RIM have expanded accessibility to the BlackBerry App World by adding another 9 African countries to the list of supported countries.

The countries are:

1. Cameroon
2. Cote D’ivoire
3. Madagascar
4. Malawi
5. Mauritius
6. Mozambique
7. Uganda
8. Congo
9. Lesotho

BlackBerry users in these countries can now access the App World to make purchases and download items to their smartphones.

From the Google Apps blog:

Beginning November 22, 2011, we will end support for the Gmail App for Blackberry (installed native app). Over this past year, we’ve focused efforts on building a great Gmail experience in the mobile browser and will continue investing in this area.

Users may continue to use the app, if installed, however it will not be supported by Google, or available for download starting November 22. BlackBerry users can continue to access Gmail through the mobile web app at http://www.gmail.com in their BlackBerry web browser.

Source

In March this year, Facebook acquired Snaptu, the popular social media app specifically targeted low-processor mobile devices. It was clear that it was only a matter of time before support for other services was dropped.

Shortly after the acquisition, Facebook for Every Phone, a mobile app based on Snaptu, was released.

Now effective Nov. 11, support for other apps that ran on Snaptu, including Twitter, Cricinfo and LinkedIn, has been discontinued. Snaptu is Facebook.

Source

San Francisco, CA – Spinlet is a company dedicated to meeting the needs of music lovers and artists. The company will become the premier digital distribution service to enter the African market and is focused on promoting music as the catalyst for positive social engineering. San Francisco based Spinlet is committed to ensuring they have their finger on the pulse in the Nigerian and African entertainment industries and have recently set up a location in Lagos, Nigeria. The company has hired a local team to assist in the launch of the new Spinlet service set to release this November.

As Africa’s premier digital distribution service Spinlet will assist artists and musicians in capturing revenue streams often lost to the piracy markets. Spinlet began exploring African markets after noticing gaps in distribution of media content in Africa. Spinlet’s move to fill this void was made to revolutionize the distribution and purchasing behavior in the booming African markets.

Spinlet will work together with labels, artists and musicians to produce world-class music that can be marketed and sold throughout Africa and in international markets. The achievements already made within the African Entertainment Industry are monumental with first rate recording studios, international recognition on the rise and commercial opportunities becoming available to artists. “Through digital distribution and artist development we can help to generate economic growth, create jobs in the entertainment industries and help raise international awareness of African artists’ increasing live performance and publishing revenue” says Spinlet’s Mark Redgard.

In addition to the many benefits of working with Spinlet, the company will focus on helping artists connect with and grow their fan bases through film and tv soundtrack placement, multi-national endorsements and commercial opportunities. ”The domestic market is huge and can sustain artists singing in regional languages and experimenting with indigenous styles,” says Redgard, “we want to encourage the youth of Africa to continue to make and market their music and see that they are adequately compensated for it. They deserve commercial success just as anyone else would.”

Artists and record labels can join the Spinlet service and begin selling their music immediately upon launch of the service by contacting a Spinlet representative or submitting their music through an online process. Spinlet does not discriminate on any artists and encourages all rights holders to submit their music or contact Spinlet as soon as possible to begin the process of joining the global Spinlet brand.

You can learn more about Spinlet at www.spinlet.com.

From Adobe to ZDnet:

Our future work with Flash on mobile devices will be focused on enabling Flash developers to package native apps with Adobe AIR for all the major app stores. We will no longer adapt Flash Player for mobile devices to new browser, OS version or device configurations. Some of our source code licensees may opt to continue working on and releasing their own implementations. We will continue to support the current Android and PlayBook configurations with critical bug fixes and security updates.

In the news item by ZDnet, Adobe is reported to have stated in an email that they are stopping development work on Flash for mobile browsers, and now focussing on HTML5 instead.

Adobe is now focusing their development efforts on:

• Applications for mobile
• Expressive content on the desktop (in and out of browser)
• Increasing their investments in HTML5 in general

Source

The popular Facebook app for Symbian smartphones, fMobi, has been updated to version 2.3.

Features of this version include:

- Unified messaging with replying (single recipient)
- More actions to feed (e.q “x is now friend with y”)
- Haptic feedback to buttons
- More languages (Chinese traditional, Greek)
- Exit confirmation as an option
- UI tweaking

Download this fMobi update from the Nokia Store.

Johannesburg, November 3, 2011, Nigeria is the fifth-largest country in the world for Opera Mini browser usage and that is expected to increase even further with the recently-released co-branded MTN and Opera Mini offering. Nigeria is far ahead of major players like China, the United States and Brazil for the number of Opera Mini browser users.

In the past year, Nigeria experienced 634.3% growth in the number of Opera Mini users and 547.7% growth in the number of webpages viewed each month. Nigerian mobile web users are busy too, with the average user viewing 345 pages each month.

Around 90% of Nigerian mobile surfing is done using Opera Mini.

The top four sites for Nigerian mobile surfers are Facebook, Google, Yahoo! and the BBC. Opera Mini is the most popular mobile browser in Nigeria and the browser of choice for 73% of all mobile web users in Africa.

Not only does Opera Mini deliver a faster Web to almost any phone, it also cuts data costs by compressing webpage data before pages are delivered, while retaining all the functionality of a normal webpage. In a nutshell, this gives Nigerians the ability to view almost nine times as much content on their phones as with their existing browser – for the same price.

Opera Mini works on more than 3,000 different mobile-phone models, from basic feature phones to the latest smartphones.

Existing Opera Mini users on the MTN network in Nigeria will be automatically updated to the new version when they run Opera Mini. Users can also download Opera Mini directly to their phones at m.opera.com.

The Nokia-born and now startup-based hit app Sports Tracker will launch on Windows Phone in November.

The much-anticipated Windows Phone version of Sports Tracker comes with the category-leading tracking features familiar from the Symbian, Android and iPhone versions. In addition to tracking the app comes with a comprehensive training diary, ability to share workouts to Facebook, Twitter and the Sports Tracker online community as well as cloud backup of tracked activities to sports-tracker.com.

“We are extremely thrilled to bring Sports Tracker to Windows Phone. We see Windows as a very exciting platform especially now with the advent of Nokia’s amazing new Lumia -series of Windows Phone devices.” says Mr. Ykä Huhtala, CTO and one of the founders of Sports Tracker.

App features

• Full tracking features as in the award-winning Symbian app and iPhone / Android: Distance, Duration, Speed, Average speed and pace, Max speed, Energy spent (kCal)
• Training Diary for workout data analysis
• Diary sync to sports-tracker.com service for further analysis
• Sharing of workouts to Facebook, Twitter and the Sports Tracker community

Sports Tracker for Windows Phone will launch in November 2011.

Sports Tracker app for Nokia N9 now available

To further celebrate “Nokia week” Sports Tracker for Nokia N9 is now available as a free download from the Nokia Store. The app comes with the familiar great tracking features and support for the new Sports Tracker Bluetooth Heart Rate Monitor enabling you to get more out of your tracked workouts.

App features

• Full tracking features as in the award-winning Symbian app and iPhone / Android: Distance, Duration, Speed, Average speed and pace, Max speed, Energy spent (kCal)
• Training Diary for workout data analysis
• Diary sync to sports-tracker.com service for further analysis
• Sharing of workouts to Facebook, Twitter and the Sports Tracker community
• Support for the Sports Tracker Bluetooth Heart Rate Monitor (available from shop.sports-tracker.com)

Download: Sports Tracker for Nokia N9

Lagos, Nigeria and Waterloo, ON – Research In Motion (RIM) (NASDAQ: RIMM; TSX: RIM) today announced the launch of two new BlackBerry® Torch™ smartphones in Nigeria, both featuring the new BlackBerry® 7 Operating System (OS). RIM, in conjunction with carriers and distribution partners in Nigeria, is rolling out the new BlackBerry® Torch™ 9860 and the BlackBerry® Torch™ 9810.

The BlackBerry Torch 9860 smartphone offers fast and fluid performance in a stylish new all-touch design. With a spectacular new 3.7” display, the largest ever on a BlackBerry smartphone, the new all-touch BlackBerry Torch 9860 is optimized for high-quality multimedia, web browsing and gaming. In addition, the BlackBerry Torch 9860 delivers the industry-leading real-time communications and collaboration experience that is loved by millions of BlackBerry smartphone users around the world.

The BlackBerry Torch 9810 is a powerful evolution of the original BlackBerry Torch 9800 model. The new model is faster and more fluid with high performance hardware features and the new BlackBerry 7 OS delivering an enhanced multimedia experience. Featuring a large 3.2”, high resolution touch display and a distinctive BlackBerry keyboard that easily slides out to allow fast typing; the BlackBerry Torch 9810 truly delivers the best of both worlds.

The new BlackBerry 7 operating system introduces the next generation BlackBerry browser, featuring a significantly faster, more fluid web browsing experience that is among the best in the industry. Combining the dramatically improved performance of the advanced WebKit browser engine together with powerful hardware enhancements, BlackBerry 7 based smartphones deliver browsing results that are up to 40% faster than BlackBerry® 6 based smartphones and up to 100% faster than BlackBerry® 5 based smartphones*. Additional enhancements to this next generation BlackBerry browser include optimized zooming and panning for smoother web navigation and optimized HTML5 performance for incredible gaming and video experiences.

Waldi Wepener, Regional Director at RIM said, “The BlackBerry solution offers a best-in-class mobile communications experience that customers love and we think they will be thrilled by the faster performance, enhanced browsing and richer multimedia delivered by these powerful new BlackBerry Torch smartphones.”

The new BlackBerry 7 based smartphones will be available from local carrier partners Airtel, Globacom, Etisalat and MTN Nigeria.

For additional information please visit www.blackberry.com

The BlackBerry Bold 9900 was the first BlackBerry 7 (OS) device introduced to the Nigerian market in September 2011.

Engineered Luxury Meets High-Powered Performance

Stuttgart, Germany/Waterloo, Ontario: Today, Porsche Design and Research In Motion (NASDAQ: RIMM; TSX: RIM ) announced the elite new Porsche Design P’9981 smartphone from BlackBerry®. Designed by Porsche Design, in collaboration with RIM, the luxury brand’s first smartphone delivers engineered luxury and performance.

The Porsche Design P’9981 smartphone from BlackBerry is instantly identifiable as a Porsche Design product. The exclusive material choices for this unique smartphone include a forged stainless steel frame, hand-wrapped leather back cover, sculpted QWERTY keyboard, and crystal clear touch display. This customized Porsche Design P’9981 comes with an exclusive Porsche Design UI and a bespoke Wikitude World Browser augmented reality app experience. It also includes premium, exclusive PINs that help easily identify another P’9981 smartphone user.

“Since 1972 Porsche Design has presented milestone products with iconic style, and the P’9981 smartphone from BlackBerry will be our next landmark,” said Dr. JuergenGessler, CEO Porsche Design Group. “The pure and distinctive design, coupled with authentic materials and an emphasis on the manufacturing process, perfectly match our philosophy and complement the Porsche Design product assortment.”

“This collaboration stems from a shared belief that form equals function,” said Todd Wood, SVP for Industrial Design, Research In Motion. “The Porsche Design P’9981 is a truly modern luxury smartphone, where the timeless style of Porsche Design meets the unmatched mobile experience provided by BlackBerry.”

eBuddy announced as a preferred messaging partner for Nokia

Messaging giant announces 4 Nokia-related apps for XMS

AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands – October 27, 2011 – eBuddy, the world’s leading independent web and mobile messaging service, announced today that it is to become a preferred messaging partner for Nokia, and will launch 4 Nokia-related platforms of its latest mobile messaging solution, eBuddy XMS, in the coming months.

eBuddy – who recently reached the 20 million downloads milestone in the Nokia Store -aims to continue its messaging success story with Nokia with the introduction of eBuddy XMS, available on Meego, S60, S40 and Windows Phone 7 devices, and providing coverage across all of Nokia’s current and future platforms.

“eBuddy’s success and experience in the mobile messaging field have made this partnership a natural step for Nokia” said Reno Marioni, Business Development Director, Global Social Partnerships, Nokia. “We are excited about the introduction of eBuddy XMS to Nokia platforms and look forward to having Nokia users enjoy the reliable and rich messaging experience that eBuddy XMS provides.”

eBuddy is one of the world’s most successful and popular mobile messaging services, having seen more than 150 million unique downloads of its apps to date. Known for its globally popular instant messaging (IM) solutions, eBuddy now aims to make eBuddy XMS, a free real-time mobile messaging solution, available to wider audiences.

“We’re delighted to have eBuddy XMS soon available to all Nokia users” stated Jan-Joost “JJ” Rueb, CEO and co-founder of eBuddy. “Partnering with the biggest handset manufacturer in the world reflects the strength of the eBuddy XMS proposition, and now supporting the majority of the mobile market allows us to make XMS the new norm in mobile messaging”

Be connected. Be social. Be entertained.
Besides the two Windows Phones launched yesterday, Nokia also launched four other new mobile phones which feature stylish design, a rich social experience and location-aware technology. The Nokia Asha 300, Nokia Asha 303, Nokia Asha 200 and Nokia Asha 201 blur the line between smartphones and feature phones, offering QWERTY and touch screen experiences, combined with fast and easy access to the Internet, integrated social networking, messaging and world-class applications from the Nokia Store.

Derived from Hindi meaning ‘hope’ – Asha signifies Nokia’s focus on positive user experiences and connecting millions of people to new opportunities that help them reach their aspirations.

Nokia Asha 200 Dual SIM Convinience

Use the Easy Swap function to swap SIM cards without even turning your phone off. Full QWERTY keyboard. Chat, email, and update your favourite social networks. Stereo FM radio. 2 megapixel camera.

Nokia Asha 201 Colourful and in Touch

Full QWERTY keyboard. Chat, email, and update your favourite social networks. Stereo FM radio. 2 megapixel camera.

Nokia Asha 300 Touch and Type and Swipe

Email, Facebook and Twitter feeds on your home screen. 3.5G. 1 GHz processor. 5 megapixel full-focus camera.

Nokia Asha 303 Touch and QWERTY

The 1 GHz processor. 3.5G and Wi-Fi. Email updates on your home screen. WhatsApp and Facebook chat. Touchscreen. Full QWERTY keyboard. Angry Birds Lite preloaded. 3.2 megapixel full-focus camera.

Nokia’s colourful new range of smarter mobile phones pack in great web access, loads of ways to stay in touch, and a ton of fun with music, apps, and games.