Keith Pardy, RIM’s Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), is leaving RIM. This announcement comes courtesy of the Wall Street Journal. According to the report, Pardy announced his plans for departure one month ago and is citing “personal reasons.” The report continues to say that Pardy will be transitioning his role over a six month period prior to his final departure. No successor has been cited in the WSJ report. As the competition in both the smartphone and tablet market continues to grow, RIM needs a stable team including it’s top executives to continue to compete. With the PlayBook launch and the new crop of BlackBerry devices coming up quickly, it will be interesting to see how RIM’s marketing strategies evolve. A change in CMO could mean trouble for RIM or it could mean a new and better marketing direction for the company. We are looking for an official statement sometime soon and that will hopefully iron out some of the details.

Source: WSJ

Via: BGR

Angry Farm, the new BlackBerry game based on “Angry Birds,” has been updated just a week after it’s initial release. When the game first debuted it was a bit laggy and slow, especially on devices like the Storm and Curve. The update to version 1.1.0 has brought various bug fixes and game additions. The changes include:

• Faster loading of levels
• Smoother gameplay
• 10 new levels of farm-based destruction

The maker of Angry Farm, Smarter Apps, had promised free and frequent updates to the game and so far it looks as if they are holding to that. If you haven’t had a chance to check out Angry Farm for BlackBerry, you can get it from ShopTheBerryFix.com for just $4.99. The game runs on devices with OS 4.6 or higher.

• Download Angry Farm from ShopTheBerryFix.com

These rumored dates for the open beta of BlackBerry Protect formerly known as BlackBerry Shield, cropped up yesterday and at the time they didn’t seem consistent with some information that we knew. Today we have gotten some more confirmation that this date could be possible. The BlackBerry Protect beta service went down nearly 2 weeks ago for a “server upgrade” and the service was planned to be down until March 9. The servers went back online today and so the open beta of March 5 is now possible.The rumored dates are as follows:

• North America/Latin America: March 5
• EMEA: March 19
• Asia: April 2

These dates put the availability of BlackBerry Protect for North American users as this Saturday. As soon as we get additional confirmation on the launch of BlackBerry Protect we’ll be sure to pass it along. As of right now the March 5 date is looking pretty good.

Source: N4BB

RIM has given Facebook for BlackBerry the official update this morning. The new update brings FB for BB to 1.9.0.27. The changes include:

Email Notification Improvements
Previously, if you turned on email notifications using the Facebook.com website, then logged out and logged back into Facebook on your BlackBerry smartphone, your email notification settings would be turned off. Now, with Facebook for BlackBerry smartphones 1.9.0.27, email notifications are left enabled if you change email notification settings using Facebook.com, then log out and log back in to Facebook on your BlackBerry smartphone.

Background Polling
Previously, if you set the background polling option to Never, then logged out and logged back into Facebook for BlackBerry smartphones, the polling setting would be set to 10 minutes instead of Never. This issue has been corrected so the background polling option will remain at the Never setting.

Photo Upload Freeze Fix
In the past, users may have seen their BlackBerry smartphone freeze when sending a photo to Facebook from the Media folder on their BlackBerry smartphone. This issue has been corrected by this maintenance release so no further freezing should occur.

This update looks like mostly bug fixes and performance improvements. It looks as if some users are getting build .28 and some .27. We aren’t sure why this is happening but we recommend that you just check back to App World later to download the most updated version. Hopefully this update brings us a step closer to the totally redesigned Facebook 2.0. If you want the update you can head over to App World to get it.

• Download Facebook for BlackBerry 1.9.0.27

Source: CrackBerry

Though we all love our BlackBerry’s there are just times when you don’t want to be notified of a phone call or SMS, this is where the app Don’t disturb me comes into play. So to disable notifications on your device you could just put it in silent mode but maybe you just want to stop messages from a certain person and in that case vibrate wont help. Don’t Disturb Me! for BlackBerry is essentially a firewall completely stopping text messages and phone calls from pre selected individuals by banning them from even reaching your handheld. Don’t Disturb Me! is available in ShopTheBerryFix.com as todays deal of the day for only $1.99 down from the normal price of $3.99. So hit up the link below to stop those unwanted calls and text’s.

• Don’t Disturb Me! is available in ShopTheBerryFix.com as todays deal of the day for only $1.99
  

for OS5.0, OS6.0
Display Dimensions
320×240, 360×400, 360×480, 480×320, 480×360
Operating System
5.0 Non-Touch, 5.0 Touch Screen, 6.0 Non-Touch, 6.0 Touch Screen

Bill Cosby wants to know where you are? Well, at least thats what he said in his Promo video for the all new Bill Cosby App for BlackBerry. What he’s talking about is that via the application you will be able to connect with Bill via twitter and he’ll “tweet you like no one has before” also the application will inform you of when Bill will be in your area so he can, and I quote “make your face hurt”.

With the consumers going mobile Actors and musicians are trying to find more ways to connect with their fans and still entertain them on-the-go. Bill Cosby is trying to let you know that he’s still here and still trying to entertain you on the move with his BlackBerry App.

The application is of course a free download and can be installed on most BlackBerry models. To download the app visit Road.ie/Bill-Cosby. You can check out the press release after the break.

BILL COSBY GOES MOBILE

“ All things Apple, all things Android, and the berry of my people, the BlackBerry”

Los Angeles, February 28

– Bill Cosby once posed the question: Why is there air? Wifi, that’ s
why. And now Bill Cosby’ s brand new mobile app will be flying through the air to smartphones
and tablets from Apple, Android, RIM, and Nokia.

“ My app will find you,” Cosby remarked, “ because you will find my app.” The Bill Cosby app
showcases never before seen routines, portions of Cosby’ s audio books, and a full list of concert
dates. It will also be the only place fans can find Cosby’ s in-app network, OBKB. (more…)

If you remember back at DEVCON 2011 RIM announced they will be making an in house analytics service to help developers find out how, when and how long their BlackBerry apps were being used. Today they have made this service available in beta form.

The analytics service will let you;

• Overview metrics showing active users, new users, frequency of use, engagement in duration and depth of use, number of screens viewed, and conversions
• Detail in usage of screens, content, media, features, products, in-app search, and in-app ads
• User information including country and language, device characteristics, carrier, connection type and errors
• And more…

Like I said the service is now in beta allowing developers to get their hands on it and better market their applications. Developers can sign up for the analytics service at http://www.blackberry.com/developers/analyticsservice and are available at no cost to the developer.

BBM version 5.0.1.49 has been leaked. We don’t know what changes come with this build but we do know that it will only run on devices running BlackBerry 6. If you want to stay on the cutting edge of BBM and have the latest leak, hit the link below for the download. Remember to backup your contacts just in case.

• Download BBM 5.0.1.49

*Warning: This is leaked/beta software. TheBerryFix.com can not be held responsible for any issues or damages that your device may incur by running or installing this leak. Install at your own risk.

Source: BBH-Plus

This was a slow week in BlackBerry news but that won’t be the case for too much longer. With the PlayBook launch right around the corner and a fresh bunch of new BlackBerrys coming soon, we can expect to see the news heat up and stay hot very soon. Check out some of the top stories from this week listed below and keep your browser here at TheBerryFix.com for all the latest BlackBerry news as it happens.

News…

• TheBerryFix.com BlackBerry Unlocking Store Now Open
• Angry Farm for BlackBerry Comes Out Of The Barn
• Bank of America Testing NFC “Mobile Wallet” on BlackBerry
• Android Apps Already Running On BlackBerry Phones?
• TheBerryFix.com Podcast: Episode 21
• Details on BIS 4.0 Leaked
• Facebook for BlackBerry 2.0 images leak: Includes revamped UI and Facebook Chat

Contests…

• The Winner of the $50 ShopTheBerryFix.com Gift Certificate

Bank Of America (BOA) has launched a pilot program to test NFC payments. The new system is invitation-only and uses a BlackBerry with NFC to access the “Mobile Wallet.” The program uses the Curve 8500 series, Bold 9000, 9650, 9700, or Tour 9630. To enable NFC on these devices, BOA uses a custom battery door and SD card. The program begins in the “Spring” and will continue for a few months. This looks to be a great start for NFC on the BlackBerry. It’s only a small step but it sure is nice to see this technology being tested. I personally can’t wait till we have NFC for everything and we can drop our wallets in favor of our BlackBerrys. There are more screenshots from the Mobile Wallet program after the break.

(more…)

I knew it was only a matter of time until RIM updated their native FaceBook app seeing all other platforms have boatloads of features that the BlackBerry application doesn’t. Well, the guys over at N4BB have received a few images of the new application that will feature FaceBook chat and a HUGE upgrade on the UI side.

Usually after we see the images the leak is just around the corner. Even if you’re not a FaceBook fan this is sure to bring some light to your day because this means RIM is working hard on the BlackBerry platform.

Source: N4BB

A few Weeks back we reported on the rumour that the BlackBerry PlayBook would be able to run Android applications via the Dalvik virtual machine (or another virtual machine). But what wasn’t talked about was that BlackBerry smartphones may also have that ability to run Android apps…or do they already?

Shopsavvy a company that makes a shopping assistant app for BlackBerry has noted some interesting statistics regarding their Android application. Shopsavvy has noticed that there are a few BlackBerry devices that have been running the application which is quite odd. Currently they have noticed three BlackBerry models running the Android version;

• BlackBerry 8300 ran ShopSavvy on January 31, 2011
• BlackBerry 8600 ran ShopSavvy on January 17 and 24, 2011
• BlackBerry 8520 ran ShopSavvy on February 7, 2011

Now before we all jump for joy you’ll need to know that there are ways to make an analytics system think that the application is being run on a device that it is not. So until I see this in person it’ll stay in the Rumour category.

Via: CrackBerry
Source: ShopSavvy

We’re quickly making TheBerryFix.com your one-stop-shop for everything BlackBerry. First, we opened the site just over a year ago, then we opened ShopTheBerryFix.com, then our Wireless Store and now we are pleased to open to the public TheBerryFix.com Wireless Unlocking Store!

The unlocking store provides you with an INSTANT…yes you read correctly, instant unlock code. No waiting days or even minutes, this is instant. This week we will be running a promo and unlocking your BlackBerry for only $14.99 $9.99 this week! That is a steal. If at any time your experience issues grab our live chat agent that can be found on the bottom of the order page.

Also please so hesitate to contact one of us directly through email or twiiter.

• Unlock your BlackBerry for only $9.99 at the all new BerryFix unlocking store.

The last few weeks have just flown by and we are back with yet another recording of TheBerryFix.com Radio Show. In this episode things get a little heated as I talk about product cycles and start to use a sound board when things get a little out of hand. If loud noises are not your fancy then I suggest you sit this one out.

The rumours have been floating around that RIM would be developing a BES for everyone since…well since forever, so when RIM sent me this info I was pretty excited. Today RIM and ALT-N will be launching a BlackBerry BES like service for small-to-med sized business. The Messaging server will allow administrators the ability to remote wipe the BlackBerry device, install third-party applications and a whole lot more. If your interested in seeing what Alt-N and BlackBerry can do for your company I suggest you check out the MDaemon Messaging Server demo that can be found here. The full press release can be found after the break.

Alt-N Launches MDaemon Messaging Server, BlackBerry Edition for Small-to-Mid-Sized Businesses

Affordable Windows-Based Email and Messaging Server Now Available with Wireless Synchronization, Security, IT Policy Management and Control Features for BlackBerry Smartphones Built In

Grapevine, TX

– Alt-N Technologies today announced the immediate availability of MDaemon® Messaging Server, BlackBerry® Edition – a new edition of the popular low cost Windows®-based MDaemon email and messaging server. The new edition integrates wireless synchronization, security, management and control features for BlackBerry® smartphones and is available as a single software download. MDaemon Messaging Server, BlackBerry Edition is an all-in-one email and messaging solution that makes it easy and affordable for small-to-mid-sized businesses to provide their employees with secure access to email, calendar and contacts from almost anywhere via the desktop, the web and BlackBerry smartphones.
(more…)