RIM has kicked off CES 2012 with the announcement of BlackBerry 7.1 OS. BlackBerry 7.1 brings the same look and feel of BlackBerry 7, but bring NFC via BlackBerry Tags, Mobile Hotspot, and an FM Radio for the new Curve models. It is expected OS will begin rolling out over the next little bit from major carriers. The full press release is below…

Press Release:

RIM Showcases New BlackBerry 7.1 OS at CES 2012
New BBM, BlackBerry Traffic and BlackBerry Travel Updates Also Released

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA–(Marketwire – Jan. 9, 2012) – (CES 2012) – A wide range of software improvements await BlackBerry(R) 7 smartphone customers at the BlackBerry(R) booth (South Hall 3 Booth # 30326) at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES 2012). Research In Motion (RIM) (NASDAQ:RIMM)(TSX:RIM) is showcasing the new BlackBerry(R) 7.1 OS as well as updates to the BBM(TM) (BlackBerry(R) Messenger), BlackBerry(R) Traffic(TM) and BlackBerry(R) Travel(TM) apps. The new OS and app updates make seizing and sharing the moment even easier.

BlackBerry 7.1 will begin rolling out from carriers around the world beginning today and over the coming weeks(1). The new releases of BBM, BlackBerry Traffic and BlackBerry Travel will be available on BlackBerry(R) App World(TM) beginning today.

“BlackBerry 7 delivered a next-generation platform for our customers around the world and the range of software updates announced today build upon the strengths of that platform to further enhance the mobile experience and make life easier, from managing daily tasks to planning big adventures,” said Mike Lazaridis, President and Co-CEO at Research In Motion.

Life Is Better Shared

The BlackBerry 7.1 OS incorporates a new feature called BlackBerry(R) Tag that can change the way BlackBerry users share information and content. By simply tapping their NFC enabled BlackBerry(R) smartphone against another NFC enabled BlackBerry smartphone, users can make sharing easier than ever. They can instantly invite a friend to BBM, exchange contact information, documents, URLs, photos and other multimedia content, and they can also pair their BlackBerry smartphone with an NFC enabled Bluetooth(R) device.

Support for BlackBerry Tag is just one of a number of enhancements in the updated BBM app (version 6.1) being released today. Additional features allow users to personalize their experience even more with support for animated avatars (animated GIFs)(2), a dozen new and fun emoticons to spice up conversations, and the ability to customize chat bubbles with different colors. In addition, the new BBM app allows users to add customized personal messages of up to 160 characters in their online Profile, more than double the length supported in previous versions. Users can also now set the picture for their BBM avatar directly from the camera app – simply snap a picture and select “Set as BBM Display Picture” from the menu.

Make Things Happen

With BlackBerry 7.1, users can be productive from virtually anywhere. They can now turn their BlackBerry smartphone into a mobile hotspot that can be shared by up to 5 Wi-Fi(R) -enabled devices, including laptops and tablets(3). The 7.1 update also supports carrier implemented Wi-Fi calling services (UMA/GAN where available), allowing users to make Wi-Fi calls from their BlackBerry smartphone that don’t eat into their airtime minutes.

Getting to any location is now so much easier with the new BlackBerry Traffic (version 3.0), a free app from RIM that is being released today. BlackBerry Traffic determines a user’s estimated time of arrival (ETA) based on current traffic conditions, and now includes hands-free turn-by-turn voice guidance.

Planning, booking, managing, and sharing travel activities are also easier than ever thanks to the updated BlackBerry Travel app that is being released today. The new version adds support for contextual deals, such as offers for hotels and car rentals, or for arranging limo services to and from the airport. BlackBerry Travel can automatically keep track of a user’s bookings and schedule and quickly notify them if their flight is delayed or cancelled, and can then help them find a new flight right away. The automatic trip scanning feature pulls the travel details into the app, allowing the user to see all their travel updates in one place.

Seize the Moment

Sometimes it’s nice when someone (or something) does the thinking for you. The Universal Search capability has again been enhanced to help users find what they are looking for. It now includes an auto-suggest feature that intelligently filters Bing(R) search results to offer users a variety of relevant Web sites based on their search terms.

Love a good deal? Now finding and taking advantage of them is so much easier thanks to BlackBerry(R) Maps – an essential app that comes preinstalled on BlackBerry smartphones and has been enhanced in the BlackBerry 7.1 OS update. When users launch the new BlackBerry Maps application they can discover special offers, coupons, and discounts from nearby vendors. Users can immediately act on the deals presented to them by clicking to call the vendor or clicking to get the best route to the location where the deal is offered(4).

Customers with a BlackBerry Curve 9360 or 9380 smartphone will find a nice surprise with the BlackBerry 7.1 OS update in the form of an FM radio. The FM radio circuitry is already built in to the Curve 9360 and 9380 models and BlackBerry 7.1 provides users with a new app that allows them to tune in and enjoy local FM radio stations. Listening to the FM radio does not require a data plan or use data services.

For more information about the BlackBerry 7.1 OS update, visit www.blackberry.com/bb7. For more information and to download the new versions of BBM, BlackBerry Traffic and BlackBerry Travel visit BlackBerry App World at www.blackberry.com/appworld.

1. The BlackBerry 7.1 OS update is subject to carrier certification. Please
check for availability with your service provider.
2. The animated avatar feature is supported on BlackBerry smartphones
running OS 5.0 and higher.
3. Mobile hotspot feature requires BlackBerry 7.1 and may require an
additional data plan. Please check with your service provider.
4. Please check with your service provider for availability of this
feature.

Download OS 7.1.0.190 for BlackBerry Bold 9900

• FileServe

Download OS 7.1.0.190 for BlackBerry Torch 9810

• FileServe

Download OS 7.1.0.190 for BlackBerry Torch 9860

• FileServe

[via N4BB, CB]

Right before the weekend, Sprint launched a nice little surprise for their Bold 9930 and Torch 9850 customers. Customers with the new Bold 9930 and Torch 9850 now have access to OS 7.1 which brings several upgrades, including the much-anticipated Portable Hotspot feature. We should also point out that this can be installed on ANY CDMA Bold 9930 or Torch 9850 simply by removing the vendor.xml, which means Verizon customers you haven’t been forgotten about unofficially.

As a precaution it’s important that you backup all data before installing this operating system. We should also point out that SocialScope is not yet compatible with OS 7.1, therefore if you love SocialScope, you may want to wait a little longer.

• Grab OS 7.1.0.163 from Sprint for the Bold 9930 or Torch 9850

It certainly didn’t take long for RIM to patch the DingleBerry jailbreak. RIM has launched the PlayBook OS update v1.0.8.6067 which is only 5MB in size. The update just fixes a minor Daylight savings time bug and patches the DingleBerry jailbreak. The OS update is free of charge and can be downloaded over-the-air by going into the settings > software updates.

The BlackBerry PlayBook OS v1.0.8.6067 contains the following fixes and updates:

• Daylight savings time updates
• Security updates as outlined in the BlackBerry Security Advisory KB29191

We all know the upcoming BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 software update will bring much needed native apps like email, address book, and calendar. The folks at BB.in spotted a couple really interesting things during the BlackBerry Mobile Fusion webcast. If you look really closely at the Tablet OS 2.0 demo, you will notice a native BBM client (along side Bridge apps), as well the BlackBerry Video Store, and some sort of a Music store or player icon that closely resembles the iTunes icon. You also get a quick look at how the BlackBerry Balance application will work on the PlayBook… All I can say is February can’t come soon enough for Tablet OS 2.0.

For those of you who have been waiting for RIM to launch OS 7.1 we have some semi-good news, it’s not officially available yet, but it has been leaked online. This is the first leak for OS 7.1 and it seems to be an early build from RIM. This leak (OS 7.1.0.45) for the Bold 9900 includes the much anitcpated Mobile Hotspot feature, however there are reports of it not working with certain carriers. While we do not suggest everyone install this OS, it is great to see how exactly the Hotspot feature will run. I installed this yesterday, and so far it seem fasts and doesn’t have a ton of bugs. Battery life also seems to be very good thus far. You can find links below to install OS 7.1 — However we STRONGLY recommend you do a full backup of your device before installing. It’s also important to mention that if you love SocialScope as your Twitter client, do not install this OS, as it is not compatible as of yet and will not run.

Download OS 7.1.0.45 for the Bold 9900

Alternative Download Link via BlackBerryIndia

[via CrackBerry]

We’ve leapfrogged everyone with what we’re announcing [on Tuesday] and you’re going to see it on display,” Mr. Balsillie said in an interview.

“We built an engine back in the mid-90s that served us incredibly well for 15 years, and in the past couple of years, we’ve had to build the engine of the future while still driving the engine we’ve got.”

So there you have it. RIM is expected to announce and even show off BBX tomorrow at the BlackBerry Developers Conference.

[via Financial Post]

We are only about 8 days away from the BlackBerry Developers Conference, and it’s expected that RIM will unwrap their new QNX smartphone platform, which was rumored to be called BBX. Well it seems the BBX name might be a go. During the QNX Auto Summit in Japan, it seems the presentator left BBX, along side of Android and iPhone for supported platforms for the QNX Car 2. So as you can see from the slide above, I would say that is pretty good proof that RIM is going with the BBX name. Personally I love the BBX name, it brings a sort of X-factor to the smartphone platform. Start the count folks… 8 days and counting.

[via CrackBerry]

Over the weekend OS 7.0.0.440 was leaked for the BlackBerry Bold 9900 and Torch 9860. While we don’t know exactly what’s new in these versions, I can tell you it runs pretty smooth on the Bold 9900. There was talk of better battery life as well, which always comes in handy with the new BlackBerry 7 smartphones. Follow the links below to download and feel free to drop a comment below and let us know how it’s running for you.

Inside BlackBerry posted up the new update to the BlackBerry PlayBook that is available for all BlackBerry PlayBook users. While it’s not the v2.0 we are all waiting on, it’s an important update nonetheless which fixes a vulnerability found in the Adobe Flash Player. Check it out…

The following was the announcement from Inside BlackBerry:

A new version of the BlackBerry® Tablet OS is now available to all BlackBerry® PlayBook™ tablet users. BlackBerry Tablet OS v1.07.3312 contains an updated version of Adobe® Flash® Player. This free update can be downloaded over-the-air from your BlackBerry PlayBook tablet.

On September 21st, Adobe issued an update for Adobe Flash Player, as noted in Adobe Security Bulletins APSB-11-26, which addresses issues that can potentially affect any PC, tablet, or other device with an operating system that supports Adobe Flash.

While there are no known reports of any BlackBerry PlayBook tablet users being affected by these Adobe Flash issues, we (as always) encourage all BlackBerry PlayBook users to update to the newest version of the BlackBerry Tablet OS. For more information about what these security updates mean to the BlackBerry PlayBook, please see our security advisory.

New PlayBook Tablet owners who purchase the PlayBook from here on out will receive the update as part of the PlayBook setup process. For those of us who already have one, you will get a notification of the OS update which only takes a few minutes to install or you can find the update and install OTA. To find your update slide down the top of the BlackBerry PlayBook to display the Options, go to Software Updates, tap the Check For Updates button and the update will appear and will alert you to restart the PlayBook when the update is downloaded and installed.

[via: Inside BlackBerry]