Gist for BlackBerry updated yesterday to version 1.6.12 adding some cool new features.  The app has seen a few updates since its official launch during BlackBerry World 2011.  In this case we’re fortunate enough to get a change log outlining what’s new in this build:

• Upcoming Meetings: View upcoming meetings and see the social profile of each attendee and Easily send confirmation and follow up emails to meeting attendees.
• Recently Added: See people recently added to your contact list
• Search: Now filter and search contacts by tag as well as name
• Performance: More caching, especially of contact details
• Bug Fixes

Download Gist for BlackBerry >>

According to N4BB who heard a tip from a RIM NFC engineer, the company was asked by T-Mobile to specifically block out NFC capability via vendor ID.  This means that no matter what OS you install on your T-Mobile 9900, you won’t get NFC to work.

Surely the service isn’t usable at the moment, but in time RIM and other app developers have plans to take advantage of the feature. Bothered or does it really not matter to you?

Finally! Bank of America for BlackBerry was listed as a download available on my BlackBerry Bold 9930, but when downloading it, I notice that the app is sideways which requires me to tilt my device to see the app.  Pretty much it wasn’t functional and was best to use the mobile site.  It looks like the app has updated to version 3.1.35 adding OS 7 support at last.  It feels great to hold my BlackBerry in a normal manner and get my Bank of America on.

Download Bank of America for BlackBerry >>

I’ve been using OS 2.0 for the BlackBerry PlayBook for a few days now feeling out its new features and user interface.  I gathered a few screenshots for you guys to check out (more after the jump).  Some noticeable features include speed improvements, smaller keyboard buttons which allow you to view more on the screen when typing, Reader Mode, new home screen user interface, folder creation and more. Reader Mode allows you to view a simplified version of an article you’re reading rather than going through the actual site.  It’s actually a pretty cool feature I think users will enjoy. Hit the jump for more screenshots and walkthroughs of the OS.

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BlackBerry Handheld Software v7.0.0.1948 (All Languages)
Package Version: 7.0.0.1948
Consisting of:

• Applications: 7.0.0.439
• Software Platform: 5.0.0.610
• File name: 9810jAllLang_PBr7.0.0_rel1948_PL5.0.0.610_A7.0.0.439_WIND_Canada.exe
• File size: 235.75MB

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

Download OS 7.0.0.439 for the BlackBerry Torch 9810 >>

BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 is under a developer beta now, but open to the public to try out.  I went ahead and put it on my own personal PlayBook rather than just using the one RIM gave out at DevCon with it preloaded.  The dilemma faced? Bridge apps were not working at all!

Now for the solution.  Did you know you can access BlackBerry Bridge apps from your Bridge Browser? Here’s how to do it!

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RIM and TVOKids announced some educational applications for children yesterday all categorized by age.  This is another example on how the PlayBook is targeted around people of all ages- in this case children.  The announcement was for four applications although I’m seeing eight in total so perhaps a few more were added.  Click the link below to check them all out in BlackBerry App World.  Six of them are free and two get a $1.99 price tag.

TVOKids Apps for PlayBook >>

• A New section that features daily deals &mobile coupons for local businesses & restaurants
• Search for offers nearby

Poynt gives you the ability to find people, business, movies, restaurants, and many more events around you. It utilizes the GPS  on your device to find out these places around you.  This FREE new update can be picked up here

RIM promised $100 worth of applications to BlackBerry users as an apology for the BlackBerry outage that occurred in the US/Canada and mainly EMEA.  The free apps have been rolling out since the 19th and now we have three applications in total: DriveSafe.ly Pro, Bubble Bash 2, and Sleepy Hollow.  The only aggravating part of all this is that some of the apps might not work on your device.  The best thing to do is just grab what you can when and if it’s available for your device while the promotion goes on.  Remember, once you download it, it’s yours in your App World account for good.

Outage Apps >>

It was a surprise to see that RIM made no mentions at DevCon 2011 on an update to Theme Builder that would support BlackBerry 7 devices.  The new VP of Developer Relations Alec Saunders replied to someone on Twitter inquiring about the update by saying that RIM “still working on it. Liquid Graphics broke theme engines, and I’m working with team to determine if we can fix.”  So there you have it.  RIM has found some issues and is working on it now.  Let’s hope the fix is soon rather than later as theme builders are missing out on providing themes for a wide audience of OS 7 users.

Source: N4BB