Kamis, 30 Juni 2011

BerryReview.com Giving Back to the BlackBerry Community

BerryReview.com Giving Back to the BlackBerry Community

Developing for OS7 Analysis: What Developers Need to know (Recap)

Posted: 30 Jun 2011 03:26 AM PDT

BlackBerry BOld 9900

Earlier today RIM hosted a webinar for developers on what they need to know about BlackBerry 7. I am pretty excited to see what new APIs will be available and how I can put them to work in my apps, so I tuned in to see what's coming. Here is a quick recap of my thoughts on the what RIM had to say about BlackBerry 7.

First, why do you want to develop for BlackBerry 7? Because newer OSs is where the money's at.  RIM revealed some pretty compelling statistics to that effect: 54% of paid app purchases in App World are to OS 6 devices and 40% to OS 5 ones. Going by past experience, in all likelihood by Christmas of next year it will be BlackBerry 7 devices that account for the lion's share of app purchases. So the earlier you get in on the action the more you will benefit from the upcoming upgrade cycle (Mental note to self: phase out support for OS 4.6 in own apps ASAP).

Now, what's new in BlackBerry 7. Most if not all of the additions appear to be largely driven by new hardware capabilities, especially graphical ones. We have NFC, magnetometer (hello, compass apps), HD video recording, pimped out multimedia APIs and OpenGL ES 2.0 for enhanced gaming. A new Window Manager will allow the overlaying of Java UI and OpenGL over native screens so you can do cool things like layering graphics on top of video or overlaying textured surfaces on any screen. Could this be the beginning of BlackBerry apps that look and feel more suave?

BlackBerry 7 devices will also have what RIM calls "liquid graphics": an optimization of the graphics pipeline that promises 60 FPS performance for Java apps. The goal for the RIM team seems to be significantly reducing UI latency, or in other words making new BlackBerries appear "snappier". Key app latency is targeted at < 0.3% which is huge. When compared against the Torch latency (≈2.41%) and 9780 (≈1.55%) it will be a very noticeable improvement and something that will make everyone happy.

Last but not least, an API near and dear to my heart got a nice boost. The Super Apps API, which in my opinion is head-and-shoulders above everyone else in the industry now has a new Send Menu API which will enable sharing application content with contacts by email, text, facebook etc. Nicely done on this one, RIM.

You can find more details on the on all new things in BlackBerry 7 from previous coverage and an earlier post today.

So in conclusion, we have a very exciting additions coming up that show just how much of a hardware improvement we will be getting in BlackBerry 7. Now, if only these BlackBerry 7 devices could come out sooner rather than later…

About the Author: Chris Balavessov is the developer behind the popular BlackBerry personal organization app Viira and its MS Outlook companion the Viira Outlook Suite.

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Posted by Viira Dev for ©BerryReview, June 30, 2011, 6:26 am. | Developing for OS7 Analysis: What Developers Need to know (Recap) | Leave a comment |


Telus BlackBerry Bold 9900 & 9860 Spotted in the Wild

Posted: 29 Jun 2011 08:38 PM PDT

BlackBerry Bold 9900 9860 Spotted Telus 

Not much to say here other than these devices are so close to launch they are starting to be spotted regularly. CrackBerry got a tip showing the BlackBerry Bold 9900 and BlackBerry 9860 (full touchscreen device) running on Telus caught on the streets of Toronto. I guess that means the boys in green will be getting these slick devices.

We have been hearing from many contacts that RIM and carriers are showing the devices around prolifically meaning device launches are coming soon. Expect to hear more as we learn more. G'night y'all! Ronenout…

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Posted by Ronen Halevy for ©BerryReview, June 29, 2011, 11:38 pm. | Telus BlackBerry Bold 9900 & 9860 Spotted in the Wild | 5 comments |


Official OS 6.0.0.600 for BlackBerry Torch 9800 & Curve 9300

Posted: 29 Jun 2011 08:17 PM PDT

imageIt is nice to see the official release of a pretty solid OS beta. Vodafone DE just officially released OS 6.0.0.600 for the BlackBerry Torch 9800 and the Curve 9300. I have been using this OS on my Torch for a bit now and I have to say it has been solid so far. If you have been waiting for an official carrier release to upgrade then here is your chance!

Warning: This OS will not install on any other BlackBerry besides the one mentioned above. Don't forget to delete the vendor.xml file located in c:program files>common files>research in motion>apploader to install it on a different carriers device. If you do not know how to upgrade your BlackBerry OS please start by reading this step by step guide.

Thanks Dennis for the tip! via N4BB

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Posted by Ronen Halevy for ©BerryReview, June 29, 2011, 11:17 pm. | Official OS 6.0.0.600 for BlackBerry Torch 9800 & Curve 9300 | 5 comments |


Last Chance to Win a BlackBerry PlayBook in the BerryReview 4th Birthday Bash Contest!

Posted: 29 Jun 2011 03:00 PM PDT

BerryReview Birthday Bash

PlayBook_Angle_1_thumbOur 4th Birthday Bash is coming to a close at the end of the month which means some lucky winner will soon have a new BlackBerry PlayBook! You can increase your chances of being that lucky winner with every comment, forum post, tip submission, or article Retweet in the month of June counting as an entry! The prize is either a BlackBerry PlayBook or a $500 Amazon/PayPal gift card so what are you waiting for!

Check out the full details of the contest here!

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Posted by Ronen Halevy for ©BerryReview, June 29, 2011, 6:00 pm. | Last Chance to Win a BlackBerry PlayBook in the BerryReview 4th Birthday Bash Contest! | 14 comments |


BlackBerry Messenger v6.0.0.111 Available in Beta Zone

Posted: 29 Jun 2011 09:20 AM PDT

BBM Beta Update

The BBM news keeps on coming. The BlackBerry Beta Zone just have a new version of BBM drop for us to play with! This coincides perfectly with the launch of the BBM Social Platform SDK which is coming soon. It will be launching officially soon after July 8th. Here is the official update note from the Beta Zone:


What’s New -You won’t see any new features in this version since we’ve focused on fixing a lot of the bugs found in BBM 6 and the BBM Social Platform. We really need developers to update to this version, but we would still like beta testers to test this version from an end user’s perspective to make sure everything’s working fine!

So enjoy this new version! Use BBM as you normally would and leave feedback in the discussion forum if you see anything "funny". We may follow up with a survey in future to get your feedback on any  issues found in this version .

Thanks to everyone who reported any bugs or feature requests for BBM v6.0.0.73. They’ve all been shared with the project team and we’re actively investigating them for future versions of BBM.

You can pick up this new version in the Beta Zone at this link. Kudos to @Calvin_Joe for spotting this!

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Posted by Luis Merlos for ©BerryReview, June 29, 2011, 12:20 pm. | BlackBerry Messenger v6.0.0.111 Available in Beta Zone | 8 comments |


RIM Makes BBM Social SDK Updates Official for Java and WebWorks

Posted: 29 Jun 2011 09:14 AM PDT

webworks PlayBook Torch

We told you yesterday about this update but it seems like RIM has finally gotten around to announcing it. RIM has made the new BBM Social SDK 1.0 for Java official so you can now submit apps to App World with these features. They have also made the BBM Social SDK for WebWorks available in public beta so it does not look like you will be able to submit those apps but you can get started developing them.

The catch is that RIM will not make apps using the BBM Social API available for sale until BBM 6 is publicly available outside of App World. This is because BBM 6 is required for the SDK and APIs to work. RIM is saying that apps submitted and approved by July 8th will be available when BBM 6 launches. That means BBM 6 is right around the corner!

Check out more details about the announcement on RIM's devblog including download links:

More details from RIM's announcement:

Today Research In Motion (RIM) announced the global availability of the BlackBerry® Messenger (BBM™) Social Platform SDK 1.0 for BlackBerry Java final version and the BlackBerry® Messenger (BBM™) Social Platform SDK 1.0 for BlackBerry WebWorks™ first public beta version. The BBM Social Platform SDK is the toolset which enables developers to build a new class of super apps that leverage the power of the BBM social interactions. BBM has over 45 million active users world-wide and is growing at over 2 million active users per month.

The SDKs give Java and web developers access to new APIs that enable them to deeply integrate BBM social interactions in their apps, providing better differentiation. They can also leverage a powerful paradigm for app monetization through the viral distribution channel represented by the conversations of 45 million BBM users. They can build highly socially engaging apps including multimedia, gaming, location-based services (LBS), VoIP, video and commerce that now bring users' friends, families, and colleagues into those experiences. Within those apps, not only can users connect and chat with BBM contacts but they can also share application achievements and content in real time.

BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) Social Platform SDK 1.0 for BlackBerry Java

The final version of the BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) Social Platform SDK 1.0 for Blackberry Java adds a few changes and refinements to the platform since the last beta refresh in the spring of this year. These additions further equip BlackBerry to be the mobile platform of choice for delivering social applications and experiences. Below are a few of the APIs new in this release that enable developers to deliver engaging and interactive social experiences:

· The ability for an application to receive invitations from other users who are not on their contact list.

· Contact picker UI changed to improve the selection of multiple contacts and for initiating a multi-user chat.

· The ability to send a join invitation to a user who does not have the app installed. 

· A new API to determine whether the app is running on the test platform or production platform.

Developers can already get started and download the final version of the BBM Social Platform  SDK 1.0 for BlackBerry Java now available from BlackBerry Developer Zone  at http://us.blackberry.com/developers/blackberrymessenger/ to create the new build for their apps. BBM 6 will support apps using the BBM Social Platform.

BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) Social Platform SDK 1.0 for BlackBerry WebWorks

At its first public beta the BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) Social Platform SDK 1.0 for BlackBerry WebWorks adds full support to the BlackBerry WebWorks platform and brings the amazing features of the BBM Social Platform to web developers. Now they can add social features to their web application through the following APIs:

· access and update fields in the user's BBM profile such as status, avatar and personal message

· create their own custom areas within the user's BBM profile for promoting recent application activity or storing trophies and achievements

· initiate BBM chats with friends

· initiate BBM file transfers

· share applications virally with friends in their contact list

· initiate application-to-application background communication through BBM for sending and receiving application data, such as game moves, or alternatively, leverage this communication channel for enabling in-app chat

The beta version for BlackBerry WebWorks can be downloaded from the BlackBerry Developer Zone at http://us.blackberry.com/developers/blackberrymessenger/

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Posted by the BerryReview Team for ©BerryReview, June 29, 2011, 12:14 pm. | RIM Makes BBM Social SDK Updates Official for Java and WebWorks | One comment |


Develop for BB7 Webinar Today – EMEA & Asia Pacific Webinars Announced

Posted: 29 Jun 2011 09:02 AM PDT

BlackBerry BOld 9900

Developers! In case you missed it somehow or forgot RIM will be holding a webinar today on "what you need to know to develop for BlackBerry 7." That webinar is at 2PM EST today! Head on over to this link for details.

We forgot to mention in our previous post that RIM has announced the dates for their EMEA and Asia Pacific versions of the webinar that are more convenient for developers in those time zones. Here are the details:

EMEA:  Thursday July 7, 2011 at 2:00 pm BST

webcast.streamlogics.com/audience/index.asp?eventid=73027544

Asia Pacific:  Wednesday July 13, 2011 at 12:00 pm HKT

webcast.streamlogics.com/audience/index.asp?eventid=19724237

Let us know what you learn from the webinars!

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Posted by the BerryReview Team for ©BerryReview, June 29, 2011, 12:02 pm. | Develop for BB7 Webinar Today – EMEA & Asia Pacific Webinars Announced | One comment |


Use the New BlackBerry 7 APIs in Your App & RIM May Promote it for You

Posted: 29 Jun 2011 08:47 AM PDT

App World of Possibilities

RIM sent an email to developers this week letting them know about a cool opportunity they are offering. The new BlackBerry 7 OS offers quite a few new APIs for devs. RIM is trying to get developers to jump on the OS 7 bandwagon early by offering up the possibility that your "app could be featured in a variety of BlackBerry marketing activities" if you submit your app using the new BlackBerry 7 API's by July 31st. Here are the possible opportunities:

  • A feature in the BlackBerry App World feature carousel
  • Placement in the next edition of BlackBerry Connection newsletter
  • Placement in our media outreach activities
  • Placement in our social media
  • Placement in our digital properties on BlackBerry.com

The apps must be submitted to App World by July 31st to be considered and it seems like RIM is specifically targeting the NFC, Augmented Reality, and OpenGL APIs. RIM is holding their "What you need to know to develop for BlackBerry 7 webinar" today so dial in to that if you want to learn more.

For reference, here is a list of some of the new APIs available in BlackBerry 7 from our previous coverage:

  • OpenGL ES 2.0, taking advantage of the new graphics chip, allows you to create games rich in compelling graphics.
  • Window Manager API, also taking advantage of the new graphics chip and increased device horsepower, allows you to overlay OpenGL or any other UI component on top of anything you want, including camera and video.
  • Compass APIs, taking advantage of the new magnetometer sensor, allows you to determine the device's orientation and direction. When combined with Window Manager API, enables the creation of augmented reality applications.
  • Near Field Communication (NFC) APIs, taking advantage of the new NFC radio, allows you to read and emulate virtual tags and create rich solutions for payment and m-commerce.
  • Video capture APIs updated with support for HD video recording, taking advantage of the improved camera, allows your application to provide the user with the same high end media experience they get from the core apps.

And a few others…

  • Send Menu API, allowing apps to share content with contacts the same way that core apps do, by adding a "Send…" menu to their apps.
  • Unified Search API has been updated, making integration with this device feature easier than ever before and allowing more control of indexed keywords.
  • BlackBerry® Maps API has also been updated, simplifying how data is overlaid on top of BlackBerry Maps. Couple that with support for geofencing and the ability to overlay complex shapes and polygons, and you've got the richest integration with BlackBerry Maps to date.
  • Options API has evolved to match the new look and feel of the BlackBerry 6 options screens, allowing third party apps to add their own entries into the options screen including an icon and descriptive text.
  • Multimedia API has added support for buffer control for playback and bitrate definition for video recording.
  • Barcode API has been updated to support ZXing 1.6 and allow for the definition of custom decorders.

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Posted by Ronen Halevy for ©BerryReview, June 29, 2011, 11:47 am. | Use the New BlackBerry 7 APIs in Your App & RIM May Promote it for You | One comment |


Jingu Helps You Find BBM Friends – Customize Avatars & Emoticons

Posted: 29 Jun 2011 08:19 AM PDT

Jingu Messages Jingu 1

Jingu let us know about their two ambitious free apps called Jingu and Jingu Messages. The main Jingu app lets you splice together a set of emoticons for BBM and create your own avatar. Their separate Jingu Messages app promises to help you meet new BBM friends though I have not managed to get it to work for me.

Jingu 2 Jingu 3

Both of those apps are very cool ideas but I like the messages idea the best. I have been complaining for awhile now that App World reviews have become a circa-1990 AOL style dating site/chatroom. I proposed a bit back that RIM should release their own app to help BBM users meet one another but I doubt the stodgy folks at RIM legal and RIM's business focused departments would allow a consumer social network to happen but who knows. Until then Jingu is attempting to fill in the void with an interesting solution.

I am hoping that more developers jump on this bandwagon especially when the BBM Social Platform API is officially released with BBM6. Until then check out the main Jingu app and companion Jingu Messages app in App World. Both apps seem to get mixed reviews so let us know what you think!

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Posted by Ronen Halevy for ©BerryReview, June 29, 2011, 11:19 am. | Jingu Helps You Find BBM Friends – Customize Avatars & Emoticons | 3 comments |


Shape IM+ Pro & IM+ Talk Price Lowered to $9.99

Posted: 29 Jun 2011 07:48 AM PDT

screenshot_1 screenshot_23 screenshot_12

Shape Services IM+ Pro and IM+ Talk have always carried a high price tag of $39.99 and $29.99 making this a great deal. Shape let us know they have dropped their prices for both apps to a much more reasonable $9.99. In case you don't know IM+ Pro enables you to chat in AIM/iChat, MSN/Windows Live Messenger, Yahoo!, ICQ, Jabber, Google Talk, MySpace IM, Facebook, and Skype along with Twitter support. IM+ Talk on the other hand lets you have walkie talkie style Skype calls over 3G and Wi-Fi .

You can pick up both of the apps at their new $9.99 price point in the store:

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Posted by Ronen Halevy for ©BerryReview, June 29, 2011, 10:48 am. | Shape IM+ Pro & IM+ Talk Price Lowered to $9.99 | 6 comments |


RIM Annual General Meeting is July 12th – Vote on Co-CEOs Standing

Posted: 29 Jun 2011 06:44 AM PDT

Mike Shareholder Profile Jim Shareholder Profile

In the weeks since BlackBerry World in May we have been hearing more and more about shareholders wanting RIM to split up the duties of their Co-CEOs who are both Chairmen of the board and Co-CEOs. There is actually a vote "Schedule A" during their Annual General Meeting this July 12th to decide on this and RIM seems to be very much against it. Since I understand very little about this sort of thing I found it enlightening to read The Toronto Star's analysis of the situation. Its a great read if you want to learn a bit more about the history and how common it is and why it may or may not be a good idea.

I then started to read RIM's Notice of Meeting / Proxy Circular – Fiscal 2011 (PDF) which includes the Schedule A that will be voted on at this years meeting. The details start on page 50 of the document and include the proposal from Northwest & Ethical Investments L.P. including RIM's response as to why this is not a good idea. I put screenshots of the Schedule A below:

Schedule A 1 Schedule A 2 Schedule A 3

Let us know if you spot anything interesting! Thanks to RedNightHawk for sending in the Toronto Star article!

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Posted by Ronen Halevy for ©BerryReview, June 29, 2011, 9:44 am. | RIM Annual General Meeting is July 12th – Vote on Co-CEOs Standing | Leave a comment |


Jabra Halo Bluetooth Headphones $35.99 Today Only @Amazon

Posted: 29 Jun 2011 06:19 AM PDT

Jabra Halo Amazon Deal

While I personally prefer my Plantronics BackBeat 905 Bluetooth headphones the Jabra Halo competition is pretty impressive. David reviewed the Jabra Halo a year and a half ago and gave it a great rating when it cost $130. Now we just learned that Amazon has the Jabra Halo as its Gold Box deal today for $35.99 which is $18 off the current regular price. Not a bad deal if you are looking for a decent set of Bluetooth stereo headphones.

You can pick them up here on Amazon’s Gold Box page or directly here

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Posted by Ronen Halevy for ©BerryReview, June 29, 2011, 9:19 am. | Jabra Halo Bluetooth Headphones $35.99 Today Only @Amazon | One comment |


Dilbert of the Day… Takes On Phone Recommendations

Posted: 29 Jun 2011 04:47 AM PDT

Choose Phone Dilbert

 

Kind of speaks for itself though the stereotypes are starting to fade. Thanks to Josep for pointing it out! via Dilbert

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Posted by the BerryReview Team for ©BerryReview, June 29, 2011, 7:47 am. | Dilbert of the Day… Takes On Phone Recommendations | 3 comments |


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