By
Mobilewhack.com
on April 11, 2009 5:41 AM | Permalink


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
BlackBerry 9630 Niagara Gets a Video
By
Mobilewhack.com
on March 25, 2009 11:50 PM | Permalink


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?
BlackBerry 9630 Niagara to Arrive from Verizon Wireless
By
Mobilewhack.com
on March 3, 2009 6:08 PM | Permalink


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
The BlackBerry 8230 Flip to be Released by Verizon
By
Mobilewhack.com
on February 7, 2009 1:55 AM | Permalink


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
T-Mobile G1 to Hit More European Markets
By
Mobilewhack.com
on January 24, 2009 12:17 AM | Permalink


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.
BlackBerry 8900 Curve to Arrive February 11 from T-Mobile
By
Mobilewhack.com
on January 5, 2009 11:34 PM | Permalink


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!
Blackberry Storm
By
Mobilewhack.com
on January 3, 2009 8:55 PM | Permalink

Suns Background on Blackberry Storm
Image by dr.coop via Flickr

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.
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BlackBerry Niagara to Arrive from Sprint in Q1?
By
Mobilewhack.com
on January 3, 2009 8:51 PM | Permalink


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
BlackBerry Storm vs. BlackBerry Curve 8900
By
Mobilewhack.com
on December 23, 2008 12:59 AM | Permalink


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?
Review: BlackBerry Pearl 8220 Flip Phone
By
Mobilewhack.com
on December 19, 2008 9:53 AM | Permalink

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
Sprint Nextel Launched the BlackBerry Curve 8350i
By
Mobilewhack.com
on December 17, 2008 1:18 AM | Permalink


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
BlackBerry 8900 Curve Arrives at Rogers
By
Mobilewhack.com
on December 11, 2008 7:21 PM | Permalink

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?
BlackBerry Curve 8330 for Virgin Mobile Canada
By
Mobilewhack.com
on December 3, 2008 12:02 AM | Permalink


The BlackBerry Curve 8330 is a very old-school cellphone that was announced last year to Verizon, but for the folks living in Canada that couldn't purchase one in the past, can now do it thanks to Virgin Mobile. Like the saying goes: better late than never... right?

Anyhow, the handset has a ridiculous prices:
- $50 with a 3-year contract
- $330 with 2-year contract
- and finally $380 for a 1-year contract


Virgin Mobile Canada
Hot Blackberry Storm for $99.99!
By
Mobilewhack.com
on November 27, 2008 5:07 AM | Permalink


The Blackberry Storm is instantly disappearing from Verizon stores everywhere. And Verizon is having quite a hard time keeping up with the demand. The Storm is available in stores now for $199.00 with a plan. What do you think happened if the latest Blackberry were available for $99.99?

Apparently the online retailer letstalk.com is going to sell it out there for the bargain price of $99.99.

I guess the plan is to sell a lots of units over the holiday season. You would have to pay $69.99 per month for the following two years, but hey, it must be all worth it. You should also know the whole $99.99 deal starts on December 2nd.

via BlackBerry News
Storm 9530 by BlackBerry Now On Verizon Website
By
Mobilewhack.com
on November 26, 2008 5:22 AM | Permalink


In case you want to avoid those lines at Verizon Wireless stores, go online and check out the official page of the BlackBerry 9530 Storm. It's available for the same $199.99 after mail-in rebate and with a contract. I'd be curious on that stock supply. Would we be better off ordering online or should we get a sleeping bag ready in front of a Verizon store? What was your experience when you purchased your Storm today?

Verizon via BR
And the Verizon Wireless BlackBerry Storm Price is...
By
Mobilewhack.com
on November 7, 2008 4:59 AM | Permalink


We were wondering what the price for the Storm is going to be, especially after we've seen those super cheap Storms Vodafone is going to offer. Thanks to Verizon's Wireless scavenger hunt which is going to take place in New York soon we can tell you that the Verizon Wireless BlackBerry Storm Price is $499. That's what the ARV is, at least according to the terms and conditions page:

Prizes: Daily Grand Prizes (50): A BlackBerry "Storm" 9500 Smartphone and a $50 Verizon Wireless gift card Approximate Retail Value ("ARV"): $549 each

So if $499 is the full price it means Verizon might just offer the same good prices Vodafone does.

via RIMarkable
BlackBerry 8220 Pearl Flip Coming from Rogers October 29th
By
Mobilewhack.com
on October 29, 2008 2:30 AM | Permalink


If the 8220 Pearl Flip is the smartphone you'd buy this week in Canada, then go look the Pearl Flip up. The BlackBerry 8220 is going to be shipped to Rogers stores this Wednesday, October 29th. You will get if for $49.99 if you choose a three year contract bundled with a voice and data combo of $35.

We're not sure if Wednesday is the actual public release day, but if that won't happen, then check the stores in the following days. The Flip will be there waiting.
BlackBerry Bold to Arrive from AT&T Sometime... Unless it Doesn't!
By
Mobilewhack.com
on October 5, 2008 10:55 AM | Permalink


We have some good news and some bad news for all Americans that plan to get a BlackBerry Bold. The bad news is that AT&T is delaying again the official launch. The good news is that you can get it from Canada, Chile and various countries from Europe.

Mike Lazaridis, who is only RIM's CEO, said that AT&T is testing the Bold to ensure that it's sub-par 3G network can support it. And it looks like Apple's phone is to blame:

There's great scrutiny, as you might know, on that network and a certain device. So I guess everyone wants to be sure on every last test.

AT&T said the Bold is coming this year. Whatever that means. My guess is that they haven't even turn the Bold on yet.
Rumored: BlackBerry Pearl Flip Gets Priced
By
Mobilewhack.com
on October 3, 2008 9:17 AM | Permalink


Personally I am uncomfortable with the BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8220. It's a great phone but I can't but feel that RIM shouldn't have created flip Berries. Berries should be something else. Think Curve, Bold or Storm. The phone is rumored to have a price already from T-Mobile. It will cost $150 with a two-year contract or $200 with a one year contract. Rather steep wouldn't you say?

We're waiting for an official T-Mobile announcement to confirm these prices. The phone is expected to arrive this year, so flip phone lovers can already get in line for it.
Vodafone BlackBerry Storm Pictures Leak
By
Mobilewhack.com
on September 27, 2008 9:58 PM | Permalink


Vodafone is the UK carrier which will serve Brits with Storms soon. While waiting for more information about the whole UK launch we have found some leaked pictures of the newest BlackBerry.

People say that the network selection which shows 1XEV indicating EVDO network should show GSM network which is what Vodafone has. Has this image been heavily photoshopped to make us think it's an actual photo of a Vodafone Storm? I wouldn't be surprised if someone wants some quick publicity for its editing skills.

We'll be waiting for official Vodafone news. The Storm is coming pretty soon anyway so I guess we could live without any "leaked" pictures.

BlackBerry Thunder vs BlackBerry Storm
By
Mobilewhack.com
on September 23, 2008 1:54 AM | Permalink


Much of the following is purely speculative but if proven true, we might just witness the best BlackBerry launch ever.

It's being said that the Storm and the Thunder do not refer to the same device. It looks like the Storm and the Thunder are both new Berries, both with a full touchscreen. The difference you ask? The Storm would have a slide-out full QWERTY keyboard. Just for those which can't make it without an actual keyboard.

Would any Verizon representatives care to comment? They are releasing the Storm soon so they might knhttp://www.mobilewhack.com/wp-admin/post-new.php
Mobilewhack.com › Create New Post -- WordPressow the facts. And how could anyone have missed a Thunder with a slide-out keyboard?

via ReportonBusiness
BlackBerry Storm Coming Exclusively from Vodafone in UK
By
Mobilewhack.com
on September 22, 2008 10:19 PM | Permalink


As rumored before, Vodafone will pick up RIM's BlackBerry Storm and offer it exclusively in the UK. It looks like the British carrier will dump the Thunder name in favor of the Storm. I've gotten used to the Thunder and now I'll have to get used to the Storm.

RIM is said to announce the BlackBerry some time in October and the actual phone will hit the shops in November, well in time for the Christmas shopping spree.

What about other countries? Is RIM going to go to Chile again?
SingTel to Offer Viigo for BlackBerry in Singapore
By
Mobilewhack.com
on September 15, 2008 12:54 AM | Permalink


If you're a BlackBerry owner in Singapore, check back with SingTel as it will have Viigo ready for your smartphone.

Viigo value-added service will be available for all BlackBerry owners. With Viigo you can access local news, weather info, financial info and customized feeds. Over 5,000 channels filled with content are available.

The only BlackBerry customers who won't be able to test Viigo are those that chose a prepaid SingTel SIM instead of a contract. Current BlackBerries sold by SingTel are the Curve 8320, the Pearl 8110 for now while the Bold 9000 will be available by the end of the month.
RIM Surpasses Windows Mobile in Q2 Sales
By
Mobilewhack.com
on September 13, 2008 11:22 PM | Permalink


Isn't this some good news? RIM surpasses Windows Mobile in market share for the second quarter of the year. RIM comes second after Symbian which dropped significantly from the same time last year. Amazingly Windows Mobile lost the second position although they have about the same market share they did last year.

BlackBerry is up to 17.4% from last year's 8.9%. They have almost doubled their market share in a year. Apple went from 1% to almost 3% during the same period. The biggest looser seems to be Symbian which has lost about 10% from 65.6% to 57.1%.


T-Mobile to Release BlackBerry 8120 in 3 New Colors
By
Mobilewhack.com
on September 13, 2008 4:08 AM | Permalink

We've recently seen how much color matters when the new iPod nano generation was unveiled this Tuesday. Products are more appealing to customers if offered in more than one boring color.

T-Mobile is going to release the BlackBerry 8120 in 3 new colors starting with October 15th. The colors have cool name of course. First we have Frost which is light blue, Indigo which is blue or purple and Black Emerald which si dark green or black, depending on how good your eyes are. So does the color change make the 8120 more appealing to you? Ready to choose one?