RIM is rolling out an update to their signature instant messaging client, BlackBerry Messenger, which aims to spread BBM-connected apps in a few ways. There is now a menu item to open up the App World category which includes all applications that have some kind of BBM integration. When using those apps, content can be shared to other users even if they do not have the app. The update also enables sharing to BBM 5.0 users, including pointing friends to new apps, and chatting from within BBM-connected apps.

BBM Social, the development framework used by app-creators to plug into BlackBerry Messenger, is still a relatively unique proposition, and keeps RIM slightly ahead of the new breed of copycats, like iMessage.

That blocky-looking BlackBerry Bold we saw last month has just been officially announced in India. As suspected, its a luxury do-over of the 9900, branded by Porsche. Aside from having a unique PIN starting 2AA, a custom-sculpted exterior, and an exclusive UI theme, the BlackBerry P'9981 has the same 5 megapixel camera without autofocus, 2.8-inch 640 x 480 touchscreen, OS 7, and 1.2 GHz processor.

Porsche has not pumped out a phone in awhile, and even then, their handsets tended to be feature phones with an excessive amount of attention put into the casing. While the Bold 9900 certainly is not the top-of-the-line in the smartphone world, its certainly passable, and likely a familiar face for the high rollers that tend to buy luxury phones. We have seen a fewgaudy after-market BlackBerry devices in the past, but this is the first time we have seen RIM partner up with a big-name brand to produce a luxury smartphone.

It seems like the future is happening today, as RIM has announced that the Blackberry Bold 9900 and the Blackberry Curve 9360 are the first ever SIM-totting NFC smartphones to be certified as MasterCard PayPass approved devices.

This means that both Blackberries have met the various security, interoperability and functionality requirements set by MasterCard and can now be used to pay at various NFC enabled stores around the world. The way any MasterCard PayPass-issuing bank globally will be able to connect your MasterCard to your SIM card in either the Bold 9900 or the Curve 9360.

Those of you itching to get your hands on the upcoming PlayBook OS update will have to wait until 2012, RIM says, and even then, it will be without stand-alone BlackBerry Messenger support. The first glimpse of OS 2.0 for RIM tablet is offering up an Android App Player, but there is still a lot more to add, like stand-alone e-mail, and other native productivity apps like calendar, contacts, and memopad.

Beyond that, a recent customer survey indicates that RIM looking at DLNA support, using a BlackBerry smartphone as a mouse/keyboard, more use of the LED indicator, and the addition of two-way Stereo Bluetooth in future PlayBook updates. The next batch of BlackBerry PlayBook 2.0 betas are going out to businesses registered with RIM Early Adopter Program, so they can presumably test enterprise management software.

Not long ago RIM announced its new BBX platform and the BBX OS for smartphones and tablets. We have already seen the a glimpse of the new platform in the Playbook, but what all BlackBerry loyal users expect to see is this new OS on a smartphone.

RIM has had unsatisfying sales and even some issues with its servers lately, so it is not among everybody favorites right now.

BlackBerry Colt will look much like the Torch 9860, but without the hardware keys. Its said to be thinner than the Bold 9900 and with the same stainless steel unibody. Note that the device in the picture is most probably a mockup, but should be very close to the truth.

The Colt is supposed to pack a dual-core processor, a 4.xx inches of display with 900px+ vertical resolution, front and rear cameras, similar battery as the one in the Playbook and TAT UI elements throughout the BBX OS.