Jumat, 27 Januari 2012

BerryReview.com Giving Back to the BlackBerry Community

BerryReview.com

BerryReview.com Giving Back to the BlackBerry Community


NHL Players Association Launches New PlayBook Themed Campaign With RIM

Posted: 27 Jan 2012 01:35 AM PST

PlayBook NHL Players Association2

When I first heard of this it immediately brought to mind the fact that Polar Mobile has signed a deal with the NHL players association for mobile apps in December. Hell RIM signed a deal with Polar back in March of last year for 100 PlayBook apps that we haven't seen yet. Now Bla1ze @CrackBerry noticed that RIM has launched a new campaign together with the NHL Players Association to promote the PlayBook. It seems like five players will be giving us a behind the scenes look at what happens off the ice filmed using BlackBerry PlayBooks.

The five Players are:

  • BOBBY RYAN – ANAHEIM DUCKS #9
  • JOFFREY LUPUL - TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS #19
  • MARTIN BIRON – NEW YORK RANGERS #43
  • SCOTT HARTNELL – PHILADELPHIA FLYERS #19
  • MICHAEL GRABNER - NEW YORK ISLANDERS #40

You can check out their current website at playbook.nhlpa.com but my bet is we will probably be seeing some apps with behind the scenes action soon. Check out their promo video below:


Desktop Video Link | Mobile Video Link

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Posted by Ronen Halevy for ©BerryReview, January 27, 2012, 4:35 am. | NHL Players Association Launches New PlayBook Themed Campaign With RIM | Leave a comment |


64GB BlackBerry PlayBook From Shop BlackBerry Only $239.20 With 20% Off Coupon!

Posted: 26 Jan 2012 06:10 PM PST

Update: We are getting reports that ShopBlackBerry has now pulled the coupon code. Hopefully we will score another one soon! That was a pretty sweet deal for a 64GB model.

BlackBerry PlayBook 64GB

The deals keep on coming for the BlackBerry PlayBook. My buddy from Tabletaholic let me know that RIM has a coupon code for the BlackBerry PlayBook that takes 20% off when you order through Shop BlackBerry. I am not sure if this is US only but I can confirm it works in the US. It actually also works for the other 16GB and 32GB BlackBerry PlayBooks but they all end up at the same $239.20 price so its better to get the 64GB model.

This is the best deal I have seen so far for the 64GB BlackBerry PlayBook so jump on it if you can. You can find all of the models here on Shop BlackBerry and then use the coupon code IBM to get the discount!

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Posted by Ronen Halevy for ©BerryReview, January 26, 2012, 9:10 pm. | 64GB BlackBerry PlayBook From Shop BlackBerry Only $239.20 With 20% Off Coupon! | 6 comments |


Contest: Win 1 of 20 copies of XAppLock Unlimited

Posted: 26 Jan 2012 02:49 PM PST

Last month BerrySet was nice enough to let use do a giveaway for their great weather app XWeather.  With the success of that giveaway, they have been kind enough to allow us to giveaway 20 copies of XAppLock Unlimited. Read on for more details!

XAppLock is a great appliation that lets you lock out specific features and applications.  Now many of you might say, why not just use a device lock that is built in?  Well because XAppLock lets use do all this!

* Lock/Unlock all System as well as 3rd party apps including Twitter and BlackBerry® Messenger!
* Lock full Messages including SMS and MMS folder.
* Protect your BlackBerry® Messenger from unauthorized access.
* Option to protect full Messages app.
* Options like Auto Lock on Phone Lock.
* Option to Ask Password Every Time for maximum security.
* Option to Ask Password in Session time.
* Option to Automatically Lock your device.
* Extremely fast and save power.

One of the best features I like about this app, is that if someone tries to maliciously gain access to your phone, it wont erase after 10 tries like other factory security.

Drop us a comment on the bottom of WHY you would like to win XAppLock Unlimited for your chance to win.
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Disclaimer: Please make sure to use your proper email when entering as we will be needing this to contact you if you are selected. This contest is sponsored by BerrySet, and all winnings will be tied to your PIN. Contest ends at midnight EST on January 31st, 2012. For full details on XAppLock Unlimited  you can visit the BerrySet Website.

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


Posted by Fubaz for ©BerryReview, January 26, 2012, 5:49 pm. | Contest: Win 1 of 20 copies of XAppLock Unlimited | 20 comments |


RIM Details Their Roadmap for Code Signing – Still Seems Relatively Useless

Posted: 26 Jan 2012 02:42 PM PST

 IsTheCodeSigningServerDown

I have always had a huge issue with code signing for BlackBerry applications. For almost a decade code signing has been a hugely frustrating and annoying barrier to entry for new BlackBerry developers while providing marginal security improvements. Hell it used to cost $200 for code signing keys. As far as I have been able to research all code signing does, at least until the BlackBerry PlayBook, is prove that the code you are installing has not been modified since the developer signed it. In other words it provides trust (aka Integrity) though even RIM can see how laughable of a security model that is all by itself. I am not necessarily against code signing but the benefits have to outweigh the cost. More on that later.

One of RIM's devs, Mark, was kind enough to detail the current past and present of code signing for all BlackBerry devices on the RIM DevBlog. He even tries to explain why it is of value especially on the BlackBerry PlayBook. The two major additions RIM did with code signing on the BlackBerry PlayBook is use part of the code signing key to protect the data your application can access and another was to add debug tokens to allow you to test unsigned code on an actual BlackBerry PlayBook. It is nice to see that code signing is getting easier and I truly hope it becomes as simple as pie without 14 different steps no matter how easy the wizard. I just want to stress how important it is for RIM to streamline this process until there are no longer flooded in their support forums with developers frustrated with the code signing process. (Just take a look to see what I mean)

Code signing certificates mainly provide the ability to verify that the application you installed is coming from the developer without any modifications. It does not tell you if the developer is somebody you should trust or if they just plan on stealing all your data. Hell all RIM even does is just verify a developers information with their credit card company. This is semi-redundant on the BlackBerry PlayBook since RIM plans on restricting PlayBook app installations to App World only unless you sideload your app. That means RIM already authenticates that the application you are installing comes from that developer. They do this by making developers jump through hoops to register for App World and verify their identity. So why do we need to double verify that fact? Also it is laughably easy to get a code signing key from RIM so it does not stop you from trusting bad developers since they can just as easily sign their code with another key.

The code signing keys also provide little value to developers especially PlayBook developers. It does not protect your application code or make sure that another developer cannot simply unzip your .BAR install file (for WebWorks and Flash apps) compile the app again and sign it with their key. That sort of makes the whole Debug Token security model another painful step that does not add as much value as the painful setup scheme it requires. It gets even worse if you lose your key and can no longer update your app until it is reinstated or want to share your key with other developers you are working with.

This model is even more flawed on BlackBerry smartphones where code signing is not even required for apps to run unless they need access to protected APIs. Also they can be installed from any source which is probably why RIM started with the code signing model. It allows RIM to centrally revoke a developers ability to sign new code. The thing is that developer could have many more code signing keys that they could just as easily sign malicious code with. If anything part of RIM's improvements to streamline code signing has been to make it easy for ANYBODY to get a code signing key.

All in all it seems like code signing is simply maid to deter lazy crooks instead of providing the level of benefit that would justify the high toll it takes on BlackBerry developers. The question is if RIM can simplify this process to make it less painful or at least justify the cost by adding actual benefits. I understand that RIM wants to protect users from imposters signing code or impersonating another company but the security it offers against that is not that hard to bypass. All it does is make sure the code signer cannot be anonymous but a malicious dev could easily obtain a stolen credit card number and purchase a code signing key especially since nobody would notice the $1 code signing authorization charge.

My dream is that RIM finds a way to create a 3 step wizard that within 10 minutes sets up your development environment, requests and installs your code signing keys, and sets up your App World vendor account. I am truly hoping Mark and his team can make that a reality ASAP… Since right now that process is measured in hours-days instead of minutes. You can see the advancements RIM has made in the last year below but hopefully RIM overhauls the whole system so we don't need www.isthecodesigningserverdown.com anymore:

  • Made code signing keys easier to obtain by removing the credit card requirement for ordering them
  • Reduced the order time for code signing keys from 7-10 days to approximately 1-2 hours so you can start building right away!
  • Created Configuration Wizards to walk you through configuring and backing up your keys
  • Automated many previously manual steps by integrating Debug Tokens into the SDKs
  • Updated the hardware for our code signing servers
  • Created the Code Signing Support site to walk through the ordering, configuration and signing process

Let me know what you think! I would love to be proven wrong…

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Posted by Ronen Halevy for ©BerryReview, January 26, 2012, 5:42 pm. | RIM Details Their Roadmap for Code Signing – Still Seems Relatively Useless | 3 comments |


BlackBerry DevCon Europe is Sold Out!

Posted: 26 Jan 2012 01:12 PM PST

DevCon 2012 Europe Sold Out

That was a bit unexpected. RIM has been pushing hard to sign up developers for BlackBerry DevCon Europe in Amsterdam from February 7-8th. They have been offering aggressive discounts and incentives but I was surprised when JoDo let me know that is is now SOLD OUT! RIM confirmed as much on their DevCon Website saying that registration is now closed. As far as I know the capacity was 1,000 developers (at least according to the sponsor prospectus PDF) which is a nice following for RIM.

Let us know if you will be going to DevCon Europe!

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Posted by the BerryReview Team for ©BerryReview, January 26, 2012, 4:12 pm. | BlackBerry DevCon Europe is Sold Out! | Leave a comment |


New Porsche Design P’9531 Coming – Possibly CDMA Model?

Posted: 26 Jan 2012 01:05 PM PST

Porsche Design p9531 

There was an interesting new addition to the product line in the newly leaked 2012 BlackBerry product roadmap. It lists a Porsche Design P'9531 instead of the previous P'9981 that has already been released in Porsche stores. There is some speculation that this new model may be a CDMA version of the previous P'9981 which would make more sense since the specs seem to be the same. I wonder how many Verizon or Sprint users would jump for one of these. Supposedly they feel very sturdy in your hand but 2 grand for a BlackBerry is a bit much.

Porsche Design p9531 2

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Posted by the BerryReview Team for ©BerryReview, January 26, 2012, 4:05 pm. | New Porsche Design P’9531 Coming – Possibly CDMA Model? | 4 comments |


BlackBerry PlayBook 3G+ Specs

Posted: 26 Jan 2012 09:50 AM PST

blackberry-roadmap-2012-bgr-16

The latest leaked road map shows the specs for the upcoming 7" PlayBook with HSPA+ but no mention of an LTE or 10" version. The main differences with the PlayBook is that it will support carrier network not just Wi-Fi. It is interesting to see RIM is calling it 3G+ on this slide not 4G like all the carriers are calling their networks right now.

BlackBerry PlayBook 3G+

  • Launch date March – May
  • 1.5 GHz Dual Core Processor – TI OMap 4460
  • 42Mbps HSPA+
  • Bands 1,2,4, 5/6 & 8
  • MicroHDMI, MicroUSB, Charging Contacts
  • NFC  Ready
  • PlayBook OS 2.0
  • 1GB RAM
  • 32GB Flash
  • Bluetooth 2.1+EDR
  • Sensors: Accelerometer, Magnetometer, Gyroscope, NFC
  • MicroSIM
  • 5.5 MP rear camera and 3.0 MP Front facing camera
  • Audio MP3, ACC(5.1), WMA (5.1)
  • Video 1080p, H.264, MPEG4, WMV, HDMI Output
  • 7" LCD, 2024×600, WSVGA
  • 0.9lbs (425g)

I always get a kick out of these demographics for the target market on devices.

blackberry-roadmap-2012-bgr-5

blackberry-roadmap-2012-bgr-6

Base on these latest leaks are you ready to buy a PlayBook with 3G+ on it or are you satisfied with the current Wi-Fi model. Sound off in the comments below

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Posted by Luis Merlos for ©BerryReview, January 26, 2012, 12:50 pm. | BlackBerry PlayBook 3G+ Specs | 6 comments |


RIM Working on Simpler BlackBerry Curve 9220 & Curve 9320

Posted: 26 Jan 2012 09:20 AM PST

BlackBerry Curves

According to the leaked roadmap we have been scouring this morning RIM is working on two more devices in what they call their "Onboarding" category. These models are intended to introduce feature phone users to smartphones with simpler devices. I am not quite sure what is wrong with the BlackBerry 9350/9360/9370 line but RIM calls those "Mid Classic" devices. Courtesy of the leaked slides we have the specs for both devices but they really are entry level. The 9220 also has a fixed focus camera (like older Curve models) and the 9320 has a extended depth of field camera (like the 9900). There is also a dedicated BlackBerry Messenger BBM button on the 9220 which is actually a cool idea.

Check them out and let us know what you think!

 BlackBerry Curves2 BlackBerry Curves3

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


Posted by the BerryReview Team for ©BerryReview, January 26, 2012, 12:20 pm. | RIM Working on Simpler BlackBerry Curve 9220 & Curve 9320 | Leave a comment |


RIM’s 2012 Road Map Includes 3G PlayBook, Curve and More

Posted: 26 Jan 2012 09:18 AM PST

blackberry-roadmap-2012-bgr-3RIM has a tough road ahead with the transition to BB10 devices and the latest leak shows RIM is not planning on leaving the current BlackBerry OS just yet. The road map leaked by BGR shows several low end devices with OS BB7.1 launching right around the BlackBerry World event. These BB7.1 devices are entry level devices for emerging markets. The slides are loaded with information and paints a good picture of where RIM's plans are for 2012, but it stops short of showing where they will begging the transition to to the BB10 devices. I am the BB10 were purposely left out of the road Map but it is clear that right around September is when they plan on launching the first BB10 devices.

  • March – April BB7.1 Upgrade for OS 7 devices
  • BlackBerry PlayBook 7" 3G+
    • White 9790
    • Curve 9380 White
    • Color variations for 9360
    • New curves 9220 and 9320
  • Jun – August
    • BB7.1 for Curves
    • 9320 Colors
    • 9220 Colors
  • September – November
    • Next Gen OS
    • Possible device launch around December – Might be that the OS will be preview announced around this time with a launch of devices toward the end of the year.

Some things to note is that the device names are referenced by color and broken down by class cetegory. The Next generation devices are in the Iconic category pointing to a Touch and Qwerty device.

New features highlighted include :

  • Wi-Fi media server for sharing all your favorite media with other devices
    • Turn on/off an configure the wireless media server through the option screen
    • User can select what media on their device they want to wirelessly share and specific device

BlackBerry PlayBook 3G+

  • 1.5 GHz Dual Core Processor – TI OMap 4460
  • 42Mbps HSPA+
  • Bands 1,2,4, 5/6 & 8
  • NFC  Ready
  • PlayBook OS 2.0
  • 1GB RAM
  • 32GB Flash
  • Bluetooth 2.1+EDR

Curve 9220

  • Dimension 109*60*12.7mm
  • Quad Band GSM/GPRS/EDGE
  • Display qVGA 320*240 164 dpi
  • Camera 2.0MP, Video Recording, 5x Digital Zoom
  • Memory 512 MB eMMc, 512 RAM,
  • Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
  • Bluetooth
  • Trackpad
  • FM Radio
  • Digital Compass, Accelerometer, Proximity Sensors

 

Check out the images below for more information

blackberry-roadmap-2012-bgr-1blackberry-roadmap-2012-bgr-4 (1)

blackberry-roadmap-2012-bgr-15 (1)

blackberry-roadmap-2012-bgr-12blackberry-roadmap-2012-bgr-16

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Source: BGR

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Posted by Luis Merlos for ©BerryReview, January 26, 2012, 12:18 pm. | RIM’s 2012 Road Map Includes 3G PlayBook, Curve and More | 5 comments |


RIM Adding Wireless Media Server File Sharing to BlackBerry Smartphones

Posted: 26 Jan 2012 09:07 AM PST

Wireless Media Sharing 

The latest leak of the BlackBerry 2012 roadmap (via BGR) highlights an interesting new feature that we have not heard about before. It includes a new Wireless Media Server and seems like it is specifically for BlackBerry smartphones. What it supposedly does is let you share video, images, and music over Wi-Fi as a form of file sharing. The leaked slides do not show if this also does DLNA streaming but my guess is it will work like the PlayBook file sharing over Wi-Fi. Let me know what you think!

Wireless Media Sharing2

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Posted by the BerryReview Team for ©BerryReview, January 26, 2012, 12:07 pm. | RIM Adding Wireless Media Server File Sharing to BlackBerry Smartphones | One comment |


When Will RIM Give Devs Access to OS 2.0 APIs? (Email, Twitter, Contacts, etc)

Posted: 26 Jan 2012 07:55 AM PST

PlayBook 2.0

I have mentioned before that I am really waiting for RIM to release the Cascades UI framework to developers but there is another milestone I am waiting for. BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 introduces things like Email, Contacts, Calendar, LinkedIn, Twitter and more. The thing is that RIM has not exposed any way for developers to manipulate or access that functionality from their applications. This is because both the beta OS for the PlayBook and the development tooling do not have this functionality enabled and documented.

The question is when and how will RIM expose it to developers? Will they get access to it when the PlayBook OS 2.0 launches in February? Will there be a follow up OS 2.1 that will give them such access or will RIM enable it in OS 2.0 and document the APIs later.

The reason this is so important is that these APIs are the lifeblood of the current BlackBerry OS. It is what allows a developer to manipulate or access your contacts, calendar, or even send an email. This is what RIM needs for BlackBerry PlayBook developers to create what RIM has dubbed "Super Apps" which are currently not possible on OS 2.0.

The big question is when we will see them…

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Posted by Ronen Halevy for ©BerryReview, January 26, 2012, 10:55 am. | When Will RIM Give Devs Access to OS 2.0 APIs? (Email, Twitter, Contacts, etc) | 7 comments |


Free Castle Siege Wars Game makes its PlayBook Debut

Posted: 26 Jan 2012 06:55 AM PST

More apps and games form Handsters long list of Android apps coming to the PlayBook are appearing.  One of their latest ones is a classic medieval war game called Castle Siege Wars.  You are the general in this multi level war game.  Grab your copy for free from AppWorld and see how good of a tactician you are!

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Posted by Fubaz for ©BerryReview, January 26, 2012, 9:55 am. | Free Castle Siege Wars Game makes its PlayBook Debut | 2 comments |


Wunderlist is Released for BlackBerry Smartphones

Posted: 26 Jan 2012 05:52 AM PST

Cross it off your want list as a BlackBerry app, Wunderlist is now available to BlackBerry users.  Wunderlist is a great multi platform organizational app for people on the go.  It can sync between many different platforms such as iOS and Windows. Best of all? It’s FREE. A full list of features and screenshots after the break.

Features:

● Free ☆ Wunderlist is completely free for every device 
● Cloud sync ☆ Your tasks are synced with your free Wunderlist account 
● Email reminders ☆ Ensure your tasks never slip your mind 
● Mail2Task ☆ Send tasks to Wunderlist from your email inbox 
● Organize ☆ Sort your tasks into lists 
● Due Dates ☆ Assign deadlines to your tasks 
● Focus ☆ View a breakdown of your tasks with our filter views
 ● Notes ☆ Give your tasks further detail
 ● Prioritize ☆ Star important tasks 
● Personalize ☆ Make Wunderlist your own with our included background wallpapers

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 Grab your copy today from AppWorld, or from the Wunderlist website for other devices.

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Posted by Fubaz for ©BerryReview, January 26, 2012, 8:52 am. | Wunderlist is Released for BlackBerry Smartphones | 2 comments |


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