Back in February, RIM acquired Gist, a company with a contact management service that connects contacts to the web with other social networks, email addresses, and more.  They never had any BlackBerry application or service in the past, but now that RIM has acquired them, it looks like the service is coming to BlackBerry soon.  It’s weird seeing it come as a third party application though, when I think it should be just part of future operating systems.  Click the link below to sign up to be notified when Gist for BlackBerry launches.

Gist for BlackBerry >>

Source: BBNews.pl

Something I really enjoyed on the BlackBerry PlayBook web browser was Hulu access.  It was a unique luxury to have as far as tablets go, and now it’s all gone.  Hulu has added the PlayBook browser onto their block list.  What’s really frustrating about them doing that, is that they are trying so hard to control the tablet market with their service, pushing people to go Hulu Plus to have the access, and keep free services on computers mainly.  In my opinion, if you’re viewing it in the right region, and are viewing all the advertisements served, there shouldn’t be a problem at all.  I’m guessing we’ll be seeing a Hulu Plus application surface in the near future.

Source: BerryReview

As you already know by now, BlackBerry World is right around the corner and so a mobile application for it was very well due. The BlackBerry World mobile application allows you to schedule your sessions and pretty much get all the inside scoops of the event while your there attending.  Features include:

• Easy way for attendees to look up the full breakout session catalog, keynote speakers, community speakers, read up on conference sponsors plus create their own schedule before getting to the event
• Includes Event Messages and social channels for BlackBerry World
• Onsite tool to fill out surveys, review conference maps, connect with other people attending the conference and find nearby attractions and restaurants in Orlando FL
• Automatic updates to attendees of schedule changes, and synchronize with their conference calendar in the My Scheduler tool on their desktop

Download the BlackBerry World mobile app >>

Since we got our hands on the Playbook here at PocketBerry last week, we’ve been trying to keep you informed and up to date with the unit as well as applications for it. One app that we’ve taken likening to which came preloaded with the device is the Slacker Radio app. As most of you know, Slacker Radio is one of the most popular streaming audio applications for blackberry and now that it is available for the PlayBook, I can see it being a regularly used app.

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Browsing via BlackBerry? Click here to view video

The BlackBerry PlayBook made its official launch just yesterday, making itself available in many different retail channels including Best Buy.  RIM also put out this clip promoting the PlayBook which features highlights from events they held all year for the tablet, some of which we attended ourselves.

While trying to update my BlackBerry PlayBook via Desktop Manager to OS 1.0.1.1696, I noticed that it ended up updating to 1.0.1.1705 instead.  Since Desktop Manager couldn’t find an update, I decided to restart it.  At this time, my PlayBook was plugged in, and while it was loading up the .1705 update appeared up and started running.  I just got it loaded now, so I haven’t spotted anything new yet.  Anyone else spot this? Let us know of any changes you see in this version.

Adobe Connect Mobile surfaced on BlackBerry App World today for the PlayBook.  It’s free to download, and it mentioned video conferencing in its description so I had to check it out as my front face camera hasn’t been put to good use just yet.  Adobe Connect isn’t a free service, but it is offered free as a 30 day trial.  The purpose of the application is for business people to have online meetings enabling them to video chat, exchange instant messages, and share a white board used to draw on freehand.

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Just a quick fact some of you may or may not have found out by now, but I figured I’d put it up as I myself was confused a bit a first upon receiving the BlackBerry PlayBook.  Traditionally on BlackBerry smartphones, you need to download screenshot applications such as Screen Muncher or Capture It.  Other platforms such as iOS have the feature built in, and surely screenshotting for BlackBerry became essential for many (especially bloggers).

So it appears that the BlackBerry PlayBook has the screenshot feature built in, which simply consists of holding the volume up and down keys.  So once you bring up the screen you want to capture, hold the two keys down and it will snapshot an image and save it in your Pictures folder.

BerryGoodThemes just launched a new theme called Ariel.  If there’s something I like about BGT is that they go above and beyond with their themes, but never get tacky to the point where theme aspects start to annoy you.  In other words, their themes are kept quite civil without loud colors and maintain class.  Any way, features of Ariel include:

• Zen layout
• Up to 6 fixed non changable top banner icons
• Profiles, options, connections, browser, calendar, clock
• Brand new crisp white and blue icon set
• Stylish grey and sky blue colour scheme for menus, buttons and wallpapers
• Super fast and smooth
• Home and lock screens are wallpaper friendly

As you can see from the screenshot above, Ariel gives you a lot of grey and blue which keeps it easy on the eyes, and keeps your BlackBerry home screen looking elegant and classy.  As a special promotion for a limited time, you can grab Ariel for only 99 cents.

Ariel by BerryGoodThemes >>

When I first got my BlackBerry PlayBook, I tethered it with my BlackBerry Bold 9700 on the AT&T network successfully.  Everything was working fine.  I was able to browse the web, check my email, and download applications from BlackBerry App World.  However, I do not have a tethering plan.  This morning I noticed that tethering stopped working, and I get the screenshot above showing that my settings are incorrect.  AT&T is really bullying its users around nowadays.  First no BlackBerry Bridge support (we got around that though) and now mandatory charging for tethering.