We were starting to wonder when the BlackBerry Beta Zone would start rolling out new betas. But wonder no more as a new BlackBerry App World beta has just been released. Getting bumped up to v3.1.1.15, it's noted to have the following changes:

• Alternate billing options shown in purchase confirmation screen
• Submitting Apps has new, easier-to-use confirmation screen 
• OS 7.1 Support
• Various Bug Fixes

If you're a member of the BlackBerry Beta Zone, you can log in right now and grab the latest release from there.

BlackBerry Beta Zone Login

Seems as though a lot of people woke up this morning and grabbed their PlayBook to check for updates. If you fit into that criteria then you no doubt noticed that there appears to be an issue with BlackBerry PlayBooks not being able to connect to the update server.

Now normally, we might consider this to be a clear sign that RIM is preparing to roll out PlayBook OS 2.0 but in this case, we kind of have to waive off that consideration slightly. You see, the PlayBook update server has been off and on for the past few days now with countless folks reporting that they've not been able to connect in order to grab the most recent developer build, only now does it appear to be more widespread among users.

So what's the real deal? No one but RIM really knows. Could they be preparing for PlayBook OS 2.0 release? Maybe, but don't get your hopes up just yet. It could just be them getting things in order for when they are ready to release it.

In any event, RIM is aware of the issues at this point though they seem to be avoiding details as to why the update servers would be offline. Eventually though, you'll hit that update button and 2.0 will be waiting. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow but some day soon -- it'll be there. On a lighter note, you folks sure do check for updates a lot. Maybe they just cut the servers off to play some jedi mind tricks on everyone.

Discuss in the CrackBerry Forums

No strangers to philanthropy, Mike Lazaridis and his wife Ophelia have a long record of donations to the University of Waterloo in their past and that generosity has one again been shown with Mike and Ophelia having announced their pledge of $21 million to science and mathematics faculties at the University of Waterloo:

“With their unparalleled generosity, the Lazaridis family enriches our capacity to attract exceptional individuals to join Waterloo as researchers and students,” said University of Waterloo president Feridun Hamdullahpur. “The problems of the world will keep getting more complex and interconnected, and we want to be the first port of call for people looking to solve intractable problems.”

“History has shown us that a relatively small investment in fundamental research in physics and in science today can lead to huge innovation tomorrow. Given the current challenges in the world, the need for such innovation is greater now than ever,” said Mike Lazaridis, founder and vice chair of the board of Research in Motion. “I believe that the University of Waterloo, this province and this country can play a leadership role in this regard, and we are pleased to support it.”

In total, the Lazaridis family donations have exceeded $123 million, including $102.5 million to
establish the Institute for Quantum Computing in the Mike and Ophelia Lazaridis Quantum Nano Centre, scheduled to open in the fall of 2012.

Source: University of Waterloo

It's been a while now since Angry Birds was released on the BlackBerry PlayBook and now, Rovio is finally rolling out an update to the ever popular game. Angry Birds HD is now sitting at v1.6.3.1 in BlackBerry App World but sadly, we're left to wonder what exactly may have changed with this release. Rovio hasn't made any announcements or added a change log to the package so if you happen to spot anything new, let us know in the comments. In the meantime, we'll see if we can't get a change log of sorts from Rovio.

Buy Angry Birds for the BlackBerry PlayBook for $4.99

 

OS 7.1.0.247 has leaked for the BlackBerry Bold 9790. This is an unofficial (leaked) OS, so while it's mostly safe to install, remember to use caution when updating your device. If you need help along the way, you can head into our help forums or check out some of our BlackBerry 101 articles including How to Install or Upgrade to a new OS or How to Upgrade Your BlackBerry OS Using App Loader. If you do install this OS, hit up the forums thread below for findings, fixes and more discussion.

*OS Disclaimer - Please Read: Keep in mind this is NOT an official release and as such is not supported by RIM or your Carrier. If you choose to install, do so at your own risk and only if you're comfortable in the process of upgrading and downgrading your device software. It is quite normal during operating system development for certain features to be crippled or disabled while others are tested, and these beta builds often reflect that. They are not always better. Depending on your BlackBerry comfort level, it may be best for you to wait for community feedback on a build before deciding to download and install for yourself or simply wait for the next official release. If you require support, you will find it in our CrackBerry forums via our extremely knowledgeable community base - do not contact your carrier or RIM for Beta OS technical support (their first course of action will be to advise you to downgrade to a supported OS). *

Download the leaked OS 7.1.0.247
Discuss more in the forums

Source: N4BB

If you're a sneakerhead who also happens to be a BlackBerry fan then you're sure to dig this piece of info. The folks from Pick Your Shoes have teamed up with Reebok to create three sets of smartphone inspired shoes. The first set made available was the BlackBerry inspired version made from the Reebok Twilight Pumps. The BBerry Reebok Twilight Pumps are now available from Pick Your Shoes for about $140, they went on sale January 25th. You can jump on past the break for another shot of the shoes. Time to alert Kevin, he needs some new workout shoes. Thanks, @sml20exel!

Check out the BBerry Reebok Pumps

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On a recent post over at the BlackBerry Developers Blog, RIM kinda slipped up and posted an image of a BlackBerry PlayBook sporting a new UI for BlackBerry App World. A few people in the forums caught it, along with the fact that it was dated "February 16th, 2012". We'll let you all speculate on what the date may mean - if anything at all - but while you're speculating, be sure to let us know what you think of the new BlackBerry App World UI shown above. Like it better? Hate it? Let us know in the comments. Personally, I like the layout even if it does look Androidish.

Despite the official announcement of BlackBerry OS 7.1 being available to all carriers, there have been a few hold-outs not willing to go ahead and get the OS out to their customers as soon as possible. T-Mobile was among them until not long ago. If you go ahead and check for system updates on your BlackBerry Bold 9900 right now, you should find OS 7.1.0.205 is readily available for download. Get to it and drop by the forums to let us know how the update went. If you're not seeing it yet, sit tight -- it should be along shortly, the interwebs are magical like that.

Discuss in the CrackBerry Forums

Kevin is already on the ground in Amsterdam, gearing up for BlackBerry DevCon Europe and we'll have plenty of coverage coming from the event but one thing you'll want to tune in for is the General Session Keynote happening on Tuesday, Feb 7th at 10am CET / 4AM EST -- ya, it's early. The event will be streamed live and we'll be tuned in, so make sure you join us.

BlackBerry DevCon Euroope LiveStream

We got a great look at the round of Curve series devices for emerging markets not too long ago but the devices have no once again popped up confirming their existence. The BlackBerry Curve 9220, BlackBerry Curve 9320 also known as the "Jazz" series of device have no recieved UAProf documents on RIM's servers meaning they are one step closer to release. The BlackBerry Curve 9320 will be an HSPA device while the Curve 9220 will be EDGE but something is missing here, there is three devices that make up the "Jazz" series - Davis, Armstrong and Wynton - there seemingly appears to be one missing unless RIM is just playing around with names.

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A recent announcement from Kayak, a site for travellers founded by the cofounders of Expedia, Travelocity and Orbitz has got me thinking about some of the trends we're seeing as of late. It's the trend of developers dropping support for BlackBerry services after having years of success on the platform. Recently, Kayak made a post letting their users know they would no longer be supporting their BlackBerry mobile app:

By dropping active support, we won't be launching any new features, updates or fixes to problems that may arise on the KAYAK BlackBerry app as our system changes.

They go on to note that the cost of continued development on the BlackBerry platform is a reason for their discontinuing of the service, yet they'll provide the app for free to other platforms. Really Kayak?

You recently celebrated over 100 million user requests for travel information along with being the number one travel app with over 12 Million downloads in January and you're going to drop support for your BlackBerry app. Do you think you became the number one downloaded travel app without BlackBerry user support? I personally have used your app to plan trips, so I'm quite certain a percentage of the 75 Million BlackBerry users out there have downloaded and used your app to lay out their travel plans as well.

No matter Kayak, if your app is no longer going to be supported on BlackBerry then I'll no longer support you directly by using your services. Plenty of other apps exist on the BlackBerry platform such as BlackBerry Travel, World Mate, TripIt, iSpeedy and countless other apps from the airlines and hotels themselves - who do think their customers are worth the time it takes.

You're not the only ball game in town, something each and every company who has had success on the BlackBerry platform should consider before they decide to drop support for the services.

Georgia and Rene are joined by CrackBerry Kevin Michaluk to kickoff Mobile Nations Fitness Month. We break down how best to get started, set attainable goals, and get results, and address some of the most common questions and misconceptions. This is ZEN and TECH!

• Our podcast feed: Audio | Video
• Download Directly: Audio | Video
• Subscribe via iTunes: Audio | Video

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Yesterday, we learned of RIM's offer to Android developers of a free BlackBerry PlayBook to anyone who submits an appby Feb. 13th but given the initial response to the app from other developers RIM has opened the offer up to everyone, no matter what type of app they wish to submit:

Wow BlackBerry Developer Community! You certainly weren’t shy about wanting in on the PlayBook offer for apps submitted to BlackBerry App World between now and February 13. And you know what? We are in the year of “Being Bold” and such an outpouring of interest from you should be rewarded!  We’re opening this offer to any app – WebWorks, Native, AIR, and Android.  Same deadline of February 13 applies.  There are some terms and conditions, but they’re there to protect you and your content. We look forward to your submissions!

That sums it up, get your app in there and claim your free BlackBerry PlayBook. Just remember, you're going to have to follow the guidelines for submission and you can hit the source link for those full details.

More info on BlackBerry Jam

Looking for an awesome game to jam away on this weekend for your PlayBook? Head on over to BlackBerry App World and grab Pew Pew if you haven't already. If you've ever played Geometry Wars then this vector shoot em will bring back memories and will have you wasting a good many hours trying to unlock ships, win medals and get the highest score on the leader board. After having played the iOS and Android versions, it's pretty awesome to have it arrive on the BlackBerry PlayBook and just like on those platforms, it's available for free. Retro gaming style at its finest.

Download Pew Pew from BlackBerry App World

For anyone who has a BlackBerry 7 device this news may not be that big of a deal seeing how the Music Store app came pre-loaded on your device, whether you saw the icon or not it was there and installed. For those without a BlackBerry 7 device though, the Music Store app has been in the BlackBerry Beta Zone for a while and now has moved on to being publicly available for download through BlackBerry App World.

Despite it being preloaded on BlackBerry 7 devices, those of you who tried out the app may have found that it was either not supported in your country (This app, only has support for Canada and Australia) or even got an error message stating it was disabled by your administrator. If you fit into that area, then the newly released version is the one you'll want to get your hands on. You see, Amazon MP3 powered the old version where the new version is essentially a front-end for the 7Digital music store but it's much more then that when you consider a few things.

For a while now, I griped about the inconsistency of a music market place on the PlayBook and BlackBerry 7 smartphones due to the fact the PlayBooks music store was powered by 7Digital but BlackBerry 7 devices were powered by Amazon MP3. As such, any music you purchased on your PlayBook wasn't easily retrieved on your BlackBerry smartphone. You could get it, but it was through the 7Digital app, which has a totally different icon and is a totally different download. Some folks, may not have ever even known there was a 7Digital app or site and went on thinking their purchased music was stuck on their PlayBook.

With the BlackBerry Music store now available as a separate download, being powered by 7Digital (like the PlayBooks music store) RIM finally has some convergence happening and almost a complete music ecosystem. Files bought on your PlayBook can be retrieved on your smarphone and vice-versa as they are both on the same system now. BBM Music is of course the last remaining piece of the puzzle since; music you purchase there cannot be accessed outside of BBM Music easily without some digging around (It uses Amazon MP3 still). But that leaves the door open for RIM to port BBM Music over to the PlayBook at some point ideally or come up with a different solution for moving the music about easily.

Download the BlackBerry Music Store app from App World