We have written a few posts in the past talking about how BlackBerry smartphones are being used by the certain UK Police Forces to aid them in their day-to-day work as well as save them money. Recently, however, they have added a new feature to their BlackBerry devices... a fingerprint scanner. It allows Officers on the beat to verify one's identity within two minutes by checking the national fingerprint database.

Currently, the Essex Police are the only Force to be issued with these BlackBerry devices by the National Police Improvement Agency (NIPA), where Officers received training before going out to use the device. The video above shows the fingerprint scanner in action.

Source: Tracy and Matt

Oy Cubio Communications Ltd., a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) in Finland, has today announced it will soon bring the BlackBerry solution to the Land of the Thousand Lakes. Founded in 1999, Cubio started out as a small provider of flat rate GSM subscription services and has since continued to offer high quality mobility and data services to its customers. In 2010, Cubio had over 17,000 subscribers and is now looking to introduce the Finnish folk to the BlackBerry platform.

As a person living in Finland, this is excellent news to me, but it's almost surreal at the same time. Just a few months ago, I wrote a lengthy post on my personal blog with the title "How one tweet shattered the dreams of a 19-year-old." In that blog post, I outlined my history with BlackBerry smartphones in Finland and how it has been a tough struggle to use said devices without a proper data plan. Hoping that RIM will one day make the BlackBerry smartphone less dependent on BIS, I tweeted Alec Saunders, Vice President of Developer Relations and Ecosystem Development at RIM, to ask about it. At the time, it was almost a given that BIS would never come to Finland, and long story short, RIM has no plans to make my wish happen. The truth is, a BlackBerry without BIS is like a personal computer without access to the Internet: it's useful for a set number of functions, but will never deliver the full experience it was designed for today. But this is about to change, as Cubio is going to be the first mobile service provider in Finland to offer the full BlackBerry experience, complete with BlackBerry Internet Service.

It should be noted that Cubio is not the first to tinker with the idea of bringing BlackBerry smartphones to Finland; some other Finnish companies have previously attempted to bring the Canadian wonder to the Finnish market, but to no avail. For example, Verkkokauppa.com Oy, a large electronics retailer in Finland, began selling the BlackBerry Bold 9000 in 2009. Demand was nonexistent and the retailer subsequently removed the Bold 9000 from sale, after having sold its initial stock of five units. It's perhaps the fact that Finland, which is the home of the sauna among other things, is also the home of Nokia. Sometimes hailed as Nokialand, Finland has long been a strong supporter of Nokia handsets, in both enterprise and consumer markets. BlackBerry as a brand is almost unheard of in Finland, and you would be hard pressed to find a Finnish person with a BlackBerry. So I'm only wondering, will Cubio be able to make a difference? It's hard to tell, but given Nokia's recent moves with Microsoft, it's worth a try. In fact, that is the very reasoning of Kyösti Järnefelt, head of the new BlackBerry business unit at Cubio.

Details on Cubio's upcoming offering are slim at the moment, but the Finnish company is looking to offer various BlackBerry 7 smartphones for sale at its Cubio Shop in Helsinki and online. Apart from BlackBerry smartphones, it also looks like Cubio will begin offering the BlackBerry PlayBook in Finland, as revealed by the new landing page for Finland at BlackBerry.com. With the Nokia Lumia 800 gaining more and more popularity in Finland, mostly due to the ongoing massive marketing campaign by Nokia, it's going to be a difficult journey for Cubio, but novel ideas have succeeded in the past--why not this one as well? I'm personally very excited about this, as it's a dream come true for me that I've been waiting for many years now. So, without any further ado, kiitoksia Cubio ja tervetuloa Suomeen, RIM!

Source: Cubio

Barclays have release a mobile banking app called Pingit for BlackBerry smartphones. While a lot banks have been releasing apps where you can view your bank balance as well as transfer money, you could only do this between your own accounts. The Barclays Pingit app goes a step further and allows you to send money to other Barclay customers as well as non-Barclay customers. Better yet transfering money is as easy as sending a text.

To be able to use the app you must register your bank details as well as your UK mobile number and then you can start sending money to your phone contacts simply by sending a text. If you will be sending to a non-Barclays customers they must also register in order to receive payments via text.

App Features: 

• It's free to download and use - and sending money is secure, done in seconds and shown on your Barclays bank statement
• You'll need a BlackBerry smartphone with internet access
• You need to be a UK resident, have a UK-registered mobile number and be aged 18 or over
• Non-Barclays customers with a current account can only receive payments - but soon they'll be able to send money too
• When you receive a payment through Barclays Pingit, your full registered name will be made visible to the sender of the payment 

One of the most useful BlackBerry apps I have installed on my BlackBerry is the Natwest Banking app, for obvious reasons, it is great to be able to check my bank balance on the go. The past day or two it has been updated to version 1.1. While this is not a huge update that brings about new features, it is an update that BlackBerry 7 owners will like as it is now compatible with the Torch 9810, Bold 9790, Curve 9360 and 9380.

So, if you are an owner of those devices and been wanting this app, get downloading now, it is free in App World. If you're a Natwest customer and haven't yet downloaded this app, I recommend it. It is a great way to check your balance or transfer money between your accounts.

More information / Download the Natwest Banking app from App World 

The last two UK networks have now released the BlackBerry Bold 9790. Orange and T-Mobile UK, part of Everything Everywhere, have both released the Bold 9790. Orange offers the device for free from £31 a month on a 24-month contract while T-Mobile UK has it free on the £36 and above tariffs, including T-Mobile's newly introduced The Full Monty Plan where you can get unlimited calls, texts and data. 

So, if you're any of those two networks or looking to join them head into an Orange or T-Mobile store now to check out the deals they have on offer for the Bold 9790. Alternatively, check out the deals online using the links below.

More information / Purchase the BlackBerry Bold 9790 from Orange
More information / Purchase the BlackBerry Bold 9790 from T-Mobile UK 

When you're not on an unlimited data or calling plan and you like to keep an eye on your usage to make sure you don't go over your allowance, there isn't always a simple way to do. Not with some UK networks anyway. I don't really want to have to call a number to check my balance or data allowance or have to login on the website from my phone. I would prefer be able to check it from my BlackBerry via an app. Today Vodafone released their My Vodafone app which is available for UK customers. The app allows you to:

• See how much inclusive allowance you've used if you're a pay monthly customer
• See how much credit you have remaining if you're a pay as you go customer
• See your price plan information
• Get answers to the most frequently asked questions
• Locate BT Openzone Wi-Fi hotspots 
• See how many megabytes or messages you've used in the current period

A few things to note though. It is not available to business customers as of yet and new customers will need to wait until after their first bill to see account information. Also, the allowance shown is not given in real time. As with most networks it is normally the allowance from the last 48 hours -- make sure you keep this in mind. 

The My Vodafone app is available for BlackBerry devices with OS 4.0 and above. 

More information / Download My Vodafone app from App World 

Earlier in the month we saw that Rogers customers could download BBM Music and get 6 months free service. This offer has now been opened up to more customers around the world. If you live in Canada or the US you can get up to 4 months free BBM Music service and if you live in the UK, Spain or Italy, you can get up to 6 months free.

One thing to note is that this is only available to new users and those still currently in their trial period. If you have already starting your subscription payments, unfortunately you are no longer eligible for the free service promotion. 

The latest update to BBM Music is to version 1.1.0.12. With this update comes a whole lot of new features including subscription gift request and the ability to invite Facebook and Twitter friends. 

Don't forget this offer is valid if you download during the month of February, so if you're looking to give BBM Music a try, now is the time.

More information / Download BBM Music 

A third UK network has joined in with the BlackBerry Bold 9790 love. Three UK announced via their Twitter account that the Bold 9790 is now available on their network. The smaller of the Bold series devices is available on Three's The One Plan for £35 a month on a 24-month contract, which gives you 2000 mins, 5000 texts and All-you-can-eat data. It is also available on Text plans 500 and 500 + all-you-can-eat which cost £28 and £31 respectively, per month. If you want the Bold 9790 on pay as you go, it will cost you £319.99 plus top-up of either £10 or £15.

That now leaves two UK networks left to release the BlackBerry 9790 - Orange and T-Mobile UK. They would probably be released on the networks about the same time since they are merged under Everything Everywhere. Orange still have theirs listed as coming soon with no release, T-Mobile on the other hand have it on their coming soon page listed as due January. Seeing as we're now in February, there obviously has been some delay. Hopefully, Orange and T-Mobile customers won't have to wait too long.

More information / Purchase BlackBerry Bold 9790 from Three UK 

I am not particularly a fan of the color pink when it comes to gadgets ... or sports gear for that matter. I've always hated when I go to a "ladies" section on sports websites, only to find that it just means they have the gear pink -- Not really my style. Of course for others, pink is all they want. When making my rounds today I came across the BlackBerry Curve 9300 in pink, which is exclusive to Phones 4 U.

It available on Orange, Vodafone and O2 networks from £20.50. It is also available on pay as you go for £149.99. If pink is your thing get down to a Phones 4 U store or order online.

For more information / Purchase BlackBerry Curve 9300 in pink

If you're still saving the pennies to buy a BlackBerry PlayBook and you missed out on the Holiday sales that saw the PlayBook price slashed down to as little as £169 for the 16GB model, then you can rest a bit easy in knowing that the price drop has been applied again. This time though it seems like the price cut is staying put, as the 'for a limited time only' small print does not show this time.

Just to recap on the pricing, the PlayBook 16GB model is now £169, the 32GB at £199 and the 64GB model is £249. The BlackBerry PlayBook is available from Currys, PC World, Dixons Online and Carphone Warehouse. Previously, Carphone Warehouse were the only ones to stock the 32GB model, at least the Dixons Group have it stocked so there are more places to get the 32 GB model from.

So, if you've been waiting for your chance to pick up a PlayBook, now seems a good time. 

More information / Purchase BlackBerry PlayBook from Currys
More information / Purchase BlackBerry PlayBook from PC World
More information / Purchase BlackBerry PlayBook from Carphone Warehouse
More information / Purchase BlackBerry PlayBook from Dixons

RIM has posted up some more videos on their YouTube channel, this time some "tours" with the BlackBerry Bold 9900. In each of the videos, your guide takes you around the sites of Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Phillipines. During the tour the Bold 9900 is shown off as well as apps Wikitude, BlackBerry Maps and Facebook. The videos are pretty sweet in that we get a cool look at the respective countries, although I'm not quite sure just what RIM will use them for (if anything). So take a watch at all the videos (more after the break) and let us know what you think in the comments.

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Over a year ago we saw networks get rid of their unlimited data bundle. It was just a well anyway since their 'unlimited' offer came with a fair usage policy. Then, in December 2010 we also saw Three UK introduce their All-you-can-eat data bundle with their The One Plan. It offered customers unlimited data with no fair usage policy so one could download, stream all the wanted without having to think about going over their data bundle. Today, T-Mobile UK follows suit and has announced The Full Monty tariff. The plan offers unlimited data with no fair usage policy but it doesn't stop there, it also gives customers unlimited calls and texts. This first plan of its kind in the UK.

The Full Monty plans start at £36 a month, with another three tariffs going up - £41, £46 and £61. All are 24 month contracts. The £36 a month tariff however, is the only one not to offer unlimited calls. You get 2000 minutes, which for many maybe more than enough anyway.

The Full Monty Plan will be available from February 1 to new customers. No details have been given as to whether existing customers can move on the plan. For more details check out the T-Mobile UK website.

For more information on T-Mobile UK's The Full Month Plan

Source: TMobile News 

The sexy and sleek looking white BlackBerry Bold 9900 is slowly making its way around the globe. Right now the Bold 9900 has made its way to Hong Kong. RIM announced yesterday that the white version of the flagship device is available for pre-order. It is expected to ship out mid-February.

I can see the appeal for white BlackBerry smartphones and would like to own one myself, it was just a shame that the white one was not available when I took out my contract. So if you want to follow the footsteps of our fearless leader, CrackBerry Kevin and get yourself a white Bold 9900 then pre-order now from the Hong Kong BlackBerry website.

For the full press release continue reading below.

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We're big fans of BlackBerry and PlayBook sightings in shows, but this is a little different. ¡Q’Viva! The Chosen is a new show starring Jennifer Lopez, Marc Anthony, and Jamie King that is sponsored by BlackBerry. These celebrities are on a mission to find the most inspiring performers in Latin America, traveling all over looking for talented performers across 20 countries. The most talented artists will be chosen for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to appear in a live celebration of music, dance and performance.

I watched a couple of previews and Youtube videos for ¡Q’Viva! The Chosen, and was really pleased to see how much screen time the BlackBerry PlayBook seems to have in the show! They use it for everything, from watching videos of potential candidates, to recording video, and playing it back via HDMI to flat screen TV. What a perfect device to take on such a journey, since they can use the BlackBerry Bridge for internet access while on the road and in villages without modern technology.

You can find out more details about the show as well as how to submit your own videos for consideration and watch more behind-the-scenes footage of the show at the link below, and check out the show's official trailer after the break. The show premiered January 28th on Univision. Thanks for sending this in Chango_BB!!

More information on ¡Q’Viva! The Chosen

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A year ago almost to the day, we posted that BlackBerry smartphones were the top selling phones in the UK. This year the same holds true once more. The same data group that gave us this news last year, GfK, released its latest results which sees BlackBerry dominate the mobile phone market for the second year running. It took 26.7% of the December sales and averaged 27.7% during the whole of 2011.

With a lot of negative press about BlackBerry, more so in North America, this is great news for RIM, who currently has a new CEO at the helm. The entry level Curve models are a great starting point for many wanting to own a BlackBerry and have always been a popular choice in the UK. 

The UK is certainly looking forward to whatever RIM brings this year. Keep reading for the full press release.

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