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 

Foursquare has just released a big update for their BlackBerry app. The update to v3.4.1 brings some new features that BlackBerry users have been waiting for. The new features included in this update are:

• Events
• Check-in details for you and your friends
• UI changes, including the friend management screen and help menu navigation.
• Added the ability to share your tips on your BBM profile
• Updated GPS technology to clear up location issues and improve battery life
• More updates and bug fixes

These additions help to put the BlackBerry app on more even ground, but we’re still behind on some of the features that other platforms have. I’m thinking that once BBX hits, we won’t be left behind any longer when it comes to app development. If you’re a Foursquare user, and you want to get the latest features on your Berry, hit the link below.

• Download Foursquare for BlackBerry in App World

A new version of Twitter for BlackBerry has just been made available in the Beta Zone. This version, 2.1.0.25, includes several bug fixes and speed improvements. Some of the fixes include:

• Timeline – Freezing while scrolling
• Timeline – Loading icon remains on screen, new items do not appear
• Touch screen – Retry button does not respond to touch

If you’re using the current Twitter for BlackBerry Beta or just want to try out the latest version, hit the link below to grab it from the Beta Zone.

• Download Twitter for BlackBerry in the Beta Zone

Smarter Apps has just let us know that there’s a free update to Zombie Attack available in App World. This new update brings 100 additional levels for players to destroy the evil zombies. Zombie Attack is the latest in a long line of high quality games from the Smarter Apps crew. This game is available free for a limited time, so be sure to download your copy today to get in on all the Zombie action!

• Download Zombie Attack from App World

RIM has just updated their native Podcast downloading application to v1.5.0.53. There’s no word from RIM on what changes have been made in this update, so we can assume it’s mostly bug fixes and speed improvements. Hopefully RIM has fixed the issues many were experiencing with new podcast episodes not being downloaded. Let us know if you find any changes in this update.

• Download BlackBerry Podcasts in App World

Tether, the popular solution for free internet tethering with your BlackBerry SmartPhone, has just announced a huge price drop. The app has retailed for $49.99 for the past 3 years and will now be selling for just $29.99. Tether is a great way for those with an unlimited BlackBerry Data package to get free internet tethering for their Mac or PC anywhere they have a cellular connection. Tether has also updated their software, so it you’re an existing user then there’s an update waiting for you. You can download Tether from the link below.

• Get Tether for BlackBerry from ShopTheBerryFix.com

RIM promised us some free applications as a “Thank You Gift” for sticking with BlackBerry through the outages and now some of those applications are live in App World and available for download. The first app available is DriveSafe.ly Pro, a $19.99 app, and the second is Bubble Bash 2, an app the retails for $4.99. These, and all the free Thank You Apps, will be found in the new “A Thank You Gift” category in App World. Check back often as RIM will be adding new free apps every few days. Now that the gifting has started, do you feel RIM is doing a good job at making reparations for the outage?

• Check out the “Thank You Gift” category in App World

RIM has just let us know that Twitter for BlackBerry v2.1 is now available for download in the BlackBerry Beta Zone. This 2.1 update brings the following two big features to the application:

• Additional Profile Functions – The ‘My Profile’ will have two new icons: Edit Profile and Switch Accounts. Now users can use the Edit Profile icon right from the Profile screen to change a picture or update personal information.
• Multi-Account Support - The new Multiple Account Support feature allows users to have up to five accounts on their Twitter for BlackBerry smartphones app. When logged into multiple accounts, the current user name will appear in the upper-left corner of the header bar and the user picture will appear in the My Profile icon. Users can switch between accounts by using the Switch Account function, accessible from My Profile or via the Menu. Users can also cross-post Tweets and Retweets from one account to another without switching the current account view.

These new features are available to all BlackBerry Beta Zone members who wish to upgrade. The multiple account feature is a big one that many users have been asking for and is finally here. You can read more about the update at the Inside BlackBerry Blog and if you’re interested in downloading the update, you can grab it at the Beta Zone link listed below.

Foursquare for BlackBerry has gotten the update treatment today. The newest version, version 3.3, brings only one big change, the Foursquare app icon. Foursquare has made a major change in the look of their app icon and this change is displayed in the latest update. In addition to the icon change, there are some bug fixes and speed improvements, but nothing major or noticeable. It’s nice to see Foursquare updating the BlackBerry app but it’s still pretty far behind the other versions. Hopefully the Foursquare team will remedy that soon.

• Download Foursquare for BlackBerry

Via: CrackBerry

If you’re a power buyer or ebay seller, you’ll want to hit up the BlackBerry Beta Zone and get the newest version of ebay for BlackBerry. The application brings along a lot of new features as well as BlackBerry 7 support, some of the new features are:

• BBM Connected –Post a recently purchased item as your personal message or share a listing with your BBM contacts and chat through BBM. You can even invite them to download the application if they don’t already have it.
• New User Interface – The user interface has been completely redesigned and updated, while maintaining core eBay design and functionality, to provide users with a closely integrated BlackBerry /eBay experience.
• Sell from your device – Create and publish a listing on eBay from just about anywhere. With core integration to your BlackBerry Camera and photo library, you can upload an image to the listing you created, directly from your BlackBerry smartphone.
• Improved buying experience – Looking for a collector’s item?  The advanced search makes it easier to find what you’re looking for. Modify your search with your preferences and indicate whether you’re looking for a new or used item, which country sites you’d like to search and more!

This app is available in Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States.  With the selling feature available to customers in the United Kingdom and the United States.

So, if you’re an ebay addict or just need a few cool things and love the action from an auction, hit up the link below and download ebay 2.0 for BlackBerry from Beta Zone.

• Download ebay for BlackBerry from Beta Zone

The popular music streaming service, Pandora, has just updated their BlackBerry app to v1.1.11. The update brings support for all BlackBerry 7 devices and a few other fixes and improvements to the application. Many people have asked if Pandora will remain relevant now that BBM Music has debuted, and my answer is a definite YES! Many people will not want to pay the monthly fee for BBM Music when they can get streaming based on artists and songs they like on Pandora for free. If you’re still a Pandora fan, you can grab the update at the link below.

• Download Pandora for BlackBerry

Source: CrackBerry

Foursquare users rejoice! The BlackBerry version of Foursquare has just received another update bringing the official version to 3.2.5. This new update doesn’t add any new features, but it enhances the features that are already there. The changes include:

• Improved location support
• Fixes to the checkin flow that affected older devices
• Fixes to special details on venue pages
• Larger venue icons
• Improved add venue flow

These are all good improvements that will help make your Foursquare experience better in the long run. Hit the link below to grab Foursquare for App World and then get to checking-in!

• Download Foursquare for BlackBerry

UberSocial, the most popular 3rd-party Twitter client for BlackBerry, has just been updated to version 1.250. This new version brings many enhancements and new features, most importantly, support for BlackBerry 7. The full list of changes includes:

• Direct support for the latest OS 7 BlackBerry devices
• For BlackBerry OS 6.0 and 7.0 devices we now support the home screen message notification bar so DM’s, @replies/mentions and inner circle tweets will show up there for quick access from the device home screen. When you see the mini UberSocial icon, click the bar and the tweets/DM’s that caused the notification will be displayed along with a snippet of the tweet. Clicking the tweet snippet will take you directly to it.
• Fixed bug where mini-icon would sometimes have a zero next to it
• Improved load times for the inner circle timeline
• Added a ‘Theme’ menu item so you can easily change themes from the home timeline without going into options
• Changed the menu text of ‘My Timeline’ to ‘My Tweets’ to more accurately reflect the functionality
• Support for new device screen sizes for installable themes

These are some big updates that push the app even farther ahead of the native Twitter for BlackBerry application. Hopefully this competition will motivate RIM to further refine the native app. You can get UberSocial using the link below and selecting your current Operating System.

• Download UberSocial for BlackBerry

Foursquare has long been a staple for BlackBerry owners looking to get into the location check-in game. Today Foursquare for BlackBerry has been updated with an overhaul of the User Interface and addition of many new features. These features include:

• In line specials
• Improved BBM support and performance across a range of devices
• Redesign of the Venue and Checkin screen
• Updates to location/gps logic
• As always, small tweaks and bug fixes to improve battery life and performance
• Greater support for a range of screen densities

These are some great updates that will help to bring the BlackBerry version of Foursquare up to date with the versions on other platforms. One thing the BlackBerry version has that others do not is the BBM Integration. If you’re a Foursquare fan you’ll want to grab this update today!

• Download Foursquare for BlackBerry v3.2.1

Applications are all the rage with smartphone users these days, and rightfully so. With BlackBerry’s rapidly expanding application space, App World, users have access to a vast library of high quality apps. To get everyone in the Back to School spirit, RIM has put together the following list of BlackBerry apps that can help make class a little easier to handle.

Down to Business

Access and edit Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint files and attachments through your BlackBerry smartphone and BlackBerry PlayBook. Bring computer documents with you when you’re on the go with Dropbox, and take notes and stay organized with the Notes for the BlackBerry PlayBook. The BlackBerry News Feeds app and BlackBerry News App for PlayBook  keep you up to speed with current events, and the Kobo e-reader lightens the load, so those heavy text books won’t weigh you down.

In-the-Know

Make quick plans with friends and keep in touch with parents on the go, for free with BlackBerry Messenger (BBM). Looking to get everyone together for dinner on campus or planning a team meeting? BlackBerry Messenger groups let everyone contribute to the same conversation so that organizing the group is fast and easy. With BBM 6, BBM is integrated with your favorite apps, like Poynt, foursquare, ScoreMobile and Huffington Post, so that you can share restaurant information, sports scores, games and interesting articles with BBM friends. Stay on top of club meetings, courses, lectures and homework assignments with Student Buddy, while Facebook and Twitter make sure you never miss a beat with your high school friends back home.

Study Break!

Keep entertained during study breaks with applications like Slacker, Tetris and Need for Speed. Got some down time between classes? Bring the BlackBerry PlayBook from room-to-room to share the latest YouTube sensation with your floor mates. Easily hook up the PlayBook to a TV monitor using an HDMI cable to bring all your videos, games, and music to the big screen. Going out to the movies this weekend? Use Flixster to buy movie tickets and share reviews, trailers and ratings with friends.