Check out Fuel Economy Calculator for BlackBerry and the BlackBerry PlayBook - 50 free copies available!

It's good to keep track of your vehicle's fuel efficiency as well as scheduled maintenance and oil changes. I remember as a kid my dad kept a little notebook in the glovebox, jotting down notes when we went to the gas station. Times have changed, and now instead of that notebook, smudged and wrinkled in the glovebox, we have apps that can take the hard work out of keeping track of this information.

Dekerta Software has a nice app for this, Fuel Economy Calculator. While it's been available for BlackBerry for quite awhile, they have also just released a version for the BlackBerry PlayBook. All you have to do is enter in your odometer reading and how much fuel you purchase, and the app will calculate the efficiency for you. You can track the data over time automatically by averages and a handy graph. This app supports multiple vehicles, metric and imperial units, and you can even keep track of oil changes and maintenance as well as set reminders. Available for most BlackBerry smartphones, you can grab Fuel Economy Calculator for $2.99 for your BlackBerry, or just $.99 for your Playbook.



Contest: Dekerta Software has given us 50 copies of Fuel Economy Calculator for BlackBerry. To enter, leave a comment below. The contest ends this Sunday at midnight PST. One entry per person please, and good luck! *Please note, the contest is not for the PlayBook app, due to App World limitations.*

More information/screenshots and purchase Fuel Economy Calculator for BlackBerry

More information/screenshots and purchase Fuel Economy Calculator for BlackBerry Playbook

Deal of the Day: Save 40% on the Incipio Feather Ultralight Hard Shell Case for BlackBerry Bold 9930 and Bold 9900

Test your mad ninja skillz with Fruits & Ninja for the BlackBerry PlayBook

So you're a ninja with not much to do now a days. How do you keep those ninja skills honed and at the ready? By slashing fruit of course! Fruits and Ninja (or Ninja Fruit Slash, watch video for explanation) is a game where you slice the fruit with your sword while avoiding bombs to unlock different achievements. Fruits & Ninja features 3 different mode, Classic mode, Arcade mode and Zen mode.

Yes, it is pretty much the same concept as the other game on that other platform but now it's on our BlackBerry PlayBook which just makes it that much cooler. As simple as the game sounds, it's actually a lot of fun. One wrong swipe and your screen blows up. Available for only $.99, it's one of the cheaper games for our PlayBooks that is worth trying out.

For more information / purchase Fruits and Ninja

CrackBerry Podcast 078: BlackBerry Service Outage and BlackBerry DevCon 2011!

Home from BlackBerry DevCon, we fired things up Friday afternoon for an episode of CrackBerry LIVE. If you missed it don't fret, as you can now either download the audio in standard podcast form OR watch the replay with our groovy new video setup above.

Whether you want to listen or watch, it's definitely a show you won't want to miss. In this episode I'm joined by Adam Zeis and Chris Umiastowski, who were both at DevCon, and Bla1ze. We kick things off by looking back at the last week's BlackBerry service outage craziness, and then quickly shift gears to BlackBerry DevCon news. We cover all the highs and lows and everything in between - definitely a CrackBerry podcast to check out for an honest look at BlackBerry. We hope you enjoy the show!!

BlackBerry App World v3.0.1.20 Released Through The Beta Zone

BlackBerry App World v3.0.1.28 Released Through The Beta Zone

RIM released an update to the BlackBerry App World app through the Beta Zone portal.

Some of the fixes and improvements with this version are:

More on BerryReview

Make phone calls interactive with Thrutu for BlackBerry

Sometimes we joke around about all our phones do these days, and say things like "wow, they make calls too?" Obviously that is any phone's primary purpose, but sometimes it's just not enough to make a call, and you need to send information to the person you're talking to. Sometimes you can do this while on the call, but you have to fumble around switching screens and looking for what you need to send, and if you're like me then more often than not you end up disconnecting the call on accident.

There is a new app available that can help you solve this problem. Thrutu allows you to share your location, photos from your camera or gallery, and contact details at the touch of a button, all while in a call. Thrutu appears as a new option on the in-call BlackBerry menu, enabling rich content sharing and interactions. Simply hit the menu key while in your call, choose Thrutu, and from the pop-up choose what you're sending. If your contact doesn't have Thrutu installed, the app will alert you and switch to SMS mode. Because it's a cross-platform app, you can connect with your Android and iPhone friends too.

Thrutu is free and compatible with BlackBerry devices running OS 5.0 and above. You can grab it from App World at the link below, and check out the full press release after the break!

More information/screenshots and download Thrutu

Thrutu Now Available for BlackBerry, Enhancing Phone Calls Across the Smartphone Market

Thrutu Allows BlackBerry, iPhone and Android Users to Share Media and Data During a Call Like Never Before

SAN FRANCISCO, CA--(Marketwire - Oct 19, 2011) - Today, Thrutu announces its BlackBerry release, expanding its revolutionary in-call digital sharing capabilities across the world's three most popular smartphone platforms. The Thrutu mobile app, already downloaded by more than 300,000 iPhone and Android users worldwide, is now available from BlackBerry App World. With Thrutu, not only can BlackBerry users get more out of their phone calls, they can also interact with iPhone and Android users in ways that have been impossible until now.

Adding a whole new dimension to the voice call, Thrutu lets users instantly share all manner of interactive content and media during a phone conversation, including photos, location and contact information -- at the touch of a button (click here for a video demo).

To access Thrutu, users simply make and receive calls as normal. Thrutu appears as a new option on the in-call BlackBerry menu, enabling rich content sharing and interactions through a number of Thrutu "buttons":

Share your location -- and see each other's position updating live on a map;

Snap and share a photo, or send one from your gallery -- letting the other person experience the sights around you;

Send contact information -- contact details appear instantly in the other caller's address book;

Playfully "Prod" the other caller with remote phone vibration;

And coming soon, BlackBerry users will be able to access additional Thrutu buttons built on Thrutu's developer APIs.

The result is a more fluid and engaging phone interaction in which sharing content and media is easy and fun.

"There has been an overwhelmingly positive response to Thrutu from iPhone and Android users who are truly finding that the app is enhancing their phone conversations," said Liz Rice, VP, Thrutu. "Our goal is to provide enrichment to all phone calls, so extending to BlackBerry was the obvious next step."

Since its launch for Android in March and iPhone in July, Thrutu has seen widespread global adoption, with over 300,000 downloads. The application was also named 'One to Watch' at the AlwaysOn OnMobile Top 100 event, and secured second place in the PayPal Android Developer Challenge for an add-on Thrutu button allowing callers to easily exchange funds while talking on the phone.

Thrutu is available immediately in the BlackBerry App World for BlackBerry OS 5 and 6, with OS 7 coming soon. For the best experience, Thrutu needs simultaneous voice & data capabilities, either through the mobile network or through connection to Wi-Fi.

For more information go to www.thrutu.com, watch the Thrutu video on YouTube, or download the app immediately from BlackBerry App World, iTunes App Store and the Android Market.

About Thrutu:

Thrutu™ is a mobile app that adds a new dimension of fun and function to your phone calls. Now, you can share all kinds of information with the person you're talking to without interrupting the conversation. Based in Silicon Valley, Thrutu is a division of Metaswitch Networks, a leading provider of carrier systems and communication software solutions for network operators, backed by Sequoia Capital and Francisco Partners. Thrutu is available on Android™, iPhone® and BlackBerry® and also available from Metaswitch as a branded application for carriers. Thrutu is a 2011 AlwaysOn OnMobile "Ones to Watch" honoree. For more information on Thrutu, go to www.thrutu.com.

TVO Releases Five Educational Apps for Kids

Many have said that the PlayBook lacks apps, it seems that the app shortage is beginning to become a thing of the past. With some of the major gaming companies making their apps available for the PlayBook some educational apps have also made their way to it. The latest are five apps from Tvo which includes three free Apps and two paid apps.

TVOKids Alphabet Goop  Free : Link

A spoonful of alphabet goop!

Have fun learning your letters with Gisele, from Gisele’s Big Backyard, and her gooey alphabet soup. Gisele asks players for the first letter of objects she stirs up from her alphabet bowl. This is a phonics based game and it helps your child recognize and match letters of the alphabet, one of the skills necessary for learning to read. This game is designed for children ages 2 – 5.

TVOKids Get Growing  Free : :Link

Get ready to grow a garden in Gisele’s Big Backyard with Tia. Dig a hole, plant the seeds, add some water and watch it grow! Get Growing is designed to entertain and educate, as well as teach children a little about patience! Fun game for ages 2 – 5.

TVOKids Sign Match Free : Link

A fun memory game that teaches children ages 2 -5 about the signs they encounter in their everyday lives such as stop signs, poison, do no enter, etc. Flip over a card to find the matching pair and have fun with Gisele and Robbie from Gisele’s Big Backyard while learning.

TVOKids Spelling Fleas $1.99 : Link

Help your child gain the power and confidence to read and spell with five unique games featuring The Amazing Spelling Fleas.

Beat the clock to gain more points or play in practice mode. These mini-games focus on the following expectations of the Language curriculum: spelling, vocabulary, reading comprehension and phonics. This learning App will teach your child to read without them realizing they are learning! They’ll be having too much fun. This game is designed for children ages 6-11

TVOKids Space Trek Galaxy $1.99 Link

Using deductive reasoning and logic, your child will try to open all the blocks in the galaxy, but watch out for blocks with meteorites! If you click on a meteorite, your game will end.

Space Trek Galaxy encourages the use of trial-and-error and perseverance – two very important skills for learning in all areas of the curriculum. This game is designed for children ages 6-11

More on BerryReview

From the Forums: PlayBook 2.0, Porsche designed BlackBerry, and a huge theme sale

DevCon Americas 2011 wrapped up today, and the team is headed home. While this year's event was undoubtedly not all that most of us were hoping for, there were still some good things shown off, and hopefully developers that attended took away a lot of good things. You can read all about the latest BlackBerry reviews, news and rumors in the blogs, and then head on over to the CrackBerry forums and see what's up with your fellow CrackBerry addicts.

Found an interesting article you want to share with CrackBerry Nation? Have a burning question about that feature you just can't figure out? There is ALWAYS more happening just a click away in the forums. You can always head over and join in the conversation, search for answers, or

lend your expertise to other members of our community. If you aren't already, take a moment to get registered in the CrackBerry forums today!

Deal of the Day: Get the Seidio SURFACE Case for BlackBerry Bold 9930 and 9900 for $16.95 today only

Get your Chi on with ToFu for the BlackBerry PlayBook

Growing up in my household, loving everything martial arts was a must! Having a father who studied the art and is a black belt meant I cut my teeth on Bruce Lee movies and the Kung Fu series (Deepest sympathies to my classmate Kansas, RIP Carradine). When I was browsing through App World last week, I ran across a game for the BlackBerry PlayBook called ToFu by HotGen Limited. While the name threw me off, the icon caught my attention. Was that really a piece of ToFu wearing a karate headband?!

To-Fu is the world's stretchiest martial artist. You join our young hero on his journey in the "Trials of Chi". The concept of the game is to stretch, ping, stick & rebound To-Fu off different walls and objects through 140 levels of  traps and machinery as you collect the gems and reach the "Fortune Kitty".

Features:

ToFu is a highly entertaining game. I love the graphics and how smoothly the game runs on the PlayBook. ToFu is currently available for $1.99 and is definitely well worth the money!

For more information / purchase

How do you use your device: Do you prefer native or 3rd party apps for Memos and Tasks?

There are several third-party apps for taking notes available for the BlackBerry and for the BlackBerry PlayBook. Some of these sync between devices and your computer, some are stand alone apps, and they come in different styles and levels of complexity.



It seems to never fail, whenever we post about one of these apps, such as Evernote for example, there are always comments about why people don't use the native Memo Pad and Tasks instead of bothering with a 3rd party app. So this is our question for you today. Do you use the native Memo or Tasks apps on your BlackBerry or Playbook, or do you prefer a 3rd party app with extra bells and whistles? After you vote in the poll above, go ahead and leave a comment below explaining your thoughts on the subject!

Wind silently drops OS7.0.0.439 for the 9810

Wind has released OS 7.0.0.439 right under our noses.  No news on what the changes are, but I am installing it right now, and will list any noticable changes.  You can download it directly from the Wind BlackBerry Software site.

Thanks to everyone who sent this in.

More on BerryReview

Bubble Bash The Second Free App From RIM

The free apps that were promised by RIM continue to make their way to free status on app world. The Second app available is Bubble Bash from Gameloft at this link.

Game description:

Discover the new edition of the award winning puzzle series on your mobile. Bash together 3 or more like-colored bubbles to make them all explode just like before. But this time, you’ll take the adventure to enchanting Africa. 16 challenging game modes filled with new special bubbles add a whole new spice to the game. It takes only seconds to master, but you’ll play for hours. Beware: this game is highly addictive… Just ask its million fans around the world!

Requires OS 4.5 or higher.

More on BerryReview

Deal of the Day: Save 72% on the Incipio Hive Honeycomb dermaSHOT Silicone Case for BlackBerry PlayBook - Get it for $9.95

The dermaSHOT silicone material in the Hive Case for BlackBerry PlayBook has a revolutionary anti-static coating that prevents the silicone from becoming sticky. Smooth and sleek to the touch, the Hive will grip your BlackBerry PlayBook but won't pick up excess lint. Multiple raised silicone ridges allow you total control of all buttons while protecting your BlackBerry PlayBook from dust and particles. Offering both functionality and protection, Hive is the smart choice.  Side note: This is the same case Kevin is rocking on his gangsta' PlayBook chain at DevCon!

List Price: $34.99  Today Only: $9.95

Learn More and Buy Now

October 19, 2011

Official OS 7.0.0.374 For The BlackBerry Bold 9930 From Verizon Wireless

Direct Download (release notes available below):

How To:

Please report any feedback/findings in the comments or in the forums.

REMEMBER: It is recommended that you make a backup before attempting to upgrade your BlackBerry just in case something goes wrong during the upgrade process. *

Verizon Wireless BlackBerry Bold 9930 OS 7.0.0.374 Release Notes

Free Facebook Messenger App Available for BlackBerry

If you want something more than the RIM provided Facebook app for BlackBerry you may want to check out Facebook Messenger. It was just released today by Facebook and sort of replicates some of the features that RIM already added in Facebook for BlackBerry v2.0. It is a simple interface for using Facebook chat and messenger directly from one app. I am not sure how redundant they are but Facebook has similar apps on iOS and Android.

You can pick up the new Facebook Messenger free at fb.me/msgr

More on BerryReview

Spotify para BlackBerry ¡¡Ya Disponible!!

Por Fin, si he de decirlo ya era hora spotify!!. Aun recuerdo cuantas veces busque y busque para ver si había noticias nuevas, y por fin las hay.

Efectivamente spotify llega al servicio BlackBerry (que tiemblen los planes de datos!!!).

Con carácter Retroactivo ayer se publico la noticia en el blog de Spotify informándonos sobre la versión beta del producto

La única pega es que obviamente necesitas una cuenta premium pero es algo normal en las versiones móvil

Los terminales compatibles:

9780 Bold, 9700 Bold, 9300 Curve, 9000 Bold, 8520 Curve

Y aunque afirman que no es compatible con la Torch 9800 os aseguramos que si y podéis ver las capturas de pantalla de una de nuestras 9800.

Ahora a disfrutar de la tarifa de datos!!!

PD: ya solo nos queda Skype!!!!

Spotify Releases Preview Beta for BlackBerry

Spotify made a big splash on the streaming music scene when they came to the US after some nice success in Europe. Now they have just released a public beta preview of their BlackBerry app. You need to be a premium Spotify subscriber to use their mobile apps. This preview has some interesting limitations including only working on GSM network devices and has only been officially approved for the Bold 9780, 9700, 9300, 9000, and 8520. Definitely an odd selection of devices but its nice to see that it is in progress.

You can read more about the release on their site or forums or simply download the preview from your BlackBerry.

More on BerryReview

RIM Kills off PlayBook Java Player With No Traditional BlackBerry Java on BBX

We heard from quite a few sources at DevCon that RIM finally put the official stake in the BlackBerry Java Player they were talking up at BlackBerry World. I have heard mixed reports on why that didn’t work out though understanding the differences between more modern Java frameworks and BlackBerry Java it starts to make some sense. On the other hand it does leave BlackBerry Java developers in an interesting situation. They can either go back to their C++ roots like me or try their hand at Android development as a way to port their apps.

It seems like RIM is not sure themselves on how that will work though they do have a session at DevCon to show BlackBerry Java developers how to port their skills to Android Player development for the PlayBook. The API’s are not all there though RIM has confirmed that they will be bringing API’s like the BBM SDK to the native SDK but not yet confirmed for the Android Java runtime. The Android Java runtime also does not currently have access to interface with the Native SDK on the PlayBook to create immersive Android Java apps.

On one hand BlackBerry Java apps will be around for quite a few more years since BlackBerry 7 devices will have at least a 2 year life span. Still RIM’s vision for BBX clearly was not focused on Java. RIM has confirmed multiple times that they have dedicated themselves to supporting the BlackBerry Java platform but obviously RIM believes they have taken it as far as they can. You can see the things they are doing with the native SDK on BBX that they could only dream of doing on BlackBerry Java. On the other hand the Android Java alternative is quite a bit different than Java development when it comes to multitasking and other runtime differences for always on apps that RIM devs are used to.

If you are a BlackBerry Java dev I am really curious to hear what you think! You have to admit it is weird that there have been practically no BlackBerry Java development announcements at DevCon 2011 compared to it dominating DevCon 2010 with API’s and such.

More on BerryReview

RIM Adds * Thank You Gift * Category to App World for Outage Apps

RIM said they would start offering the free apps that they promised to help compensate for the Outage last week and they started showing up today with DriveSafe.ly. Now RIM has a new category in App World called * Thank You Gift * just for these apps. RIM even sent out an email to developers that this category is for RIM’s use only saying:

We have added a new category in BlackBerry App World entitled ‘* Thank You Gift *’. This category is reserved for use by RIM only

If you put an app in this category, whether intentionally or not, we will deny it until you revert the category back.  Reapproving the app after you revert the category may take upwards of one week to complete.

So keep your eyes pealed on the * Thank You Gift * category for the latest in free apps!

More on BerryReview

Official OS 7.0.0.374 For The BlackBerry Torch 9850 From Verizon Wireless

Direct Download (release notes available below):

How To:

Please report any feedback/findings in the comments or in the forums.

REMEMBER: It is recommended that you make a backup before attempting to upgrade your BlackBerry just in case something goes wrong during the upgrade process. *

Verizon Wireless BlackBerry Torch 9850 OS 7.0.0.374 Release Notes

RIM Kills of PlayBook Java Player With No Traditional BlackBerry Java on BBX

We heard from quite a few sources at DevCon that RIM finally put the official stake in the BlackBerry Java Player they were talking up at BlackBerry World. I have heard mixed reports on why that didn’t work out though understanding the differences between more modern Java frameworks and BlackBerry Java it starts to make some sense. On the other hand it does leave BlackBerry Java developers in an interesting situation. They can either go back to their C++ roots like me or try their hand at Android development as a way to port their apps.

It seems like RIM is not sure themselves on how that will work though they do have a session at DevCon to show BlackBerry Java developers how to port their skills to Android Player development for the PlayBook. The API’s are not all there though RIM has confirmed that they will be bringing API’s like the BBM SDK to the native SDK but not yet confirmed for the Android Java runtime. The Android Java runtime also does not currently have access to interface with the Native SDK on the PlayBook to create immersive Android Java apps.

On one hand BlackBerry Java apps will be around for quite a few more years since BlackBerry 7 devices will have at least a 2 year life span. Still RIM’s vision for BBX clearly was not focused on Java. RIM has confirmed multiple times that they have dedicated themselves to supporting the BlackBerry Java platform but obviously RIM believes they have taken it as far as they can. You can see the things they are doing with the native SDK on BBX that they could only dream of doing on BlackBerry Java. On the other hand the Android Java alternative is quite a bit different than Java development when it comes to multitasking and other runtime differences for always on apps that RIM devs are used to.

If you are a BlackBerry Java dev I am really curious to hear what you think! You have to admit it is weird that there have been practically no BlackBerry Java development announcements at DevCon 2011 compared to it dominating DevCon 2010 with API’s and such.

More on BerryReview

Twitter for BlackBerry smartphones 2.1 Beta now in BetaZone

This morning RIM released Twitter for BlackBerry 2.1 to BetaZone members.  This version has some great improvements to it.  You can read the full details after the break, and can find it via BlackBerry BetaZone.Additional Profile Functions

You’ll notice that My Profile has two new icons: Edit Profile and Switch Accounts. While you could always edit your profile via the Menu, now you can use the Edit Profile icon right from the Profile screen to change your picture or update your personal information. And the Edit Profile screen has received a new facelift. Read on to learn more about the Switch Account icon in Multi-Account Support.

Multi-Account Support

The new Multiple Account Support feature lets you use up to five accounts on Twitter for BlackBerry smartphones. When logged into multiple accounts, the current user name will appear in the upper-left corner of the header bar and the user picture will appear in the My Profile icon. You can quickly switch between accounts by using the Switch Account function, accessible from My Profile or via the Menu. Have an interesting Tweet in one account that you’d like to share from another account? No problem, you can cross-post Tweets and Retweets from one account to another without switching the current account view. You can also stay notified of Mentions and Messages with real-time notifications for each of your Twitter accounts.

More on BerryReview

Video of BBX Cascades UI Framework – Beta Coming in November

 

RIM gave us a taste of the TAT’s (The Astonishing Tribe’s) UI framework called Cascades back at BlackBerry World. Now at DevCon 2011 things are starting to come together. RIM showed off the Cascades UI framework for the PlayBook and BBX. Now we know that the beta for developers is coming by the end of the November. That means that devs will be able to create engaging 3D apps based on simple and complex UI elements without having to be physics experts. You really have to read more on Cascades if you are a potential C++ PlayBook developer. It is really going to simplify things for devs when it comes to engaging users with slick UI’s.

Check out the video below:

Desktop Video Link | Mobile Video Link

Here are some more slides from the keynote:

 

More on BerryReview

Drivesafe.ly Pro First Free App From RIM

As a gesture to all the affected BlackBerry users
RIM is offering some popular apps for free on both the PlayBook and BlackBerry devices. The first free app this week is Drivesafe.ly

Speech DriveSafe.ly Pro
 
DriveSafe.ly 2.0 reads your text messages and emails out loud so you can concentrate on the road. Eliminate the temptation to reach for your phone by letting DriveSafe.ly read to you and automatically respond for you.
 
DriveSafe.ly 2.0 Pro allows you to send text responses by voice and use other voice commands such as replaying the message or calling back the sender. Stay connected by listening to your messages without texting while driving or reading emails in your car. Respond by voice, hands-free. DriveSafe.ly is the answer to texting while driving

For more information visit Drivesafe.ly

The full list is below and those will become available for free over the next four weeks according to RIM.

If we are missing some let us know, but those are some really good looking apps, including some really hot games for the PlayBook.

More on BerryReview

eBay App Update v2.0.0.37 Now Available Through Beta Zone

If you are an eBay user you might like to know that the official eBay for BlackBerry just received a nice update for Beta Zone members. The update adds new features and also quite a few bug fixes. To be able to download you can sign up for a beta zone account at this link, and is only available to certain countries.

New features:

Fixed issues:

Read more about this through the beta zone

More on BerryReview

UNO HD for the BlackBerry PlayBook

UNO is not just any other game. It's more like an institution. How many of you out there played this game in one form or another growing up? I know I can't remember a time I wasn't UNO'ing with my parents on the kitchen table. Yes, we did in fact make up a word to describe our addiction. While you can't jump up and slam down a card while screaming UNO, all the classic elements are there at your disposal, including some new rules, all thanks to Gameloft. The version on the BlackBerry PlayBook is similar to ones released on iOS and Android and I'm thrilled it's finally come to the PlayBook. 

To recap for those who might be unfamiliar, players of two or more are dealt a hand of seven cards and must play a card that matches the one on the pile either numerically or by color. If they have neither they draw another card and this continues until a player gets rid of all their cards. There are also wild cards that change the color in play or penalty cards that cause your opponents to draw extra cards or lose their turn.

Users can choose from three different types of play: Quick Play (short game), Single Player (Tournament or Custom Mode), or multiplayer where you and up to three of your friends share the BlackBerry tablet to compete against each other. When I say share, I mean you literally need to pass around the PlayBook to each player for their turn.

The real challenge lies with tournament play as you face fifteen rounds of play with varying rules and computer adversaries. You have five chances to win each round so make it count. As you win each game you'll collect reward cups/tables, unlock new backgrounds, and new avatars for your profile.

Graphics are outstanding and more importantly the colors are vibrant and extremely sharp and clear. It's also smooth, so no lag or jerks whatsoever. As a side note, I have a screen protector on my PB so if you saw any dirt or my finger slipping, it's the shield not the game. 

Gameloft has done an oustanding job turning this simple card game into a great tablet application. One thing I need to warn you about is that this version lacks the online player mode available on other platforms so that is technically one thing that was lost. Hopefully they'll work on that in future updates. What are you waiting for? It's fun, addicting, and its only $4.99. Just don't beat up your tablet when you shout UNO.

More information / purchase UNO HD from BlackBerry App World

RIM revela BlackBerry BBX – combina lo mejor de BlackBerry y QNX para proporcionar una plataforma de nueva generación para los smartphones y tabletas BlackBerry

Os adjunto nota de prensa recibida respecto al Evento BlackBerry DevCon Americas que inició ayer y donde se anunció la plataforma BlackBerry BBX entre otros anuncios y novedades para desarrolladores. La nota de prensa:

Entre los anuncios y los momentos más destacados de BlackBerry DevCon Americas 2011 destacan:

· Las aplicaciones BlackBerry WebWorks y HTML5 compatibles con los smartphones y tabletas BlackBerry actuales se ejecutarán en los dispositivos futuros basados en BBX

· SDK nativo para BlackBerry PlayBook se convierte en oro; disponibilidad general

· SDK para Adobe AIR ahora soporta Adobe AIR 3.0

· El ya disponible BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 versión beta para desarrolladores, que incluye BlackBerry Runtime para aplicaciones Android

San Francisco, CA – BlackBerry DevCon Americas 2011 – En BlackBerry DevCon Americas 2011, Research In Motion (RIM) (NASDAQ: RIMM; TSX: RIM) ha revelado BlackBerry BBX, su plataforma móvil de nueva generación que toma lo mejor de la plataforma BlackBerry® y lo mejor de la plataforma QNX® para conectar a personas, dispositivos, contenidos y servicios.

RIM anunció también una serie de actualizaciones de herramientas para desarrolladores, entre ellas WebWorks para smartphones y tabletas BlackBerry, el SDK nativo para BlackBerry PlayBook y una versión beta para desarrolladores de BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 con soporte para ejecutar aplicaciones Android. RIM también orientó a desarrolladores sobre la mejor manera de desarrollar y monetizar sus aplicaciones BlackBerry para hoy y para el futuro.

“Con casi 5 millones de aplicaciones para smartphones y tabletas BlackBerry descargadas al día, nuestros clientes han hecho que BlackBerry sea una de las plataformas más rentables para los desarrolladores”, dijo Mike Lazaridis, President and Co-CEO en RIM. “Hoy, en DevCon, estamos proporcionando a los desarrolladores las herramientas que necesitan para construir aplicaciones más completas y estamos proporcionando orientación sobre cómo desarrollar mejor sus aplicaciones para smartphones y tabletas según vayan convergiendo las plataformas BlackBerry y QNX hacia nuestra plataforma de nueva generación BBX”.

BlackBerry BBX

BBX es la plataforma de nueva generación para smartphones y tabletas BlackBerry. Combina lo mejor de BlackBerry y lo mejor de QNX y está diseñado desde abajo para hacer posible las experiencias móviles potentes en tiempo real que hacen destacar los productos y servicios BlackBerry.

La plataforma BBX incluirá BBX-OS, y soportará los servicios en la nube de BlackBerry y entornos de desarrollo tanto para HTML5 como para desarrolladores nativos. BBX también soportará aplicaciones desarrolladas utilizando cualquiera de las herramientas disponibles hoy en día para BlackBerry PlayBook – entre ellas el SDK nativo, Adobe AIR/Flash y WebWorks/HTML5, además de BlackBerry Runtime para aplicaciones Android – en las tabletas y smartphones del futuro, basados en BBX.

BBX también incluirá el nuevo marco BlackBerry Cascades UI Framework para contenidos gráficos avanzados (mostrado por primera vez hoy) y aportará capacidades “Super App” para posibilitar muchas capacidades avanzadas, entre ellas la integración profunda entre aplicaciones, los servicios push siempre activos, BBM™ Social Platform, y mucho más.

BlackBerry WebWorks

Aquellos desarrolladores que quieran dar soporte tanto a smartphones existentes (con BlackBerry 6 y BlackBerry 7 OS) como a las tabletas BlackBerry PlayBook pueden monetizar aplicaciones en ambas plataformas hoy con BlackBerry WebWorks, que soporta aplicaciones construidas en HTML5, CSS y JavaScript. La última versión, BlackBerry WebWorks SDK 2.2 (que soporta tanto smartphones como tabletas), está disponible ahora e incluye actualizaciones para el nuevo SDK de PlayBook OS, el simulador de BlackBerry PlayBook y más.

Los API de BlackBerry WebWorks están soportados por el Ripple Emulator, una herramienta de emulación autónoma de alta fidelidad y parecida a un navegador que permite a desarrolladores probar y corregir errores en sus aplicaciones en múltiples plataformas y dispositivos sin tener que compilar ni lanzar simuladores. Empezando hoy, el Ripple Emulator está disponible en su versión beta y también se puede descargar de la página de RIM para desarrolladores de WebWorks en: http://developer.blackberry.com/html5

SDK nativo – Rico en contenidos, Aplicaciones rápidas y fluidas

RIM también anunció hoy la disponibilidad inmediata del SDK nativo para BlackBerry PlayBook (1.0 versión “Gold”). El SDK nativo permite a los desarrolladores construir aplicaciones nativas C/C++ de alto rendimiento y múltiples hilos y capacita a los desarrolladores para crear juegos 2D y 3D avanzados y otras aplicaciones con acceso a OpenGL ES 2.0 y Open AL, además de los API específicos para cada dispositivo. Las aplicaciones desarrolladas con el SDK nativo se ejecutarán ya en BlackBerry PlayBook y estarán compatibles en el futuro con las tabletas y smartphones basados en BBX.

El SDK nativo incluye soporte para la librería C/C++ POSIX y cumplimiento, eventos de dispositivos como movimientos con gestos y entradas a través de pantalla táctil, acceso a sistemas de gestión de código utilizando el estándar de la industria Eclipse CDT (Herramientas de desarrollo C/C++) y herramientas avanzadas para la corrección de errores y el análisis. Se incluye un entorno de desarrollo integrado basado en Eclipse, QNX Momentics Tool Suite. Proporciona perfilado de memoria, corrección de errores en aplicaciones y estadísticas de uso de la memoria para ayudar a los desarrolladores a corregir errores de programas sofisticados, entre ellos, aplicaciones OpenGL aceleradas por hardware.

El SDK nativo hace que desarrollar y portar aplicaciones de juego a BlackBerry PlayBook sea una propuesta extremadamente atractiva para los desarrolladores. Ya han empezado a traer sus juegos y aplicaciones a la plataforma conocidos editores de juegos, desarrolladores y empresas importantes de motores de juegos.

Scoreloop, el ecosistema de juego social multiplataforma más grande y de mayor crecimiento en móvil, está disponible ahora en su versión beta para el SDK nativo a través de BlackBerry® Beta Zone. El SDK de Scoreloop proporciona todo lo que necesita un desarrollador para integrar capacidades sociales con facilidad en sus aplicaciones nativas para PlayBook e incluye soporte para listas de clasificaciones, retos dentro del juego, premios y logros y perfiles de jugadores. La tecnología multiplataforma y completamente personalizable de Scoreloop proporciona el poder a los desarrolladores para añadir las características que quieran, desde una sencilla clasificación a logros más extensos para los jugadores. Hace que los juegos móviles sean más sociales y más rentables.

BlackBerry Cascades – Crea interfaces impresionantes a nivel visual

Hoy, RIM mostró BlackBerry Cascades, un marco de interfaz de usuario rico que llegará a una futura versión del SDK nativo. Cascades lanza una nueva clase de aplicaciones móviles centradas en el diseño y proporciona a los desarrolladores una serie de características excepcionales para crear interfaces impresionantes con diseños, animaciones, efectos y contenidos gráficos en 3D personalizados. Estas características, combinadas con una fuerte serie de componentes principales de interfaz de usuario incorporados, facilitará la construcción de preciosas aplicaciones nativas con innovadoras interfaces de usuario para BlackBerry PlayBook actual y las futuros tabletas y smartphones basados en BBX. Se programa que Cascades estará disponible en su versión beta a finales del otoño.

Soporte Adobe AIR 3.0

Adobe Flash hace que los desarrolladores puedan producir aplicaciones impresionantes a nivel visual y altamente funcionales para BlackBerry PlayBook que pueden integrar con el sistema operativo subyacente y que estarán soportadas en los futuros tabletas y smartphones basados en BBX.

Ahora, BlackBerry PlayBook soporta el recién anunciado Adobe AIR 3.0 runtime. Entre las características soportadas están Encrypted Local Store que proporciona a los desarrolladores la capacidad de utilizar Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) para cifrar y guardar información sensible de forma segura en el dispositivo, además de guardar claves, llaves e información de tarjetas de crédito de manera segura dentro de la aplicación; StageText, que permite a los desarrolladores aprovechar los controles de texto nativos y los comportamientos de interacción nativos de aquellos controles; Multitouch (multitoque) y Gestures (gestos) integrados en las aplicaciones para proporcionar mayor usabilidad; y mucho más.

PlayBook OS 2.0 – Versión beta para desarrolladores

Hoy RIM ha presentado la versión beta para desarrolladores de BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0. La versión beta para desarrolladores incluye BlackBerry Runtime para aplicaciones Android y el complemento BlackBerry para Android Development Tools (ADT), permitiendo así a desarrolladores traer aplicaciones de Android a las tabletas BlackBerry PlayBook de manera rápida y fácil.

El complemento BlackBerry para ADT (un complemento de Eclipse) extiende el entorno Eclipse de desarrollo de Android existente de un desarrollador para soportar BlackBerry PlayBook e incluye el simulador de BlackBerry PlayBook para que los desarrolladores puedan probar y corregir los errores de sus aplicaciones antes de presentarlas a BlackBerry App World™. Los desarrolladores también pueden probar y corregir los errores de sus aplicaciones en BlackBerry PlayBook que ejecuta BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 – versión beta para desarrolladores.

Los desarrolladores de Android también pueden volver a empaquetar sus aplicaciones Android para BlackBerry PlayBook en línea al utilizar el BlackBerry Packager para aplicaciones Android. La herramienta web guía a los desarrolladores a través de un proceso de pasos, permitiendo que prueben la compatibilidad de sus aplicaciones con BlackBerry PlayBook y volver a empaquetar y firmar sus aplicaciones para su presentación a BlackBerry App World, todo esto sin descargar ninguna herramienta.

BlackBerry Runtime para aplicaciones Android y las herramientas asociadas permiten a los desarrolladores de Android extender sus mercados con facilidad para incluir a los usuarios del BlackBerry PlayBook y así incrementar el potencial de mercado de sus aplicaciones.

BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 – versión beta para desarrolladores también da soporte a Adobe Air 3.0 y Adobe Flash 11, además de WebGL, una nueva tecnología web que trae contenidos gráficos en 3D acelerados por hardware al navegador sin instalar programas adicionales. Los desarrolladores podrán generar contenidos gráficos en 3D ricos e interactivos dentro de su aplicación BlackBerry WebWorks.

Para más información sobre BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 – versión en beta para desarrolladores y BlackBerry Runtime para aplicaciones Android y herramientas asociadas, visite: https://bdsc.webapps.blackberry.com/android/bpaa/

Mayor productividad para los desarrolladores con librerías de código abierto en BlackBerry PlayBook OS

RIM también anunció el BlackBerry Open Source Initiative (Iniciativa BlackBerry de Código Abierto) para portar conocidas librerías de código abierto a la plataforma de BlackBerry PlayBook. Entre las librerías ya disponibles están los motores de física como Bullet Physics y Box2DX, lenguajes de guión como Lua, librerías multimedia como OpenAL y SDL, marcos de juegos como Cocos2DX y librerías de uso general como Boost y Qt. También está disponible bajo una licencia de código abierto una serie de muestras de código que los desarrolladores pueden utilizar para empezar de forma rápida, además de GamePlay, un nuevo marco de juegos nativo en 3D.

RIM seguirá extendiendo su implicación con la comunidad de Código abierto para ayudar a incrementar la productividad de los desarrolladores en las plataformas BlackBerry. Para más datos sobre las actividades de Código abierto de RIM, visite http://blackberry.github.com

Official OS 7.0.0.374 From Verizon for the 9930

For those of you who like to stick to the official carrier release OS updates Verizon released OS 7.0.0.374 for the Bold 99930. This is an official OS but a backup is always recommended incase something goes wrong with your update.  Contrary to the usual no change log with this one you get quite a change log.

Device Features

Email, Messaging and Web

Call Features

Applications

Download directly from this link or simply plug your device to Desktop Manager.

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BlackBerry DevCon Highlights: Dan Dodge talks BBX

In case you missed the BlackBerry DevCon general session keynote this morning and don't care to watch it in its entirety, we have a few highlight videos on the way. The first is Dan Dodge taking the stage with Mike Lazaridis to talk BBX. He explains how the upcoming OS will be for both phones and tablets and touches a bit on what makes the OS so special. He also gets into a bit of what BBX will bring down the road. Check it all out in the video above, and hang tight as we bring more highlights from the keynote.

Devs: RIM Shares How BlackBerry Devs Make Money in App World

RIM shared some interesting stats at BlackBerry DevCon. They had the VP of App World, Dr Ronjon Nag, talking about the stats for App World. Nag was sharing some stats that we already heard and others that we have never heard of before like BlackBerry apps getting almost 50% more downloads than iOS and Android. Also RIM shared how devs can get their apps featured in the last slide.

 

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