Back at BlackBerry DevCon I got the chance to give Cut the Rope a try on the PlayBook, and the one question I asked RIM was “when.” That question was followed by a “soon”. So while soon seemed to have meant about 5 months (I’m sure there where reasons), I’m glad to announce that Cut the Rope is officially available for the BlackBerry PlayBook.

The premise of the game is to cut the rope (who would have guessed) and get the candy to the cute little Omn Nom Nom monster in hopes to not make him sad. But I warn you not to be fooled by the first few levels, because those are just training ones and things get intense after you move from box to box. Cut the Rope is available in BlackBerry App World for a well priced $2.99, you can hit up the link below from your PlayBook.

• Download Cut the Rope for the BlackBerry PlayBook

[To view this video on your BlackBerry, Click Here.]

If you were wondering just how big the BlackBerry presence was at CES 2012, then worry not my friends. The team over at the Inside BlackBerry blog took to the showroom floor and did a little virtual tour of their section at this year’s event. So while you may be hearing that RIM has a small little booth at CES, you are absolutely correct. But what you didn’t know was that they have two booths, one big and one small. Check out the video to get the full gist of what RIM is doing at CES 2012.

[To view this video on your BlackBerry, Click Here.]

If the gory intense games like Modern Combat or Dead Space on the PlayBook don’t get you going, then maybe a more laid back game like Sling Golf will find its way onto your tablet. Now don’t let the term “laid back” discourage you, because I’m using it to describe the pace of the game.  While this game isn’t a crazy fast paced game it’ll definitely have you scratching your brain for a few hours because trust me, I’ve been there.

As you work your way through the games 54 holes spread our across 6 courses you’ll gain achievements that will give you an incentive to keep going, If you ever needed one in the first place. Sling Golf is available in BlackBerry App World for $2.99, with a limited free trial. Check out the full video review above, then grab the link below to get in on the action that is Sling Golf.

• Download Sling Golf for the BlackBerry PlayBook from App World for $2.99

And we are officially onto yet another day at CES 2012, but before we continue I’ll take a minuet to recap yesterdays news. Yesterday RIM officially demoed the new PlayBook operating system, version 2.0. Along with a demonstration of the new BlackBerry remote feature that you’ll find with the latest version of the BlackBerry Bridge application.

CES 2012 day 2

• RIM shows off BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 at CES 2012
• RIM demos the new BlackBerry Bridge features at CES 2012 – Including BlackBerry Remote
• Visa approves the BlackBerry Bold 9900/9790 and Curve 9360/9380 for NFC mobile payments

Keep your browser locked to TheBerryFix.com as we dive into the third day at CES 2012.

Location apps seem to be all the rage these days, and the one that started the whole thing is here and is stronger than ever. foursquare has updated their application for the BlackBerry smartphone to version 3.5.1.

Version 3.5.1 includes

• Fix to venue screen
• Fix to list/delete specific to user adding and quickly deleting a list
• Update to list items styling so the background is consistently light gray rather than white
• Improved performance on friend management screen when there exists 100+ friends
• Fix scroll issue with venue history list

So if you havent gotten yourself onto the location-based gaming craze, than there is no better time then now. Grab the link below from your BlackBerry to download the latest version of foursquare for BlackBerry smartphones.

• Download foursquare for BlackBerry from App World

[To view this video on your BlackBerry, Click Here.]

Shortly after demonstrating the newly refined PlayBook operating system RIM went on to give everyone a little in site into the newly revamped BlackBerry Bridge app. RIM introduced the application with the debut of the PlayBook, which had many assume that it was their “FIX” to not having email, but RIM had more on the drawing boards.

The new application will actually allow you to use your BlackBerry smartphone as a remote control for your PlayBook, giving you the ability to open links, send photos, and other media right from your phone. If you were to send me an email, meet me on the street, send me a tweet, or give me a call on the old fashioned telephone and ask me what I enjoy most about the new Bridge features, I’d have to say using my BlackBerrys keyboard and touch screen as a mouse and keyboard. Pretty awesome, and oh ya, no other tablet can do this!

The new version of BlackBerry Bridge should be hitting the App Store sometime in February, alongside the launch of PlayBook OS 2.0.

It has defiantly been a long journey for the BBM Protégé contestants, but I’m sure it’s one that they will not soon forget. RIM ask some of the most socially influential young celebrities to work with the finalists during the contest, where they actually got to BBM the celebrity panel for tips and advice.

If you think about it, and I know that the winners will contest to this. But winning this contest will have a huge impact in the rest of their lives. I My self have been able to speak and get advice from a celebrity or two, and I will say that where I am today is drastically different from where I was headed. Not that I was headed down the spiraling staircase of doom, but it has definitely helped me realize my potential.

I’ll be taking the time over the next few weeks to actually sit down and have a conversation with the winners, and the celebrities that have helped them during this contest. That’s definitely something you will not want to miss! Until then the full press release from RIM can be found after the break.

    BlackBerry Announces Six Grand Prize Winners of the BBM Challenge

Eight-week contest inspires young people to pursue their passions as they vie for the chance to meet their celebrity idols

Waterloo, ON – January 10, 2012 – Research In Motion (RIM) (NASDAQ: RIMM; TSX: RIM) today announced the six winners of its BBM™ Challenge contest, which was designed to partner aspiring young adults with some of today’s top celebrity influencers. Utilizing a variety of social applications for BlackBerry® smartphones including BBM™ (BlackBerry® Messenger), 150 young adults competed in an intense eight-week contest for the opportunity to meet their idols in person.

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Yesterday RIM started CES with a bang letting us know that they would be demoing the latest version of the PlayBook OS, version 2.0. Since we weren’t able to attend the event we scooped up the video from Inside BlackBerry for everyone to take a look at.

The biggest thing you’ll notice is the focus around extending the BlackBerry phone functionality to the PlayBook, all the way to using your phone’s keyboard to type on your PlayBook. Also RIM has added the much-needed PIM (personal information management) applications to the new release that should be available in February. Check out the video above and let us know which features you’re anticipating the most.

While this isn’t news from CES 2012 it is all around fantastic news to hear. As RIM is on a stride with their announcements this week at CES some of their business partners are aiding in the ladder climbing.

Visa, the biggest world-wide credit card company has officially announced 4 of RIMs BlackBerry smartphones (Bold 9900, BlackBerry Bold 9790, BlackBerry Curve 9360 and BlackBerry Curve 9380) as certified for Visa mobile payments through NFC. this comes on the heals of Master card having a similar announcement a few months back, where they announced that the BlackBerry Bold 9900 and Curve 9360 9360 would be certified for their payments. If you’re into reading a full our press release while you wait for mobile payments on your BlackBerry, you are more than welcome to do so after the break.

Press Release

NFC-enabled smartphones from Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics, and Research In Motion approved for use with Visa payWave, Visa’s mobile application for payments at the point-of-sale

San Francisco, January 10, 2012

Visa Inc. (NYSE:V) and Visa Europe today announced that NFC-enabled smartphones from Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics and Research In Motion (RIM) have been certified for use with Visa’s mobile application for payments at the point-of-sale, Visa payWave. The Samsung Galaxy SII, LG Optimus NET NFC, BlackBerry® Bold^TM 9900, BlackBerry Bold 9790, BlackBerry® Curve^TM 9360 and BlackBerry Curve 9380 have been added to the list of Visa compliant payment products available for commercial deployment by financial institutions.

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Source : Visa

As we stated yesterday carriers are officially allowed to start rolling out the latest OS for BlackBerry 7 enabled devices, and it looks as though Verizon will be the first North American carrier to do so. So if you’re on big red check out your OTA button for the latest OS, you should be prompted with a download for OS 7.1.0.163.

Source : CrackBerry

Yesterday was technically not even the first day of CES, but that didn’t stop RIM and a ton of other companies from making announcements. Yesterday RIM announced that the new PlayBook OS 2.0 would be on hand at the BlackBerry Booth for CES attendees to gawk over, as well they officially announced the availability of OS 7.1 for BlackBerry handhelds. I could only wonder what the announcements they have left up their sleeves.

CES day 1 news

• BlackBerry Travel update rolling out via BlackBerry App World
• BBM updated to version 6.1.0.49 – Brings along animated avatars and NFC support
• Verizon Wireless launches the BlackBerry Curve 9370 on January 19th
• Press Release: RIM offering demos of the latest BlackBerry 7.1 OS at CES 2012
• OS 7.1 enables FM radio in the BlackBerry Curve 9380 and 9360
• Press Release: RIM to demonstrate PlayBook OS 2.0 at CES 2012

But, if you’re at CES and want to chat it up with some RIM employees, or want to get your hands on time with the PlayBook OS then you’ll want to stop by the BlackBerry Booth. RIM’s booth is available during all show hours in South Hall 3, Booth #30326. And now, lets continue with the official opening of the 2012 Consumer Electronics show!

Earlier today RIM announced that the new BlackBerry 7.1 OS for their new handsets will be made available today (with carrier launch starting today, over the next few weeks) and along with that they let us know that they would be adding location-based coupons to the new BlackBerry Maps.

The updated application allows you to search your location to find some fantastic deals, all geo located to where you are. Also the best part is to accept the deal all you do is take your BlackBerry into the store and bam! Instant savings. Check out more photos after the break.

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As CES 2012 kicks into high gear RIM keeps the updates flowing and this time it’s to their BlackBerry Travel application. Now honestly, there is nothing else in the world as helpful when traveling then this app, well other than a personal assistant….lets get real though.

BlackBerry travel keeps track of your travel itinerary, lets you know what gate you fly out of, if your plane is late, or if the airline has changed the time that you plane is scheduled to take off. The updated version brings along the BlackBerry Deals addition letting you know what deals are available in your area. I’m defiantly going to find this especially handy when I’m in an unknown location on a business or personal trip and I’m looking where to grab a bite to eat.

The updated BlackBerry Travel app virtually plans your trips for you, from airport pick up and drop off to accommodations and scheduling. You’ll be able to find deals on hotel and car rental options, or arrange for limo service to and from an airport. Plus, you can rest easy knowing that the BlackBerry Travel app will quickly notify you if your flight is delayed or cancelled, and that it can help you find a new flight right away. No matter where you do your booking, the automatic trip scanning feature can pull your trip details into the app, so you don’t have to. See all your travel updates in one place as they happen, and don’t worry about double and triple checking your itinerary; if you’ve missed anything, BlackBerry Travel will let you know!

If you don’t see the update just yet, don’t worry It’s coming. Updates can take up to 24hrs to show up on your BlackBerry. If you’re new to BlackBerry and don’t have BlackBerry travel you can grab the link below to get started. Keep it locked to TheBerryFix.com for all you CES 2012 updates.

• Download BlackBerry Travel from App World

The latest iteration of RIMs proprietary messaging platform, BBM, has been in beta form for the past few months and today during the 2012 Consumer Electronics show RIM took the wraps of the new client. BBM version 6.1.0.49 is now available for all BlackBerry users. The new version brings along a slew of bug fixes, enhancements and new additions that are sure to keep you BBM’ing along smoothly.

New in BlackBerry Messenger v6.1.0.49

• Animated avatars
• 12 new emoticons
• Increased character count for personal messages
• Colored chat bubbles
• Camera/Display Picture Integration
• Support for BlackBerry Tag (found in OS7.1)

So if you’re feeling like a change and want to get in on the latest version of BBM then make sure you backup your BBM contact list (check in the BBM options menu) and grab the download link provided or check App World for an update. Let us know your thoughts!

• Download BBM 6.1.0.49 for you BlackBerry Smartphone