Sometimes you just forget to lock your BlackBerry smartphone before putting it away.  It happens and many of us are guilty for pocket dialing.  SpeedLock is a new and easy way to lock your BlackBerry smartphone.  It allows you to configure an automatic lock so you don’t have to worry about apps being opened and contacts called when it’s in your pocket.  Features include:

• No need to manually lock your device with the top screen lock button. SpeedLock does it for you. Automatically. Easily.
• Configure your BlackBerry your way. Use a quick screen tap or automatically lock your screen when you set the backlight to shut off. You decide.
• Beautifully designed lock screen with a crisp, clean and minimilist look
• Optimized for performance, SpeedLock won’t drain your BlackBerry’s power.
• SpeedLock integrates seamlessly. Download, install, done.
• And at this price you can’t beat the convenience-cost equation.

SpeedLock for BlackBerry is 99 cents to buy in BlackBerry App World.  Click the link below to check out more screenshots and information on the app.

SpeedLock >>

The wait is over! Back at BlackBerry World, RIM’s co-CEO Mike Lazaridis announced that Angry Birds would officially launch on the BlackBerry PlayBook. Today is the day as three of the Angry Birds games are available. There’s the traditional Angry Birds game, Angry Birds Seasons, and Angry Birds Rio. Click the links below to grab them from BlackBerry App World!
Angry Birds
Angry Birds Seasons
Angry Birds Rio

Nuance Communications announced that they have acquired Vlingo, the service which allows you to transfer voice to text easy on BlackBerry devices and others as well.  Nuance as you know is what BlackBerry smartphones use natively for voice commands, so adding Vlingo in the mix will call for better voice recognition, maybe something even close to Siri.  Below is the full press release from Nuance.

Burlington, Mass. – December 20, 2011 – Nuance Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: NUAN) announced it has signed an agreement to acquire Vlingo, Inc. Fueled by unprecedented demand for intelligent voice interfaces that combine voice, language understanding and semantic processing, Nuance and Vlingo will combine their deep innovation and R&D expertise to deliver next-generation natural language interfaces across numerous markets and industries.

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A new update for Citrix Receiver for the BlackBerry PlayBook updated this morning to version 1.0.  The app itself has been out for several months, but was a public beta for everyone to check out.  From the look of it, this seems to be the first final release, hence version 1.0.  Any way, here’s the full change log:

• ICA encryption (SecureICA) and SSL, to secure communications between user devices and XenApp and XenDesktop
• Windows Extended keyboard, including keys such as Ctrl, Alt, and Delete
• Pan, pinch, and zoom
• Session roaming between Receiver for PlayBook and other Receivers

The update is available in BlackBerry App World.  It appears the application is still free and so is the update.  Click the link below to get redirected to Citrix Receiver in BlackBerry App World, or search for it on your tablet.

Citrix Receiver for BlackBerry PlayBook >.

Package Version: 7.0.0.2416
Consisting of:

• Applications: 7.0.0.590
• Software Platform: 5.0.0.739
• File name: 9900M_PBr7.0.0_rel2416_PL5.0.0.739_A7.0.0.590_Partner_Communications.exe
• File size: 220.53MB

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

Download OS >>

So Research In Motion is facing a lot of public negativity now with the delays of BlackBerry 10 smartphones.   This cartoon by The Joy of Tech pokes at the idea that RIM’s BlackBerry devices are outdated and that there is no future for them.  It’s a funny cartoon though but we still want our BB10 devices!

Source: CrackBerry

BlackBerry Bridge got a small update from version 1.0.7.4 to 1.0.7.5 today, which addressed a single bug.  The issue some people were having before was that the add a new tablet function would not appear or work on some devices.  That seems to be the only fix.  Once upon a time we received Bridge updates when a new OS would be releasing but this doesn’t seem to be the case here.

Download BlackBerry Bridge >>

BlackBerry Traffice has updated in BlackBerry Beta Zone once again.  This one’s a small jump to version 3.0.0.389.  It seems to mostly consist of fixes and improvements.  Here’s the change log:

• *Fixed* Audio guidance directions spoken after user selected “Cancel Destination”
• *Fixed* “Towards” is pronounced with speaker contracting the “to” instead of “twa”
• *Fixed* Exit number on road list spoken (when exit number available)
• *Fixed* “Application not responding” on BlackBerry Storm 9550 SmartPhones
• *Fixed* Application exiting during a phone call
• *Fixed* BlackBerry Calendar integration
• *Improvement* Audio guidance and quality improvements
• *Improvement* GPS detection improvements

Download BlackBerry Traffic from Beta Zone >>

Foursquare for BlackBerry just updated to version 3.5.  Included in this version is the lists feature which lets you discover and make lists of things to do nearby.  Also in-line photos have been added so now you can see your friends checkins with a photo attached too.  In the change log we see that the GPS logic has been updated and connection support “for a range of devices” has been improved.  The update is available in BlackBerry App World to download.

Download Foursquare for BlackBerry >>

Facebook for BlackBerry PlayBook updated to version 2.1 this morning adding some nice features. First is Facebook Groups. You can now check out groups you are part of and post and update to them with text, pictures, and videos. You’ll also get notifications for group posts.
Media access got better too. You can view friends’ pictures and video clips right on their user profiles with ease. Uploading new pictures and videos are easier as well with dedicated buttons to upload the specific media.
Download Facebook v2.1