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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.
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]
BlackBerry Bold 9800 caught sliding through OS 6 on video
When it rains Bold 9800 news, it pours. Just yesterday we were given a glimpse of its virtual keyboard and AT&T branding, and now BlackBerry's upcoming slider can be seen more fleshed out thanks to the power of moving pictures. No narration for this video -- that's either good or bad, depending on your own personal preference -- and the horizontal menu swipe looks like it's missing some animation, but otherwise the phone's looking pretty snappy for a pre-release. Unless we're mistaken, that's clearly a capacitive screen, and even better, it's got pinch-and-zoom multitouch. Not in the video? Some Dylan-esque troubadour holding up a cue card that gives price and release date. Bummer. Video after the break.
More BlackBerry Bold 9800 pics surface: AT&T and virtual keyboard in, SurePress out?
You might've been intrigued by the previous show of the BlackBerry Bold 9800 slider, but this new series of images blows those all out of water. The Berry Fix has a plethora of pics for your perusal, chief among them a showing of the virtual keyboard to complement the physical QWERTY. We gotta say, every announce of good design sense lost on the 9670 must have been spent on this guy; we're really intrigued by this one. If that wasn't enough, we've got two more details that'll tickle your fancy: an AT&T splash screen for one, and claims from the article's author (via Twitter) that RIM's not using SurePress here. That'd actually be quite a relief, but until we get our hands on the sucker, let's just curb our enthusiasm, mkay?
BlackBerry Bold 9800 slides open, shows off promising WebKit-based browser
We've known RIM has had a WebKit-based browser in its rear pocket since Mobile World Congress, and with confirmation that BlackBerry OS 6.0 would have traces of WebKit throughout, this discovery was simply inevitable. The BlackBerry Bold 9800 (polarizing design and all) has just made its most interesting appearance yet, this time showing off a purported WebKit-based web browser with a trio of tabs collected up top. Never mind the fact that whoever was using this clearly wishes he / she was browsing on an iPhone -- it's the 100/100 Acid3 test result that really titillates. 'Course, that could very well be a JPEG loaded up to fool us all, but we aren't losing the faith just yet. Head on down to the source for a few more teases.
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]
White BlackBerry Bold 9700 shows up on RIM's Thai website
For those among us who want to jump on the BlackBerry bandwagon, but desire a slightly more distinctive device -- you know who you are -- here's some official indication of an incoming new color option for the Bold 9700. Commended as perhaps the finest device RIM has been able to concoct so far, the 9700 is now being shown sporting a new, creamy white exterior over on RIM's official Thailand website. Seems like the company is developing a habit of diversifying its handsets' colors after giving the classical black some time to hog the spotlight. Here's to hoping the repainted phones filter out to more local online locations and nearby quality phone retailers nice and quickly. A pic of the newly white rear can be found after the break.
Virgin Mobile Canada lights up HSPA+ network, iPhone 3GS, Bold 9700 in tow
Well, it's a bit earlier than the invitation to the big launch event suggested, but it looks like Virgin Mobile Canada is now officially part of the HSPA+ club, and it's now also selling a couple of new phones you might be interested in. Naturally, the network will give you coverage in line with the Bell network that Virgin is piggybacking on (encompassing 93% of Canadians), and you can expect the same download speeds of up to 21.6 megabits per second and upload speeds up to 5.76 -- in "ideal conditions," of course. As expected, the carrier is now also offering a number of new phones that take advantage of the network, not the least of which include the iPhone 3G and 3GS (in all the usual varieties), and the BlackBerry Bold 9700. Hit up the link below to check out the complete lineup, and Virgin's new smartphone plan offerings, which start at $50 per month
BlackBerry Bold 9700 now on sale to all at AT&T: $200 on contract
T-Mobile (along with a number of overseas carriers) have had RIM's BlackBerry Bold 9700 for some time now, and while we knew that the handset was shipping to those who AT&T considers "special" and "irreplaceable," the rest of the collective masses have simply had to sit on the sidelines and wait. Thankfully, that whole bout with patience is over, as the Bold 9700 is now available to order directly from the operator's website for $199.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate and your John Henry on a 2-year agreement. So, anyone forcing Santa to come early this year, or what? [Thanks, Ry]
AT&T's BlackBerry Bold 9700 starts shipping out to top bananas
Got an AT&T Premier account at your disposal? Does your nine to five require you to wear a suit on every day that ends in "y?" If you're nodding your head and simultaneously thinking about just how tight that top button is around your neck, there's a decent chance that you can get AT&T's version of the BlackBerry Bold 9700 right now. 'Course, those on T-Mobile have already been enjoying the spoils for a few hours now, but judging by the unboxing shots in the read link, that window of US exclusivity looks to be all but shut. So, anyone jabbing the boss for an upgrade?
T-Mobile's BlackBerry Bold 9700 now available for $200 on contract
Right on cue, T-Mobile's newest BlackBerry is now on sale for those who covet. Starting at $199.99 on an Even More plan (which entails a 2-year contract, just so you know), the Bold 9700 can be ordered up from the carrier's website or be snagged in-store if you prefer to roll that way. It's also available for $449.99 on an Even More Plus Plan if you're no fan of attached strings, but something tells us you may want to have a peek at our review before laying down that much cheddar in a moment of weakness.
Telus kicks off HSPA+ network with iPhone November 5th, HTC Hero, LG New Chocolate and more to follow
Telus already announced that it'd be launching the iPhone in November, but it's just now gotten official with an actual date: November 5th -- which just so happens to also be the day that it lights up its brand new HSPA+ network. Unfortunately for anyone hoping that a little competition would spark a price war, Telus is matching Rogers' prices across the board, starting at $99.99 for the basic 8GB iPhone 3G, and moving up to $199.99 for the 16GB 3GS, and $299.99 for the 32GB 3GS (all on a three-year contract, of course). What's more, Telus has also taken the opportunity to offer the first official confirmation of some of the other devices that'll take advantage of its new network, including the HTC Hero, the previously rumored LG New Chocolate (a.k.a BL40), the Blackberry Bold 9700, and the Nokia E71 (plus a USB stick, for good measure). No prices or release dates for any of those just yet, unfortunately, but the Hero and New Chocolate are apparently Telus exclusives.
BlackBerry Bold 9700 announced, launching globally starting next month
Properly replacing one of the most popular, recognizable BlackBerrys ever made is no easy task for RIM, but it looks like they've done a respectable job in officially announcing the Bold 9700, a device we've seen rumored as the "Onyx" through much of 2009. The new model gently massages the original Bold's time-tested formula by moving the camera up to 3.2 megapixels, giving the screen another 40 lines of vertical resolution (480 x 360, up from 480 x 320), and shipping with the brand new BlackBerry OS 5.0 out of the gate. Also notable is that the 9700 replaces the trackball with an optical trackpad --continuing a trend started by the Curve 8520 -- and will ship in both 900 / 1700 / 2100 and 800 / 850 / 1900 / 2100MHz 3G varieties, making the phone a perfect fit for AT&T, T-Mobile, and a multitude of networks in Canada and Europe. RIM isn't announcing specific carrier availability, but they're teasing that it'll be coming on "carriers around the world" starting in November. Follow the break for a quick teaser video from the boys and girls up in Waterloo. Update: Engadget Germany is at the launch event with RIM's co-CEO Mike Lazaridis. We'll be back shortly with a hands-on. Update 2: T-Mobile just announced its flavor of the Bold 9700 for the US which it says will be the first BlackBerry that allows voice calling over WiFi. Update 3: And here comes AT&T, which says the 9700 will be out in the "coming weeks" for $199 after $100 mail-in rebate.
BlackBerry Bold 9700 official on T-Mobile Germany, November launch confirmed
Perhaps the worst kept secret till now -- outside of Walt Mossberg's embargo slipups -- was that T-Mobile and the latest BlackBerry flagship device were set for a November marriage. Hell, there were even invitations to the party. So, whether you call it the Bold 2, the 9700, or the Onyx, come next month you'll be able to lovingly place its 480 x 360 display, WiFi antennae and all that other hotness in a Curve-sized space inside your pocket. We can expect this first official confirmation to be followed by similar appearances in the US and across Europe as the 9700 begins its ascension to the throne of the BlackBerry kingdom. [Thanks, Richy]
BlackBerry Onyx poses for the camera
We're not expecting the BlackBerry Onyx to hit before November, but at least a few units have hit the wild, and these are the first in-depth photos we've seen. These shots don't reveal much about the new-look Bold with the optical trackball, but it sure is pretty, ain't it? Now if it only had a useful browser and IMAP support, we'd actually care.[Thanks, Zero]
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
AT&T yanks BlackBerry Bold visual voicemail software update
Hope you Bold owners out there managed to snag AT&T's BlackBerry Bold visual voicemail software update while it lasted, because an internal memo leaked to BGR says it's been pulled due to compatibility problems with "network enhancements being deployed." That sounds to us like there's an issue with either those 850MHz 3G rollouts or whatever black magic Ma Bell's doing to get iPhone MMS up and running, but either way, it's one more fire for AT&T's engineers to put out while its customers sit around waiting.Update: AT&T just sent us their official word on the matter -- and they also told us it has nothing to do with MMS or 850. Check it out after the break.
AT&T hits BlackBerry Bold users with visual voicemail
Hey, we knew this was coming -- but we're hearing murmurs that actual AT&T BlackBerry Bold owners are starting to get their visual voicemail updates rolling out to them. The voicemail features allow you to store up to 40 messages at a time, and add numbers to contacts from voicemail. We'll let you know all of the perks of software update v4.6.0.508 when we get it up and running on our own Bold, but hit the read link for AT&T's rundown (warning: it's a PDF).[Via Boy Genius Report]
BlackBerry Bold comes to South Korea at long last
It's taken a little longer than they'd hoped, but RIM and SK Telecom will finally begin offering a localized version of the venerable BlackBerry Bold to South Korean customers this week. The move follows last year's scrapping of policies that all but banned foreign handsets from being offered by local carriers, which could theoretically be a boon to manufacturers in one of the world's most advanced mobile markets -- assuming anyone's able to crash through the stranglehold that local favorites Samsung, LG, and Pantech have. It's unclear how big of a deal a device with an English QWERTY keyboard could really be in Seoul, but hey, options are always a good thing, right?
Refurbished BlackBerry Bold free-on-contract at AT&T (today, anyway)
Not digging that $299.99 on contract pricing for RIM's BlackBerry Bold? If you're kosher with placing previously loved gadgets in your presence, you can score one today for the low, low price of absolutely free. Apparently the deal is only valid on AT&T's website and only for today, so you might want to pull the trigger now and think about it later.[Via Boy Genius Report]
