It’s that time of year where we’ll start seeing lots of application update with christmas packages.  PhotoStudio for BlackBerry smartphones just updated to version 0.9.8.17.  Here’s the full change log:

• BBM Connected, now you can share your photo directly from Photo Studio.
• New 55 frames in Christmas Pack 1 and Christmas Pack 2.
• New effects in Effects Pack (Sharpen and 6 Lens effects).
• New output formats: normal and large, save photos with better quality.
• Crop improvements with several selection modes.
• UI improvements, bug-fix and more.

PhotoStudio is free to download from BlackBerry App World.  Click the link below to grab a copy free or to check out more screenshots of the application.

PhotoStudio for BlackBerry smartphones >>

So here’s an extended commercial for BlackBerry up in the Philippines.  It’s based on two characters named Victor and Divine who seem to have a relationship problem, but square it off via BBM.  It’s pretty creative and once again definitely a new style of marketing that we haven’t seen from RIM in commercials really.  We’re too acquainted with the testimonials and professionals claiming why they need their BlackBerrys.  This clip is part 1, so I’m guessing a sequel should arrive shortly.  Video after the jump!

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BlackBerry Device Analyzer is an application stock from RIM which is intended to diagnose your BlackBerry to make sure all your hardware checks out.  This was spotted in a leaked 7.1 OS from last week, and now we have leaked download links for both OS 7 and 7.1 for you to download.

Download for OTA for OS 6 and 7 >>

Download ALX files >>

Source: N4BB

The BlackBerry PlayBook sales are back once again.  This time Sprint is offering it for only $199.99, but only after Christmas.  The dates scheduled are between December 26th through January 7th.  So if after all the PlayBook sales in various retail channels you didn’t pick one up yet, here’s your millionth chance to.

Source: CrackBerry

QuickLaunch has gained lots of popularity over the years.  When RIM decided to knock out one of the convenience keys, apps like QuickLaunch become handy as you can designate multiple apps, contacts, or media to the button.  For OS 7 users, version 4.0 has released.  This update is not available for OS 6 yet, but according to BerryReview it’s expected to launch soon.  Any way here’s the full change log for QuickLaunch:

• Add any QuickLaunch Item to Universal Search! (See screenshots)
• Larger Font option
• Automatic Wallpaper Cycler
• Shake Launch – Launch an item by Shaking your phone!
• Mobile Hotspot Toggle
• NFC Toggle
• Center Menu – QL menu can be placed Center, Left or Right
• Display Battery % in menu

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We already saw both the BlackBerry Bold 9900 and Torch 9810 get mobile hotspot love with some OS 7.1 leaks. Next up in line is the BlackBerry Curve 9360.  This one get’s OS 7.1.0.70 and yes it includes the hotspot option.  Several download mirrors for you to grab a copy from:

• MegaUpload
• UploadKing
• UploadHere
• DepositFiles
• HotFile
• zShare
• FileSonic
• FileServe

Source: N4BB

BeBuzz got a nice update to version 5.0.11 today adding BBM integration.  With that, you can add specific LED notifications to each and every contact in your BBM list.  Also, with the text to speech feature, you can have BeBuzz display the BBM in a pop-up with it read out loud.  Pretty cool.  The update is available in BlackBerry App World.  Click the link below to grab a copy today.

BeBuzz for BlackBerry >>

Source: CrackBerry

Bplay started off with a loophole around making BlackBerry 7 themes and launched Deck The Halls as their first supported theme for the OS.  Now it looks like there’s 5 themes in total which support BlackBerry 7 OS.  The themes supported include Deck The Halls, iBerry 2.0 Zen, Tinker Bell, iBerry Edge Zen, and Cosmos.  Click the link the below to check out themes, games and applications at Bplay.

Shop at Bplay >>

Angry Pigs is another Angry Birds style game for BlackBerry smartphones.  The premium version has been out for a little while now, but now a free edition is available.  Not sure what the free is lacking over the premium version but it might be less levels or ad support.  You can check them both out at BlackBerry App World.

Angry Pigs Free >>

Angry Pigs Premium >>

Sweet! We had the BlackBerry PlayBook come fresh out the box with Need For Speed Undercover for free.  Now we see some inspiration went further as the new game Need for Speed The Run features the BlackBerry PlayBook in the car’s console.  Good choice for a tablet I’d say.  So it might not be the exact PlayBook, but surely looks just like it.  What’s your take? Video after the jump.

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