In an article originally released and seen on BGR, the author stated that the newest BlackBerry devices running the QNX software would no longer support the BES  and would instead use Microsoft’s ActiveSync to synchronize data from the mail client to the BlackBerry Smartphone.  At the time of the release this news was quite hard to believe but ended up being eerily correct.  BlackBerry 10 which is what the new line of QNX based OS is officially being called will no longer support the BES as stated right from the mouth of the VP of Enterprise Product Management, Alan Panezic.

Panezic has stated that with the new lineup of the BlackBerry 10 devices the BES will  no longer be supported and they will be using Microsoft ActiveSync in order to synchronize data from the mail client to the BlackBerry.  This however brings concern from many IT employees about the strength of the security that the BlackBerry information will now have without the BES.  Panezic refuted these concerns with the news that these new BlackBerry 10 devices will support BlackBerry Mobile Fusion which is the next generation of BES.

BlackBerry Mobile Fusion which was released about a week ago and is currently available for download from the BlackBerry website, will allow the management of not only these BlackBerry 10 devices but the PlayBook tablet as well as devices running IOS and Android operating systems.  At this point with the first release of the Mobile Fusion only the BlackBerry PlayBook is supported however in a release set for sometime in late March, the functionality will extend to these other devices allowing IT Admins to Secure and manage multiple lines of phones from one central web based console.

Mobile Fusion at this point only works with BES environments running the latest version 5.0.3, and supports both the Exchange and Domino mail platforms but in the later release in the future will also allow for support by the Groupwise mail platform as well.  Panezic also stated that the features and functionality of the managment options on the new BlackBerry Mobile Fusion will be constantly updated based on the security features that Google or Apple build into their devices.

While the BlackBerry 10 devices will support ActiveSync it will not eliminate the need for the BES or BES Like software that will ensure that the maximum BlackBerry known and trusted security is being offered to all of the data that is sent or received by mobile devices within a company or corporate environment.  Instead BlackBerry is starting a new market opportunity for businesses of any size who don’t want to limit their employees to only BlackBerry devices.

Research In Motion released a post on their Facebook page today announcing a contest they will be holding on Twitter in preparation for the BlackBerry PlayBook 2.0 Insider Event.  The way this contest is going to work is that users will have to sign up for Twitter or log into their accounts, and follow #BlackBerryHelp from now until friday February 28th 2012 and will have to be on the look out for  the hashtag for their chance to win BlackBerry PlayBook accessories. For more information on this contest head on over to Insider BlackBerry Blog

While you’re at it don’t forget that for a limited time you can go over to BlackBerry App World and take advantage of the Free PlayBook Game offer from Research In Motion and download Asphalt 6 Adrenaline HD and Modern Combat 2 Black Pegasus both made by Gameloft Inc.

In celebration of the release of the BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 Research In Motion has made 2 premium BlackBerry PlayBook Games FREE for download for anybody that owns a BlackBerry PlayBook.  These 2 games include Asphalt 6 Adrenaline HD and Modern Combat 2 Black Pegasus HD.  These games are not just a couple of crappy games that RIM decided to foot the bill for, these games feature HD graphics, great gameplay and each has at least a 4 out of 5 star rating or higher.  Take a look below for a brief summary of each game, and then head on over to the BlackBerry App World and take advantage of this offer while it lasts.

Asphalt 6 Adrenaline HD

Asphalt 6 Adrenaline HD takes Arcade style racing to the next level, buckle up and take to the streets, racing with the best of the best in an attempt to become the overall champion. Asphalt 6 Adrenaline HD has over 11 leagues and 55 events that you can participate and become apart of. This game also features over 40 different cars and bikes that you can make yours. Whether you are looking for single player against AI based opponents or multi-player with up to 6 of your friends Asphalt 6 Adrenaline HD will give you hours of racing fun.

Modern Combat 2 Black Pegasus HD

Dive into war with this fast paced FPS game for the BlackBerry PlayBook. Modern Combat 2 allows you to choose from 1 of 3 characters to play as, and offers over 15 different real military weapons which can be upgraded. Play with up to 10 people online in 4 different multiplayer modes, and move up through the 72 ranks available in this game. Modern Combat 2 Black Pegasus HD also features animations and enhanced gameplay fluidity to give you an incredible user experience.

Research In Motion’s BlackBerry Tablet; the PlayBook has just recently had an update to its’ operating system from the original release 1.0 to the PlayBook OS 2.0. This of course featured an addition that would make the BlackBerry PlayBook capable of running not only native BlackBerry applications but Android based apps as well. Here is a list of the 10 great BlackBery PlayBook apps available for download.

1. Poynt

Point is a fantastic GPS based application that will help to guide you wherever you want to go. Whether you need to find a business, a person or movie times Poynt is there to help you out. Poynt features an easy to use interface and can also turn in to a GPS and give you turn by turn directions to wherever you want to go. This app for your BlackBerry PlayBook is definitely a very useful app especially if you travel a lot. The app is completely free from App World.

2. Groovy Notes

Take organization to the next level with Groovy Notes for the BlackBerry PlayBook. This app is fantastic for organizing the details of your life. With Groovy Notes you can take memos, schedule calendar appointments, make lists, and have a personal journal you can write in. Searching for different items has also been optimized to make finding that important item or date simple and fast. Want to remember work or school related notes, Groovy Notes for the BlackBerry PlayBook has a audio recording feature that you can use to refresh your mind. A great app for people with busy schedules.

3. MyBestShot

MyBestShot is a neat app for people who like to take pictures. The way this app for the BlackBerry PlayBook works is that it can take up to 64 shots at one time to give you a wide array of photos that you go through to choose the best shots, instead of having to take multiple single shots until you get it perfect. The MyBestShot app for the BlackBerry PlayBook supports both the front and back camera, and also allows you to be able to upload photos to Facebook right from the app.

4. Angry Birds

Angry Birds is a fun and addictive game that has gone viral on IOS and Android devices, and is available for the BlackBerry PlayBook as well. The concept of this game is quite simple and involves using a sling shot to hurl birds at green pigs who have stolen your eggs. The levels are filled with all kinds of obstacles that the pigs use to hide behind. Angry Birds is a fun and addictive game that you will thoroughly enjoy and with over 280 levels that require logic and thought it will have you busy for days

5. Cut the Rope HD

Cut-the Rope HD is a fun and challenging BlackBerry PlayBook app that will keep you entertained. The basis of the game is to try to cut the rope in a way that will allow you to catch a star so that you can feed a little creature named Om Nom. This game is packed with enemies and obstacles that will try to get in your way of feeding Om Nom, it is up to you to use your logic to overcome these obstacles and enemies. A great game definitely worth the download.

6. Need for Speed Undercover

Get into the driver seat of over 20 popular, fast cars and drive like you mean it. Race your way to the top against the best in this critically acclaimed racing game from Electronic Arts. With 8 challenging race modes, 3 unique environments and 24 missions, you will have a ton of fun racing fast performance enhanced cars to beat your opponents. If you drive well and you prove yourself a road worthy opponent you can earn performance upgrades that will take your car’s racing ability to the next level. A great game and with the price tag of nothing it is certainly worth downloading.

7. Monopoly

The Classic board game has come to the BlackBerry PlayBook and is available for download from App World. Monopoly for BlackBerry PlayBook features the game pieces and game idea you know and love, with enhanced graphical game play and animations. Roll your way to the top, by landing on and buying properties, houses and hotels. A great classic game for the modern day.

8. Berzerker Ball

Berzerk Ball is a fantastic BlackBerry PlayBook game that is really quite addictive. Choose a character and then take off to Berzerk land where you can bash the heck out of Comeau the geek. The farther you hit Comeau, and the more he hits while in the air the more points and money you can earn to upgrade your arsenal, and the strength of your character. There are a ton of trophies you can unlock by achieving certain goals and there are a ton of obstacles, and features to this all around fun and addictive game.

9. Plants vs Zombies

Protect your home and yourself from hordes of zombies coming for you. Your arsenal consists of different types of plants with different types of ammo and features and you have to plant these plants in an attempt to kill the zombies before they reach your house. There are different types of zombies with defferent powers and features that you will have to defeat using your skill and logic. Beware though you only have a certain number of seeds, and there are many different obstacles to hinder your plants from growing. A great game that wont let you down.

10. Nobex Radio

Never miss your Sports, Music or News again with Nobex Radio for the blackBerry PlayBook. Listen to your favorite radio stations for free, watch youtube videos, share what you like with your friends all from the Nobex Radio app. Nobex Radio is a free application and will keep you busy with whatever you like to listen to on the radio, right on your PlayBook from wherever you are.

This is not an exhaustive list and there are plenty more great apps and games awaiting download for your BlackBerry PlayBook.  Take a stroll on over to the BlackBerry App World and start downloading those apps.

When the BlackBerry PlayBook was first released it came with a unique idea called BlackBerry Bridge, which was an app that allowed its users to connect the PlayBook to their BlackBerry Smartphones to be able to manage their email, calendars, contacts and more from the PlayBook. This however did not go over so well as many of the PlayBook customers were looking for these features to be available right from the PlayBook instead of having to “Bridge” over to get this functionality. Research In Motion realized this and took the negative feedback from the customers and used it as fuel to improve the BlackBerry PlayBook OS.

With the Release of the BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 earlier this week, the PlayBook has a load of new features that have been added to it, including nearly everything that customers wanted in the initial release last year. Along with the added features and improvements to the actual PlayBook OS was the improvements to the Blackberry Bridge application.

One of the biggest enhancements added to the BlackBerry Bridge 2.0 was the “Open on PlayBook” option which basically allows you to open things that you have on the BlackBerry Smartphone like email, videos, address book entries, calendar items, task, memos and more on the BlackBerry PlayBook from the BlackBerry. This also includes attachment types as well as browser urls. Essentially this means that you could get sent a Youtube video link on your BlackBerry and you could press the “Open on PlayBook” option, this would auto open the browser and navigate to the Youtube video.

The second biggest enhancement to the BlackBerry Bridge software for the PlayBook is the addition of the “Bridge Remote Control”. This option literally turns your BlackBerry Smartphone into a remote control for your PlayBook. The functionality of the remote control includes bezel gestures and also extends to the keyboard. This means that you can be taking notes on your BlackBerry PlayBook while typing from the keyboard on the BlackBerry Smartphone. Other features for the remote control include:

-PlayBook Bezel Gestures from your BlackBerry Phone
-Vertical Scrolling
-Drag-Lock
-Right, Left, Center Mouse Click Emulation
-Dedicated Presenter Mode

This feature really comes in handy for the Business type setting where presentations are common. With the BlackBerry PlayBook you can use an HDMI cable to connect it to a projector and then from across the room you can use your BlackBerry Smartphone to control your PlayBook.

BlackBerry Bridge takes device cooperation to the next level and is only in the beginning stages of what its true potential can become. The release of it and the overall BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 will definitely bring some competition back from Research In Motion and if they continue to move forward and strive to outdo instead of catch up I really feel RIM can become a big hitter in the Smartphone and tablet market.

Anybody who has ever used a BlackBerry will know that the Browser capabilities and speed has never been a strong point, especially when compared to the competition. This of course is frustrating and can really hinder you from being able to effectively use many web based applications. The browser functionality on top of other things have been one of the major complaints of the BlackBerry OS and this issue with the browser was even seen in the first release of the first PlayBook OS 1.0 software.

Research In Motion recently released the BlackBerry PlayBook 2.0 software which boasts complete upgrades and enhancements to the browser application and it’s ability to run even the most complex web based apps. Just today I came across a video that shows a BlackBerry PlayBook with OS 1.0 and a BlackBerry PlayBook running OS 2.0 doing web based testing to show the difference in the speeds of the browser app.

Here is the video, the results are really quite remarkable and will definitely help to increase the possibility of consumers taking a serious look into getting the BlackBerry PlayBook.

As you can see there is a significant difference in the speed and fluidity of the BlackBerry PlayBook 2.0 browser, which means that all of the web apps you download and use will act and behave the way they were designed instead of being slowed down by an incapable and slow browser. It looks like BlackBerry may have just come out with an update that may help to keep them in and give them a small boost in the very competitive tablet market.

For all of those who own Mac computers the BlackBerry Desktop Software 2.3 has been released just a little bit ago. This release is in response to the BlackBerry Desktop software 7.0 for PC released earlier in the week. As with the BlackBerry Desktop Software 7.0 the new Desktop software 2.3 will allow Mac users to connect their BlackBerry PlayBooks so long as they are running the newest PlayBook OS 2.0. With the 2.3 BlackBerry Desktop software release you will be able work with and manage both your BlackBerry Smartphone as well as your BlackBerry PlayBook to do tasks such as:

- Synchronize media files
- Backup or Restore Smartphone or PlayBook data
- Update the Smartphone or PlayBook Software
- Multiple Smartphone or PlayBook management

As for new features and functionality added to this new 2.3 release of the BlackBerry Desktop Software there is only 1 added feature to note and that is the improved BlackBerry PlayBook support for PlayBooks Running the 2.0 software.

With this new release of the BlackBerry Desktop software 2.3 there have been some issues that have been fixed such as the resolution to the CPU spiking should you try to manage a large photo album, time-stamp issues once photos were optimized to be synced, and the BlackBerry Desktop software failing to launch upon connecting your BlackBerry Smartphone or PlayBook.

You can get the download for the new BlackBerry Desktop Software for Mac 2.3 right from the BlackBerry website