RIM Updates BlackBerry 10 Dev Alpha OS to 10.0.9.1675

Today, Canadian mobile phone maker Research In Motion has announced the availability of the gold flavor of its BlackBerry 10 development toolkit, which appears to have been complemented by the release of a new software update for the BlackBerry 10 Dev Alpha OS.

Pushed to developer devices as version 10.0.9.1675 (or 10.0.9 Bundle 1675, as RIM calls it), the new flavor of BlackBerry 10 OS for Dev Alpha handsets brings along a series of bug fixes and other enhancements. However, no new features have been included in the package, which suggests that RIM pushed it out mainly to ensure full compatibility with the aforementioned gold flavor of the development tools. The release notes for the new BlackBerry OS version 10.0.9 Bundle 1675 show the following fixes:

• In some instances, if you connected your BlackBerry device to another device using an HDMI cable, the audio did not behave as expected.
• If you changed your mobile network settings so that your device connected to a 2G mobile network (such as GSM), a cell broadcast message might have displayed on your device every two or three minutes.
• Pictures added to contacts on the BlackBerry device were not synchronized to Microsoft Outlook.
• In some instances while playing media files, audio might have been clipped for a fraction of a second.
• Time settings may not have been updated if you changed the time zone in the Date and Time settings.

As usual, there are also a series of yet unresolved issues in the OS, yet RIM appears to be aware of them, which means that they might get a fix in the not-too-distant future as well. Developers interested in learning more info on how to update their BlackBerry 10 Dev Alpha devices should head over to this page on RIM’s website. Before proceeding with the update, developers are encouraged to back up all data on their devices, so as to make sure that no important files are lost. The update can be performed only via Windows computers, as Mac OS X is not supported for the time being.

BlackBerry logo
Image credits to RIM

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This is How to Start a Voice Chat in BBM 7

The latest version of the Blackberry Messenger arrived in the BlackBerry App World with a brand new feature, long awaited by many, namely BBM Voice.

The enhancement provides users with the possibility to easily start a voice chat from a BBM text conversation. The feature is currently available in BBM 7 for all devices running under BlackBerry Device Software 6.0 or newer flavors of the platform. The transition from a BBM conversation to voice chat works very smoothly, RIM notes, and even explains how users can take full advantage of it. “You can start or join voice chats in BBM on smartphones running BlackBerry Device Software 6.0 or later,” the company notes on its support website. “From a chat, you can start a voice chat by clicking the voice chat icon, pressing the Send key on your BlackBerry smartphone, or selecting the option from the menu.”

The BBM Voice feature can be used over WiFi networks, which means that users will need to make sure that their BlackBerry devices are connected to such a hotspot first. Then, simply hit the Menu key in the BlackBerry Messenger application, navigate to Contact <contact's name>, and select Start Voice Chat. Users will also be able to access other options on the device while in voice chat, including sending files, through simply clicking on Open Chat during a conversation (this will minimize the call, RIM explains). As soon as the conversation is over, users can end a voice chat by clicking on the End key or icon. As mentioned above, the BBM Voice feature was included in the latest version of BBM 7, made available for download through the BlackBerry App World only for BlackBerry OS 6 or newer. Owners of devices running under BlackBerry OS 5 will also be able to enjoy the feature starting with early next year, RIM announced.

BBM 7 with BBM Voice
Image credits to RIM

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RIM Releases Final Version of BlackBerry 10 Developer Toolkit

Today, Canadian mobile phone maker Research In Motion announced the availability of the final flavor of its BlackBerry 10 developer toolkit.

The gold version of the SDK was announced last month, and is now available for download with the final version of tools, components, and APIs that would allow developers to build applications for the BlackBerry 10 operating system. These tools are available for Native C/C++ and Qt developers, as well as for HTML5 developers, while also providing app creators with the possibility to build using Adobe AIR or port Android applications to BlackBerry 10. According to RIM, a wide range of app developers already committed to launching apps for the upcoming mobile operating system, which will become official on January 30. BlackBerry 10 will offer support for a great deal of software, including games, multimedia, business and productivity, published media and social networking.

"We are seeing continued excitement for the BlackBerry 10 platform from leading brands across the globe. Partners want the recognition and advantage of being first-to-market on this exciting new platform," said Martyn Mallick, vice president, Global Alliances and Business Development at Research In Motion. "Developers see that BlackBerry 10 is designed to make it very easy to create compelling customer experiences that can lead to high adoption and engagement." Recently, at the BlackBerry Jam Asia conference in Bangkok, RIM showcased some new applications for the OS, while partners also came up with their own software, such as Fox Sports, MTV India, Picstory, Viki Video, and Hot Remit.

App builders interested in learning some more details on what the new BlackBerry 10 platform has to offer to them should head over to RIM’s developer website for that. "We have been actively engaged with developers from around the world for many months and as we near the final weeks toward the launch of BlackBerry 10, the growing dedication and commitment we see from our developer community is truly outstanding," said Alec Saunders, vice president, Developer Relations and Ecosystems at Research In Motion.

BlackBerry logo
Image credits to RIM

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Nokia C6-01 Tastes Belle FP1 Design and Widgets via Custom Firmware

Ever since announcing its focus on the release of Windows Phone devices, Finnish mobile phone maker Nokia has left Symbian smartphones aside, and the newest platform releases did not arrive on all the latest such phones from the company.

Nokia C6-01 RM-718 & RM-601 is one of these smartphones, currently powered by Belle Refresh, though capable of supporting newer features that were delivered to users through Belle FP1. In fact, the handset has already managed to get a taste of these features, courtesy of a custom firmware that some enthusiasts came up with. The software is based on 808 PureView’s Belle FP1 OS and provides owners of the Nokia C6-01 with the UI and looks of the newer platform release. The update was found on dailymobile forums, where it emerged last week, and should be treated as unofficial software for the device.

The new Belle FP1 Task switcher has been included in the custom firmware, along with Dolby headphone support, and other enhancements as well. Users who choose to download and install it on their Belle Refresh-powered smartphones will also receive unlimited Homescreens (100), Nokia pure Harmattan‎ fonts, Theme Effects to E mod, Browser Cache to E, and the like. The release notes for this firmware also include:

• First home screen can be deleted
• Restart option added to the power button menu
• Custom Profiles mod to rename all profiles
• Tactile feedback while connecting,Disconnecting,Second incoming call
• Hacked with yinstallserver.exe
• RomPatcherPlus 3.1 with Auto start
• Added some important patches (Enable the Installserver and open4all patches after flashing)
• Enabled Rename & Move to folder in main menu
• Create sub Folders in main menu
• Disabled Active Diverts
• Kinetic Scrolling Fast
• File manager extender mod added
• Song Metadata Editing mod added

There are also a series of widgets and apps that have been added to the firmware, such as Comms launcher widget, Flip clock, ZDSync Time, Gallery widget, mem check, Kill me, Easy key lock, Notes FP2 widget, and Transparent notification widget. You can learn more info on the custom firmware via this thread on DailyMobile forum.

Belle FP1 features arrive on Nokia C6-01
Image credits to MyNokiaBlog

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Nokia Lumia 505 Confirmed for Telcel with Windows Phone 7.8

Finnish mobile phone maker Nokia is expected to launch a new affordable device in the near future, namely the previously leaked Lumia 505 handset at Mexico’s Telcel.

The mobile phone was spotted online not too long ago, and is now said to have been included in the carrier’s holiday catalog, with the Windows Phone 7.8 OS loaded on it. No specific info on when the device would land on shelves has been provided, but we do have an idea of what hardware specs it will pack inside when available.

The phone will feature a 3.7” Super AMOLED display with a 800x480 pixels resolution, 4GB of internal memory, and an 8-megapixel photo snapper on the back. Furthermore, it is expected to arrive on shelves in three color flavors, namely Black, Red and Magenta. No pricing has been unveiled either, but all should be made official soon.

Nokia Lumia 505
Image credits to WPCentral

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Intel Core i7 and i5 (Haswell) CPU Specs Leaked

Haswell is being looked upon as a sort of holy grail that could save the notebook market and catapult the ultrabook segment forward by a few thousand miles.

Whether or not any of this comes true will become clear next year, during the second quarter most likely (Q2 2013). That doesn't mean we have to stay in the dark until then though. In fact, VR-Zone somehow managed to get the information on the Core i5 and Core i7 Haswell processors. We'll let the photo up there do most of the work (click to enlarge), but we'll mention the highlights. There will be six standard models, with a TDP (thermal design power) of 84W, plus eight low-power chips of 35W, 45W and 65W.

All newcomers have DDR3-1600 memory controllers, 2-4 cores (with or without Hyper Threading), Intel HD 4600 graphics and 4, 6 or 8 MB of cache memory.

Intel Core i7 and Core i5 Haswell CPUs
Image credits to VR-Zone

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Root Your Samsung Galaxy S III Mini I8190

Samsung’s Galaxy S III Mini I8190 smartphone, released for those users who would rather purchase a smaller device than go for the flagship Galaxy S III handset, has been rooted too.

Although featuring the same name as the predecessor, the Galaxy S III Mini smartphone is a bit different from it, but the rooting process appears to be very simple. One XDA-Developers forum member managed to build a custom pre-rooted firmware for the device, and users interested in obtaining root access on the handset will simply have to flash that software. This can be done via Odin, it seems, given the fact that there is no custom recovery available for the Galaxy S III Mini for the time being. “This firmware base on the last build for I8190, is a full firmware exactly like the original, except the root. After flash you will see the SuperSU app in the app drawer,” said user explains in a forum post. He also explains that flashing this firmware will not wipe the data on the device, which means that users will have their files intact after the process has been completed.

However, it would still be a good idea to back up all files on the smartphone before proceeding, just to play it safe. To root the handset, simply head to this forum thread on XDA-Developers, download the needed file (in the form of a .tar file), open Odin 3 and put the .tar in pda. Then, enter download mode on the handset (press and hold Vol Down + Home + Power buttons, and then hit Vol Up), connect the device to the PC via USB, wait for Odin to detect it, and hit start. Apparently, the device cannot boot into recovery through a key combination, but users will be able to perform a factory reset via the Settings menu. “If you have a boot loop problem, flash the attached file WIPE_I8190.zip (the tar file inside zip) via Odin in pda, it will do wipe data automatically,” the aforementioned XDA-Developers user notes. Just keep in mind that rooting the device usually results in voided warranty, and that users will be the only ones held responsible should anything go wrong during the process and harm the handset.

Rooted Samsung Galaxy S III Mini I8190
Image credits to XDA-Developers

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This Nokia Engineer Publishes Tutorial on How to Crack Windows 8 Games

We’ve already told you that an illegal app allows users to quickly download the full version of a Windows 8 app without paying for it, but a Nokia engineer has now released detailed instructions on how to do it.

While this is clearly bad for Microsoft and its new operating system, it all comes down a fairly complex process that’s described in a long blog post by Nokia employee Justin Angel. What’s more, it appears that Angel has found a way to remove in-app ads and even to inject JavaScript code in some of the Windows Store apps to unlock unavailable features.

Here's a link to the original blog post by Justin Angel, provided solely for informative purposes, but keep in mind that the article is very likely be removed in a few hours. Microsoft is yet to issue a comment, but we’ll keep you updated on this subject.

Nokia engineer Justin Angel
Image credits ot Justin Angel

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