Archive for the ‘BlackBerry’ Category
Wall Street Journal confirms touchscreen BlackBerry
May 19th, 2008 by admin in BlackBerry
Evidence for Research in Motion’s BlackBerry Thunder mounted today with claims by the Wall Street Journal. The newspaper claims to corroborate sources at BGR and says that RIM is developing a touchscreen phone with equal support for Verizon’s CDMA phone network as well as Vodafone’s GSM network in Europe. Both carriers will offer the device exclusively, the paper adds.
The report avoids confirming more specific technical details from the earlier leak, which would allegedly include 3G and 4G cellular Internet access for both network types, the complete absence of a hardware QWERTY keyboard, and a lifetime duration for the phone’s exclusivity with the two carriers.
Nonetheless, the paper reiterates claims that the Thunder will launch during the summer of this year, setting up a direct conflict between the device and some of its highest-profile rivals. These include a near-certain 3G-capable iPhone as well as the HTC Touch Diamond, all of which are expected to appear primarily on carriers competing with both Verizon and some Vodafone divisions.
Until now, most have expected the BlackBerry Bold to be the iPhone’s primary competitor and will also launch during the summer, though it lacks a touchscreen. RIM has publicly said that most of its users prefer a tangible keyboard but has also expressed a willingness to explore different designs.
RIM officially declines comment on the report, referring to a corporate policy that avoids discussing rumors.
New rumors of BlackBerry Thunder
May 14th, 2008 by admin in BlackBerry
Since we were the first ones to break the news about a touchscreen BlackBerry device, it’s only fitting that we follow up and give y’all the real lowdown on it! This is going to excite a lot of people, but anger many. Are you ready? The BlackBerry Thunder, as it is codenamed now, (all you “reporting” on it as the Storm are incorrect) will launch in Q3 of this year. It is a full touchscreen BlackBerry — no slide out keyboard — with only 4 physical keys. Those are the send / end phone keys, the BlackBerry menu key, and the back key. Here is the most interesting part, though: it will launch as a worldwide lifetime exclusive on Verizon and Vodafone! We’ve heard the unit will be a hybrid device with CDMA EV-DO Rev. C (for clarification, Rev C., known as UMB is practically dead. If the device will indeed launch with a 4G solution, our bet is on LTE), and GSM HSPA for traveling internationally. Verizon and Vodafone will have the same unit. Currently, the model number is the BlackBerry 9500, though it’s very early and that’s likely to change. This is HUGE for the Verizon lovers. For once they’ll get an exclusive device, but Verizon will have a sales quota for the device and if they don’t meet those numbers, we’ve heard the exclusivity will then dissolve and it’s over. This will be extremely interesting to see play out.
New Blackberry Bold (Blackberry 9000)
May 12th, 2008 by admin in BlackBerry
RIM introduces officially the new BlackBerry Bold smartphone.
The Blackberry Bold is the first BlackBerry smartphone to support tri-band HSDPA high-speed networks around the world and comes with integrated GPS and Wi-Fi, as well as a rich set of multimedia capabilities.
Under “bold” RIM understands besides a rich feature set a lustrous black exterior, satin chrome finished frame and stylish leather-like backplate.
Features of the Blackberry Bold include newly designed full-QWERTY keyboard, display with 480x320px resolution, tri-band HSDPA,Wi-Fi (802.11 a/b/g), 624 MHz mobile processor, 128 MB Flash memory plus 1 GB on-board storage memory, microSD/SDHC memory card slot, 2MP camera with built-in flash and 5x digital zoom, and integrated GPS.
The BlackBerry Bold smartphone (Blackberry 9000) is scheduled to be available from wireless carriers around the world beginning this summer.
The Blackberry Bold is giving die hard Blackberry fans something reasonable to hold on when all others carry 3G iPhones in their pocket.
RIM BlackBerry Pearl 8120 PDA Phone
May 9th, 2008 by admin in BlackBerry, t-mobile
T-Mobile isn’t the first U.S. carrier to offer the Wi-Fi-equipped BlackBerry Pearl 8120 (AT&T Wireless launched its 8120earlier this year), but T-Mobile’s version has a decidedly consumer spin. Thanks toT-Mobile’s innovative HotSpot@Home technology, this Pearl also lets you make VoIP calls over Wi-Fi.
The voice-over-Wi-Fi feature improves reception in locations where cell signals are weak, and in my tests the technology (called Unlicensed Mobile Access, or UMA) worked very well; the only visible indication that the phone was not using T-Mobile’s cellular network for calls was the Wi-Fi network’s SSID on the screen. Clearly, if you’re within hotspot range, Wi-Fi speeds up Web browsing and data-intensive tasks, too. However, using Wi-Fi for voice calls requires T-Mobile’s $10-a-month HotSpot@Home Talk Forever Mobile service, an add-on that is not available for the carrier’s least-expensive plans.
I found the T-Mobile 8120 ($200 with a two-year contract) less handsome than the AT&T version, in part because of its mousy-grey case; the icons in the BlackBerry menu looked cartoonish, as well. The cluttered interface is mostly a result of all the software T-Mobile loads on the device (AT&T’s applications folder on its Pearl makes things cleaner). Instead of this interface, MyFaves subscribers can go for tiny images of their MyFaves buddies (five people that you can spend unlimited time talking to).
On the other hand, I liked the software itself, which included a voice-command application that worked very well for dialing contacts; a couple of games; and RepliGo software for viewing, printing and faxing Microsoft Office documents. And all the features I appreciated in the AT&T 8120–the sharp 2.0-megapixel camera, the excellent multimedia player, and the SureType predictive text-entry system for typing on a 20-key keyboard–remained impressive. (SureType is something you should try out for yourself, however;some of my colleagues don’t like SureTypeas much as I do).
Both voice quality and talk-time battery life were excellent: The T-Mobile 8120 lasted 10 hours in our lab tests, the maximum amount of time we test.
Looks are a big reason for buying a Pearl, so I’d like to see T-Mobile offer a snappier-colored case. The user interface should be neater, as well. But with its quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE and Wi-Fi support, T-Mobile’s 8120 remains an intriguing option for people who want a small phone with the ability to pick up data speed when Wi-Fi is handy.
BlackBerry(R) Curve(TM) 8330 Smartphone Now Available to Verizon Customers
May 7th, 2008 by admin in BlackBerry
Verizon Wireless, builder and operator of the nation’s most reliable wireless network, announced today that the highly anticipated BlackBerry® Curve(TM) 8330 smartphone from Research In Motion (RIM) is now available through Verizon Wireless’ online store and through business sales channels. This sophisticated, silver smartphone will be available in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores, including those in Circuit City, on May 12.
The BlackBerry Curve is the smallest and lightest full-QWERTY BlackBerry smartphone and is packed with rich multimedia capabilities and services, allowing customers to stay connected to work, family and friends while on-the-go. The BlackBerry Curve 8330 smartphone also includes the following capabilities and key features:
- BlackBerry® Internet Service — access up to 10 supported POP3 and IMAP personal and corporate e-mail accounts, including most popular ISP e-mail accounts
- BlackBerry® Professional Software for small businesses and BlackBerry® Enterprise Server for enterprise deployments — advanced security and IT administration within IBM® Lotus® Domino®, Microsoft® Exchange and Novell® GroupWise® environments
- VZ Navigator(SM) — get visual and audible directions to a destination, locate businesses and other places in an area, get a map of a location, bookmark favorites spots and recent searches, and even share locations with others. Customers will be able to upgrade to the new VZ Navigator (Version 4) in the coming weeks, which will provide traffic updates, information on traffic incidents and detours around traffic congestion and accidents in 75 cities from coast to coast
- Small and light design that is easy to handle and use; measures 4.2″ x 2.4″ x 0.6″ and weighs only 4 ounces
- Large, vibrant 320 x 240 display, with light sensing technology that automatically adjusts brightness for optimal viewing in outdoor, indoor and dark environments
- Responsive, highly-tactile full-QWERTY keyboard and RIM’s intuitive trackball navigation system
- Premium phone features including: noise cancellation technology to offset background noise; Speaker Independent Voice Recognition (SIVR) for Voice Activated Dialing (VAD); dedicated “send,” “end” and “mute” keys; and low-distortion speakerphone
- Bluetooth® 2.0, with support for hands-free headsets, stereo headsets (Bluetooth stereo audio profile A2DP/AVRCP), car kits and other Bluetooth accessories
- 2.0 megapixel camera with support for video recording, a self-portrait mirror, enhanced flash and 5x zoom (microSD(TM) memory card required for video recording, sold separately)
- Easy access to the popular Facebook® for BlackBerry® Smartphones application
- 3.5 mm stereo headphone jack and dedicated volume controls
- Advanced media player and enhanced desktop media manager software that makes it easy to move media files between a PC and the BlackBerry Curve 8330 smartphone via High Speed USB 2.0 — USB Data Cable comes in-box
- microSD/SDHC memory card slot, providing plenty of additional storage (cards up to 8 GB are currently available)
- HTML Web browser delivers a fast, rich browsing experience and supports streaming video from sites like m.youtube.com (3GPP RTSP streaming protocol over EV-DO)
- Removable, rechargeable battery, rated for up to 260 minutes of talk time and up to 11 days of standby time
In-box accessories include: a stereo headset, USB cable, travel charger and premium tote sleeve
The BlackBerry Curve 8330 smartphone is available for $169.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement. An additional $100 credit toward the purchase of the handset is available for customers who sign up for qualifying voice and data plans at the time of purchase. Customers who purchase a Verizon Wireless Nationwide voice plan can also subscribe to the E-Mail and Web for BlackBerry plan for an additional $29.99 per month while those opting for a data-only plan can pay $34.99 per month for unlimited e-mail and access to the Internet via BlackBerry Internet Service.
BlackBerry 9000 Sans 3G (BlackBerry Niagara)
May 5th, 2008 by admin in BlackBerry
All the CrackBerry addicts in the audience are anxiously awaiting the arrival of the BlackBerry 9000, but not everyone will really need the higher-speed connection offered by the 3G radio found within. It seems that Research in Motion has a version of the BlackBerry 9000 in the works that addresses this exact market, ripping out the 3G radio and renaming the device the BlackBerry Niagara.
As you may already know, the BlackBerry 9000 will be a fairly pricey handheld when it eventually finds its way into the market. By removing the 3G radio, RIM is able to cut a few costs and make a version of the phone a little more affordable for those who don’t need 3G.
In terms of specs, the Niagara will probably get a similar treatment as the 9000. Cosmetically, the Niagara has a whole new back shell and the front part has a larger bezel.
RIM BlackBerry 8820 (T-Mobile) PDA/Cell Phone
May 4th, 2008 by admin in BlackBerry, t-mobile
I liked the BlackBerry 8820 for the AT&T network when it debuted last fall. I also liked T-Mobile’s HotSpot@Home service when I tested it on the BlackBerry Curve 8320, because it allows you to make voice calls over Wi-Fi. So it stands to reason that I would like the T-Mobile version of the BlackBerry 8820, which includes support for the HotSpot@Home service. And I do.
Though it looks almost identical to the AT&T version, the T-Mobile version of the BlackBerry 8820 sports a very dark midnight blue casing, as opposed to the AT&T phone’s true black. T-Mobile’s 8820 includes support for UMA, so you can place calls over Wi-Fi networks as well as over GSM cellular networks. You can use the on-screen wizard to connect to any 802.11a/b/g wireless network; and when you’re in Wi-Fi range, the phone will use the available network to place your calls. Doing so requires the $10-per-month HotSpot@Home service, but it might save you money in the long term, since you won’t have to use the minutes on your monthly plan. It also allows you to make calls in areas where cellular coverage is spotty or unavailable.
T-Mobile sells its own routers, which are designed to prioritize voice traffic and conserve battery life. Two models–one manufactured by D-Link, and the other by Linksys–are priced at $50 each on T-Mobile’s Web site. I used my own Linksys router to test the service’s voice-over-Wi-Fi features, and found voice quality to be good–very similar to the voice quality I experienced when testing the Curve 8320 with a T-Mobile-branded router last year, in fact. You won’t mistake it for a landline call, but voice-over-Wi-Fi call quality was at least on a par with that of cellular networks. When you leave the range of a Wi-Fi network, the phone is supposed to hand the call off to an available cellular network automatically, but this feature was more problematic. Sometimes the transition went smoothly, but other times my calls were dropped.
Many of the phone’s features seem to have been designed primarily for business users. The 8820 supports Bluetooth 2.0, and (like all BlackBerry devices) it handles e-mail beautifully. It can support up to ten personal and business e-mail accounts. The full QWERTY keyboard is easy to type on, and the 320-by-240-pixel display is big and bright. Though the phone comes with built-in GPS, you need a $10-per-month subscription to TeleNav’s GPS Navigator service (available through T-Mobile) to take advantage of this feature.
The 8820 includes a basic audio and video player, but it lacks a camera. Browsing the Web over an EDGE network or Wi-Fi connection is tolerable; however, the phone’s browser hampers the Web experience. Even though the connection speed is okay, the browser pales in comparison to some of today’s excellent mobile browsers, likethe iPhone’s Safari.
In our lab tests of the phone’s talk-time battery life, the 8820 was still running at the 10-hour mark–our test-time ceiling. We tested the battery life when connected via a cellular network only–not when using voice over Wi-Fi.
The 8820 is available from T-Mobile for $350 with a two-year contract. If you’re in the market for an excellent messaging phone that has strong business features, this one is worth considering.