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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 Storm 9530 build 4.7.0.141 leaked, possibly on the way to Verizon release
Want a head start on the very firmware Verizon might be launching next month? If you're a Storm 9530 owner, of course you do -- and like clockwork, it's now been leaked for everyone to enjoy. The version you'll be looking for here is 4.7.0.141, which by our rough calculations is some 28 builds ahead of the 4.7.0.113 we'd previously heard would hit the carrier-branded devices in an official capacity. Hopefully the latest version rocks all the same features, enhancements, and fixes that 113 did, and a whole lot more; let us know how it goes for you if you pull the trigger ahead of Verizon's blessing, yeah?
Verizon calling BlackBerry 8230 Pearl Flip the "Apex"?
We've even mentioned it on the podcast -- RIM's naming convention is starting to get confusing, especially in the crowded 8000 range where you've got both an 8230 and an 8320 to worry about (and they're very different phones). TheStreet is claiming that RIM will introduce both the 9630 Tour and a flip phone -- the Apex -- at the company's WES conference next week; we have a very, very hard time believing that Verizon would launch multiple flip BlackBerrys in a short span of time, so that leads us to the logical deduction that the rumored 8230 Pearl Flip will come to be known as the Apex. Makes you wonder how Alltel, Bell, and Telus feel about that, doesn't it?[Via Unwired View]
Telus gets 4.7.0.122 for BlackBerry Storm, too
Bell gets the gold star on its forehead for being the first CDMA carrier out of the gate with a newish build for the BlackBerry 9530, but Telus isn't far behind, releasing 4.7.0.122 -- the very same build Bell released, in fact. This leaves only Verizon with one of the worst cases of firmware lethargy we've seen in recent memory -- at a time when one of its hero devices needs as much love as it can get, no less -- so we're definitely taking some comfort in the information we're getting that build 141 is on track for May. Cross you fingers, folks.[Via CrackBerry]
Lenovo and RIM's Constant Connect now available
We know you've been literally hanging on the edge of your seat waiting for this day to come, so it's our honor and privilege to announce that Lenovo and RIM's Constant Connect solution is now available. For those who managed to sleep right through February, the technology enables select ThinkPads to automatically pull down BlackBerry emails whenever it's within range, even if the laptop is completely off. There's no word on what it'll cost to have this added into your next corporate machine, but you can head past the break for a quick demonstration vid if you think you're interested.Update: It's a $149 option from select business partners and through Lenovo.com.
Verizon tidbits: Storm firmware saga continues, Niagara is the Tour, and more
We're getting a few tasty little morsels seeping out of the Verizon camp this morning, and we just wanted to pass them along -- nothing Earth-shattering here, but Niagara fans are definitely going to want to learn a new term: The BlackBerry 9630 Niagara will definitely be known as the Tour. (Boy Genius Report now has it pegged for July at $199, which certainly seems plausible.) The next BlackBerry Storm firmware will be released in May (we're still expecting this to be 113 until we hear otherwise). Update: 4.7.0.141 is circulating within the company now, so that might be our golden build! The Voyager's replacement -- the VX11000 -- will be known as the enV Touch. The carrier is "investigating" raising the 5GB cap on its data plan with the LTE rollout, since subscribers will presumably be consuming more.
My Verizon for BlackBerry lets you scream at an app instead of a customers service rep
We're always looking for progressively easier ways to make sure we're not blowing by our minute allotment for the month, and if you're using a BlackBerry on Verizon, this is probably about as easy as it gets. It seems that Big Red posted a "My Verizon" app recently, giving quick on-device access to a store locator, billing, feature management, voicemail password reset, and more. Ironically, it doesn't seem to work on the Storm yet -- but if you've got something else in your pocket with a BlackBerry logo on it, give it a whirl. [Via Boy Genius Report]
NetBlender drops iPhone exclusivity on BD Touch 2.0, connects Blu-ray to Blackberry, Android & Pre
It's a new year and NetBlender has a new change of gear, pairing with BluFocus to bring last year's BD Touch software -- and its BD-Live enabled Blu-ray player to iPhone / iPod Touch connections -- up to version 2.0, featuring crossplatform capability with other WiFi enabled handhelds like Blackberry, Android and Palm Pre. While going iPhone exclusive hasn't hurt some apps, hopefully we'll see wider adoption of the technology, which can enable things from making the phone a remote control to using it as a keyboard, downloading files from the disc or playing games, now that it supports more than one platform. More info should be available once it hits the floor at NAB 2009 later this week.
RIM CEO on BlackBerry Storm: "nobody gets it perfect out the door"
If there's one two things we love, it's hearing RIM's own Jim Balsillie and Mike Lazaridis open their gaping traps. While the former was sufficiently panned back in January for exclaiming that buggy smartphone software was simply the "new reality," his partner in crime may have just done him one better. In a recent sit-down with Laptop Mag, Mike was specifically asked to address that aforementioned quote. His response? "That's our first touch product, and you know nobody gets it perfect out the door. You know other companies were having problems with their first releases." If you're struggling to translate that into layman speak, allow us: "Tough luck, early adopters!"As the interview progressed, the co-CEO took the opportunity to snub Apple on its inability to get Push Email out early on, noting that BlackBerry OS has "constantly been underestimated" and was "designed to multitask from day one." He also stumbled all over himself when it came to speaking about the BlackBerry's web browser, stating that "by writing our browser in Java, that provides our CIOs and wireless managers the assurances they need, to allow the browser to access internal information at the same time it accesses external information." We've literally meditated on that for a solid half-hour, and we still have absolutely zero idea what it means in English. Nevertheless, the whole thing is a pretty great -- if not comical -- read, so give it a look and share your colorful opinions in comments below.
Verizon's BlackBerry Storms finally getting firmware update soon?
We reported not long ago that Verizon had been planning to release 4.7.0.113 as its next official firmware update for the Storm, and now, PC World is reporting that it'll finally be dropping sometime int he next two weeks. Considering that other 9530 carriers have already rolled out post-113 builds to their customers, we can't help but wonder a couple things: first, whether 113 will still be the chosen release, and second, why RIM can't get all of these carriers on the same page. It seems a bit silly for Bell to have signed off on a recent build while Verizon's still hemming and hawing; realistically, Bell, Telus, and Verizon probably could've collaborated with RIM's assistance to get a more unified roll-out underway. In the meantime, Verizon's looking silly, slow, and out of touch.
Sprint's BlackBerry 8350i, now with less camera
We knew it was coming, but the last time we checked, we had a big fat "TBD" in the launch date column -- now, the wait has finally ended and throngs of camera-free phone fanboys and girls can get their BlackBerry on (come on, you know who you are). The iDEN-only 8350i has been stripped of its cam, but not its dignity -- a good match for businessfolk working in higher-security facilities where covert imagery is still a concern. Unfortunately, the removed technology won't save you any dough; you'll pay the same $149.99 on contract after rebate as the "normal" 8350i buyers, but at least you won't get thrown out of a secret laboratory by ripped guards wielding AR-15s for bending the rules. [Via Boy Genius Report]
Bell adds 1GB smartphone plan with tethering for actually reasonable price
Canadian carriers are known for a lot of things; reasonable data pricing, traditionally, is not one of them. As smartphones get more data-intensive by leaps and bounds and wider market segments realize they need laptop cards, these guys appear to be learning -- slowly -- and we're liking what we're seeing with Bell's new $45 CAD ($37) package... sort of. You get 1GB of data for your BlackBerry or WinMo device, $6 per MB for roaming in the US (the same as on Bell's cheaper plans), and extra megabytes run you 3 cents apiece -- and it seems you can tether at no additional charge. For comparison, the $40 CAD plan -- just $5 cheaper -- steps down dramatically to just 8MB of data, so this is what we'd call a "best value" of sorts, if you can really call 1GB for $45 a "best value." [Via MobileSyrup]
Bell rolls out 4.7.0.122 for BlackBerry Storm 9530
Verizon users are still waiting patiently for something blessed official by the powers that be, but meanwhile, Storm-ites on Bell up north are finally in the game. Build 122 of the Storm 9530's firmware hit Bell's servers in the past few days, presumably offering all the goodies 113 has to offer and more (it's 9 higher, after all, and we all know that higher numbers are always good). The Storm could end up being a feel-good story of how a device can go from "pretty bad" to "pretty good" with firmware updates alone, so keep 'em coming, RIM. You too, carriers. [Thanks, Sean]
BlackBerry Bold graced with a leaked build of 5.0
It's one thing to see it on video, but it's quite another to try it for yourself, isn't it? Intrepid Bold users are now invited to take BlackBerry OS 5.0 for a spin courtesy of a freshly-leaked build (5.0.90, if you're curious). Of course, a good majority of the world's Bolds are used in somewhat mission-critical environments -- so if you use your trusty sidearm for corporate email or anything else where bricking the phone might cause some drama at the workplace, you may want to hold off. Just sayin'.[Via BlackBerryNews]
BlackBerry OS 5.0 previewed on video, don't expect a revolution
When a key feature of a new platform version is said to be its awesome startup screen, we question the importance of said version -- but when that new startup screen is nothing more than a logo and a progress bar, we're really starting to lose hope. Don't get us wrong, BlackBerry OS 5.0 is shaping up to be a nice little upgrade for folks currently on 4.6 or 4.7, but from what we can tell in the preview video posted over on CrackBerry, it's certainly not worthy of a major version bump; indeed, it seems that it's only being called 5.0 to bring it in sync with the imminent launch of BES 5.0. There's a new memory details screen (pictured), trackball "flicking" through photos, some minor improvements to email and folder management, browser updates (thank goodness), and a handful of other trinkets scattered through the platform -- not exactly the scorched-earth rewrite you might expect going to a number as grand as 5.0. Then again, why mess with a good thing, right?
WiFi-equipped BlackBerry Storm 2 coming to Verizon in September?
Looks like you might be able to cross at least one bullet point off of your Storm 2 wishlist. According to unnamed source who SlashGear swears is the bee's knees, the successor to BlackBerry's touchscreen smartphone will add WiFi support for faster home / coffee shop web browsing. The informant hinted there's other surprises on the horizon but wouldn't give specifics, so for now you'll just have to keep dreaming about that SurePress touchscreen that doesn't slow down your texting. As for when we should expect the sequel, the report pointed to a release sometime in September on Verizon's network.
Trio of new BlackBerrys rumored for the high end
Before you get too excited, all three of these suckers seem to be variations on a theme -- all have a QWERTY keyboard, 3G, WiFi, and GPS, and are members of the 9000 series, apparently -- so we might just be looking at different carriers here, not some massive, dreamy phalanx of unique hardware all hitting within a few months of each other. The latest batch of devices said to be making the rounds in RIM's labs are apparently codenamed Onyx, Driftwood, and Magnum, and may feature the touchscreen / QWERTY hybrid concept rumored to be hitting the pictured Pluto (confused yet?). Notably, only the Driftwood will support UMA -- important for T-Mobile -- while both the Onyx and Magnum are lined up for AT&T, so this is a pretty wild situation developing north of the border here. Downmarket, it seems that the Gemini isn't just a single device but a whole series of lower-cost models in the same vein as the present-day Curve. Doesn't really matter to us what they're called -- can we just get them rolled out on the double, please? [Image via CrackBerry]
BlackBerry Niagara 9630 OS 4.7.1 previewed: good mix of Storm and Bold features, OS 5.0 in disguise?
We know you're hungry for some more details on the BlackBerry Niagara 9630, so here we go. Crackberry's released the second part of its impressions with the device, this time focusing on the OS 4.7.1 that they note functions like a hybrid of the Storm's OS 4.7 and Bold / Curve 8900's OS 4.6. Features lovingly borrowed from the SurePress-equipped touchscreen include app switching by pushing down the menu key, trackball gestures in the photo gallery, a revised profiles menu, bubblier boxes in the options menu, and possibly a new memory manager within the media center. On their own, these all seem pretty minor, but they add up to a much more pleasant experience. Judging by the preview, it looks it's still shaping up to be one of the best 'berry's you can buy. The CB crew conjecture this might actually be the upcoming OS 5.0 in disguise, judging by their similarities. We'll find out for sure sometime in May, when we can get our hands on the phone and can check that version number ourselves.
PrimeTime2Go brings full-length TV episodes to BlackBerry Bold, Curve 8900
Ah, so the rumors were true. As BlackBerry App World descends upon the masses today, a particularly unique service is launching alongside of it: QuickPlay Media's PrimeTime2Go. Unlike options from Sprint and AT&T, this alternative delivers video only over WiFi, though this arrangement does enable it to work on all carriers. The app will bring full-length television shows to certain BlackBerry smartphones, and with deals inked with NBC, CBS and MTV, we'd say the selection should be pretty good. As for details, it'll run users $7.99 per month, though it will only operate (initially, at least) on the BlackBerry Bold and Curve 8900, sold by AT&T and T-Mobile, respectively. So, is this the break that mobile TV has been waiting for? Or is this yet another option that better get used to being shunned?
Verizon counting on build 113 for its next Storm firmware release, changelog leaked
We've been able to confirm that Verizon currently plans to release version 4.7.0.113 as its next official Storm firmware build -- about time, considering that the last (and only) official upgrade came some four months ago while a countless flurry of interim builds have whizzed by on the interwebs. It gets better, though: we've also scored an official list of fixes and enhancements in 113, which we've broken down after the break. A word of warning: it's a massive, massive list. Read on!
