BlackBerry WebWorks SDK for Smartphones Updated to v2.1.1

Good news for web developers making WebWorks app for BlackBerrys. RIM keeps pushing the platform forward and the latest update brings us to v2.1.1 since the previous update in June. The new version brings APIs and new features including a built in BlackBerry® 7 OS simulator, Web Inspector, Microphone API, Auto injection of Gears-to-HTML5 shim. Here is a breakdown of the features added:

• BlackBerry® 7 OS simulator – a BlackBerry® Bold™ 9930 simulator running BlackBerry 7 OS device software is now included in the WebWorks SDK download.
• Web Inspector – As promised in a previous blog post, developers can now use WebKit Web inspector to debug, test and profile Web browser or BlackBerry WebWorks application content running on a live device or simulator.
• Microphone API – The same API that was recently made available for the BlackBerry WebWorks SDK for Tablet OS can now be used to record WAV audio files in BlackBerry WebWorks applications running on BlackBerry smartphones.
• Auto injection of Gears-to-HTML5 shim – BlackBerry WebWorks developers that wish to use HTML5 features on BlackBerry 5.0 smartphones no longer need to manually add the Gears-to-HTML JavaScript toolkit to their projects. The BlackBerry WebWorks SDK automatically does this for you.

You can read more about the update on the DevBlog or download it here. There is also some good info on GitHub.

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BlackBerry Curve 9360 & 9370 Get FCC Approval with NFC Radio

The FCC can always be counted on to confirm devices that RIM has yet to announce. The latest to pass through is the BlackBerry Curve 9360 and 9370. What is interesting is that this FCC filing confirms that the device is sporting an NFC radio like the Bold 9900. It was spotted by Pete6032 on CrackBerry forums and then spread.

Check it out at the FCC

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BlackBerry Bold 9900 makes its way to Singapore and Malaysia

The thinnest BlackBerry smartphone yet and the first to offer a high performance keyboard since the BlackBerry Bold 9000 is ready to rock Asia with pre-orders now taking place in both Singapore and Malaysia. In-store availability is September 1st for Singapore and September 15th for Malaysia. With the BlackBerry Bold 9900 rolling in to more and more countries every passing week, RIM has now proven that its biggest smartphone launch yet has only begun, with expectations to rank high in sales figures on a global scale.

Customers looking to buy the new handset in Singapore can turn to SingTel, StarHub and M1, while the Malaysian population will have to depend on Celcom, DiGi and Maxis. For pricing, Singaporean customers will have to wait until the local carriers release more information, but BlackBerry people in Malaysia will be relieved to hear that the BlackBerry Bold 9900 will set you back a smooth 2188 Malaysian ringgits, or $735 U.S. dollars. Please refer to your local carrier for contract pricing and additional information.

Challenge your friends with BlackOut - a free social memory game for the BlackBerry PlayBook

A couple weeks back I noticed a few tweets about a new game called BlackOut by Elements Multimedia. Not one to shy away from a challenge I immediately fired up my PB and downloaded it. Boy am I glad I did. On the surface it may just be a simple memory game but it has a way of getting the old brain juices flowing. It's certainly not one to miss if you're in the mood for hours of mind boggling fun. Click on the jump for more information and screenshots.

Truth be told at first glance I expected to see an ordinary field of flip cards that I would just turn over to match. I was pleasantly surprised this not to be the case. Games are timed and there are three levels of difficulty to choose from. (Easy = 6 tiles, Medium = 24 tiles, and Hard = 96 tiles). Unlike other games with a given set of stock photos, it pulls its images from the public web albums API of Picasa using keywords of your choosing. This opens up a whole new playing field of endless possibilities. Just think about all the different puzzles you could create. I've already started a Star Trek one and a few others. Each picture is dazzling on the PlayBook's screen.

Another favorite feature of mine is its twitter integration as mentioned earlier. You can post your scores or ranking (they list the top 100 scores in each category), challenge your friends to beat your fastest speed, or beat someone else's. I think this is what's turning me into a BlackOut fanatic. When it comes to games I've always been a competitive person. If I see my score beaten there's just something in me that has to keep playing until I either regain the title or concede defeat.

Since the recent update game play is now smoother and quicker. It's definitely more responsive now when tapping and turning the cards over. Thanks to the update I beat my own personal best score. Not too shabby if you ask me. Although I'm a sucker for these kinds of games. I have to admit I have yet to try the hard level. I'm working my way up.  

The only issue I've found is when there aren't enough images to populate. You'll need to enter in another keyword. It may not be the most sophisticated, complicated, and graphics heavy game out there for the PlayBook but I'm hooked. If you're looking for a great way to pass the time, interact with people on all platforms, and keep your mind occupied all at the same time then this is the game for you.

Updates in Version 3.0

Bug fixes:

Extra features 

More information / download BlackOut for the BlackBerry PlayBook  

 

 

BlackBerry Bold 9930 & Torch 9850 Now Available from Sprint!

   

The BlackBerry 7 devices are rolling out like clockwork. The latest out the gate is the BlackBerry Bold 9930 and Torch 9850 from Sprint. The Bold 9930 is going for a nice and reasonable $199.99 and the Torch 9850 is selling for $199.99 after a $50 mail in rebate. Give it a few days and you will probably see another $50 come off of these devices from resellers like WireFly and Amazon.

Check out both of the devices on Sprint’s website:

Thanks Frank for sending this one in via CrackBerry

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BlackBerry Bold 9900 now available from O2 UK

Until today the only place to get yourself a BlackBerry Bold 9900 in the UK was through Vodafone. However today customers of O2 UK can rejoice as the Bold 9900 is now available through the network. Pricing is coming in at a slightly lower range than through Vodafone, as you can get the device free on the £32 a month tariff and above. The contract runs for 24 months but there is an 18 month contract where you would pay £5 more than the 24 month contract. For £32 you get 300 mins, unlimited texts and a choice of a data allowance bundle - £3/month for The Basics 100MB, £6/month for The All Rounder 500MB and £10/month for The Works 1GB, the All Rounder bundle is included in the monthly payment.

The highest you’d pay for the Bold 9900 is £149.99 upfront and £16.50 per month + data allowance bundle. For upgrading customers, you may be able to keep your existing plan.

Source: O2 UK

Light Keeper for the BlackBerry PlayBook - a free, fun afternoon time-waster

Light Keeper for the BlackBerry PlayBook is a simple game with no more of a goal other than to get a high score. A light goes on in a window, you tap the lit window, the light goes out, and the game continues. In print and in the description at BlackBerry App World, that hardly seems to be an entertaining game. And had I just played the first few levels - there are 25 in all - I might agree with that statement.

You see, the game is not as simple as turning off a light. There are several pitfalls to avoid. Tap a window that isn't lit? Lose a life. Tap a window with a person in it? Lose a life. Leave the windows lit for too long? Lose a life. You only have three lives in a level, so you have to be stingy with your mistakes. As the game progresses there are more windows to tap, more people hiding in them, and the windows turn on and off much more quickly. By the time I reached level 14 - again, out of 25 - I was using both hands to play the game and cursing up a storm at my slow reflexes.

Light Keeper is a fun, free way to while away a few minutes on your BlackBerry tablet. It may not be the most complex game on the PlayBook, but its simplicity is fun.  Now, simple does not always mean easy, especially with this game. You'll need all your concentration and reflexes working at their max in order to make it to the final level. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to try yet again to beat level 15...

Light Keeper for the BlackBerry PlayBook is available in all countries except South Korea.

More information / download Light Keeper for the BlackBerry PlayBook