blackberry messenger

mobile
March 16, 2011
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India demands access to BlackBerry email by March 31st

By on March 16, 2011 at 10:34 PM.

India demands access to BlackBerry email by March 31st

RIM may be forced to shut down its services in India if it can’t provide government intelligence agencies with access to its corporate email system by March 31st. According to a new report from Reuters this morning, India’s junior telecoms minister, Sachin Pilot, said that India isn’t satisfied with the access that RIM has provided to its BlackBerry messaging services. India has asked for access to RIM’s corporate email system in an effort to thwart terrorism and maintain security, but RIM has said such a solution isn’t possible. According to The Economic Times, which wrote a similar report, India believes that RIM provides other countries, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the United States, and China, with access to its corporate email services. India wants the same access, or it will force RIM to stop operating within its borders after March 31, 2011, one official said. RIM doesn’t look like it’s budging either, though. On Monday one RIM executive said India’s security demands are “astonishing.” More →

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Software
March 14, 2011
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RIM exec says India making ‘astonishing’ security demands

By on March 14, 2011 at 4:48 PM.

RIM exec says India making ‘astonishing’ security demands

Robert Crow, a VP for Research In Motion, recently told The Wall Street Journal that India’s security agencies are making “rather astonishing” demands for access to RIM’s secure messaging and email networks. India and RIM have been up in arms since October 2010 when India gave RIM until January 2011 to comply with India’s intelligence laws. RIM fired back in January saying that there was no possibility to provide access to its secure email services, but has allowed Indian authorities “lawful” access its BlackBerry Messenger service.  ”I think this may well go on and on in India, and frankly it will be one of those factors that people talk about in the Indian business environment—not one that will be seen in India’s favor in international comparison,” Crow said. Crow also discussed RIM’s plans to expand its footprint in India, where 11,000 developers work on BlackBerry apps, and added that there’s a possibility that RIM may begin to manufacture BlackBerry parts in India. More →

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Exclusive
March 3, 2011
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Exclusive: BlackBerry Messenger will launch on Android and iOS

By on March 3, 2011 at 9:48 AM.

Exclusive: BlackBerry Messenger will launch on Android and iOS

BGR has learned from multiple trusted sources that Research In Motion is planning to bring its beloved BlackBerry Messenger app and service to Android, and eventually to iOS as well. According to our sources, RIM has not yet finalized details surrounding timing or pricing, but we have heard that the company might make the software free to all users. We’re also told strategy is still being developed, however, and RIM may end up charging users a one-time fee or even a recurring fee for access to its BBM service on third-party platforms. More →

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CES
January 7, 2011
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Hands-on with BlackBerry PlayBook Bridge [video]

By on January 7, 2011 at 7:19 PM.

Hands-on with BlackBerry PlayBook Bridge [video]

Following our press briefing with the PlayBook early today, we wanted to get a bit more up-close and personal with the BlackBerry Bridge software. Bridge, for those that don’t know, is the bit of technology that connects the BlackBerry handset to the PlayBook and allows for the use of BlackBerry Messenger, BlackBerry Email, and BlackBerry Calendar on the PlayBook itself. For the time being, Bridge will provide the PlayBook with all of its email, calendar, and BBM functionality — there are no stand-alone applications on the device. You read that correctly: without a BlackBerry on hand, you won’t be able to access any of your BlackBerry-specific messaging software. Don’t get us started. Regardless of this fact, RIM was kind enough to give us a demo of the Bridge connection and, for what it is, it works just as advertised. Any edits on the PlayBook are mirrored on your Berry, and vice versa. Drafts saved are accessible on both, and because all of the data is routed through the BlackBerry’s data connection, all Enterprise policies will remain secure and intact, which is definitely a concern for security minded companies looking to integrate tablets into their corporate environment. All told, Bridge does exactly what Bridge is supposed to do… the only question is whether you can live with having to tether your tablet every time you want to send a message. More →

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Breaking
December 1, 2010
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RIM files suit against Kik, claims patent infringement

By on December 1, 2010 at 10:13 AM.

RIM files suit against Kik, claims patent infringement

You know the popular messaging service Kik — the one that took-off like a wildfire in the California hills? Well, Research In Motion actually just filed a lawsuit against Kik claiming patent infringement. This is after RIM suddenly removed Kik from their App World distribution store in addition to terminating their developer account and access. The court filing is public, but we haven’t been able to find the claim yet. We’re assuming it has to do with how Kik visualizes sent, delivered, and read notifications, and have reached out to both Kik and RIM for comment and clarification. CEO of Kik, Ted Livingston, wouldn’t comment on the recently filed lawsuit, but said that Kik would “be putting something out” soon. With 2.5 million users after its launch a little more than a month ago, it’s very interesting to see how RIM is handling this situation, as Kik is one of the first — and largest — credible threats to their BlackBerry Messenger product. Should WhatsApp, PingChat, and other messaging services be worried now that RIM has decided to take legal action? We’ll do some digging and update this story when we hear back from RIM. More →

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Software
December 14, 2009
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BlackBerry Messenger gets an OTA update

By on December 14, 2009 at 9:39 PM.

BlackBerry Messenger gets an OTA update

bbm-update

It’s nowhere near as exciting as, oh, let’s say the release of OS 5.0 for all current generation devices on the market prior to the Storm2, but BlackBerry Messenger 5.0 has received its first update. Coming in at 2.5MB, BBM 5.0.0.55 doesn’t appear to offer anything new in terms of feature, but does include some much needed refinements to the otherwise solid app. What do we mean by that? You’re finally able to get visible previews of incoming pictures and the menu options been reorganized, now presented in a logical fashion. Want in on the action? Of course you do. Just hit up blackberry.com/messenger on device and upgrade away.

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News
October 7, 2009
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BlackBerry Messenger 5.0 has landed

By on October 7, 2009 at 8:24 PM.

BlackBerry Messenger 5.0 has landed

bbm9

BlackBerry addicts, its officially time to freak out because BlackBerry Messenger 5.0 has just gone live in App Word. We don’t think we need to tell you what it’s all about because not only did we give the world its first look at the app, but its also been floating around for one hell of a long time. Well what are you waiting for? Let’s crash RIMs servers and call it a party! Hit us with your feedback, ok?

UPDATE: Looks like the servers really aren’t capable of handling the demand as we and a bunch of our readers are getting a “connection timed out” message. We’ll let you know once things calm down and everyone can be accommodated.

UPDATE 2: Looks like things are once again up and running.

Read

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Software
July 17, 2009
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BlackBerry Messenger 5.0 leaks, fanatics everywhere hyperventilate

By on July 17, 2009 at 5:30 PM.

BlackBerry Messenger 5.0 leaks, fanatics everywhere hyperventilate

If there is one thing hardcore BlackBerry users live and die by it’s definitely BlackBerry Messenger, or BBM. We gave you guys a preview of the upcoming version of BBM a little over a month ago and our inbox has been blowing up ever since. Fortunately for everyone now, BBM 5.0 has been leaked and appears to be available on most new BlackBerrys from OS 4.5 through OS 5.1. Don’t let us keep you waiting, hit the read link for direct downloads to BlackBerry Messenger 5.0!

Thanks to everyone who sent this in!

Read

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Exclusive
June 17, 2009
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About that new BlackBerry Messenger… It's coming to all devices on OS 5.0, newer version revealed

By on June 17, 2009 at 8:55 PM.

About that new BlackBerry Messenger… It's coming to all devices on OS 5.0, newer version revealed

You read the headline right, kids — the new and insanely hot BlackBerry Messenger that we exclusively showed off to the World looks to be headed to all BlackBerry devices that will receive the OS 5.0 treatment. How do we know? Because we’ve been playing around with a recent build of OS 5.0 on a Curve 8900, and well, let’s just say that it and some other pretty awesome stuff is in there. But since we’re talking about BlackBerry Messenger, let’s just get right into it. We’ve already told you that the new Messenger has avatar support, GPS integration (including proximity sensing), the ability to set and group conversations by subject and a way to create a homescreen icon for messenger contracts, but it now looks like even more crazy stuff has been crammed in in addition to a little facelift.

So strap yourselves in, hit the jump and prepare to be green with envy as we show you an even newer version of BlackBerry Messenger!

More →

130 Comments
Exclusive
June 12, 2009
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BlackBerry's newest BlackBerry Messenger client is beautiful, functional

By on June 12, 2009 at 8:33 PM.

BlackBerry's newest BlackBerry Messenger client is beautiful, functional

Barely any major updates since launching way back on those now sure-be-stuck-in-a-landfill BlackBerry 7290s, RIM’s latest version of BlackBerry Messenger — unreleased to the public — is absolutely awesome. They’re finally getting hip, people. Here’s some of the new features and enhancements we’ve find while quickly playing with it:

  • Avatar support — set your own avatar using the Camera or saved photo on your device (this is displayed locally as well as shown next to your Messenger name on your friend’s buddy list)
  • GPS location integration — you can now set permissions so friends can always see your location, have to request it each time, or never can see it
  • Proximity sensor — we’re guessing this will let you know if you’re within a certain distance of friends (pending, of course, you’re both set to share locations freely with each other)
  • Set conversation subjects — this will allow you to organize your convos on the main Messenger screen and label them with subjects to keep track of all your conversations
  • Homescreen support — you can pin/sticky actual Messenger contacts directly to the homescreen for easy access!

There’s a bunch more we’re probably skipping over, but hit the jump for some shots of the new version of BlackBerry Messenger!

More →

102 Comments
Exclusive
February 16, 2009
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Hands on with RIM’s BlackBerry Application Suite on the HTC Fuze

By on February 16, 2009 at 10:21 PM.

Hands on with RIM’s BlackBerry Application Suite on the HTC Fuze

Well, it has been rumored forever, caught on video, and we’ve even done our part in sharing the news as well, but we can’t hold out on y’all any longer — we have been toying with the BAS for the greater part of a month. It’s a solid effort on RIM’s part, but will it do anything for them or just waste engineer’s precious time? The answer, friends, is in our review after the break.

More →

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General
February 12, 2009
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BlackBerry Messenger down on AT&T? World panics

By on February 12, 2009 at 2:56 PM.

BlackBerry Messenger down on AT&T? World panics

Hey, AT&T BlackBerry users! How’s your BlackBerry Messenger working? Not delivering? Not getting messages on BBM but still getting emails? Yep, us too! Anyone else having this issue?

UPDATE: Looks like it just came back up for me…

Thanks, Eric!

114 Comments
Review
July 15, 2008
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BlackBerry Bold review: we’ve been rockin’ it for a month

By on July 15, 2008 at 8:33 AM.

BlackBerry Bold review: we’ve been rockin’ it for a month

This might be a shocker out there to many, but we do actually, you know, not leak things from time to time. What’s important here, is that we’ve been rockin’ a BlackBerry Bold for around a month now, and we’ve got a great handle on the unit. From hardware to software, this is going to be the most complete BlackBerry Bold review, period. If you’re really ready, hit the jump. You might need a couple cigarettes and a cup of coffee — it’s long!

More →

316 Comments