Blackberry Development Talk

Blackberry Application Development

Blackberry Development Talk presents the latest news, updates and information for Blackberry developers and users. While we try to cover some technically loaded articles that would pick the interest of blackberry developers, we also cover the latest updates and applications on blackberry that are of primary interest to users.

Blackberry application development is a highly technical work and this blog helps us to get out of our geeky self and speak to the world – of course we are so much in love with our work even in the blog we can’t help but write about blackberry development.

If you are looking for BlackBerry development, feel free to fill up the form and you will get a FREE quote for your app from the expert BlackBerry developers at [x]cubeLABS.

Happy Reading !

Security More Important than Data Privacy

Sep 2, 2010 News Leave a comment

Security is a huge concern and RIM should respect it more than any thing else!!!

The governments across the globe are talking about it for a long time. Now it’s International Telecommunication Union who joined the chorus. This is definitely not a sweet music for RIM.

Hamadoun Toure, the Secretary General of the International Telecommunication Union, advised RIM, the manufacturer of BlackBerry, to allow the security agencies a lawful access of the customer data. He has been quoted saying that the governments across the globe have legitimate security concerns that could not be ignored.

All governments engaged in fighting terrorism had every right to demand access to the users’ information from RIM, he added.

“Those are genuine requests,” he addressed The Associated Press on Wednesday. “There is a need for cooperation between governments and the private sector on security issues.”
However RIM provides the BlackBerry, designed for a secure communications, are still not ready to share the information with any one.

The International Telecommunication Union coordinates the use of the global radio spectrum, and promotes the international cooperation in assigning different satellite orbits, and establishing standards for the telecommunications industry. It also serves as the global forum where you can discuss several issues and the cutting-edge solutions related to tele-communications.

Though the agency has no regulatory intimate power independent, but Toure’s comments are like the barometer of sentiments among its 192 member states.

Already five nations of those members; India, Indonesia, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE are now scrutinizing some of the BlackBerry services. But the statement of Toure is clear enough with the message: security is more important than users’ privacy.

Managing Notifications in BlackBerry Torch A Challenge

Aug 31, 2010 News Leave a comment

When Android phones are getting the larger market share, what Blackberry needs is a superb product to regain its lost place. Unfortunately, the BlackBerry Torch is not the one which can do the job for RIM. At least managing the notifications are bit difficult in this Smartphone.

The Torch comes with a universal message center which can store all the updates from your e-mail, Blackberry Messenger, Facebook, and the online presence. That sounds pretty interesting right? But it’s actually a tedious task to acknowledge the updates without reading the full e-mail or the Facebook message.

Even though the e-mail and messages are acknowledged, read or deleted on the Web, using a service like Google’s GMail, the notifications still stay in the message center as if they have never been read on the phone.

However the short welcome note, slide mechanism, a great physical keypad, a full-featured web browser etc. Are the plus points of this set.

BlackBerry app developers are expecting a quick update from RIM to fix this glitch.

BlackBerry Breaths up to October 31 in India

Aug 31, 2010 News Leave a comment

Finally a ray of hope for BlackBerry!!!

Yesterday, Research in Motion, the BlackBerry maker, has agreed to provide some technical solution to the Indian government. It has been learned that the solutions will allow the Indian security agencies to monitor the BlackBerry messenger and the enterprise services.

The government agencies will check out the effectiveness of the solutions for next 2 months and will give the feedback, on which the Government of India would decide the fate of BlackBerry in India by October 31. If this technical solution fails to satisfy the security requirement of the country, RIM may be asked to set its server for transferring the secured messages, in India.

It’s definitely a breathing moment for RIM, the 1.1 million BlackBerry users in India and the BlackBerry application developers world wide. However the question will again arise after two months if the technical solution is proved not up to the mark. Then again the government may ask the Canadian giant to allow full access of the encrypted messages of BlackBerry.

However there is no concrete details on the ‘technical solution’ provided to the Government of India by RIM, but the experts in the industry and media speculate that RIM has probably agreed to provide an internal tool with which the text and other information in the message can be tracked down. Earlier CNN-IBN has quoted the ‘highly placed sources in RIM’ and reported that a tool is under development to give easier and lawful access to the security agencies across the globe.

Ultimate Theme completely Free Download

Aug 25, 2010 News Leave a comment

There’s a new FREE theme by Zuki Software Ltd a premium blackberry theme developers . It’s a simple and elegant theme that is still premium. It has six customizable icons on the front screen. The background is beaded, the colors are black, grey and white, and transitions are really nice. The theme is light and doesn’t hinder productivity. You’ll like the simplicity yet fluid movement of this theme. Especially the chain cursor and there’s a lot more in it . A good time to check out Zuki Themes for free!

Download Zuki Ultimate Free for 4.7 here
Download Zuki Ultimate Free for 5.0 here

Super Apps Developer Challenge :Blackberry developers just 2 Weeks left for submissions

Aug 25, 2010 Blackberry Developer, Blackberry Development, News Leave a comment

We hope by this time you all are aware of the super apps challenge and the blackberry’s partner fund is giving $1.5  million in prizes to the best blackberry app developer which could be useful to market your app to blackberry users , so you need to hurry up if need to be a part of the super apps developer challenge there are only 2 weeks left for submissions .

In the last week blackberry developers came up with a couple of fantastic apps . If you have an idea , turn it into a app and get into the race of super apps , or if you feel your app is worth recognition then why not give it a try ?  Don’t miss out on the opportunity to win some amazing prizes. The judges are getting ready to sink their teeth into the submissions, so make sure to get yours in soon.

Eligibility criterion for Blackberry Super apps developer challenge

The Challenge is open to developers working on a BlackBerry application in one of the following seven categories:

• Productivity (Applications that help the user be productive and save time) – Business, Productivity and Finance
• Fun & Games (Applications that help the user have fun) – Games, Entertainment and Utilities
• Knowledge (Applications that help the user be empowered in life) – Education, Reference & eBooks, and Health & Wellness
• Sharing (Applications that help the user share and socialize) – Instant Messaging and Social Networking
• Navigate & Explore (Applications that help the user find what he or she is looking for) – Maps & Navigation, Travel and Shopping
• Multi-Media (Applications that help the user enjoy ) – Music & Audio and Photo & Video
• In the Know (Applications that keep the user up-to-date on the latest information) – News, Sports & Recreation and Weather

In order to be eligible, developers must be individuals resident, or entities located, within one of the four regions listed below. For the purposes of the Challenge, submissions will be categorized and judged according to the following geographic regions (each a “Region”):

• Asia Pacific, excluding North Korea (“APAC”)
• Latin America, including Mexico (“LATAM”)
• Europe – Middle East – Africa (“EMEA”)
• North America – Canada (excluding Quebec) and United States, excluding Mexico – (“NA”)

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY.

RIM acquires Cellmania

Aug 25, 2010 Blackberry Developer, News Leave a comment

Recently the news of RIM having acquired Cellmania came up , cellmania is a mobile storefront operator, and the acquisition is something really small but could turn out to be one of the larger acquisitions the company has made in quite some time.  As it stands right now, BlackBerry App World has launched paid applications in 55 countries but have not as yet, been able to totally grab carriers with their offerings.

Given that Cellmania has agreements in place with such companies as Telstra, Telus, T-Mobile, Virgin Mobile, Sprint, Airtel, AT&T, Boost Mobile, Optus, Orange, among others for their white labelled service, mFinder this puts Research In Motion in a good spot. While most of the focus around the acquisition has stated that Research In Motion may use Cellmania to help with BlackBerry App World that may not be the full scenario.

Rather then assisiting directly with BlackBery App World, Cellmania could be looked at as more of another method of distribution since they already have a great infrastructure in place. Handling billling, payments and delivery of applications is what Cellmania has excelled at thus far. It’s still too early to say what Research In Motion plans to do with Cellmania but, given Cellmanias scope of business it’s conceivable that their services will be utilized in more ways then one. Be it streamilining the workings of BlackBerry App World or opening up other doors to gain access to a wide array of carrier support . This acquisition will be a great news for Blackberry application developers because now the application rates have been reduced to a good amount and distribution of apps could be easier , users who cannot buy paid apps could now get their apps conveniently .

Blackberry 6 developers webcast tomorrow , Hurry up

Aug 25, 2010 Blackberry Developer, Blackberry Development, News Leave a comment

Recently RIM announced that it will be hosting a webcast for application developers who want to know more about developing apps that take advantage of BlackBerry 6.Explore the exciting development possibilities offered of the new BlackBerry 6 and BlackBerry Torch 9800
The webcast will take place on Thursday, August 26th at 2PM EST. Some of the topics covered in the webinar include:

BlackBerry Says Yes to VoIP Application

Aug 24, 2010 Blackberry Developer, News Leave a comment

Research In Motion will now be at par with the other Smartphone brands using a new program which will bring mobile VoIP connectivity to your BlackBerry.

Since it has launched BlackBerry, RIM didn’t have a single native VoIP client for the platform. Where as the smartphones running Android or iOS have already got the services for their clients. Truphone, Skype and Fring are some of the apps supported by the operating systems like iOS and Android right now.

You can use TringMe, the first ever third-party program for BlackBerry, which allows phone calls over a Wi-Fi network from your BlackBerry without eating up the voice minutes. The corporate users can also be delighted with the option of worldwide conference call, another very important offering of this service.

It’s definitely a good start for BlackBerry, and the BlackBerry app developers can expect a good very good opportunity in this field as 100 millions of the Smartphone users can be “expected to use mobile VoIP by the end of 2012.”
Interested BlackBerry users can now visit the TringMe app website from their devices to download it.

Corporate Worried of Losing Information Security

Aug 24, 2010 News Leave a comment

What we have discussed a couple of weeks back has come true now!!!

A number of corporate users and business houses have expressed their worries about the possibility that RIM might have to share the secured encrypted messages with the security agencies.

The secured BlackBerry messaging system, identified as a security threat by several nations and security agencies, has been advantageous for several organizations in sending confidential business information.

Dave Spickard, the IT Director of Euronet, an international business group, has recently confirmed that the loss of the secured message service could mean several issues to their global business. Many organizations and social activists are actually bifurcated in their collective opinion about the information security and misuse of the technology.

No one can actually deny the need of information security at the same time a terror free life. It has really become a challenge for the RIM to poise the need of corporate and the security agencies.

New Blackberry developers group formed at Denver , Colorado

Aug 24, 2010 Blackberry Developer, Blackberry Development, News Leave a comment

We are seeing many new developer groups being formed these days and now its Colorado BlackBerry Developer Group , the inaugural meeting of the Colorado BlackBerry Developer Group will take place on August 25th at 6:30pm at the Rock Bottom Brewery. The meeting is open to all Blackberry developers and folks interested in learning more about Blackberry development. Developer Group meetings are a great opportunity for developers to share their learning’s and interests, network with other developers and receive ongoing support from other members!

For more information on the Colorado BlackBerry Developer Group and details on the upcoming meeting, please visit the official group page at http://www.coloradoblackberrydev.com/

Blackberry developers can check the list below for a group in your area. Blackberry developers can also start a new group if one doesn’t yet exist in your area!