Welcome back to the BlackBerry Developer Spotlight. This week’s developer is Andy Gstoll from Wikitude. Wikitude World Browser is the app that brings Augmented Reality to BlackBerry OS 7 devices. If you haven’t checked it out yet, you need to know what you’re missing. Here’s what the Wikitude World Browser is and what Andy had to say.

I love the Wikitude World Browser. It’s one of those free apps that lets you see what’s going on around you in augmented reality, or AR. We were lucky enough to have some time to speak with Andy and ask him our questions, and it was great to hear the positive tone resonate in the conversation. Wikitude is available in the BlackBerry App World. Here’s the description:

Wikitude World Browser allows you to discover your surroundings in a completely new way. By using the camera, simply hold up your smartphone and explore what’s around you in Augmented Reality (AR). See places, points of interests and even your BBM contacts through your camera’s field of vision – a truly engaging and immersive experience. Wikitude World Browser has been voted “Best Augmented Reality browser in both 2009 and 2010”!
Search through lots of exciting content and points of interest from Wikipedia, Youtube, Twitter, Flickr, Starbucks and thousands more. Use Wikitude to browse through what’s around you or to specifically search for places you are interested in. Craving sushi? Just type “sushi” into Wikitude’s search box, hold up your phone and see all the sushi restaurants around you. Looking for special offers near your home or nearest shopping centre? Simply view all the augmented reality mobile coupons to get up to 50% off ! You can even create your own places in augmented reality, for example your favourite bar, restaurant or meeting point. Go to www.wikitude.me and drop markers on a map to create your own place or hundreds of places. Hit the upload button and a few seconds later your personal places will be visible in the Wikitude.me World on your mobile.

It’s so easy to set up, you calibrate your compass, and discover what is out there hiding.

Features are as follows:

• Find events, tweets, Wikipedia articles, ATMs, restaurants, user reviews and much more around you
• Interact with your BBM contacts and discover new BBM users around you as you have never done before.
• Experience places near you in augmented reality or show them on a map or list view
• Browse more than 150 million places and interactive content from more than 1,000 content providers or so called “Worlds”
• Explore and identify places and objects near by
• Search for specific places, for example “thai restaurant”
• Find mobile coupons and discounts for stores and shops near you

Here’s our phone interview with Andy:

Thanks Andy for taking the time to speak with us. We love Wikitude and are very impressed with it. It’s great to show new smartphone users Wikitude and allow them new ways to discover what’s out there. So let’s get started.

What apps have you developed for BlackBerry devices?

“Wikitude”

How long have you been developing apps for BlackBerry?

“Since December 2010.”

What inspired you or interested you into developing apps for BlackBerry?

” Since 2009 we’ve been developing for multiple platforms: Android, iOS, and Symbian.  BlackBerry was a major platform for our portfolio.”

What are your favorite personal apps for BlackBerry?

“Blackberry Travel, Foursquare, and Facebook.”

What is the biggest or most difficult challenge for developing apps for BlackBerry?

“We’ve been very well treated by RIM with support from their UK and Waterloo departments. Developmentally speaking it’s been fantastic.”

What are the major differences in developing for OS 5, OS 6, OS 7, and QNX?

“Most OS 7 devices have a digital compass so AR works great. We currently are working on the OS 6 version but the augmented reality will be missing since all OS6 devices lack a compass. RIM has great resources and support for developers to develop for the various operating systems.”

What sort of apps can we look forward to from you in the future?

“ The Wikitude World Browser is our focus. Our goal is to develop the platform further so that third party developers can build great AR experiences on it. We now have more than 2,000 content providers already, this is growing everyday and we help 3rd party devs to engage in building on our AR platform.”

As a developer, what are the most appealing aspects or features you can integrate into BlackBerry apps?

“BBM absolutely by far is the most appealing. 9 out of 10 users connect BBM into Wikitude. And if you connect and use the public setting in the Wikitude BBM connection, you’re able to find more friends who have BBM. Most users use that setting.”

What for you, are the most rewarding incentives of developing a BlackBerry app?

“There’s tons of marketing and carrier support. Wikitude has had great exposure including ads featuring our World Browser” After this comment, Andy shared a story where he was at a London train station, looked up and saw an ad with Wikitude he didn’t know about and how much of a surprise and compliment it was to see it.

In comparison to Android and iPhone apps, how does the development for BlackBerry apps compare?

“There’s a big difference. BBM is an essential social part of BlackBerry and we were really the first to bring instant messaging to augmented reality. Using AR you can see where your friends are located. Choose the public setting to make yourself visible to others and make new friendships. Overall, the Wikitude experience is very similar on all platforms. Universal Search on BlackBerry is another unique feature though. There are some other things like differences in icons styles on iPhone and Android, we try to develop a good experience for what users are used to platform wise. BBM is an exception as it’s very unique.”

What advice would you give to an inspiring developer who wants to develop BlackBerry apps?

“I think if you want to develop to BlackBerry, then consider the new platform. That new platform around the corner is QNX. Just don’t spend too much time on the old platform. If the app is sophisticated, go straight to QNX.”

Is there anything you’d like to add or say as a developer to the BlackBerry community?

“We would like to encourage the developer community out there to check out our technology to build great AR experiences. If you have a cool idea and interesting content for AR, we’d be delighted to see it on Wikitude and make it available to millions of Wikitude users. You can find more information at http://developer.wikitude.com

Wikitude and its content is very unique to every region and city, so we’d love to see more locally relevant content. This makes Wikitude even more useful and relevant.

Wikitude is of course on Facebook and we invite you to check it out to keep up with the latest. We believe BlackBerry is a fantastic platform and that RIM is going in the right direction with QNX. We are preparing accordingly and encourage other developers to join us.”

And we agree wholeheartedly with Andy that RIM is heading in the right direction with QNX. We’d like to send a big shoutout and thank you to Andy and the team from Wikitude for the great app and for taking the time to give us their insight. It was very nice and really refreshing to chat with Andy and hear how excited they are with the possibilities. We have the links listed for downloading the Wikitude World Browser from BlackBerry App World, Wikitude’s Developer page, and their Twitter. Also for those developers out there, we invite you to come step into the Spotlight with us. If you’re interested, please email us or tweet us on Twitter. If you have any questions specifically for us, or for Wikitude, please leave them in the comments and we’ll get you the answers you’re looking for. Thanks for joining us for this week’s BlackBerry Developer Spotlight.

Download the Wikitude World Browser FREE from BlackBerry App World here

Check out Wikitude’s Developer page here

Go to Wikitude’s Facebook and like here

Find @Wikitude on Twitter here, and @BlackBerrySync on Twitter here

What’s this we have here? We just received a tip that RIM is working on a social music platform, to be dubbed BBM Music. BBM Music will allow BlackBerry smartphone owners to share music and playlists with their friends. The music that is shared with your friends is downloaded directly to their BlackBerry. Apparently it will be a stand-alone app on the device, but will have deep integration with BlackBerry Messenger on smartphones. That’s all we know for now. We will post more details as we get them.

Since we heard RIM started rolling out an OS update (1.0.1.1796) to some PlayBook owners, I’ve been patiently waiting for it. Sadly it hasn’t come. So I started playing around with the BlackBerry Desktop Software to see if by fluke I could get the update, with no success. So then I proceeded to do a full backup of my PlayBook (which took around 8 minutes — 1GB in size), and then found the Update button in the menu. As I expected I got the No Update Available message. I then decided to reboot my PlayBook by pressing the Power Off app then Restart (while it was connected via USB). Once the device loaded up, it prompted for me to an OS update, and bam! I now have 1.0.1.1796 installed on my PlayBook. Just a warning the OS update seems to take about 30-40 minutes. Make sure you do a full system backup before starting.

So just to recap here is how you force an OS update on your BlackBerry PlayBook:

• Open BlackBerry Desktop Software on your PC
• Do full backup on your tablet
• Go to Device > Update
• You will get a message “No Update Available”
• Press ok, leave your PlayBook connected via USB
• Press the Power Off app then select Restart
• Once the PlayBook boots up, you will be prompted to do the update

Just a note, after doing the OS update via Desktop Software you can restore your data. Make sure you follow the entire setup process, before doing the restore.

Happy updating and post a comment below if this works for you…

The BlackBerry Torch is set to go on sale in Canada on Thursday (September 30th), and some companies like Future Shop and Best Buy are now accepting pre-orders. One thing I noticed while browsing Future Shop’s website yesterday is the outright prices. So far it looks like Virgin Mobile Canada will be selling their Torch 9800 for $549.99 outright, while Bell, TELUS, and Rogers all sell it for $599.99. We aren’t too sure if this will be Virgin’s final retail price for the device, or if we will see a $50 price drop from the other carriers before launch. If we had to guess I would say Virgin might put the price up.

So what do you think? Will Virgin sell it $50 cheaper? or will they bump the price up?

That’s right! I’ve gotten my hands on the BlackBerry Torch 9800, the first full QWERTY and touch screen smartphone from RIM. The BlackBerry Torch is set to go on sale with AT&T in just a few days (August 12th) and until then we’ve got a ton of feedback to give you. First off I’ve uploaded a brief unboxing video of the Torch. I’m usually not one for doing videos, but I felt this was a special occasion. I know its not the best quality, but you get the idea.

First impressions of the device are pretty good. The slider feels great, BlackBerry 6 seems to flow smooth, overall no real complaints. I am having a hard time getting use to an actual touchscreen, without the SurePress clicking (found in the Storm series). Other than that I’m going to let it charge up and use it for the next few days before commenting too much… I will say the body feels very solid (including the slider) but I hate where the charger port is located. I’ll post more soon about the device.

If you have any questions about the device feel free to post a comment below or hitting me up on twitter @blackberrysync. And no I can’t get you the device yet, but you will be able to grab it from AT&T in a few days, and in Canada within the next month or so.

Continue reading to see the pics and unboxing video…

Videos:

Pictures:

For as long as I’ve been an BlackBerry fan, I am sad to admit I’ve also been a Mac user. When I first heard of BlackBerry Protect I couldn’t help but think how similar it sounds to Apple’s MobileMe service. BlackBerry Protect will be available “later this year” from RIM, and will allow users to remotely backup and restore data, as well remotely track your BlackBerry, and lock or remote wipe if needed. The goal of BlackBerry Protect is to make your device and its content secure and easier to switch from one device to another. Sadly BlackBerry Protect is in a very limited beta, and will be available later this year for the general public.

Key features of BlackBerry Protect include:

• Remote Device Management:
• Protect important information on a lost BlackBerry smartphone by remotely wiping or locking the device from your desktop
• Remotely add contact information to the home screen of a locked BlackBerry smartphone so it can be returned if found
• See your BlackBerry smartphone’s location and pinpoint the current whereabouts of a lost or stolen device with cell tower and GPS device tracking
• Find a nearby misplaced BlackBerry smartphone by remotely activating a loud ringer
• Over the Air (OTA) Backup and Restore:
• Back up data from your BlackBerry smartphone (including Contacts and Calendar; Memos and Tasks; Browser Bookmarks and Text Messages) over Wi-Fi
• Restore your data to a new BlackBerry smartphone, or simply switch from one BlackBerry smartphone to another

Keep on reading to find out more details about BlackBerry Protect…

Let’s take a look at how BlackBerry Protect works for you.

BlackBerry Protect on Device - Home

When you first open up the app from your BlackBerry smartphone, this is what you will see. It’s got that BlackBerry 6 (OS 6.0) feeling to do. Right from the home screen of this application it displays your BlackBerry ID (which you may already have from App World 2.0) along with when your device was last backed up, when your next backup will take place, and a couple options – backup only via Wi-Fi and roaming options. Below are the three icons Backup Now, Restore from Backup, or the Message Inbox (for BlackBerry Protect).

BlackBerry Protect on Device - Backup / Restore

It’s very easy to do a backup when you want, or even do a restore when you want. BlackBerry Protect will be great for those who like to backup before every app install. Backing up data is fast and effective. The device I tested the backup function on didn’t have a ton of data, but it took under 30 seconds to back it up. Restoring is extremely simple as well. All you have to do is press the restore button and select which one you want to restore.

BlackBerry Protect on Device - Options

The options menu on device is pretty straight forward. In the options you can set when you would like BlackBerry Protect to backup your data (Daily, Weekly, Monthly), set to only backup over Wi-Fi, or to allow when roaming, as well select what data you want the app to backup (contacts, calendars, tasks, memos, browser bookmarks, and text messages).

This is the home screen from the web based panel. This admin panel will allow you to remotely track your device in case of lost or stolen, as well play a loud ring to get attention, or display an on screen message. The web panel will also allow you to lock the device, or remotely wipe it. All with a simple click of a button.

BlackBerry Protect from Web - Backup/Restore Online

What I found really handy was the web based admin panel will let you start a backup with a simple click. So just in case your device isn’t right in front of you it’s backed up.

So that was a quick look at RIM’s upcoming consumer security software for BlackBerry. Sadly I wasn’t able to test this app on my personal device, because I am on BES (BlackBerry Enterprise Server). BlackBerry Protect doesn’t like to play nice with enterprise software, therefore I would have had to wipe my device and start with the basics. I was hoping for BBSync’s very own App Reviewer, Susan to way in on her thoughts with BlackBerry Protect, but her device (Bold 9650) isn’t supported as of yet. Speaking of which, currently RIM only supports the following devices for the limited BlackBerry Protect beta:

• BlackBerry Storm 9500 with 5.0 OS software
• BlackBerry Storm 9530 with 5.0 OS software
• BlackBerry Storm2 9550 with 5.0 OS software
• BlackBerry Bold 9000 with 5.0 OS software
• BlackBerry Bold 9700 with 5.0 OS software
• BlackBerry Tour 9630 with 4.7.1 or 5.0 OS software
• BlackBerry Curve 8520 with 5.0 OS software
• BlackBerry Curve 8900 with 4.6.1 or 5.0 OS software

We hope to see the list grow as new devices come out.

This sums up the preview of BlackBerry Protect and we’d like to know your thoughts of it, we hope you’re looking forward to it as we are. This is the introduction screen to BlackBerry Protect by RIM.

Post your thoughts and first impressions, we’d really like to know what the community thinks.

We know that Telus is getting ready to launch the new BlackBerry Curve 3G 9300 within the next few weeks, but it seems their website might be getting ready to launch it before them. Keep an eye out for the official Canadian launch within the next few weeks.

Click read more to see one more screen shot…

We have been very fortunate to have two great theme designers offer to make us themes for our Birthday. This one is by MMMOOO, and it’s very nice yet simple. It uses our blackground wallpaper and our colors as well. It’s a great way to show your love for BlackBerry Sync! Let’s take a look…

Both Built By Request and MMMOOO created our first themes, and also it’s their first site theme as well so it’s a special event for all of us.  It installs quickly and easily. Notice that the front screen has the BlackBerry Sync classic name, then our motto: BlackBerry News You Can Sync With … and www.BlackBerrySync.com. On the top red design in the right you see the battery indicator, the time, date, and signal strength. Below tht sits the alarm and the GPS. And then the sound/profile icon. The bottom row customizable with six icons. The icons are all the classic icons which makes it easy to distinguish what they are. The row of icons are dark red over the red pattern, and grey background over the white, and when you scroll over the icon it turns red.

If you click the menu button you see the top bar is bright red. The battery indicator, alarm, and GPS are in the top left, time and date in the center, and signal strength to the right. Icons are white with a grey background but turn bright red when scrolled over. Clicking on messages, options, etc, you can see the white background followed by the scrolling making the message or option turn brick red. The menu turns a light grey/pink and red text, but when you scroll over, it’s the brick red color and the text turns white.

The calling screen is a red that fades as it goes down, The theme is nice, simple, light on the battery and memory. It’s great for the person who likes a wonderful theme that’s simple and colorful. It’s a perfect mascot to the site, and shows our simply stated side. Try the theme out and show your BlackBerry Sync Pride! And don’t forget to thank MMMOOO as well for this great masterpiece of art. I love the link to MMMOOO’s themes and one for BlackBerrySync as well.

The pros are that the theme is available for most BlackBerry devices, and it’s so colorful and easy on the eyes. This theme is definitely a great theme you’ll want to keep just because it’s so nice and simple. Great for everyday use and easy to navigate. Thanks so much MMMOOO! Please remember to share thanks and love with MMMOOO.

I’ll post the links to the ota files.

Pearl 81xx 4.5 OTA

Pearl 82xx 4.6 OTA

Curve 83xx 4.5 OTA

Curve 8330 4.5 OTA

Curve 8330 5.0 OTA

Curve 8350 4.61 OTA

BlackBerry 8500 5.0 OTA

BlackBerry 8500 4.61 OTA

Curve 8900 4.61 OTA

Curve 8900 5.0 OTA

Bold 9000 4.6 OTA

Bold 9000 5.0 OTA

BlackBerry 9500 4.7 OTA

BlackBerry 9500 5.0 OTA

Tour 9600 4.71 OTA

Tour 9600 5.0 OTA

Bold 9700 5.0 OTA

Since we’re talking Security, I thought I’d let you in on another giveaway. This one is from SMobile Systems, the leading mobile security provider. SMobile has been a mobile security company for quite a while and were the first for BlackBerry to have a security application that included Anti-Virus. Their application is reliable and stealth. For our Birthday Celebration they have given us copies for a contest and great offers…

In case you’re wondering what SMobile is, or the SMobile Security Shield is, you can read more at this link here. Here’s the description from their website about the product that is the focus of the month:

Spyware exists today that is capable of logging every key typed on a mobile device, intercepting e-mail, text and voice communications and stealing personal data from your cell phone. More than ever before, users are downloading applications and music files, sharing memory cards and utilizing mobile devices for online banking and purchasing. Without adequate security protection, these practices create a ripe environment for Identity Theft.

SMobile is the world leader at providing AntiSpyware and AntiVirus protection to mobile devices. The SMobile AntiTheft and Identity Protection software runs in the background to immediately detect and remove malicious files and programs as they attempt to enter a device. On a routine basis, the solution will automatically receive updates from SMobile security servers and scan the entire device and memory cards to ensure the highest possible level of protection.

Advanced Protection for Lost or Stolen Devices

Without question, the number of lost and stolen mobile devices is staggering. The ultra-portable nature of smartphones enables users to essentially carry their Personal Computer in their pocket to sporting events, grocery stores, airports, restaurants, etc., significantly increasing the chance of loss and theft.

The unique Anti-Theft capabilities of the SMobile solution enables a user to quickly and easily pinpoint the exact location of a lost or stolen device and have that location displayed in an online map. SMobile customers also have the option to remotely wipe their personal data to ensure that if it falls into the wrong hands, their personal data will not be accessed. As an added bonus, the personal data on BlackBerry, Windows Mobile and Symbian devices can be remotely backed-up and easily imported into a new device and these devices can be remotely locked to prevent access. SMobile’s SIM card change feature can also protect these devices against unauthorized SIM card changes. BlackBerry, Windows Mobile and Symbian devices can also utilize the SMobile Alarm feature, which allows the user to audibly locate a misplaced device within hearing distance, even if the speakers and ringer are muted.

NOTE: SMobile Systems cannot guarantee GPS functionality on Verizon BlackBerry Curve and the Storm 1 devices. If you receive GPS Longitude and Latitude coordinates of 0.0 on the SMobile Security Console or Parental Dashboard, this functionality has been blocked by the service provider. For more information or questions please contact Customer Service at 1-866-323-0480

Grab your copy of Anti-Theft and Identity Protection from SMobile at the BOGO offer here

We were fortunate enough and proud to have not one, but two themes made for BlackBerry Sync. Built By Request designed this one, which emulates our site. What better way to show your love for BlackBerry Sync than to sport it on your BlackBerry. So let’s take a closer look at the details…

We’re proud to announce The BlackBerry Sync Theme which includes the following:

The front screen shows on the top from left to right: Battery life, alarm, time, alerts, coverage, bars of service. The red bar below that from left to right: Home (Browser), Launcher (Connections), Reviews (Calendar), Send Tips (Contacts), Store, About (Options), Contact (Contacts), and the magnifying glass which brings up Search. Below that sits our BlackBerry Sync banner and the date. Next is a grey icon that if you scroll through it will highlight all of your apps you have in the next screen, first row. The icon below it will show the app first in the second row. It’s open for a weather app so that you can display your weather if you like.

The next screen with all your folders and apps sits in front of the BlackBerry Sync wallpaper. The Options and messages show a grey screen with red highlight and red letters that turn white when highlighted. Very effective use of our colors.

***Built By Request spent hours working on our theme, and we really appreciate it. It’s nice, and quite eccentric. Especially the first icon on the front screen that allows you to scroll through the first row of icons.  And the second icon was set aside for weather. The top row is set aside for the apps that aren’t used as commonly, but used quite a bit. The theme is colorful and has integrates and embodies our site and especially the front page. It’s nearly like a mini sync. We liked it so much we have twittered pics off and on with Twitter, trying to contain ourselves from the urge of setting it out. And we couldn’t wait to share the love with you***

It’s really smooth in how it looks, the front screen looks like our site, and a wallpaper of BlackBerry Sync is in the background of the other screens. It’s a premium theme and all for the special price of FREE. If you like themes, you will really like this one. It looks good and it has some features that are unique, and very User Interactive.

The theme is both professional and fun, and we’re really honored that we have such great theme designers create such wonderful masterpieces for us. Thank you Built By Request for the great theme.

***Please give your thanks and love to Built By Request for their awesome theme, and don’t forget to check their site out for other themes as well. There’s a theme for everyone and then some. I especially love “It’s A Baby”. ***

Grab your BBSYNC Exclusive Theme from Built By Request for FREE here

The theme is compatible with the following OS: 4.7 (9630 only) and 5.0

Compatible with devices:85xx, 89xx, 9000, 9630, 9700.

[Rating: 5/5]