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China Telecom launches BlackBerry... the BlackBerry Storm, that is
When a carrier announces that it's adding BlackBerry devices and BES support to its lineup, very rarely does that mean a touchscreen BlackBerry -- but hey, crazier things have happened. China's CDMA-based giant, China Telecom, has announced a partnership with RIM to bring the Storm (the original 9530, as far as we can tell) into the mix in the second half of this month, available in some sixteen provinces for a yet-to-be-announced price. At any rate, it's fair to assume your privacy will be compromised at no additional charge.
Skype mobile heading to Verizon smartphones on March 25th
We knew it was coming, and now we have a concrete date. Starting this Thursday, March 25th, Verizon Wireless customers with one of nine select smartphones (Motorola Droid and Devour, HTC Droid Eris, various BlackBerrys) and data plan will be able to use Skype over the 3G network. As we heard before, Skype-to-Skype calls will not affect your VZW minutes, and now you've got the option to use the app for cheaper international dialing using the mobile app. Full list of compatible devices after the break, a list we're hoping gets expanded in the not-so-distant future.
Original BlackBerry Storm to get flick scrolling, better browsing through firmware update?
Despite Verizon's best efforts to ignore the obvious, RIM's BlackBerry Storm2 is not only official, it's (un)officially destined for Big Red's airwaves. If you're one of those slightly disgruntled Storm 9530 owners, however, you could be looking at a rather nice firmware update coming your way in the near future. According to phoneArena, the Storm and Storm2 will eventually be "practically identical" in terms of software, with a forthcoming update to add flick scrolling, tabbed browsing and threaded texting to the original. Of course, we should probably wait for VZW to confirm the existence of the Storm2 before expecting any formal word on this, but feel free to go about your day with cautious optimism.
BlackBerry Storm gets a freshly leaked upgrade to OS 5.0
Will Verizon release an official update to 5.0 for the current generation of the Storm? Maybe -- it's a total crap shoot -- but even if they do, your children's children could be having midlife crises before it's actually released considering the glacial pace that Verizon typically gets new hardware and software to market. Of course, that's partly thanks to an infamously back-breaking testing regimen that helps Verizon consistently earn high marks for network quality and generally keeps customers off the support lines, but for those of us who want nothing more than to live on the edge, it's good to see that another packaged 5.0 update for the 9530 has hit the wires -- this one versioned 5.0.0.230. We imagine this one's leaps and bounds more stable than the nearly unusable stuff from earlier this summer, and initial reports from users seems to indicate as much -- the camera works (always a good thing) and there seem to be countless minor tweaks and fixes that folks are describing as "promising." As always, your average BlackBerry user who relies on the phone day in and day out might want to wait for something a little less leaky -- but like we said, it could be a bit of a wait.
Verizon blowing out Storms for $49.99 -- you know what that means
Pardon the pun, but we've got the perfect storm here: the Storm 2 is undoubtedly just around the corner, the holiday shopping season is a stone's throw away, and Verizon's probably sitting on a fat pile of stagnating Storm inventory that's gotta go. What's North America's largest carrier to do? Drop pricing on the original through the floor, of course, which means you can now pick up the 9530 for a scant $49.99 on a two-year contract after rebate. If you recall, it went for $199.99 at launch, so it's a decent deal (for Verizon, anyway -- it's been easy to get a free Storm through third parties for a while now), so just don't freak out on us when the replacement hits any month now, alright? [Via PhoneArena]
Verizon drops BlackBerry Storm price to $99.99 on contract
With all signs (and by "all," we mean "all") pointing to a new Storm joining Verizon Wireless' lineup in the not-too-distant future, it's just about the perfect time to start discounting the current model in hopes of working that inventory down before the inevitable launch of numero dos. Starting today, VZW customers can snap up the SurePress-equipped Storm 9530 for $99.99 on contract, which is a full Benjamin less than it has been since debuting last November. If you're looking for a word of advice on the situation, here's ours: hold out for the next revision -- you'll thank us later.[Thanks, Cara]
BlackBerry Storm 9530 firmware build 4.7.0.148 leaked -- possibly Verizon's next release?
So there's a new build of the 9530's firmware floating around; this is pretty much a weekly occurrence and not necessarily anything to get terribly excited about (though we're sure the more enterprising Storm owners out there are going to want to upgrade). Here's the thing, though: we've recently been told by a very well-connected source that Verizon rejected 141 because of one issue alone, and was already testing a replacement for it that was "still in the 140 range." That would mean that it'd have to be somewhere between 142 and 149 -- and yes, fellow mathematicians, 148 meets that requirement. Given the countless delays and the fact that Verizon has already rejected at least two firmwares, we wouldn't count on this happening any time soon -- if at all -- but it's a nice, hope-filled target to shoot for.
Firmware roulette: Storm build 4.7.0.141 allegedly fails Verizon's testing
Why other CDMA carriers can seamlessly roll out newer builds of the Storm's firmware without fanfare or drama when Verizon can't is beyond us, but for whatever reason, Big Red's been totally unable to put its finger on a build that it has liked lately. First we heard they'd been eyeing 4.7.0.113, then we heard they were learning toward 141 -- and now, who the hell knows, because the latest rumors claim that 141 has failed validation. Ominously, it seems that no game plan has yet been put in place to succeed 141 in the official roadmap, so it's unclear whether they'll be looking at continuing down the 4.7 path or moving straight to 5.0. One way or another, it goes without saying that Verizon's version of the 9530 needs new software -- so if you haven't yet, you might want to consider nabbing one of the countless leaked builds rather than waiting for your carrier to get its butt in gear.
BlackBerry Storm 9530 build 4.7.0.141 leaked, possibly on the way to Verizon release
Want a head start on the very firmware Verizon might be launching next month? If you're a Storm 9530 owner, of course you do -- and like clockwork, it's now been leaked for everyone to enjoy. The version you'll be looking for here is 4.7.0.141, which by our rough calculations is some 28 builds ahead of the 4.7.0.113 we'd previously heard would hit the carrier-branded devices in an official capacity. Hopefully the latest version rocks all the same features, enhancements, and fixes that 113 did, and a whole lot more; let us know how it goes for you if you pull the trigger ahead of Verizon's blessing, yeah?
Telus gets 4.7.0.122 for BlackBerry Storm, too
Bell gets the gold star on its forehead for being the first CDMA carrier out of the gate with a newish build for the BlackBerry 9530, but Telus isn't far behind, releasing 4.7.0.122 -- the very same build Bell released, in fact. This leaves only Verizon with one of the worst cases of firmware lethargy we've seen in recent memory -- at a time when one of its hero devices needs as much love as it can get, no less -- so we're definitely taking some comfort in the information we're getting that build 141 is on track for May. Cross you fingers, folks.[Via CrackBerry]
Verizon's BlackBerry Storms finally getting firmware update soon?
We reported not long ago that Verizon had been planning to release 4.7.0.113 as its next official firmware update for the Storm, and now, PC World is reporting that it'll finally be dropping sometime int he next two weeks. Considering that other 9530 carriers have already rolled out post-113 builds to their customers, we can't help but wonder a couple things: first, whether 113 will still be the chosen release, and second, why RIM can't get all of these carriers on the same page. It seems a bit silly for Bell to have signed off on a recent build while Verizon's still hemming and hawing; realistically, Bell, Telus, and Verizon probably could've collaborated with RIM's assistance to get a more unified roll-out underway. In the meantime, Verizon's looking silly, slow, and out of touch.
Bell rolls out 4.7.0.122 for BlackBerry Storm 9530
Verizon users are still waiting patiently for something blessed official by the powers that be, but meanwhile, Storm-ites on Bell up north are finally in the game. Build 122 of the Storm 9530's firmware hit Bell's servers in the past few days, presumably offering all the goodies 113 has to offer and more (it's 9 higher, after all, and we all know that higher numbers are always good). The Storm could end up being a feel-good story of how a device can go from "pretty bad" to "pretty good" with firmware updates alone, so keep 'em coming, RIM. You too, carriers. [Thanks, Sean]
Verizon counting on build 113 for its next Storm firmware release, changelog leaked
We've been able to confirm that Verizon currently plans to release version 4.7.0.113 as its next official Storm firmware build -- about time, considering that the last (and only) official upgrade came some four months ago while a countless flurry of interim builds have whizzed by on the interwebs. It gets better, though: we've also scored an official list of fixes and enhancements in 113, which we've broken down after the break. A word of warning: it's a massive, massive list. Read on!
NHL-themed BlackBerry Storms should fix all the bugs
What's the only thing better than a carrier-endorsed firmware that fixes a plethora of the Storm's reported issues? An NHL-themed decal, of course! It looks like Bell is prepping to launch the 9530 in a special NHL package that'll include a skin for the hockey team of your choice (admittedly, we're kinda digging the striped front) and a storage card preloaded with NHL content and goodies. Altogether, you'll be paying $249.95 CAD on a three-year contract for the package, which represents a $50 premium over the plain-vanilla Storm; hopefully there's a mail-in rebate involved there somewhere, eh?
BlackBerry OS 4.7.0.114 breaks cover for Storm 9530
It's that magical time again -- that time where we get out our Storms, cross our fingers, and take that leap of faith hoping that RIM knows better than our carriers do (and let's be honest, that's not a terribly big leap of faith). Yet another firmware for the 9530 has leaked out of Waterloo without any endorsement -- thus far, anyway -- by any carriers offering the device, but this one's a little special in that it apparently implements that new copy / paste method we'd been hearing about. As always, upgraders are advised to use caution, but seriously, how many firmware builds can we go through before Verizon goes ahead and certifies one for the masses?
What do you know, more BlackBerry Storm firmware updates
Alright, this is just getting out of hand, is it not? We've completely lost count of the number of firmwares RIM has released for the Storm 9500 and 9530 since the phones were launched, but perhaps the real question is, why has Verizon only released one? We suppose they're waiting for the goods to get solid enough, but this one's looking like a doozy: the media player no longer skips the beginnings of songs, inline JavaScript on web pages is once again working, and there appear to be small improvements to accelerometer performance and general system lag. You'll be looking at 4.7.0.106 if you're running a GSM 9500, and 103 for the 9530. Godspeed, upgraders.
RIM's BlackBerry Storm shows its cheaper side on Amazon
Verizon's BlackBerry Storm is getting a little kick in its pricing courtesy of an Amazon rebate-free rebate. The deal here is that the infamous touchscreen BlackBerry is now $99.99 on a two-year stint, no rebate paperwork, no mailing things anywhere, just shell out cash, get phone, call people. Verizon has a buy one get one free thing going on right now, so if you're looking for two Storms for the price of one -- and that one is still $199 -- you can head on over to see them. Everybody happy now? [Via geardiary]
4.7.0.99 firmware for the BlackBerry Storm may or may not be awesome
Once again, an official firmware update has leaked for the Storm 9530, and once again, it's being totally avoided by carriers so far -- but naturally, it's already been leaked for the world's immediate enjoyment. Early impressions include far faster boot times and a return to a smaller keyboard -- a change being met with some disappointment -- so we're going to hold off on calling this a must-have upgrade, but as always, it's pretty awesome to see RIM pumping out these things rapid-fire style. Now, we just need carriers to settle on one and push it out, eh?
Yet another Storm firmware leaks out of the Waterloo sieve
Okay, so now we're up to 4.7.0.90 for both the Storm 9500 (Vodafone's model) and the 9530 found on CDMA carriers. At this point, there certainly doesn't seem to be any desire on RIM's part to keep these things under lock and key, so it makes you wonder: how long does the carrier validation process go on for these things? We have to believe Verizon, Vodafone, and others are all going through each and every Storm firmware with a fine-tooth comb trying to decide which to release to their customers -- but when you look at the sorry leaked-to-official firmware update ratio, it's a pretty depressing state of affairs for your average Storm user who isn't tracking forums. At any rate, there's no solid word on everything that's new in 90, but early reports have it being generally faster and more stable than anything before it -- a placebo effect, perhaps, so we'll have to keep watching the sitch for a while.[Via BlackBerryNews]
Storm firmware leakfest continues with 4.7.0.86 for 9530
If we've learned one thing over the years from our incredible powers of observation, it's that if you're using a BlackBerry, odds are you're an "x-treme" individual. You know, the kind of person who goes five over on the interstate, springs for the extra spicy bucket of wings, or stays up past 9PM on Saturdays. In fact, they're often so wild and crazy that they replace their safe, sensible, carrier-approved firmwares with leaked copies of newer versions. For those of you who fall into that category and own Storms, you might want to check out this new one, 4.7.0.86, that's just a touch newer than the 85 build leaked for the 9500 not long ago. No word on what exactly changed, but it's got to be awesome. Go on, do it, you daredevil, you.
