Today, we’re happy to announce that the latest LinkedIn app update for BlackBerry 6 and 7 smartphones is now available for download on BlackBerry World. The new 2.2 version provides more tools to keep you connected to your LinkedIn professional network while on the go. New features to check out include the ability to share updates with BlackBerry Messenger contacts and follow companies.

BBM-Connected Status Updates

BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) has always been an integral component of the BlackBerry platform, providing a valuable communication tool for messaging between friends and business users alike. With the launch of version 2.2, the LinkedIn app for BlackBerry is now integrated with BBM. This allows you to share your LinkedIn posts with your BBM contacts, maximizing the experience over both networks. You will also see LinkedIn updates reflected on the “BBM Recent Updates” screen.

Follow Companies

LinkedIn is a great channel for connecting with companies and receiving information on their products and services, resources, job openings, and other updates. The LinkedIn 2.2 update on BlackBerry enables you to follow the companies you’re interested in by subscribing to LinkedIn company pages.

To download LinkedIn 2.2 for BlackBerry, head on over to the BlackBerry World store front. Note that it may take up to 24 hours for the app to appear, depending on your location. Also, make sure you’re following the BlackBerry company page on LinkedIn for the latest BlackBerry news!

Download LinkedIn 2.2 for BlackBerry 6 and 7 smartphones

What LinkedIn features do you use to stay connected with your professional network? Share with us in the comments section below.

The LinkedIn app update makes it even easier to stay connected on the go by allowing you to sync and merge your LinkedIn connections with existing BlackBerry contacts in your address book. And, with the new “Groups and More” tab, you can view saved and recommended jobs and access, add, view and participate in the groups that matter to you most.

Jobs

The new LinkedIn “Groups and More” tab allows you to access even more key areas of LinkedIn right from the navigation screen, including jobs. With this feature, you can easily access the jobs you’ve saved and browse ones that are recommended for you. And remember, when you’re done looking at jobs you can get back to the main navigation screen by tapping the LinkedIn logo at the top left-hand corner of the app.

Groups

LinkedIn 2.1 makes it even easier to stay up-to-date with the groups that are most important to you. The “Groups and More” tab makes it simple to access groups that you’ve already joined and participate by viewing and adding content. You can also easily view pending group memberships and access a list of groups that LinkedIn recommends for you and join them with just one tap.

Contact Sync

With the new Contact Sync feature, finding out detailed professional information about the colleagues in your next business meeting is as easy as looking them up in your address book. The app allows you to connect your existing BlackBerry contacts with your LinkedIn connections, and where no contact exists, the app can optionally create a new one for you. This helps to make keeping track of your business connections and interactions easier than ever.

We can’t wait for you to try these new features that make the new LinkedIn app even more interactive and in turn make you more productive. Download LinkedIn 2.1 for BlackBerry smartphones today to ensure that you have the latest tools to put your professional network in the palm of your hands.

Once you’ve gotten the update, check out our BlackBerry for Business discussion group on LinkedIn – a place for professionals, administrators, and business owners discuss the latest on BlackBerry solutions and trends, as well as a touch-point for you to speak with us directly.

Which new feature are you most excited to try out? Let us know in the comments below.

Note: The LinkedIn app for BlackBerry smartphones requires BlackBerry OS 6 or higher, as well as a Wi-Fi connection or data plan in order to function properly. Learn more about regional availability and language preferences on the BlackBerry World storefront.

While I was in Washington D.C. a few weeks ago, both on one of the BlackBerry® commuter shuttles and at the first Appy Hour event, I had a chance to help out with some more demonstrations of the BlackBerry® 7 OS and BlackBerry® PlayBook™ tablets. Even though I use these devices on a daily basis, I love to explore the functions and tie the features into everyday business and personal use cases. Showcasing them to those viewing the devices and software for the first time makes it even better!

After walking through a few demonstrations of BlackBerry 7 smartphones and BlackBerry PlayBook tablets, I think a few of the biggest hits were remote control via BlackBerry Bridge, the overall interface of the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet (including the intuitive bezel gestures), and the mini-HDMI output that allows you to present on a projector, TV, or monitor at full HD 1080p.

As for BlackBerry 7 OS, the liquid graphics certainly pack a punch – but beyond the performance and sleek hardware, built-in apps like the updated BlackBerry® Travel, BlackBerry® Maps (with new contextual deals), and BlackBerry® Mobile Conferencing make the devices a must have for business.

The truth is, many organizations and individuals are using BlackBerry® 6 smartphones – and while we all have a soft spot for our original BlackBerry devices, we still want to get the latest and greatest into your hands! Unpacking some of the features of the top-of-the-line BlackBerry 7 OS models was a great experience, and the responses were fantastic as all involved were able to easily see how these can translate into more productivity at work and more intuitive connections to friends, family, and colleagues.

Cool phones…but what I get isn’t up to me!

Hands-on demos are great and all, but with many organizations in government providing the devices for work use, how can you actually make an upgrade happen? We’re trying to help with that too. Head over to www.upgrademenow.com to get some help on making that business case, or to learn how you can trade up a personally owned phone for a newer model (there are some amazing deals that can come along with this if you’re eligible!). Check it out today, and let us know how it goes.

Have you upgraded from BlackBerry 6 to a BlackBerry 7 OS smartphone? What do you like best about the new model? Share in the comments below.

Have you seen the new BlackBerry® Style™ 9670 smartphone yet? It’s got a full QWERTY keyboard and trackpad with a flip form factor. It’s also the first BlackBerry smartphone without a touchscreen to be loaded with BlackBerry® 6 – so great features like Universal Search, Social Feeds and the new BlackBerry Browser are all there.

You can check out Becky’s interview with product manager Randy Carson on Inside BlackBerry today where they chat about the unique features of the BlackBerry Style!

Last week we introduced you to the BlackBerry® PlayBook™ tablet and BlackBerry® Tablet OS. The BlackBerry Tablet OS is based on technology by QNX® Software Systems, which is one of the most reliable, secure and robust operating system architectures in the world. If you are interested in learning more about the QNX® Neutrino® OS (you might be surprised where it is already being used today!), key features of BlackBerry Tablet OS and more, I invite you to check out this post on our sister site: an interview with Mike Kirkup (Director of Developer Relations at RIM) and Dan Dodge (Cofounder and CEO of QNX Software Systems).

Read more about the BlackBerry Tablet OS at the BlackBerry Developer’s Blog »