Posted on June 1, 2011, at 11:29 AM .
RIM has announced Facebook for BlackBerry version 2.0 Beta 3 and it’s available for download in the Beta Zone. The biggest update here is the ability to delete posts. This is a decent feature that was needed, but is it really necessary to launch it in the beta zone first? It seems that’s one of the downsides to a big company like RIM making the software: they act like a big company. Remember Guy Kawasaki’s rule: don’t worry be crappy. Just push it out and update. Anyways, the features in this release include:
- WiFi support
- The ability to delete comments and posts
- New delete prompts
To download the latest version of Facebook, head over to the Beta Zone.
Posted on May 31, 2011, at 3:56 PM .
The latest BlackBerry development kit looks to have some pretty awesome APIs and tools that developers can use to make the next generation of BlackBerry apps. Some particularly interesting APIs include the magnetometer APIs which allow for better navigation apps, as well as augmented reality and gaming. The Native Window API lets developers overlay a native window such as a camera or video view finder, or web browser. This sort of API is a great help when creating augmented reality apps. Also of great relevance are the NFC APIs which will allow developers to read the NFC chip to communicate with other NFC-enabled devices.
So what can we expect? Well it will be great to see some new games and augmented reality apps. Apps like Google Goggles are a fun way to discover your surroundings and hopefully an app like Poynt will get an augmented reality feature as well. It would also be great to see BBM use the NFC APIs to be able to “bump” your BBM contact rather than use the QR code. Hopefully RIM is on top of that.
Hit the jump for the press release.
Continue reading ‘Developers: RIM Introduces BlackBerry Java SDK 7.0 Beta for Augmented Reality, NFC and More’
Posted on May 25, 2011, at 10:17 AM .
UPDATE: GroupMe will be releasing this latest build, which includes a few new updates, to the public from their website. The link is live and you can go to it now: bit.ly/grpme2030. You can read about it on their blog too.
Recently GroupMe, the popular group messaging app, was updated to version 2.0. For those who don’t know, GroupMe, one of the popular SxSW-launched apps, allows you to start a group, add your friends, and get a free phone number for it. Text the number and everyone gets your message, like a text chat room. Call it and you’re all instantly on a conference call. New features include:
- In-app chat. Send messages over your data connection, entirely within the app. Text as much as you want without hitting your SMS balance.
- Push notifications. You will get messages as soon as GroupMe receives them. BlackBerry notifications appear in your inbox when you receive new messages.
- Photo-sharing. Take and share photos with your groups right within the app.
- An improved, fresh user interface.
Check out the free GroupMe version 2.0 Beta in App World.
Posted on May 6, 2011, at 3:02 PM .
Facebook version 2.0 has been updated in the Beta Zone and it includes support for OS 5 and above, as well as enhancements to Facebook Chat and more. Specifically, updates include:
Facebook Chat
Know when a friend is typing a message by the visual cue of “is typing a message”
Filter Online Contacts to quickly find a specific friend and start a Chat message.
Mutual Friends and Friends List
Discover which friends you have in common with other users via the Info tab on Profiles (dependent on Privacy Settings of the user).
Enhanced integration with BlackBerry native apps
Click on PINs, Phone Numbers, and email addresses displayed in Wall posts, messages or the Info tab, to perform the respective action (e.g., place a call) or save the information to your BlackBerry Contacts application
To download the latest version of Facebook for BlackBerry, head over to the Beta Zone.
Posted on April 28, 2011, at 9:01 AM .
Yesterday many download BBM version 6.0.0.73 from the beta zone and while there isn’t anything really new in terms of UI, there’s a few features that are new for both users and developers. The new BlackBerry Messenger 6.0 will be able to leverage the BBM Social Platform, which has some really cool app hooks such as the ability to send an app to a friend and share more through the PIN messaging system. From a user standpoint, we won’t see those features until developers start implementing, but in the meantime there’s a cleaner interface for adding contacts and some performance improvements. Other features include:
Continue reading ‘BlackBerry Messenger 6.0 Beta Launches with A Few New Features’
