• blackberry,  htc,  rim,  rumors,  sprint

    BGR: Sprint Smartphone Line Up Leaked

    BoyGeniusReport.com has gotten then hands on some upcoming handset changes coming to Sprint over the next few months. Take the list with a grain of salt, as I agree with Mr. Epstein that it will likely be “later” than “sooner” for the Palm Pre to launch, especially if Sprint is sitting on a large inventory of blue Treo 755p handsets.

    Device Name – Projected Warehouse EOL – Replacement (if available)

    Palm 755P (blue) – Late May – Palm Pre (target in-stock 3/15)
    Palm Centro (berry) – June
    Palm Centro (green) – July
    Palm Centro refresh (black) – July
    Palm 800W – April – Palm Treo Pro (target in-stock 2/15)
    RIM BlackBerry 7100i – August – RIM BlackBerry 8350i
    RIM BlackBerry Pearl (red) – May
    HTC Touch Diamond – July
    LG Rumor (blue) – Mid February – LG 265 Rumor II (target in-stock 2/15)
    LG Rumor (green) – Mid March – LG 265 Rumor II (target in-stock 2/15)
    LG Rumor (black) – Mid April – LG 265 Rumor II (target in-stock 2/15)
    Samsung M520 Lumina – Mid April – LG LX370 (slider)
    Sanyo 6750 Eclipse (pink) – June
    Motorola Q9C – Mid June
    Sierra 597E – July – Sierra 2-in-1 Aircard
    Motorola VE20 – July

    [Via BoyGeniusReport.com…]

  • blackberry,  dataviz,  rim,  sprint,  treo

    Going Live with BlackBerry

    This is just a quick note to say that I plan on activating my BlackBerry Curve 8330 today.

    There are a few reasons for deciding to turn on the BlackBerry now. The first is that after looking at Palm’s new App Store, there is no need for testing on my Treo 755p; my Treo 750 is up to the task.

    Secondly, if the rumors about Palm are true, it looks like the company could be on track to release a new device with the Nova operating system before the May/June 2009 time frame. I want to use the BlackBerry in between now and then. If Palm is going to deliver in the next quarter, I need to get going with the BlackBerry.

    Sprint is still reporting that they are working with RIM on ironing out the kinks in the BlackBerry OS 4.5 upgrade. That means that I won’t be able to use DataViz Documents To Go until the update has been certified by Sprint.

    I’ll post again once I have the BlackBerry activated for voice and data with the BlackBerry Internet service.

  • blackberry,  rim,  treo

    BlackBerry Curve Update

    As you will recall, I purchased a Sprint edition BlackBerry Curve 8330. Smartphone Fanatics reader BaDZeD wrote me to ask how I was doing with the BlackBerry.

    The short answer is that I’m not. I am a hardcore Palm OS user and if a device can’t match the feature set of my Treo 755p, it just can’t be my day-to-day device. There are a lot of things that I like about the Curve. They include things like a smaller footprint and weight; a full Qwerty keyboard, and ok PIM applications.

    There are things that have kept me from adopting the BlackBerry. For one, the software on the device is BlackBerry OS 4.3, not 4.5 or later. Without BlackBerry OS 4.5, I can’t run DataViz Documents To Go – an essential tool in my opinion. I’ll also loose the ability to sync with my corporate calendar at the office. That isn’t a big problem because I have access to Treo 700p at the office that I can use to sync my calendar to. (I won’t need to bring that Treo home, I just want the calendar when I’m not in my office during the week.)

    I’d also have to convert my corporate wireless email account from a Palm OS license to a BlackBerry license, but that isn’t suppose to be hard process.

    The latest word from Sprint is that the BlackBerry OS 4.5 upgrade for the Curve 8330 will be out during or after the week of 12/15/08, which is next week. We’ll see. Sprint is had to push back the date a few times already.

    I want to play with the BlackBerry, but until I have a plan to ensure I have access to all of my “stuff” I’ll stick with my Treo 755p. Maybe I’ll convert in January.

    Thoughts?

  • blackberry,  rim

    RIM Updates Mobile BlackBerry Portal

    I just read over at BlackBerryCool.com that RIM has relaunched their mobile BlackBerry web portal. The site is only accessible from the BlackBerry’s web browser, unlike Palm’s mobile portal that is accessible from the mobile or the desktop.

    “I’ve just received word that RIM has completed a fairly significant relaunch of mobile.blackberry.com, their all-in-one web portal for BlackBerry users. The new mobile.blackberry.com features a much more user-friendly design, requiring fewer clicks to get where you want to go, as well as faster load times.”

    Screen shots available here

    [Via BlackBerryCool.com…]

  • blackberry,  rim,  sprint

    On the Trail of BlackBerry OS 4.5

    Not wanting to let it go, I’ve continued my search for answers about when Sprint might actually get around to certifying and releasing the BlackBerry Device Software 4.5 for the Sprint BlackBerry Curve 8330.

    During my search, I stumbled across the Sprint discussion forums, BuzzAboutWireless.com. There I found a thread titled, “Update on 4.5 code upgrade“, started by a Sprint forums administrator, SarahKS. In her October 17, 2008 post, the admin writes:

    “Sprint would like to make its customers aware that it is currently in testing with the 4.5 code for a number of our BlackBerry devices. We understand that many of you are anxious to receive this upgrade; please note that it is very important that Sprint has time to adequately test and certify the code to ensure a quality experience for you, our customers. Once this process is complete Sprint will make this upgrade available as soon as possible.

    We understand and appreciate the enthusiasm shown here at Buzz About Wireless and want you to know that we value your feedback and hope you will continue posting and letting us know what is on your mind. Please continue to watch this site about availability of the BlackBerry 4.5 code and other relevant news for Sprint customers.”

    Ok, I get it. Sprint is telling us that they are working on the update, but have not committed to a release date. The admin being only a forums admin, has no specific information except what the software development team reports to her.

    Another Sprint employee chimes in and writes:

    “I just read today on another website that Sprint confirmed the release of OS 4.5 to sometime in November…which would mean we will be the 2nd carrier to release it in the U.S. (following the release at T-Mobile, USA)”

    Checking the calendar on my Curve, it looks like the November date was missed.

    On November 25, 2008, the forums admin posts another OS 4.5 update that reads:

    “First off, yes we are still working to deliver the 4.5 software absolutely as soon as possible. We want to make it absolutely clear that Sprint is not sitting on its laurels here. We are working hard to ensure that the software you get is absolutely tip top and will do what you need (and nothing you don’t!).

    Unfortunately the software is not quite ready. Right now Sprint and RIM are working together to make the necessary modifications to ensure you have the best possible experience. The good news is that we believe we are getting close to final software.”

    The lack of MultiMedia Service (MMS) on Sprint’s BlackBerry devices is another hot topic from the looks of things. While browsing through that thread, I found a post by another Sprint employee dated November 29, 2008. It reads:

    “The PictureMail update for the blackberries should come with the new OS update, that should also coincide with the release of the 8350i within the next few weeks. Interestingly Sprint seems to be skipping the OS 4.5 update alltogether and going straight to OS 4.6

    EDIT: The OS update will be avalable for both the 8330 and the 8130, in addition to shipping with the 8350i.”

    Well, well, well. Ok, so when will the Sprint BlackBerry 8350i for the iDEN network finally arrive? A quick Google search turned up this page over at Engadget Mobile dated November 17, 2008 that suggests that the new BlackBerry will be arriving the the cheers of iDEN users on, oh-ho, December 1, 2008.

    Will Sprint’s BlackBerry customers get some love tomorrow and get a new BlackBerry and some new software updates? I don’t know, but I really hope so.

  • blackberry,  rim,  verizon

    BlackBerry Bold OS 4.7 Leaked

    Blogger Don Nguyen has posted a leaked BlackBerry Storm 4.7 OS upgrade package. On his site, Mr. Nguyen writes:

    “After so many requests and the OK from my source, I am officially leaking the new Blackberry Storm OS.”

    I’m not sure who he has gotten the “OK” from, so if you plan on loading this update on your brand spankin’ new Verizon BlackBerry Storm, you do so at your own risk. The directions for applying the update can be found over on CrackBerry.com forums.

    [Via CrackBerry.com…]

  • blackberry,  rim,  sprint

    BlackBerry Device Software 4.5 for Sprint 8330

    I recently purchased a BlackBerry Curve 8330 for Sprint. One of the must-have software packages for me is DataViz Documents To Go; which was recently released for the BlackBerry platform. But you need Device Software 4.5 or later. My Curve has 4.3.0.127.

    There seems to be some confusion about the 4.5 software. It has been officially released for many of the current BlackBerry devices. My research shows that it has been released for some of the Curves, including the CDMA Curve for Verizon. I just can’t seem to find the official Sprint edition.

    Threads on some discussion forums indicates that any BlackBerry Curve 8330 can be upgraded with the multilingual release. Reading through these threads though, it seems like some of the carrier specific features, like No Force Roaming, aren’t in the generic release. Go figure.

    So I’ll have to do some more poking around to figure out whether or not BlackBerry Device Software 4.5 is officially supported on Sprint’s devices.

    For the bold and the daring, there is a thread on SprintUsers.com that talks about loading over carriers version of 4.5 on your Sprint BlackBerry Curve 8330. With my BlackBerry kung-fu not as good as my Palm OS kung-fu, I’m not sure I’m ready to pull the trigger on an official unofficial upgrade just yet.

    UPDATE 1:

    I found this article on BlackBerryCool.com and they are reporting that OS 4.5 is official on Sprint, yet when I run the “Windows Update”-like upgrade checker at BlackBerry.com I get the message that my device is running the latest software; 4.3. Ugh!

    UPDATE 2:

    After a few hours of poking around on the Internet with Google and on the BlackBerry.com and Sprint.com websites, I have finally come to the conclusion that BlackBerry Device Software 4.5 is not (officially) available for the Sprint BlackBerry Curve 8330.

    While searching for an answer, I stumbled across the BlackBerry Device Software v4.5 Availability page on the BlackBerry.com website. When I entered my device’s PIN number, I received the following message:

    “BlackBerry® Device Software v4.5 is not supported by your wireless service provider.

    You will be redirected in 10 seconds to our Product Update form to receive notification when the software is available.

    If you are not automatically taken to the form, please click here

    So, it seems that us BlackBerry Curve owners on Sprint who don’t want to roll the dice with one of the unofficial upgrades still have to wait this out. I do hope that Sprint gets around to releasing the upgrade soon.

  • blackberry,  mac os x,  markspace,  rim

    Mark/Space Updates The Missing Sync for Bold, Storm


    Mark/Space has updated their Missing Sync for BlackBerry software to now include support for the latest RIM BlackBerry devices; the Blold and the Storm. The latest edition of the Missing Sync for BlackBerry is 1.0.3.

    “The Missing Sync for BlackBerry is popular with BlackBerry-to-Mac users because of its reliability and range of sync features, and it is the only Mac synchronization software that works seamlessly with the BlackBerry Bold and the new BlackBerry Storm.

    The Missing Sync allows for easy syncing of contacts, calendars, tasks, notes and more between the Bold, Storm – or any other BlackBerry handheld – and Mac OS X computers.”

    For more details and Mac and BlackBerry system requirements, visit the MarkSpace website.

    Pricing and Availability

    The Missing Sync for BlackBerry is available now for $39.95 (software download) or $49.95 (physical CD shipment). Existing customers can upgrade to the latest version of the Missing Sync for BlackBerry for $29.95. Upgrades from other Missing Sync platforms (Palm OS, Windows Mobile, iPhone, Symbian, and Sony PSP) is allowed. For business customers, there are volume license for 5, 10, and 25-packs.

  • blackberry,  rim

    Getting Ready for My BlackBerry Curve

    I’ve been a long time customer of Palm’s PDAs and Treo smartphones. The time has come for me to receive a company issued phone; a Palm Centro.

    Rather than carry a personal Treo 755p and a Centro, I have decided to take this opportunity to play around with a new personal day-to-day device. (The Centro will be a business only device.) Later this week I will be switching to a RIM BlackBerry Curve 8330 on Sprint’s EVDO network.

    I’m not sure what to expect, but I do know that I will be looking forward to learning the finer details of these popular business devices.

  • att,  blackberry,  dataviz,  rim

    BlackBerry Bold Goes on Sale at AT&T

    As promised, the new RIM BlackBery Bold has gone on sale today at AT&T. Of the new corporate-minded device, AT&T writes:

    “Get the fastest BlackBerry on the fastest 3G network. The global BlackBerry® Bold™ smartphone is designed to give business professionals both cutting edge functionality and performance under one bold intuitive design. It comes fully-loaded with integrated GPS for AT&T Navigator and Wi-Fi for access at thousands of AT&T hotspots nationwide, including Starbucks. The BlackBerry Bold smartphone has a brilliant color LCD screen for exceptional definition and clarity. Pictures are vibrant and sharp while videos play smoothly and web pages, documents, presentations, and messages come to life with exceptional quality and contrast. Get more speed and more power with the BlackBerry Bold.”

    The BlackBerry Bold’s features include:

    • Half-VGA (480 x 320 at 217 ppi) color display
    • A newly designed full QWERTY keyboard for exceptionally fast and easy typing
    • Built-in GPS and Wi-Fi radios
    • 624 MHz mobile processor
    • More storage — 1 GB on board and up to 16 GB via its microSD/SDHC expansion slot
    • Advanced media player for music, videos and photos
    • 2 megapixel camera with built-in flash, zoom and video recording
    • optimized Web-browsing experience with desktop-style depiction
    • DataViz Documents To Go for editing Word, Excel and PowerPoint files

    The complete list of the Bold’s features and technical specifications can be found on the AT&T website.

    Pricing

    The new BlackBerry Bold retails for $549.99 without a contract commitment from AT&T. When you sign up for a 2-year service agreement, the price drops down to $399.99. Additionally, AT&T is offering a $100 mail-in rebate which brings the cost of the device down to $299.99. To take advantage of the mail-in rebate, customers will have to sign up for a $35/month data or messaging plan. That shouldn’t be a deal breaker for most customers as a BlackBerry without the data service isn’t very useful.