At last the BlackBerry Tablet OS Simulator has been updated and finally includes the web browser.  This is great for developers testing out web and flash applications, as the feature was just vacant before.  Good deal.  Here are some things developers should know about the BlackBerry Browser on Tablet OS:

• The User Agent will continue to match the current User Agent pattern used with BlackBerry smartphone products. This will enable developers to continue to leverage the development investment they have placed into building web pages optimized for BlackBerry already.
• The browser builds on the existing support for web standards such as HTML5 for the BlackBerry by adding support for HTML5 Video and Audio based on the power and flexibility of the underlying BlackBerry Tablet OS.
• The browser supports Adobe Flash 10.1, and Flash developers will be able to test the Flash player in the simulator.

Download the BlackBerry Tablet OS Simulator >>

This leak comes from the BlackBerry Bold 9650 leaked OS we let you know about yesterday.  The last leak was 5.0.1.45, so it’s not a huge jump to 5.0.1.46 here.  You can download it over the air using the link below.  Let us know if you notice any changes!

Download BlackBerry Messenger 5.0.1.46 >>

Source: BerryReview

A cool feature in Fancy Characters is the text art it contains where it combines letters and characters to make faces or objects of some sort.  I came across TextPics which extends text art to a whole new level.  You can browse through a huge library of them and copy to clipboard to paste them anywhere including in a text message, email or BBM.  You can grab a copy for 99 cents if you’re looking to get fancy text art.

Check out TextPics >>

Late last night, a new leak has surfaced for developers, the NFC SDK Release 1.  As you know by now, some BlackBerry smartphones scheduled to launch throughout this year contain NFC built-in, so of course there will be lots of development opportunity.  Now RIM hasn’t officially released this SDK yet, but if any of you developers want to get a head start on some apps, feel free to check it out.

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Source: BerryReview

Last we heard from the BlackBerry Bold 9650 OS was Verizon’s big debut which many were waiting for to OS version 6.0.0.431, and now we have a newer leak 6.0.0.466.  It’s still hot and fresh so there’s no telling on the ups and downs in this build, but feel free to check it out – two download mirrors below.

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Source: N4BB

I just got an email from Elecite, one of the popular theme builders that have been around for quite a few years and are very well known for their incredible user interfaced provided in their themes.  The email talked about how they are getting into game development and started a new sister company called Strapped to a Meteor.  They’ll be starting out with iOS but are coming to the BlackBerry platform as well.

We’ve seen how nice their graphics, smooth fonts, and colors were in their themes so I expect games will be a good hit as well.  Stay tuned for more as we see games from Elecite’s new company Strapped to a Meteor.  The teaser image above is an example of what the developers are currently working on for mobile gaming.  You can follow them on Twitter or check out their Facebook fan page for game updates.

We just got the word from T-Mobile on a special promotion they’re doing for Valentine’s Day this year.  Last year we saw the same promotion, and it did very well.  So T-Mobile is putting up ALL of their phones up for free, that includes all 4G devices, and yes BlackBerry smartphones too.  Currently available at T-Mobile are the recently launched BlackBerry Bold 9780 and BlackBerry Curve 3G 9300.  The Bold 9780 comes with BlackBerry 6 out of the box, and the Curve 3G does support it with no official release from the carrier just yet.  So back to the deal, all phones are free, but that’s only with a 2-year strings attached contract.  Mark your calendar as the sale goes on for two days only, February 11th and 12th.  Hit the jump for the full press release.

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BlackBerry Handheld Software v6.0.0.1479 (Multilangauge)

Package Version: 6.0.0.1479
Consisting of:

• Applications: 6.0.0.380
• Software Platform: 6.6.0.85
• File name: 9100_9105Asia_PBr6.0.0_rel1479_PL6.6.0.85_A6.0.0.380_Aircel.exe
• File size: 146.72MB

Note: The Software Platform and Applications version numbers can be found under Options-About screen on the handheld.

Download OS 6.0.0.380 for the BlackBerry Pearl 3G >>

Thanks for the tip Edgar!

As you all know, themes are huge deal now with the latest support for BlackBerry 6 OS devices including the BlackBerry Bold 9700, 9780, 9650, Pearl 3G, Curve 3G, and Style 9670.  While browsing through our app store theme section, I noticed a new theme called Social, and the screenshots show that it looks just like Facebook with the homescreen icons and search bar along with all the colors used.  Here are some cool features to point out:

• “Profile Pictures” (can be set by changing your wallpaper)
• Owner Name displayed on home screen
• Dedicated full-screen Messages and Calendar viewer
• Access 8 theme-defined icons via the side bar, as well as 8 user-defined icons of your own
• Keyboard shortcuts: Spacebar launches QuickLaunch (sold separately) and Dollar Sign launches SMS

Compared to other themes out there, Social is pretty cheap as it’s only $3.99, rather than $5.99 and higher you can expect to dish out on other themes.  Also, be sure to check out other themes by The Theme Box if you like this one.

Check out Social >>

Back in December, we learned that Wind Mobile was working hard on getting the BlackBerry PlayBook.  The folks over at ITbusiness.ca spoke to some guys from the carrier who claim that they will be announcing the BlackBerry PlayBook soon.  This info goes back to the end of January from a local Wind Mobile event up in Canada.  There’s still no official word from anyone about the carrier getting the PlayBook, it’s nice to hear about it coming to a carrier up north.

Sprint has already announced a BlackBerry 4G PlayBook which is expected to launch by summertime, but we haven’t had any love for Canadians just yet. Rogers has hinted that they would be taking on the tablet, but there’s no word on that yet either.  We’ll have to wait and see who announces it soon enough.

As for Wind Mobile getting the PlayBook , are any of you Canadians interested in going for it?

Thanks Jim for the tip!