BlackBerry PlayBook 101: How to tether your BlackBerry PlayBook to a mobile device that has a tethering plan (does not have to be a BlackBerrry Smartphone!)

Without having the 4G version of the BlackBerry PlayBook at launch (and if iPad stats prove true for the PlayBook the majority will opt for WiFi-only versions anyway), most users will be looking for a way to connect to the internet when away from WiFi. For that, you simply need to connect your mobile device to the PlayBook tablet via Bluetooth. I’ve noticed a bit of a misconception going around that people think it has to be a BlackBerry Smartphone you tether to, but as RIM has relayed to us the whole time that is not the case.

Remember, the BlackBerry Bridge, which allows you to get your BlackBerry Smartphone’s email, calendar, contacts, etc. on your PlayBook (it turns your PlayBook into a big monitor for your BB phone) is different than Internet Tethering. The device you are tethering to does need to support tethering (you’ll need to confirm with your plan/carrier if there will be tethering chargers, etc.), but again, it doesn’t need to be a BlackBerry. The process for setting up tethering is pretty simple, but so you don’t get lost along the way we have a quick tutorial to help you get it done.

 

Connecting to the internet via Bluetooth on the BlackBerry PlayBook

Before you begin you’ll need to verify the following:

• The wireless service plan of the device must support tethering.
• The device must be compatible with Bluetooth technology. To find out what Bluetooth profiles the device uses, see the information that came with the device.
• Bluetooth DUN must be enabled. If this IT policy is not available, check with the service provider or administrator.
  

1. Enable Bluetooth

Before you get started, make sure Bluetooth is enabled on both the phone and tablet. To activate Bluetooth on the PlayBook:

Tap the settings icon on the status bar

Then choose Internet Tethering

Tap Turn On

 

2. Connect to your BlackBerry smartphone

Tap the settings icon on the status bar, then again selected Internet Tethering

Your paired device should now be listed, tap it to connect

In the drop-down list, tap a service provider or tap Add and add a service provider to the list.

Tap the service provider and choose Connect.

If you add a service provider you are prompted to create a custom profile. Enter the APN, user name, and password that your wireless service provider has given you and tap Connect.

That’s it! You should be up and running and successfully able to connect to the internet through your smartphone. Keep in mind that some carriers may charge a fee for this, so you’ll want to check in with them so you don’t get any surprises on your bill!

Be sure to check out all of our BlackBerry PlayBook 101 articles to help get you up and running.

BlackBerry Traffic updated to v2.0.0.1735 in Beta Zone

BlackBerry Traffic has just been updated today in Beta Zone to v2.0.0.1735. Some of the new features include:

• Universal Search icon now shows “Search BlackBerry Traffic” instead of “Search BB Traffic”.  This shortcut allows users to perform a local search directly from the home screen [OS 6 only]
• New gradient icon design for BlackBerry smartphones running OS 6
• Updated user interface for the Route Selection screen
• Minor user interface updates and improvements throughout the application

You can get the new Traffic app from Beta Zone. If you aren’t apart of Beta Zone, you can join here.

XIMAD Releases Free version of Brain Cube for BlackBerry

XIMAD announced today that have released a free version of the popular BlackBerry game, Brain Cube. Game’s objective is to roll the cube thru combination of very interesting puzzles and find a way from one level to another. Each level is unique and filled with different obstacles and mazes. The same features as the paid version are in the free edition, which include: 

• Easy to use interface
• Multiple Levels
• Different control modes
• Integration with social media

You can download Brain Cube Free from App World here.

[qrcode pix=120]http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/34508[/qrcode]

RECAP: RIM’s 2011 BlackBerry lineup

 

We unveiled nearly all of RIM’s 2011 lineup over the past day or so, and we wanted to highlight the devices as well as give you a bit more background and personal thoughts on them — and of course, more photos. For starters, though, let’s talk about RIM’s NFC implementation and its real world use cases… we have been told RIM is planning to use NFC for pairing and streaming control with accessories, in addition to peer-to-peer information exchange. What does that mean? Well, you’d hold up one BlackBerry to another BlackBerry to add that person on BlackBerry Messenger, transfer your vCard information, or even share files. Future NFC uses headed to BlackBerry devices, we’re told, include things as crazy as building access control (no more key cards!), ticketing, and of course, payments. Hit the break for the rest of our break down!

BlackBerry Bold (Dakota)

The BlackBerry Dakota is the creme de la creme of the 2011 BlackBerry family, and it will carry the Bold name. RIM has taken various shots at this form factor and the Dakota will be the first one to see the light of day. We’re glad the company took the time to get it right, because earlier prototypes we’ve seen definitely fell short. The Torch is a great phone for some, but those of us who live and die by the perfect QWERTY keyboard found on RIM’s Bold line had trouble dealing with the thin plastic keys and minimal tactile response on the Torch’s board.

Beyond the heaven-sent full QWERTY / touchscreen combo, the Dakota will feature specs that are definitely a solid bump over today’s Bold devices. By 2011 standards they’re not going to blow anyone away, but higher display resolution, RAM upgrade, NFC, mobile hotspot capability and thin form factor are sure to please the eager BlackBerry-toting masses. Toss HD video recording and OS 6.1 into the mix, and we’re looking at the likely king of Waterloo in 2011.

BlackBerry Curve (Apollo)

The BlackBerry Curve sits lower than the Bold on RIM’s device lineup totem pole, but with the newest Curve ready to debut later this year, people will be in for a treat. With a decent screen, HSPA, a 5-megapixel camera, and an 800MHz CPU, the brand new BlackBerry Curve definitely won’t be a slouch. The styling flows very well on the Curve pictured above with smooth angles and… curves. The phone also appears sleek and perfectly proportioned. RIM’s Curve line is by far its biggest, and we think this update will definitely help keep RIM’s enterprise sales moving in the right direction.

BlackBerry Torch 2

RIM called the first Torch its best BlackBerry ever, though many would take issue with that statement. The Torch did nothing for me, personally. In fact, all it really did was make using a BlackBerry device more clunky and painful. Part of this is the hardware’s vertical slide out design, but part of it was due to the slow processor and weak internals. But if all goes according to plan, one of the Torch’s two big strikes will soon be taken care of. The BlackBerry Torch 2 should scream with its 1.2GHz CPU, VGA-resolution screen and large built-in storage. Again, these specs aren’t going to make anyone’s head spin in Q3 2011, but they’ll definitely give the Torch the shot of adrenaline it so desperately needs.

BlackBerry Storm 3 (Monaco)

We have not confirmed that the BlackBerry Monaco will launch with the “Storm 3″ moniker, though if it did, it would be practically nothing like the first device in the series. The first BlackBerry Storm, internally referred to as an “Apple Killer” and arguably one of the worst handsets ever to created by Research In Motion (remember how we reported it would be terrible before release?), shares nothing with the upcoming BlackBerry Storm 3 — no SurePress screen, no clunky hardware, no slow processor. This new full touchscreen device will be powered by a 1.2GHz CPU and feature the highest resolution display to ever ship on a BlackBerry — 800 x 480 pixels. We’ll have to see how it plays out in the marketplace, though, because by the time it is released in Q3, there will be much, much more advanced handsets with much more robust operating systems.

We hope you BlackBerry-lovers out there are excited with the information we have shared over the past two days. RIM is definitely moving towards better-spec’d devices — we’ll just have to see if it’s going to be soon enough, and if it’s going to be enough to compete with the iPhone and Android juggernauts.

VIA:BGR

Sears now taking pre-orders for the BlackBerry PlayBook

Although one of the emails that sparked off the whole pre-order launch madness didn’t really pan out as stated, that doesn’t mean it wasn’t true in one way or another. Sears certainly had the best intentions when they sent out their previous BlackBerry PlayBook emails — they just so happened to get the date wrong. Either way, folks looking to scoop up a BlackBerry PlayBook can now hop on over to the Sears Canada website and place your pre-order. No price difference from any other retailer but if you’re looking to grab one with some ease, something tells me Sears will be the way to go.

More information at the Sears pre-order page

New BlackBerry Monaco / Monza (Storm 3) Images Surface

We saw the original Monaco/Monza image surface a long time ago, and more recently a video. Now, fresh images of the BlackBerry Monaco/Monza have surfaced. It is said that in OS 6.1 when you goto login you must use your BlackBerry ID. This will could allow for easier transitioning of devices and moving contacts and other data. We have some more information on this, which we’ll explain soon.

The Monaco/Monza is shaping up nicely, and as such will likely not be called a ‘Storm’ like we mentioned before. The upcoming BlackBerry World looks to be getting a few nice devices to showcase and we can expect the Monaco/Monza and others to be announced there. Hit the break for more photos.

via BGR

RIM and Intellectual Ventures strike a deal; gives RIM access to 30,000+ patents

Research In Motion and Intellectual Ventures have struck a deal (similar to HTC and Samsung) where RIM will be granted total access to IV’s 30,000+ IP assets.

Becoming an IV licensee provides access to additional products and services to address both short-term and long-term IP-related matters. As an IV customer, RIM can now complement its own strong patent portfolio with access to IV’s portfolio and can leverage IV’s portfolio in its future licensing negotiations.

It will be interesting to see what advantages will come of this deal and if RIM will attempt to leverage the patents against any of its competitors. Hit the break for the full press release.

 

Polar Mobile contracted to bring ‘at least’ 100 apps to the BlackBerry PlayBook

RIM has apparently teamed up with fellow Canadian company, Polar Mobile, to develop ‘at least’ 100 apps for the BlackBerry PlayBook. Polar Mobile has a suite of apps developed for TIME, CBS, Bloomberg, and more. It is possible that as Polar Mobile begins moving into the tablet space it will bring these current smartphone apps to the PlayBook. Polar Mobile does not know which clients will want their apps brought to the PlayBook, but they intend to begin rolling out the apps by this summer.

“Tablets represent a massive opportunity for our customers to increase reach, drive engagement and create a new revenue stream,” said Kunal Gupta, Polar’s CEO. “We are excited to extend our platform to the PlayBook and believe it will be a key content-consumption device that publishers need to be on.”

via Globe & Mail

Get Pageonce – Money & Bills Pro free for a limited time

[ youtube video link for mobile viewing ]

Back in November we saw the Pageonce – Personal Assistant “Super App” featured in a BlackBerry commercial for App World. The commercial showed the app in such a light that I was intrigued enough to install the free version ($6.99 for the Pro version seemed a bit much when the only difference looked to be the free came with ads). I thought I was getting an app that would keep track of tasks, map locations of places and assist me in keeping my daily schedule in check. That’s what a personal assistant would do right? I was a bit confused when I saw that the app was in reality only for managing my bills & bank accounts but liked the app enough to keep it on my BlackBerry. Now Pageonce has renamed their app to Pageonce – Money and Bills (much more appropriate title for what the app actually does).

The app allows you to keep track of the following:

• Monitor your credit card transactions
  
• Check your bank account status
  
• View your detailed bill statements
  
• Review your investment portfolio
  
• Track your frequent flyer miles and travel itineraries Advanced alerts and push notification system
  
• All upcoming bills due dates and itineraries will automatically be added your calendar

For a limited time, you can grab the Pageonce – Money and Bills Pro version for FREE (only available in the US) in BlackBerry App World! I don’t know how long this offer will last (seems to have started in the last day or so) but if you were looking for an app to help managed your financial accounts, I’d head on over and pick up this deal quick!!

This promotional offer is only available to BlackBerry users on the following US Networks: AT&T, Verizon, Metro PCS and Sprint

[qrcode pix=120]http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/813?lang=en[/qrcode]

More information/download of Pageonce – Money and Bills

via:cb

BlackBerry Messenger for iPhone coming April 26th? Not really

By now, you’ve no doubt heard the rumors of BlackBerry Messenger arriving on iOS come April 26. The issue was raised on BBM while many people have stated they’d love to see it happen — in this case, it’s just simply not true. As you all can tell by looking at the posts from yesterday we never made mention of it despite the forums and our poor email inboxes filling up with tips of the news. Having taken the time to reach out to RIM we can confirm the following:

RIM did not hold a conference in Toronto this week and Jim Balsillie did not speak at any event in Toronto this week.

As much as some would like to see BlackBerry Messenger span across different OS platforms, it’s just not happening yet. Not to say it couldn’t some day but April 26th is not the time. We couldn’t in good faith, post such a rumor without being able to confirm it or at the very least have good reason to believe it to be true. This is common across all of our posts, if we’re not posting something that appears to be popping up everywhere else, we have good reason for it. As it turns out, this one — is complete BS.