blackberrycurve
Latest
BlackBerry Curve 8520 with T-Mobile branding walks in front of a camera
A BlackBerry 8520 bound for T-Mobile? Really, we're not surprised, having heard whispers not too long ago, and while not yet official, some gung ho Crackberry forum members have posted some shots of the branded phone in the wild, with just a dash of Mr. Blurrycam stylings for good effect. No indication of a release date here, but if you're really jonesing for a new 2.5G BlackBerry, last we heard it was coming fourth quarter of this year. Update: That white trackpad isn't quite what it seems. According to the original poster, it's just a plastic covering. We hate to disappoint anyone who actually dug the new shade.
BlackBerry Aries spotted: a Gemini with CDMA in its heart
If you had your eye the BlackBerry Curve 8520 / Gemini, somehow above all the other number of RIM devices that have surfaced as of late, it looks like the stars have aligned (har har) for you. The gang at Crackberry have gotten a first peep at the Aries, which they say is essentially a CDMA-equipped Gemini that's likely to go by the eventual name Curve 8530. Not much else to note here, here's hoping we got some more concrete details -- and maybe a committed carrier or two -- in the not too distant. As for the naming conventions, we now anxiously await for alliterative darlings like a touchscreen Taurus, slide-out Sagittarius, and 18 megapixel Pisces.
BlackBerry Curve 8520 gets pre-reviewed
We've been dying to know more about that crazy BlackBerry Curve 8520 with the optical trackball in place of the usual spinner, and the crew over at CrackBerry's finally posted their pre-release review. Overall, it seems like a nice enough phone, and the optical trackball apparently works well, which is a nice surprise given our experience with them. On the downside, it's not nearly as nice as the Curve 8900, and while the overall design has been updated, components like the screen, battery, and camera are carryovers from the Curve 8300 -- a particular shame considering the raves RIM's been getting for its amazing screens lately. Of course, we can't complain too much considering this thing is EDGE-only and potentially destined to be a pay-as-you-go phone, but it sure does look nice, and we're interested in seeing how this design philosophy translates into higher-end sets... like, say, the Storm 2. Check the full review at the read link.
RIM's BlackBerry Curve 8900 officially hitting AT&T in "early summer"
Ah, ha! So the rumors were true. Just a day after we heard that RIM's BlackBerry Curve 8900 would be making its way from T-Mobile over to AT&T comes this -- official confirmation from the carrier itself. Loaded with WiFi, GPS and a 480 x 360 resolution display, this 'Berry includes free AT&T WiFi at over 20,000 hotspots (with an unlimited data plan, ironically enough) and a 3.2 megapixel camera. There's also a microSD / SDHC slot that supports cards up to 16GB in size, and while AT&T's not being very forthcoming with pricing (as in, there's no word given at all), loyal customers can expect it to land sometime in "early summer." In other words, all this release has done is extinguish the rumor fires -- 'preciate it, Ma Bell.
RIM's BlackBerry Curve 8900 hitting AT&T next month?
We're beginning to wonder if we'll ever see RIM's BlackBerry Curve 8900 hit the AT&T airwaves, but considering just how long it takes for a phone to navigate through the carrier's absurdly long certification process, we'll chalk this one up to technical delays. After spotting the so-called Javelin in AT&T attire way back in November of last year, Boy Genius Report now has it on authority that the handset will finally debut next month. Unfortunately for those hoping for a little bonus in exchange for their patience, it's said to be "a mirror" of the T-Mobile version outside of the bundled Bold themes. Pricing details are still under wraps, but if you've waited this long, do the dollars really matter?
BlackBerry Curve 8520 "Gemini" image surfaces
Well, what do we have here? The folks at Crackberry seem to have gotten their hands on a pic of the BlackBerry Curve 8520, a.k.a. "Gemini." From what we can see and from what they tell us, there's an optical trackball, dedicated media player buttons, and a "rubberized" body. Lack of 3G is a big bummer, and we're sure the non-classic trackball is gonna ruffle some feathers, but the hardware's enticing enough for us to give it a look over. Intrigued?
BlackBerry Curve 8900 coming to AT&T this month, Pearl Flip in March?
We've had sightings of BlackBerry's Curve 8900 running on AT&T before, and now comes word from a Boy Genius Report tipster that the pairing will be made official this month and the handset's SKU is already popping up in the carrier's systems. Additionally, the Pearl Flip 8210 is rumored to be making its debut on the network sometime in March. BGR expects the prices to be somewhere around $200 and $100, respectively. We can't say we'll be surprised if the Curve finds its way to AT&T, but we're excited at the thought of finally having a carrier-independent matchup between it and the Bold.
Engadget Podcast 131 - 01.30.2009
That's right folks, the Engadget Podcast is back for more. Once again, you're treated to the smooth tones of pure gadget goodness, though this week, our compatriot Paul Miller has been felled with a totally minor illness. Taking the controls in Paul's battle pod this round is Engadget Mobile editor Chris Ziegler. Hear Josh, Nilay, and Chris pontificate on the finer points of the week's big stories, including (but not limited to): RIM's new BlackBerry Curve 8900, Obama's old BlackBerry, Windows Mobile 6.5, a possible new Kindle, and Josh's inner-most feelings about childcare. Enjoy! Hosts: Joshua Topolsky, Nilay Patel Special guest host: Chris Ziegler Producer: Trent Wolbe Song: Blitzkrieg Bop 00:02:22 - Apple vs. Palm: the in-depth analysis 00:10:23 - Obama BlackBerry alert: it's a BlackBerry 00:16:00 - T-Mobile BlackBerry Curve 8900 review 00:38:10 - Seemingly real Windows Mobile 6.5 screenshots trickle out of leaky internet faucet 00:54:24 - Amazon to host press event at library, innocently whistling when asked about the Kindle 2 01:02:48 - Verizon Hub hands-on and impressions Subscribe to the podcast [iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes (enhanced AAC). [RSS MP3] Add the Engadget Podcast feed (in MP3) to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically. [RSS AAC] Add the Engadget Podcast feed (in enhanced AAC) to your RSS aggregator. [Zune] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in the Zune Marketplace Download the podcast LISTEN (MP3) LISTEN (AAC) LISTEN (OGG) Contact the podcast 1-888-ENGADGET or podcast (at) engadget (dot) com.
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]
DroidBerry theme turns your Bold into a G1, still won't replace the Gmail app
Seriously, what's with the fascination of getting a brand new device and trying to make it look like something completely different? First the 8900 theme for Curves and 88xx's, and then Vista for the iPhone -- will it ever stop? No longer will you have to be envious of your Sidekick brethren, Bold users, as the Android-style interface has finally made the jump to the BlackBerry in the form of DroidBerry, the newest theme from those classifiable techies over at CrackBerry. Only $7 and you could have all that cartoony icon and analog clock-related bliss you could ever wish for -- a small price to pay for a whole lot of beauty.
Ask Engadget: Best BlackBerry handset right now?
Make no mistake, the hottest thing going in the mobile realm just now is the Palm Pre, but that's not to say RIM hasn't gained a lot of attention with its most recent outpouring of smartphones. Max has chimed in with this week's Ask Engadget question (which was sent in via ask at engadget dawt com), and it's all about the latest and greatest BlackBerrys. "I'm considering purchasing the BlackBerry Bold, but the news about the Storm and even the Curve has me intrigued. Which would your readers recommend for a new BlackBerry owner, and why? Pros and cons for each would be excellent." We don't need to reiterate just how high the pedestal is on which the Curve 8900 sits (yes, even today) in the minds of the BB faithful, so we've no doubt that it should be included in this conversation. Go on fanboys, defend your dialer below.
Spotted: Curve 8900 running on AT&T
So Boy Genius Report reported on a shot of what seems to be a Curve 8900 running on AT&T -- which seems like a pretty good idea, may we add -- and we're trying to make sense of what's really going on. We hit up RIM's booth at CES to get the lowdown on the situation, and what do you know, the mythical beast is nowhere to be found. The reps on the floor said that it's only for T-Mobile and when we checked every 8900 on the show floor, we couldn't find one running on any other carrier. 'Course, we'd be shocked if RIM wasn't chronically refreshing BGR every fifteen seconds, so it's entirely possible that they saw the news, realized their grave error, and pulled the offending phone posthaste. Either way, it's a great idea, is it not?[Via Boy Genius Report]
Sprint launches push-to-talk BlackBerry Curve 8350i
Verizon may have been bangin' on Sprint's iDEN network, but that's not stopping the yellow-faced carrier from introducing the "first ever" (wait, really?) push-to-talk BlackBerry on those very waves. Sprint is hailing the Curve 8350i as the "most advanced push-to-talk BlackBerry smartphone ever," and given the options in the past, it's hard to disagree. Thankfully, there's also integrated WiFi / GPS as well as support for Group Connect, international direct connect and Talkgroup; you'll also spot a 2-megapixel camera, multimedia player, speakerphone, video recorder, a microSDHC card slot, Bluetooth 2.0, a stereo headset jack and a removable 1,400mAh battery. It's available now in a rather stocky 4.4- x 2.4- x 0.7-inch frame for as low as $149.99 (after all applicable rebates) on a two-year plan.%Gallery-39336%
RIM's BlackBerry Curve 8900 comes to O2 UK in January
Rogers yelled "first!" when it began selling RIM's BlackBerry Curve 8900 in Canada this week, but O2 won't be too far behind in the UK. Apparently hoping that you'll end up with wads of disposable income post-Christmas, the carrier has just made clear that the handset will be available to customers on January 5, 2009. Those not keen on camping out can pre-register for a unit starting on December 10th (December 22nd online), and if it's pounds you're concerned about, you can get it as low as free (or as high as £234) depending on your choice of contract / plan.
Virgin Mobile Canada lands BlackBerry Curve 8330
It's kind of scary to think just how long ago certain parts of the globe had access to RIM's BlackBerry Curve 8330, but for those with ample amounts of patience and a hankering to stick with Virgin Mobile Canada, today's your lucky day. As of now, the tried and true handset is available on the aforesaid carrier, though the price points aren't particularly awesome. Sure, $49.99 on contract sounds fantastic, but that's on a 3-year plan; a more manageable 2-year deal ups the price to $329.99, while it shoots up another $50 on a 1-year agreement. Yikes.[Via mobilesyrup]
BlackBerry Curve now available on Verizon
Verizon said we'd be getting the BlackBerry Curve 8330 in May, and it looks like the company is right on schedule: RIM's latest is now available with a two-year contract for $219 and a $50 rebate. Specs are exactly the same as we've known forever, which means there's no WiFi, but that's not going to stop any of you, now is it? P.S.- Sorry, Sprint subscribers, we still don't know when you're getting this one, apart from "mid-May." [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Blackberry Curve 8330 comes to Sprint
We had heard whispers about the Blackberry Curve hitting Sprint this month, and it looks like they were dead-on -- say hello to RIM's latest, the Curve 8330, all done up in black. Apart from looking way hotter than the silver version that's made the rounds, you're getting GPS, a 2 megapixel camera with video recording, Bluetooth, "enhanced" web browsing, and the usual suite of Sprint music and TV services. $179 with a two-year contract later this month, says Sprint. One more shot after the break.[Thanks, moochy989]
BlackBerry Curve 8330 launching on Verizon in May
After seeing it kicked around the Net for a few months, it's good to see the BlackBerry Curve 8330 finally go live on Verizon Wireless. Well, almost -- you'll have to wait until May to lay thumb to QWERTY while riding that cool EV-DO wave of data. It'll cost you $270 after a $50 mail-in rebate and two-year contract with further discounts available when signing up for eligible voice and data plans. Your cash will be rewarded with the wee 4.2 x 2.4 x 0.6-inches / 4-ounces curve sporting a 320 x 240 pixel display, 2-megapixel camera, media player, stereo Bluetooth audio, microSD / SDHC expansion, and 260 minutes talk / 11 days standby. Unfortunately, it's missing WiFi like the early prototype and GPS like the rumored Sprint version coming in April. Update: Sorry, scratch that. It does have GPS which Verizon touts as VZ Navigator.[Thanks, thatguy0109]
BlackBerry Curve review roundup
Craving a BlackBerry 8300 "Curve" review with a little more journalistic juice to it than, say, John Mayer's? Look no further, friends; we've got you covered with a three-pack of previews for the device. Sentiment for Waterloo's latest QWERTY handset is overwhelmingly positive, focusing on a few key points: great keyboard, great media support (a 3.5mm jack sure doesn't hurt there), and surprisingly good battery life. The camera seems to be decent -- all 2 megapixels of it, anyway -- and none of the lucky previewers seemed too bummed about the EDGE-only data speeds. Throw in what might be the most attractive case on a RIM phone to date, and it seems the Curve might do the seemingly impossible by filling both Pearl and 8800 owners with envy when it launches on AT&T in the not-too-distant future.Read - LAPTOP Magazine (4 / 5 stars, "...this is the best BlackBerry...")Read - PC Magazine ("...an extremely promising BlackBerry for folks who want a fun device with a full keyboard")Read - Airtime Manager ("...we're convinced that the new BlackBerry 8300 will have been worth the wait")
RIM's stock options probed by U.S. Attorney's office
With stock option grants by many public companies sitting under the microscope of authorities these days, count RIM inside that select group. The company who made thumb-able email popular and en vogue has another fan looking into the culpability of stock-based accounting practices: the U.S. Attorney's office. RIM has "had contact with the office of the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York upon learning that the U.S. Attorney's office is reviewing the company's stock option grants," based on company statements. Add this to the SEC's official investigation revealed just recently and RIM's more under the microscope than a high-school biology experiment. So far, company co-founder Jim Balsillie has stepped down from the company's board of directors but is retaining his co-CEO title at this time.