Yesterday RIM announced the BlackBerry PlayBook supporting Android applications, as we had previously been following up on that rumor for a few months now.  It’s huge for developers since they can now take the applications they created for Android and port them over to BlackBerry App World as well.  At the same time, it’s of course great for the consumer being able to take advantage of both BlackBerry and Android applications, all in one tablet.

I’m sure the first request when it comes to mind is Angry Birds.  It’s a game we’ve been wanting on the BlackBerry since it first release, and maybe we’ll be seeing it on the PlayBook now.  What applications would you like on the PlayBook? Share your thoughts in the comments or tweet us.

ScoreMobile is an excellent app for following your favorite teams in many different sports.  If you’re about to miss a game, you’ll be able to keep up with live scores and even watch video highlights from the games as well.  It looks like ScoreMobile for BlackBerry just got updated to version 1.8 adding live game tracking and push notifications.  So if you’re following a specific game, you can receive notifications when a goal is scored or even when the game is over.

(more…)

The 2011 leaked roadmap for BlackBerry does infact show that BlackBerry OS 6.1 is due by May.  In yesterday’s RIM Q4 fiscal 2011 earnings call mentioned BlackBerry OS 6.1 being a major upgrade and that it will be officially rolling out this spring.  So we got a glimpse of it in the roadmap, and now the affirmative directly from RIM.

(more…)

There’s one too many to choose from at this point, but Kik and WhatsApp Messenger seem to be mainstream at the moment.  I personally don’t use these cross platform messengers, but I do see that they are getting popular as users outside of BlackBerry are eager for something to replicate BlackBerry Messenger.

So here’s LifeProfile.  It’s a new cross platform messenger available for BlackBerry, iOS, and Android.  The funny part? Once you sign up and make a free account you are given a “PIN” like BBM, but of course your PIN here is nothing but a virtual number which is not assigned to the actual device.

(more…)

Back at DEVCON 2010, we got to see a demonstration live with Sencha, showing off how their CSS3 tool can bring web applications to the BlackBerry browser, making them look as if they were native applications running.  That tool is finally supporting BlackBerry 6 OS as RIM announced yesterday.  Sensa Touch is strictly based on HTML5, CSS and JavaScript.

For you developers out there, click here to download the framework and make sure you check out the Sencha Touch Learning Center.

Whether you travel or lot, or just get curious, converting money can come handy.  Not the first time we’ve see one of these, but every application deserves a fair swing.  I spotted CurrencyConverter in our new applications section and noticed it was a free to download as well, so I’m sure you guys will want to give it a go.

(more…)

BlackBerry Handheld Software v5.0.0.1728 (Multilanguage)

Package Version: 5.0.0.1728
Consisting of:

• Applications: 5.0.0.1067
• Software Platform: 5.2.0.96
• File name: 8520wifiM_PBr5.0.0_rel1728_PL5.2.0.96_A5.0.0.1067_AT_T.exe
• File size: 125.47MB

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

Download OS 5.0.0.1067 for the BlackBerry Curve 8520 >>

BlackBerry Handheld Software v5.0.0.1728 (Multilanguage)

Package Version: 5.0.0.1728
Consisting of:

• Applications: 5.0.0.1067
• Software Platform: 5.2.0.96
• File name: 8900M_PBr5.0.0_rel1728_PL5.2.0.96_A5.0.0.1067_AT_T.exe
• File size: 132.3MB

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

Download OS 5.0.0.1067 for the BlackBerry Curve 8900 >>

BlackBerry Handheld Software v5.0.0.1728 (Multilanguage)

Package Version: 5.0.0.1728
Consisting of:

• Applications: 5.0.0.1067
• Software Platform: 5.2.0.89
• File name: 9000M_PBr5.0.0_rel1728_PL5.2.0.89_A5.0.0.1067_AT_T.exe
• File size: 126.02MB

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

Download OS 5.0.0.1067 for the BlackBerry Bold 9000 >>

Source: ZonaBlackBerry

RIM Expands Application Ecosystem for BlackBerry PlayBook

• BlackBerry PlayBook to support BlackBerry Java and Android apps
• Native C/C++ development support added, in addition to HTML5, Flash and AIR support
• Support from leading game engines: Ideaworks Labs (AirPlay) and Unity Technologies (Unity 3)
• BlackBerry PlayBook becomes a new market opportunity for all the developers who have already created over 25,000 BlackBerry Java apps and more than 200,000 Android apps

WATERLOO, ONTARIO–(Marketwire – March 24, 2011) – Developers wanting to bring their new and existing apps to the highly anticipated BlackBerry® PlayBook^TM tablet will soon have additional tools and options to enhance and expand their commercial opportunities. Research In Motion (RIM) (NASDAQ:RIMM)(TSX:RIM) today announced plans to greatly expand the application ecosystem for the BlackBerry PlayBook. The BlackBerry PlayBook is scheduled to launch in the U.S. and Canada on April 19.

(more…)