Twinkle has been updated to version 5.4 in BlackBerry World. This update adds support for the BlackBerry Passport and BlackBerry Classic, sets a custom theme color for users on OS 10.3, and fixes a date releated bug.

About Twinkle

Twinkle is an app that allows you to set and keep track of upcoming and past events. Twinkle will tell you how far away an event is, and share it with a friends through social networks. The app includes an number of options for sorting or filtering your views in order to allow you to easily be able to manage and share a large number of different events. Additionally the app is a share target, so you can share calendar events direct with the app.

Links & Information

BlackBerry, BlackBerry10, Twinkle

Rochester Startup Weekend starts tomorrow

November 20, 2014 Eric at Ebscer

Startup Weekend is coming back to Rochester tomorrow with a focus on education. Details and registration can be found at rochester.startupweekend.org.

It has been two years since I last attended a Startup Weekend event, so I am looking forwards to getting back into it. I hope to see you there.

Events

Version 1.9 of Starbeams released

November 19, 2014 Eric at Ebscer

Version 1.9 of the Starbeams game has been released in both BlackBerry World and the Windows 8 app store. This version adds ten brand new levels. Also the Windows 8 version of the game has now been optimized for Windows 8.1 and the BlackBerry version of the game, now backs up game progress to your BlackBerryID.

About Starbeams

The object of the game is to assign colors to each star in order to ensure that none of the stars are connected to another star of the same color. The game starts off easy, but quickly gets more complex, adding more colors and seven pointed stars that can not be changed.

Links & Information

BlackBerry, BlackBerry10, Starbeams, Windows

OS 7 now used by 55.7% of BBOS users

November 17, 2014 Eric at Ebscer

Since the launch of BlackBerry 10 almost two years ago, there has been only slow changes among the population of BlackBerry users that continue to use the classic BlackBerry operating system. Still some progress has been made in getting users working towards (slightly) newer OS versions.

The month of October saw 55.7% of users running OS 7 and 78.7% of users on OS 6 or higher.

This data was collected by BlackBerry World for downloads of the free BlackBerry strategy game Pixelated. Data shown on the chart is from the beginning of October 2013 through the end of October 2014, and does not include BlackBerry 10 or PlayBook devices.

BlackBerry, Statistics

App released for Buffalo Metro Rail

November 13, 2014 Eric at Ebscer

The new Buffalo Metro Rail app shows the departure times for trains along Buffalo’s Metro route. The app automatically selects the proper schedule for the day, allows for sorting options, and also shows a map of the full light rail line. Additionally the app only needs to be synced once a month, and can otherwise be used without an active internet connection.

Links & Information

Android, BlackBerry, BlackBerry10, Metro Rail

Wireless carriers of choice for BlackBerry 10 users

November 12, 2014 Eric at Ebscer

A look at the most popular wireless carriers for BlackBerry 10 users generally mirror the popularity of these companies on a whole. One exception is Sprint, whose decision not to be a BlackBerry 10 launch partner continues to leave it underrepresented. In Canada there are far more users on smaller carriers, but less so than there were 18 months ago.

This data was taken from downloads of the free BlackBerry strategy game Pixelated. Data shown on the chart is from the the month of October 2014, and only includes BlackBerry 10 phones.

BlackBerry, BlackBerry10, Statistics

Popularity of BlackBerry 10 phones

November 7, 2014 Eric at Ebscer

While the BlackBerry Z10 continues to hold on to slightly over half of all devices (at 50.1%), it is down significantly from October 2013 where it was 68.5% of the market. The BlackBerry Passport has gotten off to a decent start at 4.1% of the market.

The month of October saw 39.5% of users having a physical keyboard, which is the largest this percentage has ever been since the launch of BlackBerry 10.

All of these statistics are based off of the data collected by BlackBerry World in the month of October for downloads of the free check-list app Stuff I Need (which is also available for Windows Phone and Android users).

BlackBerry, BlackBerry10, Statistics

Most users still on OS 10.2.1

November 6, 2014 Eric at Ebscer

October once again saw the majority of BlackBerry 10 users running OS 10.2.1 on their phones. This is mainly due to BlackBerry not officially releasing OS 10.3.0 for any users besides those on the Passport. While the percentage of users on the newest OS (4.3% on Pixelated and 15.1% on Stuff I Need) is higher than the percentage of Passport users, most people (including myself) seem to be waiting for an official update from BlackBerry.

This data was collected by BlackBerry World for downloads of the free strategy game Pixelated and the free checklist app Stuff I Need. Data shown on the chart is from the beginning of October 2013 through the end of October 2014.

BlackBerry, BlackBerry10, Statistics

Another 10 levels for Runaway Trains

November 4, 2014 Eric at Ebscer

The Runaway Trains game has been updated to version 2.8 in BlackBerry World and the Google Play Store. This update adds ten new levels, and ensures that the BlackBerry version of the game is now compatible OS 10.3.1 which is expected to be released within the next month.

About Runaway Trains

Runaway Trains is a colorful strategy game for all ages where you must route the trains to the proper station. Each level progresses in difficulty and presents an unique puzzle which you must solve by finding a way to guide the coloured trains causing a collision or running out of track.

This is done by touching the intersections to toggle the open path of the tracks. If at any time the trains crash or end up at the wrong station, you will have lost and have to try again.