If you have a BlackBerry® smartphone and a Facebook® page, chances are you also use the Facebook for BlackBerry smartphones app. (It even got an awesome new upgrade yesterday!) After talking with my friends, most of them tell me it’s the most frequently-used app on their device and the primary way they access Facebook. Today I’ve put together some of my favorite tips that I share with friends when I’m asked about the Facebook for BlackBerry smartphones app.

Before we begin, if you don’t have Facebook for BlackBerry smartphones installed currently, open the BlackBerry App World™ storefront on your device, press the Menu key, select “Scan a Barcode” and scan this code to get it installed:

1. Receive Notifications in the Messages App

Let’s get things started with my favorite tip: integrating your Facebook notifications with the Message app on your BlackBerry smartphone. Having my Facebook notifications appear in the messages app allows me to check them, send them via email, share them using BlackBerry® Messenger (BBM™) and more all in one place. If I have a Facebook notification I want to read, I can simply select it and Facebook for BlackBerry smartphones opens to display the content.

Read more at the Inside BlackBerry Help Blog »

Refreshed icons with a personalized touch

One of the first differences you’ll notice in the upgraded version is updated icons. The cool feature of note here is the personalized touch, as the generic profile icon has been replaced with your most current Facebook profile picture.

Never miss another friend’s birthday with enhanced birthday alerts

Facebook for BlackBerry v3.2 allows you to integrate the birthdays of your Facebook friends into your BlackBerry device calendar, providing you with a timely reminder to post a birthday message from your home screen – without even opening the Facebook app. And if this is too much or if you liked it the old way, no problem – that’s where the customization options come in handy.

In-app Facebook Event support puts you at the center of the party

With enhanced Facebook Event support in v3.2, you can now view information about an event, post a message to the event’s wall, view profiles of invited guests, and receive event notifications from your BlackBerry smartphone.

Head over to BlackBerry App World now to upgrade to Facebook for BlackBerry smartphones v3.2. Because let’s be honest — you’ll want to stay on top of all the details around that epic Halloween party being planned.

*App may take up to 24 hours to appear in BlackBerry App World

The latest update to Facebook® for BlackBerry® PlayBook™ tablet – version 2.1 – launched today in the BlackBerry App World™ storefront, and I’m excited to share that it includes a much-requested feature from #TeamBlackBerry – Facebook Groups. That’s right, listening to and incorporating your feedback on the application is very important to the Facebook app team here at Research In Motion. It helps us to deliver the features and functionality that users like you want and expect. So keep those suggestions* coming, #TeamBlackBerry!

If you haven’t already downloaded Facebook for BlackBerry PlayBook tablet v2.1, you can do so by going to BlackBerry App World (keep in mind it may take up to 24 hours for the new version to appear for some users). Let’s take a look at what’s new in this release, shall we?

Facebook Groups

Facebook Groups is designed to let you share and interact with the groups that you are interested in the most. With Facebook Groups on the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet, you can view groups that you’re a member of, post updates, photos and videos, view profiles of group members and send messages, and get notified of new group posts and interactions so you never miss an update.

Improved Media Access

You let us know in your comments and feedback that media viewing and uploading wasn’t intuitive in the application. We heard you loud and clear, and the Facebook app team has made some improvements by adding new photo and video buttons on the Photos tab to make it even easier to view friends’ photos and videos from their Profiles. The photo and video uploading capabilities are also now more apparent on the Photo tab, and are accessible from your Profile or through the Photos feature on the navigation grid. Simply click the Photos or Videos button to upload the corresponding media type.

Remember to post a comment below to let us know what you think of this latest version or even what you’d like to see in future versions – we love hearing your feedback.

* By posting a comment below you acknowledge that you have read and accept these terms and conditions and that any ideas you post will be the property of RIM in accordance with the terms and conditions.

Greetings #TeamBlackBerry! I hope everyone has enjoyed the summer so far – anybody have any big plans for the last bit of the season? Based on the number of responses to our tweet “What would you say you do most on your #BlackBerry?”, I’d say you’re all planning to stay very busy, and a big part of what you’ll do is stay in constant touch with your friends and share all that’s happening. Below, see the Top 5 BlackBerry® apps according to #TeamBlackBerry. (BTW: For my end of summer vacation, I’m planning a little bit of a Europe trip, including Amsterdam, Munich, Interlaken, Marseilles, Monte-Carlo, Ibiza, Barcelona, UK, and Ireland! Good thing I’ve got the BlackBerry® Travel app installed to help keep my plans in order. Download it now and take it for a spin if you’re a travel warrior like me!)

#1 – BlackBerry Messenger (BBM)

When it comes to must-have apps on a BlackBerry® smartphone, BlackBerry® Messenger™ (BBM™) was the most mentioned – no surprise! Currently I use BBM to keep in touch with my friends locally and globally (I’ll do so especially on my Euro-trip), and it sounds like many of you do this as well. As a bonus tip: Did you know that you can use BBM over Wi-Fi®*? If you use BBM in different countries, just sync up to an accessible Wi-Fi network and enjoy BlackBerry Messenger!

Download BBM right now!

#2 – Email

The second most popular application selected by #TeamBlackBerry members to use on their BlackBerry smartphone is email. The ease and speed with which a BlackBerry smartphone delivers your email to you was a big winner. No surprises here: this is what BlackBerry smartphones are known for!

#3 – Twitter for BlackBerry smartphones

#TeamBlackBerry loves to tweet, and that’s why Twitter® for BlackBerry® smartphones comes in at number 3 in our list of the Top 5 BlackBerry apps. Twitter® for BlackBerry smartphones allows me to see what all my Twitter friends are up to, and to let them know what I thought of the latest episode of Game of Thrones (Ned!).

Download Twitter for BlackBerry smartphones

#4 – BlackBerry Camera

I know from firsthand experience how important it is to take photos on the go, and a BlackBerry smartphone allows you to do this quickly and easily! So it’s not surprising that at number 4, #TeamBlackBerry members selected the BlackBerry smartphone camera as one of the apps they use most. BTW, have you taken a look at our Tips and Tricks for taking photos on your BlackBerry smartphone blog post? Also, be sure you visit our BlackBerry Images albums on Flickr®, which are populated with pictures that you guys submit to us on Twitter! (A highlight is the BlackBerry Travels album – I’m sensing a travel theme, here…)

#5 – Facebook for BlackBerry smartphones

Finally, a huge number of you use your BlackBerry smartphones to check up on your Facebook® profile, upload pictures and chat with your friends while you’re on the go. I know I use the app extensively day in and day out, especially to share cool pictures I take with my friends. Be sure to check out our post on Facebook for BlackBerry smartphones v2.0, and then download Facebook for BlackBerry smartphones!

Take care #TeamBlackBerry, until next time!

*Data plan required.

(YouTube link for mobile viewing)

The Facebook® team here at Research In Motion® (RIM®) is excited to announce that the official Facebook for BlackBerry® smartphones v2.0 app has left beta and is launching in the BlackBerry App World™ storefront! For those of you who haven’t had a chance to check out Facebook for BlackBerry smartphones v2.0 in BlackBerry® Beta Zone, you’re in for a real treat with this next generation of the Facebook for BlackBerry smartphones app. This is our most significant release since the initial launch more than three years ago. The Facebook for BlackBerry smartphones v2.0 app features a complete user interface makeover and is packed full of new features that we’re sure our 38+ million active users are going to love.

(Please note: The Facebook for BlackBerry smartphones v2.0 app is available for users running BlackBerry® Device Software v5.0 and up. To check your device’s version of software and update if applicable, see this Inside BlackBerry Help Blog post: How to identify BlackBerry Device Software versions.)

We shot a video of Douglas chatting with Blake from the RIM Facebook team about the top five Facebook for BlackBerry smartphones v2.0 app features. Click the link below if you want to read along with the video!

1. Brand New User Interface

It’s impossible to miss the sleek new design of the Facebook for BlackBerry smartphones v2.0 app, which includes a new navigation grid and a notifications bar that borrows from the BlackBerry® 6 “Today View”, plus Messages, Friend Requests and Chats all in one handy location.

2. Facebook Chat

You asked for it and now you’ve got it! Facebook Chat is fully integrated with your BlackBerry® smartphone, so you can start a conversation within the Facebook for BlackBerry smartphones app or from the Messages app on your smartphone. You’ll never need to worry about missing a chat message, since you’ll be notified of new chat messages even when you’re not using the Facebook app. Now that’s reliable communication!

3. Improved News Feed

Now you can scroll effortlessly through your Facebook News Feed without accidentally clicking ‘Like’, and you can interact with your friend’s posts in just two clicks. Simply click the ‘More’ button (+) to ‘Like’ or add a comment to a post. The enhanced publisher functionality allows you to post photos to your Wall, add an update, or check in to a Facebook Place right from the News Feed.

Additionally, there’s Redefined Notifications – you’ll never miss a beat in your social life now that you’re notified of polled items (that is, notifications that aren’t delivered through BlackBerry® push technology), such as ‘Likes’ and Event Wall posts.

4. Enhanced Profiles

The new Profile interface now provides Wall, Info, and Photos tabs for an even better browsing experience. New to v2.0 is the ability to view key information on Profiles and Pages, such as contact info, basic info like birthdays, hometown and relationship status, and likes and interests. Plus, you can discover which friends you have in common with another user with the Mutual Friends feature. You can also now view a user’s Friends List from their Profile if their privacy settings permit this.

5. Core Integration with your BlackBerry smartphone

Nothing says Super App more than deep integration with core BlackBerry functionality! The Facebook for BlackBerry smartphone v2.0 app is integrated everywhere you expect it to be, like your BlackBerry Message list, BlackBerry Contacts, BlackBerry Calendar, BlackBerry Browser…and now it’s even integrated with BlackBerry® Messenger (BBM™). You can share Facebook posts with BBM contacts and invite friends to BBM when you come across a PIN posted on Facebook.

There are many other new features for you to discover in Facebook for BlackBerry smartphones v2.0. For more information, you can check out our previous beta blog posts, or better yet, head on over to BlackBerry App World to check out the app for yourself. Please note: It may take up to 24 hours for the new version of Facebook for BlackBerry smartphones v2.0 to appear in BlackBerry App World for some users.

As always, we’d love to hear your feedback, so drop us a line in the comments below and tell us what you think, and if you haven’t already, make sure to Like our Official BlackBerry Facebook Page.

Today marks the fourth beta release of Facebook® for BlackBerry® smartphones v2.0. Over the course of the last several months, we’ve introduced a slew of new features and functionality. Starting with the initial Facebook for BlackBerry smartphones v2.0 beta release, we introduced Facebook Chat and a brand-new interface. In the Facebook for BlackBerry smartphones v2.0 beta refresh, we added support for BlackBerry® Device Software 5.0 in addition to some new features and performance enhancements. And the Facebook for BlackBerry smartphones v2.0 beta 3 release included some of the top requested features, like Wi-Fi® support, the ability to delete comments and posts, and a new prompt that appears before you delete a Facebook message.

To add to the lineup of features in Facebook v2.0, this beta release includes some highly anticipated additions.

Enhanced Notifications – Get Notified of ‘Likes’

We’ve made several improvements to notifications; the first is that you’ll be now be notified of polled items (that is, notifications that aren’t delivered through BlackBerry® push technology), such as ‘Likes’ and Event Wall posts. The notification will even tell you who and what was ‘Liked’, so you’ll never miss a beat in your social life. By default, polled notifications will be set to a one-hour frequency but you can check as often as you like by selecting Refresh from the Menu.

And not to worry, polled notifications won’t drain your battery or consume unnecessary network usage since polling activity will automatically adjust according to your usage. For example, polling activity will be reduced during the night when the device is inactive.

After upgrading to the latest beta release, you’ll also notice upon initial sign-in that any notifications received over the last seven days will be populated in the notifications bar.

Cross-Channel Messaging – Share Facebook Content across BlackBerry Messaging Applications

Want to share something on Facebook with a contact from your BlackBerry® Messenger (BBM™) application? No problem! Deep integration of Facebook with core BlackBerry applications means you can efficiently send News Feed items to other messaging applications, like email, SMS, BBM, Twitter® and more. (Did you know you can also share content from Twitter for BlackBerry smartphones and Social Feeds with the Facebook for BlackBerry smartphones app? Try it out!)

Enhanced Integration with BlackBerry Native Apps

Building on enhanced integration with native BlackBerry smartphone apps, which was introduced with the Facebook for BlackBerry smartphones v2.0 beta refresh, Facebook v2.0 now includes additional messaging options from the ‘More’ button within a Profile and from the Friends list.

In-App Error Reporting

If you haven’t already downloaded the BlackBerry Feedback Tool from BlackBerry App World, you can install it through the Menu in the Facebook for BlackBerry smartphones app. The BlackBerry Feedback Tool can be used to send feedback on BlackBerry smartphone features, functions and applications at any time and is currently available in English only.

Touch Toolbar

BlackBerry smartphone users with a touch screen device will now have Compose, Reply and Delete icons located along the bottom of the device screen in the Facebook Inbox for quick and easy access to these popular features. (UPDATE June 30/2011: Touch Toolbar is only available for BlackBerry 6 users.)

To download the latest beta version, you need to register to become a BlackBerry® Beta Zone member. Please note that you must reside in one of the BlackBerry Beta Zone supported countries in order to participate in the latest beta release.

As we near the end of the Facebook for BlackBerry smartphones v2.0 beta program, I invite you to please post a comment below to share your feedback and tell us what you think about this latest release.

Attention, Facebook® for BlackBerry® smartphones users! Following the initial Facebook for BlackBerry smartphones v2.0 beta release and the Facebook for BlackBerry smartphones v2.0 beta refresh released shortly after that, we’re pleased to announce the third beta release which includes some of the most requested features: Wi-Fi® support, the ability to delete comments and posts, and a new prompt that appears before you delete a Facebook message.

Let’s take a look at the new features in more detail.

Wi-Fi Support

Wi-Fi support is here! Now you can stay connected with friends and enjoy the full functionality of the Facebook app for BlackBerry smartphones while in a Wi-Fi environment.

Note: To receive push notifications while connected on Wi-Fi, a BlackBerry data plan with web browsing enabled is required.

Delete Comments and Posts

With this third Facebook beta release, you can now delete unwanted posts and comments. If you don’t like what someone has posted on your Wall, or if you want to remove a comment you’ve posted on a friend’s wall, or even get rid of a status update that you’ve published, you can simply choose to delete it.

Delete Prompt

Previously, when you deleted a Facebook message from the Facebook for BlackBerry smartphones app, it was also permanently deleted from your Facebook account. You can now select whether you want to delete a message from the Facebook for BlackBerry smartphone application or from your Facebook account, or both. The choice is yours!

To download the latest beta version, you need to register to become a BlackBerry® Beta Zone member. Please note that you must reside in one of the BlackBerry Beta Zone supported countries in order to participate in the latest beta release.

Note: BlackBerry Beta Zone participants will require a new keycode for downloading this latest beta version. If you experience difficulties retrieving a keycode, please visit the BlackBerry Beta Zone discussion thread for steps on how to obtain a new one. To access the thread, you must be a participant of the Facebook 2.0 beta program.

We always appreciate your feedback and strive to accommodate your requests as quickly as possible. Post a comment and let us know what you think of the latest beta version of Facebook for BlackBerry smartphones. With that said, we have a few more features in store for our next release, so stay tuned!