We've heard a lot about BlackBerry Balance on and off in the last few months, but haven't had a chance to see it in action all that much. BlackBerry Balance is built in to PlayBook OS 2.0 and allows users to balance (obviously) their work and personal items on the BlackBerry PlayBook.

For BlackBerry PlayBooks that are running via the BES and BlackBerry Fusion A new Work folder is sent to the device that will house all the user's work applications, keeping them separate from other items the user has on the device. Company apps are integrated in BlackBerry App World where optional applications can be downloaded and users can view any mandatory apps are pushed down to the device. Balance also brings security to other apps like limiting the abilty to copy text from work emails and in turn paste into personal applications. Very cool stuff here and it's an example of Research In Motion building upon their experience in enterprise to deliver smart solutions that will make both companies and end users happy. Check out the video above for a great look at BlackBerry Balance!

Back during BlackBerry World when RIM announced BlackBerry Balance there was nothing more then a press-release given explaining that the services were now available to IT admins. RIM has has posted up a video giving everyone a look at what, exactly BlackBerry Balance can do for them. You'll not be making use of this on your personal device but, if you are attached to a BES through work you may start to see some usage of it on your device now.

Via: BerryReview

Press Release

RIM Launches BlackBerry Balance for Work-Life Balance on BlackBerry

Unifies Work and Personal Use of BlackBerry Smartphones without Compromising Company Security or Personal Privacy

Waterloo, ON - Research In Motion (RIM) (Nasdaq: RIMM; TSX: RIM) is advancing work-life balance on BlackBerry® smartphones with BlackBerry® BalanceTM – new technology that makes possible the convenience of using a single BlackBerry smartphone for both work and personal purposes without compromising the security of company content and the privacy of personal content. RIM is introducing this technology in response to the growing trend by businesses to allow employees to use personal BlackBerry smartphones for work, or company- owned smartphones for personal, and the need by businesses to secure, manage and control confidential company or client information on these devices.

“BlackBerry Balance is a win-win for employers and employees,” said Jim Tobin, senior vice president, software and services at Research In Motion. “It’s a secure and cost-effective way for companies to keep employees connected and productive, while also allowing the flexibility for employees to carry a single phone.”

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We've heard bits and pieces about BlackBerry Balance but still no solid details (in the form of a RIM press release anyway). Our good friend Al Sacco did have a chance to sit in on a recent BlackBerry event where he heard a bit of what Balance will include. The basis of the product is to separate work and personal information on your BlackBerry smartphone. This means while you may have a work issued BlackBerry (or personal device you also use through a BES for work) you won't have to worry about mixing things up.

BlackBerry Balance looks to include access for BES admins that will only allow them to delete data and applications related to work - so your personal items will stay intact regardless. The coolest feature (and most useful) will prevent users from copying/pasting any work data or information to personal accounts or apps. If you try to copy from one to another, a warning will pop up to keep you from doing anything you dont want to do. Using BlackBerry Balance, data access can also be prevented to certain third-party apps. 

Overall BlackBerry Balance will be welcomed with open arms by all BES users (for the most part). It sounds like a great product that will definitely make things easier and safer for those of you attached to a BES through your company. As we said earlier this week, it looks to be on the way so we should see it in action in the next few weeks.

Source: CIO.com

The rumored BlackBerry Balance looks to be on its way to public release. The product looks to separate your work and play life on your BlackBerry Smartphone, keeping your personal info private while IT can still snoop on the buisness side of things.

"There are two fundamental use cases on the smartphone - enterprise and personal. The problem is that they are conflicting," said Jeff McDowell, RIM's senior vice-president for business and platform marketing. "We just wanted to create an innovative solution that allows enterprises to manage the corporate data side while at the same time give their employees the freedom to use Facebook and browse the Web and get their Internet email at the same time," 

BlackBerry Balance is said to be in carrier testing at the moment and should be available for public consumption in about two months for BlackBerry smartphones and the PlayBook. We don't know any more specifics on the product just yet, but it looks like we shouldn't have to wait too much longer to try it out.

Source: Reuters