Stories by Al Sacco

Foursquare: Unlock 'Secret' Badges and Reduce Privacy Risks

You've probably heard of social-networking service Foursquare. If you haven't already jumped in headfirst yourself, you may be aware that Foursquare's a location-based social network that lets users "check-in" via mobile device at restaurants, bars, shopping malls, wherever, to obtain points and rewards in the form of "Mayorships" and "badges." And many are calling it "the next Twitter."

RIM exec on mobile malware, future of BlackBerry security

Scott Totzke knows mobile security. Currently VP of BlackBerry security at Research In Motion (RIM) and a RIM staffer for as long as the company has made smartphones, Totzke remembers when the BlackBerry Enterprise Server (BES), RIM's main BlackBerry infrastructure component for corporations, had less than 50 IT policies for BlackBerry administrators to secure their organizations' smartphone deployments.

Verizon forcing Microsoft Bing search on BlackBerry users

BlackBerry smartphone users on Verizon Wireless's U.S. cellular network may have noticed a small but significant change within their mobile web browsers in the past week or so: The only search engine option that's currently available to some Verizon customers via their BlackBerry Browsers' "Start" or "Go to" pages is now Microsoft Bing.

Amazon: Kindle for BlackBerry app coming soon

Amazon.com plans to release a new, free Kindle for BlackBerry mobile application in near future, according to the company's Kindle Web page. The online retailer didn't specify when exactly the app will be released, but its Kindle page currently shows a BlackBerry icon atop the words "coming soon."The news of a Kindle for BlackBerry app is no surprise; rumors regarding a BlackBerry app for Kindle hit the Web months ago, but I hadn't heard or seen anything concrete until I just noticed the listing on Amazon's Kindle page.

BlackBerry Enterprise Server 5.0 Supports MS Exchange 2010

BlackBerry-smartphone-maker Research In Motion (RIM) late last week announced that its BlackBerry Enterprise Server (BES) 5.0 software for corporate e-mail deployments now supports Microsoft's new Exchange Server 2010, as part of the BES service pack 1 (SP1) maintenance release 1 (MR1).

Using e-mail message flags in BlackBerry OS 5.0

BlackBerry-maker Research In Motion (RIM) recently started shipping its brand new mobile operating system (OS), BlackBerry handheld OS 5.0. The new software packs a variety of cool new features and enhancements, including improved mail-folder management options; auto-correct and word-completion typing software; and a number of personal information management (PIM) feature-enhancements. (Note: Some of the new features require BlackBerry Enterprise Server BES 5.0.)

RIM BlackBerry Storm2: Launch week round-up

After months of device-leaks, "pre-reviews" and all-around speculation, BlackBerry-maker RIM last week decided to finally take the wraps off its worst-kept secret of the year, the BlackBerry Storm2 9520/9550. Shortly thereafter, U.S. carrier Verizon Wireless announced that it would start selling the new device this week.

Apple Magic Mouse Still MIA as Software Update Arrives

Apple built excitement last week when it debuted two new iMac desktop machines, a new 13" MacBook, a revamped Mac Mini, and the touch-sensitive Magic Mouse, which ships along with the new iMacs. But about a week later, what it has built around that intriguing mouse is frustration.When Apple provided specifics on pricing and release dates for most of the products last week, it didn't mention that the Magic Mouse (designed to be employed not only with the company's latest iMacs, but also with any Bluetooth-enabled Mac) requires a specific software update. Mac OS X Snow Leopard 10.6.2 will reportedly support the Magic Mouse, but it's not yet available for download. Apple has not commented on when you'll be able to grab 10.6.2, though it's already been seeded to developers

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