Recently in Research In Motion Category

In case you're not going to wait for the BlackBerry Bold 9700, then maybe the Storm 2 9550 is the next BlackBerry in your life. And the phone has decided to star in a brand new video.

Check out the video above and you'll see for yourself that the phone is a lot better than its predecessor. Sure we like the backlit buttons, the metal battery door and the chrome but what we really like is the SurePress screen which will only respond to your touch when the phone is in use. And the Storm 2 seems to be a pretty fast device especially since the OS in the video is not the final version. You have lots of memory to play with, great speakers, a 3.2-megapixel camera with autofocus and BlackBerry Messenger.

The Storm 2 looks better and better and while we don't want to presume it's going to be an iPhone killer we sure expect it to be quite popular among RIM fans and not only. We're just hoping that the phone in the video is the real thing. After all, why shouldn't it be?

After we've just seen a white BlackBerry Bold emerge from virtually nowhere, we have now spotted a different Bold on Bell's inventory. This Bold however is a totally new one and it's probably a lot cooler. While we don't have that many details about the BlackBerry Bold 9700 we know that Bell is certainly getting ready to launch it. As you can see in the picture, the HSPA Bold 9700 is featured on Bell's inventory but that doesn't mean it's coming in the very near future. The phone could be available only in a few months since Bell phones usually appear on inventory lists way before actually getting launched.

via howardforum

We have no idea when this BlackBerry is coming out or what codename will RIM give it but we have some specs that have gotten leaked already. So here's what you're future BlackBerry 9700 will have to offer once it gets released:

• Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE


• UMTS/HSDPA


• 480×360 resolution display


• WiFi a,b,g


• OS 5.0


• QWERTY keyboard


• 3.2 megapixel AF camera


• Bluetooth

Anyone excited yet? We could use some pictures and a codename so RIM should better leak them soon.

via BGR

The day has finally come folks! T-Mobile has the Gemini ready for you for just $129.99. As you can see, the suggested retail price is $299.99 so you save instantly $170. The question is, wouldn't you rather pay $49 for the same Curve 8520 sold now at Walmart? No matter where you purchase your Curve 8520, you'll still have to get a T-Mobile contract. And since we're talking about an entry-level Berry here, you might just be better off paying what Walmart is asking for it. What do you think?

via T-Mobile

RIM's BlackBerry Onyx has yet to settle down on a carrier but it seems that someone has gotten their hands on some pre-release devices and decided to throw them on eBay. The starting bid is currently at just $1 but the seller says you can buy the phone now for $1,299.99.

Sure, the phone is unlocked and has GPS, WiFi, a QWERTY keyboard, quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE and tri-band UMTS/HSDPA but is anyone actually going to pay over $1,200 for this? I guess we'll have to wait and see.

Read (eBay)

If you've seen the BlackBerry Gemini or the curve 8520, then you absolutely have to see the BlackBerry Aries. That way you'll be able to make an informed decision when purchasing your next RIM device. So what is the Aries? Well the Aries is the same phone as the Gemini but it comes with CDMA support. That's where you get to choose your future carrier. So what carrier will it be? The Curve 8520 aka the Gemini or the Curve 8530 aka the Aries?

via crackberry

In case you think T-Mobile is charging way too much for a device that doesn't do 3G and comes with only a 2-megapixel camera then you should go to Walmart to purchase your BlackBerry Curve 8520 Gemini. Walmart will offer this new Berry for just $48.88 (ok, almost $50) which is a much better price than T-Mobile's $129.99 tag.

via gizmodo

We've been hearing about this handset for a long time but it seems RIM has finally decided its time to let the BlackBerry Curve 8520 out of the bag.

This phone will officially feature a 320 x 240 resolution display, 2MP camera with video capture, WiFi, a track pad in place of the iconic track ball and the ability to sync up with Macs right out of the box. This is probably thanks to the Mac version of BlackBerry Desktop Manager that we heard about not too long ago.

Better yet, RIM has also us know that those rumors of the 8520 coming to T-Mobile were true as the phone will officially drop on said carrier August 5th for $129.99.

via Engadget

Today is definitely a BlackBerry Tour day. The handset is already available for pre-order from Verizon Wireless in two versions, with or without a camera. And if you're currently residing in Canada, you should know that the Tour is going to be available from Bell on July 17.

The phone will be available for $699.95 if you don't want another 3-year contract or for $249.95 if you do want the new contract.

via BGR

I'm not sure the BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8230 is the best choice for anyone right now especially since the Tour is coming soon. Verizon Wireless is nevertheless selling the phone as of right now and it can be yours for $79 after a $70 mail-in rebate and a new two-year contract. The phone is available both online and in store and if you're not looking for an iPhone or a Pre right now then a Flip phone from Berry might be the phone for you.

via Verizon

Well that's certainly not going to happen anytime soon. The President's cell phone choice is clear and everyone in the business knows how Obama loves his BlackBerry. But from there to trying to sell a phone by using the President it's a long way to go. The ad reads:

Obama have BlackBerry, I have BlockBerry.

Better get yourself a BlackBerry instead of this BlackBerry Storm wannabe. The phone has features like a 460MHz processor, a 3.2-inch touchscreen, WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS, 3G and EDGE connectivity and Windows Mobile 6.1. How much would one cost? About a dolla'? Not that anyone is buying...

via clonedinchina

Although not official yet the BlackBerry Messenger is going to get an update soon. The PIN-based messaging system will get some important upgrades like: Avatar support, GPS location integration, Proximity sensor, Homescreen support and Set conversation subjects.

In other words you can now set your own avatar picture just like you would do in other instant messaging apps. Friends will be able to see you on the map and you will also know if you're close to each other that's going to be obvious too. All we need to do now is wait for the messenger update to be available!

via BGR

Pictures of the Blackberry Tour 9630, originally called the Niagara, have been circulating for a while now but specs have been no where to be seen. Fortunately, our friends over at MobileSyrup have gotten their hands on a full spec sheet for the device:

Size (L x W x D): 112 x 62 x 14.2 mm
Weight: 130 grams
Memory: 256 MB internal Flash memory
Expandable Memory: microSD located under the battery door cover
Battery: 1400 mAh removable/rechargeable cryptographic lithium cell
Battery Life: TBD
Keyboard: 35 key backlit QWERTY
Display: High resolution HVGA 480×360 pixel
Camera: 3.2 MP camera, flash auto focus
GPS: Assisted, autonomous and simultaneous GPS enabled with preloaded BlackBerry Application for e911 capabilities
Media Player: Video format support MPEG4; Audio format support MP3, AAC AAC+ etc
Bluetooth: Bluetooth V2.0; mono/stereo headset, hands-free, PBAP
Headset: 3.5mm stereo headset capable
USB Port: Enables charging and high-spead data synchronization via USB "A" to micro USB "B" cable
Network Support:
Quad-band 850/900/1800/1900MHz
GSM/GPRS/EDGE networks
Single-band: 2100 MHz
UMTS/HSPA networks
Dual-Band: 800/1900 MHz

So, what do you think? Will you be purchasing the Blackberry Tour 9630 when it drops?

Apple is getting ready to launch a new iPhone and RIM's response seems to be a new BlackBerry Storm. The Storm 2 has been confirmed by Alain Segond von Banchet, RIM's Channel Sales manager in the Netherlands. The phone should arrive in late 2009 or early 2010. Isn't that too late? The new handset will launch with KPN which must mean the second Storm won't be a Vodafone exclusive.

What novelties will the Storm 2 bring us? A new touch input method which should be better than what we've seen so far. We're guessing that other things are also going to be added by RIM because just a new input method will not suffice in this tough business.

via tweakers.net

The BlackBerry 9630 Niagara is the next hot Berry out there and everyone is talking about it. The video clip above is nearly not long enough to describe all its features but it's a start. The phone is scheduled to arrive later this year from Verizon Wireless and we're probably going to see it arrive around the world from other carriers too. What do you think so far? What's the hottest BlackBerry phone for you? The Niagara? The Storm? The Bold?

The Niagara is the future BlackBerry 9630 which should arrive from Verizon Wireless in the future. It will have support for CDMA 1x, EV-DO Rev. A, GSM, GPRS, EDGE and UMTS. Unfortunately there's no WiFi support in this Niagara. The phone might arrive in May or June but we definitely need confirmation. And we could use some pricing details too. Considering that the Pre and possibly the third-generation iPhone are also coming out around the same period, which one would you choose?

via BGR

Need a new Flip from RIM? Well the Pearl 8230 Flip is right around the corner as it seems that Verizon is ready to launch it soon. We have no news on pricing and availability dates yet but we're counting on Verizon to let everyone know soon about their intentions with the 8230. People say that test units are out which might indicate that the official launch is near. Would you buy the 8230 Flip?

via crackberry

The G1 has been launched only in the USA and UK so far. That means lots of potential Android customers around the world haven't been able to consider buying a G1 yet. And T-Mobile is going to start launching the device in other European markets. That's a good start right?

The Netherlands, Austria and the Czech Republic are getting the G1 on January 30 while Germany is getting it on February 2. Poland will also receive the smartphone but at an unannounced yet date.

We don't have all the price details yet but we do know that in Germany the G1 will cost 1 Euro with a two-year contract.

We knew this one was happening folks! The BlackBerry 8900 Curve is ready to appear from T-Mobile. If you don't like the Bold or the Thunder then the 8900 should definitely interest you. And today we are more than pleased to announce you that the 8900 is definitely happening in February as expected, but a week earlier that people said it would. The launch date has been moved to February 11 from February 18. That means you only have to wait about a month to get it. Now we only need a price for it!

RIM's Blackberry Storm 9530 Smart Phone for Verizon is larger and heavier than what you might expect, weighing in at 5.6 ounces and measuring 4.4" x 2.5" x .6". The 3.25 inch touchscreen responds with a clicking noise as if it were a PC keyboard, which is remarkably satisfying for addictive users, and adds a new and so far welcome dimension the user interface. Storm 9530 doe not come with Wifi support, but its 3G data system is remarkably effective.

A variety of IM programs are free with the purchase of the Storm 9530, including AIM, MSN, Yahoo!, and Gtalk. A pair of wired headphones comes standard with the Blackberry Storm 9530, but Blue Tooth also works quite well. Retail pricing for the Blackberry Storm 9530 starts at around $599 by itself, but the phone can be purchased at a lower price if a commitment is made to a specific Verizon plan.

Sprint hasn't had any new Berries in quite a while. The carrier missed out on the Storm and the Bold although it did launch its iDEN Curve a while ago. But if you happen to be a Sprint customer with a hidden passion for RIM's BlackBerries then you are in luck. The company will launch the BlackBerry Niagara in Q1 2009. Or so the people say.

The Niagara is a CDMA version of the Bold and it features a full-QWERTY keyboard, 480x360 display, EV-DO Rev. A and aGPS support, WiFi and a 3.2 megapixel camera. Since it's just a rumor for now we don't have any details regarding actual arrival dates and pricing.

via BGR

Are you a Blackberry fan? Cause I know I am! I totally dig the cool way RIM have allowed us to mix pleasure with business when it created these highly new intelligent handsets. The only problem is there are now too many to choose from. How do you know what the best pick is eventually? Do you happen to have an old one and would like to swap it with a brand new one over the holidays, but just don't know which one to pick? The Storm is really amazing with its features and functionality, and all that is achieved without the usual QWERTY keyboard. The Curve 8900 which is a definite upgraded version of the former Blackberry phones is a dependable smartphone for anyone that would like an old fashion keyboard to play with.

Take a quick glance at this video, where the two are being compared and it might help you solve your dilemma. It could be a little longer but then again size doesn't matter, does it?

The folks over at PureMobile.com sent us a BlackBerry Pearl Flip for review.

The first time the phone was turned on, it took nearly 1 minute, 35 seconds for the BlackBerry OS to boot up.. After navigating through the initial setup (language, date/time, and introduction to using the QWERTY keyboard on the Pearl), I finally reached the main screen.

The Phone

Let's start with a phone call - from the main screen, I simply started dialing the numbers. Now I don't know if there was an issue with this particular phone or it's an issue with all Pearl Flips, there's a definite delay between the time the key is pressed and the keypad tone is played back. It's a minor thing, but for someone used to Nokia phones pretty much all my mobile life, it was kind of annoying.

The speaker on the phone was pretty crisp and clear, and the speakerphone was pretty great. In fact, the speakerphone is, arguably, better than most phones including the iPhone (on which it generally sucks). Build quality is rather nice, although when you keep it in your pocket, it seems a bit bulky - which is most likely because it's a flip. As with the original Pearl, typing on the new-ish keyboard on the flip phone is something that old-school crackberries may have to adjust to.

Contacts

How long does it take to add a contact? At the minimum, a contact with a name and phone number takes approximately 4 minutes. Reason? Here are a few UI bloopers:

1. The dictionary seems to be turned on when adding the contact's name. Which annoyingly pops up suggestions when I don't want it to. Not everyone has a generic name, see.
2. When adding a contact, the order of the fields is as follows:
   • Title
   • First name
   • Last name
   • Picture
   • Company
   • Job Title
   • Email
   • Work phone (<-- FINALLY); granted, the BlackBerry is primarily a business user's phone. But look at the distance (in scrolling) between adding the contact's name and phone number - it's ridiculous! This is supposed to be a phone, damn it.

Text messaging

After the contact adding episode, I was hesitant to try sending a text SMS. Thankfully, this was simpler, although when in the 'Compose an SMS' screen, when I entered the recipient's phone number (instead of selecting from a contact), it initially filled up junk characters but gave me the option to choose the number that I typed.

Synchronization

As always, sync works beautifully with the BlackBerry Desktop Manager - no questions asked. I was able to sync my contacts and email and the phone was up and running. It is also seamless to add and update your applications with the Desktop Manager.

Camera

Yes, the Pearl Flip has an on-board camera. It's a 2 megapixel one, and not too great at that. Then again, you don't want your mobile workforce to be clicking away at everything in sight, so it's probably fine.

The Browser

The BlackBerry Pearl Flip comes with both a full-fledged browser and a WAP browser. I'm pretty sure you'd like to read more about the former, so here it goes. Now, T-Mobile's EDGE network is not the best network out there, and the Pearl Flip does not support 3G, so that's the best I could use for testing. The T-Mobile co-branded browser loads the default T-Mobile page, featuring a few news sources and Yahoo! search.

The column mode available on the browser lets you see the entire page in a single column, which is convenient at times. However the browser was nothing to write home about - it seemed sluggish, and things did not vastly improve when I switched to Wi-Fi. You're better off with Opera on this one.

Business User

The Pearl Flip, despite its keyboard, is made for the business user like any other BlackBerry and therefore comes with support for adding various email accounts including POP3, IMAP, Lotus Notes and Microsoft Exchange. IM client support is also pre-installed, with Yahoo Messenger, MSN Live Messenger, Google Talk and AIM on board.

Extras

The phone we received had a few games pre-installed, including Texas Hold'Em King 2, BrickBreaker and Sudoku. There was also the Facebook application for BlackBerry, which failed to load with a message from T-Mobile stating that "Your rate plan does not support this feature." Obviously because I wasn't on a BlackBerry data plan but a regular data plan.

Conclusion

Overall, I liked the phone - except for the boot up time. Plus, I am still not very comfortable with SureType but with a few more days of practice, it should come easy. No support for 3G means you would have to use Wi-Fi more often - draining your battery faster.

Whack Rating: 7.5/10

Buy the Blackberry Pearl 8220 Flip (unlocked) from PureMobile

Well then iDEN fans will definitely love this release. Sprint Nextel launched the BlackBerry Curve 8350i so if you are a push-to-talk person, you should definitely check it out. This RIM smartphone will wear OS 4.6 and it will have WiFi and GPS support. It has a 2 megapixel camera, Bluetooth 2.0 and microSDHC support. It comes with International Direct Connect and Talkgroup support and it will get you talking to your friends in no time. The full QWERTY keyboard is right there of course and the 1400 mAH battery is removable. The phone is available for $149.99 with a two year contract and it should be your first choice when choosing push-to-talk smartphone.
Danny Bowman, president of Nextel Direct Connect said:

The BlackBerry Curve 8350i smartphone is the most recent example of our solid commitment to iDEN technology and our Nextel Direct Connect customers. The BlackBerry Curve 8350i smartphone is designed for customers who require instant convenient push-to-talk services to communicate with friends and family as well as with employees, customers and suppliers. The BlackBerry Curve 8350i is a premium smartphone that strikes a perfect balance between performance and usability.

via Press

Besides the Storm which created lots of buzz lately, RIM has other Berries ready for the grabbing. Such a BlackBerry is the 8900 Curve which is available from Rogers.

The smartphone features a 2.4 inch screen that senses the light around it, a 512MHz processor, quad-band EDGE, WiFi, a 3.2 megapixel camera, GPS, a microSDHC card slot, Bluetooth 2.0 and a removable battery. Yes, there's no 3G unfortunately. The 8900 Curve will cost $179.99 with an interminably 3-year long plan. Better get a Storm you say?