Hasta La Gadget!

RIM’s attention around its QNX-based platforms might revolve around BlackBerry 10 as of late, but don’t think that it’s leaving BlackBerry PlayBook users behind. A PlayBook 2.1 update is rolling out today that fills in some of the gaps left by 2.0 earlier this year. Habitual messagers can now start SMS text messages directly from the tablet when tethered through BlackBerry Bridge; they also get overdue support for a portrait view in email, calendars and contacts. If communication isn’t the cornerstone of your life, you’ll still find a few niceties such as Android App Player support for the camera and in-app purchases, device encryption that extends to personal data and wireless printing beyond the local network. For now, you’ll have to be an owner of the original, WiFi-only PlayBook to leap on the 2.1 train today — those who sprang for the usually carrier-bound PlayBook 4G LTE should get their upgrade within a month.

Filed under: Tablets, RIM

BlackBerry PlayBook 2.1 update goes live with SMS, portrait email originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 03 Oct 2012 10:12:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Probably the worst part about all the great technology we use to communicate with one another is the ability it gives us not to communicate with one another. Rarely will a text message accomplish what a conversation can. Which is why you should never, ever, not ever break up with somebody via text message. (There are a few possible exceptions to this rule.) More »

The Facebook environment on iOS for iPhone has been bumped upward once again with the Messenger app grabbing an update with a whole new user interface. If you’re the type of person who loves to message back and forth with friend via Facebook and have never tried the stand-alone app for iOS, now’s a better time than ever before! You’ll be getting favorites integration, better performance than with any version that’s come before, and the whole thing just looks a bit better – as it always does each time it’s updated.

This update brings both the iPhone and the iPod touch up to a new generation while the iPad will just have to wait a bit longer. On that note, you might also want to note that this version still does not include one of the only plusses that the Android version has over iOS: in-app SMS messaging integration from the rest of your phone. You’ve got a fully updated user interface here that does bring the app up to the already lovely looking Android version of the app, but SMS integration still does not exist.

It’s odd then that recent reports have Facebook developers being forced to use Android devices until their main Android app is up to snuff – or at least up to the quality that the iPhone version is. It would appear that the Messenger app does not live in the same universe. This version of the app is optimized for iOS 6 as well, and will be making full use of your iPhone 5 screen size.

The favorites list will more than likely be your most-loved feature here, with everyone’s massive cross-section of friends, colleagues, and business contacts quite often lending itself to a less than optimal friend-finding experience. Add your buddies to a smaller list and make the whole thing streamlined! This app is available for download or update in the iTunes app store right this minute – grab it now!

Facebook Messenger updated for iPhone 5 is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Facebook has already been making its mea culpas for the state of its main Android app, and it’s showing further atonement through an Android-first update to its Facebook Messenger companion release. The new app is imbued with a “more conversational” (if fairly familiar-looking) bubble-driven layout for chats. Likewise, it’s easier to see if a conversation is needed in the first place: a friend status list is always available with a swipe, while fresh support for texting directly from Messenger can keep the discussion flowing when SMS comes into play. Android users can get the Messenger upgrade today, with promise of an iOS equivalent soon. The regular Android app is getting an update as well, although we wouldn’t cry with joy just yet: it’s more of a parallel to the Messenger update than the speed-up that some of us crave.

Update: The company’s Christian Legnitto has posted a lengthy explanation that the Messenger rework and the core Facebook update (already available) are part of a new strategy that brings Android and iOS updates at regular intervals, rather than waiting solely for major features. If all goes well, the social network can provide speed upgrades and bug fixes at a much quicker pace.

Update 2: And the hits just keep on coming — although today is mostly about Android, Facebook has tweaked its main app’s iOS version (App Store) for iPhone 5 and iOS 6 support.

Filed under: Cellphones, Internet, Mobile

Facebook revamps Messenger for Android with friendlier chats, teases core app update soon (update 2: iOS refresh as well) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 20 Sep 2012 15:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The SMS protocol on iOS has had an issue wherein you’re able to manipulate the little-used “Reply To” field in a text message to make it look like it was coming from anyone you wanted it to. But with the proper release of iOS 6 the days of pulling that stunt on an iPhone are over. More »