It’s fun looking at BlackBerry patents because even though they may never come to fruition, you can always speculate on the pros and cons of actually implementing said patent. In a patent that was filed on February 26,2009 and updated on January 12th 2010, RIM demonstrate how biometric finger scanning could be implemented on a BlackBerry.

According to the description, the patent involves:

“An apparatus for input and fingerprint recognition comprises a touch surface, and a data processor coupled to the touch surface. The touch surface comprises a first region and a second region. The second region is distinct from and coplanar with the first region and occupies a minor portion of a total surface area of the touch surface. The data processor is configured to selectively operate the touch surface in a touch input mode or a fingerprint detection mode. In the touch input mode, the data processor is configured to operate the second region at a first resolution comparable to that of the first region to detect a touch input anywhere on the touch surface. In the fingerprint detection mode, the data processor is configured to operate the second region at a higher resolution than the first resolution to detect a fingerprint on the second region.

While fingerprint scanning would add another layer of security and could be very beneficial for large corporations and government, the average BlackBerry user does not fit into this category. The new BlackBerry user cares more about syncing their music OTA and downloading apps than protecting their content. So while this wouldn’t apply to mass market, you could probably sell a million of these to high security clients around the world.

BlogBabel Tags: BlackBerry to get biometric fingerprint scanning?

Trapster have updated their app to version 3.6 and while I haven’t used the app in a long time, it was fun rediscovering some of its features like their custom sounds. A popular trend in navigation tools, you can switch up the audio warning for Schwarzenegger, George Bush or an Old Hillbilly.

Some new features you will find in version 3.6 include:

• Dynamic alert area narrows and elongates based on your velocity and direction of travel.
• Customizable alert filters allow you to specify what types of traps you will be alerted to, and how you’re alerted.
• Custom sound themes for spoken alerts, in lots of fun voices, plus French, German, and Spanish language.
• Real time traffic information for many areas.
• All new native BlackBerry UI, no more DOS looking menus.
• Improved signup process.
• Ability to search for your location manually on BlackBerrys with no GPS or blocked GPS.

Trapster 3.6 also includes a Virtual Radar. A blue blip emanates from your GPS location and follows you in real time. As you approach reported trap locations and one or more of the traps come within that alert area, Trapster begins playing spoken alerts such as “Live Police” or “Red Light Camera”, and animating the associated icons.

Safe driving folks!

Download Trapster free in our store or in App World.

BlogBabel Tags: Trapster Updated with Virtual Radar and Custom Notifications

This theme was totally designed around QuickLaunch and a weather app. I have minimum items on the homescreen- there is no navigation except pressing spacebar to get QL. It goes with a variety of walls.

Features:
- Spacebar = hotkey for QuickLaunch
- $ = Hotkey for Music
- 1st Icon is top right / Weather slot

OTA for MiniQL

BlogBabel Tags: [Free Blackberry Themes] MiniQL 9700

Sons of Anarchy theme by request – free

Weather slot in top left is app 1 from app screen

Time -> GPS -> Profiles -> Bluetooth -> Signal meter
(clock) (Googlemaps 3.2.1) (Manage Connections) (Browser)

Date (Calendar) (scroll down to hidden today)

Big knives and little knives are also app launchers

Left side: Big knife – messages
Small knife 1 – sms
Small knife 2 – bbm
Small knife 3 – contacts

Right side: Big knife – media
Small knife 1 – Pandora (1.1.3)
Small knife 2 – Opera mini beta 2
Small knife 3 – Options

Space bar for Quicklaunch

OTA for 4.7 OS

OTA for 5.0 OS

BlogBabel Tags: Sons of Anarchy free theme

I’ve been watching the coverage of the iPad launch and I haven’t seen anything more than a large iPod Touch. It’s sort of cool to be able to use iPod Touch apps on a larger screen, and it will surely make the movie watching experience better, but there was far too much hype over this device.

While it would probably not let RIM go down that path, it still could happen. With enough pressure from marketing, and if Apple make a fortune on the tablet, the financial incentive could be enough. I think the BlackBerry OS would be more conducive to a tablet because it comes with push notifications and multitasking, but there are a few things that need to happen at RIM first, before a tablet could really be successful.

Eliminate the need to port – Apple has the right idea when it comes to alleviating the porting headaches from developers. This is something RIM really needs to work on and if they were to consider a tablet, they would have to come up with the ultimate porting solution as well. If all the developer has to do is build it once and have it running on both a BlackBerry smartphone and a BlackBerry tablet, they’ll do it.

Create a rich browsing experience – There was a moment when Steve Jobs was browsing the Internet on the iPad and he came across a page requiring a plugin. This was a huge mistake because it made it clear that the browsing experience wasn’t like it is on a desktop. RIM will need to take some technology hints from Skyfire and Opera, and make the browsing experience no different than that of a laptop/desktop.

Leave the cables at home – The iPad still requires you to use a USB cable to sync with your desktop. A good tablet experience shouldn’t require cables and syncing should be done OTA. Again, the iPad didn’t take any of the evolutionary steps I hoped it would (hint: BlackBerry Vegas).

What do you think? Would you buy a RIM Tablet?

BlogBabel Tags: What Would You Think of a BlackBerry Tablet?

Are you tired of knuckleheads calling you to offer glaucoma surgery for your dog in Guatemala? Are you a person that is called on your BlackBerry for a long distance offer and you respond with “how long is it?” Well, if the fun is gone from tormenting telemarketing drones, read on. Why? Well, PrivacyStar, is giving away 5 one year subscriptions to its service to help you provide these pesky callers an atomic wedgie and a Chuck Norris-style roundhouse kick to the face *THWAP*.

What does PrivacyStar do, exactly? Let me call the horse and have him tell you straight from his mouth. *whistles*.

PrivacyStar is a simple-to-use mobile app that enables users to take complete control of their phones by blocking any and all unwanted callers, using Caller Lookup to identify unknown callers and easily report unwanted telemarketing violators to regulatory enforcement authorities.

BlogBabel Tags: PrivacyStar – 5 One Year Giveaways

No need to go camp outside the Verizon store just yet, but RIM dropped this quick note on their Facebook page earlier today. The message simply stated “The BlackBerry Tour 9650 is coming! Check back soon for official news!” This hopefully means that the device will actually be announced sometime in the near future. The Tour 9650 (which maybe won’t be called the Tour 2?) was expected to drop in the first part of 2010, so that leaves another month or two for RIM to stay in our good graces. Lots of good signs in the last few weeks that the device is on its way, but we know the only thing that really matters is having an official launch date to mark on our calendars Thanks to everyone that sent this in!

BlogBabel Tags: Research in Motion Teases "The BlackBerry Tour 9650 is Coming" on Facebook

With specs similar to that of a year 2000 era PC, the BlackBerry is an impressive little mobile computer. With screen resolution getting bigger with every year, I’m finding that video is all the more watchable on your device. So for those of you with a long bus, train, or chopper commute, here’s how to convert video for your BlackBerry.

PC users should watch this demonstration on how to use the Roxio Media Manager for Blackberry. The Media Manager is easy to use and works well, if you don’t have it yet, download it here.

Mac users don’t benefit from a supported video conversion suite but not to worry: the process is not that much harder to do. All you have to do is choose a file type you would like to convert to, choose the settings appropriate to your device, then drop the completed file into iTunes and sync using the BlackBerry Desktop Manager for Mac.

Choose a file type

BlackBerrys can play a number of video formats. I find that 3GP, MP4 and WMV perform well on the BlackBerry, and can be used on other mobile devices you may want to play back on too.

3GP is a file type made with mobile phones in mind and is based on the MPEG-4 video compression. Choose this file type if you also wish to load the video on to a non-smartphone too.

MP4 is a flexible codec that can perform well on everything from a small iPod or mobile phone, to a 1080p Blu-ray. Choose this file type if you wish to also sync with a video-enabled iPod.

WMV or Windows Media Video is a proprietary video codec developed by Microsoft. Originally designed as a streaming RealVideo competitor, WMV now stands on it’s own as a bona fide codec for Windows Mobile devices, Xbox 360, and Blu-ray. If there are a lot of static images in your video, WMV is perfect for reducing file sizes.

You can also convert to .AVI and .MOV if you like. Make sure you use H.263, H.264, or MPEG 4 settings if you plan to make a .MOV file.

Convert your video

Your videos will look their best if they are converted for your exact BlackBerry screen size, with the most frames per second, and with the highest data rate that your device can handle. Here is a slimmed-down list of the video-enabled BlackBerrys. If you need a detailed chart go to RIM’s detailed video codec device page.

Here are a few free video conversion programs for Mac. With these you can rip DVDs, or convert nearly any video file to a format suitable for BlackBerry.

Redux Encoder
Handbrake
Prism Video Converter

Sync with your BlackBerry

Before loading anything on to your BlackBerry it’s a safe practice to back it up first. Once you have your converted video file, drag it into iTunes and then sync your media to your device using the media tab of the BlackBerry Desktop Manager for Mac.

BlogBabel Tags: How to Convert Videos for Your BlackBerry Using a Mac or a PC

I just finished reading Josh Sookman of RBC Venture Partners and the BlackBerry Partners Fund’s article about “Creating a Better BlackBerry Experience.” He touches on some good points and the article is definitely worth a read.

The article is based on the above diagram, which addresses the various levels from developer to end user in the BlackBerry Experience. The first part of the diagram involves addressing fragmentation in the platform. Developers don’t want to waste time and money porting their app to the various screen sizes, and RIM needs to do a better job of offloading this frustration. Acquiring a company or technology that can alleviate porting costs would go a long way for developers.

The next issue to address is App World. A payment solution like credit card billing, combined with the store being preloaded on devices from the carrier, would go a long way to making it a better system. Also, while you’re at it, it would be nice if it didn’t crash your BlackBerry.

Finally, cloud storage would go a long way to helping users keep their contacts, calendars and device data stored and backed up without having to use the Desktop Manager. I wholeheartedly agree with this point as I think the Desktop Manager is a relic of the past. The new BlackBerry user doesn’t want to plug their device into their computer, and everything needs to be OTA. From app and OS upgrades, to offloading pics to your desktop, everything should be over the air.

BlogBabel Tags: Editorial: Creating a Better BlackBerry Experience

YouMail is a cool service that gives you free visual voicemail for your BlackBerry, depending on what carrier you’re with. Recently, they’ve created some tie-ins with Facebook, allowing you to see your friends’ pictures when they leave you a voicemail. You can also share and post your voicemails to your Facebook wall. Personally, please visit YouMail to get more detail information

To enable this feature, click the MySocialNetworks link in your YouMail account and it will connect you to Facebook. The Facebook feature is only available from the web, so don’t expect it to be available in the BlackBerry client. The company will also be extending its Twitter functionality soon so you can share your voicemails on Twitter.

BlogBabel Tags: YouMail Connects Visual Voicemail with Facebook