to Verbatim’s Tuff-’n'-Tiny USB stick, which weighs in at 0.5 ounces, and is 0.5 x 0.1 x 1.2 inches. It’s so small that it only slides into half of your USB slot (wedged between a wall and the contacts). If you want inconspicuous, you got it. And it’s great! If I’m going to have a small USB drive for file sharing and quick access, that I carry around with me EVERYWHERE, I’d like not to be constantly reminded that I’m lugging it around. I chuckle a bit every time I see someone with 5 keys on their key ring, and then a USB drive that’s almost as big as the 5 keys combined. It’s pathetic! It’s annoying. It’s old technology. I keep my Tuff-’n'-Tiny in a fold in my wallet, and frankly, sometimes I’m concerned that it’s so small it’s going to fall out. So for all of you that want a little more peace of mind, you can also attach the Tuff-’n'-Tiny to your key ring (with included lanyard). Unlike other USB sticks, however, the Tuff-’n'-Tiny won’t be adding any bulk nor any weight to your key ring. You can also be rest assured, that even without a case your Tuff-’n'-Tiny will be protected as it’s water resistant, dust resistant and static resistant. So I ask you, why would you buy a 32 GB drive the size a pack of gum when you can get the same use out of something you’ll never remember you’re carrying? If you liked this article, you might find these interesting:
Posted by Evan for ©BerryReview, June 6, 2011, 1:01 pm. | Review: Verbatim External Storage | One comment |
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| BeBuzz v4 Released With Support for BerryReview Mobile App Notifications Posted: 06 Jun 2011 09:01 AM PDT
Last month we told you that BellShare had updated their BeBuzz app beta to include support for our new BerryReview Mobile App in their latest v4.0.77 Maintenance Release. Now that beta release of v4 has been made official for all to enjoy. That means you can set notifications like LED, sound, vibration, etc for when you get a new article pushed to the free BerryReview Mobile app. You can pick up the limited free version of BeBuzz in App World or the full premium version for $5.99 in the store. Thanks to everyone who sent this in! If you liked this article, you might find these interesting:
Posted by Ronen Halevy for ©BerryReview, June 6, 2011, 12:01 pm. | BeBuzz v4 Released With Support for BerryReview Mobile App Notifications | 4 comments |
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| Interview: RIM’s Mike Kirkup on BlackBerry PlayBook Development Posted: 06 Jun 2011 08:06 AM PDT I always enjoy talking to Mike Kirkup, Director of Developer Relations @RIM, about the future of the BlackBerry platform. We got some great information from the Developer Panel he ran at BlackBerry World with Chris Smith, Senior Director for the BlackBerry Development Platform. I had the opportunity to speak to Mike again this past Friday about one of the new BlackBerry OS 7 APIs and had a chance to ask him some BlackBerry PlayBook developer questions. Here is what I found out… Q: Is RIM choosing to limit BlackBerry PlayBook app distribution to App World or will it be expanded in the future? Mike told me that RIM is actually changing course here based on fragmentation complaints from developers. RIM's decision to make App World the only channel for BlackBerry PlayBook apps was done on purpose. Mike said this was because developers were dealing with fragmentation where "success in one of the many app stores did not translate into progress in the other." RIM is walking a fine line in this case between the Apple "Walled Garden" approach and the Android and previously BlackBerry approach of "Come One Come All." I pointed out to Mike that there is definitely a valid need for allowing other forms of installation beyond App World and he agreed with me. RIM is planning on a sort of Enterprise App World that they hinted to at BlackBerry World to distribute applications to specific PlayBooks using some sort of private enterprise catalog. I told Mike that this still does not solve some of the very valid use cases like beta testing applications before publishing them. I also mentioned that sideloading is becoming a usual thing and he said there is actually a use case for sideloading with hardcore users. All in all this is an interesting change for RIM and I am not sure exactly how it will play out. Q: What strategy do you recommend for current BlackBerry Java developers when it comes to the BlackBerry PlayBook? Mike reiterated to me that a "Proper Java Environment is still in the works though RIM is committed to the native SDK." The BlackBerry PlayBook has put RIM in an interesting situation where their core developer base of Java Developers cannot currently create PlayBook apps using that same skill set. RIM is planning on releasing a Java Player by the end of the year that will allow the PlayBook to run BlackBerry smartphone Java Apps but this is not the proper Java environment for the BlackBerry PlayBook and QNX. Mike told me that RIM realizes they need to choose a Java environment that can "take RIM for the next 10 years of growth." In other words that means the current J2ME based Rimlets are out the door. My guess is we will see something more like Androids Davlik in the future for the PlayBook. Q: If that is the case what is the current message RIM is sending to Java developers? What platform on the PlayBook should companies develop their app in? AIR? WebWorks? Wait for Android/Java Players? Native SDK? Mike said I am looking at the question from the wrong direction. From RIM's perspective they are trying to make the BlackBerry PlayBook an attractive development platform for many different types of developers. He said the PlayBook is a new experience for RIM since they are not the main source of information and community like the case is for AIR and WebWorks developers. The BlackBerry Java community could only get its information from RIM but these developers come from a larger circle. I did get Mike to concede that Java developers will need to make a choice for now if they want to make a PlayBook app until RIM brings a Java environment. I am not sure if that decision should be WebWorks, AIR, or waiting for the Native SDK or Android Java player… Q: Will the Native SDK for the BlackBerry PlayBook include a UI (User Interface) framework? This is a key question I have been asked by many developers and it seems like the answer is no for now. When RIM first releases the Native SDK it is really geared at gaming which is why RIM is working so hard to get game engine developers to port their platforms. The only real framework at the Native SDK launch will be OpenGL as we know. On the other hand Mike did reiterate that a UI framework will be coming for the BlackBerry PlayBook. It is just not the first purpose for the Native SDK. This means that app developers will not gain the full benefit of the native SDK since they will have to write their own engine to draw each pixel on the screen… I wonder if there are any current QNX frameworks you could us. Q: Will the new native SDK allow for using elements between the different environments? (Flash/WebWorks) For example, we always see the QNX uses in other devices and the UI is created in AIR/Flash… I was curious if the upcoming Native SDK would allow developers to mix and match between the different elements in the different environments. I asked Mike if it would be possible to create a UI in AIR and then have the application logic written in C. He told me that not only is it possible but some of the current BlackBerry PlayBook apps are written that way. Q: When will RIM be allowing BlackBerry PlayBook developers to break out of the app sandbox. We see the framework with notifications, invoking other apps, background services, etc but currently they are limited. When will those limits be removed? Ever wonder if you BlackBerry PlayBook app can run in the background when you start the device and then check the weather every hour and leave a notification? Right now that is not possible because RIM has not opened up the APIs but you can tell the functionality is there. I asked Mike when we will be seeing this functionality open up and he said it is coming soon. RIM is building the "Robust Platform" and will be opening up its capabilities to allow for invoking other services and engaging between apps. Q: On a side note what happened to the BlackBerry Smartphone simulators for Mac? We now have the Eclipse plugins but not the Simulator. The Mac simulators are still coming! Q: Last but not least what is the best way for BlackBerry developers to provide feedback to RIM? Developers are an opinionated bunch and have many ideas on how to improve the BlackBerry platform but they don't want it to fall on deaf ears. I asked Mike what is the best way to bring something to RIM's attention and he said it is a combination of the BlackBerry Developer Forums and the Bug Tracker. He said that if there is a specific bug that RIM needs to fix the bug tracker is the way to go. RIM now has a solid team that is dedicated to cleaning up that queue as fast as possible. If you have something that is farther reaching like an API that you want expanded or just want to rant about the complex Code Signing process or how the PlayBook APIs are the best thing since sliced bread then the forums are the way to go. He said that many of the threads end up on his desk. We got some great updates from Mike on the development of the BlackBerry PlayBook platform. Let us know if we missed anything! If you liked this article, you might find these interesting:
Posted by Ronen Halevy for ©BerryReview, June 6, 2011, 11:06 am. | Interview: RIM’s Mike Kirkup on BlackBerry PlayBook Development | 6 comments |
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| Amazon Now (Sort Of) Selling the BlackBerry PlayBook Posted: 06 Jun 2011 07:40 AM PDT We told you back on May 20th that Amazon was accepting preorders for the BlackBerry PlayBook shipping June 1st. Now John let us know that Amazon has the BlackBerry PlayBook available for order but all three variants are either out of stock or shipping in 2-5 weeks. I am not sure if that is considered selling the BlackBerry PlayBook but there is a reason I care. Usually when Amazon gets their hands on a product they usually offer the lowest possible price along with free shipping. I am waiting for them to finally stock the BlackBerry PlayBook to see how prices change if at all. Here are the links for the PlayBook on Amazon if you are interested. Other sellers on Amazon are selling the PlayBook for similar prices if you so wish just look in the sidebar on each page.
Let us know if you pick up the PlayBook from Amazon If you liked this article, you might find these interesting:
Posted by Ronen Halevy for ©BerryReview, June 6, 2011, 10:40 am. | Amazon Now (Sort Of) Selling the BlackBerry PlayBook | 2 comments |
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| Upcoming BlackBerry ID API for Developers – One ID to Rule Them All Posted: 06 Jun 2011 06:56 AM PDT RIM's vision of BlackBerry ID is slowly taking shape with more and more services coming under its umbrella. More and more RIM services are starting to use BlackBerry ID and it will be an integral part of BlackBerry OS 7 just like it is on the PlayBook. Right now when a developer wants to identify an app user they can either use the users PIN number or maybe query one of the email addresses associated with the device. RIM plans for BlackBerry ID to replace that as single point of identification for a BlackBerry user. I spoke to Mike Kirkup, Director of Developer Relations @RIM, about this upcoming API that is either shipping with BlackBerry OS 7 or coming as a service after launch like the Advertising or BBM service. Developers can potentially use that BlackBerry ID data as a form of identification to uniquely identify a user. For example, developers can use that ID to verify app licenses against their own registration list and other customizations based on a single identity. I am hoping that means the end of registration codes and painful PIN transitions. On top of that RIM has a long term vision beyond the original use case for BlackBerry ID. They envision leveraging it in the future for 3rd party devs to store information about the user like app registrations or even app settings in the cloud. I can see quite a bit that devs could benefit from especially for making the transition between devices simpler. It could store a quick backup object for each app with basic settings to make device switches a piece of cake sort of like what BlackBerry Protect did. What do you think about the BlackBerry ID API? Oddly enough I found that Adobe Developer Evangelist, Renaun Erickson, posted a whole tutorial about working with the BlackBerry ID API on the BlackBerry PlayBook. The weird part is that I can find no reference to the different API's Renaun talks about though I can now confirm that they are coming. Renaun pulls in this ID information from the following classes:
Except for Renaun mentioning them I cannot find any other reference to them. Let me know if you figure out more! If you liked this article, you might find these interesting:
Posted by Ronen Halevy for ©BerryReview, June 6, 2011, 9:56 am. | Upcoming BlackBerry ID API for Developers – One ID to Rule Them All | 3 comments |
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| BlackBerry PlayBook OEM Convertible Case Back in Stock Posted: 06 Jun 2011 06:28 AM PDT We told you back in May that the BlackBerry PlayBook Convertible Case from RIM was out of stock on quite a few websites including RIM's ShopBlackBerry.com. Back then we heard that it would come back in stock in June and low and behold it is now available. (Thanks Terrence for the tip!) For all of you who wanted a RIM made BlackBerry PlayBook Convertible Case (think journal style) you can now pick one up for $49.99 on ShopBlackBerry at this link. If you liked this article, you might find these interesting:
Posted by Ronen Halevy for ©BerryReview, June 6, 2011, 9:28 am. | BlackBerry PlayBook OEM Convertible Case Back in Stock | 2 comments |
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| Rumor: BlackBerry PlayBook OS Update Scheduled for Today? Posted: 06 Jun 2011 06:00 AM PDT I am hearing from a very solid and reliable source that there is a scheduled BlackBerry PlayBook OS update for today June 6th 2011. Our source is not sure if RIM is still holding to the June 6th rollout for the US but hopefully there are no delays. So far the things I hear are coming in this update are not ground breaking but I have not seen the whole change log. In other words if you have time throughout the day please mash that "Check for Updates" button and send us a tip if you see anything! If you liked this article, you might find these interesting:
Posted by Ronen Halevy for ©BerryReview, June 6, 2011, 9:00 am. | Rumor: BlackBerry PlayBook OS Update Scheduled for Today? | 24 comments |
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| RIM Announces Winners of BlackBerry PlayBook Haiku Twitter Contest Posted: 06 Jun 2011 05:48 AM PDT RIM's social media team has been doing a great job of embracing multiple forms of connecting with customers and enthusiasts. We told you about their BlackBerry PlayBook Haiku two pronged contest back in April. Now that both sets of the contest are over RIM has made the winners public. They had 2,165 submissions in the first contest and 1,150 submissions in the second which is pretty impressive if you consider they had to be valid Haiku's. My favorite one from the winners is from Paul Sogge: You can check out the top 10 that won at the BlackBerry Blog. Let us know what yours was! If you liked this article, you might find these interesting:
Posted by Ronen Halevy for ©BerryReview, June 6, 2011, 8:48 am. | RIM Announces Winners of BlackBerry PlayBook Haiku Twitter Contest | One comment |
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