Some leaked images have surfaced of a new Blackberry device which will likely be used during the Blackberry Jam this week. Research In Motion will be allowing developers at the event to sample Blackberry 10 “Development Alpha” devices. The Blackberry Jam is a community conference that is expressly designed to allow content developers and various businesses the option of becoming familiar with the new Blackberry 10 OS.

The images of the new Blackberry device first surfaced on Crackberry’s forums, and show off a touchscreen candy-bar style phone which includes a design remarkably similar to that of the Blackberry Playbook.

Of course, the device is rumored to be a development version, which means it may never make it to store shelves or into consumer’s hands. Although the news is unfortunate (the device does look attractive), it might be a positive thing that such a phone never becomes available – there appears to be no tactile keyboard which most Blackberry users religiously swear by.

Regardless, you can expect our coverage if and when any more information about the device becomes available.

Source: Crackberry

Via: Engadget

Another app to get updated in the BlackBerry Beta Zone recently is BlackBerry App World. Now at beta version 3.1.2.20, this update brings some new features like BBM integration, and bug fixes. Here is the changelog according to the Beta Zone:

• Find an app in “My World” by typing a keyword term
• “Other Devices” filter view in “My World” allows you to filter out apps not available for your device e.g. PlayBook Apps
• Announce downloads to BBM Status
• NFC is now an additional method to share a single app (for 7.1 users)
• A new “Share” channel in the App World Home page allows you to share your app list via NFC (for 7.1 users)
• Various Bug Fixes

For more info and to get BlackBerry App World version 3.1.2.20 sign up or log in at blackberry.com/beta.

The SHAPE Services team let me know they’ve updated their IM+ app for the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet to version 1.3.1. We haven’t mentioned this app since its launch, so here’s a reminder of its features:

Chat in Windows Live Messenger/MSN, Skype, Facebook, Google Talk, Yahoo!, AOL/AIM/iChat, ICQ, Jabber and MySpace in one application. IM+ supports multiple accounts per service and stores chat history for each conversation on device. Both landscape and portrait screen orientations are supported.

Changes from and including version 1.3 include:

• File transfer support (images, audio/video files, documents)
• Chat history grouped by date
• Option to hide “Offline contacts” group
• Swipe to open keyboard
• Optimization of memory usage
• Added “Show Keyboard” button

IM+ for PlayBook is available for $7.99. For more info click here to check out the SHAPE Services page for IM+ on PlayBook or search for it on BlackBerry App World.

Press Release

Waterloo, ON – Research In Motion Limited (RIM) (Nasdaq: RIMM; TSX: RIM) will be reporting results for the fourth quarter and year-end of fiscal 2012 on March 29, 2012 after the close of the market.  A conference call and live webcast will be held beginning at 5 pm ET. The call can be accessed by dialing 1-800-814-4859 or through your personal computer or BlackBerry® PlayBook™ tablet at www.rim.com/investors/events/index.shtml. A replay of the conference call will also be available at approximately 7 pm by dialing (+1)416-640-1917 and entering passcode 4466496#. A replay of the webcast will be available on your personal computer or BlackBerry PlayBook tablet by clicking the link above. This replay will be available until midnight ET April 12, 2012.

Scheduled Quarterly Results Conference calls for FY 2013
Q1: June 28, 2012, after markets close
Q2: September 27, 2012, after markets close
Q3: December 20, 2012, after markets close
Q4: March 28, 2013, after markets close.

These dates, or any changes to these dates, are posted on the company’s website at www.rim.com/investors/events. Conference call webcast and call-in details will be provided in advance of these calls.

Remember that BlackBerry Bluetooth Mini Keyboard for the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet I first showed you back in April 2011? Today RIM let me know they’ve made this accessory official with pre-ordering available from Shop BlackBerry for everyone, or from The Source in Canada. The BlackBerry Mini Keyboard is priced at US$119.99. Check out the video above for a demo or the press release below for more info!

FULL PRESS RELEASE!

It’s no secret that Netflix has absolutely no presence on BlackBerry devices other than third-party apps which don’t offer full functionality. Many of you have asked, complained and some even begged Netflix to release an official app for BlackBerry smartphones and the PlayBook. Why they don’t offer us apps is unknown but Philip Whittle let me know he took it upon himself to publish a petition on Change.org to make it happen.

As of now the petition has been signed over 5,000 times with a target of 7,500. Here is why Philip believes this is important:

A blackberry user tweeted “@netflixhelps @netflix @netflix_CA where is my #playbook app? You’ve had enough time and no more excuses! Thanks!” Netflix’s response was “We don’t have any current plans to support Blackberry devices, incluing [sic] Playbook.”

I have always been a Blackberry user. When I purchased my Playbook I expected there to be a Netflix App on it from day one.

Nextflix, I have paid for your services for years along with many of the other 70 million Blackberry users. Part of my expectation of you being my online streaming provider is that you will provide service the devices I choose to utilize. Especially when you have the capabilities!

There is a Netflix App for the Nintendo 3DS and PS Vita.. Give me a break!

Let’s go BlackBerry Rockers, head on over and sign the petition on Change.org to get Netflix on BlackBerry!

The BlackBerry awesomeness keeps on rolling out of Mobile World Congress! Earlier today I showed you a demo of a document sharing app on BlackBerry PlayBook which was created by The Astonishing Tribe, now known as the Design Foresights team at RIM, a company acquired in December 2010. That app is called Confetti and RIM just put up an official concept demo video of it along with a video for another concept app called PitchRocket.

Check out the demo videos and some snippets from RIM’s blog below!

TAT CONCEPT APPS!

More goodies for developers and eventually end-users. A few hours ago I let you know that RIM released the Native SDK 2.0 for the BlackBerry PlayBook. That article mentioned Scoreloop as being an integral part of the Native SDK and now the Inside BlackBerry Developer’s Blog announced that the Scoreloop SDK 1.0 is now available for download. Scoreloop brings social gaming to the PlayBook with:

• Leaderboards – Allow players to compete on regional and global leaderboards
• Awards and Achievements – Keep players engaged with challenging achievements
• Player Challenges – Add competitive edge with social challenges
• Player Profiles – Personalize the experience with editable profiles
• Friend Management – Spur competition between closest rivals

Cool stuff! For more info on getting involved as a developer go to blackberry.com/developers or read more at RIM’s blog.