Posted on July 17, 2009, at 12:13 pm .
While RIM assured us that MyBlackBerry would be available to the public this week, it still requires an invitation key. I’ve seen many people on Twitter asking to get an invite, so I thought I’d let you know what’s going on in the community, so you don’t feel left out.
As you may know, the focus of MyBlackBerry is around the forum discussions. The forum is divided into 3 categories: Applications, Tips and Tricks and General. Keep in mind, this is still very much in an early development phase and so the user base is small and the conversations are fairly bland.
Read the most popular discussions on the MyBlackBerry forums
Posted on July 17, 2009, at 11:47 am .
Voice-to-text is an incredible technology that will transform the way we interact with our devices, send emails, write documents and transcribe audio.
SpeechExec for BlackBerry is developed by Phillips, and gives you the ability to record, edit and download dictation files from your device. The software is relatively simple to use, just press the record button, and when recording is finished and you are ready to download files, they will be transmitted to your company’s dictation server via email, FTP/S or HTTP/S.
Some of the core features of SpeechExec include security and efficiency. In order to increase security during file transfer, SpeechExec Enterprise allows for additional, 128bit dictation file encryption. This security feature is independent of RIM software, and therefore unique to the market. Should a device become lost or stolen, BlackBerry users can have their devices remotely wiped and disabled to prevent encrypted files from being played back by unauthorized users. Thanks to high-quality compression – 1 minute recording takes only 100kByte – reduced transmission time and substantially lowered phone costs are guaranteed.
Another feature of this product includes the ability to work offline. As soon as a working connection is available again, users can immediately send the dictation to a transcriptionist anywhere in the world.
If your company does not have a dictation server, I highly recommend using MyCaption. Their voice-to-text technology is very robust, and I have used it under a wide variety of conditions.
Click through for more screenshots of this product
Posted on July 17, 2009, at 10:52 am .
This isn’t the most groundbreaking how-to but it’s a really simple way to get important information about your BES. Port310.org posted the steps to determine what version of BES you’re running in 3 simple steps.
To determine what version of BES you’re running, simply:
1) Go to the Add or Remove Programs Control Panel applet (Start > Run > appwiz.cpl )
2) Locate the reference to BlackBerry Enterprise Server, select it and then click Click here for support information.
3) The publisher listed should be Research In Motion and the Version will be the exact version of BES currently installed.
If you’re confused about the numbers, consider checking the RIM knowledge base for more information.
Version numbers for BlackBerry Enterprise Server for IBM Lotus Domino
Versions of the BlackBerry Enterprise Server for Novell GroupWise
KB17611 - Bundle versions of the BlackBerry Enterprise Server for Microsoft Exchange
[Via]
Posted on July 17, 2009, at 10:29 am .
The battle between RIM and Visto has been going on for some time now. Last we heard, Visto had paid RIM for certain patent infringements but there were 21 patent claims outstanding for the US Patent Office to rule on. The patents concern email synchronization between devices and local servers.
It seems that yesterday, the two companies have come to a definitive agreement to settle all outstanding worldwide patent litigation between the companies.
The agreement includes a perpetual and fully-paid license on all Visto patents for RIM, a transfer of certain Visto intellectual property, a one-time payment by RIM of US $ 267.5 million to Visto and the parties executing full and final releases in respect of all outstanding worldwide litigation.
The settlement is expected to be completed during the week of July 20, 2009 and is subject to certain closing conditions.
Accounting for these dollars in the 2nd quarter of 2010, will involve including the payments as an unusual item to be expensed, with the remained classified as an intangible asset. This is a considerable sum of money and it will be interesting to see what effect the resolution will have on RIM’s shares.
Posted on July 16, 2009, at 2:23 pm .
Bplay has launched their BlackBerry Storm optimized site, designed to deliver a better browsing experience for Storm users. While you’re checking out the new Storm site, be sure not to miss the latest content.
New Themes/Games
Xtreme Sports Theme
Sally’s Spa
Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince
California Gold Rush
Click through for more cool themes and content from Bplay
Posted on July 16, 2009, at 1:51 pm .
Congratulations to Slacker! They have recently signed a partnership with Verizon to be pushed to every Verizon BlackBerry Storm. Verizon Storm owners will see a Slacker icon on their device ready to use.
A feature unique to the BlackBerry app for Verizon is that it can connect to Verzon’s V CAST service. When a song is being played using Slacker Radio and is one of the more than 4.5 million available in the V CAST Music with Rhapsody catalog, a V CAST icon will appear on the screen that will let customers easily purchase that track while it continues playing on the device.
If you’re a BlackBerry Storm user on Verizon, check it out and let us know what you think.
Posted on July 16, 2009, at 12:03 pm .
The MobileHeist is back! It’s been a while since we ran the last one and there are some incredible deals to take advantage of.
BlackBerry Cool is offering 15 great BlackBerry apps for 50% off starting today, July 16th through Sunday, July 19th. Several of these are brand new apps that, for a limited time, are available only through the BlackBerry Cool Store. For a limited time only, you can get Berry Wars, Mars Lander, Flag your Emails, Bartender Pro, Altitude, Storm MultiClock, and the latest version of RDM+ at a steal of a price. In addition to these exclusives, we’re adding a few other top sellers including: IM+ for Skype, Ace Email Viewer, Aces Solitaire Pack, Aces Texas Hold’em, Real iBerry Blocks, Full Screen Caller PictureID, Mobile Checkbook, and MemoryUp Pro.
Head over to the MobileHeist page and check out the deals!
Use this link from your BlackBerry Browser to check out the MobileHeist deals.
Posted on July 16, 2009, at 11:53 am .
I was recently contacted by the good people at SMobile Systems, the providers of the only Antivirus/AntiSpyware solution for BlackBerry, about my article regarding malicious code found in a recent Etisalat update.
SMobile Systems have released a solution for the recent spyware-laden update sent to BlackBerry users on the Etisalat network in the United Arab Emirates.
The spyware intercepts emails and drains battery life remarkably fast. According to Chris Eng at Veracode, “the server receiving the initial registration packets (i.e. “Here I am, software is installed!”) got overloaded. Devices kept trying to connect every five seconds to empty the outbound message queue, thereby causing a battery drain. Some people were reporting on official BlackBerry forums that their batteries were being depleted from full charge in as little as half an hour.”
If you are in the UAE and on the Etisalat network, I recommend going to the SMobile Systems site and purchasing their SMobile Security Shield or Anti-Theft and Identity Protection software, which will remove the spyware, as well as any other malicious code on your device. If you have already purchased the product, all you need to do is update your software to be protected.
We are living in an age where our smartphones are becoming our personal computers, and therefore the focus of those who want to exploit our personal data in any way they can. Dan Hoffman, CTO of SMobile Systems said it best, “The truth about smartphones is that they are used in the same manner as personal computers and are susceptible to the same threats. It has become clear that smartphone users need to proactively ensure their devices contain the necessary security software to protect not only their e-mail and messaging data, but also to protect their identity and the integrity of their mobile financial transactions.”
Security Shield for BlackBerry is available for $35.41 CAD.
Anti-Theft and Identity Protection is available for $29.99 per year.
Posted on July 16, 2009, at 10:42 am .
How to write a BlackBerry application – Lesson 3: Open a webpage, system-wide menu Item, adding an icon and yes/no dialog
This is lesson 3 in a series of BlackBerry application development lessons. These lessons are intended to bring someone with no experience in developing applications for BlackBerry, up to speed with the latest development techniques. It’s easier than you think so try it out!
Before starting, this lesson, make sure you have read Lesson 1 and Lesson 2.
1. Go into the folder where your BlackBerry Lections.jdw file is
2. Create a folder there called Lection 3
3. Open up your JDE and open the Workspace called Lections.jdw
4. Right-Click on Lections.jdw
5. Select Create new Project
6. Name the Project Lection_3 and save it to the Folder \Lection 3
7. Copy the two files HelloWorld.java and Lesson3Screen.java into the \Lection 3 folder
8. In the JDE right-click on Lection_3 and add the two files HelloWorld.java and Lesson3Screen.java into the project
Click through for Lesson 3 of Fabian’s BlackBerry development series
BBCool AppStore
Sally's Spa
Harry Potter and the Half...
California Gold Rush
Studio Flowers
Xtreme Sports
Flowers
