Finally, a week after the PlayBook launched in the US and Canada, we start to see some advertising on television in the form of commercials. The focus of this 30 second ad is the portability and power of the PlayBook. I’m sure this is just the first of many commercials we’ll see for the device, though I for one still find it a bit odd that it took so long to even get this one out. Thanks to everyone that sent this in!
via:cb
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:
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
Stardust has been tapped by BBDO Moscow to create eye-popping holographic video content for client Blackberry MTS that will be shown on a unique, new mixed-reality “presentation station” (RealFiction’s Dreamoc 3D Display). The installation incorporates physical products with free-floating holographic elements. MTS will show the futuristic-looking installation at major public venues across Russia, including all three Moscow international airports, as well as trade events, conferences and MTS retail stores starting in March.
Continue reading The Future of BlackBerry and Smartphone Display Cases
SRA International, inc announced today the release of One Vault Messenger, an encryption solution for Short Message Service (SMS) transmissions (text messages) for BlackBerry smartphones. One Vault Messenger was designed for executives, first responders, and government agencies that currently ‘text in the clear’. It features an intuitive interface and leverages technology from Koolspan – the developers of a tamper-resistant microSD encryption card (TrustChip) – to defend against unwanted surveillance and cyber hacking. One Vault Messenger sounds like a great addition to SRA’s entire suite of mobile protection products.
Press Release
Continue reading SRA Releases One Vault Messenger – SMS Encryption for BlackBerry
According to the latest IDC report, Research In Motion has stayed strong over the last quarter of 2010 coming in at the number 3 spot of the smartphone market worldwide. Beat out by Nokia and Apple (number 1 and 2 respectively), RIM’s numbers held strong thanks to a huge boost from consumers outside of North America. While interest is still strong in North America, rising competition from other smartphone makers will keep the battle for the top closer than ever. RIM shipped over 14 million units in the fourth quarter of 2010 (up 4 million from 2009) and had a 36.4% growth from the previous year. Keep reading for the full press release.
Continue reading IDC: BlackBerry takes 3rd spot in 4th quarter of 2010
There is a growing need for wireless synchronization. Besides the obvious solution that goes by the name of BES (and the free BES Express), many companies have thrown their hat into the ring to provide users a way to feed that need. Some offer only contact, calendar and email synchronization, others offer only access to files. Today, the folks at Funambol decided to toss their own hat in and announced their beta for a ‘mobile cloud service’ for BlackBerry. Through Funambol BlackBerry service, you are able to sync pictures between your BlackBerry to your PC – or to numerous social networking sites (Facebook, Flicker, etc). You can also enjoy two-way synchronization with Outlook of contacts, calendar, tasks and note. All of this is done OTA and you can choose whether you want to manually sync or schedule automatic syncing.
Funambol is already up and running on other platforms and it’s about time that BlackBerry is shown some love as well. They say that their service is equivalent to what Android would expect from Google or what iPhone users get with MobileMe. Funambol is currently in beta and can be found in BlackBerry App World. Based on the reviews on BlackBerry App World, it’s been there since at least October. Full Press Release after the jump
More information/download of Funambol App
Continue reading Funambol answers the call for 'MobileMe-like' service for BlackBerry
There has been a lot of buzz lately on whether RIM will decide to run a commercial during Superbowl 2011. Is it coincidence that the Black Eyed Peas, who are playing during the half-time show, also happen to be a BlackBerry sponsor? Has RIM been building this moment up, banking on the large audiences of the Superbowl to boast advertisement of their upcoming devices and tablet? It does certainly seem so, as all signs point to yes for a BlackBerry commercial during the Superbowl. The big question is, how will RIM utilize their air-time?
Another example of just how outdated these recording laws are: police departments in other states are creating their own apps that directly violate the eavesdropping laws of other states.
There is a growing trend of recording and reporting incidents by the public via smartphones/mobiles these days. The trend covers events such as the police killing a man near the BART system, a plane crashing in the Hudson, tragic moments from the Iranian elections, and countless more. Recording the world around you has become commonplace in today’s society. Just take a look at the site CrowdReel, which publishes pictures from Twitter streams around the world.
Recently, a case has brought to light outdated eavesdropping laws in Illinois and 11 other states. The case involves two individuals who recorded public officials (one of which used her BlackBerry) because they wanted a record of what was said for their own personal protection. This act landed them potential sentences of 15 years in prison (the sentence is much greater when it involves a public official versus a civilian).
In Canada, a lawful party to a call that starts and ends in Canada can record that call if they are doing so for a personal or journalistic reason and not a commercial purpose (via @privacylawyer). The reason for this is straight forward: it’s natural to want to record instances where you feel threatened, and if you’re in public, you have a reasonable expectation of being photographed/recorded. By making it illegal to record a public official unless they give consent, you’re not allowing the public to adequately protect themselves against someone who may be abusing their power.
Reason Magazine, a libertarian publication, sums up the situation nicely:
Police across the country are using decades-old wiretapping statutes that did not anticipate iPhones or Droids, combined with broadly written laws against obstructing or interfering with law enforcement, to arrest people who point microphones or video cameras at them. Even in the wake of gross injustices, state legislatures have largely neglected the issue. Meanwhile, technology is enabling the kind of widely distributed citizen documentation that until recently only spy novelists dreamed of. The result is a legal mess of outdated, loosely interpreted statutes and piecemeal court opinions that leave both cops and citizens unsure of when recording becomes a crime.
It’s about time that these states wake up to the pace of technological change. Eavesdropping laws need to be interpreted in a way that balances the original intent with today’s smartphone reality.
VIA: bc
So…I’m zoned in on Sunday night football and all of a sudden this commercial interferes with my concentration. At first, I think…cool a new BlackBerry! Not quite, but it does leave the question as to how soon we will see some new smartphones, whether it be the Storm 3, PlayBook or some other device that will take advantage of Verizon’s 4G LTE.
Verizon’s New 4G LTE service is set to go online in December. Well, Christmas is in December too, last I knew, and many of you are expecting something From RIM! Since RIM has been tight-lipped on any new devices, let’s see what you’re imagination can come up with. Or better yet, possible rumors of upcoming devices you may know about.
The latest commercial from BlackBerry shows not a device this time, but BlackBerry App World. Its good to see the apps getting some love and not just the devices. This ad shows off Pageonce in one of what I’m sure will be many more app commercials. There are tons of apps that would turn into great ads, and with the way RIM has been rolling out commercials, I’m sure we’ll see a bunch pop up on the airwaves soon.
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Night Hawk Computers Blackberry Alliance 