GuruBlake
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Posts by GuruBlake
RIM Owns Patent For BlackBerry With Rotating Keyboard
Aug 26th
RIM own’s a patent for a device which suggests a dual keyboard; alpha in landscape orientation and numeric when the keypad is flipped and in portrait orientation. The drawings don’t clearly show what I’m talking about so you can either take my word for it or try reading the the official patent yourself. Now just because RIM has secured this patent, doesn’t mean they will end up making this device. Companies like RIM secure patents all of the time for future possibilities. Then again if you go back over a year in time, many of us thought we would never see RIM release a slider like the 9800. Hey, you never know. More images after the jump.
[Via: BerryReview, GoRumors]
RIM Walks Us Through Recovering A Bricked BlackBerry
Aug 25th
Personally, I’ve never gotten a 507 error without forcing it, but I know people who have ended up with 507 errors or bricked BlackBerrys and had no idea why. One of RIM’s weak points has been educating carriers and subscribers on the 507 error. Pretty much anyone who calls their carriers tech support when their device is bricked, is quick to believe them when they are told their device is ‘broken’ and needs to be replaced. It’s a shame that countless people have waited a day or two to receive a replacement device when they could have easily brought their bricked berry back to life.
At some point, Desktop Manager has been updated to connect and reload software on a bricked devices which makes the process more straight forward for the average user. In the past, Apploader had to be used which some people still prefer, but was limited to PC’s. RIM has finally provided simple detailed instructions on how to recover a bricked device with both PC and Mac on their official website. The average BlackBerry user isn’t going to look on RIM’s site for this so I hope tech support agents at all carriers will be trained to walk users through this process. See the guides listed below>>
- Reload Device Software from a Mac
- Reload Device Software from a PC
Via: BerryReview
PingChat! for BlackBerry now in App World
Aug 23rd
PingChat! for BlackBerry is now in App World under the ‘Newest Apps’ section. If you haven’t given this app a look as of yet, I suggest you do now.
PingChat! Is a cross platform instant messaging application that works between iOS, Android & BlackBerry platforms. It supports group messaging as well. The UI is clean and it has a 1up on text messaging because a check mark pops up next to your messages when they have been read by the recipient.
PingChat! is fairly new and still needs some work, but it’s coming along very nicely and all platforms will be seeing frequent updates with a bunch of new features in the near future. I have a pretty good feeling PingChat! Is going to be in App World’s top 25 downloaded apps fairly soon.
You can find PingChat! for BlackBerry here in App World.
This Week In BlackBerry 8/15-8/21
Aug 22nd
Just last week we had the release of the official BlackBerry Podcast app, BBM 5.0.1 and Desktop Manager 6.0. RIM did not slow down this weeek, as they released Facebook for BlackBerry v1.8 and App World 2.0 to the public. Isn’t it great when you load apps/updates that give you a sense of renewed appreciation for your device? I sure do but let’s face it, that appreciation fades pretty damn fast. Especially after seeing BB6 run like butter on the 9700. Hit the jump to see what you may have missed this week in BlackBerry>>
News, rumors & leaks
Video: BlackBerry6 running on the Bold 9700
BlackBerry Bold R020 To Replace 9700
BlackBerry Oxford 9670 housing for sale online [Pics]
BlackBerry 9670 Clamshell Not Exclusive to Verizon, Headed to Sprint Soon?
Half off the BlackBerry Torch 9800?
Rogers Introduces Pay As You Go BlackBerry Data
apps
Are you experiencing notification issues with Facebook v1.8 for BlackBerry? Here’s the fix..
Facebook for BlackBerry v1.8.0.49 available in App World!
BlackBerry App World v2.0.0.36 Rolling Out Now – Full Details
Third Dropbox Beta Released For BlackBerry
Good Video Browser for BlackBerry
Are you experiencing notification issues with Facebook v1.8 for BlackBerry? Here’s the fix..
Aug 20th
It has been brought to my attention is that Facebook for BlackBerry v1.8 isn’t exactly a turn-key install. Many of my friends have experienced notification issues and I’m sure plenty of you have as well, but not to worry, there is a quick fix.
1. Open the Facebook app on your BlackBerry
2. Hit Menu, select Options
3. Scroll down to where it says ‘Turn off all Facebook Email Notifications’ and click on it.
**Make sure you leave the ‘Facebook notifications’ box checked
Explanation: Facebook for BlackBerry v1.8 uses BIS-B technology to push notifications to your BlackBerry. Email notifications are no longer needed. Keeping email notifications turned on can cause notification issues. Hope this helps!
BlackBerry App World v2.0.0.36 Rolling Out Now - Full Details
Aug 19th
According to InsideBlackBerry, App World 2.0 has come out of private beta and will be rolling out tonight to 65 countries. One of the newer surprises is that developers now have the option to set a price of $0.99 and $1.99 for their apps! In the past, every paid app required a minimum cost of $2.99. If you currently don’t have App World on your device, or have not been prompted for the upgrade, you can click on over to www.blackberry.com/appworld from your device and see if it has rolled out to your area.
*Tip: If your App World download page shows the old version, holding down ‘alt’ while pressing R + S + T, then backing out, and re-entering the page may push the update to you. Worked for me
Hit the jump to see all of the new features of App World 2.0>>
Top 25 Themes and Top 25 Apps
Let’s get started! You’ve asked and we’ve listened – you enjoy your BlackBerry Smartphone themes, but you want to see them listed by themselves. You also asked to see what’s new and what’s been updated recently in BlackBerry App World, and we’re happy to deliver.
In our new “Top 25” screen, you can see the Newest apps, Recently Updated apps, Top 25 Free Apps, Top 25 Paid Apps, and Top 25 Themes. These lists update every 24 hours, and are based on a combination of number of downloads and user ratings.
BlackBerry App World Barcode Scanning
Another cool feature we’re adding is the ability for our developers to use a QR barcode to promote their apps. BlackBerry App World 2.0 will have a new menu option called “Scan a Barcode” – which works just like scanning a barcode for a new contact or group in BlackBerry® Messenger 5.0. Just point the camera of your BlackBerry Smartphone at a QR barcode and the details page for the app you’re scanning pop right up!
More Billing Options
In addition to the ability to purchase apps with a PayPal® account, we’re adding support for two new billing methods to BlackBerry App World. To access these new billing options, you will be able to simply log in and choose ‘Payment Options’ from the menu.
Credit Cards
We know that many of you will be happy to hear that you will soon be able to use a major credit card (cards vary by region) to purchase apps. If BlackBerry App World credit card payments are available in your country, you’ll see the new “Credit Card” option where you can securely enter and save your credit card information for all your App World purchases.
Carrier Billing
We’re also excited to tell you that we’re working on integrated billing with various carriers to enable carrier billing as a payment option in BlackBerry App World.
PayPal
If you prefer the simplicity of paying with PayPal, then just choose the PayPal option. You’ll be asked for your PayPal account email and password once, and then all your purchases can be made using your PayPal account.
Introducing BlackBerry® ID
We’re also proud to introduce the new BlackBerry® ID, a device-independent user identification. With your BlackBerry® ID, you can easily download and purchase apps, then manage them in My World. Also, if you ever need to switch to a new BlackBerry Smartphone, logging in with your BlackBerry ID will bring all your apps to your new BlackBerry smartphone so you can always have the apps you need, when you need them!
[Via: InsideBlackBerry]
Facebook for BlackBerry v1.8.0.49 available in App World!
Aug 18th
Facebook v1.8.0.49 is now available in App World. I’m not sure if it’s available for all devices as of yet, but I just downloaded it on my 9700. The UI seems slightly cleaner than the previous beta/leaked v1.8.0.31. I haven’t really played with it yet so I can’t comment on any other findings or fixes.
Update: When browsing App World on my PC, it still shows Facebook v1.7.0.22 so the new version is probably not available on all devices or in all areas yet.
Click here to open the Facebook link in Appworld and see if 1.8.0.49 is available for you!
If not you can download OTA here via BBHybrids, but do so at your own risk, as it may not be built for your device.
Torch 9800 Poll - Follow Up
Aug 16th
Just to recap on last weeks poll, it looks like only a small percentage of our readers were able to get their hands on a Torch. That’s not surprising being that AT&T is the only carrier that has released the Torch as of yet. Unfortunately 46% of the voters are waiting in limbo for their carrier to release the Torch. Not to worry, the Torch will be coming to Telus, Bell, Rogers, Virgin Canada, Orange UK and Vodafone UK in the upcoming weeks. It seems to me that a lot of GSM BlackBerry subscribers were/are starving for a touch-screen BlackBerry device.
The remaining 41% of the voters are either happy with their current devices or are waiting for something else to release. I happen to be in that 41% as well. I just love the standard QWERTY form factor and plan on sticking with my 9700 until the 9780 releases, but I must admit, I am jealous of you people who are already running BlackBerry 6.
Good Video Browser for BlackBerry
Aug 16th
If you’re the type of person who likes to record videos on your BlackBerry, you’re probably annoyed that the native video browser does not support thumbnail view. This has been fixed on the BlackBerry 6 OS, but most current BlackBerry devices will not be getting BlackBerry 6. It’s very annoying to have to open and view each video in order to find out what it is, unless you name each video as you record it but who actually does that? I was really turned off to the whole video thing on my BlackBerry until I came across ‘Good Video Browser’ by Almoko…
Good Video Browser for BlackBerry is exactly what it says it is. The app will retrieve your videos from your video folder, and also gives you the option to scan all folders for other videos that may be on your device. You can view thumbnails in a grid or list view with additional details. You also have the option to rename, delete, record and send videos directly from the app. Good Video Browser is what the native BlackBerry videos browser should have been.
Good Video Browser is available for the following devices:
8900 (Curve), 8910 (Curve), 8930 (Curve), 9000 (Bold), 9500 (Storm), 9530/9530T (Storm), 9550/9520 (Storm2), 9630 (Tour), 9650 (Bold), 9700 (Bold), 9800 (Torch)
Good Video Browser is currently on sale at Mobihand for $2.99, but I’m not sure how long that will last!
You can also pick it up here in App World but it’s listed at the regular price of $4.99.
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