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BlackBerry theme roundup 06-12-12

Welcome to another edition of our theme roundup my fellow theme addicts. I hope you all had a great weekend! Now it's time to get back to work and I have some great themes to show you in the roundup this week. Be sure to click on the jump and check them out.

If you developed a theme you want to share or see featured in the contest or discovered a really great one out there by all means shoot it on over to us! Submit your tips and suggestions to themeroundup[at]crackberry.com for consideration. I hope you enjoy this week's picks so be sure to click on the jump to check them out.

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We've seen the BlackBerry Police Cruiser and all of its awesome BlackBerry PlayBook powered goodies time and time again, and now Mobile Innovations President Gary Bauer is hitting the road with a portable version of the same gadgets. The MPACaseMaker is a 20lb Pelican hard-case that incorporates all of the tech found in the cruiser and makes it available to other services as well. Bauer says it can be used by "any type of work truck" - EMS, fire, ambulances, municipal vehicles and many more. Included in the case is a PlayBook, keyboard, drivers license scanner, magstripe scanner, printer and power supply. The entire package runs around $2500, which is a pretty good deal since you can easily move the case from place to place and one vehicle to another. Check out the video above for more and be sure to hit the forums for some discussion.

Dicuss more in the CrackBerry forums

 

The native mapping application on the BlackBerry PlayBook may be lacking some essential features, and while we all know that's changing, other developers are stepping in to fill that void. o2 interactive has developed one feature-packed map application that also allows for turn-by-turn navigation. One of the biggest selling features in the app is the ability to store up to 2GB of mapping data right on your PlayBook, making this application handy for any cross-border drives where data roaming would typically be an issue.

Features:

  • Map Quest data provider
  • Open Street Maps data provider
  • Easy navigation to accelerate panning and easy finger zooming
  • Multiple types of GPS heads up display
  • Multiple map types including maps, satellite, and hybrid
  • Automatic map caching for off-line usage
  • Real-time traffic for the U.S.
  • Real-time traffic incidents for the U.K.
  • Real-time weather radar overlay for the U.S. Along with radar animation.
  • User-defined Points-Of-Interest markers associated with bookmarks
  • Directions and guidance system

I’ve been using the navigation side of the application for the past two weeks and I must say, it’s pretty rock solid. With the application recalculating your route within seconds of making a wrong turn, you’ll never be too far off from your path. Coming this week I will be traveling to Waterloo to have a visit at RIM HQ and I’ll be using Magellan Compass on my 3-hour drive there. Magellan Compass for the BlackBerry PlayBook can be found in BlackBerry App World for the reasonable price of $5.99. While there are a few features I would like to have, I’m glad that we’re seeing apps like this come to the PlayBook. I’m curious as to which features the CrackBerry Nation would like to see brought to this application so sound off in the comments below. 

Purchase Magellan Compass for the BlackBerry PlayBook

BlacBerry Jam Asia locations and Montreal registration now open

Update #6: Delhi registration is now closed. 

Update #5: Montreal is now sold out. 

Update #4: Bangalore registration is now closed -- again. 

Update #3: Bangalore has reopened registration, get registering now before you miss out again. Sydney event has now been opened for registration. Again, register as soon as you can, there's no telling when it will it sell out, if it does.

Update #2: Registration for Jakarta is now closed. 

Update: Looks like registration for Bangalore has now closed. 

The BlackBerry 10 Jam Word Tour is already underway with four cities already completed and one taking place in Paris today. I am pretty sure developers in other cities are itching to register for these events. For those who are planning to attend Asia Pacific cities, registration has just opened, excluding Sydney. Montreal registration also opened sometime yesterday and if it's anything like Toronto better get registering now before it gets sold out. Remember Toronto sold out within 24 hours.

So, if you're looking to attend any of the above mentioned cities get registerting now. Remember, only developers are eligible for a BlackBerry 10 Dev Alpha device, however non-developers can attend. Also, taking a closer look at the agenda for Montreal it looks like a third session has been added to the event - Enterprise Track. So, if you're into the Enterprise side of BlackBerry smartphones, including migrating from Java to BlackBerry 10 and WebWorks. 

We'd also love to hear from those who have already attended these events. Join in the discussion in the forums.

Join in the forum discussions

iOS 6 Maps

One of the big inclusions in Apple's iOS 6 software announced yesterday is an entirely revamped Maps application. No longer will Apple be using Google Maps, but instead running their own application that includes plenty of new features including turn-by-turn directions. Digging a little deeper, it appears that Apple has partnered with none other than TomTom who will supply the mapping and traffic data for the application. TomTom seems to be winning out all around - back in May they announced a partnership with RIM and their plans to bring new mapping features to the BlackBerry 10 platform. iOS 6 is only available to developers as a beta until the fall, so it will be interesting to see which mapping application wins out when both officially release later this year. In the past we've really only had Google Maps or BlackBerry Maps to work with -- do you think TomTom will win you over and be awesome on BlackBerry 10? Hit up the forums and let us know your thoughts!

Discuss more in the CrackBerry forums

Adobe connect

Once again it is fantastic to see that one of the largest IT corporations in the world is including the BlackBerry PlayBook in upcoming updates. Adobe Connect 9 web conferencing software is due for an upgrade in Q3 this year and as well as working on iOS and Android, us BlackBerry PlayBook users will also be able to join the gang. I can only presume that BlackBerry 10 will be supported too?

I have never taken part in a webinar, however the thought of doing it on the PlayBook kind of makes me want to do one (even though not really understanding it!). For business users on both a national and global scale the update sounds like great news. Bring it on!

Adobe Connect Mobile is already in BlackBerry App World for the PlayBook however I have never had the need to use it so I can't comment on its efficiency at present. Anyone want to invite me to test? Full press release below.

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Today Only: Buy the BlackBerry Softshell TPU Case for Torch 9850, Torch 9860 and save $12.04!

Made from high-performance, flexible, plastic-like material, the BlackBerry Softshell TPU Case gives the back and sides of your BlackBerry Torch 9850 or Torch 9860 a protective barrier against accidental bumps and scratches. With several colors to choose from, the precision-cut design gives you access to everything you need throughout the day, including the camera, ports, and keys. 

Deal also available in Canada store

List Price: $19.99  Today Only: $7.95

Learn More and Buy Now


June 12, 2012

 

BlackBerry Softshell TPU Case for Torch 9850, Torch 9860

 

Verizon Wireless

Verizon today has announced their often rumored shared data plans, dubbed Share Everything. The plans include voice minutes, unlimited text and a data allowance for up to 10 devices. The plans start $50 for 1GB and will run you another $10 for each additional 1GB. This is something many Verizon users may jump on, although it is kind of a drag that both voice and text minutes are automatically bundled in the package as well. The plans are set to go live on June 28th. Keep reading for the full press release.

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WWDC 2012

If you're at all interested in technology then you no doubt know that right now in San Francisco Apple is holding their World Wide Developers Conference where they get to showcase everything Apple. As such, they've now gone ahead and taken the covers off their latest iteration of iOS which features plenty of additions. Depending on your view of iOS 6, it may not look all that inspiring and seem, well, a little underwhelming given the hype Apple is given for the occasion. Let's take a look at what they've gone ahead and added into the mix for iOS 6 that really stands out:

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Dropbox For BlackBerry

There are numerous times per week when I need to quickly get an image or screenshot from my BlackBerry to my computer. For years I used the old method of emailing the file to myself, but after a while that gets to be a chore. It wasn't until I discovered Dropbox that I found I could easily move images from my BlackBerry to my computer with just a few clicks. Granted you can use Dropbox for more than just image transfer, but for this tutorial that's all we'll be getting into. Keep reading to see just how easy it is to transfer photos from your BlackBerry to your PC using Dropbox.

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