In honor of the Memorial Day long weekend you can save a very special 15% Off all your BlackBerry accessory purchases at ShopCrackBerry.com (yes Canadians, the coupon will work in the CrackBerry Canada store too!).

Simply enter the Coupon Code mem12 at checkout, under billing info, to have the 15% discount applied to your entire cart of accessories.

This offer is not valid with any other coupon and expires at Midnight PST Monday 5/28/2012. Don't forget about our Fast Free Shipping on US orders of $50.00 and higher.

Be sure to share this great coupon code with your friends and family. Enjoy this special sale while it lasts! And have a Happy Holiday!

Start Shopping and Saving at ShopCrackBerry.com now!

It seems like we're hitting a patent a week from RIM as of late, and the newest to hit the wire does not disappoint. Simply titled Pressure Password for a Touchscreen Device, the patent is a pretty sweet one. According to the description, the technology would allow for a pressure-sensitive password of sorts. The device -- equipped with force sensors -- would recognize patterns based on pressure and be able to unlock based on a chose pattern. So think a simple pattern unlock feature but instead of sliding or drawing you would apply pressure to certain areas of the screen. A pretty sweet idea although there's no knowing if it will show up in BlackBerry 10 devices at all.

What do you think? Is this something you'd like to see come to BlackBerry? Let us know in the comments!

Source: USPTO  Via: Engadget

China Unicom has officially released OS 7.1.0.437 for the BlackBerry Bold 9900. While this is an official release, remember to use caution when updating your device. If you need help along the way, you can head into our help forums or check out some of our BlackBerry 101 articles including How to Install or Upgrade to a new OS. If you do install this OS, hit up the forums thread below for findings, fixes and more discussion because it seems as though there is a few things missing from this OS compared to others that have been released.

Download OS 7.1.0.437 for the Bold 9900
Discuss more in the forums

The new Curve models are certainly making their way around the way quite fast. Being the last BlackBerry 7 devices before BlackBerry 10 launches, RIM wants to get these out to as many places they can. Next stop on the Curve train ride are Malaysia and Thailand. Both the BlackBerry Curve 9320 and Curve 9220 will be available in both countries.

It is pretty clear who these Curve devices are aimed and we have had many discussions on this here on the blogs. They ship with BlackBerry OS 7.1 installed and both come with an FM Radio. The Curve 9320 has a few more specs on it than the Curve 9220 but both include the dedicated BBM key.

The BlackBerry Curve 9220 is already available to buy in Thailand through authorised partners and distributors. The BlackBerry Curve 9320 has no release date yet but this will be probably be around mid-June.

In Malaysia, the Curve 9220 is scheduled for release on June 4th 2012 and Malaysia carrier Tune Talk will open pre-orders for it on May 25th 2012. Again, no information on the release date for the Curve 9320.

Press Release for Malaysia
Press Release for Thailand

When RIM's now CEO, Thorsten Heins took control of the company back in January, it was noted several times that RIM may look into licensing deals with various other organizations out there. For a while now, there has been a longstanding rumor that BlackBerry Messenger would be making its way to other platforms and many took this, as a sign BlackBerry smartphones would soon be losing their BlackBerry Messenger exclusivity.

As it appears now, things happened just the opposite. Backing this up, comes a new report from the WSJ that claims RIM was testing BlackBerry Messenger on other devices under the codename "SMS 2.0" despite RIM having gone on record to say, they have no plans for BlackBerry Messenger on different platforms.

Seemingly, the only reason why the BBM licensing agreement talks came to an end was due to the fact that CEO Thorsten Heins took that option off the table with WSJ's source claiming that "It was not up for discussion," any longer. In other words, "there is a time when this might make sense" but now -- is not it and BlackBerry Messenger will remain on BlackBerry exclusively.

Source: WSJ

Popular cross-platform todo app Wunderlist has finally arrived on the BlackBerry PlayBook. We saw Wunderlist sneak onto BlackBerry a few months back and now on the PlayBook as well. Wunderlist is a todo list app that works across multiple platforms so it's available when and where you need it. It's super easy to use, lets you create multiple lists, share items and best of all is totally free. I've been a big fan for quite a while and I'm pumped that an official client is now on the PlayBook. Head to the link below to download.

More information/Download Wunderlist for BlackBerry PlayBook

Amir and Streeter are back with another myth-busting video for the BBM Challenge Council. This time the two tackle the myth that the BlackBerry browser is slow. Using the Browser Speed Modulator and some help from Dax Shepard, the BlackBerry Bold 9900 is put through a series of browser tests. This video isn't my favorite of the bunch, but it's still pretty amusing. Check out the video above then hit the link below for more. 

Check out more on the BBM Challenge Council

* Update: Turns out Patrick Spence took the job of CCO at Sonos *

Patrick Spence worked at RIM for 14 years. His most recent position was Executive Vice President of Global Sales, reporting directly to the CEO. For a guy who is under 40, this is a prestigious position to hold. He climbed up the ranks at RIM quickly.

I've been a fan of Patrick. He was a visible public face for RIM. He has broad, global sales experience, and having held at least two regional VP positions (Asia Pacific and North Amercica) over his years at RIM.

So why did he quit? And what does it mean for RIM? I'm not sure what the right answer is yet. I chatted last night with a few folks who follow RIM closely and it seems everyone is still digging for the truth.

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A new version of Twitter for BlackBerry is now available for Beta Zone members. The latest sits at version 3.1.0.8 and brings a few new updates and fixes. Things are moving along pretty quick on these betas, so there's a good chance this will hit BlackBerry App World shortly.

Updates include:

• Updated Tweet Details Screen - Clicking a Tweet now brings you to a content-rich Tweet details screen, designed to give you more information around the Tweet. Geotagged Tweets will show mini maps, Tweeted photos will appear larger, and Twitter conversations will be easier to follow. In addition, you will be able to see who's Retweeted a Tweet, and by whom it has been Retweeted. To see a person's profile screen, just click the profile picture again.
• Undo Retweet - You can now undo a Retweet that you may have mistakenly Retweeted. You can undo a Retweet by using familiar actions used to delete a Tweet. In addition, the new Tweet details screen allows you to select the Retweet button to undo a Retweet.
• Right to Left Language Support
• Additional Languages - Finnish, Arabic & Hebrew

If you're a Beta Zone member you can login and download the new version from the link below. If you're not yet a member then get on it!

Head to the BlackBerry Beta Zone

Sun Cellular is one of the top carriers in the Philippines and they have introduced the BlackBerry Social Plan 600 to give you more for your money. It is a postpaid plan and as the name suggests, gives you unlimited BBM, as well as unlimited access to social networking sites - Facebook, Twitter. You also get unlimited calls and texts to Sun Cellular numbers, all for P600 per month.

You can get the BlackBerry Curve 8520 free on the plan, while other models require an upfront fee depending on the BlackBerry smartphone of your choosing. Contract length, which Sun Cellular calls 'Holding Period' is for 30 months.

If you are more of a data hungry BlackBerry user, Sun Cellular do offer the alternative BlackBerry Data Plan 600, where you get unlimited internet access and unlimited email. With this plan you'll only get 200 texts to Sun Cellular numbers. 

For more information on Sun Cellular BlackBerry Plans

Source: Sun Cellular News

Having gained popularity on Android and iOS, Muffin Knight has now made its way to BlackBerry App World for the BlackBerry PlayBook. Brought to life on the PlayBook by Union, Muffin Knight is an action filled adventure but you'll certainly need to put in some hours to complete the game:

Fertilize the forest with the unicorn, cover the sky with black holes, flood the world with candy, but just get the muffins back! Muffin Knight is an action-packed platformer with stunning visuals and a myriad of fairytale characters, each with their own unique abilities which gain strength as you advance. This is the story of a little boy, on his journey to return the old fairy’s magical muffins. A strange curse was set on him: with each muffin he touches, he turns into a different creature. The old fairy promises to turn him back into a boy when he gets all the muffins back.

I've played the game previously myself and know you'll want to go ahead and check this one out for sure. Plus, given the fact that it comes to everyone for free there's no reason to at least not give it a look. Need to see more before you fully dive in? Check out the video trailer below.

Download Muffin Knight for the BlackBerry PlayBook

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Despite the fact that NFC is still a growing technology, there has been quick adoption of it in various parts of the world and one company that has proven they'll be making use of it whenever and wherever possible is RIM. A new venture between Research In Motion, Orange and SITA in cooperation with the Toulouse-Blagnac airport in France will take 50 frequent flyers and have them partake in NFC trial testing throughout the airport. As noted in the press release:

"With NFC technology, the mobile phone simplifies the passenger’s journey through the airport, says Jean-Michel Vernhes, CEO of Toulouse-Blagnac airport. It now becomes a personalized tool displaying the right information at the right time. It also enables passengers to better manage their journey, so they can choose how they spend their time at the airport. For T-B airport, the approach is to give to flyers access to leading-edge technologies that enhance and facilitate their experience at the airport in providing new Premium services."

The trial testing of NFC in the Toulouse-Blagnac airport is just a starting point for further NFC usage within airports as a whole. The trial testing information will ultimately be put to use in an upcoming smartphone application planned for 2013-2014.

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Although there has been plenty of shuffling of the ranks happening within RIM over the past little while, a rather significant change has just been confirmed by RIM themselves to the Wall Street Journal. Research In Motion's head of Global Sales, Patrick Spence, will be exiting after a 14 year long stay with the company.

I can confirm that Patrick Spence, Head of Global Sales for Research In Motion, has resigned following 14 years of service. Patrick will be taking on a leadership position in a different industry. The sales function will report directly into Kristian Tear, our newly appointed COO when he starts this summer. In the interim, the sales function will report to CEO Thorsten Heins.

Patrick, who joined RIM in 1998 and helped launch RIM’s Inter@ctive Pager 950 to the masses, will be taking on a new role elsewhere in the technology world. Where, exactly was not mentioned at this time but given the fact he maintained a high level of brand evangelism throughout his career at RIM it's certainly a departure that will be viewed as a loss.

Source: WSJ

If you're wanting to keep yourself up-to-date with the latest Facebook for BlackBerry beta releases, then you should head on over to the BlackBerry Beta Zone right now and grab the v3.1.0.11. This release has a whole laundry list of bug fixes over the previous release:

• Delete Prior Messages in Inbox leads to uncaught exception
• Unable to views comments
• With Wi-Fi only connection on BIS SN devices user should be able to view photos
• Likes count incorrect in Likes list if launched from stagnant comment screen
• Can not cancel selection via the 'back' button
• User photos mixed in FB message view
• Group name appears in the group wall
• Group Support : refresh of group wall is missing refresh animation
• Bad error message when posting on a Group without permission
• Groups are not translated in Hindi
• Finnish -Some missed translations on the Groups pages
• Accessibility: Status updates are not being read
• WiLAN event is not being processed correctly when radio is low or changed
• Removal of phone number request feature
• Update help URLs for Facebook 3.1
• Parser Error when I create comment with many returns between lines
• Remove welcome notification and message
• No ID for all the buttons in Facebook
• GCM icons are cutoff on low res devices

The update should be available for all BlackBerry Beta Zone members who have been accepted to the program previously. Hit the link below to grab the update and drop some comments and let us know how it's working for ya!

Download the latest FaceBook for BlackBerry Beta

For the past few years we've been blogging about the results of the annual Milward Brown BrandZ survey, which through magic and voodoo and (we're assuming some science since they apparently conducted 2 million interviews), places a value and rank on the world's top brands.

The BlackBerry brand has faired pretty well in previous years. In 2009 BlackBerry ranked #16 on the Top 100. And we're talking Top 100 of all companies and brands here, not just in the tech category. In 2010 the BlackBerry brand climbed up to #14 on the Top 100. 2011 saw a drop to the #25, which arguably was still pretty awesome.

Continue reading article