Yesterday, RIM announced that they would be giving a free PlayBook tablet to all Android developers who submit an app into App World before February 13th. Today, Alec Saunders, RIMs VP of Media Relations, has announced that ANY developer that submits a PlayBook app by that date is eligible for a free PlayBook. This offer is open to all developers in any country. Hit the link below for all the details and then get to coding!

• Learn more about the Free PlayBook offer

Starting today, Telus stores have officially dropped the retail price of the 16 & 32GB BlackBerry PlayBook models. The biggest question that’s been floating around the web is, why? Well, we don’t know exactly why, but could be due to the impeding launch of the HSPA+ enabled model. And the latest news pushes even more in the wind of an impending launch as Telus has placed the PlayBook into EOL (End Of Life).

This means they will sell all their current stock and will not replenish with the same model. I guess only time will tell, and with BlackBerry Devcon Europe starting and BlackBerry World in a few months, we will know sooner than later.

Source : Mobile Syrup

RIM is trying hard to get as many apps as possible onto the BlackBerry PlayBook before OS 2.0 launches. Their latest venture is aimed at Android developers and hopes to entice them with a free PlayBook. All you have to do is submit your repackaged Android application to App World by February 13th and you’ll get yourself a free PlayBook. RIM has made it incredibly easy to repackage your Android apps for the PlayBook, and with the growing number of units out there every day, you’re sure to make some easy money. Hit the link below to get all the details on submitting your Android app to App World.

• Check out BlackBerry Runtime for Android Apps

Source : CrackBerry

Telus is hosting a promotion on the BlackBerry PlayBook from February 3rd through 9th. The 16GB and 32GB versions of the PlayBook will be on sale for just $149.99. Yes, you heard that right, $149.99. This is a huge sale that those in Canada should definitely check out, especially if you’re thinking about making the jump to the PlayBook. Word has it that the 64GB version will remain $299.99, which is still a great deal when considering MSRP.  Be sure to head in to your local Telus location on these days to grab yourself a new PlayBook at this low price!

Source : Mobile Syrup

In an interview with CrackBerry, RIM’s new CEO, Thorsten Heins, was asked was asked about licensure of both the BlackBerry Operating System and BlackBerry Messenger. His response may surprise some of the BlackBerry faithful who know Mike and Jim’s stance on licensing the BlackBerry OS. Here’s what Heins had to say:

“You should never rule this out; business is very very dynamic. It’s dynamic on the device side as well as on the software side. So never say no to anything. We’re constantly exploring our room to maneuver and our room to explore other businesses so I wouldn’t say categorically no to it. There is a time where this might make sense, and I have a team looking into this. I’m not saying I won’t license. People are again putting this in a black and white spot. I’m open for licensing if it makes sense. But it’s not what I was hired for; I was not hired to build a licensing company. I was hired to take BlackBerry to new heights. And that’s what I will do with my team.”

So far, I’m liking everything that the new CEO has to say. His initial response is that yes, if there was a profitable licensure request, RIM very well may go ahead with the process. I also like what he has to say about BBM. I personally think that moving BBM cross platform would allow for more people to experience the power of the service and get BlackBerry on their minds. Then when BlackBerry 10 launches, the BBM licensure may draw new customers. That is however, only my opinion. Heins makes sure to close out this answer by saying he wants to “take BlackBerry to new heights” and “not just build a licensing company.”

Source : CrackBerry

We have been hearing from RIM for quite some time that PlayBook OS 2.0 would be ready and launching in February. They never gave us a specific date in February, but I have always thought it would be mid to late in the month. It’s looking like I may be right, according to Best Buy. According to BBOS, employees at Best Buy locations all around the US and Canada are being told to prepare for the rollout of the OS for PlayBook on February 21st. I have even personally called and visited a few Best Buys and gotten either late February or the exact date for February 21 as the date from employees.

We must take this with a grain of salt, especially since we all know how carrier and tech store employees tend to carry on rumors over facts. However, with PlayBook OS 2.0 being such a big launch for the company, the employees may need to be let in on it a little earlier to get prepared. This launch will be highly publicized and marketed, something we have already seen from RIM in the first month of 2012. Now, I know most were skeptical at the launch date, especially considering RIM’s less than stellar track record of product release announcements followed by delays. It looks like this time, February may be correct and RIM my hit a specified launch date for the first time in a long time. All of this combines gives us great hope in RIM and the BlackBerry for 2012. They are finally living up to customer expectations, as well as their new slogan, #BeBold.

Source : BBOS

Today is quite the day for BlackBerry leaks. First up, we have some slides that detail the upcoming BlackBerry PlayBook refresh. The new PlayBook, the 3G+, will feature NFC, a new 1.5 GHz Dual Core processor, and 42Mbps connectivity using HSPA+. The new PlayBook 3G+ looks to have the same 7″ screen and form factor that we are seeing on the current Wi-Fi only models. The PlayBook 3G+ is currently slated for a March or April launch; however, this could always change. Hit the break for a full spec sheet on the new PlayBook 3G+.

(more…)

Source : BGR

End-of-Life (EOL) is a status that we have seen with carriers many times before. For those that haven’t been with us and seen this term before, it means that the item listed as EOL is going out of stock and will no longer be sold through that retail outlet. This time the device that is gaining EOL status with Sprint is the BlackBerry PlayBook. The PlayBook is listed as going EOL in “Late January,” which means any day now. The particular model listed is “7 inch, Wi-Fi only,” which could mean one of four things.

First, Sprint could just be trimming their PlayBook stock so they can quit carrying the PlayBook in their stores. This is a distinct possibility since the Wi-Fi only model really doesn’t bring much revenue for a wireless carrier. Second, Sprint could be selling out stock of the Wi-Fi only model in anticipation of a 4G LTE PlayBook that could be launching sometime soon. A third reason for Sprint’s EOL on the PlayBook could be in preparation for a revamp of the 7 inch model, which could coincide with the launch of PlayBook OS 2.0 in February. The fourth and final possible reason would be the discontinuation of the 7 inch PlayBook in favor of a 10 inch model that would be launching soon. We’ll let you know as soon as we hear more.

Source: SprintFeed
Via: N4BB

LastPass is an app that all of us here at TheBerryFix.com use, in one form or another. Zach has been a longtime user on OSX and BlackBerry and I was just recently turned on to the wonder that is LastPass. Using this app, you can sign-in with a single password and all your passwords for various websites will be automatically filled in by LastPass. Before today, this app was not available for the BlackBerry PlayBook. Now; however, PlayBook owners have a chance to enjoy the convenience of LastPass right on their BlackBerry-branded tablet.

LastPass is available as a free download for the BlackBerry PlayBook through App World. You will either need to purchase access to the Premium LastPass service, which I assure you is worth it, or sign-up for a free 14-day trial to give it a go. The Premium Subscription service is only $1 per month and gives you access to all your passwords from nearly any internet-connected device. There is however, one caveat. LastPass was designed using PlayBook OS 2.0, so unless you have the Beta version of 2.0 on your PlayBook, you’ll need to wait till mid to late February to give it a shot. LastPass is compatible with nearly every OS out there, from Windows and OSX to iOS and Symbian. Sign up today for your free trial and ease your password-filled mind with LastPass.

• Download LastPass for BlackBerry PlayBook
• Sign-up for/Learn more about LastPass

Need for Speed was one of the original games to launch with the BlackBerry PlayBook, and consequently, it has seen a few updates. The latest of these updates comes in the form of v2.1.o. There’s no word on exactly what has changed in this version but you should download it and give it a try. If you find some changes or new additions, be sure to let TheBerryFix nation know in the comments.

• Download Need for Speed Undercover for PlayBook

Looks as though RIM is pushing an updated version of the BlackBerry PlayBook developer preview through the BlackBerry Jam Zone. There isn’t much known about the update at this point but it is a fair increase from the last build. If you’re running OS 2.0 on your PlayBook you will have to re-register your device with RIM before the update will be made available. To do so just follow the link below and you’ll be directed to the right place. Let us know what you find in the comments below.

• Register your PlayBook with the 2.0 Developer preview program

Source : CrackBerry

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

As I continue my adventure through BlackBerry App World finding some of the best looking games for the PlayBook, I’ve come across Reckless Racing HD by Pixelbite. If you’ve ever been a fan of racing games, and driving reckless in general, you’ll want to pick this one up. There are a few game modes in Reckless Racing, one is online, another is computer Vs. human, and the last is a mode that has you racing around finding different items to collect and move to another location.

If you take a minute to watch my run (sad attempt) at Reckless Racing you’ll see why I’ve picked it to review. You can pick the game up in App World for $4.99, which is a slick deal considering the hours of online fun to be had.

• Download Reckless Racing HD for the BlackBerry PlayBook

Oh, the rumors keep circling RIM like sharks, and the latest rumor comes from BGR’s Jonathan Geller. In this latest rumor Geller goes on to say that his trusted sources have informed him that RIM is looking to sell off part, or all of their company to the best candidate. Apparently, according to the trusted sources, that is Samsung.

While RIM has firmly said that they are not looking to sell the company and believe that BlackBerry 10 and what they have in the pipes will “leap-frog the competition”, this isn’t the first time we’ve seen a few rumors from trusted sources that are familiar with the matter make comments. Now looking at the this one in particular, I’m going to have to say it’ll be a cold day in Canada when RIM sells to another company. It’s the Canadian passion, and you heard it from the rumors of the Amazon buyout, RIM isn’t looking to sell the company and I don’t think anything has changed. We’ve reached out to RIM for a comment on this, though they were not immediately available for a comment. Sound off in the comments with your thoughts, curious to read what the BlackBerry Nation has to say about this.

Source : BGR

Cmwdotme, the brains behind the DingleBerry jailbreak for the BlackBerry PlayBook, has just let the world know that DingleBerry v3.0 is now available for download! This version of DingleBerry, version 3.0, brings two great new features. The first is the Downgrader. This tool helps you downgrade to an acceptable version of the PlayBook OS before using DingleBerry to root your PlayBook. The second big addition is Hulu. If you use DingleBerry v3.0 on your PlayBook you will now have access to Hulu, a service that is currently blocked on non-rooted units. You can grab the installer below and it works on both Windows and Mac.

• Download DingleBerry v3.0

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

Zinio is one of the top magazine reader apps and has been available on iOS for quite some time now. The company sees BlackBerry and the PlayBook as a great opportunity for expansion and they have developed their application for the BlackBerry PlayBook. Zinio is not only a magazine e-reader app, but they are a full-featured magazine store, as well. You can purchase magazines right from the app and then view them on any of your devices that have the Zinio app installed. You can learn more about Zinio and check out some sweet previews of the app in the video above.

Zinio for BlackBerry PlayBook will be available soon in BlackBerry App World, and as a special incentive to check out the app, RIM and Zinio will be offering a free $25 magazine purchase credit to those PlayBook owners who purchase the app in App World. We’ll let you know as soon as we get more information on this app and its official release date.

Source : Inside BlackBerry