The Inquisitr » blackberry

AT&T Starts Selling Blackberry Bold 9700 For $200

James Allen Johnson — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 14:00:31 +0000

AT&T is a little behind the curve when it comes to selling the Blackberry Bold 9700, but with great pricing and availability it’s still better late than never.

New and Existing customers due for an upgrade can pick up the Bold 9700 for a very nice $200, of course they’ll have to sign on the 2-year contract dotted line and agree to a data plan of at least $30 in order to qualify. They’ll also be required to fill out and wait for a $100 mail-in-rebate, so be prepared to throw down $299 + taxes at the time of purchase.

With included 3G data speeds, built-in WiFi and GPS tied together by a 3.15MP camera, Bluetooth 2.1 + A2DP and a MicroSDHC card, plus of course Research In Motions famous email servers, it’s really not a bad price to pay for such a powerhouse business/personal use device.

Blackberry Pearl 9100 “Striker” Gets Some Photos, Still Waiting On Specs

James Allen Johnson — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:49:34 +0000

The Blackberry Pearl 9100 has been spotted in the wild and adds some nice new design features to the Blackberry Pearl line of Smartphones. code-named Striker, the phone has been redesigned with a new SureType keyboard and an optical joystick for a whole new look and feel.

There’s still no word on the devices main features and although we can see that it has a camera, we don’t know what it offers, although an LED flash does appear to be included. We’d expect at least a 3.2mp camera, fairly standard fare on Research In Motion devices at this time, but we’d gladly take a 5.0 option with obstacle zoom if RIM could be so kind.

There’s still no word on pricing or availability, heck at this point I’d be willing to settle for some specs. [CrackBerry]

T-Mobile Begins Selling Blackberry Bold 9700 For $199.99

James Allen Johnson — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:10:08 +0000

The Blackberry Bold 9700 is now available to new and existing T-Mobile customers throughout U.S retail locations and through their online portal.

The Bold 9700 can be grabbed for $199.99 with the companies “Even More” plan and your signature on a 2-year contract. Users who are willing to forgo the contract for a higher priced device can also pick up the 9700 at a higher price of $449.99 with the “Even More Plus” plan.

The price isn’t too shabby for a device that features 3G, WiFi, a 3.2MP camera, MicroSDHC card support and a High resolution 480×360 pixel color display with 6 hours of talk time.

Verizon Wireless Now Selling Blackberry Storm 2 For $179.99

James Allen Johnson — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:21:58 +0000

We mentioned last week that the Blackberry Storm 2 was about to drop at Verizon Wireless and now that release is official, you can pick up the Smartphone in Verizon Wireless stores throughout the U.S. and through their online portal.

The Storm 2 as we reported is going for $179.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate and your signature on a 2-year agreement.

Here’s some of the specs found on the Blackberry Storm 2:

3.25 inch display with 480 x 360 pixels of resolution
3G Data Support via EVDO Rev A
Blackberry OS 5.0 with improved SureType technology
3.2 megapixel camera with Autofocus and image stabilization
1400mAh battery with 5.5 hours talk time

Not a bad option for $179.99 but we could really do without the mail-in-rebate part of the deal.

Verizon Gets Blackberry Curve 8530 On November 20th, $99 Price

James Allen Johnson — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:43:50 +0000

The Blackberry Curve 8530 is set to be released by Verizon Wireless on November 20th, adding to the slew of new devices the company plans to release before the end of 2009.

The Curve 8530 features EVDO Rev. A data access, alongside WiFi, GPS (VZ Navigator comes standard) and a full Qwerty Keyboard for quick email and text messaging. Research In Motion has also thrown in a 3.5mm headphone port and dedicated media keys, unfortunately the camera still comes in at a paltry 2MP.

The device will also feature a MicroSDHC card slot for memory capabilities up to 16GB which users will want to take advantage of considering the low amount of available onboard storage (256MB).

Users will also notice the lack of a trackball which has been replaced by a trackpad, while the device should speed along at decent speeds with its included 528MHz processor

The Blackberry Curve 8530 will come in black and smoky violet colors and will cost $99.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate, but only if you sign a 2 year contract and pick a data plan to complement your voice use, of course 99.9% of Blackberry users have a data plan so that shouldn’t concern most users.

Blackberry Storm 2 Arriving October 28th For $180

James Allen Johnson — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 13:30:52 +0000

A while back we announced that the Blackberry Storm 2 was just around the corner for Verizon Blackberry users. Now we’ve received official word that the device will launch on October 28th for $180. That price comes at a price of $179.99 after a $100 mail-in-rebate and the signing of a two year contract.

So what will you get for $179.99? How about a 3.25 inch display that offers 480 x 360 pixels resolution with capacitive touchscreen capabilities and a much improved SurePress setup. The device also features EVDO Rev.A with UMTS/HSPA 2100 and WiFi b/g data connections.

The Storm 2 also comes equipped with Blackberry’s newest 5.0 OS, while also featuring 2GB internal memory and a micrSDHC card slot that can support up to 16GB of additional memory. Next, throw in a 3.2MP autofocus camera that also offers image stabilization and a flash alongside a 1400mAh battery with 5.5 hours talk time and you’re left with a very nice device that should do wonders for replacing your Blackberry Storm.

Other Features Include:

3.5mm headset jack

GPS

Bluetooth 2.1+EDR

Proximity sensor

Rhapsody music

You can pre-order your device or pick it up at time of release, either way it may be worth getting rid of that old Storm and it’s awful 1st Gen. SurePress technology. [SlashGear]

Research In Motion Buys Torch Mobile

AHN — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 10:28:07 +0000

Waterloo, Ontario (AHN) – Blackberry-maker Research in Motion bought browser firm Torch Mobile. RIM’s purchase is expected to improve the Internet surfing capability of its smartphone.

RIM did not disclose the amount for the buy-in, but said Torch Mobile workers will be integrated in its software development group. With Torch Mobile employees becoming a part of RIM’s global network, the workers will focus on using their WebKit-based mobile browser expertise to enhance BlackBerry’s platform.

Torch Mobile said in a statement, “Torch Mobile’s team of highly skilled developers has been actively involved in Open Source development and includes contributors, Committers and Reviewers of the WebKit project. As part of RIM, these developers will continue to be active participants in the WebKit development community.”

The integration of Torch Mobile manpower into RIM is expected to result in better Blackberry performance by late next year.

Blackberry Storm 2 Gets Outed. Shows Off Better SurePress Touchscreen

James Allen Johnson — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 13:06:24 +0000

The team at Crackberry just posted a youtube video showing off the Blackberry Storm 2 (Blackberry Storm 9550). This newest offering from Research In Motion appears to feature the same clunky Blackberry 5.1 OS found on the original device of the same name, while offering some much needed improvement in other areas.

What has appeared to change is the SurePress touchscreen which seems on video to offer better give when pressing virtually anywhere on the screen. The improved touch technology is a welcomed addition given the horrible design of the first gen screen originally implemented on the Storm.

We also noticed that the main keys on the device (call, end, back and menu) are now part of the touchscreen rather than separate buttons, a design change that gives the devices frontside realty a flushed look (can anyone say iPhone?).

Unfortunately the unit still appears to be clunky on the processing speed front, especially when the accelerometer is being used or when apps are being loaded, however as mentioned above the OS may improve before final release.

We’re also optimistic that WiFi will be added before the final release since Blackberry has promised that feature on all future devices, yet it’s sorely missing in this first look.

Here’s the vid:

Got a Blackberry 9000? Get a free Jackson theme

Steven Hodson — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 00:30:52 +0000

It doesn’t matter where you turn the past couple of days since Michael Jackson’s death without finding something relating to him showing up.

For those of you who happen to have a Blackberry 9000 you can now download a free Jackson theme created by a fan. The theme shows off Jackson in some of his classic dance poses. You can grab it via this over the air download link. In the meantime here’s some shots of the theme for those of you not so lucky to own a Blackberry.

hat tip to IntoMobile

Blackberry Tour coming to US in late summer

Kim LaCapria — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 15:04:20 +0000

Research in Motion (RIM) shares jumped nearly 3% this morning on news of the Blackberry Tour 9630 launch.

With hopes of luring customers away from competitors such as the iPhone and the Nokia N97, the Blackberry Tour is feature heavy and sports a sleek, light design. Blackberry also has “BlackBerry App World™,” but compared to the iPhone apps, they just seem… embarrassing. Sorry, Blackberry.

Features don’t seem too different from previous offerings on the Curve and Bold series. The Tour boasts a 3.2 megapixel camera and 256MB flash memory (expandable to 16MB.) Video recording is also supported with the purchase of a MicroSD card. Talk time clocks in at about 5 hours, with up to two weeks of standby time. The Tour supports 3G EV-DO Rev. A networks in North America and 3G UMTS/HSPA and quad-band EDGE/GPRS/GSM networks outside the states. The Tour has no support for Wi-Fi.

RIM is expecting to move 400-600,000 units through the end of August- but the iPhone 3G sold over a million units in three days last summer. The Tour (also known as Blackberry Niagara) is expected to launch through Verizon and Sprint, priced at $199 with a two-year contract.

What’s more popular than an iPhone? Try a BlackBerry Curve

Duncan Riley — Tue, 05 May 2009 02:36:54 +0000

The iPhone has lost its spot as the most popular phone in the United States, being beaten by a surprising contender: the BlackBerry Curve.

According to figures from NPD, BlackBerry phones took three of the top five spots, with the BlackBerry Storm and BlackBerry Pearl sitting in third and fourth respectively. In good news for Google, the T-Mobile G1 came in at fifth.

The New York Times notes though that a sales promotion may be the key reason behind the BlackBerry Curve taking top spot.

The Curve was the big winner for two main reasons, said Mr. Rubin. One was Verizon’s “Buy one, get one free” deal for the BlackBerry. “That promotion pushed it over the top,” he said. Another reason is that the Curve was available through four major carriers, while the iPhone remains exclusive to AT&T.

The same report also noted that the stats were good for the forthcoming Palm Pre, proving that with support the iPhone can be challenged.

What about the Obama girl’s technology?

Steven Hodson — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 22:33:45 +0000

Much has been made about President Obama not wanting to give up his Blackberry – or what he calls his lifeline to the real people of the the the country he is now in charge of. Every effort it seems has been taken to find the most secure version of his favourite communication tools but what about the rest of the first family – especially the children.

After all these two girls have grown up in a world where texting and cell phones are almost surgically attached to kids at birth. It doesn’t matter where kids go these days they are very rarely less than a back pocket away from their cell phones.They have become the very lifeline by which children keep in touch with each other and find out what is happening in their world – often before even their parents do.

But here we have two young girls who even more so that maybe their mother and father will be in the public eye for some time. In the matter of months their lives have totally changed. So one has to wonder how the technology that they have grown up with even more so than maybe their parents is going to change.

While immense precautions have been taken in order for President Obama to keep that Blackberry he swore they would have to tear from his hands what is being done with the technology that both Mrs. Obama, Malia and Sasha consider equally important to them. Even though the President by the looks of things will be able to break – even ever so slightly – out of the communication bubble with the real world how will this; or will this freedom also be extended to his children?

Vlingo Launches iPhone Voice Control App

JR — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 17:02:03 +0000

Vlingo has finally launched an iPhone version of its powerful voice control application.

Previously catered to BlackBerry, Vlingo lets you speak out everything from text messages to e-mails and Web navigation commands — then it translates that into typed out action on your phone. Its latest version added support for spoken Twitter and Facebook updates and even the ability to have a message you speak read back to you aloud.

Now, Vlingo is up for grabs at the Apple App Store. It boasts all the same functions as the BlackBerry version as well as a specialized map lookup tool: You say, for example, “Find a dry cleaners in Seattle” — and you get a Google Map with all the local spots in place.

A demo video of the Vlingo iPhone app follows.

Vlingo

Vlingo Adds Voice-Power to Facebook and Twitter

JR — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 16:16:38 +0000

Vlingo, the BlackBerry app that lets you control your phone with your voice, is launching a souped-up new version today that adds voice support for Facebook and Twitter.

Vlingo’s first version — debuted in June — let you speak out text messages, e-mails, and even Web navigation commands. It also allowed voice commands for common phone features such as number dialing or looking up contacts.

In addition to providing the option of spoken updates to your Facebook and Twitter status, Vlingo 2.0 also boasts full spoken keyboard support, the option to have a message you spoke read back to you aloud, and the ability to launch a host of previously unsupported programs:

Address Book
Alarm
BrickBreaker
Calculator
Calendar
Camera
Google Maps
Maps
Media
MemoPad
Messages
Opera
Options
Tasks
Web browser
Viigo

Vlingo 2.0 is available free here for BlackBerry Pearl, Curve, and 8800 series phone users in the U.S. and Canada. U.K.-based users can get a beta version here. (How about a non-BlackBerry version now, Vlingo? I want to play!)

Vlingo, based in Cambridge, Mass., has been around for just over two years. The company secured $20 million from Yahoo earlier this year.

Vlingo

Qik Adds BlackBerry Support — What About iPhone?

JR — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 14:54:05 +0000

Live mobile streaming service Qik is coming to the BlackBerry. Qik has signed a deal to offer its platform on the upcoming new BlackBerry Bold as well as on the BlackBerry Pearl. The program is officially now in alpha mode.

Qik lets you stream video from your phone to the Internet with a couple of clicks. Online viewers can then chat and interact with you as you transmit your live feed. It’s been used for reporting live coverage of events such as hurricanes and earthquakes, or even presidential debates.

Qik just recently signed a deal with Nokia to have its utility preloaded on its 5800 model. It’s also already available on Symbian, Windows Mobile, and other Java-based phones. As for an iPhone app, Qik has yet to announce any official release date — but there are signs of progress. The company is actively working on an iPhone application and has an early version under development, as Robert Scoble learned while touring Qik’s headquarters last week. (See his Qik-created video here.)

The BlackBerry version is expected to enter beta mode within the “coming weeks,” company reps say. Additional BlackBerry devices will receive support once the program reaches that point.

Blackberry Storm: now this looks like an iPhone competitor

Duncan Riley — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 11:19:36 +0000

New shots of the Blackberry Storm have leaked online, showing in detail the phone RIM hopes will challenge the iPhone head on.

It’s not the prettiest interface we’ve ever seen, but unlike the T-Mobile G1 Android phone, the Blackberry Storm challenges the iPhone directly complete with on screen keyboard. Boy Genius Report says that it’s too Blackberry like, but that’s half the point: this is a phone targeted at Blackberry users tempted by the iPhone, but have held back from switching. Shots as follows.

Repeat after me: the Google Phone is not an iPhone killer

Duncan Riley — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 00:10:38 +0000

As the fabled first GPhone gets closer to launch (T-Mobile is expected to make the formal announcement tomorrow) the blogosphere and press have run heavy coverage comparing the Android powered HTC Dream to Apple’s iPhone, complete with the lines iPhone killer and Apple’s nightmare among others. In the school of sensationalist journalism 101, these headlines pass with flying colors, but they fail on another test: the school of stop drinking the kool-aid reality.

The first GPhone is not an iPhone killer.

The HTC Dream is as ugly as sin, the iPhone isn’t

Looks may not be everything, but the iPhone has good looks in spades, a supermodel compared to the Dream’s Ugly Betty. iPhone users like shiny things, and the iPhone is the shiniest of them all. People who have purchased iPhones, or are about to, are not going to be swayed by the Dream. We already know that the iPhone doesn’t deliver the best feature set, and yet it has sold millions. Android does seek to compete via on screen visuals, but the best platform in the world in an ugly box still looks ugly.

Sweet sweet music

Consider that various reports have shown that iPod sales have flatlined or even declined (the latest refresh to the iPod line was about stimulating sales). But people haven’t stopped listening to music, nor have they started buying non-Apple MP3 player, it’s just that their iPhones are also iPods. Really good, kickass iPods at that. Like or hate the iTunes/ iPod music lock-in, it’s the biggest game in town, and only one phone operates natively in this space, the iPhone. Android may offer open access, but it isn’t an iPod, and it won’t play with iTunes, at least not easily. Strike a sizable portion of music lovers off the list as GPhone buyers.

Business users

There is of course one area where the iPhone has struggled in its uptake, and that’s in corporate buys. The 3G iPhone does offer more features that its predecessor, like Exchange support to support the business case, and certainly no one is suggesting that businesses haven’t purchased iPhones, but at the top of the business market, ignoring SME’s, the most popular phone is the Blackberry. And what line do we hear from Blackberry addicts who won’t consider an iPhone over and over again? keyboard. They want a real keyboard. And what does the HTC Dream offer that the iPhone doesn’t? a keyboard.

What we see in this phone is some of the best features from the iPhone placed into an ugly as sin BUT practical handset that offers a real keyboard. If the Dream was a consumer play directed at the iPhone, they wouldn’t have picked practicality over aesthetics. T-Mobile wants Blackberry customers who like the features of the iPhone, but want a keyboard. If we have to call killer on anything, the GPhone is a potential Blackberry killer, because they’re the high end users most likely to buy it.

Where it might go wrong

We’re making presumptions that the first GPhone will be smooth sailing and a viable competitor to the Blackberry, or any existing phone. But it can go wrong. For starters, the phone is made by HTC, and while they’ve improved their product in recent years, the company has a track record of releasing awful phones, as most people who have used a HTC phone in the past can attest.

Then there’s the open nature of the phone. Google and T-Mobile see the open app marketplace as a selling point, offering more variety at a lower cost. It’s a great marketing line, but what happens when people take advantage of the marketplace and upload bad applications that either cause stability issues in Android, or compromise security on the phone. If Apple can’t get it right with a closed shop where they vet every application, the odds of the same issues, or worse situations occurring here are a sure bet.

Conclusion

Steve Jobs may be the worst for wear health wise, but he hasn’t lost one nights sleep over the GPhone. Google entering this space, and driving innovation forward is a positive that should be rightly celebrated, but lets not go over board, at least not yet. We will see new GPhones in the future that may seek to tackle the iPhone head on, but the HTC Dream isn’t that phone. My recommendation: start selling your RIM shares.

Comedy Central Launches ColbertNation.com, the Home of the True Maverick

Dominic Rivera — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 16:31:04 +0000

If you think John McCain is the true maverick, think again as Comedy Central joins forces with The Colbert Report in launching ColbertNation.com.

The new ColbertNation.com is the hub for all things Stephen Colbert featuring links to every Colbert related gossip online. It is the best place to stay up-to-date on all the latest news and buzz about the show. On the home page, users can find information about upcoming guests, special events and on-air stunts like the “Green Screen Challenges.” The homepage also includes an area called “State of the Nation” which not only reflects site activity like the most recently posted videos, but gives users updates on everything happening in Colbert’s world on and off the show.

“I’m thrilled with our new web site. I only wish John McCain knew how to get there,” Colbert said.

Colbert must be out of touch with technology news. He was obviously not informed that John McCain helped in creating the miracle called Blackberry.

Google Android phone will sell for $199

Duncan Riley — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 03:27:28 +0000

The first phone running Google’s Android mobile platform will go on sale in October for $199.

Pictures of the HTC designed device leaked yesterday, and now more details are available. The $199 price will be available from T-Mobile on a contract, with the Google brand to be showcased at the point of sale, according to the Wall Street Journal. Along with the phone, T-Mobile will be offering a data plan that will be “aggressively priced.”

The obvious competitor is the iPhone, with a pricing structure to match, however if successful, RIM may take the biggest hit. The handset offers some advantages over the iPhone, including an actual keyboard, making it immediately appealing to Blackberry users.

The thing it is missing though is beauty; although it’s not a final determining factor when many buy a phone, offering a phone the seems to completely forgo looks in place of functionality will make for an interesting entry in a market accustomed to shiny things.

Blackberry Gets TiVo and MySpace, All in One Day

JR — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 18:36:12 +0000

Blackberry users are getting two new services on their smartphones today.

TiVo has announced plans to let Blackberry users control their DVR recordings on-the-go with a new app on the way soon. The program will let you browse through program guides and schedule recordings right from the phone.

The other offering comes from MySpace, which unveiled a new Blackberry app to make messaging, commenting, and other services specific to the social network easy. The most interesting feature is probably the camera integration, which lets you take a photo and have it shoot right over into your profile.

Of course, it’s not exactly groundbreaking, as our friends over at Mashable point out. Facebook’s eerily similar Blackberry app has been around for almost a year. And TiVo’s had options for remote controlling via a network interface for ages, too. Still, it’s something new for the Blackberry and an understandable step for MySpace as far as mobile expansion.

Both apps, by the way, come from partnerships with Research in Motion.