Back at BlackBerry World this year, we saw Foursquare demoed with the BBM Social Platform.  It’s been months in waiting, but now it looks like the feature has released in v3.0 Alpha of Foursquare for BlackBerry.  So here’s how it works.  You can check into Foursquare and then have your BBM status update with your location.  To have it all working well, you need BBM 6 which is only available through BlackBerry Beta Zone, and the alpha version of Foursquare.

Download Foursquare v3.0 Alpha >>

The BBM Social Platform seems to be expanding into other services.  According to a tip BlackBerry Sync received, there’s a BBM Music application in the making now, and probably doing some internal private testing.  BBM Music is intended to share music and playlists with friends.  The rumor is you’ll be able to download music that is shared directly on BlackBerry.  Not so sure how that legally goes, but we’ve seen it done in the past with mobile web services such as SkySync.fm.  It’s going to be its own application and will of course have full integration with BlackBerry Messenger.

No word on release dates yet, but the service sounds quite exciting.

A little while back we let you know about the rumor of RIM developing a media box similar to Apple TV to compete, but there wasn’t much we knew about it then.  This time around we see more info surface on it.  If the rumors are correct, then we should be seeing it launch sometime around fall.  If it’s done right, there should be apps and utilities for BlackBerry devices including both smartphones and tablets to be able to communicate with this media box, just as the Apple TV provides for its devices.  Here are some rumored features of the media box by RIM:
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Add distinction to the most popular handheld gadgets with ZAGG LEATHERskins – a soft, thin skin that applies like a film but provides the touch and feel that only comes with genuine leather. Available in rich shades and various designs, ZAGG LEATHERskins bring sophistication to any device. Supple leather forms to curves while special adhesive keeps the skin firmly in place and leaves no sticky residue behind.

Shop at ZAGG >>

We let you know about BerryBlowApps launching PhotoStudio for BlackBerry as an open free beta a few weeks ago.  It looks like their second beta is out and available in the PocketBerry Store for you all to download for free.  There is no change log for this version unfortunately but you can give it a try and see if you notice anything new.  For those who haven’t tried PhotoStudio for BlackBerry, here’s a few key features:

• Base photo operations: brightness, contrast, RGB color adjustment, hue, saturation etc.
• Transform operations: resize, rotate, crop.
• A set of clips. Apply set of beautiful digital frames to your photos.
• A bunch of effects. Grayscale, Ocean, Sepia, Mystique, Pink, Disco 80s, Old style, Old newspaper, Rainbow, Office style, Behind the glass and so on…
• Combine operations: Apply single or multiple effects to one image.
• Several output formats: Save the result in two formats: you can save a result as screen dimensions photo or you can apply all stored operations to an original photo.

Download PhotoStudio Beta 2 >>

Today’s game Deal of the Day goes out to Aces Traffic Pack Game by Concrete Software.  Aces Traffic Pack is a game where you have to manage to get the cool little red sports car out of the lot.  But it’s not that easy.  Each level makes it harder as there’s cars parked inconveniently and you have to move them out of the way.  Features include:

• Over 475 puzzles of increasing difficulty.
• Immoveable objects, such as rocks, corners and potholes, to test your brain and increase difficulty.
• Vibrant and attractive graphics.
• Fun sound effects.
• Play each pack straight through or select any puzzle using “Choose Puzzle” option.
• Unlimited amount of undo and redo moves!
• Records the best time, lowest move count, and how many undo and redo moves.
• Automatically tracks your statistics, including how many moves made in each puzzle and how much time it takes to complete.
• 6 level packs of varying difficulty with 80 puzzles in each!

You can grab Aces Traffic Pack for only $1.49, rather than the original $2.99 price tag it normally has.

Aces Traffic Pack for BlackBerry >>

Just a few days ago we saw a rebate form leak out showing both the Curve 9350 and Torch 9850.  Now a slide has leaked out for U.S. Cellular showing month releases for both the BlackBerry Torch 9850 and BlackBerry Curve 9350.  The BlackBerry Torch 9850 is due to launch sometime in August while the Curve 9350 is due in October.  That’s pretty much it, another speculated launch date.

Source: CB, Android Central

RIM is hosting a pretty cool event for developers soon called BBM Apps Hackathon.  This event allows developers to get into app building with the BBM Social Platform.  Alongside will be RIM experts showing ins and outs of the platform as well.  RIM is running a contest starting today and ending July 22nd for the best developers at Hackaton.  To enter the contest you need:

• have an idea for a new BlackBerry® application that incorporates BBM
• have the capability to build a BlackBerry smartphone app with their idea
• have a laptop with all the software, accessories and equipment needed to build their app, including a laptop loaded with BlackBerry® WebWorks™ or BlackBerry® Java®
• be a resident of the United States, District of Columbia (excluding Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico, and Florida) or Canada (excluding Quebec)
• be able to travel to attend the BBM Apps Hackathon Event (“Event”), August 10-13, 2011, and be able to confirm such availability within 48 hours of potential winner notification from RIM
• understand that the Event will be filmed and that by participating in the BBM Apps Hackathon Contest, consent to the filming of your developer story and the use of your image

Dates: August 11-12, 2011  in New York

More info on Hackathon >>

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We’ve seen the BlackBerry Torch 9810 live in video already, but lately the 9860 has been getting a lot of camera spotlight.  So here it is again as a refresh for those who missed other leaks.  Just like the others clips we’ve seen, we get a glimpse of the exterior of the Torch 9810 along with some software highlights.  The key here is that the device runs a lot smoother than the other Torch and gets “liquid graphics” as the Bold 9900 and Torch 9860 have.

Source: BBNews.pl, BBExperts

Well sort of “available.”  RIM has yet to announced a 4G GSM BlackBerry PlayBook, but somehow the supplier for the N4BB store has 5 in stock.  They are all unlocked GSM to work with T-Mobile and AT&T, not sure about the bands and which carrier gets the 4G (or both maybe).  They’re 16GB and as mentioned only 5 are in stock.  You can grab one for $700, no strings attached.  These are said to be legit and in their original retail packaging.

Check out the 4G BlackBerry PlayBooks for sale >>