The team over at BBM Animated let us know that they have just updated their site, adding brand new content! Not only have they added more animated gifs for your BlackBerry Messenger avatar, they've introduced a section for trending themes. You can click on the tab marked Hot to see what's new in that category, as it will change up depending on what is currently hot (movies, music, etc). Right now you can find animated avatars featuring The Avengers!

Of course, the gifs offered on BBM Animated are free to download and easy to get onto your BlackBerry. Simply navigate to the site from the link below, pick out which avatar you'd like to use, and save it to your BlackBerry. From here you can open up your media folder and find the saved gif, open it and hit your menu button. Choose "Set As BBM Display Picture" and you're all set. You can also change the avatar from BBM directly. Go to your profile and click your current avatar, which will open up your pictures folder. Choose the gif you downloaded and you're done. Note, animated avatars only work with BBM v6.1 and above. 

Download avatars from BBM Animated

After a few short stints in the Beta Zone, BlackBerry Messenger is now available for public consumption. The latest version is 6.2.0.44 and features some new updates and fixes and is available now in BlackBerry App World. The additions keep getting better and this version is no different.

• Enjoy a new selections of animated avatars
• Send voice notes more easily back and forth
• Simpler way to change your Name and Personal Message
• Tagging is now even quicker
• Improved Contact Search 

You should see the update for the new version on your device, but you can always refresh in BlackBerry App World if it's not yet showing for you.

More information/Download BBM

When you open up BlackBerry App World and look around for instant messaging applications there are plenty to be found, some strictly for BlackBerry, some that work with Facebook, some that work with Google Talk and there are even some that work across multiple devices and platforms.

One of the ones that works across multiple platforms is Hookt. It appeared quite some time ago in BlackBerry App World and since then it has gained almost 3,000 reviews, which is quite a feat. BlackBerry users know and love BlackBerry Messenger but Hookt, some would say, takes it to the next level by offering some additional features not found within BlackBerry Messenger such as stickers and the ability to send messages from your computer or even your BlackBerry PlayBook using the Hookt website. The full set of features includes:

• Group chat – Create group conversations with up to 10 people.
• Stickers – NEW! Send dozens of cool graphic stickers.
• Send messages from your computer or even your BlackBerry PlayBook using the Hookt website.
• Read indicators – Know when your friends have received and read your messages.
• Photos – Share photos from your album or take them on the fly.
• BlackBerry® Push Service – Receive messages quickly and reliably.
• Inbox integration – See your Hookt Messenger chats right from your Messages list.
• BBM (BlackBerry® Messenger) integration – Share Hookt Messenger with all your BBM friends.
• Works with WIFI and all mobile networks. 

It's no secret that I bounce back and forth between devices. Sometimes I use my BlackBerry, sometimes I use an Android device and yes, sometimes I even use my iPhone 4S. Sadly, BlackBerry Messenger isn't available across all those platforms and finding an application that works well on all was rather tiresome until I tried out Hookt.

If you either find yourself switching devices often or just simply want to chat with folks on other platforms, give Hookt a look. The app is beautifully designed and well laid out, plus where it has been out for a while now there are very little hiccups with the actual service itself. Jump on past the break for some more screenshots of the app in action; it really is one of the best BlackBerry apps out there these days both in terms of design and functionality.

Download Hookt Messenger for Free

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On Saturday, India Today reported that the India government is getting its way when it comes to tapping into BlackBerry devices.

I sure hope RIM handles this clearly with the remaining global media sources who haven't yet written about this. For years, there have been significant misunderstandings about RIM security. It has lead to a lot of crappy reporting. And unless RIM takes a different strategy this time, it's bound to lead to more of the same.

The India Today article is well written. The issues are clearly laid out. The government needed RIM's help to decrypt BBM messages coming from BIS accounts. So to be very clear, RIM is not helping the government decrypt BES messages. RIM has always said they don't hold the keys to BES decryption. Those keys are specific to each BES installation.

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After a few weeks of nothing happening in the BlackBerry Beta Zone, RIM has now decided to go ahead and get things rolling full steam again. It wasn't all that long ago we saw BlackBerry Messenger v6.2.0.15 appear there and now we have BlackBerry Messenger v6.2.0.24 already available for download. Changes? Quite a bit actually:

Fixed Isses

• User is returned to the contact list after sending a voice note via the convenience key if the chat is opened from the Messages application.
• Virtual keyboard does not appear automatically when editing personal message
• When trying to switch chat from switch chat menu within conversation, user information is partially cutoff
• Send picture dialog is displayed as a vertical bar for device font size 14.

Known Issues

• Highlighting a BBM contact displays a different contact's display picture.
• Pressing the convenience key while the menu is open in a chat returns the user to the contact list if the chat is opened from the Messages application.
• Scrolling quickly in the inline edit view allows the focus to move out on to the user's avatar.
• Pressing the Enter key while the focus is on the user's avatar initiates the inline edit view.
• Some smileys remained as text in a message sent to a multiperson chat for all participants.
• Send voice note dialog buttons are cut off in landscape mode when the virtual keyboard is displayed. 

The update is available now for registered users, so get to downloading. Just remember, it's a beta. If something isn't working right and it's not already a known issue, send feedback so that it can be addressed in a later release update.

Visit the BlackBerry Beta Zone

Discuss in the CrackBerry Forums

Earlier this week Kevin ran an informal Twitter poll asking a question that has been on CrackBerry Nation's mind for a while. Should RIM stick with its walled garden approach and force people to buy a BlackBerry handheld if they want to use the awesomeness that is BBM? Or should they open up and port the app to Android and iOS?

Reading through the replies is pretty interesting. People definitely want to see RIM launch BBM on other devices, mostly so they can chat with their friends in other mobile camps. BBM group support is seen as critical. But at the same time, people think that RIM will be driving a nail into its own coffin if they open up BBM.

I think it's time we had a worthwhile discussion about this. It's easy to see how customers absolutely want RIM to open up BBM. These are people who love using the best mobile instant messaging tool on the planet, and feel bad for their friends who don't have it. They want to stay connected.

So if RIM believes that doing what's best for customers is what matters, it should port the app to Android and iOS.

But at the same time, a move like this would surely get elevated to a board of directors discussion. I expect that Thorsten would have to buy into the idea and sell it to the board. The board has a fiduciary duty to shareholders, so the argument would only pass if RIM and its board believed that opening BBM was in the best interest of the company's financial future.

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With RIM having been rolling out a few other beta's recently, it's no suprise a new version of BlackBerry Messenger has now popped up as well. RIM seemingly hasn't sent out emails for it yet, but it's there. v6.2.0.15 is what it is listed at and RIM shared some release notes for it:

• Animated display pictures - More animated display pictures are now built into BBM. Change your picture to suit your mood.
• Change your name or message inline - You can quickly change your name or status message without leaving your contact list by clicking the text at the top of the screen. To exit inline editing, just scroll down. You can still access your profile screen by clicking your display picture.
• Streamlined voice notes - When your convenience key set to open BlackBerry Messenger, if you highlight a contact in BBM and press the convenience key, you can start recording a voice note. Once you're done, pressing the convenience key again will send the voice note. Group chats. You can return to the default color at any time.
• BlackBerry Tag enhancements - Adding contacts has never been easier. If your BlackBerry smartphone supports NFC technology, you can turn on the Allow Automatic Invitations by Tapping option. Then, as long as you or someone else has BBM open, you can add each other as contacts by aligning the backs of your smartphones. This feature requires that you both have the latest version of BBM installed on smartphones that support NFC technology.
• Improved search - When typing the name of a contact or group, the search ignores special characters and emoticons to make it easier to find what you're looking for.
• Resend a message  - If a message didn't send (for example, if your smartphone was outside of a wireless coverage area), you can highlight the message and select Resend from the menu.

If you're a member of the BlackBerry Beta Zone, you should be able to login and find it listed under your eligible programs as it shows up as a new beta. Thanks, Alberto!

Visit the BlackBerry Beta Zone

A year ago we discussed the Shift + Delete command - a new (at the time) feature of the BlackBerry OS that some people loved, some hated and some didn't even know existed. When typing away in BlackBerry Messenger, if you press Shift+Delete you will find your message is deleted.

Personally, I found the new feature to be annoying; as more often than not I pressed that key combination accidentally and deleted whatever I was trying to say. Prior to this key combination being added to the OS, if you pressed the Back key your message would be deleted - an option which many people used frequently. Now, when you press the Back button, you are returned to the main BBM screen and your message is saved as a draft. This is Handy in some cases, annoying in others. But hey, as long as you know what each function does, you can manage, right?

Well, let's make it a little more interesting. As I mentioned, in BBM, Shift+Delete will erase whatever you're typing, meaning, you have to retype the message from the beginning. This key combination will also erase the text field in the BlackBerry Browser. For example, if you're in the CrackBerry forums and you've chosen to reply to a thread, and quote a previous post, Shift+Delete will erase the entire text entry field -- the quoted post and your reply. That can be a real pain, especially if you've written a lengthy, well thought out response. However, in the Browser you can simply choose the menu key and paste the text back in; so instead of the combination being a delete command, it is instead a cut command. That's way handier than how BBM handles it, and I have to wonder why Research In Motion went in different directions with the same key combination. To make it slightly more confusing, Shift+Delete does nothing in SMS or email besides what the delete key normally does, which is erase one character at a time.

I don't mind the feature, and realize it could be useful for many people. I do believe, however, that it should be universal across the native apps. If I'm going to be accidentally deleting things, I'd like a way to put them back quickly and without re-typing the whole thought. Also, it would be nice if the function existed in other native apps such as SMS and email. 

Got your own BlackBerry pet peeve? Sound off in our forums and let your voice be heard.

We know you are all busy downloading, installing and playing around with the many great features of PlayBook OS 2 today, but don't forget about your beloved BlackBerry Smartphone. BlackBerry Messenger has been updated today as well to version 6.1.0.70, and while the update is only a small one, it is one that addresses two issues that many users were experiencing. They have fixed the issue in group update section where you would not be notified by the iconic red star and also fixed is the ability to open locations that you sent or recieved on BlackBerry Maps. The update is small, but one that you will definitely want to make a few minutes to install today -- and you can do so easily by hitting the link below.

More information / download of BlackBerry Messenger 

Back in January we caught wind of a beta application called Peep It which allowed you to easily read messages without having them show as being read through BlackBerry Messenger. It appears as though the beta went well, some good feedback was received and the folks over at Epic Applications have released the application for your purchasing pleasure in App World.

The concept behind Peep It is quite simple, it allows you to read your BlackBerry Messenger messages without the status of the message changing from "D" to "R". Sure, this isn't useful to everyone, and some think it defeats the purpose of BBM as a whole, don't you ever find yourself wanting to read something and not respond right away?  

Peep It is the quickest and easiest way to view your BBM chat histories on your phone. With one click access to view and delete your chats, Peep It makes managing your history easy.

A device running OS 5 or higher is required for the use of this application and reading and responding to your messages is a breeze. Simply launch the application and read your messages -- if you want to reply directly to a message you are reading you can press the menu key and then click launch BBM and it will open right into the conversation for you. If you would like to be able to read your messages without the other party knowing you have done so be sure to hit the link below and grab a copy for yourself today. The application will run you $2.99 but there is a free trial available as well, but that is a small price to pay to end the headaches of "why are you ignoring me" and any other upset comments.

More information / purchase of Peep It 

Contest: The fine folks of Epic Applications have given us 25 copies of Peep It to giveaway to you, our favorite readers. Entering is simple, just leave a comment on this post and you are good to go. Contest ends Sunday at Midnight PST. 

BlackBerry Messenger 6.1.0.49 has already been released to the masses through BlackBerry App World, however those who have a BlackBerry Beta Zone account can update to version 6.1.0.68. This update is of a hotfix to address a few issues that users have been encountering. The two main issues this update fixes are: 

• You couldn't open locations in BlackBerry Maps that you sent or received
• The Group Updates section didn't show a red star on new items

The beta program for BBM 6.1 is still ongoing so if you do encounter any issues be sure to report them via BlackBerry Beta Zone. If you haven't already signed up to Beta Zone, sign up today at www.blackberry.com/beta.

More information / Download BBM 6.1.0.68

Back in December it was reported that the Indonesian Telecommunication Body was threatening to end BlackBerry Internet Service in the country. The reason behind the threat was due to the fact that RIM was going to install a new server in Singapore and not in Indonesia, as originally proposed. Today, though Tifatul Sembiring, Communications and Information Minister, stated that BlackBerry owners in the country need not worry, the government have no plans to stop the BlackBerry Internet Service, which includes BBM. BBM is a widely used BlackBerry feature in the country and they have no intention of displeasing its 5 million BlackBerry users.

We've already seen the popularity of BlackBerry smartphones in Indonesia and the huge lines the produce on launch days that it probably wouldn't have been the best threat to follow through on. At least now, BlackBerry owners in Indonesia can rest assured that BlackBerry Messenger is safe.

Source: The Jakarta Post 

Last week BlackBerry Messenger was updated to v6.1.0.49. Among the additions to BBM is the ability to use an animated gif as your avatar. A lot of you have been wondering where or how to get these, and at least one website out there is offering an easy solution for you.

BBM Animated has gathered properly sized animated gifs on their site for you to download. Navigate to the site from the link below, pick out which avatar you'd like to use, and save it to your BlackBerry. From here you can open up your media folder and find the saved gif, open it and hit your menu button. Choose "Set As BBM Display Picture" and you're all set. You can also change the avatar from BBM directly. Go to your profile and click your current avatar, which will open up your pictures folder. Choose the gif you downloaded and you're done.

The team at BBM Animated has gathered quite a few animated gifs for BlackBerry addicts to download and enjoy, and they have plans to add more in the near future. You can see what they currently have to offer at the link below, and be sure to check back later for more!

Source: BBM Animated Avatars

Remember that fancy new BlackBerry Messenger v6.1.0.49 that we mentioned would be available later today? You can go ahead and grab it now from the link below. Of course, you'll want to make sure to back up your BBM contacts and such before downloading, just to be on the safe side. Thanks to everyone that sent this in!

Download BlackBerry Messenger 6.1.0.49

If your BlackBerry Messenger Contact list seems to be growing out of control, or you just want to keep things a bit more organized, you can create contact categories to help you out. This is a simple feature that just requires a few menu clicks to get up and running. You can use contact categories to organize your contacts by family members, work contacts, friends or whatever suits your fancy. Keep reading to find out how to create your own contact categories in BlackBerry Messenger.

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