RIM CONFIRMS PLAYBOOK OS 2.0 DELAYS UNTIL FEBRUARY, WILL SHIP WITHOUT BLACKBERRY MESSENGER

BGR is reporting, and RIM has confirmed, that the Blackberry Playbook OS 2.0 that was recently announced has been delayed until at least February 2012. The delay is due to serious challenges RIM has encountered getting native apps such as email, Blackberry Messenger and more working on the BlackBerry PlayBook. Additionally, RIM also relayed issues with BlackBerry Messenger integration, noting that BlackBerry Messenger will not be included in the native apps bundle of PlayBook OS 2.0, instead coming at a later date.

The company confirmed a workaround where the BlackBerry Messenger can still be used by connecting an existing BlackBerry smartphone with data plan over Bluetooth to the BlackBerry PlayBook using BlackBerry Bridge.

RIM TO INCLUDE FOURSQUARE SUPPORT TO BBM

During the BlackBerry World Keynote in Orlando this morning, Research In Motion announced that it is working with foursquare to include support for the social-network in an upcoming version of BlackBerry Messenger.

Users will be able to share their location information as their BBM status, but RIM execs didn’t go into much detail on how check-ins will work or just how feature rich the implementation will be. The native foursquare client, for example, allows users to find nearby deals, compete with friends for check-in points, and more.

RIM did not say when the client would make its debut, although we suspect it will be around the launch of its BlackBerry 7 powered Bold 9900, which will occur later this summer.