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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.
Visa clears DeviceFidelity's In2Pay mobile payment microSD card for use in smartphones
No iPhone? No problem. If you'll recall, we heard back in May that Visa was in cahoots with DeviceFidelity, with the two trumpeting a not-exactly-svelte In2Pay case that would add contactless payment support to Apple's darling. Today, the rest of the world is finally being taken into consideration. The aforementioned firms have just cleared a new In2Pay microSD solution for use in the real world, with the BlackBerry Bold 9650 and the Samsung Vibrant in particular named as compatible. In theory, it seems that nearly any smartphone with a microSD slot could be ushered into the arena, and Visa itself expects to add additional phone models for use with this technology, "including phones based on the Symbian and Windows operating systems." This unveiling is happening after a solid 18 months of testing around the globe, but there's no definitive word on which banks will be offering this to customers. Between this and the sudden interest in NFC, America seems more poised than ever before to slip ever further into an endless pool of debt, and with way less friction than before! We kid, we kid... kind of.
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.
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.
Sprint gets BlackBerry Bold 9650: $200 on contract, ships May 23
We suspected that both Sprint and Verizon Wireless would eventually pick up RIM's hot-off-of-the-press BlackBerry Bold 9650, and sure enough, the former has already come forward with a glowing press release stating as much. Starting on May 23rd (that's just under a month, for those operating sans any sense of time), Sprint loyalists will be able to score this very smartphone for $199.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate and 2-year contract. It'll reportedly be available in "all Sprint sale channels," tempting you with that 480 x 360 resolution display, BB OS 5, Wi-Fi module and 3.2 megapixel camera. So, VZW -- got a similar announcement you'd like to make? [Thanks, Travis]
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 announced, targets Tour owners' big complaints
RIM has a longstanding track record of refining its hardware with near-surgical precision -- from one generation of BlackBerry to the next, you almost always see a very careful, deliberate evolution, from the Storm2's revamped SurePress tech to the Bold 9700's optical pad and countless examples in between. "Evolution" is exactly how we'd describe the CDMA- and GSM-equipped Bold 9650, the Tour's spiritual successor that ditches the old name to join forces with the remainder of the Bold line. Dimensionally, the Bold 9650 is a dead ringer for the Tour -- it's still 4.4 x 2.4 x 0.56 inches -- but it packs on two-tenths of an ounce worth of weight in exchange for oft-requested WiFi support and an extra 256MB of internal storage (it's now up to 512MB total). The other big difference, of course, is the replacement of the dodgy trackball with an optical pad, continuing a trend that has now permeated throughout virtually all of RIM's lineup. Look for the Bold 9650 to hit American carriers -- presumably both Verizon and Sprint -- in May. Follow the break for a second shot and RIM's full press release!
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]
BlackBerry 9650 spotted in the wild again, 'Bold' branding confirmed
The Tour branding never made a lot of sense -- RIM's most recently-released high-end portrait QWERTY device for CDMA networks occupies the same market position as the Bold over on GSM networks, so the name difference is kind of arbitrary and more than just a little bit confusing. It's all good, though, because CrackBerry has confirmation here that the Tour's replacement -- the 9650 -- is going to be wearing a Bold badge loud and proud around back by the 3.2 megapixel camera. It's not clear exactly when Sprint and Verizon are going to launch this sucker, but it's patently obvious that they both will -- it's just a matter of time -- so you may as well start prepping your eulogy for that infernal trackball now.
BlackBerry Tour2-compatible visual VM on Verizon suggests release is growing near
It feels like the Tour isn't quite aged enough to be replaced -- especially when you consider that the downright ancient Pearl 8100 series is still sold on carriers around the world -- but it seems that Verizon (and Sprint, naturally) might be champing at the bit to move on to a newer model with WiFi and a complete eradication of the pesky trackball. Verizon's posted a Java app to its site with the file name "vvmail_9650.jad," a reference to the Tour2's model number. Of course, the Tour2 itself has yet to be announced by RIM in any capacity -- let alone for a specific carrier -- so we've got some hurdles to jump before this is on shelves, but if nothing else, we can safely say it's coming to Big Red sooner or later. [Image via BGR]
RIM briefly confesses that BlackBerry Tour 9650 is on the way
We've got no shortage of evidence that there's an updated version of the Tour on the way, but we're dealing with pretty ironclad proof now that RIM itself has made mention of the so-called 9650 -- albeit briefly. A message posted on RIM's official Facebook account read "The BlackBerry Tour 9650 is coming! Check back for official news!" only to get pulled mere hours later, but the damage has been done -- it's definitely on the way, not to say we'd really doubted it before anyhow. Major features over the original Tour should be an optical pad (in place of that old-school trackball) and the addition of WiFi, making it very likely a solid upgrade for owners of nearly any CDMA BlackBerry. Alright, Storm2 owners, we'll cut you some slack -- but the rest of you, seriously, stay tuned.
