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BlackBerry Connect support comes to smattering of HTC devices
Looking for a bit of BlackBerry love on your new (or old, as the case may be) HTC handset? Fret not -- so long as you're the proud owner of an HTC TyTN II, Touch Diamond, Touch Pro or Touch HD -- as your phone has just picked up BlackBerry Connect support. The read link directs you to a download where you can suck down the necessary bits and bytes and proceed to installation, but we'd make sure everything was backed up before forging ahead. Give it a go and report back, will ya?[Via phonescoop]
Palm Treo Pro, RIM BlackBerry Flip 8230 coming to Bell
Unless our eyes are badly deceived, that image above clearly indicates that Palm's latest smartphone (by release, not announcement) and RIM's first-ever flip phone BlackBerry are both coming to Bell in Canada. We're told that the Treo Pro will be available starting February 26th for $199.95 on a 3-year contract, while the black and pink Pearl Flip will hit the scene on March 6th for an unknown amount of Canadian fundage. Should make for a fun time deciding which of these will claim the next three years of your life, huh?
RIM's BlackBerry Storm -- how would you change it?
Mobile users of the world, you have been summoned. This week's How Would You Change just wouldn't be complete without the input of our very own handset aficionados, so head on over and drop your two pennies on RIM's BlackBerry Storm. You know you've got some choice words you'd like to share, right?
Sprint's BlackBerry 8350i firmware update fixes boatload of issues
Sprint has released a shiny new build of BlackBerry OS 4.6 for its 8350i on Nextel -- 4.6.1.128, to be exact -- and let's just put it this way: if you have this phone, you want this update. By all accounts, it appears to directly address a bunch of major issues that have been affecting early adopters, including blank screens, missing songs, and MMSes that end up getting delayed into oblivion. Good things to get fixed, yeah? Follow the break for the full changelog straight from Sprint.
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.
Verizon tidbits: Versa, Touch Diamond, Pearl 8230, and more
We've got a handful of juicy morsels coming out of Verizon today -- actually, that sounds a little unpleasant, but you know what we mean -- and we wanted to pass along what we've heard. Follow the break for all the action!
BlackBerry Curve 8900 finally available to one and all on T-Mobile
Alright, business customers, just wipe that smug grin off your faces, won't you? The unwashed masses (read: us) have finally been given the green light to rush into T-Mobile stores (and online) to pick up the BlackBerry Curve 8900 for $199.99 on a two-year contract after rebates -- not exactly the $149.99 we were hoping for, but we can always hope for Best Buy to get this sucker out the door for a few bucks less than T-Mobile proper.[Via BlackBerryNews]
Visual Voicemail for BlackBerry appears in AT&T management system
Seriously folks, if Visual Voicemail for BlackBerry doesn't show up for real on AT&T within the next, say, three to six months, we're marching straight to AT&T Mobility in Atlanta and demanding an explanation. According to a screen grab snagged by a Boy Genius Report reader, the option to add BlackBerry Visual Voicemail has appeared (presumably by accident) in his account management system, though trying to enable it caused an unrecoverable error and an instant computer meltdown. On the real, we're glad to see the price tag at $0.00, but frankly, we'd expect no different.
Rumored BlackBerry 9300 "Gemini" appears, Bold gulps
After BlackBerry types lay eyes on the 8900, the same question immediately gets asked time and time again: "Why would I buy a Bold over this?" Indeed, it's hard to argue that the 8900 isn't the better looking handset, but for now, the Bold gets to lord its fancy-schmancy 3G radio over the 8900's technologically inferior head. That might just be where the rumored 9300 "Gemini" comes into play, though, which -- according to Boy Genius Report -- will feature a larger, higher-res screen than the 8900's already amazing display, a beefy processor, a slightly more "rounded" keyboard, and most importantly, quadband EDGE plus triband HSDPA. There isn't any solid information on a release window for this one yet (we'd doubt that even RIM has an answer for that one at this point), so if you had a Bold in mind, don't feel bad about pulling the trigger -- yet.
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]
Sprint's BlackBerry 8130 and 8330 get 4.5 update
For Pearl and Curve 8300 owners, BlackBerry OS 4.5 is something of a holy grail -- awesome, but pretty hard to find because carriers have generally been slow to roll it out. Fortunately, Sprint has graced owners of the 8130 and 8330 with the latest and greatest pre-4.6 goods, and what's more, tipsters are telling us that the latest version enables MMS messages. MMS, really? Reminds us of the year 2004, our road trip to the Canadian Rockies, and a simpler, more innocent time. But we digress; if you've got one of these devices, go kick off the download and get ready to play almost-catch-up to the 4.6-based 8350i, why don't you?[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Fido's shops start stocking BlackBerry Pearl 8100
Fido's BlackBerry 8100 has been rumored, caught in the wild, confirmed, and now we finally see it on the site and priced. First the price, apparently Fido really wants you on contract for 3 years, as it is $25, with 2 years hopping up to $350 -- as a side, on T-Mobile 2-years is $49, on AT&T, you could get a Bold or Curve for less -- and off contract cost is $400. On the service side, there's a $15 unlimited personal IM and email package, or 500MB for $25, 1GB for $30, or 3GB will ring in at $60. So if you're on Fido and have been dreaming of the day you'd be able to get on this bandwagon, go forth and spend.
Orange UK gets pay-as-you-go BlackBerry Pearl 8120
Orange UK has chosen to Launch RIM's BlackBerry Pearl 8120 as a PAYG number for all the would be messengers out there who prefer to remain sans plan. Price for this exclusive indigo set seems set at £145 (roughly $200) and should be landing in a shop near you in early February. Price of admission -- handset aside -- includes needing to grab an Animal package (Dolphin, Canary, Racoon, or Camel) and taking out a £5 BlackBerry internet service deal as well. Enjoy! At this point, pay-as-you-go is about where this set should be in terms of its age, you listening, Fido?
iSuppli: BlackBerry Storm costs $4 more than its purchase price to build
In a fiscal climate where profit margin reigns intensely supreme, we've got yet another dollop of bad news to heap upon the parfait of pain that is the $199 (after $50 mail in rebate) BlackBerry Storm. Research firm, iSuppli, estimates that the cost for the components and assembly of RIM's BlackBerry Storm are just shy of $203 -- an estimate that does not include software development and uh, bug fixing costs or those attributed to patent licensing, physical distribution, marketing or anything else in the product lifecycle. The most costly component is the $35 Qualcomm MSM7600 processor that gives the Storm its dual GSM / CDMA personality. Now, $203 isn't that big of a spread compared to the per unit cost of a $175 8GB iPhone 3G, $169 BlackBerry Bold, or $144 T-Mobile G1. However, the lost prophets profits add up quickly when you've moved over a million units globally.P.S. We're not implying that RIM is losing money here (the price is obviously carrier subsidized), only that the Storm is likely less profitable than its peers. But without knowing what VZW pays on a per unit basis, we can't say for sure who's getting the fiscal-shaft.
BlackBerry 8120 filters into Fido outlets, still can't be sold
Hold tight, Fido fans -- that BlackBerry you've been yearning for is almost here. Just days after hearing that BlackBerry and Fido would be getting together in the Great North, Boy Genius Report is providing a few sneak peeks at what's likely to be the first one available. The only marginally blurry shots clearly show that RIM's Blackberry 8120 is now Fido-branded, though there's practically zero chance for you to buy one even if you happen upon it. Why? Fido's POS machines aren't yet equipped with BB plans, so it looks like you'll have to wait until February 4th or so before exchanging cash for goods. Tough, we know.
Microsoft's Randy Siegel equates using a BlackBerry with sending data to Canada
Whoa, Nelly! There's a 74.6 percent chance that Microsoft's Randy Siegel will never, ever live this down. After finding that newly inaugurated president Barack Obama could keep his BlackBerry, Mr. Siegel -- who is an enterprise mobile strategist that works on federal government projects -- was quoted as saying the following about using a device whose creator is based in Canada: "You would be sending your data outside the country; we wouldn't want the casual musings or official communications of the most important person in the world being intercepted by others." Everyone get that? Owning a RIM device means that every bit and byte you send and receive is being carefully monitored by Canucks up in the Great White North, regardless of your hometown or carrier. Thanks for the laughs, Randy -- we needed 'em today.[Via RCRWireless]
Telus launches BlackBerry Curve 8350i
Telus has launched the BlackBerry 8350i right on schedule and for just a few more pennies than we'd guesstimated last week. As the pic explains, it is yours for $249 on 3-years, $449 on two years, $549 on 1-year and completely off contract for an earth wobbling $599. So to recap: push-to-talk? Check. Push mail and all the other wonders of one of BlackBerry's finest? Check. Text messaging on Telus' Mike? Nope, though we hear it's coming soon. Missing messaging aside, anybody looking for the finest in iDEN on Telus has found home.[Thanks, Rileyfreeman]
Colorware gets ahold of BlackBerry Curve 8900
It was inevitable, really. RIM's BlackBerry Curve 8900 is now being offered up by the paint gun-wielding fools at Colorware, who will gladly ugly up your handset as you see fit. 'Course, you can put together a rather striking piece of work too, but make sure you get a second opinion on your dream color scheme before mashing the buy button. As for costs? A solid coat will run you a buck twenty-nine, but if you change up the top, bottom, frame or sides, you can count on that figure inching higher and higher.[Via CrackBerry]
Telus' Mike prepping to launch BlackBerry Curve 8350i
Seems everybody has some BlackBerry Curve, though Telus' Mike brand's BlackBerry Curve 8350i iteration is more a-la Sprint Nextel's Curve due to its push-to-talk nature. Featuring a 2 megapixel camera -- it can also be ordered without -- GPS, Bluetooth, WiFi, and, well, it's a real frickin' BlackBerry on Telus' Mike! Rumor has it the coming soon sign will roll over to now for sale on the 27th of January for $200 on a three-year deal.[Thanks, Rileyfreeman, kjb_ninja, and Pirate]
New Storm OS 4.7.0.90 leaked, includes QWERTY keyboard in portrait mode
As you know, a new beta OS for the Storm has made its way into the wild. Although we haven't had a chance to give OS 4.7.0.90 the what-for ourselves, those of you who have certainly have a lot to say. The big news for both 9500 and 9530 users is that there is now a QWERTY keyboard in portrait mode -- no more flipping the phone around just for an ill-advised late night tweet! Besides that, users have noted an increase in overall stability (unless you're trying to listen to music -- more on that in a moment) and some visual enhancements (including the older-look application folder and fonts that are slightly larger). Additionally, when the device is locked, the screen doesn't light up every time you bump it -- good for battery life. And as one user noted, the charging issue "which plagued OS version 88" has been resolved. Unfortunately, there has also been plenty of chatter about buggy multimedia players -- at least on the Storm 9500. Users have complained about music and video playback crashing the phone, fast forward not working, and an overall video performance decrease. Brave Blackberry fans can hit the read link to browse the forums and maybe even download the new OS for themselves. More images after the break.
