Red Mango: Finally a competitor to Sour Sally arrives @ Indonesia, Giving away BlackBerries?

Red Mango, a competitor of Sour Sally (currently the leading frozed yoghurt franchise in Indonesia) arrives at Indonesia. Said to be opening at Mall Taman Anggrek first and will give away free BlackBerry 8900 Curves to surveyors by following this link. Well who knows? Try it on!

BlackBerry: Leaked Skype (BETA)

Source: Komunitas BlackBerry

A member named valentz leaked the long-waited Skype beta version for Blackberry in Komunitas Blackberry forum which is supposed to be a closed beta testing version from Skype. The application itself looked like a java application installed on my BlackBerry since we must use # and @ as buttons for softkeys. When I opened the .jad file using notepad it shows the following:

RIM-COD-Module-Name: skype
MIDlet-Name: skype
MIDlet-Description: BBactionpack
MIDlet-Vendor: : BBactionpack
MIDlet-Version: 1.0

MicroEdition-Configuration: CLDC-1.1
RIM-COD-Module-Dependencies: net_rim_cldc
RIM-MIDlet-Flags-1: 0
RIM-MIDlet-NameResourceId-1: 0
MicroEdition-Profile: MIDP-2.0
RIM-COD-Creation-Time: 1218812329
Manifest-Version: 1.0

RIM-COD-URL: skype.cod
RIM-COD-Size: 75484
RIM-COD-URL-1: skype-1.cod
RIM-COD-Size-1: 67232
RIM-COD-URL-2: skype-2.cod
RIM-COD-Size-2: 86900
RIM-COD-URL-3: skype-3.cod
RIM-COD-Size-3: 55556
RIM-COD-URL-4: skype-4.cod
RIM-COD-Size-4: 54684
RIM-COD-URL-5: skype-5.cod
RIM-COD-Size-5: 55964
RIM-COD-URL-6: skype-6.cod
RIM-COD-Size-6: 41464

By looking at the details RIM means Research In Motion so it is the actual Skype for BlackBerry. After successfully installed Skype on my 8310 Curve, I configured my account but failed to connect and a message appeared saying "Skype couldn't connect over your phone connection". Below are some screenshot of the application:

So if anyone of you feeling lucky and would give it a try download Skype Beta from here and post your results in the comments, thanks!

Blackberry: Remove IT Policy

Whenever you purchase a second hand Blackberry either from eBay or from a friend, some of them have IT policy still attached to them. IT policy can be a hassle since most of it won't allow installation of 3rd party applications and such. The following are the steps to remove an IT Policy easily (compilation of sources from the internet):

First you need several files ready first:

• Blackberry Desktop Manager (comes with the CD or download here)
• JL_Cmder, a compilation of batch scripts by d_fisher from Blackberry Forums for some cases. For 8110, 8120, 8130 and 8330 with 4.5 OS installed simply use JL_Cmder resetfactory option, restart device and you're done.
• BlackBerry default blank IT Policy and save it into your BlackBerry installation directory (c:\Program Files\Research in Motion\Blackberry (for other than mentioned above).

To remove the IT Policy, use the following procedure:

• On Windows XP or Vista, go to regedit (Start>Run)
• Navigate to HKEY_Current_Users\Software\Research In Motion\BlackBerry\PolicyManager and right-click your mouse and select New/String Value and name it as "Path". Then double click the "Path" and set Value Data to "c:\Program Files\Research In Motion\BlackBerry\policy.bin"
• Open the Desktop Manager
• Connect the Device

To verify that the IT Policy has been completely removed, in your device go to Options>Security and check reference to IT Policy and go to Options>Status and type BUYR and now you should see time and data usage instead of IT Policy.

EDIT: for 8310 use JL_Cmder works as well.

Good Luck!

Blackberry: A Word Regarding PIN and IMEI Clones

Derived from Kaskus - The Largest Indonesian Community

BlackBerry has been so popular nowadays that even refurbished to blackmarket units are sold like hot cakes. Due to its popularity, there are a lot of people trying to take advantage of this situation. Since BlackBerries are sensitive product (especially to RIM and cellular operators) there are 2 keys which you must really pay attention to which is the IMEI number and PIN number. These two are impeccable and neither could be changed to be kept valid.

A lot of sellers, especially blackmarket ones take advantage of used or even trashed BlackBerries and assemble it to re-sell it. Stolen or unregistered units are usually suspended by RIM and to allow users with suspended PINs there is a method called PIN cloning. This is very popular in the market so I advice you to beware of this. There are 2 procedures you must do to confirm this. It is advisable to perform these procedure before purchasing (or at least at a warranty period if the seller allows it)

The first procedure is to go here and check whether your IMEI is registered as the device you are using. At some cases, the IMEI registered is different from your device (for example you are checking your 8310 device IMEI while in the website, it indicated that the IMEI belongs to 8110) if thats the case then bummer! Return it to the seller or trash it since RIM will eventually block your PIN once it does a sweeping. But if it says that it is unknown, then there are 2 possibilities. The first is that it is unregistered or unlisted (since most US cellulars are not registered here). If thats the case then the second procedure only guarantees 50% that RIM won't block your PIN in the future.

The second procedure is to register to your operator (registration of BB service is required to do the procedure). Go to your operator BlackBerry site (usually http://operator.blackberry.com) and register the device by entering PIN and IMEI. If your device is successfully registered and the first procedure matches then your can relax, otherwise if it gives an error such as "Invalid PIN and IMEI format. Please retype your PIN and IMEI. The Information you provided is incorrect" while you are sure that you entered the correct PIN and IMEI then your out of luck. Good luck!

Blackberry: Obama uses 8830 Huron + Leather Swivel Holster

Obama spotted using a black 8330 Huron with Leather swivel holster. Who said he was using a super-whatever-phone-with-windows-ce?

source: engadget

Blackberry: Pip-Boy Theme for Pearl

The recent Pip-Boy 3000 theme created by crackberry forum member sadosdemetrios was a hit, broadcasted on numerous blogs and dubbed as the most unique theme created made lots of user are demanding the theme ported for their specific devices.

While I personally never actually tried the theme as the pearl version of the theme is unavailable (I highly doubt that it will be available), I decided to create a version for pearl 81xx. What I plan to do is to create a community-created pipboy theme and to prove that I am perhaps capable of creating, I attached a draft version of the theme which can be installed on your 81xx version 4.5. Special thanks to sadosdemetrios for his fantastic idea and design. This draft was created by screenshots of sadosdemetrios' version for curve and storm so it may appear a little rough on the edges. Feel free to give thoughts and comments on the theme and suggestions are most welcomed.


Below are some sample screenshots of the draft theme:



What I would appreciate most is your submitted graphics, mock ups or especially icons which if possible in an editable psd file (upload to any free or paid image host and post the link in the comments) and I will try to create our dream pip-boy theme from the best submitted image free for the community. Oh, and the usual donations are most welcomed, Thanks and stay tuned!

Download the theme here (contains .alx and .cod for desktop install) I don't know how to create and OTA link and I also lack of resource for it so if you could create one for me and host it, I would really appreciate it.


EDIT: The theme is actually available. Well lets just keep this as an alternative version.

Official Facebook 1.5 released for Blackberry

Finally, Facebook 1.5 has been officially released by RIM for all BlackBerry devices. The new features include contact integration allowing you to sync data between your BlackBerry address book with friends on Facebook, calendar integration and messaging application. Switching between tabs has new slide transition, and upload images directly from the Facebook application compression quality seems dramatically imporved while other features seem to not change.

The version I got for my BlackBerry 8110 Pearl was Facebook 1.5.0.31.

Get your copy now from your BlackBerry device here and experience the new long last awaited Facebook 1.5.

BlackBerry App World Goes 1.0.0.28

Just yesterday, yet another update for the BlackBerry App World from previous 1.0.0.27 to 1.0.0.28. This time RIM comes with a KB which can be viewed here. It is said to fix issues regarding:

• Failed to Transmit
• PayPal authentication failed. Please try again.
• BlackBerry App World is currently unavailable. Try again later.
• BlackBerry App World is having trouble connecting to the BlackBerry App World server. Verify your network connections and try again.

Still no sign of Facebook application in the list though.

Blackberry: Facebook Application Missing from Blackberry App World

Just today afternoon GMT +7 I realized that Facebook application was missing from my Blackberry App World Social Networking & Sharing section. While this morning I checked and it was still there and the version was still 1.2. I keep monitoring on Facebook application due to the awaiting of Facebook Application 1.5. So could this be it? is RIM finally uploading Facebook 1.5 to their servers or is it only my Blackberry? Can anyone confirm? Thanks!

Blackberry: Blackberry App World Review

Yesterday, while browsing to Blackberry Help from my phone, I found out that RIM had release Blackberry App World. The long awaited Blackberry application which is said to be competing with Apple iPhone App Store. Well the main focus is the same: to help users find software easier and better in a single application rather than having to download from several places.



Well personally I think all phones should have this feature as it is very useful. The file size is about 523.4KB and it requires users to restart their phone to use it. Also, RIM included nice collection of wallpapers for your Blackberry device.

All in all, the interface is nice and looks like the default Blackberry Bold theme UI (Blackberry version 4.6). When you first open the application, it will present you with Featured Items with a nice scrolling UI and several icons below it to Categories, Top Downloads, Search and My World. When you select an application, it will show a description of the application and allow you to select several options:

• Download - allowing you to download this application directly
  
• Reviews - read reviews on this application
  
• Recommend - recommend this application to your friend via email, MMS, PIN or SMS
  
• Screenshot - showing a screenshot of the application

The best feature I liked from Blackberry App World is to allow you to view screenshots of the application. Very useful whenever you wanted to know what the application does.

Below are several screenshots of Blackberry App World:


The current version I downloaded yesterday morning was 1.0.0.26 and I re-downloaded it and got a newer version 1.0.0.27 and no information on the newer build perhaps there was bug fixes?

The reason I had to re-download was because I could not delete the downloaded application history, even after I deleted the application it would still be listed in "My World". Well, upgrading to the newer version deleted the installed application history. Funny thing is I thought updates on certain application will appear here but after re-installing the Blackberry App World, it wiped all downloaded application without warning.

Blackberry: RIM Introduces Blackberry App World

There's a new application from RIM to blackberry users with the following conditions:

1. BlackBerry® Device Software version 4.2 or higher
2. BlackBerry smartphones with trackballs or SurePress™ touch screen
3. BlackBerry App World is only available to customers in US, Canada and UK and may not be available on all networks
4. To use BlackBerry App World, you require a service plan that includes access to the BlackBerry® Browser

Get your copy OTA now here.