RIM continues to do a great job of showing off the upcoming BlackBerry 6 operating system update and it looks like developers will soon have a SDK to work with. The official BlackBerry Developers Blog today posted a mini intro of BlackBerry 6 from a developers perspective:

One thing we want to do is differentiate the way BlackBerry 6 will affect Java® development versus Web development. Over the coming weeks, we will share tips, tricks and more information about developing for BlackBerry 6 through two separate paths. For our Java developers, we’ll work to highlight the new APIs being introduced, including a new powerful set of new User Interface controls, Universal Search integration, and a Barcode Capture API. For our web developers, we’ll start to redefine BlackBerry® Widgets and talk about the completely revamped BlackBerry Browser powered by a Webkit engine. We will cover HTML5, CSS3, and concrete steps for how you can bring your mobile site to BlackBerry® smartphones.

On top of that, we are going to continue our series covering Super Apps and how you can create an amazing user experience on the BlackBerry platform. We are now less than eight weeks away from the final deadline for the BlackBerry Partners Fund Super Apps Developer Challenge. With over $1.5 million in prizing, this is a challenge you don’t want to watch from the sidelines.

While there is no direct mention of a SDK release, this intro to developers is a sure sign that it could be available soon. If you’re a developer and interested in the Super Apps Developer Challenge go to blackberrypartnersfund.com/2010challenge for more info.

via BB Dev Blog

Lots of rumors surrounded the BlackBerry Tablet aka “BlackPad” lately. A few days ago we found out RIM bought BlackPad.com offering a bit of confirmation in terms of what the new tablet might be named. A few other rumors claimed a tablet would be hitting Verizon by the end of the year and it will have dual cameras for video conferencing among other specifications. Some sources have told Bloomberg that the BlackPad might be launching in November:

Research In Motion Ltd., maker of the BlackBerry smartphone, plans to introduce a tablet computer in November to compete with Apple Inc’s iPad, according to two people familiar with the company’s plans.

RIM plans to call the tablet Blackpad, according to one of the people familiar with the company’s plans. RIM, based in Waterloo, Ontario, acquired the Internet rights to blackpad.com this month, according to the Whois database of domain names.

In the tablet market, RIM will have to demonstrate how its device can stand out against products including the iPad, which has attracted buyers because of its close integration with Apple’s iTunes service and the many software applications created by independent developers. RIM’s tablet will be closely integrated with the BlackBerry smartphone to allow people to use RIM’s e-mail system and other features, the person said.

I wonder if RIM will make any comments about the tablet at next Tuesday’s BlackBerry event in NYC.

via Bloomberg | Image via IntoMobile

Earlier this month I mentioned that BlackBerry, Gmail & Skype might be banned in India and more recently that the UAE wants access to encrypted info. I expressed my own concerns about RIM allowing access to encrypted info on their servers to intelligence agencies of India, but they’ve decided to “comply” with India’s demands and plan to allow them access.

“Makers of BlackBerry have assured the ministry of home affairs that the issue of monitoring will be sorted out soon. I am sure we will soon be on the same page and our concerns will be addressed,” special secretary (internal security) in home ministry U K Bansal told reporters on the sidelines of a conference organised by FICCI here.

The government has already warned RIM that if it does not comply with the formats that can allow monitoring of emails and SMSes to address security concerns, it will have to close down operations in the country.

Bansal said the department of telecommunication was the nodal authority which made policy and it was working to address the issue raised by the home ministry.

BlackBerry’s server is based in Canada where the encryption level is very high and extremely difficult to crack. Any message going through the Canadian server is encrypted and, therefore, cannot be accessed by intelligence agencies in India.

I can’t help but laugh at that last bit where India complained that RIM’s encryption level was difficult to crack. Military level encryption that’s difficult to crack and track…you don’t say? Personally I don’t think RIM should have complied (slippery slope) but I guess they’re confident they can allow access without jeopardizing total security. What do you think?

via Times Of India

BerryCodes is having a promotion with their FindMeHere and Textender BlackBerry apps where you can get them free through the end of July, which is only a few days away! Features of the apps include:

• FindMeHere
  • New send button allows for Email, SMS, and Twitter integration
  • Twitter option takes user to mobile Twitter site with location information auto populated
  • Email option autofills email with location information
  • SMS option will create an sms, but not autofill location information (issue with 5.0 API’s)
  • Bit.ly now shortens your location link automatically
  • Click the copy button to have the Google Maps link copied for you
  • Paste your location into any text field; Email, MMS, SMS, BlackBerry Messenger, Twitter apps.. anywhere you want!
• Textender
  • User is now able to select what phone number from the contact they want to send sms to
  • Outgoing SMS are now marked with a message count; i.e. (1/5), (2/5), (3/5)..etc.
  • User can access Textender from nearly any screen
  • Send messages beyond 140/160 characters
  • Send to up to 6 recipients at any given time
  • Stand alone app which can be assigned to a convenience key
  • Displays a message count so the user is aware how many messages they are sending
  • Sent messages will be saved as one whole message in native message app on the BlackBerry

Both FindMeHere and Textender are available for most BlackBerry devices running OS 4.5 or higher. For more info and to download these apps for free check them out in the store. Remember, they’re only free until the end of July!

Barack Obama was the talk of the BlackBerry town for some time while he was running for President and during the first few months of office. The BrickBreaker playing President now says, since only 10 people are authorized to email his device, it is “no fun.” That doesn’t sound fun at all when you consider how many of us have of lots of BBM friends and chat through other instant messaging apps as well.

The president said that only 10 people have the address of the BlackBerry he was issued, and the conversation is a bit stilted because messages will likely be archived along with all other White House documents.

“I’ve got to admit, it’s no fun because they think that it’s probably going to be subject to the presidential records act, so nobody wants to send me the real juicy stuff,” Obama said on ABC’s “The View.”

“It’s all very official. ‘Mr. President, you have a meeting coming up and we’d like to brief you.’”

I guess you can’t have your cake and eat it too, even as the President of the United States. Since Obama can’t really talk to many people on his BlackBerry he should probably just rack up on games and other entertainment software from the BBRocks! Store.

via AFP

I both proactively look for BlackBerry users on Twitter who need help with their BlackBerry and get help requests through email, Twitter, Facebook and others on a daily basis. RIM a few days ago posted up a great, new knowledge base article where they cover the top 10 BlackBerry smartphone and Desktop Manager troubleshooting tips. Here they are in summary:

1. Check the signal strength
2. Perform a hard reset
3. Check the network settings
4. Register the BlackBerry smartphone on the wireless network
5. Check the BlackBerry smartphone’s connection to the computer
6. Confirm that the BlackBerry smarpthone can receive email messages
7. Confirm that the BlackBerry smartphone can send email messages
8. Check for service books
9. Access the BlackBerry Help application
10. Search the BlackBerry Technical Solution Center

Those of you that follow BBRocks! on Twitter and Facebook will already know some of these tips since I regularly recommend them but you might not be aware of all of them. If you think these troubleshooting tips will help you with your BlackBerry issues be sure to check out KB15486 in the BlackBerry Technical Solution Center for full details on how to complete each troubleshooting tip.

RIM has a Twitter account dedicated to helping BlackBerry users. If you’d like to follow them check out @BlackBerryHelp and be sure to also follow @BlackBerryRocks since I too offer help online. Besides for email, Twitter is probably the fastest way to get help while on the go.

Since the first image of the BlackBerry Bold 9780 appeared others have joined in with more photos and even a video. Today we have another round of photos and a 7-minute long video showing off the Bold 9700 replacement and the new BlackBerry 6 operating system. Here are some of BBLeaks’ observations:

• 624Mhz Processor
• 512MB Flash RAM
• OS 6.0.0.125 (possible launch build)
• 480×360 Resolution Screen TFT, 65K colors
• 5.0 MP Camera with LED Flash
• Trackpad
• GSM / UMA / HSPA+?
• Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP
• Wi-Fi b/g (possibly N?)
• Gun Metal Bezel

Just by looking at the Bold 9780 you can’t tell there is much difference between it and the Bold 9700, but as you can see from the specs mentioned above, there is significant difference. Would you get the Bold 9780 or the Bold 9800 slider?

VIDEO & PICTURES!