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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.
Yet another Storm firmware leaks out of the Waterloo sieve
Okay, so now we're up to 4.7.0.90 for both the Storm 9500 (Vodafone's model) and the 9530 found on CDMA carriers. At this point, there certainly doesn't seem to be any desire on RIM's part to keep these things under lock and key, so it makes you wonder: how long does the carrier validation process go on for these things? We have to believe Verizon, Vodafone, and others are all going through each and every Storm firmware with a fine-tooth comb trying to decide which to release to their customers -- but when you look at the sorry leaked-to-official firmware update ratio, it's a pretty depressing state of affairs for your average Storm user who isn't tracking forums. At any rate, there's no solid word on everything that's new in 90, but early reports have it being generally faster and more stable than anything before it -- a placebo effect, perhaps, so we'll have to keep watching the sitch for a while.[Via BlackBerryNews]
Sneak peek at RIM's BlackBerry Application Center
At this point, you're probably wondering what section of the Storm's UI you haven't seen. Enter a few new sneak peeks, this time showcasing the purported BlackBerry Application Center. Granted, these shots are from the Vodafone edition, but we don't suspect the Verizon version will look much different. Reportedly, the Application Center will be available on v4.7 Storm devices, and carriers themselves will be responsible for hosting the data and sending updates; additionally, the download / installation will be handled by the browser in the first release, meaning that the software cannot restart the app or download intelligently. Give the read link a look for a few more tidbits / pictures.
Blackberry OS 4.6 for 9000 / 9500 gets detailed
We had heard that the introduction of the BlackBerry Bold (9000) / Thunder (9500) could usher in the long-awaited BlackBerry OS 4.6, and now we're just about ready to believe it. A new listing over at Horizon Wireless Online details the forthcoming operating system, and notes that it will bring along richer browsing (which entails a whole host of improvements), click zooming with the trackball, Music Sync, an option to select Home screen grid size and support for continuous spell checking (among other things). Hey RIM, can we get that "richer browsing experience" on say, the Curve / Pearl?[Thanks, Peter]
BlackBerry OS 4.5.0.37 finds its way onto the web
Numerically, it's just a smidgen of an update, but for OS 4.5 users everywhere, we know you're craving the very latest point release. Apparently RIM wasn't too happy about the download links finding their way out onto the world wide intarnetz, but if you've got an 8100, 8300, 8700 or 8800 handset, we'd highly recommend firing up Google and doing a bit of sleuthing.
RIM's BlackBerry Desktop Media Manager released
As RIM moves ever more into the consumer spectrum of wireless handsets, it's gotta have media software for the desktop to help manage all that content. BlackBerry Desktop Media Manager (BBDMM) is supposed to solve that problem, seeing as songs, videos and pictures can be managed in a single place. So, if you're not happy with all the other media management software packages out there, RIM may have your ticket. Well, at least the ticket that allows content drag-and-drop to your BlackBerry, that is. The newest version of BlackBerry Desktop Media Manager requires BlackBerry Desktop software v4.2, Service Pack 2. In short, better get that desktop in order (version-wise) before you start managing all that content destined to make its way to your BlackBerry soon. Since the new BBDMM is based on Roxio Easy Media Creator, it should feel like home to prior or existing Roxio customers.[Thanks, Eddie]
BlackBerry OS 4.2 ready for 8700 and 7310
We're game for salacious BlackBerry insider info just as much as anyone, so it was with great delight that a "high-level exec at RIM" leaked some info about an upcoming BlackBerry OS 4.2 upgrade (not pictured right) for that older 8700 or 7310. Here's a quick breakdown: BlackBerry Enterprise Server SP4 should be released in June, while BlackBerry OS 4.2 is apparently ready to roll from RIM's end for the 8700 and 7310 handsets -- it's just a question of when carriers will release it. And, oh yeah, BlackBerry OS version 5 is being touted for public release in 2007 or in early 2008 (we hope we can all wait that long) in harmony with its next-gen devices.
