Fongo has officially released their BlackBerry 10 app.

Fongo has officially released their BlackBerry 10 app. This is compatible with the BlackBerry Q10, Q5, Z10, Z30 and the Porsche Design P9982 running OS 10.2.1 and higher. Fongo notes that “To use Fongo you must be connected to a 3G, 4G or WiFi data connection and you must create a Fongo account. If your data signal strength is weak or your connection speed is slow, this app may not function properly.” Here is the complete list of features:

• Free local Canadian phone number
• Free unlimited calling across Canada and to any Fongo number anywhere in the world (without using any cell minutes)
• Free unlimited incoming calls and SMS text messages
• Free unlimited Fongo texting, including group and picture messaging anywhere in the world
• Travelling outside of Canada? Call back to Canada for FREE
• Free premium features like visual voicemail, caller ID, call waiting and call forwarding
• Cheap international calls
• Sync with your existing contacts and Facebook friends
• English, French and Chinese language support
• Fongo even supports 911 emergency calls

Download now - Fongo BlackBerry 10

BlackBerry has announced the BlackBerry Z3

BlackBerry has announced the BlackBerry Z3 at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. The Z3 (aka "Jakarta") is an entry-level BlackBerry 10 device that will be geared toward emerging markets. It is also the first device from BlackBerry's partnership with Foxconn.

The Z3 joins the BlackBerry Z10 and Z30 as an all-touch BB10 device. It is due out in April in Indonesia (hence the Jakarta codename) for under $200 retail price — the cheapest BlackBerry 10 device by far — with plans to expand availability beyond Indonesia in the future. The Z3 has only a 3G radio, no LTE, which isn't surprising given the price point, though BlackBerry CEO John Chen did say that BlackBerry has "a plan to take that phone out globally with LTE sometime in the future."

BlackBerry announces the BlackBerry Q20 - A keyboard phone with the trackpad and function keys

The physical keyboard device is the third BlackBerry 10 QWERTY model with one striking difference — it marks the return of the "tool belt" (trackpad and function keys) that we haven't seen since BB7.

The "BlackBerry Classic" will be out before the end of the year. No info on pricing or availability just yet.

Press Release
BlackBerry Unveils New Flagship BlackBerry 10 Smartphone Designed to Deliver the Full Classic QWERTY Experience
BlackBerry Q20 to Feature the Familiar 'Menu', 'Back', 'Send' and 'End' Buttons and the Integrated Trackpad
BARCELONA, SPAIN--(Marketwired - Feb. 25, 2014) - Mobile World Congress 2014 - Embodying feedback from its millions of passionate QWERTY customers around the world, BlackBerry Limited (NASDAQ:BBRY)(TSX:BB), a global leader in mobile communications, today unveiled a new flagship smartphone designed to deliver its full and distinctive QWERTY experience on BlackBerry® 10. The new BlackBerry® Q20 smartphone will feature the familiar and classic 'Menu', 'Back', 'Send' and 'End' buttons and the integrated trackpad to enable the fast efficient navigation and one-handed use that has endeared the brand to its QWERTY customers.
"In my first 90 days on the job, I consistently heard from our ardent BlackBerry customers that the hard buttons and trackpad are an essential part of the BlackBerry QWERTY experience, that made their BlackBerry smartphone their go-to productivity tool. I want these customers to know that we heard them, and this new smartphone will be for them," said John Chen, Executive Chairman and CEO at BlackBerry. "Today, we're delighted to announce the new BlackBerry Q20 smartphone, which is designed to give you the distinct experience that every BlackBerry QWERTY loyalist and high-productivity business customer absolutely loves. With the BlackBerry Q20 smartphone, you'll get the familiar hard buttons and trackpad that you want, along with the best email service, the best keyboard experience and the best battery life possible."
The new BlackBerry Q20 smartphone will give customers the familiar workflow, efficiency and one-handed use that distinguish the BlackBerry QWERTY smartphone experience. Key features will include:
The 'Menu', 'Back', 'Send' and 'End' buttons and trackpad will be made an integral part of the device and user interface, enabling fast, precise navigation and a natural workflow within and between apps.
The new smartphone will feature BlackBerry's patented QWERTY keyboard design with frets and sculpted keys for the best typing experience.
The best email service including features like BlackBerry® Hub, where you can access all your messages in one place, and enterprise connectivity with BES10.
The BlackBerry Q20 smartphone will include a generous 3.5" touchscreen, the largest display yet on a QWERTY BlackBerry smartphone, giving you more space for viewing messages, browsing Internet and intranet sites and accessing other apps.
The smartphone will be crafted from premium materials and designed for reliability and durability.
A large battery to provide superior battery life.
The BlackBerry Q20 smartphone will come with the latest enhancements in BlackBerry 10 that continue to set the brand apart as the best and most secure tool for mobile productivity and reliable communications. The new smartphone will be available in the second half of 2014. Further details on pricing and availability will be announced at launch.

For more information about BlackBerry 10, visit www.blackberry.com/blackberry10OS.

BBM Coming to Windows Phone & Nokia X

BlackBerry just made their first announcement for Mobile World Congress today. They have announced that BBM is coming to Windows Phone this summer and Nokia X when the platform launches. BlackBerry is jumping all in with BBM Voice and BBM Channels support. The app will remain free which is nice. Execs had the following to say about the announcement:

"BBM continues to grow in popularity as millions of people use our mobile platform for chatting and connecting with friends or colleagues, and we are very excited that we will soon welcome Windows Phone and Nokia X users to the BBM community," said John Sims, President, Global Enterprise Solutions at BlackBerry.
"Today marks an exciting moment for Nokia," said Bryan Biniak, Vice President and GM of Developer Relations, Nokia Corporation. "By bringing BBM to the Windows Phone and Nokia X communities, our customers will be able to experience this popular global messaging app."

BES 10.2 now available

The BlackBerry  Dev Blog just let everyone know that BlackBerry has launched BES 10.2. “The shiniest of the new updates is the debut of Blackberry Web Services (BWS) support for Universal Device Service (UDS). It fills a gaping hole, and with that further reduces the gap that exists between UDS and Blackberry Device Service (BDS). As was previously possible with BDS, BWS now extends the capability to allow you to integrate custom applications with its services for UDS.  Many of the Administration Console tasks typically performed by the administrators can now be automated by developing simple custom applications that connect to the web service.  Here’s a complete list of available APIs as well as sample code snippets.”

Check out more here on the Dev Blog.

Popular LED notification app, HUB++ has been updated

Popular LED notification app, HUB++ has got received an update. Already headless, it's an app many have been using and it's still regularly being updated with new features and enhancements. This latest update brings some nice additions, including the ability to use stock BlackBerry 10 ringtones. I must admit, with the app now headless, I love this app a lot more.

HUB++ v5.5.1.1 changelog

​BB10 stock tones are now integrated
Flip to silence option added
Bug fixes
Headless optimisation
Remember for the headless portion, you need to be running BlackBerry 10.2.1 in order for it to work. Anything lower you will need to still have HUB++ open in an Active Frame. For new users wanting to check out HUB++, you can learn more from our App Gallery.

Download Hub++ from BlackBerry World

Coming next to BBM: Stickers

With quite a big update to BBM on BlackBerry, Android and iOS recently, BlackBerry is working hard to bring more new features to BBM. What's next? BBM Stickers. Bigger and better than your regular emoticons, making your BBM conversations even more interesting. They will be available to download in packs via a BBM Shop that will be coming soon.

BBM Stickers will take the form of characters, themes and will be available in packs of 20-25 stickers. Some of your favorite emoticons will also be turned in to stickers too.

BBM Stickers will go into limited beta, so watch your inbox for any invites. As we get more information we'll keep you posted. The BBM Shop sounds very interesting and is said to be available right from inside BBM.

http://blogs.blackberry.com/2014/02/bbm-stickers-beta/

BBM for Android Gingerbread available now!

The BBM team has officially announced added support for Android device running Gingerbread OS. In a blog post this afternoon, Jeff Gadway announced the move as a way to get more people on board the messaging app, “With 21 per cent of the global Android user base running on Gingerbread, we're excited to welcome lots of new users into the BBM community.”

If you're using a Gingerbread device, drop us a comment below and let us know if it has all the featured on par with the other BBM for Android app or not.

Download BBM for Android from Google Play

BlackBerry Z3 "Jakarta" leaked.

Pic from N4BB.com

The Jakarta will be named the BlackBerry Z3, and it will sport a 5″ display. Unfortunately, that’s as good as it gets in terms of specs, as this device will definitely be on the low-end of the smartphone spectrum.

Display

5inch 540 x 960 pixels, 24-bit color LCD display
Memory

8 GB application storage and 1.5 GB RAM
Processor

1.2 GHz dual-core processor
Battery

2650 mAh non-removable battery
Rear-facing camera:

Autofocus and flash
5x digital zoom
Front-facing camera:

1.1 MP
Fixed-focus
3x digital zoom
While the Z3 may look like a cool device, unfortunately it won’t be packing a lot of power for those of us that are used to the Z30, and Q10-type devices. Hopefully this device will attract consumers in emerging markets though, as that’s its original destination.

BBM 10.3 for BlackBerry 10 Now Available With Location Sharing & More!

We told you that BBM for BlackBerry 10 was getting an update today to v10.3. That update is now available with location sharing, DropBox integration, and more! Here are the main changes:

Faster, easier sharing – quickly add photos, voice notes, files and attachments to your BBM chats from your smartphone or Dropbox account
Location sharing – Share your location temporarily, powered by Glympse. Your location is updated live on a map, right in BBM. When the timer runs out your location is private again.
100 new emoticons – Get your point across with great new emojis
Find Friends – Quickly find and add new BBM contacts from your smartphone contact list
Larger BBM Groups – You can now chat and share with 50 people in your BBM Group
Check out the update here. It may take a few hours for you to see the update.