RIM’s BlackBerry World conference is taking place in Florida and a number of product announcements came out of the event yesterday. Among them, a Facebook app and a Video Chat app, both for the BlackBerry PlayBook.
The Facebook app enables users to view and add Friends; enjoy seamless photo and video viewing; connect with friends using Facebook Chat; and view and interact with the News Feed, including the ability to “Comment” and “Like” to discuss and show appreciation for friends’ content, as well as publish a status update or upload a photo from the status publisher, accessible from their Profile or from within the News Feed.
The Video Chat app enables users to place and receive video calls between PlayBook devices over a wi-fi network. Features include one-click video and voice over wi-fi calls; incoming call notifications; in-call functions, including the ablity for users to preview their own video image prior to placing the call in order to see what will be displayed on the other end. They can also easily switch cameras from front to rear so their friends can see what they are seeing.
The app will be distributed to existing BlackBerry PlayBook customers through an over-the-air software update, and will also be available on BlackBerry App World.
RIM also used the event to launch two new BlackBerry Bold smartphones. RIM says the BlackBerry Bold 9900 and 9930 are the thinnest and most powerful BlackBerrys yet. Both sport a keypad, touchscreen and the BlackBerry 7 OS.
The event continues today and tomorrow.