Slacker Radio is one of the most popular applications for streaming audio on BlackBerry, but some are just Pandora people and don’t let it go.  In any case, Slacker Radio just got an update today mainly addressing some bugs users were having.  Here are the main changes:

• Fixed some errors in localization
• Can’t shut down app from login screen
• Allow user to remain in app after attempting to play news station after 14-day trial is over
• Race condition on Storm if prefetch closes without buffering a full prefetch
• Update lowres/hires switch to accommodate new devices
• Other Misc Fixes

To get the latest update, point your BlackBerry Browser to slacker.com.

-by Otoniel Bruno

Source: BerryReview

Today’s application Deal of the Day special goes out to IM+ Talk which lets you use voice and text with Skype users.  As you all know by now Skype isn’t available for ever BlackBerry (only Verizon) so this is a good replacement.  You can also make free VoIP calls when in WiFi which is also a nice feature.  Here are some more features:

• Call Skype users to their PCs. With IM+ Talk you can talk with other Skype users all over the world.
• Make cost-effective calls to any destination. IM+ Talk allows users to make and receive calls for a low fee.
• New! Now with free VoIP calls in wifi zones!
• New! Completely redesigned user interface with new theme.
• See who is online and chat with Skype users. Have conversations with other users who are logged in with their Skype accounts on PC. Text messaging is cost effective way to say something to your contacts instead of sending an SMS.
• Avatars support.
• One Time Fee, all updates included. One time fee for the application, no monthly subscription. By purchasing IM+ Talk users are entitled to all software updates and upgrades.

Check out IM+ Talk >>

Just a quick note to all developers that the official BlackBerry 6 developer documentation has officially been released with updates including developer manuals and reference guides.  The following is available:

• Feature and Technical Overview – detailed overview of the key features of the browser on BlackBerry 6, as well as the architecture and supported content types of the new web platform.
• HTML Reference Guide – includes information about supported HTML elements (including HTML5), attributes and input type modes.
• JavaScript Reference Guide – contains technical details about the various supported JavaScript® APIs, such as Core, Events, Canvas, Geolocation, XmlHTTPRequest, etc.
• CSS Reference Guide – a robust guide that organizes the supported CSS properties (including CSS3) into logical categories such as text, tables, backgrounds, etc.

-by Mac Jadalhack

A month ago we let you know about the BlackBerry Storm 2 9550 and Curve 8530 getting in the EOL (end of life).  At that time we thought the dates were set to August but it looks like they are split between September and October instead.  PhoneDog has posted a screenshot showing the specific dates they’ll be shutdown for good.

• BlackBerry Storm 2 9550 – 10/10/2010
• BlackBerry Curve 8530 – 9/16/2010

So the BlackBerry Storm 3 or as many are calling it the “Storm refresh” has been rumored to hit Verizon in October, just as the original Storm 2 9550 is expected to shutdown for good.

-by Mac Jadalhack

We got the word from Seesmic on Twitter that they have just put out a small update for their BlackBerry application.  In this small update, users are now allowed to change the font size within the app, as it was requested by users.  Everything else is pretty much the same in the app.  Seesmic for BlackBerry has came a long way adding a lot into their application, but nothing can replicate their desktop app.  Do you use Seesmic for BlackBerry? If not, tell us why.

• Download Seesmic for BlackBerry >>

-by Otoniel Bruno

This is just  way too weird of a device, but it might take some getting used to in order to appreciate it.  According to GoRumors, this is RIM’s latest patent showing a numeric keypad that slides off to the side turning itself into a QWERTY keyboard.  But that’s not all – it looks like the screen rotates from portrait to landscape mode as well.  If RIM decides to go with something like this, I hope they make the device a lot more solid than the Torch as it can get quite “wobbily” with the sliding back and forth.  Here’s RIM explanation for this patent word for word:

“In a first aspect, a handheld electronic device, such as a smartphone, has a first device member and a second device member that are connected via a connector. The second device member is rotatable about a rotation axis that is canted relative to an axis of the second device member. As a result, when the second device member is rotated between a first position and a second position, its orientation changes. This may facilitate, for example, switching the handheld electronic device between a text entry mode and a telephone mode. “

More images after the jump!

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Here’s a quick sneak peak at the BlackBerry 6 Theme Studio showing the Torch 9800 getting themed up.  Potentials for themes seem to be quite wide and high with the new OS.  The only thing that concerns me is how much slower is the device going to get with a theme?  It may not, but I can imagine some pretty cool effects here getting implemented.  I’m sure there will be some nice scrolling and fading effects in this one and perhaps a way to change the tabs displayed.  Could we eliminate some of them perhaps with a theme? That would be nice to knock out the Downloads at least.

-by Mac Jadalhack

Source: BBLeaks

We got the word from Trillian that their application is now out of beta! I’ve been using Trillian for BlackBerry for a few months now since their first beta release and I must say it did have a lot of bugs at first but it looks like a lot of the issues have been resolved now.  Cosmetically it isn’t the nicest application I’ve seen out there for all in one messengers but it is free and functional. Hit the link below to purchase Trillian for BlackBerry.

• Download Trillian via BlackBerry App World >>

Source: CrackBerry, Trillian

-by Mac Jadalhack

It looks like Bell is going for the BlackBerry Torch 9800 next as we knew it was coming but didn’t know when the date was set.  So you can now sign up to be notified when the BlackBerry Torch 9800 will be available for Bell Canada if you’ve been waiting for this device for quite some time.  We already know Rogers is set to go with the device and we assume they will be getting it before Bell but we’ll just have to see.  There’s the launch events starting in Canada next month where perhaps we’ll see Rogers branded device and Bell as well now?

-by Otoniel Bruno

Source: MobileSyrup

Here’s a quick reminder calling out to BlackBerry application developers – tomorrow is the BlackBerry 6 developer webcast at 2PM eastern time.  For those who haven’t heard of it yet, but would still like to participate, click here to register.  Here are some keys topics being covered in this webcast:

• Create stunning UI using the new BlackBerry 6 UI APIs
• Master new Super App capabilities like Universal Search
• Hear about our new Platform Services
• Learn about the groundbreaking BlackBerry 6 Browser and how you can start building rich web apps with easy new tools
• See what you can do now with BlackBerry Widgets

Again, to register click here incase you missed the first link!

-by Otoniel Bruno