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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 releases new Tour firmware, lets mayhem briefly reign before pulling
We know from discussions with tipsters (and from the simple fact that rumored phones take a century to get released) that Verizon tests the crap out of things -- generally speaking, anyway. Apparently that wasn't the case with the latest Tour firmware to see action, though, because 4.7.1.53 got pulled within a few hours of its release -- but not before wreaking havoc with at least a few users' phones, some to the point where Verizon went ahead and recommended a replacement unit. When you consider that BlackBerrys are probably among the most mission-critical devices in any carrier's lineup, this is a big deal; Verizon did the right thing by moving swiftly to pull the bunk build, but the question remains: how did such a quickly-detected problem make it through what was very likely an exhaustive internal testing phase?
Video: BlackBerry support coming to REDFLY Mobile Companion, adds only marginal appeal
Listen, we feel your pain, we know you've been dying to find another use for your REDFLY Mobile Companion, and while we're not sure this is it, at least you've got another thing you can tell your friends when justifying the purchase. Celio Corp's announced it'll be bringing BlackBerry support to the Companion C8N and C7 as a free update in mid-Q4 of this year. It works via either physical cable or Bluetooth, and at this point supports Bold 9000, Curve 8900, and Tour 9630, with more phones promised as they're released. Crackberry's managed to obtain a video demonstration, which is after the break if you're interested. It's okay if you're not, we understand. Read - Press release Read - First look
BlackBerry Desktop Manager beta for Mac leaks out
Let's be honest: BlackBerry users with Macs have led a pretty rough life. You've historically been afterthoughts in RIM's eyes, offered table scraps of first-party software that you usually end up having to combine with third-party stuff to do what you need to do -- and let's not even talk about firmware upgrades. Fortunately, RIM's finally decided to go all-in for Mac, bringing a proper Desktop Manager suite to the platform this month -- but we're not exactly the patient types around here, and we know many of you aren't either, so you might want to go ahead and grab the copy that's leaked recently. It's not a gold release, but with impatience usually comes early adoption and with early adoption usually comes painful bugs, so it's nothing you shouldn't already be used to.
Leaked Verizon docs point to October launch for Storm 2, Motorola Sholes, LG VX8575
This is all still firmly in the realm of rumors and speculation for the time being, but some purportedly legit internal Verizon documents obtained by BlackberryOS.com are offering a bit more fodder suggesting that the BlackBerry Storm 2 could be launching in October -- or October 14th, specifically. The same documents also point to an October launch for Motorola's Android-based Sholes smartphone, as well as a "mid-October" launch for LG's vx8575 "Chocolate Touch" (which we assume is the same or a variant of the BL40 Chocolate Touch). All in all a pretty big month for Verizon -- assuming everything actually pans out as rumored, of course.
BlackBerry Storm, Storm 2 face off on video, result predictable
Every indication we've got is that the Storm 2 is going to foam at the mouth, tear apart the original Storm limb-by-limb, and eat its young when it's released later this year -- and if you want some preliminary evidence of that, look no further than a newly-posted video detailing a few reasons why the new model's so much better. In the event you'd like to spare yourself four minutes of rimshot-worthy bad jokes, allow us to boil down the video to its bare essentials: the star of the show says the Storm 2 looks better than the original (we're hard pressed to disagree), it's got WiFi, you've got considerably more free RAM and Flash on board, the revamped SurePress mechanism makes typing easier, the interface is snappier, and shutter lag in the camera is way improved. At the end of the day, it's still a Storm in every sense of the word, it's just been tweaked and refined in seemingly all the right ways -- which just happens to be a common theme these days. Follow the break for video. [Via PhoneArena]
Video: Storm 2's new touchscreen tech explained with mindblowing clarity, WiFi confirmed
The last video we posted of the Storm 2 doing its SurePress thing has been unceremoniously pulled from YouTube, but this new video really makes up for it. It turns out the screen uses piezo electronics to detect pressure at any point on the screen, instead of the all-or-nothing click button on the Storm 1, and our video host was kind enough to explain this in painstaking detail in the video embedded after the break. The screen actually stiffens when it's off or locked, and has a sort of spongy give to it when alive. He also confirmed in no uncertain terms the GSM and CDMA versions of the device will be packing WiFi. According to his Twitter account, we should be expecting a video about the OS soon as well. [Thanks, Kristjan]
Enhanced Gmail Plug-in for BlackBerrys arrives, but only syncs one way
Lackluster Gmail support has been a real pain point for BlackBerry users, and we've really been hoping that this new "Enhanced Gmail Plug-in" would solve all that. It's out as of today, and we've certainly gotten some improvements, like support for archiving messages, marking spam and managing labels / stars. Unfortunately, these new management features are only live synced one way, from the phone to the Gmail server, so many of the actions that take place desktop side won't be reflected on the phone once that particular message has been picked up by the BlackBerry Internet Service. There's also the small problem of installing the thing: we haven't been successful so far on two different BlackBerries, and you have to make sure to uninstall the existing Gmail Plug-in. Meanwhile, in BlackBerry Enterprise Server land, the Google Apps Connector has now gone live, which means Google Apps users get push Gmail and what seems to be much tighter Exchange-style syncing. Let us know if you get either of these things working with your particular setup. [Via Boy Genius Report] Read - Enhanced Gmail Plug-in now available Read - Google Apps Connector for BES now available
Video: BlackBerry Storm 2 gets yet another prerelease review
Still not convinced that the BlackBerry Storm 2 is alive and kicking in places outside of RIM's "secure" labs up in Waterloo? How's a seven minute long video showing off this perennially-leaked device for all you skeptics? The blur-free video shows off the updated SurePress screen that only clicks when the unit's actually in use, as well as some size comparisons with the Onyx and Tour. The mystery man behind the camera says that even though his OS is super old -- at least by pre-release firmware standards -- it's much faster than the previous-gen Storm. Also interesting is the fact that WiFi doesn't appear to be present in the "Manage Connections" screen, although we can almost say with 100% certainty that there will be WiFi at launch. The full video's posted after the break, conspiracy theorists: go wild. [Thanks, bighap]
Vodafone launches BlackBerry 8520 in the UK
BlackBerry's newest consumer-class QWERTY smartphone -- the Curve 8520 -- seemed like a lock to launch on Vodafone UK on account of some scanned advertising a little while back, and sure enough, here it is. Considering that you can get virtually any phone in your wildest dreams for free on Voda as long as you pair it with an appropriately pricey contract, we're not sure why you'd take up their offer of the 8520, really -- especially considering that it tops out at EDGE speeds in a country where EDGE-only phones are antiquities better suited for museums than pockets. We guess that'd be what the "Why get this" section on the carrier's product page is for, eh?
BlackBerry Storm 2 spotted in Vodafone Germany's systems
There's little doubt that the Storm 2 is real, but where's it going, exactly? Not long after its debut in some 1960s-era Verizon mainframe that occupies two and a half acres of rural real estate in an underground bunker in North Dakota (we totally fabricated that, by the way), the phone has shown up in a Vodafone Germany computer of similar vintage and unfathomable size. RIM's latest attempt at the touchscreen craze is undoubtedly being pursued with some vigor by the world's top-tier carriers, and it makes sense that all of the original model's launch partners -- Vodafone Germany included -- would have first dibs. No word on a launch date, but we take it as a good sign that everyone's feverishly entering this stuff into inventory databases now. [Thanks, anonymous BlackBerry lover from Germany]
T-Mobile's BlackBerry Curve 8520 unboxed and handled (with video!)
That new BlackBerry Curve 8520 for T-Mobile is in the house, sucking down EDGE data like it's going out of style (oh, right, it is). For a device that can be scored for $50 at Walmart as of tomorrow ($130 at T-Mobile stores), this is a surprisingly solid handset. The keyboard is classic BlackBerry goodness, and the overall heft gives us at least a little bit of assurance that the phone can hold up to wear and tear better than its predecessors. Most of the changes are for the better, like a trio of media keys up top and the rubberized sides, but we're not completely sold on the touchpad. It works great when it works, but if it's too clean or our thumb is at the exact wrong moisture level, we found that we kind of "stuck" to the pad instead of gliding across it. A bit of texturing could go a long way. We also found the QVGA screen to be pretty dim, which is particularly unfortunate in light of RIM's higher-end, high-res wonders, but it's certainly passable. We're planning on spending some more time with the handset, testing that EDGE network to the limit, giving UMA time to handle some of legendary conversational stylings, and seeing how many Engadget Podcast episodes we can narcissistically cram onto the bundled 1GB microSD card. In speaking with RIM, it's quite clear that the decision to go EDGE was primarily based on price, along with the fact that T-Mobile's 3G rollout is still lacking -- it's still a head scratcher to us, though. The spokesperson also seemed pretty confident that the new touchpad interface is the way of the future, and we get the feeling the BlackBerry's legendary trackball isn't long for this world. Check out a quick video hands-on after the break, or you could opt for some fine unboxing shots below.
Video: T-Mobile BlackBerry 8520 sold and unboxed early
We all know there ain't no party like a Super Walmart party, 'cause the Super Walmart party don't stop. Aiding its cause in being the go-to place for night owls and bargain hunting insomniacs is the fact that it's apparently selling T-Mobile's newest BlackBerry ahead of the August 5th street date. Don't believe us? Jump on past the break for an unboxing video, and afterwards, feel free to call your nearest five Wally Worlds until you find one ready and willing to take your $48.88 (on contract).[Thanks, Alex]
Entelligence: Six is much too much
Entelligence is a column by technology strategist and author Michael Gartenberg, a man whose desire for a delicious cup of coffee and a quality New York bagel is dwarfed only by his passion for tech. In these articles, he'll explore where our industry is and where it's going -- on both micro and macro levels -- with the unique wit and insight only he can provide. Last week, fellow columnist Ross Rubin talked about the state of mobile platforms and how the era for launching new platforms has come to an end. I tend to take a different view of the mobile market. There are currently six major platforms vying for the hearts and minds of users and third party applications developers -- RIM's Blackberry, Microsoft's Windows Mobile, Apple's iPhone, Nokia's s60, Palm's WebOS and Google's Android -- and there's simply no way the market will support that many device ecosystems. But there may yet be opportunity for other players to enter the market.This is not a new phenomenon. In the early 80s there were a multitude of personal computing platforms. Atari, Commodore, Radio Shack, Texas Instruments, Apple and even Timex (yes, Timex) all were in the personal computing business, long before IBM entered the game. All survived for a period of time selling to an enthusiast market with a focus on out of the box featuresets. Once the target became the mass market, however, user expectations changed from the out of box experience (which essentially meant programming in Basic) to additional capabilities provided by third party software. The success or failure of each PC platform was decided in no small part by the availability of third party software. Exclusive titles, best of breed titles, and titles that appeared on a given platform first determined winners and losers. The same thing is happening today in the mobile space.
RIM officially intros BlackBerry Curve 8520, promises "out of the box" Mac compatibility
Sadly enough, this is pretty much par for the course with RIM. We talk about a BlackBerry for months on end, and after everyone grows acquainted with its features via less-than-official sources, the company finally confesses. At any rate, the long-awaited BlackBerry Curve 8520 (which may or may not go by Gemini on T-Mobile) has finally found a dedicated landing page on its maker's website, and while the list of specifications aren't a surprise, there is one thing that caught our eye. Alongside the 2 megapixel camera, video recording mode, WiFi radio, 1,150mAh battery (which is good for 4.5 hours of talk time or 17 days in standby), a fairly robust multimedia player and a 320 x 240 resolution display, RIM also promises "out of the box Mac compatibility." Specifically, we're told that users will be able to "sync contacts, calendars and notes" by using BlackBerry Desktop Software on Apple computers. Of course, when clicking for more information, we're simply ported over to a page informing us that the Mac-specific version of the aforesaid platform won't arrive until September. So, is the 8520 special, or is that August 5th ship date around 30 days off? Update: RIM just confirmed the T-Mobile USA release date: it's August 5th for $48.88 (from Walmart, anyway) on a two-year agreement. Guess we'll see just how legitimate that Mac claim is here soon, huh? [Thanks, Marcus]
BlackBerry OS 5.0 leaks for Storm 9530
Sure, BlackBerry firmware leaks are pretty much a dime a dozen -- especially for the Verizon-branded Storm and its CDMA cousins in Canada -- but how often is it that you've seen a 5.0 ROM leak? Not bloody often, so this one should get a few folks pretty fired up. This particular build is 5.0.0.140, and while some people have managed to successfully install it, we'd definitely recommend proceeding with extreme caution -- the firmware's apparently originally from a Chinese site with no clear backstory, so the security of the update definitely can't be guaranteed (especially in light of that recent spyware scare). If you have a go at it anyway -- and we know you probably will -- let us know how it goes.
BlackBerry Storm 2 demoed on video, SurePress "click" and all
Either the gang at Crackberry have a very good special effects department (which we doubt), or we're looking at the first footage of a working BlackBerry 9550, a.k.a. Storm 2. As noted in the video, the hardware and software is "very early stage," but that said, there's something mighty interesting going on here with the SurePress click. Turned off, the screen has no give whatsoever, but when the phone's powered up, the mysterious click returns. We talked with CB, who confirms that the whole display does in fact move in and out just a bit, although much less than its predecessor, and that sound you hear is a physical click -- guess SurePress really is here to stay, after all. The takeaway here is that it's definitely a step in the right direction and perhaps what RIM should've released from the get-go. More impressions via the read link, and check out the video for yourself after the break.
Etisalat BlackBerry update was indeed spyware, RIM provides a solution
Um, yikes? An unexpected (and unwanted) surprise struck some 145,000 BlackBerry users in the UAE this time last week, when an official looking prompt coerced many of the aforesaid Etisalat customers to follow through with a software update. Rather than bringing about performance enhancements, the SS8-built app enabled the carrier to keep tabs on customers' messages. According to RIM: "Etisalat appears to have distributed a telecommunications surveillance application... independent sources have concluded that it is possible that the installed software could then enable unauthorized access to private or confidential information stored on the user's smartphone. Independent sources have concluded that the Etisalat update is not designed to improve performance of your BlackBerry Handheld, but rather to send received messages back to a central server." Like we said, yikes. The zaniest part is that Etisalat isn't backing down, still assuring the world that the upgrades were "required for service enhancements." At any rate, RIM has made remarkably clear that the update wasn't one authorized by the company, and it's even providing an app remover for those who'd prefer their BlackBerry to be in working order and, you know, not forwarding all their email to some dude in an Etisalat supply closet. Good on you, RIM. Bad on you, Etisalat.[Thanks, Gerald]Read - Confirmation of spywareRead - RIM app remover
Video: RIM's BlackBerry Tour respectfully torn to bits, reassembled
We've already given you our thoughts on RIM's BlackBerry Tour, but our warm hearts just wouldn't let us take the crowbar to it. Thankfully, the tool-wielding fiends over at GSM Phone Unlocking are a bit more calloused, as they've decided to dissect and reassemble the aforementioned smartphone in a nail-biting 5 minute, 38 second YouTube clip. Head on past the break if you're interested in seeing the innards of Verizon's newest 'Berry, but unless you're ready to rock, we'd recommend nailing the mute button first.[Thanks, Omnifox]
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]
