Sometimes the best way to get acquainted with your device is to play a game. Doom is a free app available at Blackberry App World. This first person shooter works well with the Playbook, and with on screen WADS keys and some touch and swipe controls, for anyone that has played the original will feel that this app can have you playing for hours. There is a feeling that the fact that Doom has come directly to a tablet shows the graphics are nothing special and there is a chance that you can end up locked on to auto-fire. Yet anyone who has not played Doom will be less critical as this is a classic shoot-em-up.

Another BlackBerry app available is the new Facebook application that complements this device with all your communication and social networking needs. In addition to the success of the Facebook application for BlackBerry smartphones, the new app gives you all the popular features of Facebook, optimized for the 7″ high resolution, and offers multi-touch LCD display of the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet. With the ability to share FaceBook pictures and videos with friends and family on an HDTV, this popular networking site is sure to be a hit with users.

Where there is Facebook there is also Twitter, and the Blaq Twitter app for BlackBerry PlayBook is a great addition to compliment the compact size, portability and touch functions available with the BlackBerry PlayBook. In an article by Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla at Canadian Reviewer.com. A report is given that this new app has many ideal features to accompany your device. Blaq is available for $1.99 at the BlackBerry App World and has a quality appearance in an overall review. The Blaq app will maximize the PlayBook’s preferred landscape orientation and integrates well with the QNX touch controls for swiping to raise the keyboard. The initial views of this app are that it is a very welcome addition to the world of BlackBerry apps.

In a review by Charles Arthur at the guardian.co.uk he is reporting that RIM’s BlackBerry PlayBook is lacking in the content of apps and that this could affect the sales of this device. The limitations of the apps available are not competing in the same league as the iPad or Android tablet. The BlackBerry PlayBook is an easy to use, portable and nice looking device and has been reported as the fastest tablet ever. The browser is good enough and it can play Flash video. The office documents allow you to open almost everything. The PlayBook has an app store but from the review given it seems to contain an echo. Video chat is available with other PlayBook users. However, no Skype or other VoIP services. The battery life was not as long as the iPad and a general summary was that the BlackBerry PlayBook is a nice piece of kit but the lack of apps can turn people away.

Do you feel that the BlackBerry PlayBook needs more apps? Maybe in time you will start to see more on offer. The BlackBerry PlayBook has a number of great qualities though and the nice size and stylish look are the main features of this great looking device.

The free update is accessible through the PlayBook settings menu at this moment, also available at the BlackBerry AppWorld store. In an article by Robert S. Anthony at PCWorld, he is reporting about the new update, and notes that there is no native email or Android emulator yet.

This native Facebook application is ideal for photo and video uploading. The PlayBook supports 480p, 720p HD and 1080p HD video recording, which is a feature the Apple iPad 2, is unable to do. The revised app has improved the way you search Friends, Pages or Everyone, and there is also an option for deleting messages.

Facebook Pages have had a makeover with new bottom-screen Pages tab on the friends screen for simple and fast viewing of certain pages. You now have an option to drop new photos into albums you’ve already created and the ability to add comments to items in your news feed without leaving the news feed view. A dialog window with room for your comment will appear.

More information is available from your home screen, the exclamation point and a number in the top left corner and shows how many app updates are available, no need to enter BlackBerry AppWorld. App developers will be pleased that they can now sell added games within their game. The new function of battery icon lets the PlayBook charge when it is off.

This new update for the BlackBerry Playbook looks to be a step forward in competition with other devices and their applications. For more details, visit PCWorld.com.

Curiosk Wine and Food Pairing is an application which helps you match up wines with food. It will prove great if you are preparing that special meal with your mum, and will ensure you choose the best wine to accompany your food. There is no monthly fee, and an internet connection is not needed for use. This can be found on the BlackBerry App World for $2.99/£2.49.

Healthy Recipes – 200k Recipes From SparkRecipes is a free application which offers users recipes that not only saves money, but will also help you lose weight. There are almost 200,000 to choose from, and calories and carbs are provided for each one. For more information or to download head over to BlackBerry App World.

Greeting Cards Maker allows users to create and send that special eCard. You can use images from the library or add your own, and once it is created save it and share with friends via email or Facebook. You can send cards for all different occasions besides Mothers Day. This application is available on the BlackBerry App World for $2.99/£249.

The retail packaging is very professional and everything you need to know is written on the back, things which impressed me the most were its odorless design (a lot of cheap products have a very plasticy smell), also it features features embedded Microban antimicrobial protection which “inhibits the growth of stain and odor causing bacteria”.

When you open up the product the contents include the vibes case, the screen protector, a user guide, a couple of iSkin stickers and an antistatic wipe, you can see the entire contents below.

The first thing you must do is clean your phone’s screen, firstly use a lint-free cloth to remove most of the grime, then use the antistatic wipe to finish it off, then you must apply the screen protector to the screen, I recommend lining it up before applying it to make sure the positioning is correct. Once you are happy remove the film on the “A” side and apply it to the screen, once applied I found using circular motions whilst rubbing the screen pretty firmly removed any air bubbles, once you are happy remove the film from the “B” side, this stage is now complete.

You must now put the Vibes on your BlackBerry, firstly slot the bottom of your handset into the case and then stretch the case around the top of your device, this can be a little tricky, however if it was easy it would mean that the case would not have a snug fit, once complete ensure that he cut-outs for the camera, headphone jack and USB / power input align, if everything has gone to plan it should look something like the image below. (note the button missing has been like that for months)

Now you have your screen protector and vibes fitted you can use your BlackBerry with less fear of damaging it, also I instantly noticed that the screen is more visible in bright conditions, I tried to take a photo to show the change but it did not do it justice. iSkin’s attention to detail is great and all of the Bold 9700′s side buttons and top buttons are still easy to use, also the soft rubbery casing feels nice in the hand and it it doesn’t feel like it would slip out of your hand too easily.

Other nice touches include the translucent pane on the back of the casing which is patterned and protects the camera and flash, because it is clear it does not affect that flash’s performances, at the bottom of the casing there are holes cut-out for the microphone and at the top the casing does not cover the indicator LED, all of these features make the iSkin vibes a much better casing than the cheap and cheerful options currently available.

If you would like to purchase the vibes case for your BlackBerry Bold 9700 / 9780 check out this link, it is available in Blaze red, Cosmo pink, Rave purple, Carbon black and Reflex blue, all of which cost $34.99 each. Here are some more photos I took.

The obvious one to talk about first would be the addition of ‘Facebook Places.’ This feature is already present on the iPhone and Android version of the application, and has been for some considerable time.

Now BlackBerry users can ‘check in’ on selective locations by choosing from Nearby Places in a 1.25 mile radius, add places that do not exist, and tag friends in the check in as well as adding comments.

Other features that Facebook v1.9 for BlackBerry now comes with allow you to search for people and pages, find mutual friends, view profiles by thumbnails, send friend requests, messages and even poke.

A full changelog will be added soon.

Have you downloaded Facebook v1.9 for BlackBerry yet? How are you finding the additions?

We now have good news for BlackBerry smartphone owners, as BBC iPlayer has now launched an app that according to Ed Owen over at mediaweek.co.uk, allows users to catch up on all their favourite programs from the last 7 days.

However, the free app – which is compatible with Torch 9800, Bold 9700 and Storm 2 handsets – will only work for UK users. It has also been said that the iPlayer app will be available for phones running the Android operating system at some stage.

Will you be taking advantage of the new iPlayer app on your BlackBerry, and what program will you use it for?

Cellmania posted a note on their website confirming the takeover which stated “Our team has joined RIM’s global organization and will continue to bring our expertise in application storefront development to the BlackBerry platform.”

Although RIM have acquired the rights, Cellmania said that it would continue to support their existing clients. However, details were not released.

This solution could tie to BlackBerry App World, for which RIM released to compete with Apple’s App Store and the Android Market in April 2009. A new version of App World has recently been released with a number of new features including ‘Top Free,’ ‘Top Themes,’ and ‘Recently Updated.’

Source: PC Mag

There is a version for the iPhone, but that will cost you £20 – we are not certain how the two applications differ from each other. We know that you can see where the cars are in real-time on the track in the iPhone app.

Features included in the BlackBerry app are Live Timing: Offering details of driver progress, their position and best lap times.

Circuit Data: This feature gives you the latest track information – such as yellow flags, temperatures, air pressure and much more.

Other features include practice session results, qualifying results and race results. For more information visit Crackberry – go download the app go to mobile.formula1.com on your BlackBerry handset.