Fido in Canada is known to carry BlackBerry smartphones way later after the device launches from the manufacturer.  This time around we’re surprised to see that the company has stepped up their game and launched the BlackBerry Curve 9360.  Ok so it’s a basic lower end BlackBerry smartphone, but is still a great device and carries a feature some other OS 7 devices don’t- NFC.  The BlackBerry Curve 9360 gets OS 7 preloaded, 800MHz, 5MP camera, 480 x 360 screen resolution with 3G and WiFi capability.  Fido is selling the device for only $30 on a 3 year contract.

BlackBerry Curve 9360 from Fido >>

Source: MobileSyrup

Back at DevCon Asia 2011, we learned that BlackBerry 7.1 SDK would be offically released out of beta.  Now it looks like it’s available on the BlackBerry website for all developers to download.  Some major new features included in this SDK are:

• NFC P2P
  The NFC Peer-to-Peer API allows applications to share files and other data through NFC technology initiated communication with Bluetooth® handover.
• FM Radio
  The FM Radio API is designed to give applications the ability to manipulate FM tuner settings on BlackBerry smartphones with supporting hardware.
• Profiles API
  The Profiles API brings more Super App features to applications, allowing them to query current profile settings and adjust their own application behavior accordingly or, conversely, intelligently change the current profile to match the user’s current activities.

Check out more on BlackBerry 7.1 SDK >>

Source: BerryReview

Fandango for BlackBerry has been out for years, but it was never included in BlackBerry App World.  Some users downloaded through a link spotted on the home screen (thank you AT&T) while others just went to the mobile website from their Berrys and downloaded it over the air.  Now you can download directly from BlackBerry App World- this way you’ll be able to have the latest update and know when a new version is released.

On a side note, the application also was updated to version 2.1.3 earlier this month (December 2nd to be exact).  There doesn’t seem to be a change log but the big news is that BlackBerry App World now carries the app! Woohoo!

Fandango for BlackBerry >>

It’s been fun checking out Bolt Browser over the years.  Especially way back when the BlackBerry smartphone did not have a rich web browsing experience.  Bolt Browser worked well on phones which didn’t access the web nicely at all, even non-smartphones.  But it’s all coming to an end now as the company announces the service will be discontinued due to economic circumstances.

Surely there are other third party web browsers out there such as Opera.  Have any of you been stuck on Bolt Browser or have you found yourself using the native web browser or any others?

Thanks ecivon for the tip!

With the latest Dingleberry root for the BlackBerry PlayBook, a developer has been able to get USB hosting working!  So basically a USB dongle is inserted from the bottom micro USB port where a flash drive gets inserted and accessed right on the PlayBook.  The demo we see is a video clip being played right off the flash drive with no issues or lags whatsoever.  Pretty cool.  Hit the jump for the full video

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Yesterday I noticed Dead Space for BlackBerry PlayBook updated to version 1.0.8, but had no idea what the update included.  According to multiple email tips (thanks everyone), it looks like the new update supports PlayBook OS 2.0.  I have already removed OS 2.0 from my PlayBook due to one too many applications not working properly on it.  So for those of you who are using it full time and have Dead Space (or wanted it), you can play it now! If you spot anything else new in the game, let us know!

Dead Space for BlackBerry PlayBook >>

Foursquare for BlackBerry just got a small update to version 3.4.2 today.  The change log reads that it’s a “quick fix to the post check-in screen allowing proper  support for third part specials by displaying the special source and branding.”  So not a huge jump but more of a big fix for the app.  The update is available in BlackBerry App World to download.  Enjoy.

Download Foursquare for BlackBerry >>

Source: N4BB

That’s what it looks like. Earlier today I was navigating in BlackBerry App World and noticed Verizon had its own section on right on the start page. Included was hand selected apps from Verizon and others specifically for Verizon BlackBerry smartphones. I’m curious to see if anyone else is seeing this for their App World for another carrier. I’ve checked T-Mobile and Sprint BlackBerry devices and haven’t found anything yet but if you do, let us know!

It’s been a while since we saw any updated from UberSocial, but today it looks like version 1.3 has officially released.  We see quite a few changes in this version including BBM integration which seems to be trendy in Berry applications lately.  Here’s the full change log:

• Integrated with BBM, you can now set your BBM status or personal message to your last tweet, requires BlackBerry OS version 5.0 or higher.
• You can save and restore draft tweets from the compose screen.
• Reworked the login mechanism with Twitter to avoid some issues.
• Added the ability to turn off the global ‘Uber Tweet’ menu item
• Fixed bug in mypict.me upload which could cause the app to lock up.
• Fixed bug in keyword muting where you couldn’t include a ‘#’ at the beginning of the keyword.
• Fixed bug where UberChannel background images were getting their corners rounded.
• Changed the link color in the red and pink themes to be more readable

Download UberSocial >>

Finally we get a tablet edition of Monopoly right on the BlackBerry PlayBook.  We’ve seen it before on the Apple iPad, and now we get it on a smaller scale 7 inch tablet.  It’s $4.99 to buy in BlackBerry App World and comes officially from EA Games.  Click the link below to check out more or to purchase!

Monopoly for BlackBerry PlayBook >>