FileScout, a file management application for BlackBerry, has been updated to version 1.5.0.0 with a bunch of new features as well as some bug fixes.

What’s new?

• Display of thumbnails in search result (if thumbnail display is enabled and images are in the ‘FileScout Image Cache’)
• Thumbnail-Options: New Button to generate all all thumbnails for all images on your device (incl. the SDCard) – this operation can take a while till it’s completed – please be patient!
• When resizing images to device resolution size you can now select to keep the aspect ratio of the original image. If this option is selected, then FileScout will cut (left & right or top & bottom) of the image so that it will fit to your device screen resolution.
• UserDefined resolution (image resizing) can be now be max 9999 pixel [but it's recommended not use more then 1200px]
• Support for DesktopManager Backup & Restore (FileScout settings)
• A ” in the Screen Title indicating that the background threads (required for Search and other extended features) are still running (after FileScout is started) – once the threads are completed the ” will disappear.
• Integration in the RIMs FileExplorer Application: a ‘Explore with FileScout’ MenuItem is added

What’s fixed?

• Search files in the current Directory only function fixed to be usable multiple times
• Potential OutOfMemeory Error during start of FileScout (when the thumbnail store is getting too large)
• Accessing OS5 System Folder for Bold, Bold2, Storm and Storm2

To download FileScout OTA click here or visit the emacberry.com page for more info and a desktop download. This software is available as donationware and without limitations so if you find it useful consider sending a donation to the developer, Matthias.

Many people have sent me messages and tweets about not being able to see their contacts’ avatar in the new BlackBerry Messenger 5.0. I would usually recommend the standard battery pull, having that contact re-load their photo, re-download BBM 5.0 or re-add the contact. In some cases these methods would work but in others they would not, and at the time I would usually recommend re-adding via PIN.

RIM has published a knowledge base article with a workaround to this issue since there is no resolution (right now).

This is a previously reported issue that has been escalated internally to our development team. No resolution time frame is currently available.

Here’s the workaround provided by RIM:

1. On the Home screen or in the Instant Messaging folder, click the BlackBerry Messenger icon.
2. Highlight the affected user.
3. On the contact list screen, press the Menu key.
4. Select Delete Contact.
5. To add the contact again, invite them by using scan a barcode or by email.

Once you re-invite the contact they will need to re-accept. Once the contact accepts you should both be able to see each others’ avatars. Keep in mind that both parties must be running BBM 5.0. You can download it OTA from blackberry.com/messenger.

If you’ve had issues where you can’t see your contacts’ avatars be sure to try this workaround and let me know how it works for you in the comments!

Just got some fresh photos of a Verizon BlackBerry Storm2 dummy unit thanks to @Ackee_!

A few days ago I posted some promo flyers showing the Storm2 as being part of a buy-one-get-one free deal. At that time I said “I wouldn’t be surprised if it launched within a few days,” and it looks like I may have been onto something because, according to an article by the New York Times, Verizon and RIM might be launching the Storm2 this week!

This week, Verizon and R.I.M. are trying again with a Storm do-over, the Storm 2. Among its many improvements, the new phone gives the user the sensation of pushing a physical button when pressing a number on the glass touch screen.

Lowell C. McAdam, the chief executive of Verizon Wireless, has been carrying the revamped device for a few weeks, looking for any evidence that this time it will catch on. Mr. McAdam said that while he was recently visiting the Verizon store in New York’s SoHo district, he started talking to a couple of students from New York University who were shopping for cellphones.

“I let them play with the second-generation Storm device,” he said. “They came back and said ‘Oh, my gosh.’ They were very excited. This is what they hoped the original Storm should be.”

Vodafone Germany has the Storm 9520 listed as coming soon and Vodafone UK might also be launching the Storm2 this week, and since  Best Buy is already getting accessories for it, a launch some time this week is definitely a possibility! Let’s not hold our breath though…

I’ve included a shot of the Storm2 dummy unit from behind after the jump. Let me know what you think in the comments!

CONTINUE READING »

We’ve seen videos and some pictures of the BlackBerry Bold 9700 (Onyx) but I don’t think any of them have shown the device in as good a quality as the pictures over at DailyMobile (besides for BGR’s anyway). The one in the pictures seems to be newer than the ones we’ve seen so far if you consider the OS it’s running (v5.0.0.261) but other than that it doesn’t look any different physically.

The Bold 9700 has already appeared in AT&T’s systems and some release dates were leaked (so far pointing to a November launch), so right now all we have to do is wait less than two months to get our hands on this awesome BlackBerry.

A few days ago I mentioned that RIM is rumored to be working on an official BlackBerry Twitter client but at that time there weren’t too many details available as far as features or a launch date.

According to Salomondrin the BlackBerry Twitter client will be launching on November 16th of this year and it will be a VPL release through carriers. Sal says that this client will include “push” which will allow for automatic refreshes without having to manually refresh or set a refresh time. Here are some other features mentioned by the Polish BlackBerry site BBNews.pl:

• Notification of number of new tweets on the home screen with icon, like text messages
• Main app opens friends timeline
• Ability to view followers
• Follow/unfollow functions
• Create direct messages, replies and new tweets
• Keyword search and saved results
• Tweet photos directly from camera or memory card
• View photos from other tweets
• View trending topics
• Address book integration

Considering that RIM has total access to the BlackBerry interface like no other Twitter app, I’m really excited to see how deeply these features will be integrated. In addition to this Twitter client being available in the BB App World, word has it that it will eventually come pre-loaded on BlackBerry devices.

Now that you know some more details about this official BlackBerry Twitter client, will you stick to your current app or scrap it for this one? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments!

via IntoMobile

I’ve seen some pretty expensive devices/accessories but none as expensive as this diamond encrusted BlackBerry Curve 8900, worth $240k and made by Alexander Amosu.

Amosu et al apparently spent 350 hours building the custom Curve, and it’s made of solid 18-carat yellow gold and encrusted with 4,459 brilliant cut diamonds (weighing 28.43 carats), according to the company.

Included in the price is device personalization with your name or company logo, as well as 24 hour global concierge service focused on “accessing the inaccessible,” whatever that means.

These diamond encrusted Curve 8900s are part of a limited edition of which only three will be available for purchase, one already sold to a “mysterious client in the Middle East”!

If you could actually afford this, would you buy one? If so you better be quick since there are only two left!

Head on over to CIO.com to check out some more hi-res images.

Fuze Box has just released a cool new app called Fuze Meeting, currently available for the BlackBerry Curve 8900, Bold and Storm.

Fuze Meeting for BlackBerry smartphones enables users to launch or participate in a web meeting from their mobile device – a must-have for salespeople, business owners, service providers and all mobile professionals. Fuze Meeting leverages the unique capabilities of the latest generation of BlackBerry smartphones, including 3G, Wi-Fi®, faster processors and elegant displays to allow users to view video content, images and documents. Fuze Meeting also lets users chat securely with co-workers and friends, send meeting invites, and even “fetch” participants from their BlackBerry contacts directly into a conference.

Features:

• Full-featured conference call management – start meetings, invite participants, fetch them into the session, mute and un-mute lines – all from a single interface.
• View meeting participants’ desktops, files and presentations on-the-go, in real-time, while synced with the meeting presenter.
• Watch and listen to high-quality video and audio – start, stop and pause as if you were in the room with the presenter.
• Consolidate multiple IM platforms into one application – login simultaneously to Yahoo, AOL, MSN, Jabber, Google Talk and others

Fuze Meeting is free with usage by up to 3 web users and/or 7 audio users. Just to clarify that, if 3 web users are in the meeting they also count as 3 audio users, leaving 4 audio spaces open, or just 7 audio users but the host has to be logged in through the web. For larger meetings you can check out Fuze Meeting’s pricing options, which include pay-as-you-go, monthly and annual plans.

I can see how this app would be useful with group projects and having small meetings. Even though the Fuze Meetings are limited to a certain number of attendees for the free version, the available features are great.

You can find this app in the BlackBerry App World or get it directly from FuzeMeeting.com. More info in the full press release after the jump.

CONTINUE READING »

Matthias from emacberry.com let me know that he has updated FileScout, a donationware file manager application for BlackBerry.

Formerly known as BBFileScout, FileScout is an application that allows you to do more with your files than the default BlackBerry file explorer. You can do things like resize and rotate images, see hidden files, create/copy/edit/move files and directories, delete pre-installed content, zip and unzip files and lots more. Version 1.3 brings with it some great features including the ability to email multiple files and whole directories (up to carrier limit). The full changelog viewed here, or see what’s new in version 1.3 after the jump.

To download FileScout OTA click here or visit the emacberry.com page for more info and a desktop download link.

Note: If you have BBFileScout installed [before the Application name change Version 1.2.0.0] you have to uninstall it first in order to use FileScout v1.3.0.0.

CONTINUE READING »

It’s been a few months since we first heard about the it but RIM has finally launched the free U2 Mobile Album for BlackBerry in the App World.

Features:

• Get inside the album with access to songs from No Line On The Horizon with images, lyrics, interviews and videos
• View the original, origami-style photo displays inspired by the music
• Access dynamic news feeds from U2.com and receive alerts when new content is available
• View exclusive images of the band in the recording studio and on the road
• Mark your place in the crowd with geocoding, chat and share images with other fans, and view postings from the band (coming soon!)
• Tap into the Who’s Listening section and see when and where other users are listening to the album (coming soon!)
• Track the tour as the band moves across the globe – see where they’re going and where they’ve been (coming soon!)

The U2 Mobile Album is available for all BlackBerry devices (OS 4.5 and higher) and all countries, except for China. For more info check it out in the BlackBerry App World.

As a U2 fan, does the U2 Mobile Album meet your expectations and satisfy your needs when it comes to keeping up with the band and other fans?

Morrison Stepp Jr (aka @Moestepp) put together a great overview video of OS 5.0.0.130 running on a BlackBerry Curve 8900.

What’s covered in this video:

• boot-up screen (1 min 45 sec in this video)
• about page (shows OS)
• applications screen
• send/share image
• image resizing
  • Original: 1024×768
  • Medium: 800×600
  • Small: 640×480
• invite attendee via calendar
• forward calendar of events
• folders
• camera
• browser (including Google Gears)
• explore and memory use under media application
  • shows detailed information about memory usage
• file explorer

Great video to watch if you’re interested in learning about some of the new features on OS 5.0.