BGR Weekend is our weekly column that we introduced last week. It recollects all the important events that happen in the world of our tech. Today we have covered all the major news that transpired in the world of the Canadian vendor RIM, from the BlackBerry 9220 launch to why the vendor might want to open source its BlackBerry OS. Hit the break to continue reading.

Firstly the most important news about RIM that is doing the rounds is that the Canadian vendor may soon open source its BlackBerry OS which means we could see devices from other vendors in future to be based on the BlackBerry OS. Following the Android approach, which is also an open source platform and is used by a variety of the manufacturers, RIM is trying to revive its fading business and to boost its stagnated sales.

BlackBerry PlayBook has recently received an update from RIM that bumps its software up to PlayBook OS 2.0.1. The update offers an improved browsing experience, better support for Android apps, optimizations to the Video Chat, PIM, and BlackBerry Bridge applications and also fixes other miscellaneous bug. Users can download and install the update from the Software Updates tool in the Settings app on the BlackBerry PlayBook now.

Talking of the BlackBerry Playbook reminds me that a few apps have made their way into the BlackBerry App World. Although there has been a few paid versions of Wikipedia app in the BlackBerry App World, the official Wikipedia app has now been released as a free download for all BlackBerry PlayBook owners. The app itself has plenty of features built in such as nearby search, ability to open articles in the browser, read search results in different languages and even the adjustment of the font size.

Another app that has been added to the BlackBerry App Store is the VVM Messenger app developed by Karta Mobile which basically allows users to send short voice messages to their BBM friends on the BBM Messenger. This one is a great timesaving app if you want to get your point across quickly without having to type out several paragraphs.

Finally we have a budget Curve smartphone with us in the form of the BlackBerry 9220 which was launched a day before yesterday by the Canadian vendor. And RIM is trying to popularize it by saying its the first BlackBerry device to have FM Radio. However, its affordable pricing is one of its lucrative factors which might entice you to buy this device in case you’re a BlackBerry fan.

Apart from launching this new handset, RIM has also opened its first premium BlackBerry store in Delhi. We will be bringing a walk through of the store early next week.

We all know RIM’s Jim Balsillie stepped down as the CEO but what we didn’t know was the fact that he had a “radical” plan that could have proved useful to avoid all those llosses and shipment drops which the company has been lately undergoing. Balsillie wanted to use his company’s network to offer inexpensive data plans and services to non-BlackBerry devices, but the plan never gained traction before he stepped down. The idea was the service would entice users of traditional cellphones to upgrade to smartphones without having to pay for a costly data plan. Users would have been able to use BlackBerry Messenger on non-BlackBerry devices.

Research In Motion (RIM) has announced a slew of BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) connected apps that will enable BlackBerry users to chat and share with their BBM contacts without leaving the app. The biggest and most popular connected apps are Twitter and Facebook. The updated versions of both apps will be available within the next 10 days on the App World.

RIM claims there are already over 800 BBM connected apps on its app store. It has also updated its BBM app (version 6.2) and App World (version 3.1.2). With the latest version of BBM, users will get new animated avatars, ability to send voice notes and “a simpler way to update status message.”

The Indian givernment has finally found a way to encrypt data from BlackBerry and other popular email services sch as Yahoo, Skype, Nokia Pushmail, Gmail and others. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is working on a model wherein direct tapping of BBM services would be possible instead of sending requests to RIM for surveillance. To sort out this issue, the MHA has set up a server, controlled by a team of officers which would help in direct linkage with the servers of these giants for interception.

The MHA has also suggested that the interception of email services by Yahoo, Nokia Pushmail and Gmail can take place if these service providers ensure that all emails accessed from India are routed through servers located in India. Conversations through Skype would soon get intercepted as well, with Skype planning to set up India-centric software.

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The stars are simply not lining up for BlackBerry maker Research In Motion (RIM). After losing the BBX trademark and having to rename its upcoming smartphone platform to BlackBerry 10, RIM is facing a much critical trademark lawsuit for its insanely popular BlackBerry Messenger service, which it re-branded to BBM in a massive marketing campaign in 2010. Canada’s The Globe and Mail reports that BBM Canada, a broadcast industry group, had filed a lawsuit against RIM, which will be heard on January 11. RIM had applied to trademark BBM but were told by the Canadian Intellectual Property Office that the trademark was not registrable. Still, RIM went ahead with the re-branding exercise. BBM Canada offered to re-brand itself considering RIM was a much bigger brand, provided RIM covered the costs. The talks failed and led to BBM Canada filing a lawsuit. RIM cannot afford to lose BBM, which has over 50 million users worldwide and is one of the key USPs of its BlackBerry smartphones, unlike BBX which won’t hit markets until late next year.

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BlackBerry has released an updated version of its popular BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) service that enables app developers to integrate BBM chat and other features directly into their apps. With BBM 6, users will be able to post status updates directly from compatible apps, invite people to download an app or even play games together while chatting. The update is being pushed via BlackBerry’s App World so keep your eyes peeled. Hit the break for a couple of videos on how BBM 6 works.

Research In Motion (RIM), the makers of BlackBerry smartphones, is set to launch a BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) only plan with Indian carriers. The plan will give users access only to the popular BBM IM service and won’t support e-mails or Internet browsing. The company is expected to announce this plan very soon, most probably in the first week of May. This would mark an important milestone for BlackBerry, which for all these years has been known only for its handling of e-mails. With lower priced phones, RIM has been successful in capturing users outside its traditional corporate subscribers and this move will only make it more popular among youngsters, for whom getting mails as soon as it lands is not as important as being able to chat with their circle of friends for free. The timing is perfect – summer vacations are here – and all that remains to be seen is the monthly subscription charges for this plan. I’d reckon it would be below Rs 100 but for me, the sweet spot would be Rs 49. We will keep our ears to the ground for more dope on this one.