• blackberry,  blackberry os,  bold,  pearl,  rim

    Research in Motion Introduces BlackBerry OS 6

    August 4, 2010 /

    BlackBerry smartphone maker, Research in Motion, has unveiled the next version of their BlackBerry operating system.

    Waterloo, ON – Research In Motion (RIM) (NASDAQ: RIMM; TSX: RIM) today announced BlackBerry® 6, a new operating system for BlackBerry® smartphones that retains the trusted features that distinguish the BlackBerry brand while delivering a fresh, approachable and engaging experience that is both powerful and easy to use. BlackBerry 6 features a redesigned interface that seamlessly works with a touch screen and trackpad, expanded messaging capabilities that simplify managing social media and RSS feeds, an advanced multimedia experience that rivals the best in the industry, a convenient new Universal Search tool, and a new and efficient WebKit-based browser that renders web pages quickly and beautifully for a great browsing experience.

    “BlackBerry 6 is the outcome of RIM’s ongoing passion to deliver a powerful, simplified and optimized user experience for both touch screen and keyboard fans,” said Mike Lazaridis, president and co-ceo, Research In Motion.  “Following extensive research and development to address consumer needs and wants, we are delivering a communications, browsing and multimedia experience that we think users will love, and we are thrilled to debut BlackBerry 6 on the amazing new BlackBerry Torch smartphone.”

    In today’s press release, RIM talked up four marquee features:

    • Visual, Fluid Interface
    • Fast Rich Web Browsing
    • Social Feeds and Text Messaging
    • Engaging Multimedia Experience

    RIM will be working with their carrier partners to develop upgrades for the BlackBerry Bold 9700, the BlackBerry Bold 9650, and the BlackBerry Pearl 3G.  If you are a new BlackBerry Storm2 owner like me, or you have a BlackBerry Storm, it looks like we are going to be out of luck.  RIM stayed quite on upgrades for us.  The new BlackBerry Torch 9800, announced today, will ship with BlackBerry OS 6 pre-installed.

    You can read the full press release on the RIM website.

    Read More
  • blackberry,  blackberry os,  bold,  curve,  rim,  Uncategorized

    RIM: We Won’t Turn Over Your Data Because We Can’t Access It

    August 2, 2010 /

    BlackBerry device maker Research In Motion (RIM) issued a statement today regarding the security of customer data that is stored on their servers and that traverses their systems.

    In an online article appearing on the Wall Street Journal website, Phred Dvorak writes:

    “RIM said the BlackBerry network was set up so that “no one, including RIM, could access” customer data, which is encrypted from the time it leaves the device. It added that RIM would “simply be unable to accommodate any request” for a key to decrypt the data, since the company doesn’t have the key.

    The BlackBerry network is designed “to exclude the capability for RIM or any third party to read encrypted information under any circumstances,” RIM’s statement said. Moreover, the location of BlackBerry’s servers doesn’t matter, the company said, because the data on them can’t be deciphered without a decryption key.  “RIM assures customers that it will not compromise the integrity and security of the BlackBerry Enterprise Solution,” the statement said.”

    While I like to think that my data that passes between my BlackBerry Storm2 and RIM’s network operations center, or NOC, is secured, even from RIM, in today’s day and age, I’m still a little bit skeptical that if the US or Canadian governments came knocking on RIM’s dock that they won’t eventually turn over the data.  For how, RIM is taking the moral high ground and is backing their customer base.  Good for you, RIM!

    Read More
  • blackberry,  blackberry os,  rim,  verizon

    BlackBerry Storm2 9550 Gets OS 5.0.0.713 Upgrade

    June 22, 2010 /

    BlackBerry Storm2 customers on Verizon Wireless are being treated to a maintenance upgrade to their smartphone’s operating system.

    Starting over the weekend, Verizon Wireless has been making the BlackBerry OS 5.0.0.713 update available to their customers as an over-the-air (OTA) update. You can also download the update from your PC using the BlackBerry Desktop Manager software.

    The “713” update provides the following enhancements:

    • Improved text messaging
    • Improved international text messaging
    • Better calendar functionality
    • Streamlined music-player control
    • Enhanced video-player library
    • Improved IP modem tethering
    • Improved compatibility with Mac® computers
    • GlobalAccess Connect support
    • Enhanced Japanese language functionality

    The upgrade also provides the following two improvements:

    • Call-duration clock displays the correct call time without affecting the
      current time.
    • Default countries are easier to set and access using the Smart Dialing
      country settings.

    For more details on the BlackBerry Storm2 9550 OS 5.0.0.713 update, visit the Verizon Wireless support website or download the upgrade details (PDF)

    Read More
  • blackberry,  blackberry os,  bold,  rim,  sprint,  tour

    BlackBerry Bold 9650 Available from Sprint

    May 17, 2010 /

    The Sprint edition of the RIM BlackBerry Bold has gone on sale via the Sprint website today, according to BoyGeniusReport.com. The Bold 9650, which started out life as the BlackBerry Tour 2, will eventually replace the Tour on Sprint’s Now Network.

    The BlackBerry Bold 9650 can be purchased for $199.99 after a $100 instant rebate and a $100 mail in rebate when you sign-up for a new line of service or add a 2-year contact extension to your existing plan.

    The BlackBerry Bold 9650’s feature list includes:

    • Trackpad
    • BlackBerry® Push Technology
    • Mobile Email
    • BlackBerry App World™
    • 3.2 Megapixel Camera and Camcorder
    • Dual Network Capability for International Travel
    • Wi-Fi Enabled – 802.11 b/g
    • External Memory (Up to 32GB SDHC microSD card)
    • BlackBerry® Messenger and Instant Messaging
    • Attachment Viewing and Editing (DataViz Documents to Go)
    • GPS capable
    • BlackBerry® Media Sync (sync with Apple iTunes)
    • Bluetooth® Enabled including Stereo BT profile
    • Voice Activated Dialing
    • Hearing Aid Compatible (HAC)

    For more information and upgrade pricing, visit the Sprint website. For detailed product specifications on the BlackBerry Bold family of smartphones, visit the Research In Motion BlackBerry website.

    [Via BoyGeniusReport.com…]

    Read More
  • blackberry,  droid,  motorola,  rim

    Wow! I Like the Storm2 On-Screen Keyboard!

    May 6, 2010 /

    I never thought I would say this, but I really like the BlackBerry Storm2’s on screen keyboard. I reviewed the Storm2 back in December, and I had this to say about the on-screen keyboard:

    “After using the Storm 2’s Qwerty keyboards, I can say that I prefer the landscape keyboard the most. It offers the largest key cap clickable area of all the keyboards and the clickable screen did a good job tricking me into thinking that I was pressing a key on a physical keyboard. That isn’t to say that I didn’t make any typing mistakes, but I think that the Storm 2 offers the best on screen keyboard of all the smartphones I’ve tested so far. My one basic gripe about the landscape Qwerty keyboard is that when it is displayed, it takes up a significant portion of the screen; which can severely limit the space on the screen to see what you are doing.”

    Now that I have to live with the Storm2, I’m glad that to see that my views haven’t really changed much about the keyboard and that I still find the Qwerty landscape keyboard the most useful of all of the virtual keyboards I’ve tried to date. I’ve also been working with the Motorola Droid lately. You can get used to the Droid’s flat keyboard (as compared with a raised keyboard on the BlackBerry Tour/Bold or the Palm Pre); however, I have discovered that I can type faster on the Storm2 because the on-screen key caps are larger than the physical key caps on the Droid.

    The punch line here is that I still stand by my years long assertion that buying a smartphone is a very personal choice. you can read reviews and get recommendations from people, but at the end of the day, I still think the best thing you can do if you are in the market for a smartphone is to go to a local retail store and play with the selections and try it out for yourself.

    Read More
  • apple,  blackberry,  ipad,  iphone,  macbook pro,  palm,  pre,  rim,  sprint,  verizon

    Admitting I Have a Problem

    May 6, 2010 /

    Another long work day has come to an end and I’m “degearing” for the night. Just a few minutes ago, I realized why my blog has the word “Fanatics” in it.

    Right now, on my person, I’m carrying my Sprint Palm Pre, a 2G Apple iPhone, a 5th gen iPod, my iPad, and my new company issued Verizon BlackBerry Storm2 9550. Oh, and let’s not forget the 17-inch MacBook Pro that I needed at work today.

    So, I have to ask myself, why the hell and I carrying all this gear anyway? “They” say that admitting you have a problem is the first step. I’ll have to pencil that into my calendar at some point?

    I’ll have to take a break from all of this technology by drinking this can of Diet Coke.

    Read More
  • android,  blackberry,  blackberry os,  google,  rim,  treo,  verizon

    Returning to BlackBerry Nation

    May 4, 2010 /

    Today I was issued a company phone. I had the choice of selecting either a Motorola Droid or a BlackBerry Storm2. I chose the Storm2.

    I had the chance to work with both phones late last year as I worked with a team of people to select the phone, or in this case, the phones, that would replace our aging fleet of Treo 755p smartphones for mobile email and calendaring access. At the end of the day, our team decided to support both BlackBerry OS and Google Android because we use Notify Technology’s NotifyLink middleware server. NotifyLink is a robust platform that quickly allows small and mid-size businesses to connect just about any current smartphone with just about any standards based email and calendaring platform.

    You can read my BlackBerry Storm2 and Motorola Droid reviews here on Smartphone Fanatics.
    Read More
  • blackberry,  rim,  sprint

    Sprint: BlackBerry Trade In Program Coming Soon

    April 17, 2010 /

    I was skimming the new Entertainment Weekly (issue 1099/1100 for April 23/30) and saw a Sprint add for the new BlackBerry Curve 8530 and the free trade in program.

    I hopped on the Internet to check out the details on the Sprint Trade In website only to see a “coming soon” message.

    According to the print ad, you can get a new BlackBerry Curve 8530 in black or royal purple for free when you trade in any BlackBerry device (must be deactivated already) and purchase a new 2-year service agreement. Customers who have the same device for 22 months are also eligible for the upgrade promotion. You may be required to pay a $36 dollar activation fee and the normal $200 early termination fee applies if you exit the plan early. The fine print also states that this is a mail-in rebate deal. You order the phone an get $100 off. Then you have to send in the MIR for the remaining $49.99. As usual, the rebate check will take 10 to 14 weeks and you will need to keep the phone active for 30 days.

    The ad’s fine print also goes on to state that the offer is good until 6/5/10 or while supplies last. I’m not sure what that means, as I don’t expect Research In Motion or Sprint to stop selling the Curve 8530 on 6/5/10.

    You can learn more about the Sprint edition BlackBerry Curve 8530 on the Sprint online store website.

    Even with all the fine print and red tape, if you are looking to get an inexpensive BlackBerry, this is a great way to go. I had used the older Curve, the 8330, for a good 6 months an really liked it. If I wasn’t using a Palm Pre, I’d likely be using the new Curve 8530 or a Tour 9630. (Yes, I’m an Apple fan, but I really like the physical keyboard on my devices.) Both the Curve and Tour have great battery life which is something that I really don’t like about my Pre. If I forget to place it on my Touchstone charger nightly, the battery will be dead in the morning. Hmmm…maybe it’s time to get a new Curve.

    Read More
  • blackberry,  blackberry os,  rim,  tour,  verizon

    BlackBerry OS 5.0 Release for Verizon Edition Tour

    March 31, 2010 /

    Alongside the Motorola Droid 2.1 software update, BoyGeniusReport.com is also running an article that Verizon and RIM have rolled out BlackBerry OS 5.0 for the BlackBerry Tour 9630.

    According to the data sheet posted on the Verizon Wireless BlackBerry Tour support website, the key enhancements in BlackBerry OS 5.0 include:

    • Smoother operation in the Camera and video applications
    • Improved Bluetooth functionality for last number dialed
    • Enhancements for English and French voice activated dialing
    • Improved functionality in the SMS messaging application
    • Added Push To Talk

    For the full list of features, visit the Verizon website.

    [Via BoyGeniusReport.com…]

    Read More
  • blackberry,  rim

    Get Some “Love” From Research In Motion

    December 30, 2009 /

    Research In Motion, the Canadian company behind the BlackBerry family of smartphones, has been running an ad campaign this holiday season featuring the 1967 Beatles song, “All You Need is Love.”

    RIM is giving away free, no strings attached, copies of the song “All You Need is Love” as an .mp3 file. Just head over to the BlackBerry website and hit the download link. It’s that easy! No forums to fill out. No accounts to create. No personal information to fork over. And while you’re there, if you somehow managed to not see the current BlackBerry TV commercials, you can watch them on the BlackBerry site too.

    Get some “Love” from the good folks at BlackBerry.com.

    Read More