BBM Music has been a lot of fun. It’s a social app that allows you to listen to music, share music, grow your music library and more! It all connects through BBM, though your BBM Music friends don’t have to be your BBM Buddies. As of the 22nd, if you have one of the OS 7 handsets, the icon should appear on your BlackBerry. Check it out…

On Inside BlackBerry, BlackBerry has posted the following:

“With the release of BBM™ Music you can now listen to your favorite songs, share music with your BBM friends and even receive recommendations on new music you might be interested in right on your BlackBerry® smartphone¹. The best part of all is you can try BBM Music for free².! The length of the free trial will vary by carrier – so, check with your carrier for details!”

So since the 22nd, if you have service under BIS with any of the carriers listed, you should see a BBM Music icon. If you’re interested, click on it and it will take you to the BlackBerry App World to download. If you are on an Enterprise account (BES), the icon will be missing, and you will have to contact your BlackBerry administrator for assistance and permission. You can read more about it from Inside BlackBerry here.

What are the benefits and features of BBM Music?

• Create your music profile* from a catalogue of millions of songs and keep it fresh by swapping songs every month
• Make friends and listen to their music selections
• Play single songs or entire playlists created by friends. Listen to a giant playlist that includes all tracks from all your friends
• Create playlists that are all your own – using songs from all your friends’ profiles
• Post comments about your friends’ music and chat with them about music in real-time
• Discover what your friends are doing by watching the timeline – friends adding friends, new songs, playlists, comments
• Listen offline, while not connected to the wireless network (listen on subway, airplane, cottage, etc.)

Your profile contains 50 songs, but you can freshen them up monthly with 25 music song swaps. This is subscription based, however there is a free trial, the length of which depends upon your carrier. Although your profile can have up to 50 songs, you also have access to your BBM Music friends profiles, which allows you to grow your collection.

Download BBM Music from BlackBerry App World and check it out with the FREE music trial here

[via: Inside BlackBerry]

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

Sprint announced yesterday that the BlackBerry Curve 9350 is now available. The new BlackBerry Curve brings an ultra thin design, full QWERTY keyboard, 5.0 megapixel camera with flash, and the new BlackBerry 7 OS. You can pick up the new Curve from Sprint for $49.99 with a two year voice and data plan. For details head to Sprint.com.

As expected Sprint announced the availability of their new BlackBerry 7 smartphones, including the Bold 9930 and Torch 9850. Both devices run about $199 after rebates, with contract. We wouldn’t be surprised if you see the Torch 9850 drop a little more over the next little bit… AT&T currently offers the GSM variant of the 9850 for $49.99 with contract.

You can check out the new BlackBerry Bold 9930 or Torch 9850 at sprint.com.

via CrackBerry

RIM announced Friday that Sprint was cancelling the 4G BlackBerry PlayBook but will continue to sell the WiFi enabled BlackBerry PlayBook, much to disheartened Sprint customers. There is a silver lining however, as BlackBerry announced the BlackBerry PlayBook will be released in an LTE version. Check it out…

With Sprint letting go of the ball, not all is lost, and more is gained. The WiFi version is still available, but the LTE version will be a great feature for the PlayBook.

RIM’s official statement is as follows:

RIM has decided to prioritize and focus its 4G development resources on LTE. We remain excited and committed to delivering innovative and powerful 4G tablets to the US market together with our carrier partners. Testing of BlackBerry 4G PlayBook models is already underway and we plan to enter labs for network certifications in the US and other international markets this fall.

Looking at speeds between WiMax and LTE via ComputerWorld, the comparison is very clear to see:

Download speed:

Wow, that’s fast for LTE! That’s 3x the speed of WiMax.

Upload speed:

Wow, 5x the speed of WiMax!

Latency Speed:

It’s fair to say that the speed of Verizon’s LTE will do the BlackBerry PlayBook justice when it comes to browsing and having that lightening fast internet connection. The beauty of the BlackBerry PlayBook and the QNX OS matched with the blazing speed should make for a great pair.

Who’s getting a 4G BlackBerry PlayBook this fall?

[via: BerryReview]

[graph credits: ComputerWorld]

The BlackBerry Bold 9930 and Torch 9850 were announced by Sprint earlier this month, and Sprint said they were coming this fall. Now CrackBerry is reporting that Sprint will be gearing up for an August 21st launch for both devices. Pricing looks to be $249.99 with contract for the Bold 9930 and $149.99 with contract for the Torch 9850. So what do you think America? Is it finally your time to get the new BlackBerry 7 smartphones? Check out another shot below…

The BlackBerry PlayBook is scheduled to launch in just under 13 days, and both RIM and the mobile carriers have been pretty quiet about additional charges for tethering. CrackBerry just received an interesting tip attached with a picture that shows Sprint might actually be planning to charge for tethering on the BlackBerry Wi-Fi tablet. The sign shows that Sprint will be carrying the Wi-Fi only PlayBook in stores on PlayBook launch day, April 19th, and that tethering for the PlayBook will be charged at $29.99 per month. This charge will allow users to share their existing data plan with their PlayBook for web browsing access on the go. This is the first we’ve heard of any carriers charging for tethering on the PlayBook, and we REALLY hope that others do not follow. Check out another shot of the poster below…

We knew that Sprint would be getting a 4G enabled BlackBerry PlayBook tablet sometime this year, but now they’ve officially confirmed it. BGR picked up the news that Sprint is now taking registrations for the 4G PlayBook. Sprint is expected to launch the long awaited 4G PlayBook this Summer, but pricing is still unknown at this time. Until we learn more I would recommend registering at the link below.

Register to be notified when the Sprint 4G BlackBerry PlayBook is Available

Well it appears one of the CES 2011 bombs has been dropped this morning. RIM sent out a press release to let us know that they will be launching a 4G BlackBerry PlayBook this Summer, and it will be available exclusively to Sprint, in the United States. That’s about all they had to say. The PlayBook will be coming to Sprint in the summer, and no pricing has been revealed. You can head over to Sprint’s website to check out the coming soon page. The full press release is also below…

Just in case you missed it here are the official specs on the BlackBerry PlayBook:

• 7″ 1024×600 WSVGA capacitive LCD touch screen
• Ultra-portable at less than a pound and less than one-half inch thick:
• 0.9 lbs (400g) and 5.1″ x 7.6″ x 0.4″ (130mm x 194mm x 10mm)
• 1 GHz dual-core processor
• BlackBerry(R) Tablet OS with support for symmetric multiprocessing
• MP3, AAC and WMA audio playback
• Support for 1080p HD video playback (H.264, MPEG4, WMV)
• HDMI out
• Dual HD cameras for video conferencing and video capture
• 1 GB RAM memory
• Up to 64 GB internal storage (16, 32 and 64 GB models)
• Wi-Fi(R) (802.11 a/b/g/n) connectivity
• Bluetooth(R) 2.1+EDR support

Press Release:

BlackBerry 4G PlayBook Coming to the Sprint 4G Network

New 4G Tablet to Deliver Unmatched Power and Web Performance-Available Exclusively from Sprint this Summer

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA–(Marketwire – Jan. 6, 2011) – CES 2011 -

Editors Note: A photo for this release will be available via Marketwire on the picture wire of The Canadian Press and The Associated Press.

Research In Motion (RIM) (NASDAQ:RIMM)(TSX:RIM) and Sprint (NYSE:S) today announced plans to launch a new BlackBerry(R) PlayBook(TM) tablet model featuring connectivity to the blazingly fast Sprint 4G network. The BlackBerry 4G PlayBook(TM) will be the first BlackBerry PlayBook model to include wide area wireless connectivity, featuring Sprint 4G to give customers download speeds up to 10 times faster than 3G(1). This new 4G model is expected to be available from Sprint in the summer.

The BlackBerry 4G PlayBook is a professional-grade tablet that’s set to redefine the possibilities of mobile computing, giving users an ultra-portable design with industry leading performance, uncompromised web browsing, true multitasking and HD multimedia, as well as advanced security features and out-of-the-box enterprise support. Together, the BlackBerry 4G PlayBook and the Sprint 4G network will provide a high performance platform that will enable a mobile services revolution for both application developers and customers.

“RIM believes a significant portion of the tablet market will want a higher performing, multitasking, professional-grade tablet and that is why we chose to design the BlackBerry PlayBook for premium performance with a powerful dual-core processor and multitasking OS. Together with Sprint, we are now building on that performance advantage with 4G and providing an unparalleled mobile experience for users,” said Mike Lazaridis, President and Co-CEO at Research In Motion.

“We are excited to bring this powerful new product to our business customers and consumers who rely on Sprint for industry-leading devices as well as one of the best values in wireless,” said Steve Elfman, president of network operations and wholesale for Sprint. “This tablet is a great example of Sprint’s strong partnership with RIM in continuing to bring customers powerful devices to enhance their mobility. We are confident the BlackBerry 4G Playbook from Sprint will be one of the most anticipated tablets in 2011.”

In addition to Wi-Fi(R) support, the BlackBerry 4G PlayBook features a 1 GHz dual-core processor, 1 GB of RAM and the new BlackBerry(R) Tablet OS. The ultra portable, ultra thin tablet will offer an uncompromised, high-fidelity web experience with support for Adobe(R) Flash(R) Player 10.1, Adobe(R) Mobile AIR(R) and HTML-5 enabling customers to enjoy all of the sites, games, media and richness of the full Internet, delivered at 4G speeds. Additional details and pricing will be released closer to launch.

Sprint 4G is currently available in 71 markets(2) across the country, including Atlanta, San Francisco, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles and New York City. Sprint first launched 4G in Baltimore in September 2008 and continues to build its 4G service for consumers and business users across the country. For more information, visit www.sprint.com/4G.

For more information about the BlackBerry 4G PlayBook, visit www.blackberry.com/playbook or www.sprint.com/4Gplaybook.

About Research In Motion

Research In Motion (RIM), a global leader in wireless innovation, revolutionized the mobile industry with the introduction of the BlackBerry(R) solution in 1999. Today, BlackBerry products and services are used by millions of customers around the world to stay connected to the people and content that matter most throughout their day. Founded in 1984 and based in Waterloo, Ontario, RIM operates offices in North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Latin America. RIM is listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market (NASDAQ:RIMM) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX:RIM). For more information, visit www.rim.com or www.blackberry.com.

About Sprint Nextel

Sprint Nextel offers a comprehensive range of wireless and wireline communications services bringing the freedom of mobility to consumers, businesses and government users. Sprint Nextel served more than 48.8 million customers at the end of the third quarter of 2010 and is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying innovative technologies, including the first wireless 4G service from a national carrier in the United States; offering industry-leading mobile data services, leading prepaid brands including Virgin Mobile USA, Boost Mobile, Common Cents Mobile and Assurance Wireless; instant national and international push-to-talk capabilities; and a global Tier 1 Internet backbone. Newsweek ranked Sprint No. 6 in its 2010 Green Rankings, listing it as one of the nation’s greenest companies, the highest of any telecommunications company. You can learn more and visit Sprint at www.sprint.com or www.facebook.com/sprint and www.twitter.com/sprint.

Forward-looking statements in this news release are made pursuant to the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws. When used herein, words such as “expect”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “may”, “will”, “should”, “intend,” “believe”, and similar expressions, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on estimates and assumptions made by RIM in light of its experience and its perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors that RIM believes are appropriate in the circumstances. Many factors could cause RIM’s actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including those described in the “Risk Factors” section of RIM’s Annual Information Form, which is included in its Annual Report on Form 40-F (copies of which filings may be obtained at www.sedar.com or www.sec.gov). These factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on RIM’s forward-looking statements. RIM has no intention and undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

The BlackBerry and RIM families of related marks, images and symbols are the exclusive properties and trademarks of Research In Motion Limited. RIM, Research In Motion and BlackBerry are registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and may be pending or registered in other countries. Wi-Fi is a registered trademark of the Wi-Fi Alliance. All other brands, product names, company names, trademarks and service marks are the properties of their respective owners. RIM assumes no obligations or liability and makes no representation, warranty, endorsement or guarantee in relation to any aspect of any third party products or services.

(1) “Up to 10 times faster” based on download speed comparison of Sprint 3G avg. speeds (600 kbps-1.4 Mbps) vs. Sprint 4G avg. speeds (3-6 Mbps). Actual speeds may vary by plan or based on other factors.

(2) Sprint 4G is now available in 71 markets: California – Los Angeles, Merced, Modesto, Sacramento, San Francisco, Stockton, Visalia; Colorado – Denver; Connecticut – Bridgeport, Hartford, New Haven; Delaware – Wilmington; District of Columbia – Washington; Florida – Daytona Beach, Jacksonville, Miami, Orlando, Tampa; Georgia – Atlanta, Milledgeville; Hawaii – Honolulu, Maui; Idaho – Boise; Illinois – Chicago; Maryland – Baltimore; Massachusetts – Boston; Michigan – Grand Rapids; Minnesota – Minneapolis-St. Paul: Missouri – Kansas City, St. Louis; New Jersey – New Brunswick, Trenton; New York – New York, Rochester, Syracuse; Nevada – Las Vegas; North Carolina – Charlotte, Greensboro (includes High Point and Winston-Salem), Raleigh (includes Cary, Chapel Hill and Durham); Ohio – Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus; Oregon – Eugene, Portland, Salem; Pennsylvania – Harrisburg, Lancaster, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Reading, York; Rhode Island – Providence; Tennessee – Nashville; Texas – Abilene, Amarillo, Austin, Corpus Christi, Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, Killeen/Temple, Lubbock, Midland/Odessa, San Antonio, Waco, Wichita Falls; Utah – Salt Lake City; Virginia – Richmond; and Washington – Bellingham, Seattle, Tri-Cities, Yakima.

To view the photo associated with this release, please visit the following link: http://www.marketwire.com/library/20110105-rim0106px800.jpg.

BlackBerry 6 was said to be coming to carriers in the United States before the end of 2010, and now here we are December 23rd, and it seems some Sprint customers are now being prompted to install the new OS. Sprint has officially unleashed OS 6.0.0.415 for their BlackBerry Bold 9650 and Curve 9330 users. The new OS brings a similar experience to the Bold 9780 and Torch by offering new icons, WebKit browser, universal search, and of course the new menus. If you don’t want do the update over-the-air (OTA) you can download it from the BlackBerry download page here. So where is Verizon?

[via CrackBerry]