BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.1 beta ready for download: better portrait mode and Android app support

Posted on 01/06/2012 by Sharif Sakr

That Michael Clewely is a man of his word. Not only has the PlayBook OS 2.1 beta version arrived just when he promised, but it also brings some handy additions that nudge the tablet a little closer to the land of fulfilled potential. There's portrait support for the Email, Calendar and Contacts apps, along with full device encryption and some smaller tweaks like .png screenshots and improved email folder support. The Android runtime has also been bolstered to allow multiple apps to run in separate windows, access the camera module and support in-app payments via the BlackBerry Payment SDK. There'll be more stuff in this update, according to RIM, but we'll have to wait (there's that word again) until the commercial release. You'll find the beta registration link below.

BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.1 beta ready for download: better portrait mode and Android app support originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Jun 2012 06:25:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mobilesyrup | source

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BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.1 beta due soon?

Posted on 30/05/2012 by Daniel Cooper

PlayBook product manager Michael Clewley has tweeted that users can soon expect to get hold of (beta) version 2.1 of its operating system at the "end of May." Given that it's the 30th now, the company has less than two days to ensure Mr. Clewley doesn't break his promise -- after all, tweets are as good as legally binding contracts. It'll arrive on your slate the same way that version 2.0 did; simply sign up online and it'll be pushed out as soon as its ready.

BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.1 beta due soon? originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 30 May 2012 04:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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RIM warns of loss for Q1, hires JP Morgan and RBC Capital Markets to help with strategic review

Posted on 29/05/2012 by Donald Melanson

RIM announced last quarter that it would no longer be providing its traditional financial guidance for upcoming quarters, but CEO Thorsten Heins has nonetheless seen fit to deliver a "business update" today that offers some indication of what's in store for the company. The headline is that it's unsurprisingly projecting an operating loss for the next quarter (Q1 of its 2013 fiscal year), although it's not saying exactly how much, noting only that the "on-going competitive environment is impacting our business in the form of lower volumes and highly competitive pricing dynamics in the marketplace." The company's also confirmed that it has hired JP Morgan and RBC Capital Markets to aid in its so-called strategic review, which it says includes "opportunities to leverage the BlackBerry platform through partnerships, licensing opportunities and strategic business model alternatives." On the slightly brighter side of things, RIM was able to boast that it now has a worldwide subscriber base of 78 million, and that it now counts 80,000 BlackBerry apps and 15,000 PlayBook apps -- both significant increases from a year ago. It also further notes that BlackBerry 10 remains on track for the "latter part of calendar 2012." You can find the company's complete statement after the break.

Continue reading RIM warns of loss for Q1, hires JP Morgan and RBC Capital Markets to help with strategic review

RIM warns of loss for Q1, hires JP Morgan and RBC Capital Markets to help with strategic review originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 29 May 2012 16:53:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mobile Miscellany: week of May 14th, 2012

Posted on 20/05/2012 by Zachary Lutz

Not all mobile news is destined for the front page, but if you're like us and really want to know what's going on, then you've come to the right place. This past week, Verizon Wireless brought its LTE service to 28 new markets and expanded its reach in 11 additional areas. We also saw Straight Talk introduce the Samsung Galaxy Proclaim, and it appears that Rogers will soon offer the HTC One S. These stories and more await after the break. So buy the ticket and take the ride as we explore the "best of the rest" for this week of May 14th, 2012.

Continue reading Mobile Miscellany: week of May 14th, 2012

Mobile Miscellany: week of May 14th, 2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 19 May 2012 21:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tizen OS will run Android apps — with a little help from third-party software (video)

Posted on 15/05/2012 by Mat Smith

As Tizen's open-source OS continues to make its first steps into the world, there's some good news for anyone concerned with a weak app line-up. It looks like both Android versions and Samsung's own Bada SDK will be supported through an application compatibility layer (ACL) which works along similar lines to the Android app player on BlackBerry's Playbook. Open Mobile, which is responsible for the ACL, claim it'll have 100 percent compatibility with Google's back catalogue and be just as responsive -- some pretty heady statements. The company wants its program be included on the OEM side of the equation -- this isn't aimed at humble end-user tinkerers. For now, you can check how its ACL fares in a quick video walkthrough after the break. (It's worth noting that the demo tablet isn't running on the Tizen UI -- it looks like we'll have to loiter around for some more hardware.)

Continue reading Tizen OS will run Android apps -- with a little help from third-party software (video)

Tizen OS will run Android apps -- with a little help from third-party software (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 15 May 2012 11:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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RIM CEO: 4G PlayBook coming this year

Posted on 02/05/2012 by Brian Heater

Again, not exactly a bombshell here, but a day after the 4G version of RIM's BlackBerry PlayBook was "confirmed" over a hearty breakfast at BlackBerry World, the company's CEO let it be known that the tablet is, in fact, on the way. According to Thorsten Heins at a press event this morning, the 4G PlayBook is due out before year's end. While he didn't specifically mention LTE, the executive prefaced that statement by saying that his company admittedly has a glaring lack of LTE devices. Should we put two and two together? Interpret it how you will.

RIM CEO: 4G PlayBook coming this year originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 May 2012 11:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BlackBerry gets its game on at BBW, scores Jetpack Joyride and Sonic

Posted on 01/05/2012 by Terrence O'Brien

One of the things BlackBerry has never really had going for it, is a deep games catalog. Now, that isn't about to change in one fell swoop, but things are about to get a lot better at BlackBerry World 2012. RIM's head of gaming, Anders Jeppsson, took to twitter to let the world know about the impressive pile of titles heading to the PlayBook and BlackBerry 10. The biggest names are certainly Jetpack Joyride, from Halfbrick (the studio behind Fruit Ninja), and Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1. Other games in the pipeline include Galaxy on Fire 2 and Star Marine, while Tomb Raider fans can get down with Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light starting today. Keep an ear out for more to hit during this week's BBW.

BlackBerry gets its game on at BBW, scores Jetpack Joyride and Sonic originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 01 May 2012 11:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BlackBerry App Generator makes app building a breeze for smartphones and PlayBook tablets

Posted on 01/05/2012 by Billy Steele

Looking to get your goods on a BlackBerry smartphone or tablet now that the new OS has been shown off? If so, you're in luck. Mippin, the app creation platform, has announced that it will power the BlackBerry App Generator -- transforming content into full-blown apps for BlackBerry smartphones and PlayBook tablets. In a matter of minutes, users will be able to use their info, photos and what not to build applications without bothering with registration or submission fees. Software created via the generator can be fully integrated with BBM for sharing and other social experiences with fellow BlackBerry users. Martyn Mallick, VP Global Alliances and Business Development at RIM noted, "With the launch of BlackBerry App Generator Mippin and RIM are tearing down the barriers and finding new ways to encourage content publishers to create apps." Currently, applications can only be created for devices running BlackBerry 5 OS and higher. Don't fret, though, the outfit says support for BB10 will be on the way in no time.

Continue reading BlackBerry App Generator makes app building a breeze for smartphones and PlayBook tablets

BlackBerry App Generator makes app building a breeze for smartphones and PlayBook tablets originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 01 May 2012 10:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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RIM’s BlackBerry World keynote roundup: the OS, the hardware, everything else (video)

Posted on 01/05/2012 by Daniel Cooper

So, if all of the news about BlackBerry 10 got a little too overwhelming for you then this is the place to be. There's detailed impressions of the company's new development device, cool new software features and we've even found out how to DJ using a PlayBook. If you want to catch up on everything that went down today, head on past the break and don't forget, you can always relive it blow-by-blow with our liveblog.

Gallery: BlackBerry 10 preview shots

Continue reading RIM's BlackBerry World keynote roundup: the OS, the hardware, everything else (video)

RIM's BlackBerry World keynote roundup: the OS, the hardware, everything else (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 01 May 2012 10:38:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pacemaker DJ app for BlackBerry PlayBook impressions (video)

Posted on 01/05/2012 by James Trew

Back in 2008, a nifty little box of tricks elbowed its way onto the market -- the Tonium Pacemaker. A gadget about the size of an OG PSP, with a complete DJ set-up hidden inside. It was a brave idea, and one that was fondly received. A few years down the line, mixed with a sprinkling of business politics, and sadly the Pacemaker's time on stage would come to an end. Like all good performances though, the show wasn't completely over. In true musical fashion its back for an encore, reinvented and more importantly -- right now at least -- in our hands. We spent sometime with the reincarnated Pacemaker DJ app, to see what life is like after hardware.

Gallery: Pacemaker app for PlayBook - Impressions