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Verizon's Blackberry Bold 9930 unveiled early thanks to website blunder
Oh boy, we don't envy the Verizon web admin who made this particular mis-click. If you go to VZW's sales page for the Blackberry 9650 and click on the "Explore Features" video, you get an unexpected treat: a walkthrough not of the 9650, but of the unreleased Bold 9930. The specs are familiar, like the 1.2GHz processor, 2.8-inch touchscreen and Blackberry 7 OS. But at least we now have it from the horse's mouth that the new Bold Touch is indeed coming to Verizon. We've stuck our own rip of the video after the break, as the original will likely disappear any second -- much like that poor web admin. [Thanks everyone who sent this in]
Verizon offering BlackBerry 6 upgrades for Bold 9650 and Curve 3G tonight
RIM and its partner carriers have been promising BlackBerry 6 updates for a number of recent models, and Verizon's getting a couple of the heavyweights out of the way today with the introduction of official upgrade packages for the Bold 9650 and Curve 3G 9330. In addition to universal search and an overall streamlined UI, one of the most important improvements here is the addition of RIM's WebKit-based browser that makes hitting your favorite pages moderately less painful than before. Look for the update to become available at 8:00PM Eastern this evening, both online (see the Source links for instructions) and over-the-air.
Skype supports Verizon's not-yet-released BlackBerry 6 upgrades for Curve 3G and Bold 9650
Verizon enjoys a tight relationship with Skype, so it makes sense that they'd want to make sure the Skype Mobile app is good and ready for upcoming products updates. To that end, Skype has already announced a refreshed app for two BlackBerry 6-powered models on Big Red that technically don't yet exist, the Bold 9650 and Curve 3G. At present, both of those handsets are still puttering along on version 5 -- but now that this is going down, we can't imagine the wait's going to be much longer.
Verizon scoop extravaganza: Motorola Venus with portrait QWERTY, Stingray LTE tablet, and more?
We've been tipped by multiple sources today on some interesting developments in Verizon's roadmap over the next couple quarters, and if you're a BlackBerry fan, an Android fan, or a fan of exceptionally fast data, you're probably going to want to tune in. Let's get right into the meat of it, shall we? Follow the break!
BlackBerry Bold 9650 gets a fresh 6.0 leak, might be stable this time
BlackBerry 6 has yet to hit any non-touchscreen (or non-Torch, for that matter) devices in an official capacity, but goodness knows that doesn't mean there aren't binaries floating around. A version labeled 6.0.0.222 for the Bold 9650 offered by the likes of Sprint, Verizon, and US Cellular has recently hit the streets, and it's apparently a good deal more solid than the older 6.0.0.80 that had been leaked previously -- so if you're the enterprising type and you've no interest in waiting for your carrier to get their butt in gear, this might be an option worth investigating. Proceed with caution as always, of course... or with wild abandon. Up to you.
Engadget's back to school guide: Mobile phones
Welcome to Engadget's Back to School guide! We know that this time of year can be pretty annoying and stressful for everyone, so we're here to help out with the heartbreaking process of gadget buying for the school-aged crowd. Today, we have mobile phones in our sights -- and you can head to the Back to School hub to see the rest of the product guides as they're added throughout the month. Back in our day, the only "mobile phone" at school was the one that broke off the dorm wall after our roommates got a little too rowdy, but nowadays, a capable, high-power handset is quickly becoming a must-have for students of all ages. Regardless of your budget, your parent's budget, or your little one's budget, we've got options that should help with studying, gaming, music, and maybe even the occasional call home.
US Cellular adding BlackBerry Bold 9650 tomorrow for $160
For a carrier that only offers the lowly Pearl Flip 8230 and Curve 8530 right now, you could definitely argue that regional US Cellular is in desperate need of a BlackBerry freshening -- and it's getting exactly that this week with the launch of the Bold 9650. Though it won't have BlackBerry 6 at launch, USCC's press release is quick to note that the phone is "BlackBerry 6 ready" and will be available as an upgrade "in the coming months." Like other 9650s in the field, this version offers a GSM / HSPA radio on board for global roaming capability, a 3.2 megapixel shooter, optical pad, and -- of course -- all the portrait QWERTY action you can handle. Look for it in stores tomorrow for $159.95 after a $70 rebate on a new two-year deal.
Bold 9650 spied running BlackBerry 6
RIM has already gone on record saying that the CDMA-equipped Bold 9650 has been mercifully tapped for a BlackBerry 6 upgrade "subject to carrier certifications in the months ahead," but where's the proof, RIM? How do we know you're not just spouting a bald-faced lie? Okay, okay, we don't doubt BlackBerry 6 is coming for the 9650 owners out there, but it's still nice to see a few shots of a Verizon-branded model with the new code in the wild. Word on the street is that it's running really slow right now, so it might be a while until they iron out enough kinks to get it to retail -- but who knows, maybe we can count on a leaked firmware or three in the meantime.
Verizon's BlackBerry Bold 9650 is actually in stores now
You could order the Bold 9650 from Verizon all the way back in the early days of June -- but in case you needed to see the phone before buying it, you've now got an opportunity (spoiler: it's exactly what you think it is in real life). As of late last week, the phone is now available in Verizon retail stores for the same $150 on contract after rebate that you'll pay online, so pick your poison -- or, you know, hold out for a Droid X, Droid Incredible, or the like if you're ready for a clean break out of the last decade.
BlackBerry Bold 9650 hits Verizon tomorrow for $150 after contract
...and it's official! The BlackBerry Bold 9650 will be available for online ordering from Verizon beginning June 3rd (that's tomorrow) and in Verizon stores starting on June 10th. This is the provider's first global handset with GlobalAccess Connect tethering, and in keeping with the "global" theme transnational road warriors can look forward to worldwide VZ Navigator (including Canada, Mexico, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Spain, Sweden and of course ol' Blighty). Expect to pay $150 after $100 rebate and a two-year contract. PR after the break.
BlackBerry Bold 9650 sales kicking off on Verizon this week?
We can't vouch for the authenticity here, but a shot over Berry Reporter alleges that Big Red will finally start taking orders for the Bold 9650 via direct fulfillment this week -- on June 3, to be exact. Considering Verizon's time-honored tradition of being all over RIM's latest CDMA releases on the double (probably because their development is funded largely by Verizon's orders), we're actually kind of surprised it's not on shelves already; it's possible that Sprint negotiated a short, sweet exclusivity period for itself just to get a little bit of a head start, we suppose. Anyhow, if you don't want to mail-order this thing, the shot goes on to say that you'll be able to check it out and buy it in stores on the 10th of the month, so hold tight. [Thanks, Christopher K.]
Verizon's BlackBerry Bold 9650 seems like it's coming soon (this week?)
We know, Tour owners -- you're so ready for a little WiFi in your life that you could quite literally scream. Go ahead, let it out! There, doesn't that feel better? No? Well, maybe this will: new shots out of The BlackBerry Zone suggest that Verizon sales reps are being actively trained on the Bold 9650, adding to a trail of evidence over the past month from a variety of sites that the phone is coming shortly. It certainly should, considering the relative importance of BlackBerrys in Verizon's lineup and the fact that Sprint now has it at retail, and it's still possible that documentation on CrackBerry last month pointing to a May 27 release -- that's this Thursday, for the record -- is accurate. We'll know soon enough, but in the meantime, treat those old trackballs with care, alright? [Thanks, Steve]
Sprint BlackBerry Bold 9650 goes on sale a little early
It looks like Sprint couldn't wait to share its version of the BlackBerry Bold 9650 with the world -- it went on sale online today, a week before its scheduled May 23rd launch. You're looking at $199 on a two-year deal, but unless you're dying for a new 'berry we can't say we're finding this Tour-with-an-optical-pad even remotely as exciting as the EVO 4G, which is due on June 4. But it's still quite handsome, right? That's... something. [Thanks, Geo]
BlackBerry Bold 9650 granted FCC approval
What does RIM need to meet its May launch window for the Bold 9650? Well, a few things, actually: carrier approval, sufficient manufacturing capacity and launch stock, and -- oh yeah -- FCC certification. We can't speak to the first two, really, but we've now got confirmation that the third item is squared away now that the 9650's documents have flown into the FCC's filing system. There's not much to see here besides confirmation that it'll support EV-DO Rev. A and 850 / 1900MHz EDGE (although you'll never be using it stateside) , but at least you can rest a little easier tonight knowing that the feds won't be trying to stop RIM from turning this thing into reality later this month.
BlackBerry Bold 9650 video hands-on
We'll be very honest with you: unless you're a Tour user amped to upgrade to something that directly addresses your specific complaints, this video might be of little interest. That said, we were able to browse a little site called Engadget (using the same old non-WebKit browser, of course) over the Bold 9650's newfound WiFi support, and while it wasn't about to set any speed records, it'll take some more comprehensive analysis to understand how much blame the WiFi radio, the hotspot, and the browser's rendering engine should take, respectively. We totally dig the optical pad over the old trackball (pardon our stupidity in the video where we attempt to keep scrolling beyond the end of the page -- it wasn't the Bold's fault, honest), and the keyboard is every bit as good as it is on the Tour of old. Check the full, mind-bending experience on video after the break.
BlackBerry Bold 9650 hands-on: yeah, it's a Tour with an optical pad
If you had any illusions about what exactly the Bold 9650 is, make no mistake: owning a Tour takes you 95 percent of the way to understanding the experience. The only thing you'll really notice on an ongoing basis is the optical pad, which is definitely a big improvement over the trackball of old -- not only does it eliminate the issue of gunk buildup, but it's totally responsive and arguably even easier to use than the ball for most tasks. The version we used was Sprint-branded, but RIM has unbranded units on hand, too; we can only assume Verizon will end up picking it up, though Big Red has been uncharacteristically silent about the matter so far. Hit up the quick gallery below (or, you know, take your Tour and just tape a picture of an optical pad over the trackball to get the experience firsthand). %Gallery-91807% %Gallery-91813%
BlackBerry Bold 9650 and Pearl 3G outed
Oops, looks like The Street leaked RIM's big unveil for later this morning at its WES show: the BlackBerry Bold 9650 (pictured left looking very Tour like) and BlackBerry Pearl 3G. The Bold 9650 boasts 802.11b/g WiFi, a 3.2 megapixel cam, GPS, and support for US EV-DO Rev A networks or UMTS/HSPDA when abroad -- look for it to launch next month on Sprint. The Pearl 3G is headed to Bell, Telus, and Rogers in Canada with a 3.2 megapixel camera, 802.11n WiFi, GPS, and triband HSDPA data with quadband GSM / EDGE. Both feature RIM's new optical trackpad. Hold tight while we wait for more detail from RIM. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
