RIM has had Theme Studio for BlackBerry 7 in Beta for a while and we haven’t heard much else about it, until today. RIM has just announced on the Inside BlackBerry Developer Blog, via a post entitled “One Door Closes, Another Door Opens,” that they will not be releasing Theme Studio for BlackBerry 7 and that BlackBerry 10 WILL NOT have a theme option.

First, let us take a look at Theme Studio for BlackBerry 7. The Beta is out there but it’s not being very widely used and developer feedback on the software has been bad. There will not be an official release of Theme Studio for BlackBerry 7. The blog post cites the following specifically for Theme Studio 7:

“Once we looked at the final product, it was clear to us that it didn’t address theme developer needs or asks. In addition, feedback from our Theme Studio beta testers showed us that the quality of the tooling would not be acceptable.”

Now, on to BlackBerry 10. RIM has no plans to release a Theme Studio for BlackBerry 10, and even if they wanted to, themeing may not even be possible with the custom interface that BlackBerry 10 runs on. Here is more from the blog on why there won’t be themes for BlackBerry 10:

“there will be no Theme Studio product for BlackBerry 10 and there will be no theme support in the BlackBerry 10 OS. We’ve worked diligently over the last year and a half with our design team to create a new user interface – focused around the idea of “flow”. While there are some great themes built for the current BlackBerry OS, BlackBerry 10 is designed to provide users a unique experience that can be personalized in other ways, but will have a consistent look and feel in iconography and settings.”

So, there you have it. Direct from RIM, confirmation that themes on BlackBerry are a thing of the past. Theme developers need not be discouraged; however. Building applications for BlackBerry 10 requires little to no additional knowledge above what you currently possess for themes. Take a little time to check out developing for BlackBerry 10 and you may find a new outlet to keep the revenue flowing in and your love for BlackBerry flowing out.

Source : Inside BlackBerry Developer Blog

Magmic is the maker of some popular BlackBerry games and themes such as Texas Hold’Em King LIVE and the 1st BlackBerry 7 compatible theme. They are celebrating 10 years of development and have created a cool timeline detailing their progress and changes throughout these 10 years. Magmic was actually one of the very first BlackBerry developers, creating the game “Maglets” for the BlackBerry 5810 in 2002. Magmic pioneered the “free trial” for themes on BlackBerry and they now have nearly 300 apps, games, and themes available in BlackBerry App World. You can check out the timeline in full-size by clicking the link below and see all of Magmic’s games and themes by clicking the link below that.

• See the full-size Magmic Timeline
• Download Magmic games and themes in App World

While some developers have found a workaround to build themes on BlackBerry 7 devices, they still aren’t allowed to submit those to App World, and there are still many devs who are waiting for an official release. Today, RIM announced via Twitter that they will have full details on developing themes for BB7 on Inside BlackBerry later this month. This announcement couldn’t have come at a better time as many theme developers were feeling left out to dry with the latest BlackBerry operating system.

Now, I’m going to go out on a limb and say there are going to be a few happy developers in the BlackBerry ecosystem later this month. Sound off in the comments with your thoughts.

• Check out inside BlackBerry for the inside scoop

Theme Studio for BlackBerry 7 devices has been a hot button issue lately. There was no mention of themes for BlackBerry 7 at DevCon, which got theme developers and enthusiasts up in arms, and then Alec Saunders, RIM’s VP of Developer Relations, really got the crowds fired up when he began discussing the absence of Theme Studio support for BlackBerry 7 devices. Since these announcements, many theme developers and BlackBerry loyalists have either considered leaving or have left the platform for another where they can build and use themes without hinderance from the platform’s makers.

The latest information on Themes for BlackBerry 7 devices comes again from Alec Saunders. This time, Saunders made the following statements in an interview with CIO:

Another interesting tidbit for BlackBerry developers: Though a compatibility issue with the new “Liquid Graphics” engine in the BlackBerry 7 OS has kept RIM from releasing BlackBerry Theme Studio tools for the latest BlackBerry OS, Saunders says these tools will become available mid-2012, he says. (RIM has an internal theme building tool, which is how the company built the custom “Porsche” theme used on the new, limited edition BlackBerry P’9981 device, but the tool is not available to developers outside of RIM, according to Saunders.)

So that’s where we’re currently at with the Theme Studio situation. RIM has the tools available but doesn’t plan package and release them to developers until mid-2012. This makes quite a statement to RIM’s commitment to BlackBerry theme developers and the future of themes on the platform. So, BlackBerry developers and fans, do you plan on sticking with RIM until sometime later in 2012 when you can build or purchase new themes for your BlackBerry 7 device, or do you plan on jumping ship to another, more theme-friendly platform? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

Source: CIO
Via: CrackBerry

The hottest selling themes today tend to be themes that replicate another mobile OS operating system like Android or iOS. While some do a decent job there are a few that stand out and really bring the power of the BlackBerry os and the look of another mobile os together. One that has stood out for me is iLike from Bbt Designs.

They’ve created a theme that has a 100% custom written UI and it’s slick. iLike transforms your BlackBerry into visually stunning UI and a powerhouse that we’ve come to love. iLike is available in ShopTheBerryFix.com for $5.99 and is available on almost every BlackBerry model out there, so check it out!

• Check out iLike from Bbt Designs

To view this video on your BlackBerry, Click Here

Yesterday afternoon RIM flipped the switch on the new web based App World 3.0 brining features that Mac users have been waiting for since day one, things like actually being able to view the site.

So I sat down and decided I’d take a look and see what all the buzz was about, and I’ll say I’m actually quite impressed. Not only does it work well from Mac and Windows PC’s it lets you side-load applications onto your BlackBerry (no PlayBook support just yet) and even update/delete existing ones. So to help the BlackBerry community get an idea on how to use the new site I’ve gone ahead and filmed a video on how to use the all new App World from your desktop computer. Stay tuned for the new version to hit your BlackBerry smartphone soon.

Well, after a long break I’m back. I traveled for over two weeks, and really got to learn a lot about different cultures. I got the opportunity to  walk into different phone companies around the coast, and explore new devices not yet released in Canada or the US. I spoke to a few different people on what device they prefer, sell, and use, but was not surprised with the result. Seemed to be a pretty even split between iPhone users and Blackberry users.

Out of the BB users I spoke to, they all focused on a particular favourite over the iPhone – personalization. Like me, and most users reading this, they enjoy adding themes and applications, and having fun with their device. It’s what really stood out to me the most. I’ve been using the same theme for a while now, and really loved it. Now it’s time for a change. This week I’m going to bring you some themes I think everyone will enjoy. Some are for the fun/childish side of life, but some are for the ones with business phones, who want to keep it professional.

Check them out under the cut!

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So at random we have selected the winners for the Z Man Designs theme winner, and the selected people will get one copy of Effortless for their BlackBerry from ShopTheBerryFix.com.

You should be receiving an email from us this week, but if you didn’t use an email when commenting you will have to email us at sitesupport @ theberryfix.com (or if you just want your theme ASAP).

After the long month of April, May is here, and with all the showers we’ve had lately, it better bring some amazing flowers. With that will come a new batch of awesome Blackberry’s and some really cool new themes. This week I wanted to take a look at some up and coming developers with some very different themes. In this week’s post you’ll find themes that will show you different ways to utilize your Blackberry in forms you never thought. Be sure to check out this weeks’ theme review – found after the cut!

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What FaceBook did to the internet AppVerse is about to do it to BlackBerry apps. AppVerse is a social network for applications, letting you read a nice quick review from someone within the community to help you decide if that fart sound app for your Torch is with $3.99 or not.

Joining AppVerse is super easy and your probably half way done and your don’t even know it! First sign up for an account at ShopTheBerryFix.com, then fill in some details about yourself and upload an avatar. After those simple steps you are on your way to reviewing and sharing apps with your Twitter and FaceBook friends!

I’ve been using it for a few weeks now so be sure to follow me TheBerryFix Zach and see what apps I’m downloading.

• Join AppVerse today at ShopTheBerryFix.com

For me finding a theme I actually like is a daily task. I need something wallpaper friendly, clean and easy to use, so when I came across Effortless from Z Man Design I was a little sceptical that it was truly “effortless”…but, it definitely is.

Effortless is available in ShopTheBerryFix.com for $2.99 for all BlackBerry 6 devices. But why pay money when you can have a copy for free..! Zach from Z Man Design has given us 15 copies to give away to our readers and all you have to do is leave a single comment thats it and I’ll even count those who just say “first” or “second”. The contest will run until Saturday, May 7th at 11:59pm pst.

**Please remember that duplicate comments will be disqualified, and for us to contact you regarding your prize you must provide a valid email address when commenting.

Just like BlackBerry 6 when the first OS leaked theme builders went to town creating a theme that resembles the new operating system, and that has happened once again with the latest OS leak of BlackBerry 6.1. SIX DOT X can be picked up from ShopTheBerryFix.com for $1.99 and is available on almost all devices. If you do pick up the theme let us know what you think of icons on the next stage in the evolution of BlackBerry.

• Get Six Dot X from ShopTheBerryFix.com

Hey Everyone! March is finally over, and we’re quickly moving on to April showers and then May flowers. What better way to celebrate Spring then get your Blackberry all springed-out! I’m bringing you some themes that will brighten up and make your Blackberry a little more useful, as well as a favourite theme I found.

Check them out after the cut!

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The team over at Hedonedesign just sent us over a note telling us that they are offering their themes for 50% off until march 31st. Normally and theme like PSHD that we’ve shown you in the photo above would run you about $7, but with coupon code GDT342 you’ll be able to scoop it up for $3.49. Hit up the link below and check out all the themes by Hedonedesign in ShopTheBerryfix.com.

• Themes by Hedonedesign in ShopTheBerryFix.com

Hey guys, Steph here! This week I’m bringing you creative, fun, and cool themes for your BB. The themes i’ve gone through this week all have something that stands right out to me. It may be something different, something that caught my eye, or just something that adds a little bit more personality to your phone. Check out all of this week’s featured themes past the break!

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