It's no secret that RIM has always been tops when it comes to security. BlackBerry smartphones have been used in government areas for years, mostly due to the ability to secure the devices and network. Today RIM announced that that BlackBerry OS 7 and 7.1 has earned FIPS 140-2 Certification by the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the Communications Security Establishment Canada. This means government agencies and consumers alike should be worry free when it comes to security on BlackBerry products. Keep reading for the full press release.

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A couple of interesting additions popped up in BlackBerry App World this week: categories for Ringtones and BlackBerry 7 themes. While there has always been a theme section, and there have been several themes for BB7 devices found in App World, until now they were not recognized in their own category. Now when you open App World on your BB7 device, you can see the Theme section and presumably find all sorts of free and paid themes for your BlackBerry. Does this mean that we are one step closer to Theme Builder being updated for Blackberry 7 devices? As soon as we know, you'll know.

In the new Ringtone section of BlackBerry App World, you can find hundreds of ringtones in all sorts of genres, brought to App World by a company named Spintones. The majority of the ringtones are $2.99, with a few packs priced a bit higher. At this time, the ringtones are only available in Canada and the United States, but word has it that more countries will have access in the near future. The compatible device list seems to be pretty short, though the minimum OS is listed at 5.0, and there doesn't seem to be a way to preview the ringtone before purchasing. There are also specific rules stating that each ringtone can only be installed on one BlackBerry device, so if you switch devices you have to repurchase the ringtones. Also, you can only re-install the ringtones you purchase up to 2 times within 72 hours of the initial installation on the original device.

While the new ringtone gallery isn't going to interest everyone, I'm sure there is a market for it, and it does seem they have a pretty varied selection of ringtones available. No word on whether you will be able to upload your own ringtones at any time in the future, though I'm guessing it's not going to be an option as there would likely be a lot of legal/copyright issues to deal with at that point. Don't forget, if you're looking for free ringtones, CrackBerry has a huge free ringtone gallery that's just a click away. (If you've never downloaded ringtones from our gallery before, make sure you scroll down the page at the link below and read the instructions.)

Download free ringtones in the CrackBerry Ringtone Gallery

Still looking for a theme for your Bold 9900/30? Check out Avio, the first BB7 theme from HedoneDesign. Whether you are an avid traveler or prefer the comforts of home, this theme will transport you to where you want to be. The home page is styled after a vintage brown star passport, with wispy clouds in the background. Your dock is made up of 12 scrolling icons, appearing one-by-one as you scroll from left to right. The icons themselves are unique, ranging from vintage to modern, appearing semi-transparent on the app screen until scrolled over. Custom fonts and battery/signal meters round out the theme for a polished look.

Since this theme was created without the use of Theme Builder, there are a few glitches to note. First, the app screen wallpaper is stock and doesn't change. Second, there are no icon names on the app screen. Hedone has also posted a fix for some icon issues that may occur upon installation, so make sure you read that over before installing.

Avio is available for the 9900/30 running OS 7.0.0.5xx and higher. It won't work properly on lower versions of OS 7.0. You can grab it on sale now for $4.99 in the CrackBerry store. To celebrate this release, Hedone Design is giving you a chance to download this theme for FREE! The first 30 people to purchase Avio for their 9900/30 from the CrackBerry store can use coupon code MHITG which will reduce the cost to zero. (Make sure you are purchasing from your BlackBerry and that you apply the coupon and see the discount before checking out.) You can also grab this theme for other devices, though the coupon and sale do not apply. Keep an eye out for versions of Avio for other BB7 devices to release soon!

More information/screenshots and download Avio for your 9900/30
More information/screenshots and purchase Avio for $6.99 for other devices

Since the release of BlackBerry 7 devices, there have been cries of dismay because of the lack of themes for these devices. This is of course due to Theme Builder not being made available by Research In Motion. At least one theme developer has figured out a way around this limitation, and the first BB7 theme was released last week - Deck the Halls by Magmic. Not one to rest on their laurels, Magmic went ahead and released 5 more themes that are BB7 compatible, with a little something for everyone.

You can now pick up iBerry Edge Zen or iBerry Pink Zen for $1.99 or Cosmos, Tinker Bell, or iBerry 2.0 Zen for $2.99 for select BlackBerry 7 devices including the Bold 9900/30 and Curve 9630/50/70 at the links below. (Please note, the themes are also compatible with other devices, so if you're interested be sure to click through and see if your BlackBerry is listed.)

More information/purchase Deck the Halls
More information/purchase iBerry Edge Zen
More information/purchase iBerry Pink Zen
More information/purchase Cosmos
More information/purchase Tinker Bell
More information/purchase iBerry 2.0 Zen

The BlackBerry Bold 9900 gets a little more love today in the form of leaked OS 7.0.0.585. As per normal, no word on the changes yet, so if you give this one a go let us know if you spot anything new. As always, use caution and back up your device before attempting to install.

*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 leaked OS 7.0.0.585 for the BlackBerry Bold 9900
Discuss more in the forums

Source: N4BB

CrackBerry's Do It Yourself Guide to Creating Themes for BlackBerry 7 Smartphones!

Until last week we didn't even have so much of a glimpse as to what would become of themes on BlackBerry 7 devices. With the release of Deck The Halls however, we finally saw that it is indeed possible to create themes for these BlackBerry 7 phones. Some vigilant forums members have found a way (albeit a fairly hard way) to create themes for BlackBerry 7 devices. Dave of BB Themes has sent along this guide so you can get cracking if you're looking to create some themes on your own. Keep reading for the full walkthrough or hit the forums for more discussion.

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The FIRST theme available for the BlackBerry Bold 9930/9900!!

As we know it, RIM hasn't made BlackBerry Theme Studio available for BlackBerry 7 devices but that hasn't stopped the folks from Magmic from creating what is most certainly the first commercially available BlackBerry 7 theme for the BlackBerry Bold 9900 / 9930. Falling right into the holiday season, it was only fitting to introduce Deck the Halls as the first BlackBerry 7 theme available. Aside from how the theme was made without a compatible BlackBerry Theme Studio, Deck the Halls holds a few other secrets as well:

As the days in December pass, this theme will gradually add decorations all over, transforming a normal room into a cozy den suited for the holiday season on OS 6 devices and higher. Keep a keen eye out to find all the changes! This theme comes with an icon package complete with a festive wreath to highlight your favourite apps.

While no one was willing to give up the secret of how it all works, aside from saying it all came together with a little holiday magic, Magmic did let me know that as a special offer they have going on -- you can pick Deck the Halls now for only $1.99 until Boxing day after which time it will return to the regular price of $2.99. Oh, and they have more BlackBerry 7 themes coming in the next couple of weeks as well. You can jump on past the break for some more screenshots of Deck the Halls.

*Note* - Deck the Halls also supports various BlackBerry 6 powered devices as well, check the link for a full compatability list

Click here to learn more and purchase Deck the Halls

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Can't decide between the BlackBerry Bold 9900 and the BlackBerry Bold 9790? Let us help!

There are a lot of BlackBerry Smartphones out there in the world. Our Founder and Fearless Leader, Kevin Michaluk, recently counted more than 30 devices released by Research In Motion just since the BlackBerry Bold 9000 started selling "way back" in 2008. With all the different models out there, it can be a little daunting to keep track of all the phones available to you. That's why CrackBerry is here to help.

Recently, Research In Motion announced a few new phones in addition to the OS 7 Smartphones announced earlier this year. Two phones, the BlackBerry Bold 9900 and the BlackBerry Bold 9790 are similar in name and innards. On the other hand, the look and feel of the devices are quite different. So let's take a look at what separates these two models.

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Here we have a collection of BlackBerry Bold 9790 images and photos so you can check out the device from all sides. When we get our hands on one we'll update with some more "real" BlackBerry Bold 9790 photos, but for now keep reading to check the latest in the Bold series out.

Research In Motion expands BlackBerry 7 portfolio: New BlackBerry Bold 9790 and BlackBerry Curve 9380 Smartphones announced

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Press Release

Research In Motion Expands BlackBerry 7 Portfolio with the New BlackBerry Bold 9790 and BlackBerry Curve 9380 Smartphones

Jakarta, Indonesia and Waterloo, ON - Research In Motion (RIM) (NASDAQ: RIMM; TSX: RIM) today announced two new smartphones based on the BlackBerry® 7 operating system (OS) – the BlackBerry® Bold™ 9790 and BlackBerry® Curve™ 9380.

Both smartphones offer enhanced communications, multimedia, productivity and social connectivity features together with slim and stylish designs. The BlackBerry Bold 9790 features an iconic design that seamlessly integrates a highly tactile keyboard, optical trackpad and high resolution touch display. The BlackBerry Curve 9380 is the first-ever BlackBerry® Curve™ smartphone with an all-touch display.

"We are very excited to expand the BlackBerry 7 portfolio with the new BlackBerry Bold 9790 and BlackBerry Curve 9380,” said Carlo Chiarello, Senior Vice President, Handheld Product Management at Research In Motion. “BlackBerry smartphones offer a uniquely refined mobile communications experience that people love and we think many customers will be thrilled by the faster performance, beautiful touch displays and sleek designs available with these new BlackBerry 7 based models.”

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Although the last build, OS 7.0.0.503 is still fresh for a lot of folks and working quite fine, a new OS -- v7.0.0.540 has now popped up for you all to take a run at. It's not official in any way but given the rate RIM seems to be pushing out official OS' these days it wouldn't be that much of a stretch to see it go official soon. Either way, if you're all in for testing out an OS for RIM then by all means have at it. Keep in mind, back up your data in case something funky happens.

Download the leaked OS 7.0.0.540 for the BlackBerry Bold 9900
Discuss more in the forums

Source: N4BB

Time for a new BlackBerry Bold 9900 OS. As posted in the CrackBerry Forums, this OS is supposedly being used to update devices that people are having issues with from a regional carrier and as of right now, is not available on the RIM website. It has no vendor.xml file included with it so you should be able to download, install and go. Sadly, still no WiFi HotSpot seems to be included either but you all can pick it apart and find out what it fixes and doesn't fix. Thanks, Madoon!

Download OS 7.0.0.503 for the BlackBerry Bold 9900
Discuss more in the forums

For those of you out there who may have purchased some music from the 7Digital Music Store, only to of have later picked up a BlackBerry 7 device it may have been a little frustrating to find out the app itself wasn't compatible. You of course could still access the music through the 7Digital website but that wasn't as nice as accessing it direct from your BlackBerry smartphone.

At some point though, in the last few days -- the 7Digital Music Store got enabled for BlackBerry 7 devices even the BlackBerry P'9981 is getting love here. So go ahead, grab the download from BlackBerry App World and discuss the update in the CrackBerry forums.

Download the 7Digital Music Store from BlackBerry App World

We've seen plenty of information about the BlackBerry Torch 9810 arriving on T-Mobile soon. But just in case that previous information wasn't enough to have you believing, the device has once again shown up in some internal documentation. No pricing or release dates is detailed in the image but maybe the November 9th date will stick. Can't lie though, I was really hoping the "BlackBerry Dumoine" -- was something not-yet-released.

Source: T-MoNews

RIM has been celebrating the release of BlackBerry 7 devices all across the World as of late, the most recent being a full scale launch in the Philippines. As such; they've also been hosting quite a few launch parties to go along with the celebrations, the above video gives us an inside look at some of the events that happened inat the Ayala Museum in Makati City.