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If you have a BlackBerry Curve 9360 Virgin Mobile Canada, you'll want to keep an eye out for system updates come Feb. 23rd. According to the documentation above, Virgin Mobile Canada will be rolling out BlackBerry 7.1 to its customer base. No mention of what version it will be upon release but OS 7.1.0.258 has leaked already so if you're impatient, you can go ahead and load that up or you can just hit that software update button tomorrow.

Note: Bell, who owns Virgin Mobile Canada has already released v7.1.0.219 for the 9360 so Virgin will likely release the same.

Source: MobileSyrup

Yesterday Kevin had an opportunity to sit down with Michael Clewley, one of the Project Managers of the PlayBook team at Research In Motion, about the launch of PlayBook OS 2.0. Held over video chat on the BlackBerry PlayBook, Kevin asked Michael about not only the launch of the new OS and some of the new features, but also about the future of PlayBook OS 2.0 and where it fits in on the road to BlackBerry 10. Since then, Kevin has decided that all interviews on CrackBerry should be conducted over video chat, because it rocks! If you didn't get a chance to watch the interview, you'll want to make sure you take the time to do so. However, if you can't commit to almost 27 minutes, we cover the main points for you after the break.

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By now, I'm sure most CrackBerry readers have updated to PlayBook OS 2.0 and have already been through the ins and outs of it all but in case there is anyone out there who hasn't updated yet -- when you do, you will notice there will no longer be a "BlackBerry Bridge Browser" on your PlayBook. It's not something wrong with the OS, in fact -- it's done that way by design as noted below:

Overview:

After upgrading to BlackBerry® Bridge™ 2.0 on a BlackBerry® smartphone that is not associated with a BlackBerry® Enterprise Server, the Bridge Browser icon is no longer present on the BlackBerry PlayBook.

Cause:

This is by design as the native Browser provides the same functionality when bridged, therefore making the Bridge Browser redundant.

In other words, when you are connected to your PlayBook via BlackBerry Bridge the browser will use your BlackBerry connection for data usage, unless WiFi is enabled. If WiFi is enabled it will automatically use the WiFi connection associated to your PlayBook. Now, no one has to wonder which browser to use as there is only one to choose from and it will use the appropriate connection.

Source: RIM KB29992

Get Kindle, Google Maps, DropBox and IM+ on your BlackBerry PlayBook!

If you're looking to get some big name apps like Kindle, Google Maps or DropBox onto your BlackBerry PlayBook after upgrading to OS 2.0 - have no fear. You now have the ability to sideload (aka load outside of BlackBerry App World) many Android apps with just a few simple steps.  All you'll need a Windows PC and your PlayBook, and by following a few simple steps which we'll go over in detail, you'll be up and running with some great apps in no time at all. You can check out a full list of working Android apps as well as download some BAR files from our thread in the forums, then head to the link below for a full tutorial on how to sideload Android apps on your BlackBerry PlayBook.

How To Sideload Android apps on PlayBook OS v2.0 for use with the Android App Player
Links to over 243 BARs for your BlackBerry PlayBook

Creepy... we know. :)

We're barely through 30 hours of use following yesterday's 5am EST release of BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0, but we figured given all the PlayBook 2.0 craziness on the site and in our PlayBook forums that it was time for us to check in with a quick owner's poll. 

When we originally reviewed the BlackBerry PlayBook, the two biggest strikes against it were the lack of native email, calendar and contacts along with a lack of compelling apps in BlackBerry Word. PlayBook 2.0 addresses the native messaging and information management gap in a big way, with what I think is a pretty awesomely-implemented solution, including oodles of social integration. And with more time to get apps on the platform and the introduction of the Android App Player in 2.0, the app gap is closing too (of course there are still some big titles like Skype, Netflix and Kindle that we're waiting to see appear in App World). 

OS 2.0 brought with it a lot more than the above -- our full walk through is coming soon -- and overall I'm pretty happy with the update (I voted Loving It! Go #TeamBlackBerry). Yes, there are still plenty of things I'd like to see (which I'll point out in my full review coming next week once I have spent more quality time on 2.0), but knowing 2.0 isn't the end game but part of the bigger journey into BlackBerry 10 puts it into perspective. As was discussed in our interview with Michael Clewley from RIM's PlayBook team yesterday, PlayBook OS 2 provides the foundation for BlackBerry 10, which is an entirely new platform that RIM is migrating over to. There are a lot of services that RIM still has to bring over from BBOS to the PlayBook OS/BlackBerry 10 and we know there's a lot more still to come (like native BBM on the PlayBook).

Putting aside the fact we know there's more to come, we want to see what you think of PlayBook OS 2.0 as it stands right now. Vote on the poll above and let us kow in the comments! Oh yeah, and if you don't yet own a PlayBook, be sure to enter here for your chance to win one!

Along with Facebook, Twitter for BlackBerry has hit the BlackBerry Beta Zone again with some fresh new features. It's been a while since we've seen an update, so if you've been waiting for a while then grab this one while you can.

New features of Twitter for BlackBerry smartphones 3.0 include:

• BBM Connected App Integration
• New Tweet Layout
• Twitter Photo Service Support
• Automatic Link Shortening
• Promoted Tweets
• Improved Notifications for Wi-Fi Only Users

The new version is 3.0.0.11 and is available now. If you haven't signed up for a beta zone account you can do so at the link below. 

Download in the BlackBerry Beta Zone

 Enter to win a free copy of Animated Winter Glow by BBMagic! Details below!

Hey folks welcome to another edition of our theme roundup. If you developed a theme you want to share or see featured in the contest or discovered a really great one out there by all means shoot it on over to us! Submit your tips and suggestions to themeroundup[at]crackberry.com for consideration. I hope you enjoy this week's picks so be sure to click on the jump to check them out plus enter to win a free copy of Animated Winter Glow by BBMagic.

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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

*Update 2- Version 1.1.0.20 is now available to everyone.

*Update- Looks like there is a bit of a bug here. This update wasn't supposed to hit until next week, but is showing up for some (mainly those who have the previous version installed). We will update when it becomes available to everyone.

Do you like taking pictures? Do you like food? Well maybe you would like taking pictures of food, then. Foodspotting is a service that lets you take pictures of food, upload it, add restaurant you are currently at, and review or comment on how that particular food is. It's great for discovering food and restaurants nearby, and the app integrates with foursquare and Twitter.

Foodspotting for BlackBerry has finally been updated to version 1.1, and they did a complete overhaul. The previous version was laggy, quite ugly, and overall just didn't work very well. Thankfully, this version fixes all of those problems, and brings you the same experience you would see on Android, iOS, and Windows Phone 7 with their Foodspotting app (finally). No actual changelog here, but besides the enhancements I listed, I did notice that the app shrunk by 1/3 in size, which is always welcomed. Screenshots after the break.

More information and download of Foodspotting for BlackBerry

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It's been a while since the last update for Facebook for BlackBerry but RIM has now got around to loading up the latest release in the BlackBerry Beta Zone. Luckily, they managed to highlight what's new with this release as well. Check it out below:

What’s New?

New features of Facebook for BlackBerry smartphones 3.0 include:

• BBM Connected App Integration
• New Facebook Publisher
• Share with BBM Contact
• UI Discoverability Improvements
• Improved Facebook Notifications
• User-Friendly Error Messages

You can login to the BlackBerry Beta Zone and grab the latest using the link below. Remember, it's a beta so if you find anything wrong with it make sure you send feedback.

Download in the BlackBerry Beta Zone