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BlackBerry Music to serve up 50 songs for $5 a month?
Well, it looks like BlackBerry's banking on another BBM to pull it out of the enterprise-only lurch, and this one should be like music to your ears. Earlier this week, we reported that RIM was readying a new music service, and now All Things D is giving us some juicy (unofficial) details on the tentatively titled BlackBerry Music. The publication says $5 a month will give users access to 50 songs that they can share with their BlackBerry-toting friends (also signed up for the service). What's more, it could be officially pumping the jams to the UK, US, and Canada as soon this fall, with other territories to follow in 2012. Rumor also has it that users won't be able to port the music to other devices, unless they happen to have a PlayBook handy. Somehow we suspect that last bit won't be what draws the youngster in.
CNET: RIM in talks to squeeze out BlackBerry music service
Those "sources with knowledge" are at it again, this time stirring the pot over a possible BlackBerry-branded music service. According to both CNET and Reuters, said sources revealed that RIM is in negotiations with "the four largest record companies" to launch a service that would "run on top of BlackBerry Messenger." What that means, exactly, is anyone's guess at the moment, but word is the mobile phone maker has already signed one label, and is close to snagging two more. Could this be the move RIM needs to shake off its enterprise-only reputation? We'll just have to wait and see -- according to Reuters, the service is expected to be announced by September 5th.
Facebook introduces separate Messenger app for iPhone and Android
It's not clear if its recently acquired group messaging firm, Beluga, had anything to do with it or not, but Facebook has branched out further into the increasingly crowded messaging space today with the announcement of a separate Facebook Messenger app. Available for iPhone and Android, the app lets you send messages directly to individual friends or groups, which they'll of course receive instantly (a la BBM, Huddle for Google+, and Apple's forthcoming iMessage). You're also able to share your location if you choose, and attach photos to your messages, but the app is otherwise streamlined and barebones -- which Facebook says is just the point. You can grab it from the App Store or Android Market now via the links below. Update: As pointed out by Mark Levin in comments, it turns out the Beluga team did indeed have a hand in the development of the app.
Microsoft delivers Live integration for Android, iOS, and Windows Phone devs
Can't seem to part from that Hotmail account you established back in '96? Good news, because Microsoft is providing app developers with the necessary tools to hook into your Windows Live account -- and it's bringing Messenger and SkyDrive along for the ride. Now, publishers of Windows Phone, iOS, and Android applications will be able to empower you, the end user, to access your contacts, photos, and other personal bits from your dominant smartphone of choice. According to Redmond, consumers should expect a seamless experience when signing in and granting application privileges, which will be required only once, as third-party apps will remain authorized for Live access until its privileges are specifically revoked. For developers, Microsoft is providing standardized sample code, and software can be registered with Microsoft by simply providing the name and language of the app. It's an unholy matrimony for sure, but we'll gladly crash the reception.
BlackBerry Messenger 6.0 screenshots leak, show hints of OS 6.1
T-minus three weeks and counting to RIM's annual BlackBerry World conference, and the rumblings surrounding Canada's most famous handset maker are getting harder to ignore. Today's delectable spoonful comes in the form of leaked screenshots of BlackBerry Messenger 6, which could be released at or around the same time as BlackBerry OS 6.1 this spring. BBM enthusiasts will obviously note the enhanced colors and icons here, lending further credence to rumors that these were indeed sourced from the next major BB OS point release. Hit the source for a few more looks, but we're passing along fair warning to not install any BBM 6.0 builds you see floating around. Patience, or so we hear, is a virtue.
Rumor: BlackBerry Messenger to land in the App Store on April 26 [Debunked]
Update: Boy Genius Report gets the official word from RIM; BBM is not coming out for iOS on April 26 (and that 'social media conference' where the CEO spoke? Also imaginary). That doesn't mean it never will, but we've erased that "x" from our calendars. Rumblings of an iPhone version of BlackBerry Messenger surfaced earlier this month from an unidentified source that provided a tip to BGR. Another unconfirmed source has stepped forward with additional information on the MacRumors forums that points to an April 26 debut of the BlackBerry Messenger app in the App Store. This latest information purportedly comes from an attendee of a social media conference hosted by RIM in Toronto [which never happened -- see above]. During the presentation, RIM's Co-CEO Jim Balsillie supposedly told those in attendance that BBM would make its way to the iOS App Store on April 26. The source also claims the app would be updated this summer with a new notification system. This last piece may be an indirect reference to iOS 5, which may overhaul Apple's current notification system. Douse this rumor with some pickling salt, kosher salt and table salt as we cannot verify this April 26 date, nor the existence of a BBM app. Based on earlier leaked information and RIM's move to incorporate Android application emulation in its PlayBook tablet, a move to iOS in the upcoming month is not that far-fetched. Anyone a believer? The image above was provided to TUAW several weeks ago and should not be considered evidence one way or the other of a BBM app.
Visualized: Mercury
It may look like a spotty, monochromatic water melon, but we're taking NASA's word on this one -- the image above is the very first taken from an orbiting spacecraft of our solar system's innermost planet. Mercury has been snapped by NASA's MESSENGER probe, which is currently preparing itself to start on its elliptical trajectory around the planet and commence collecting data about it in earnest. Hit the links below to learn more about this bold exploration project.
NASA's MESSENGER begins orbit around Mercury, will start beaming back science early next month
Mercury, the innermost planet of our humble little solar system, is getting itself an orbital friend. The MESSENGER space probe (known as MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, GEochemistry and Ranging to his nearest and dearest) is concluding a six-year sojourn through the dark void of space with an elliptical orbit around the tiny and otherwise inhospitable planet. Systems are about to get turned on and fully checked next week, before the data-gathering phase kicks off in earnest on April 4th. Science, isn't it beautiful?
BlackBerry Messenger coming to iPhone?
A rumor from BGR today suggests RIM is preparing to bring its popular BlackBerry Messenger to iOS as well as Android. Details are sparse but the Canadian handset manufacturer reportedly wants to own the messaging space and can propel itself forward by opening its popular Messenger service to other platforms. RIM is moving quickly with the Android version, but may encounter a stumbling block with Apple's App Store approval process. Nonetheless, this rumor is quite tantalizing, especially when you feast your eyes on the above screenshot that landed in our inbox recently. Interesting, no?
BlackBerry Messenger 6 details leaked, we fear for addicts everywhere
Details of the new BlackBerry Messenger are leaking out all over the internet today, and what we're seeing is an app that could make your CrackBerry even more impossible to put away. In a move that shows RIM's eagerness to loosen up a bit, BBM 6 could be adding at least one new feature that isn't exactly boardroom-appropriate: gaming. Rumor has it that the app's new iteration, which will run on OS 5.0 and greater, incorporates a function that allows users to use their BBM name as their gamer name, as well as update their status automatically to reflect completed gaming tasks. BBM 6 would also allow for larger chat groups and cross chat. We've no real way of predicting the app's impact, but if the rumors turn out to be true, we wouldn't be surprised to see a second coming of the BlackBerry massage.
Spot Connect brings GPS tracking and communication to your Bluetooth phone
Like it or not, we're stuck in a world fascinated with convergence, and while Spot's Satellite GPS Messenger did its job well, it still required users to tote around a dedicated, non-integrated, standalone device. Unfortunately, we're still no closer to seeing a mainstream smartphone with a legitimate GPS module within, but Spot's edging ever closer with the Spot Connect. This GPS puck is equipped with a Bluetooth transceiver, enabling it to "sync with smartphone operating systems like Android" when you're too deep in the brush to nab a cellular signal. From there, it'll allow your smartphone to determine location via the Globalstar satellite network, and even transmit that information to personal contacts or an international emergency response center. Users can send location-based texts or emails via satellite, update social networks from remote locations, track progress on Google Maps / My Tracks and store up to ten predefined messages for quick referencing and sending. Just imagine the Foursquare check-ins you could manage with this bad boy! The puck itself is waterproof to an IPX7 standard and weighs just 3.7 ounces, and we're told that more mobile operating systems will be supported "later this year." The Connect will go on sale this month for $169.99, though the services described above will run argonauts $99.99 per year. Full release is after the break.
Ona Union Street DSLR / laptop messenger bag review
Ever heard of Ona? Up until last week, we hadn't either. Turns out, Ona's a purveyor of "fine" camera bags and accessories, and given that it's the holiday season, we figured it prudent to have a gander at the outfit's latest and greatest -- you know, just in case you've a camera lover in your family who you've yet to buy for. The all-new Union Street ($279) is quite clearly an upscale messenger bag on the outside, but the internals are arranged in a way that the amateur photog / gadget lover would appreciate. There's room for a few pens (of the lens and / or ink variety), a smartphone, a navigation system, a 15-inch (or smaller) laptop and -- according to Ona -- a DSLR along with three lenses. The other notable aspect is the waxed canvas exterior (dubbed Waxwear), which is generally more rugged and weather resistant than your average patch of suede or leather. How's it all shake out? Join us after the break for our pair of pennies. %Gallery-109233%
Microsoft rolls out Windows Live Messenger for Zune HD
The Zune HD may not have seen quite the explosion of apps that many had hoped for, but it's just gotten a pretty big one: Windows Live Messenger. That will naturally give you much of the same functionality of its desktop counterpart (also receiving an update today), including the ability to keep watch on updates from various social networking sites, and even use Facebook Chat. It'll also display the music you have playing right in the app and, just like the desktop version, it's free. Look for it in the Zune Marketplace right now.
Engadget's back to school guide: Laptop bags
Welcome to Engadget's Back to School guide! We know that this time of year can be pretty annoying and stressful for everyone, so we're here to help out with the heartbreaking process of gadget buying for the school-aged crowd. Today, we have laptop bags in our sights -- and you can head to the Back to School hub to see the rest of the product guides as they're added throughout the month. By now you should have had enough time to decide what on our laptop buying guide takes your fancy, but, as Apple will tell you, the protective case is sometimes as important as the precious hardware itself. You'll notice that this year we have a good number of bags that include padded camera sections as well -- to the point of perhaps being described as camera bags with laptop compartments -- but we feel that's justified by the massive proliferation of DSLRs into the mainstream market. Entry-level interchangeable lens shooters have grown cheap enough even for non-photography students to consider owning one, but we can think of no good reason why they should require a separate bag of their own. So, on with the recommendations.
Video Kinect: video chat and stream sharing over Xbox Live and Live Messenger
Xbox Live and Windows Live Messenger are about to meet up in a very personal way -- Microsoft has just announced a new video chat service called Video Kinect, which serves as a logical extension of its brand new Kinect voice- and motion-sensing control system. But it's not just video calling, no sir, you'll be able to watch movies, news, sports, and the like together with whoever you're chatting with. Additionally, thanks to a motorized base and a new skeleton-tracking feature, the Kinect unit will also follow users as they move around the room. Yup, not creepy at all.
Microsoft Messenger 8 reaches beta, adds video chat
It was several months ago when Microsoft last updated us on the progress of videoconferencing capability within Messenger for Mac; while version 7 added A/V support for corporate accounts connected to Live Communications Server, the crowd of personal users who connect to MSN/Windows Live were left out of the fun. Happy days are here again, though: a beta version of Messenger for Mac 8 is now available, and it adds A/V chat as well as interoperability with Windows Live Messenger 2009. The app isn't free of rough edges yet, but MS decided to let it out in its current beta state rather than have users wait until Office for Mac 2011 ships around the holidays. How thoughtful! You can download the beta from the Microsoft Mac site. It requires Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard, and only runs on Intel Macs. Thanks to Nik & Chris P.
Microsoft's Windows Live Messenger phone for France is hardly Pink
Microsoft's a pretty big company, and while we've been focused on its Windows Phone 7 Series and Pink mobile projects over here in the Land of the Free, its Live Messenger arm has apparently teamed up with French mobile carrier SFR for a branded phone. The Messenger Edition 251 handset looks to be based on Windows Mobile 6.5 (or something older), with no word on who the hardware partner is, and is taking on the youth market just like Pink will presumably be doing Stateside sometime this year. Of course, Messenger is much more popular in Europe than it is in the States, so it makes sense to brand a phone around it, but underneath that candy QWERTY shell we're sure those hapless Europeans can find plenty of legacy Windows Mobile to be desperately disappointed in. [Thanks, Bibo]
Delorme's Earthmate PN-60w gets Spot compatibility, can beam your tweets into space
Okay, so we don't get out all that much, especially this time of year, but when we do we have this lingering dread about being disconnected. What if we miss a text from our BFF? What if we get a Facebook request from Super Fun Annoying Wall? What if we skip a tweet from @FakeAPStylebook? Delorme's latest takes care of that, relying on satellites to beam all your social networking signals from outer space. The Earthmate PN-60w is the GPS end of things, with a 32-channel receiver, three-axis compass, and all the tracking, waypoint, and breadcrumb functionality you'd expect from this sort of device. The PN-60w can then pair with a Spot Messenger for sending text messages, Facebook updates, and tweets from the most desolate of backwoods. The PN-60w is said to be avail sometime this spring, and you can pre-order yours at Amazon now for $549.
RIM blames massive service outage on newer Messenger versions
Diehard BlackBerry users often compare BlackBerry Messenger to a potent drug. And just like a drug, coming down from a BBM high can be rough -- so rough, in fact, that RIM's claiming that a couple recent releases are responsible for "an unanticipated database issue" that stone-cold knocked out data service for many of the world's subscribers yesterday. Folks using versions 5.0.0.55 and .56 are being strongly advised to upgrade to 5.0.0.57 immediately, but in the meantime, Waterloo says its systems are back to normal while apologizing "for any inconvenience to customers." With three major outages now under BlackBerry's belt in the past month, faith in the rock-solid stability of its infrastructure is fading rapidly -- but then again, it gives you a great excuse to be off IM for a few hours and talk to live humans, doesn't it?
SPOT intros refreshed, smaller Satellite GPS Messenger
Globalstar's SPOT personal GPS tracker made waves amongst outdoorsmen and argonauts the world over when it was introduced back in 2007, and now the outfit is finally gearing up to ship the second iteration. The newly revamped SPOT is some 30 percent smaller than the previous model, and it also boasts an enhanced antenna for picking up signal whilst deep in the brush, a GPS acquisition light, "Message Sending" indicator light, illuminated buttons and a dedicated pre-programmable Custom Message button. There's also a protective cover over the all-important S.O.S. button to prevent inadvertent message transmissions (wouldn't want that, now would we?), and in a move to give fashionistas a choice, this one will be available in both silver and orange. It's expected to be available in select retailers this fall, but you'll have to wait until then to get a handle on pricing.
