Posted on July 19, 2010, at 5:10 PM .
We have heard cell tower APIs were coming to BlackBerry for some time now and RIM has made good on the promise. RIM has introduced a new geolocation feature of the Locate Service which should really come in handy for developers making LBS apps. The new Geolocation service uses cell towers to gather quick location information and deliver it to applications. Since no GPS is required, developers can grab location in areas with no GPS coverage.
While the data isn’t as exact as GPS, it’s specific enough to get general points of interest as well as the app can kick in GPS to get more detailed information if needed.
Continue reading ‘RIM Introduces Cell Tower Geolocation Feature for BlackBerry Developers’
Posted on July 19, 2010, at 11:53 AM .
MobileQs is the number 1 trivia game for BlackBerry and it has been in the Top 5 overall games this past month. The game has had a ton of updates and a lot of question packs have been added to keep the game fresh. Recently, the game had a 2010 World Cup trivia pack added and below we have a long list of packs available for the game.
Continue reading ‘MobileQs Trivia Game for BlackBerry with More Question Packs’
Posted on July 19, 2010, at 9:50 AM .
Over the weekend there were some great new BlackBerry 6 videos that show off a variety of elements of the upcoming BlackBerry 6. The below videos include an overview of the media capabilities of BlackBerry 6, a comparison of the new Webkit browser against other smartphones such as the iPhone and finally a general walkthrough of BlackBerry 6, version 6.0.0.100. Overall, BlackBerry 6 looks like it’s getting better with every update and this new OS couldn’t come sooner. Every BlackBerry user is waiting to get their hands on it and finally know whether or not their device is getting an update. We have recently heard from RIM that they’re on track for a summer release of 6, so we know it’s no more than a month and a half away.
Continue reading ‘BlackBerry 6 Media Capabilities, Webkit Browser and Version 6.0.0.100 Overview’
Posted on July 19, 2010, at 9:28 AM .
Gowalla let us know that they have released an update to Gowalla for BlackBerry and it’s now in full public beta. The app allows users to share photos and comments, as well as receive better notification options. Similar to Gowalla on other platforms, Gowalla for BlackBerry will soon implement Trips and Items on the BlackBerry interface, allowing users to share even more with their communities and social networks.
Gowalla Trips is a unique feature of the location based service that allows users to add a series of destinations to a list and call it a Trip. On other platforms, users can add up to 20 spots of their choosing, then publish it to Gowalla. Their published trips are viewable in the Gowalla app by their friends.
Continue reading ‘Gowalla for BlackBerry Now in Public Beta with Trips Coming Soon’
Posted on July 17, 2010, at 5:13 PM .
During the Apple iPhone 4 Antenna press conference, Steve Jobs claimed that Apple’s antenna issues were not specific to the iPhone, and other smartphones such as the BlackBerry Bold 9700 experience similar issues. It seems BlackBerryCool readers don’t experience these issues and RIM’s CEOs took aim at Steve Jobs and defended their antennas. Here is their official statement from Jim Balsillie and Mike Lazaridis:
“Apple’s attempt to draw RIM into Apple’s self-made debacle is unacceptable. Apple’s claims about RIM products appear to be deliberate attempts to distort the public’s understanding of an antenna design issue and to deflect attention from Apple’s difficult situation. RIM is a global leader in antenna design and has been successfully designing industry-leading wireless data products with efficient and effective radio performance for over 20 years. During that time, RIM has avoided designs like the one Apple used in the iPhone 4 and instead has used innovative designs which reduce the risk for dropped calls, especially in areas of lower coverage. One thing is for certain, RIM’s customers don’t need to use a case for their BlackBerry smartphone to maintain proper connectivity. Apple clearly made certain design decisions and it should take responsibility for these decisions rather than trying to draw RIM and others into a situation that relates specifically to Apple.”
- Mike Lazaridis and Jim Balsillie
RIM is a pretty quiet company and this is not the norm for their CEOs. Generally, RIM doesn’t talk about other smartphones or comment directly on another company but it’s great to see them respond to a blatant attack on the company.
Posted on July 16, 2010, at 6:11 PM .
There was a lot of news this week about the upcoming BlackBerry tablet. So far, we know it’s a companion device like the Palm Foleo, and it will feature Flash support. It’s hard to have an opinion on it as it’s so speculative and we haven’t even seen a leaked picture of it yet.
Also in the news this week, today Steve Jobs claimed at his iPhone 4 Antenna Press Event, that the Bold 9700 is one of several other smartphones that has an antenna issue and is affected by a “Death Grip”. Personally, I’ve never had this issue and I have no idea what Jobs is talking about. One user even sent us a video of trying to Death Grip his Bold 9700 in every way possible and it simply doesn’t work. It would be great to hear RIM engineers sound off on this one because if Apple is making false claims about the device, they could be liable. Click through after the jump to catch up on a week of BlackBerry news, reviews and community discussion.
Continue reading ‘BlackBerryCool Roundup for the Week of July 12th’
