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- More Leaked Details on Staples BlackBerry PlayBook Training
- Updated: Review: InPulse SmartWatch Bluetooth Watch for BlackBerry
- Easily Switch Between BBM Categories Using the Spacebar
- Angry Farm v1.1 Released With Smoother Gameplay and More
- RIM Extends Free BlackBerry PlayBook Offer for Developers
- Streaming Video IN the BlackBerry 6 Browser? How Does Comic Vine do it?
- Video: QNX Talking About How They Power the BlackBerry PlayBook
- App World Devs No Longer Require Notarized Docs – Scanned IDs Fine
- Updated: RIM Patents Hybrid Capacitive AND Resistive Touchscreen Tech
| More Leaked Details on Staples BlackBerry PlayBook Training Posted: 08 Mar 2011 01:55 AM PST
We already saw some documentation on Staples training their employees on the BlackBerry PlayBook. Now we have some more confirmation in a leak showing some more details on Staples employee PlayBook training. The internal memo shows that they will be releasing training modules to their employees on March 30th which is usually before a product launch. Adam over @CrackBerry surmizes that these training modules and 30 day completion period for them hint that the PlayBook may only hit Staples locations in late April. Who knows but how could we resist posting rumors when RIM has yet to announce a release date… via Driod-Life If you liked this article, you might find these interesting:
Posted by Ronen Halevy for ©BerryReview, March 8, 2011, 4:55 am. | More Leaked Details on Staples BlackBerry PlayBook Training | Leave a comment |
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| Updated: Review: InPulse SmartWatch Bluetooth Watch for BlackBerry Posted: 07 Mar 2011 03:19 PM PST UPDATE: I must update: newer firmware Beta_2.3.1.3.8.6 fixes all of the font/text issues I had. Everything looks crisp and beautiful now. Too early to see any improvement in battery life, but I am very very pleased with the new firmware! Review: InPulse SmartWatch Bluetooth Watch for BlackBerry I received my InPulse SmartWatch on Friday, and thus have been testing it out thoroughly over the weekend. There are two kinds of users for such a gadget: The basic user with a BlackBerry who just wants notifications, and the programmer who will enjoy trying to make it run DOOM. I am the former, and likely won't use the hack-able aspects at least for a while. Let's start with the out-boxing. All images are captured on my BlackBerry 9650.
As you can see it comes with a getting started card, a standard Micro-USB cable, and the watch in tight plastic wrap. Getting the wrap off was a bit cumbersome, but it certainly had no scratches and looks really sharp. The right side has a single button which I will go over later, and the left the micro-USB port for charging. The back has clear plastic so you can see inside; kind of cool! The band is standard for most non-metal bands, and fits comfortably. The back of the watch could be a bit smoother; the left and right edges feel a bit rough, so I don't fit the band super snug but one notch looser. It came uncharged, so first thing I did is grab my BlackBerry's charging cable and plug 'er in.
The pair code is easily displayed, and the device uses the pair code in its name/identification, so don't worry about ever not knowing it. I image every InPulse had a different code. The getting started card tells BlackBerry uses to head to getinpulse.com/beta to get the app for your phone. The watch comes basically blank, without usable firmware, so the BB app is required to send the firmware to the watch. I downloaded to app to my 9650, easily paired with the watch, and used the app to send the firmware to the watch.
This takes about 10 minutes total time, and the progress indicators in the BB app were helpful. They warn you don't let the watch and your BB unpair during this time. We all know interrupting firmware uploads are unfun. Of course in a real word situation like Friday Night you may not have 10 minutes to sit around when you're wife is ready to leave. If this was a Blackberry, I'd have to keep it tethered to my computer, but this is all over Bluetooth, so we left and while she drove my SmartWatch and BlackBerry was still uploading firmware while in the car. Once firmware was complete I could start to set preferences from the BB app, which are then pushed to the phone, pretty much instantly. I was pleased I could set for 24-h time rather than 12, and you have options for font and color for the time, date, message header, and text. Also the date format which is handy. Maybe this is something with my watch, but some fonts don't display well:
while some do..
Also messages I receive have no spaces; every word runs together. The software is in beta, so I'd expect this to get fixed soon. That night I successfully received and read txts and e-mails on my watch as they were received by my BlackBerry. I could also see a phone call arriving, with the name from my address book provided, though there was a noticeable delay of when the InPulse notified me. This could be an issue depending on how far away your BlackBerry is when you need to pick up that call. The range of the Bluetooth connection seems good. All weekend with my BlackBerry resting somewhere I could be anywhere in my 2 story home, or my friend's wider ranch style hone, and the connection was never dropped. Functions are pretty simple. There is only one button. A quick click is for moving through a list, and click-hold is to make a selection. This is also back when you are within an item, like a txt msg or an e-mail. Normally the watch is in screensaver mode where the time is displayed small and off to the left side, moving every minute. Quick click to see the time displayed in large font with your choice of weekday, day, and month per your preference.
Click-hold for a menu of messages, calls, calendar, watch status.
I easily got used to the navigation. I appreciate the simple one-button design, but I personally wouldn't have found a 2 or 3 button design a detractor; just for speed. Click-hold to get a menu, click to go through a list, and Click-hold to view the item. Click-hold again to go back to the beginning. I see several advantages for daily use. For one driving, where having the ability to scan if the call incoming is an important person, and if the txt or e-mail relates to my trip or needs my immediate attention to reply. All on my wrist, which is a heck of a lot closer to the road in my vision than looking down at one's phone. Still it is always best to wait until you're not driving; or at a red light. If you're just relaxing or working you can just keep your BlackBerry anywhere, charging perhaps, and still get notified of something important. This coming week I'll be teaching at a conference, and while my phone's in my holster, I'll see what's up on my SmartWatch. Then I'll decide if I need to reach to get my phone. This was the basic reason I decided to get an InPulse. All the times you feel the holster vibrate and you wonder "should I reach for it?" You can customize which of your e-mail addresses get what kind of vibration on the InPulse. For me any work e-mail is two vibrations, and anything personal is one. The last thing to mention is battery life. One weekend may not be a valid test. I charged it for 30 minutes Friday before we headed out, and the battery lasted about 6-7 hours. There is no warning when it is getting low, and no true way to know how much juice it has. You are a bit blind here. Saturday morning I charged for an hour and it lasted 11 hours. Same thing on Sunday. As with any new battery it needs a few charges to cycle normally. Getting a few days would be nice. The current firmware version states a known issue of reduced battery life of users of a 9650 with OS 6, which is me. I've not tried charging it overnight, because I thought such a small battery wouldn't like that so much. I'll keep experimenting. At least all my existing Micro-USB chargers for Blackberry are compatible. Overall its fun, and it is nicely noticeable, with people already wanting to know more when they see it. My wife who always preferred me to wear a watch which I haven't since owning a BlackBerry is pleased with how stylish it looks; and it satisfies the tech side of me. Wishes are for better font display, and longer battery life. Hope you'll enjoy trying it out too. If you liked this article, you might find these interesting:
Posted by Nikolaus for ©BerryReview, March 7, 2011, 6:19 pm. | Updated: Review: InPulse SmartWatch Bluetooth Watch for BlackBerry | 11 comments |
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| Easily Switch Between BBM Categories Using the Spacebar Posted: 07 Mar 2011 11:29 AM PST
One of the more useful tricks I learned in the last few weeks was that RIM threw in a little keyboard shortcut to easily switch between the categories of BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) users in your contact list. BBM usually shows you the current conversations and then a list of your friends in multiple categories you can choose. It then puts your groups all the way at the bottom. If you have lots of chats open at the same time that can get really annoying to scroll through or collapse every time. Turns out RIM has a quick solution for QWERTY BlackBerrys. In the main screen of BlackBerry Messenger simply hit the spacebar to switch between the different categories on the homepage. I really wish they would extend this feature to the Google Talk app since it just collapses the category there… What other tips and tricks do you use? Send them to tips@berryreview.com! If you liked this article, you might find these interesting:
Posted by Ronen Halevy for ©BerryReview, March 7, 2011, 2:29 pm. | Easily Switch Between BBM Categories Using the Spacebar | 5 comments |
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| Angry Farm v1.1 Released With Smoother Gameplay and More Posted: 07 Mar 2011 09:44 AM PST
I am really trying to like Angry Farm for BlackBerry but their original release was super buggy. It was slow, lagged all the time, and simply froze up my BlackBerry along with screwing up Slacker radio while playing. Smarter Apps is working on that and made some progress with v1.1.0 of Angry Farm and BerryFix got a nice change log for v1.1.0:
The thing is the game is still super laggy but at least the upgrade does not require a reboot. The install is hefty at over 2MB and you can pick up Angry Farm 1.1 in the store for $4.99 at this link. I still cannot get over the new warning message when you start the app which you can see above. PS: I finally made it past level 6 but now Level 7 is posing a problem. I cannot seem to figure out how this tapping the screen after launching works. Kind of confusing. Thanks Frank for sending this one in! If you liked this article, you might find these interesting:
Posted by Ronen Halevy for ©BerryReview, March 7, 2011, 12:44 pm. | Angry Farm v1.1 Released With Smoother Gameplay and More | 9 comments |
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| RIM Extends Free BlackBerry PlayBook Offer for Developers Posted: 07 Mar 2011 09:26 AM PST
SWEET! I was just about to write up an article about how the March 15th deadline for the free BlackBerry PlayBook offer is almost here and RIM changes it. I am glad to report that RIM has extended the deadline for the free BlackBerry PlayBook offer for any dev with an accepted PlayBook app in App World has been extended. The new deadline is March 31st which gives devs some breathing room. RIM has also confirmed that they have done away with the annoying requirement for a notarized proof of identity for App World developers. As we said before individuals can now simply submit a proof of identity like a scan of the front and back of a government issued ID. They also confirmed that even this is a stop gap measure and will be automated soon. (Cant wait for more automation RIM!) RIM is also working on the tools for the BlackBerry PlayBook making them easier to use. Hopefully they will also simplify the code signing process. It took me over an hour to setup the code signing for my PlayBook WebWorks app due to the incorrect documentation and convoluted command line codes. Hopefully that will also be fixed soon along with the conflicting documentation on how to setup code signing. If you liked this article, you might find these interesting:
Posted by Ronen Halevy for ©BerryReview, March 7, 2011, 12:26 pm. | RIM Extends Free BlackBerry PlayBook Offer for Developers | 9 comments |
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| Streaming Video IN the BlackBerry 6 Browser? How Does Comic Vine do it? Posted: 07 Mar 2011 08:41 AM PST Desktop Video Link | Mobile Video LinkWe have had the ability to stream YouTube videos and other platforms from our BlackBerrys for awhile but that really just opened the media player and played from there. One of our readers, Diego, pointed out an interesting exception to that and even caught it on video with his BlackBerry Bold 9780. I confirmed on my BlackBerry Torch 9800 and it also works! Here is how to replicate it:
I have tried digging into it and it seems like it is streaming the video using the supported MP4 format. The thing is I have no idea how they pulled it off. I have tried experimenting with a few tags even HTML5 video tags which are officially not supported with no luck. So I thought I would throw it out there. Anybody have a clue how Comic Vine is able to stream video to BlackBerrys embedded in the browser? If you liked this article, you might find these interesting:
Posted by Ronen Halevy for ©BerryReview, March 7, 2011, 11:41 am. | Streaming Video IN the BlackBerry 6 Browser? How Does Comic Vine do it? | 10 comments |
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| Video: QNX Talking About How They Power the BlackBerry PlayBook Posted: 07 Mar 2011 07:48 AM PST Desktop Video Link | Mobile Video LinkMost of the video demos of the BlackBerry PlayBook have been done by the RIM side of the PlayBook team and we have not heard much from QNX since September. We have seen one or two demos with a QNX PlayBook in a car but those have been weak. Bla1ze over @CrackBerry spotted a video interview done by ARMDevices at Embedded World 2011 of a QNX rep showing off the PlayBook. The interviewer seems a bit confused about what to ask but the QNX rep does give an interesting take on how they have been empowering the PlayBook with features like Symmetric Multiprocessing (SMP) in the TI 4430 OMAP processor. Let us know if you spot any other good videos. I am just waiting for RIM to finally release the device or at least offer up a release date! If you liked this article, you might find these interesting:
Posted by Ronen Halevy for ©BerryReview, March 7, 2011, 10:48 am. | Video: QNX Talking About How They Power the BlackBerry PlayBook | 6 comments |
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| App World Devs No Longer Require Notarized Docs – Scanned IDs Fine Posted: 07 Mar 2011 06:40 AM PST
Its amazing to see the power of the internet and a good rant. It still blows my mind that RIM thought it was reasonable to ask developers to have their proof of identity notarized before allowing them to submit apps to App World. Piotr of BBNews.pl let us know that RIM has finally seen the light and is allowing developers to just submit a scanned front and back copy of any official government issued identification which shows your full name and date of birth. That is relatively reasonable right? I am just glad that somebody finally gave RIM legal the middle finger and said enough is enough. Here is the email RIM is sending to App World developers who signed up but stopped half way through the process due to the annoying notary public requirement: Hello, If you liked this article, you might find these interesting:
Posted by Ronen Halevy for ©BerryReview, March 7, 2011, 9:40 am. | App World Devs No Longer Require Notarized Docs – Scanned IDs Fine | 4 comments |
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| Updated: RIM Patents Hybrid Capacitive AND Resistive Touchscreen Tech Posted: 07 Mar 2011 05:52 AM PST UPDATE: It looks like this is a similar or an update to a patent RIM filed in 2009. This new patent filing does have a different patent filing date of March 3rd, 2011. Still trying to dig further into it trying to come up with use cases for such a patent.
In case you don't know the difference between capacitive and resistive touchscreen tech here is a simple explanation. Resistive touchscreens are the older touchscreens that require you to apply pressure on the screen like the old Palm Treo's or the signature pads at stores and usually use a stylus. A capacitive screen is the newer type of screens on the BlackBerry Torch and competitors like the iPhone. GoRumors spotted a RIM application for a patent for a screen tech that includes both capacitive and resistive tech. I am not sure exactly what the practical application of such a technology would yield but it sounds kind of cool. It would be nice to be able to finally use my BlackBerry to press buttons without taking my gloves off in the cold. RIM describes it that the screen would recognize that you are applying to much force for the capacitive screen and turn on the resistant tech. Anybody have any ideas what they will do with it? Thanks Sriram for the tip! If you liked this article, you might find these interesting:
Posted by Ronen Halevy for ©BerryReview, March 7, 2011, 8:52 am. | Updated: RIM Patents Hybrid Capacitive AND Resistive Touchscreen Tech | 11 comments |
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