If you're a BlackBerry Theme developer this is probably a little bitter sweet but alas, BlackBerry Theme Studio 7.1 Beta has now leaked and is available for download. If you recall, RIM was working on this release for a while before deciding that it wasn't really up to par and ultimately not worth the time and effort given BlackBerry 10 was around the corner.

That said, if you're still building themes this would certainly be worth a look given you don't mind dealing with whatever massive bugs are sure to be remaining in this release. Hit the source link below to grab the download, you will need an account.

Source: BlackBerryOS

One of the great things about current BlackBerry smartphones is the level of customization. Not only can developers provide apps that let you add all kinds awesome features to the OS, but you can also customize the look and feel of your device with a BlackBerry theme. Since the early Curve 83xx series came about, we've been able to download and install custom themes that skin the OS to give it a custom look and feel. A theme provides a way for you to have a unique look that breaks away from the stock OS. Originally there were only a few styles of themes available, but now with theme developers all over the globe, hundreds of different themes can be found in all colors, shapes and sizes. Keep reading as we take a look back at the history of themes on BlackBerry. 

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BlackBerry 7 has been out for what seems like forever now, but we still have no official theme builder. Fortunately there is a work-around that theme developers have been using to get the job done. All may not be lost however, as @BlackBerryDev stated on Twitter that Theme Studio 7 is "en route". 

@tw820 You're not alone. And Theme Studio 7 is en route and we are looking to release ASAP ^BZ 

Fingers crossed that we'll see something come of this sooner rather than later. Maybe a release at BlackBerry Jam later this month? Time will tell. If you're a theme dev and want Theme Studio 7, give a shout to RIM in the comments.

Via: N4BB 

As most of you know, the tools needed to make themes available on BlackBerry 7 equipped devices are not available as of yet, nor were they released at DevCon this year as many theme developers had hoped. Alec Saunders, VP of Developer Relations and Ecosystem Development at RIM took the time to explain a portion of why, when questioned by a familiar name to CrackBerry members -- @StephenBB81 or as he is know around here deRusset. According to the info relayed, the new Liquid Graphics implemented by RIM into new BlackBerry 7 devices broke BlackBerry Theme Studio compatibility. Alec noted he is working with the developer team in an effort to have the issue corrected but if and when a fix may come is still up in the air at the moment, though some BlackBerry Theme developers want answers now.

Via: N4BB

BlackBerry theme developers got a nice surprise from RIM today -- BlackBerry Theme Studio 6 Gold release will be made available for all through the BlackBerry downloads page. Although developers have been pushing new themes out for quite some time now, the Theme Studio used to create them was still labeled beta. The latest version has plenty of changes listed for it:

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*UPDATE* As expected RIM did officially release Theme Studio v6.0 today. If for some reason you were waiting for the official release and didn't already grab the leak, you can download it from the link below.

This is going to make so many people happy. The long awaited and recently announced update to RIM's BlackBerry Theme Studio has just leaked! What does this mean for you? Well, if you are a theme developer it means themes can now be made for devices running BB6 besides the Torch. If you are a theme junky that recently upgraded either your BlackBerry or the OS to 6.0, it means you can get ready to start buying/downloading themes again because they will soon be available! Hopefully it also means that Torch themes will be less buggy. Keep in mind this isn't an official release, it's a leak, so expect to see an official announcement from RIM sometime in the near future.

So theme developers, go get it and start making us some spectacular themes!! I wonder who will be first to release a theme made from Theme Studio v6.0 for a device other than the Torch? 

For more information and to download the BlackBerry Theme Studio v6.0 official release
Direct download for Theme Studio v6.0 leaked version

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One question that a lot of folks in the developer community (especially theme developers) have been asking is, "Is the BlackBerry PlayBook capable of using themes?". Well, today during the Research In Motion webcast for the PlayBook, RIM confirmed that at this time there will be no BlackBerry Theme Studio coming for the BlackBerry PlayBook. But RIM didn't close that door to developers, there is still hope. During the webcast, it was mentioned that if demand for this was high enough that it would be considered for after the intial launch. So, theme developers that's your queue to head on over to the BlackBerry developer forums and start requesting that it be made available to you. We know it won't be there at launch but later is better then never. What do all you theme devs out there think about this news?

• Click Here To Head on Over To The Blackberry Developer Forums To Start Requesting>>

Well, it didn't take long for BlackBerry Torch themes to start pouring in once the BlackBerry Theme Studio v6.0 beta download became available! The first I saw available for the 9800 was Paragon by AHazDesigns. This theme was recently released for other devices, and Alex was very quick to get it converted for all of you Torch users out there that were anxious to download your first themes. It looks great, and is on sale now for $2.99 in the CrackBerry store! This is just the start of many new themes that will rollout, check the forums for many more free and paid themes now available.

• Check out Paragon in the CrackBerry store >>
• BlackBerry Torch theme forum >>

BlackBerry theme designer? Well, you'll wanna head on over to the BlackBerry website. BlackBerry Theme Studio v6.0 beta 1 is now available for download. One little caveat for the download though, see below:

BlackBerry Theme Studio v6.0 beta only supports the BlackBerry Torch 9800 smartphone and BlackBerry® 6 OS. This version is recommended for experienced users who want to experiment with the latest BlackBerry technology and don’t need a full set of documentation (the software comes with a description of the new features only).

You'll still need BlackBerry Theme Studio 5 for all other devices but, now is your chance to get some rocking BlackBerry Torch 9800 themes out there for everyone in the mean time.

• Click Here To Head On Over To The BlackBerry Downoads Page>>

The above pic was posted to Twitter last night of what is claimed to be BlackBerry Theme Studio which shows off support for the BlackBerry Torch, Now, I'm sure a lot of theme builders are dying to get their hands on this and, I'm just as sure a lot of BlackBerry Torch owners are dying to see what theme devs can do with it.

The pic is cool and all but, unless this either leaks or Research In Motion starts distributing it through BlackBerry Beta Zone I'm not so certain we will see it before the BlackBerry Developers Conference. BlackBerry Theme Studio 5 was released there last year so logical analysis dictates Research In Motion sees Theme Studio as a developer tool. As such, it's not likely to release it on it's own but rather as part of a series of developer related announcements at DevCon 2010. 

We asked complained, they listened. Fresh out of the frying pan comes the latest BlackBerry Theme Studio. What should have popped up long before the new devices were even released has finally made its way to developers. The latest version adds support for both the Pearl 3G and Bold 9650 and is ready to roll. The newness comes in the form of a service pack (add-on) that adds onto the original theme builder - so download, install and get to theming. You an grab it free from the link below.

• Download BlackBerry Theme Studio 5.0 Service Pack 1 >>

Just in case some of you all out there missed out on the BlackBerry Theme Studio 5.0 webinar, you can now head on over to the registration site and sign up. Once signed up, you will then gain access to the archive in order to watch the rebroadcast of the event. You may also want to check out the BlackBerry developers blog post as well, Mike Kirkup has made his follow up post as well. If you watch the rebroadcast, be sure to complete the survey at the end as it will help improve further webinars.

• Check Out The Registration Page To Gain Access To The Archived Webinar>>

*UPDATE- Webinar is now complete. All files including video will be posted in the next 24 hrs*

As we mentioned a little while back, Research In Motion will be holding a BlackBerry Theme Builder webinar today at 2pm EST. If you are at all interested in designing and possibly even selling your themes in BlackBerry App World you'll want to register and sit in on this one for sure. It's a chance to learn from the experts who helped build BlackBerry Theme Studio and learn how to maximize it's potential.

• Head On Over To The Registration Site To Get Started >>