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Earlier today RIM announced the joint venture between them and Porsche design on the exclusive BlackBerry P’99810. CrackBerry has been able to get their hands on the product video for the new device. The video shows off the leather back, new metal housing and the custom icons that have been out into the Blackberry 7 OS that powers their phone. Check out the video and see if it changes your mind, but at the rumoured $2,000 I don’t think I’ll be picking one up any time soon.

Source: CrackBerry

Well won’t you look at this, the BlackBerry Porsche Design P’9981 smartphone is real. I’ll be damned. Maybe it was just me wanting this device to be a fake, I’m not to sure but it’s there, in the flesh. RIM and Porsche Design have officially revealed a device that was built in partnership and features a lot of customization.

The Porsche Design P’9981 features BlackBerry 7 OS with custom Porsche fonts and redesigned icons, brushed stainless steel case with a leather backing, 1.2GHz processor, 5 megapixel camera with 720p HD video recording, and NFC just like the BlackBerry Bold 9900.

“Our partnership is built on the same understanding of the unity of form and content. Porsche Design P’9981 is a luxurious modern Smartphone, combining excellent Porsche Design work and outstanding BlackBerry technology”.

- Todd Wood, SVP of Industrial Design at RIM.

The device is scheduled to go on sale in Dubai by the end of the year, and it probably won’t make its way across the ocean so you’ll have to take a little flight to get one.

While I still can’t say I’m a fan of this device, but because it’s a BlackBerry I want one….

Source: BBIN

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We’ve been waiting to hear from RIM regarding when they would offer a service that utilize the NFC technology that is built into the new BlackBerry Bold 9900 and Curve 9360. Today RIM has announced the new service called BlackBerry Tag. BlackBerry Tag will allow you to add BBM contacts, transfer media files, and more with just a tap. Also RIM will be opening up APIs to allow developers to access these features and make more connected applications. I’m sure we’ll hear more from RIM on this at Devcon but for the full details so far check out the full press release after the break.

RIM Unveils BlackBerry Tag – Coming Soon to BlackBerry Smartphones

BlackBerry Tag enables effortless ‘tap to share’  exchanges of multimedia content and contact info between friends

Friends can also add each other as BBM contacts with a simple ‘tap’

Dubai, UAE – GITEX – October 10, 2011 – During his keynote presentation at the GITEX conference in Dubai, Research In Motion (NASDAQ: RIMM; TSX: RIM) Co-CEO Jim Balsillie today unveiled a new way for BlackBerry® smartphone users to connect with one another and share multimedia content.

BlackBerry® Tag, which will be incorporated in the next BlackBerry® 7 OS update*, will allow users to share contact information, documents, URLs, photos and other multimedia content by simply tapping their BlackBerry smartphones together. BlackBerry Tag will also enable friends to instantly add one another as contacts on BBM™ (BlackBerry® Messenger).

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Its been almost a month since we’ve seen a decent leaked OS for any BlackBerry 7 devices with OS 7.0.0.350 being the latest leaked version. Today OS 7.0.0.440 has leaked onto the web for all to download. As it stands we’re not to sure what has been fixed and what has been broken, if you’re brave enough to download it let us know your findings in the comments below.

• Download OS 7.0.0.440 for the Torch 9860

• Download OS 7.0.0.440 for the Bold 9900

Source: N4BB

News….

• RIM announces “BBM Generation,” connecting celebrity BlackBerry users with today’s youth
• PlayBook ScrapBook app updated to version 1.2 in BlackBerry App World
• Best BlackBerry Apps in BlackBerry App World for this Autumn season
• Kik Messenger for BlackBerry now available via top secret download link
• RIM cancelling the production of the BlackBerry PlayBook? Nope and We have a statement from RIM
• Blaq for BlackBerry PlayBook gets tons of new features in v1.5 update
• Congratulations RIM on your 70th million global BlackBerry subscriber!
• RIM releases official statement regarding PlayBook pricing and rebates
• Xobni Super Address Book for BlackBerry Makes its Way to Android

If the few small bugs that have been popping up in FaceBook 2.0 for BlackBerry are starting to bug you don’t worry, RIM is working hard to squash them. FaceBook for BlackBerry has been updated to version 2.0.0.50 and brings along a small change log.

• Fixed a logout issue that some users were experiencing
• Fixed a bug that caused the device to freeze upon receiving a notification
• Disabled the default synchronization settings

So if you don’t see the update notification on your BlackBerry just yet, then hold in there as RIM pushes the update to all the App World servers.

• FaceBook for BlackBerry in BlackBerry App Wolrd

NFC is a technology that could really change the way we do everyday tasks like adding a new contact, pairing a Bluetooth device, or even making a payment. So, when a company like Isis teams up with major carriers and credit card companies, you know things are moving in the right direction, and fast. Yesterday RIM and Isis announced a joint partnership to work on the NFC standard and provide a solution that would allow consumers to use their mobile device as their credit card, a solution that would empower the consumer base of the world to make payments in store with just their mobile phone. You can take a look below at the press release for the full details about RIM’s partnership with Isis and how they are working to make NFC a widely used technology.

Press Release

New York – Sept. 27, 2011 – Isis, the joint venture between AT&T Mobility, T-Mobile USA and Verizon Wireless, announced today that HTC, LG, Motorola Mobility, RIM, Samsung Mobile and Sony Ericsson will introduce NFC-enabled mobile devices that implement Isis’ NFC and technology standards. For consumers who have or purchase smartphones that are not NFC-enabled, Isis is working with DeviceFidelity to add NFC functionality to the mobile device, ensuring a wide range of consumer choice.

“Isis’ technology standards provide the direction and certainty needed for the development and deployment of NFC devices and the mobile commerce ecosystem,” said Scott Mulloy, chief technology officer, Isis. “Working together with the device makers and our founding mobile carriers, Isis can provide the consumer choice and scale necessary for widespread adoption of mobile commerce.”

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Looks like a similar situation to when T-Mobile US launched the Bold 9900 on their network as Vodafone UK has officially sold out of the new Bold. From what the site says if you’re looking to pick up the 9900 you’ll need to wait about 3-4 weeks before they receive any more inventory, though I’m sure that’ll change when RIM notices the sell through numbers. One question I gotta ask is, who got their hands on it before they sold out? Let us know in the comments below.

Source: Vodafone UK
Via: CrackBerry

News…

• 4G LTE BlackBerry PlayBook coming to Bell Mobility?
• NFC-enabled BlackBerry smartphones will ‘open doors’ with HID global’s iCLASS® digital keys and readers says RIM
• BIS outage affecting North America and Europe – are you affected ?
• QNX BlackBerry Smartphones and PlayBook OS 2.0 to be previewed at DevCon 2011
• RIM reports Q2 2012 Financial Results
• BlackBerry Video Store coming to the BlackBerry PlayBook
• BlackBerry Bridge app updated to version 1.0.6.5
• RIM introduces BlackBerry Advertising Service for WebWorks Developers
• RIM loses John Vandermay, VP of BlackBerry Enterprise Server Software
• Hands-on with the BlackBerry Curve Touch 9380
• WiFi Hotspot still on the roadmap for BlackBerry 7 devices
• Become a BlackBerry Alliance Member and take your apps and games to the next level

It’s a known fact that two of the new BlackBerry 7 Smartphones are packing the new NFC chips that will enable things like mobile payments, contact transfer, and accessory pairing, none of which exists today in North America. Today, RIM and HID have announced a partnership that will help businesses utilize the new technology, empowering companies with new all-in-one solution for business security.

Previously, businesses would have installed card readers on doors then hand out access cards to their employees, but fast forward to today and there is a new solution. With RIM and HID teaming up they have now enabled the NFC equipped BlackBerry Smartphones to work as card readers giving employees access to card locked doors and windows with the swipe of a BlackBerry.

“NFC technology will enable many new and exciting capabilities for BlackBerry smartphones and we are very pleased to be working with HID Global to be the first to bring a host of secure identity and mobile access control capabilities to NFC-enabled smartphones,” said Andrew Bocking, vice president, Handheld Software Product Management at RIM.

It looks as though RIM has a lot of things planed for the new tech and they aren’t sitting there like ducks waiting for other companies to offer solutions. They are once again on the leading edge of innovation. The full press release can be found after the break.

NFC-Enabled BlackBerry Smartphones Will ‘Open Doors’ with HID Global’s iCLASS® Digital Keys and Readers

New NFC-Enabled BlackBerry Bold and BlackBerry Curve Will Be First Smartphones with iCLASS Functionality for Digital Keys and Identification for Secure Access to Buildings, Offices and Networks

September 16, 2011 – HID Global, trusted leader in solutions for the delivery of secure identity, has announced an industry first with plans to support the company’s iCLASS® digital keys and mobile secure identity on NFC-enabled BlackBerry® smartphones. The new BlackBerry® Bold™ 9900/9930 and BlackBerry® Curve™ 9350/9360 smartphones activated with iCLASS digital credentials will be compatible with the large installed base of iCLASS readers that are used for applications ranging from physical access systems in buildings, to student IDs, to applications that track time and attendance.

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If you recall back to the early leaked documents regarding what features would ship on the new BlackBerrys, you’ll probably remember the WiFi Hotspot feature that was listed. Well, the launch of the new devices has come and gone without this feature, so where is it you ask? There’s been a lot of talk about it being included into the OS update 7.1, which will bring a lot of improvements and new features.

But the biggest questions is just when will this update be making its way onto our devices, and the answer is soon. An internal document from Sprint has stated that WiFi Hotspot is indeed coming to the new BlackBerry devices soon. Apparently some of the new BlackBerrys actually listed on the box that they support the feature, but Sprint is acting quick and letting customers know that yes, the device is hotspot capable, but it isn’t implemented just yet. So I guess there we have it, hotspot is still on the roadmap, but we’ll just have to wait a little longer.

Source: CrackBerry

If you’re a mobile game developer and are looking for more reasons to attend the BlackBerry developers conference in San Fransico this October, then I may just have that reason that pushes you to attend this year. Renowned Gamer Jane McGonigal is going to be attending this years event and will be on hand to hear a game pitch from five developers and provide her feedback.

“Ms. McGonigal is an engaging speaker whose work offers entertaining and inspiring research. Her credentials include being the director of Game Research and Development at the Institute for the Future, Creative Director of Social Chocolate, and a successful game developer for reality games such as EVOKE, World Without Oil, Crypt Zoo and Superstruct.”

Something like this is truly a chance of a lifetime for game developers looking to work on the BlackBerry platform. If you haven’t signed up for Devcon 2011 make sure you do as space is quickly filling up.

• Get more information on BlackBerry Devcon 2011

Source: BlackBerry DevBlog

If you’ve been following RIM close enough then I’m sure you have witnessed their stock drop to a low of $21 and then bounce up to its current rate at the time of this post which is $31.27. The majority of the decrease in stock price occurred after their Q1 earnings call earlier this year, and RIM is about to announce their Q2 results later this month.

On September 15 th 2011 at 5pm Eastern Time, Research In Motion will announce their earnings for their second quarter of fiscal 2012. I’ll be the first to say that I really have no idea how the numbers will be. Yes, we’ve seen an increase of PlayBook sales and retailers are selling out of the new BlackBerry 7 line up, but sadly BlackBerry 7 devices won’t be included in this earnings call. I’m curious to hear what the BlackBerry community has to say. We’re a strong community, let your voice be heard!

• Sign up and Listen in to the earnings call

News…

• Why RIM will succeed and grow due to BBM Music
• Rogers is launching the “MY10 BlackBerry Social Plan” for just $42.75 per month
• iColors for the BlackBerry Torch 9800 – Classic BlackBerry style with an injection of color
• TELUS launches the BlackBerry Torch 9860
• BlackBerry Messenger v6.0.1.15 now available in the BlackBerry Beta Zone
• RIM loses Mike Kirkup, Senior Director of Global Developer Relations
• T-Mobile launches the BlackBerry Bold 9900 “4G”
• Rogers launches the BlackBerry Curve 9360
• Feature Request: Voice search convenience key option in BlackBerry 7
• Verizon BlackBerry Torch 9850 launch date leaks out
• T-Mobile BlackBerry Bold 9900 for $249.99 in ShopTheBerryFix.com device store
• TELUS partners with Rdio to give you 6 months free music streaming
• BlackBerry App World expands into 14 new markets including Albania, Morocco and Zambia
• T-Mobile BlackBerry Bold 9900 sold out in less then 24hrs online!