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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?
Mobile Visor, for BlackBerry Curves on the pro tour
Golf claps, please. [Via Engadget Chinese]
Motorola i9, others coming to Sprint this week?
We've seen a number of launch date leaks for Sprint courtesy of partner Brightpoint in the past; generally, they tend to be pretty accurate, so we're going to go ahead and put some weight to this latest one. Looks like we can expect Nextel to pick up the Motorola i9 on Wednesday -- Boost got it a little over a month ago, you might recall -- along with the ancient i580 in yellow. Brightpoint also reels in the Palm Treo Pro a few days earlier than Sprint's official date, while the LG Rumor 2 launches a few days later on the 15th or the 29th; Brightpoint's wording is a little odd here, so it's hard to tell exactly how it'll shake out. Finally, we have a camera-free version of the BlackBerry 8350i in the works, a logical product for RIM to be taking on considering the phone's all-business roots.[Via phoneArena]
Telus BlackBerry Curve 8350i review
The Telus Mike-branded BlackBerry 8350i Curve is a monstrous step in device technology for the Canadian giant as the only other BlackBerry in the lineup is the BlackBerry 7100i *cough*. So we'll start this off by saying goodbye to the year 2006, welcome Mike to the year 2009, and share a few thoughts -- and an enormous gallery -- about this new Direct Connect set.%Gallery-45863%
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.
T-Mobile's BlackBerry Curve 8900s selling like hotcakes
We've gotten tips from all over the country today saying that Curve 8900s are very hard to come by at T-Mobile locations, and now, we have a better idea why. T-Mobile hooked us up with an official statement on the situation saying that presales were "robust," which led to phones being available only in very small numbers in-store out of the gate. Naturally, we're sure T-Mob's working closely with RIM to get these suckers out to anyone who wants them as quickly as possible, but in the short term, going the online route might be your best bet if you want one in your hands on the double. See the full statement straight from the horse's mouth after the break.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
BlackBerry Curve 8900 finally available to one and all on T-Mobile
Alright, business customers, just wipe that smug grin off your faces, won't you? The unwashed masses (read: us) have finally been given the green light to rush into T-Mobile stores (and online) to pick up the BlackBerry Curve 8900 for $199.99 on a two-year contract after rebates -- not exactly the $149.99 we were hoping for, but we can always hope for Best Buy to get this sucker out the door for a few bucks less than T-Mobile proper.[Via BlackBerryNews]
T-Mobile's BlackBerry Curve 8900 looking good for $149.99
Are your friends Franklin and Grant burning a Curve-sized hole in your pocket? Here's an idea: take 'em on down to your local T-Mobile shop and exchange them for an actual 8900 and the next two years of your life. Deal? Looks like the unwashed masses (read: non-business customers) will be able to pick up the latest and greatest non-3G BlackBerry for a penny shy of $150 on contract, or -- if you can stomach it -- a whopping $649.99 contract-free. Choose wisely.[Thanks, anonymous tipster]Update: It should be noted that this is out of Best Buy's inventory system, which -- as we've seen in the past -- has a tendency to totally bone the contract-free pricing. Have faith that it'll actually be a bit less.
Sprint's BlackBerry 8130 and 8330 get 4.5 update
For Pearl and Curve 8300 owners, BlackBerry OS 4.5 is something of a holy grail -- awesome, but pretty hard to find because carriers have generally been slow to roll it out. Fortunately, Sprint has graced owners of the 8130 and 8330 with the latest and greatest pre-4.6 goods, and what's more, tipsters are telling us that the latest version enables MMS messages. MMS, really? Reminds us of the year 2004, our road trip to the Canadian Rockies, and a simpler, more innocent time. But we digress; if you've got one of these devices, go kick off the download and get ready to play almost-catch-up to the 4.6-based 8350i, why don't you?[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
BlackBerry Blowout: Storm vs. Bold vs. Curve 8900
We decided to take the most recent 'Berrys -- the Curve 8900, Bold, and Storm -- and toss them into a big pile. What would happen? Do they get along? What kind of bruised egos would we see? Read on for our innermost thoughts.%Gallery-43955%
BlackBerry Storm vs. Bold vs. Curve 8900... fight!
Between Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile, we now have a royal flush of latest-gen BlackBerrys from which to choose: the Storm, the Bold, and the lovely Curve 8900. Curious what a family reunion would look like? Head on over to Engadget for the full rundown!
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.
T-Mobile pulls BlackBerry Bold and Curve off European shelves
Okay, relax, T-Mobile USA folks -- this doesn't affect you -- but you should at least show a little sympathy for your European counterparts who are suddenly feeling the sting of a BlackBerry-less existence. Mobile Cowboys has learned that Bolds and Curves have both been unceremoniously yanked from store shelves, apparently due to a bug that's causing overage on customers' plans. The problem's been confirmed on the Curve, and as a precaution, the Bold has been pulled as well -- which, sadly, isn't the first time the 9000's been gagged on a carrier. Presumably, we'll see both of these pop back up just as soon as a new firmware gets thrown into the pipeline -- and existing customers are assured that they'll be reimbursed for any BlackBerry-induced screw-ups.[Via Mobile Phone Helpdesk]
T-Mobile BlackBerry Curve 8900 review
Along with the Pearl, the Curve series represents the kinder, gentler side of BlackBerry; it's the side that appeals to consumers without sacrificing power, and from time to time, it's the side that's even been known to show some sex appeal. The Curve 8900 really takes that sex appeal to the next level, delivering one of the most drop-dead gorgeous phones ever to grace a corporate boardroom -- and it just so happens that T-Mobile USA's the first American carrier to deliver it, so we've taken the opportunity to put it through its paces. Does it out-Bold the Bold? Head on over to Engadget Mobile for the full rundown.
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]
BlackBerry Curve 8900s trickling down to users from T-Mobile
Visiting T-Mobile's site still gives you a disheartening "Coming Soon" when you click on the 8900, but it seems that at least a few folks have badgered customer service reps just enough to get 'em to drop the newest Curve in the mail. The official date for consumers is still February-ish, but this dovetails nicely with talk that suits would be able to latch on to one a few days early -- so, you know, just tell 'em you're with Callahan Auto or Initech and see how far you get.[Thanks, Scott M.]
Nextel's BlackBerry Curve 8350i gets reviewed
iDEN devices aren't typically the slimmest or the sexiest phones you can buy, but all things considered, the BlackBerry 8350i does a decent job of sucking in its gut and looking presentable. It's chubbier than its GSM and CDMA cousins -- and it trades the 3.5mm audio jack for a less-useful 2.5mm one -- but in exchange, phoneArena observes that you get the best keyboard and trackball ever found on a Curve. What's more, the load of BlackBerry OS 4.6 found here is said to be smooth as silk and crash-free -- a far cry from the experiences of some Bold and Storm owners dealing with builds of similar vintages. Ultimately, the review wraps up with a conclusion we'd expect: it's great for an iDEN phone and Nextel folks are guaranteed to be stoked, but should anyone without an incessant need for push-to-talk fly into a jealous rage? Probably not.
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.
