BREAKING: BlackBerry 7.1 & New App Updates now available!

[CatlinFD]

Just in time for the New Year, we are introducing #TeamBlackBerry to the newest BlackBerry® smartphone operating system. Today, we’re very excited to announce the launch of the new BlackBerry® 7.1 OS, which has been built to make discovering new things – and sharing those discoveries with friends, family, and colleagues – easier than ever before. Plus, we’ve updated a number of other apps that you already know and love, like BBM™, BlackBerry® Traffic™, and BlackBerry® Travel™. With intuitive and intelligent BlackBerry apps and the new 7.1 OS we’re taking your BlackBerry experience to the next level!

The BlackBerry 7.1 OS update will begin rolling out from carriers around the world beginning today and over the coming weeks, and offers some great new features that we wanted to highlight here:

• Mobile Hotspot: Turn your BlackBerry 7.1 OS device into a Wi-Fi® router anywhere, anytime! The new OS seamlessly provides Internet access for up to five Wi-Fi devices, including laptops and tablets.
• Universal Search: For this new release, we wanted to focus on the intelligence of our system and our apps – in other words, we wanted to create an intuitive experience that does the thinking for you. For example, Universal Search now has a new auto-suggest feature that that intelligently filters Bing® search results to offer you a variety of relevant Web sites based on your search terms.
• BlackBerry® Tag: Share contacts, media and files, and even invite friends to BlackBerry® Messenger (BBM) through a simple touch. BlackBerry Tag unlocks near field communication (NFC) capabilities for everyday use and makes sharing a lot faster and much more personal.
• Wi-Fi® Calling (where available): With BlackBerry 7.1 OS, you’ll be able to make Wi-Fi calls using your carrier’s Wi-Fi calling service (aka UMA-lite or GAN-lite). Wi-Fi calling allows you to save your talk time minutes and make phone calls over any Wi-Fi network. Not all carriers offer such a service so check with your carrier for availability.
• FM Radio: The BlackBerry 7.1 OS update will let BlackBerry® Curve™ 9360 and 9380 smartphone customers enjoy FM radio. The Curve models include a built-in FM radio so you can tune in to local FM radio stations. Simply plug in your headset to boost the reception (it acts as the antenna). Plus, no data usage or data plan required!
• BlackBerry® Maps:

When you launch the new BlackBerry Maps you’ll be able to discover special offers, coupons and discounts from nearby vendors – and, of course, you can act instantly by calling about the deal, finding the best route to get there, or grabbing the coupon code.

BlackBerry Maps



But that’s not all the surprises we have in store for you today – along with the new OS update, we’ve also released updates to a number of other popular BlackBerry smartphone apps! We’re continuously taking steps to enhance your social experiences on your BlackBerry smartphone. We are making the apps you know and love even more intelligent and intuitive with upgrades to help you manage your daily tasks or plan for your next big adventure.

Here’s what we’ve got for you:

BBM is now 6.1
It’s the BBM you know and love, taking your social experience to a whole new level. Now with BlackBerry Tag integration, you can invite a friend to BBM by simply tapping your NFC enabled BlackBerry smartphones against each other. Also, by popular request from our BBM community, we’ve added more ways to personalize your messages and your profile. BBM 6.1 is now out of beta, so check out our BBM 6.1 blog post for an in-depth look at the newest features.

BlackBerry Travel
Are you a frequent flier or avid traveler? The updated BlackBerry Travel app virtually plans your trips for you, from airport pick up and drop off to accommodations and scheduling. You’ll be able to find deals on hotel and car rental options, or arrange for limo service to and from an airport. Plus, you can rest easy knowing that the BlackBerry Travel app will quickly notify you if your flight is delayed or cancelled, and that it can help you find a new flight right away. No matter where you do your booking, the automatic trip scanning feature can pull your trip details into the app, so you don’t have to. See all your travel updates in one place as they happen, and don’t worry about double and triple checking your itinerary; if you’ve missed anything, BlackBerry Travel will let you know!

BlackBerry Traffic
Getting where you want to just got easier with the new update of BlackBerry Traffic. The updated app now provides you with turn-by-turn voice guidance so figuring out how to get there is easy and hands free. BlackBerry Traffic provides you with your route and your estimated time of arrival (ETA) based on current traffic conditions – right on your BlackBerry smartphone.

So as you can see, we’ve got a whole bundle of goodies ready for #TeamBlackBerry to enjoy. We’re confident that this collection of intelligent apps will help you connect with your fellow BlackBerry smartphone users, because life is better when it’s shared in real time.

For more information and to download the new versions of BBM, BlackBerry Traffic and BlackBerry Travel visit BlackBerry App World and don’t forget to leave us a comment and let us know what you think about BlackBerry 7.1 OS and the new app updates!

For those of you attending this year’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES 2012) come visit the BlackBerry booth (South Hall 3 Booth # 30326) to see these new updates and more firsthand!

BlackBerry 7.1 OS and New App Updates Now Available! «Inside BlackBerry - The Official BlackBerry Blog

[chrisy520]

Thanks for posting!

[anthogag]

More reasons to upgrade my 9800 to the 9810

[batboris]

I was thinking of sticking with my 9800 till second half of 2012 .. now, I think I have to upgrade

[grahamf]

Blackberry 7.1 Is only now being bade available, at the carrier's discretion.

Call me when I can download 7.1 official for my 9360.

[kb5zht]

verizonis also being late to the game. No 7.1 for 9850's.

[AbuYazeedUK]

is BBM 6.1 officially available from App World now?

[TLS2000]

Source: RIM Showcases OS 7.1 at CES 2012; Includes BBM, BlackBerry Travel, and Traffic Updates Releasing Today | N4BB - News for BlackBerry - leaks, rumors, videos, faqs, reviews

Customers with a BlackBerry Curve 9360 or 9380 smartphone will find a nice surprise with the BlackBerry 7.1 OS update in the form of an FM radio. The FM radio circuitry is already built in to the Curve 9360 and 9380 models and BlackBerry 7.1 provides users with a new app that allows them to tune in and enjoy local FM radio stations. Listening to the FM radio does not require a data plan or use data services.

Anyone see this in RIM's press release?

[EdS817]

Originally Posted by AbuYazeedUK

is BBM 6.1 officially available from App World now?

BBM 6.1.0.49 now on App World. If you don't get notified go into App World -> My World -> menu key and refresh list. It should show the upgrade.

[sleepngbear]

I also just got upgrade notifications for BBM Music (1.1.0.12) and Mobile Conferencing (2.0.0.7) after manually updating BBM. I can't keep up.

[Brianflys]

Version 7.1 is available officially for the 9850 including on Verizon phones. Get the Sprint version and install following the directions on the forum. Very simple. If you have tethering with your service plan then you will have mobile hotspot available. I have it and it works very well.

[EdS817]

Originally Posted by sleepngbear

I also just got upgrade notifications for BBM Music (1.1.0.12) and Mobile Conferencing (2.0.0.7) after manually updating BBM. I can't keep up.

Those don't look like upgrades. They are the same versions I had installed on my 9900.


Looks like it might be a good idea to refresh the app list from time to time. I rarely do it but will do it more regularly from now on.

[maam]

I'm still waiting! Come oooon rogers!

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

[TLS2000]

I get notified of the update being available, but it doesn't give me any ability to download it. lol

[CanadianThomas]

with bell in canada I'm going to need a download of this for my 9810. Bell are soooo slow. this is from their download page for the 9810:

Software For BlackBerry® Torch™ 9810 smartphone

BlackBerry Handheld Software v7.0.0.1355 (All Languages)

Package Version: 7.0.0.1355
Consisting of:
Applications: 7.0.0.261
Software Platform: 5.0.0.469
File name: 9810AllLang_PBr7.0.0_rel1355_PL5.0.0.469_A7.0.0.26 1_Bell_Mobility_Inc.exe
File size: 228.97MB

Note: The Software Platform and Applications version numbers can be found under Options-About screen on the handheld.

VERSION v7.0.0.1355 !!!!!