So the mobile hotspot feature finally leaked out last week in an OS 7.1 build for the BlackBerry Bold 9900.  It’s still an early build and we hope to see better stability in the future.  So I was curious to see how well it would do hotspotting to my PlayBook while having Bridge connected and using it as I normally would.  That includes moderate email usage, BBM messaging (replies as they come) and web browsing.  Oh yes, and I downloaded N.O.V.A. 2 HD which actually finished in under 20 minutes (impressive).  My battery started off at full of course and in a matter of three hours I was in the red zone ready to charge again.

So lesson learned, I’m going to need to stack up on my 9900 spare batteries or get some kind of extended battery or charging case for the thing if I’m going to indulge in WiFi hotspotting and overdose on Bridge (as I do now keeping it on all day).

While browsing through App World the other day, I received a notification that there was an updated version of Foursquare. While updating the app I started thinking wouldn’t it be nice to have an option in App World for apps to automatically update or just to update them all at once. This would take the strain off having to manually update the apps., and it would run in the background without you having to know. Then when it’s done prompt you about a reboot.

Of course now we’re sporting 1.2GHz processors and experiencing lags when downloading applications, but the PlayBook runs well with apps downloading in the background.  Yes an “update all apps” button is much needed!  Would this be a feature that you would like to see with BlackBerry App World?

Browsing via BlackBerry? Click here to view video

A blue LED light shows up on the BlackBerry PlayBook, thanks to the new rooting that looks to be on the beginning of right now.  Surely the previous video with Hulu playing was much cooler, but it’s interesting to discover the blue LED which has never been used natively by RIM yet. Perhaps we’ll see this “launch” with PlayBook OS 2.0.  But what is it for exactly? When I think blue LED, I think Bluetooth, especially since that’s what it is used for on BlackBerry smartphones.  In other news, who’s up for rooting their PlayBook? Already has?

Source: N4BB

Slacker Radio for BlackBerry smartphones just got updated yesterday in BlackBerry App World to version 4.1.22.  Although we couldn’t spot a change log, Bogizo let us know that the update included Ford Sync’s AppLink service which communicates with all new Ford vehicles.  I myself don’t drive a Ford but last year we got to test drive the 2010 Ford Fiesta and see what SYNC is all about.  So this update may not affect you but it’s always good to stay up to date as you never know what bug fixes this may take care of.

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You may have remembered this app originally available for BlackBerry smartphones, but now it has extended to the BlackBerry PlayBook.  HRS Hotelportal is a pretty straight forward application.  You have access to over 250,000 hotels worldwide where you can check on pricing and availability.  Then you can book a room once you’ve finished your search without providing any payment information.  If you travel quite often the app is great to have on both smartphones and PlayBook.  The tablet UI is of course easier and nicer to use thanks to touchscreen and a larger 7 inch display.

Download HRS Hotelportal for BlackBerry PlayBook >>

Browsing via BlackBerry? Click here to view video

Yesterday we gave you a look at the new BlackBerry Curve commercial which featured bicyclists using the 9350/9360/9370 to locate each other via apps such as Wikitude and the native Facebook app.  Today is a testimonial BBM Hero video of actual bicyclists who use BBM for meetups.  The Curve doesn’t seem to be the device of choice here as I spy a BlackBerry Bold 9700..

Browsing via BlackBerry? Click here to view video

How nice was it to watch Hulu shows and movies on the BlackBerry PlayBook? Some of you who didn’t have your tablets early enough didn’t have this luxury but in case you couldn’t guess, it was awesome! The latest root which goes by the code name “DingleBerry” has been exemplified.  So for all those who doubted it, it’s real! Here we see a rooted BlackBerry PlayBook play Hulu right in the native web browser. 

Browsing via BlackBerry? Click here to view video

The all new BlackBerry Curve 9350/9360/9370 are finally shown off in a commercial.  This one’s pretty cool as it’s not your average “Love What You Do” style clip where you see the local shop owner or drag car racer use a BlackBerry in his or her line of work.  Catch the clip and let us know what you think!

BlackBerry makes gum now? No, this is just some promo being given out to stores that sell BlackBerry smartphones.  This in particular is from Boost Mobile BlackBerry reps who are giving out packs of gum in this sleek packaging with BBM Music ads all over it.  There are 12 pieces of gum included in each pack in rows of 2. 

The idea here is to pitch BBM Music to Boost Mobile customers.  Boost Mobile’s BlackBerry plans are $60 per month, and after your BBM Music trial is over, it’ll bump up to $65, which is still cheaper than many other carriers which have you locked on a contract.  Boost Mobile also provides bill shrinkage where your bill will decrease by $5 every 6 months (by $15 total).

Thanks ecivon

The BlackBerry Curve 9330 and BlackBerry Style 9670 both got the same OS update yesterday from Sprint.  It’s been a while since we saw any update for the Style 9670, so it’s definitely a relief for those still on the device.  The Curve 9330 is also still getting updates and there’s definitely a bunch out there in people’s possessions too.  If you go ahead and download this OS, let us know of any changes you notice.

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