Blackberry PlayBook OS Gets Update to 2.0.1

Even though the BlackBerry PlayBook hasn't exactly been flying out the door, RIM is continuing to tweak with the tablet, looking for something that will propel sales. For example, leaked photos that we showed to you recently featured what appeared to be a 4G LTE model of the tablet, with BBM. Additionally, BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0.1.358 is now available on the update notification, or manually by going to settings and then hitting "update software". Users activating a PlayBook after Tuesday will have their tablet automatically updated to the latest OS. 
The new update includes optimizations to video chat, PIM and BlackBerry Bridge applications. BlackBerry also have Browser and fixes some issues that have made difficult the use of some Android apps on the tablet and more like table pro. Speaking of the browser, a benchmark test done at website HTML5 Test shows that the browser on the Blackberry PlayBook 2.0 OS outscored all other tablet browsers.

from last recen days, RIM's Alec Saunders announced a contest where the developer of each 100th app for BlackBerry App World over the next week would be eligible to win a trip to next month's BlackBerry 10 Jam in Orlando from May 1st to May 3rd. In just seven days, the promotion helped 600 new apps get added to RIM's online application store, and helped 6 developers get their name thrown in the hat to win the trip.

Thanks to BlackBerry. :-)

Read More

BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 Now Available for Download!

8QAXP9K33N4D
FINALLY!! After what's been a Long Road to BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0, it's finally here and available for download! If you own a BlackBerry PlayBook, just go to Settings > Software Updates > Check for Updates and you should find PlayBook OS 2.0 available for wireless download. Follow the instructions on screen for the easy installation process. When a new PlayBook OS update becomes available it sometimes takes a little while for it be accessible by all users, so if you check and it's not there just yet, have patience. It will be there soon. We promise.
BlackBerry PlayBoook OS 2.0 is a MAJOR software update to the operating system of Research In Motion's first tablet, and it brings with it a ton of upgrades that owners have been waiting for. In addition to a revamped homescreen experience, native email, calendar and contacts along with social service integration (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn) are onboard. Behind the scenes, the introduction of the Android App Player in OS 2.0 will broaden the selection of apps available via BlackBerry App World. And for those who own a BlackBerry Smartphone, combined with an update to the BlackBerry Bridge app you'll unleash some useful and fun functionality, like the ability to use your phone's keyboard to enter text on the PlayBook or use your phone as a remote control for your tablet.
PlayBook OS 2 offers a ton of other feature enhancements as well, and we'll bringing them all to you here on CrackBerry this weeek and beyond. We have a ton of great coverage planned, so you'll want to be visiting often. In the meantime, get that software update going and be sure to jump into CrackBerry's BlackBerry PlayBook forums, the hub for BlackBerry PlayBook owners worldwide!

Read More

Android Apps for BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0

At CES 2012 in Las Vegas, we previewed the upcoming BlackBerry® PlayBook™ OS 2.0 software, which is designed to have the BlackBerry® Runtime for Android™ Apps built-in! This offering will allow developers to repackage their existing Android™ applications to run on the BlackBerry® PlayBook™ tablet, as well as the upcoming BlackBerry® 10 devices.
Seeing the great response for the BlackBerry Runtime for Android Apps at CES, developer meet-ups and conferences that we’ve attended over the last few months, we’re expecting a huge interest in the consumer space for these apps when the update is made available next month. We want to ensure that you are able to capitalize on this unique opportunity by having your applications available when BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 is launched!
In order to ensure that your packaged and signed Android app is available in the BlackBerry App World™ storefront for the release of BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0, be sure to have your app submitted by Monday, February 6th, 2012.
To help with the process of submitting your application for approval and entry into BlackBerry App World, we strongly recommend the following:

• Before submitting your Android application to BlackBerry App World, please make sure to remove all mention of the word “Android” from your application. Both in the application description and the application itself.
• Please remove all links to Android Market from within your application.
• When submitting your Android application to BlackBerry App World, please make sure to select a minimum BlackBerry PlayBook OS of 2.0.
• Please make sure your application is signed. For more information on code signing, please view the code signing documentation on the BlackBerry Runtime for Android Apps webpage (linked here).

Read More

Reset your blackberry Smartphone

Some useful information every savvy BlackBerry smartphone owner should know is how to reset their device. A reset of a BlackBerry smartphone is a troubleshooting method that completely turns off and restarts the operating system software and applications of a BlackBerry smartphone. In terms of troubleshooting, it is a useful first step if a BlackBerry smartphone is experiencing hardware, software, or wireless network issues.

There are two options when performing a reset: a hard reset or a soft reset. The difference between the two is that performing a hard reset involves removing the battery temporarily, whereas when performing a soft reset, a key combination is used to reset the BlackBerry smartphone.

Both options accomplish the same goal – restarting the BlackBerry smartphone – but an important thing to know is that a soft reset can only be performed on BlackBerry smartphones with a QWERTY keyboard, such as the BlackBerry® Bold™ 9900 smartphone or BlackBerry® Torch™ 9810 smartphone.

Read More