Some cool happenings over at the BlackBerry Developers Blog. Today, they posted some good news for developers as well. In the next little while, that BlackBerry Developers Blog will be compiling a bunch of new BlackBerry 6 information and posting it for everyone. Oddly though, the post makes no mention of when exactly the tools needed for BlackBerry 6 will be available but we're guessing a complete roll out is to be expected near or at the BlackBerry Developers Conference.

For our Java developers, we’ll work to highlight the new APIs being introduced, including a new powerful set of new User Interface controls, Universal Search integration, and a Barcode Capture API. For our web developers, we’ll start to redefine BlackBerry® Widgets and talk about the completely revamped BlackBerry Browser powered by a Webkit engine. We will cover HTML5, CSS3, and concrete steps for how you can bring your mobile site to BlackBerry® smartphones.

Looks like Research In Motion will be covering a lot to ensure developers have the support that is ever so vital these days. Creating Super Apps has become part of RIM's full on development process and if people aren't sure of how to do that, then stuff like this being laid out for them is great.

Source: BlackBerry Dev Blog

CrackBerry.com's feed sponsored by ShopCrackBerry.com. RIM soon to be getting developers ready for BlackBerry 6

Anybody surprised? Bytemobile has compiled a report (PDF Link) of mobile video usage for this quarter and found some interesting data. It looks like mobile video is really causing network congestion and occurs on all networks. High definition content is minimal and YouTube accounts for 36% of total video traffic on mobile networks worldwide.

Now back to the title of this article. According to Bytemobile “Four of the top 10 video domains across all geographies worldwide are adult content-specific sites.” These adult sites account for almost 15% of all the video traffic on wireless networks and they are delivered mostly through flash video which accounts for 90% of video traffic.

I have never even heard of some of these sites beyond YouTube and Google Video. Are we in for a surge in porn video streaming once RIM adds flash to the BlackBerry? What do you think?

If you liked this article, you might find these interesting:

• RIM Not Certain if Video Will be “Killer App” on Smartphones
• Now That OS 4.5 Gave Us Streaming Video…
• Mobile Data Traffic Overtook Voice Traffic in December 2009
• T-Mobile Branded 9300 Caught On Video
• Video of The BB 9800 Boot Up Animation and Setup

Posted by Greg for ©BerryReview, July 30, 2010, 1:31 pm. | Report Shows 4 Of Top 10 Mobile Video Sites Are Porn… | 10 comments |

RIM just posted on their official Developer Blog that they will be covering the new developer features in BlackBerry 6 in the coming weeks. With rumors that the BlackBerry 9800 running OS 6.0 stating that it will be released as early as next week this has us truly wondering…

WHERE ARE THE DEVELOPER TOOLS?!?

I have been asked by quite a few developers how RIM expects them to prepare for BlackBerry 6 without providing them any tools to do so. I realize that a select few have been given access to the tools through RIM’s Alliance program but I thought RIM was moving away from the closed door development environment. I truly hope that RIM will release or at the very least announce some developer tools for OS 6.0 next week at their event. Otherwise if the BlackBerry 9800 truly does launch in mid-August we are going to have some disgruntled developers. I really hate to rain on RIM’s great build up to the release of BlackBerry 6 but why don’t they show some love to developers too?

In their blog post Mike does mention that they will be covering JAVA and web development in two separate tracks. They plan on highlighting the new user interface controls, Universal Search, and Barcode Capture API which sounds pretty interesting. For the web they will be covering HTML5 (I can’t wait) and CSS3. They also promise to “Redefine” BlackBerry widgets which I hope translates into “Make them actually useful without restricting them to obscurity.”

Once RIM finally gets to releasing BlackBerry 6 expect us to totally revamp our mobile site to take advantage of it! I cannot wait to finally be able to use HTML5, JavaScript, and CSS3!

If you liked this article, you might find these interesting:

• RIM Releases Java and Web Development Tools
• RIM Fails To Deliver Developer Tools, Services, & SDKs
• OS 4.6 BlackBerry JDE Released To Partners
• BlackBerry Java Development Environment (JDE) 5.0 Beta Now Available
• Upcoming Developer Webcast: Mobile Application Design Considerations for Java Developers

Posted by Ronen Halevy for ©BerryReview, July 30, 2010, 1:13 pm. | RIM Promises Developers OS 6.0 Walkthroughs – No Word On Tools… | 3 comments |

There are loads and loads of options buried in the BlackBerry OS, some of which we never even touch (or have any idea what they do). One of the most common overlooked is the accessibility options (Option > Advanced Options > Accessibility). This set of options helps people with disabilities better use there BlackBerry by helping with vision or hearing. From here, you have the option to change your Grid Layout, Color Contrast and Event Sounds. The Grid Layout option lets you tweak your homescreen settings so you can view icons in the default view (6x3 with the default theme) 1x1, 2x2, 3x3 or 4x4. Pretty cool if you like bigger icons or just want to change things up (check out some screens after the jump). You can also turn on Event Sounds which will alert you on full/low batttery and also when a USB cable is connected/disconnected. Last and possibly coolest is the Color Contrast. From here you can change to Reverse Contrast or Greyscale. These two you really have to see for yourself so play around and see how you like it. The only drawback is EVERYTHING takes on new colors, including all of your photos, but it's still good for a laugh. Hit the jump for some more images. Thanks Victoria!

• Read more on BlackBerry Accessibility Options >>

read more

CrackBerry.com's feed sponsored by ShopCrackBerry.com. Quick Tip: Change the look of your BlackBerry using accessibility options

Face2face is a new cross platform social networking app that gives you access to Facebook, Twitter, & LinkedIn all in one place. It even adds a cross platform chat where you can chat with any of your friends by signing into your social networks.

The app has the following feature list:

• Find Your Friends
  Let your friends know you’re nearby without ever having to reveal your exact location.
• Protect Your Privacy
  When your friends see you, you also always see them – so no stalking!
• Combine Networks and Chat
  No new login: sign in through Facebook, Linkedin, or MySpace. Combine them and link Twitter to have all your friends in one place; chat free across smartphones on any network.
• Meet New People
  Also connect with friends of friends – all based on who’s nearby at the moment!

You can get your friends with Androids and iPhones to download the free client for those platforms to chat free. You can pick up the BlackBerry app OTA at this link or just read more at www.face2face.ws.

via Rimarkable

If you liked this article, you might find these interesting:

• Free SNEX App Lets You Easily Add Facebook, Twitter, & LinkedIn Contacts
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• Loopt – Another Free Social Networking Tool For BlackBerry
• Whrrl Beta – Free Location Based Social Networking App

Posted by Ronen Halevy for ©BerryReview, July 30, 2010, 12:00 pm. | Free face2face Social Networking App With Facebook LinkedIn & Twitter | 12 comments |

We have covered Textender and FindMeHere on the blogs before, and today on Twitter I noticed a little bit of news that might be of interest to our readers. Both of these applications are now free until August 3rd.

Textender is a straightforward utility app that allows the expansion of SMS messages beyond 160 characters. Integration throughout the system menus allows you to access it from almost anywhere, and multiple numbers for each contact are supported as well. If you are constantly frustrated by only being able to send 160 characters at a time, pick it up now for no charge.

FindMeHere is an interesting little app that takes your current GPS location and provides the Google Maps link, allowing you to easily send your current location to your friends via a number of options, including Twitter. I use it constantly for sending clients a map to my office location, quickly and conveniently.

• More information and download of Textender >>
  
• More information and download of FindMeHere >>
  

CrackBerry.com's feed sponsored by ShopCrackBerry.com. FindMeHere and Textender -Two useful utilities, free until the end of July!

The BlackBerry lags behind with options to edit pictures compare to other devices so the job is left out to 3rd party apps like imgEdit from Toysoft Development Inc. ImgEdit lets you edit pictures right from your BlackBerry with preset options such as rotating, flip or mirror and adding special effects. You can also use the software to resize the photo

Features:

• The only image editing of this kind for the BlackBerry
• Supports Bmp, GIF, JPG and PNG pictures
• Integrates with the Media, Files and Camera applications
• Rotate, Crop, Resize, Zoom, Flip and Mirror image
• Add special effects like: Greyscale, Sepia, Negative, Interlace, Paint, Scatter and more. 14 effects
• Special Warhol effect
• Change image RGB, HSB and Brightness. Total control of color imaging
• Set the image to Wallpaper
• Simple line and rectangle drawing for Touch screen devices
• Add text to the image
• Import any picture into the editing picture such as Frame, text
• Save image or screen
• Email image or screen
• Undo function

Minimum Requirements:

• BlackBerry OS5
• 170K of memory
• SD Card
• Works on all devices running OS 5.0+

Giveaway: Toysoft has sponsored a giveaway for 30 free copies of imgEdit. To participate all you have to do is leave a comment below and let us know what features you are most likely to use? Comments must be left before Monday august 2nd.

If you liked this article, you might find these interesting:

• Review: imgEdit by Toysoft for BlackBerry
• ToySoft GoFish Giveaway for The Storm – 30 Free Copies
• Giveaway: VersaTool All In One Utility – 20 Free Copies!
• Giveaway: 50 Free Copies of QuickNotes
• Giveaway winners: Slacker, Add To, Twinkler & Toysoft apps

Posted by Luis Merlos for ©BerryReview, July 30, 2010, 11:00 am. | Giveaway: imgEdit From Toysoft 30 Free Copies | 76 comments |

Back during Mobile World Congress, Research In Motion launched quite a few community orientated programs. One of those programs was the BlackBerry Developer Groups which has been gaining members at quite a steady pace. With the BlackBerry Developers Conference coming up soon, we figured we'd remind you all of some of the benefits related to being a part of a BlackBerry Developer Group.

By becoming a member of a BlackBerry Developer Group, you can:

• Meet a local community with shared interests in learning, networking and support for BlackBerry development platforms.
• Receive platform and program updates from Research In Motion® (RIM®).
• Get access to exclusive discounts for Developer Certification Exams.
• Receive exclusive discounts to select BlackBerry® Developer Events and Conferences.

Research In Motion is looking to establish developer groups all across the world. So, if you are interested in any way with BlackBerry development and want to help start a group with in your local area, you can find all the details over to the BlackBerry Developers Group page. To find groups that may already exist in your area, you can also check out the Developer Community page on Facebook. If you're already part of a group then we look forward to meeting you all in San Francisco on Sept 27th-30 as we'll be there for DevCon 2010.

2010 BlackBerry Developer Super Apps Challenge - September 6th Deadline is Approaching! This year the BlackBerry Partners Fund is looking for anyone who is building super apps. Be it an application which you feel is already a super app or a new app you are currently working on. They want to see it. The challenge is set. The stakes are over $1.5 Million worth of prizes and includes developer services from leading industry partners, featured placements on BlackBerry App World, marketing programs from Research In Motion and much more. So what are you waiting for? If you are a BlackBerry developer who is delivering super apps, you'll want to take on the BlackBerry Developer Fund's 2010 Super Apps Developer Challenge. The full list of contest prizes, eligibility and requirements are available on the BlackBerry Partners Fund website, just click the link.

• Learn More About The 2010 Super Apps Developer Challenge >>

CrackBerry.com's feed sponsored by ShopCrackBerry.com. BlackBerry Developer Groups and Super Apps Challenge - A reminder as we head into DevCon

BerryCodes has made two of their apps free until the end of the month. I am not sure about FindMeHere but Textender is a must have app for all CDMA devices. It lets CDMA users send multipart SMS text messages bypassing the 160 or 140 character limit imposed by CDMA carriers. You just create a message through the app and it will automatically tag the separate messages.

The second free app is FindMeHere which simply finds you location and provides you with a link to your location on Google Maps. You can then send it via Email, SMS, & Twitter. The app even shortens the URL via Bit.ly.

You can pick up Textender free at this link or pick up FindMeHere free at this link. Kudos to BerryCodes for offering the apps free and thanks to Tashanna for pointing us to MrClippy/BerryCodes tweet!

If you liked this article, you might find these interesting:

• Google Maps v3.0.2 Enables GPS On The Storm
• HOT!!! Google Apps to Connect to BlackBerry Enterprise Server Free in July!!!
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• Apps To Help You Plan Your 4th Of July Travels
• InstaMapper – Another Free GPS Tracking Application

Posted by Ronen Halevy for ©BerryReview, July 30, 2010, 10:01 am. | HOT! Textender & FindMeHere Free Until July 31st! | 2 comments |

Who would have thought that having a presidential BlackBerry would be no fun. From the start of Obama’s tenure he had to fight to keep his BlackBerry instead of a government approved Sectera Edge. They severely hampered his device by only authorizing ten people to email him and practically all of the content on it will be subject to the Presidential Records Act. The view got some really great quotes out of Obama:

I’ve got to admit, it’s no fun because they think that it’s probably going to be subject to the presidential records act, so nobody wants to send me the real juicy stuff,

It’s all very official. ‘Mr. President, you have a meeting coming up and we’d like to brief you.

Kind of sad to hear even the President doesn’t get to have a little fun on his work device. I wonder what games he has on it if any at all or what his high score is in BrickBreaker.

via Yahoo News

If you liked this article, you might find these interesting:

• Verizon Cans Presidential Snoopers
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Posted by the BerryReview Team for ©BerryReview, July 30, 2010, 9:31 am. | Presidential BlackBerrys Are “No Fun” Says Obama | 3 comments |