BlackBerry Curve 9360 Available at T-Mobile September 28

T-Mobile announced on Wednesday the upcoming availability of the BlackBerry Curve 9360. The Curve 9360 is said to combine powerful new BlackBerry features with an attractive price point according to the company.

This new device will be available in two different color variants, black and merlot. In addition to that, it will also be running the latest BlackBerry 7 operating system and utilize the powerful BlackBerry 7 Webkit-browser. This is good for those tech junkies out there that absolutely cannot live without their CrackBerry...I mean BlackBerry.

The new Curve is also designed to address a large, important segment of the global mobile phone market with consumers looking to upgrade their existing phone or current BlackBerry Curve by getting a more affordable, easy-to-use, full-featured and socially-connected phone.

The new BlackBerry Curve comes with an all new sleek design, including a 2.4" screen, full QWERTY keyboard and navigation trackpad, making it perfect for mobile communication via call, text or email. In addition to that, it is also equipped with essential smartphone features like a 5-megapixel camera with flash, video recorder and WiFi connectivity.

The new Curve also comes with the latest edition of BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) pre-loaded and extends the real-time BBM experience to a host of other applications like Foursquare, allowing you to easily stay connected with all of your friends via your social networking sites.

The BlackBerry Curve 9360 is available in an exclusive pre-sale for T-Mobile business customers right now and will be available in the black color finish at T-Mobile retail stores and select dealers beginning on September 28 for $79.99 on a new two-year agreement and after a $50 mail-in rebate. The merlot finish is expected to hit stores on October 12.

Source: Engadget - T-Mobile's BlackBerry Curve 9360 available for $79 on September 28th, swanks it up with a merlot variant

Power Point Projectors
Most business class projectors will do a good job displaying your PowerPoint presentation. If you have a small presentation group, a 2000 lumen LCD projector will be able to produce a nice and clear picture. For larger audiences you should consider a 5000 lumen LCD projector.

BlackBerry PlayBook Hitting Sprint on June 5th

Ready for some good news, Sprint customers? Well, the highly anticipated BlackBerry PlayBook tablet is said to go on sale at all Sprint stores as well as Sprint direct ship sales channels and business sales on June 5, 2011 with a $499.99 price tag.

The BlackBerry PlayBook is the new tablet from BlackBerry that comes with a lot of cool features including WiFi connectivity and 16GB of storage. The PlayBook is an ultra portable tablet that measures less than half an inch thick and weighs less than one pound. It features a nice 7-inch high-resolution touchscreen that is said to be highly responsive and fluid. The PlayBook also offers high performance along with excellent web browsing and full support for Adobe Flash Player. It also allows for true multitasking, HD multimedia, advanced security and out-of-the-box enterprise support.

If you already own a BlackBerry smartphone, you will be pleased to know that you can benefit from BlackBerry Bridge. BlackBerry Bridge is a unique feature that allows you to wirelessly connect your BlackBerry phone to your BlackBerry PlayBook via Bluetooth. The secure connection allows you to access your BlackBerry smartphone's email, address book, calendar, memo pad, task list, BlackBerry Messenger and browsing functionality with the advantage of the larger tablet display.

The best thing is that BlackBerry Bridge will be available as a free downloadable app via the BlackBerry App World and will also be supported on BlackBerry smartphone data plans from Sprint without incurring an additional fee.

Key features of the new BlackBerry PlayBook include:

• 7-inch 1024x600 WSVGA capacitive LCD touchscreen


• Ultraportable design


• 1GHz dual-core processor


• BlackBerry Tablet OS with symmetric multiprocessing support


• MP3, AAC and WMA audio playback


• Support for high resolution video playback


• 1080p HDMI output


• Two 1080p HD cameras (3mp front-facing, 5mp rear-facing)


• 1GB RAM


• 16GB internal storage


• GPS, Accelerometer, Gyroscope and Magnetometer


• Stereo Speakers


• Stereo Microphone


• WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n


• Bluetooth 2.1+ EDR support

Source: Engadget - BlackBerry PlayBook headed to Sprint on June 5th for $500

Security Camera Solutions

First Details on the BlackBerry Dakota

BlackBerry phones were some of the very first smartphones to hit the market and they took off like a bat out of hell. However, since then the BlackBerry craze has lessened with more and more people gravitating towards Apple's iPhone or similar devices like the Droid X from Motorola or the Fascinate from Samsung. But just because BlackBerry has been knocked down does not mean that it is down for the count. The newest device being hinted at by BlackBerry could be just what the company needs to get back in the game.

I'm talking, of course, about the BlackBerry Dakota, first pictures of which have recently been released for viewing by the public. The Dakota is being touted as the master of the BlackBerry family, the one that will reign supreme over all the rest. It's true that the internet is buzzing over the first pic of the Dakota and with good reason, I might add.

While details on the device are very scarce, we do have a picture and a rough spec sheet displaying everything this device will have to offer including the original Bold styling, NFC, magnetometer, HD video recording and 3G mobile hotspot. The full spec sheet is as follows:

• 3G mobile hotspot
• 5 megapixel camera with HD video recording, flash and image stabilization
• MicroUSB port
• Proximity sensor
• NFC
• Tri-band UMTS
• Magnetometer
• 4GB of built-in storage, 768MB of RAM
• Accelerometer
• Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE
• Launches with BlackBerry OS 6.1
• WiFi b/g/n on 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequencies
• 10.5mm thick
• 2.8-inch VGA 640 x 480 capacitive screen

Sounds pretty good if you ask me. However, is it the touch and type BlacBerry fans have been waiting for? Does it have enough to draw customers away from the Droid X or the iPhone? We can only speculate at this point until we have more details. Keep checking back to see when we have more information including an official release date as well as an official price.

Source: BGR

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SquareTrade Research Reveals the Most Reliable Smartphone

There are tons of smartphones available from a multitude of service providers these days: the Droid from Verizon, the iPhone from AT&T, the HTC EVO from Sprint, etc., but which phone is the most reliable? Well, according to SquareTrade Research, a company that analyzes more than 50,000 different phones, Apple’s iPhone is the most reliable smartphone available to date.

The study that SquareTrade Research conducted analyzed four different phones from four different smartphone manufacturers: Apple, RIM, HTC, and Motorola. The last time that the company had conducted research concerning the reliability of a smartphone was back in 2008 when they analyzed phones such as the iPhone 3G, BlackBerry, and Palm Treo.

For their recent study SquareTrade Research utilized four months of data from the iPhone 4, one year of data from BlackBerry, and eight months of data for both the HTC and Motorola smartphones. The study utilized the Droid, the Droid X, and the Cliq to evaluate Motorola. To look at HTC’s smartphones, SquareTrade Research used the Nexus One, the EVO, the Droid Incredible, the Aria, and the Hero. For Blackberry observations, they used the Curve, the Bold, the Storm, the Torch, and the Pearl.

The study, which was conducted in November of 2010, found that the iPhone 4 was the most reliable phone, but it also found that the Android-based Motorola and HTC smartphones were actually pretty comparable to the iPhone when it came to dependability. Within the first 12 months of the iPhone’s existence, 2.1 percent of the phones were “projected to have non-accident malfunction.” In comparison, the Motorola smartphone had a malfunction rate of 2.3 percent, and the HTC smartphone had a rate of 3.7 percent. The study clearly showed that the RIM’s BlackBerry devices were much less dependable compared to these other smartphone options. It showed that in the first 12 months, the phones had a 6.3 percent malfunction rate.

The study did clarify that 75 percent of smartphone malfunctions were a result of “accidental damage.” In this area, BlackBerry did better than the other phones. These “accidental damages” only occurred in 6.7 percent of BlackBerrys. The iPhone 4, which did so well when it came to dependability, had the highest rate of “accidental damage,” coming in at 9.4 percent, which is nearly 1 in 10 of the iPhones researched.

The study stated, “There is a good deal of variance in the failure rates of different smartphones. The iPhone 4 is the most reliable phone in the study, but also has the highest risk of accidental damage. BlackBerrys had the least risk of accidental damage and may be the best choice for the clumsiest consumers but had a relatively high malfunction rate.”

It can be extremely difficult to decide on the smartphone that is best for you. If you just go into your service provider's store, you will most likely be overwhelmed and not know which direction you should go, but if you do a little research and consider some of the things that were discussed here, you will be able to march into your service provider’s store and make an educated decision. Don’t let buying a new phone stress you out. There are plenty of options out there that will fit any of your smartphone needs.

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AT&T Brings New BlackBerrys to Their Smartphone Line Up

On Wednesday AT&T announced that they have added the 3G versions of the BlackBerry Curve and Pearl to their lineup of smartphones. As of October 17th, the BlackBerry Pearl 3G 9100 will be available online and in AT&T stores for $149.99 with a two year contract.

The Pearl is two inches wide and weighs 3.3 ounces. This smartphone supports Wi-Fi and GPS and features an optical trackpad and a 3.2 megapixel camera with flash. It also has a redesigned SureType QWERTY keyboard, 360 x 400 pixel high resolution display, dedicated music keys, and support of a microSD card that supports up to 32GB of content.

It has not been announced yet when exactly the BlackBerry Curve 3G 9300 will be available from AT&T. It should be available before the holiday season for $99.99 with a two year contract. It includes a full QWERTY keyboard, optical trackpad, built-in GPS, 2-megapixel camera, Wi-Fi, and a microSD card that supports 32GB of memory.

AT&T U-verse customers will have the ability to download the U-verse app onto their BlackBerry Curve. This app lets customers manage their DVRs at home and even download certain shows via the Wi-Fi connection and watch them on their smartphone.
AT&T has said that the BlackBerry Curve 3G will support the new BlackBerry 6 OS, but that unfortunately it will not be available for the Curve for several months.

It’s exciting to see AT&T add these amazing BlackBerrys to their smartphone lineup. They have so many great features to offer. They are the perfect smartphone for someone that doesn’t want to deal with a touch screen.

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BlackBerry Service Banned by United Arab Emirates

On Sunday, August 1st, the United Arab Emirates announced that BlackBerry service will be banned for security purposes as of October 11th. That means no BlackBerry messenger, e-mail, or Web browsing anymore.

This will not only affect those living in the UAE but also those that visit the country, even if their BlackBerry was issued in another country. The devices will still be able to be used for phone call purposes, but that’s about it.

The authorities say that the new ban is for security concerns. BlackBerry data is shipped to company computers that are abroad, so this makes it extremely difficult for local authorities to monitor and control any illegal activity or abuse.

Many people are very critical of this new ban. Some feel that it is simply a way for the country’s conservative government to control any content that they might consider politically or morally offensive. The UAE government officials says that there are BlackBerry features that are “causing judicial, social, and national security concerns.”

Maisoon al-Iskandarani, an Emirati BlackBerry user working at an international bank in Dubai, says, "I think it's a very big step back. All developed countries in the world have it. Why should we not? How are you going to stay in touch with your clients and colleagues?"

The country’s Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) director General Mohamed Al Ghanim says, "With no solution available and in the public interest, in order to affect resolution of this issue, as of October 11, 2010, Blackberry Messenger, Blackberry Email and Blackberry Web-browsing services will be suspended until an acceptable solution can be developed and applied.”

P.J. Crowley, a U.S. State Department spokesman, said that such bans are "a move in the wrong direction." He states, "We're going to clarify with the UAE what's behind this announcement, but we think it sets a dangerous precedent. It is our view that you should be opening up societies to these new technologies that have the opportunity to empower people.”

Reporters Without Borders, a press-freedom group based in Paris, has urged the UAE to lift the bans and come to a compromise "that does not limit the freedom of the Emirati population,” but I don’t think that the UAE is going to consider another option right now.

Research in Motion (RIM), the Canada-based company in charge of exporting and managing overseas BlackBerry data services, defends their security policies. They released a statement stating, "RIM operates in over 175 countries today and provides a security architecture that is widely accepted by security conscious customers and governments around the world. RIM respects both the regulatory requirements of government and the security and privacy needs of corporations and consumers. RIM does not disclose confidential regulatory discussions that take place with any government however RIM assures its customers that it is committed to continue delivering highly secure and innovative products that satisfy the needs of both customers and governments."

Obviously despite all of this, the UAE remains unconvinced. Until they can come up with a satisfactory solution to their concerns about BlackBerry services, those living in or traveling to the UAE will just have live with out BlackBerry services. As annoying as this may be, it’s not the end of the world. I think people are more concerned about the principles of the matter. If the UAE feels they can take away things like BlackBerry service because of security issues, what else might they feel needs to be banned in the name of “security?”

Cell phones and all of their features and services are becoming a part of every day life for almost everyone. Read all about how landlines are quickly becoming obsolete.

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More Androids Than iPhones

Research in Motion's Blackberry is the number one smartphone operating system in the country and for a while, Apple's iPhone was number two, but the data is in and there's a new kid in town. Google's Android has now seen to it that iPhone drop to number three in the first quarter.

The data, reported by NPD Group, shows that Android made up 28% of all units sold in the United States during the first quarter. Blackberry made up over a third of the market, selling 36% and the iPhone came in at only 21%. Keep in mind that these numbers are estimated based on consumer surveys. Also, they do not includes sales made to businesses and through enterprise contracts. And while iPhone's operating system is only available, on, well, the iPhone, Android is available on several different phones manufactured by Samsung, HTC, and Motorola.

Even so, there's no doubt, Android is becoming increasingly popular. NPD analyst, Ross Rubin, said that for the first time, Android software is available in all major U.S. networks, which is helping to drive sales of the devices. Verizon has been the most outspoken carrier, as they launched a huge campaign that marketed the devices last year. As a matter of fact, Verizon has been offering buy-one-get-one free smartphones, which include the Androids. T-Mobile is also a major carrier of the Android smartphones, and AT&T has begun selling them as well.

And according to Rubin, while Verizon has been helping Android sales, Android has been helping Verizon's business as well. AT&T makes up about one third or 32% of the smartphone market, but Verizon is catching up with 30% of all smartphones sold in the United States going through the company. T-Mobile and Sprint are pretty far behind with 17% and 15% of sales respectively.

iPhone remains very popular in the United States. Apple reported new activation of 900,000 iPhones in the first quarter, alone, and sales of 1.8 million iPhones to people to people who were already with AT&T. As a matter of fact, NPD suggests that iPhones would be even more popular if they weren't tied to a single carrier (AT&T).

Rubin says that if the rumored Verizon iPhone was available today, Apple would certainly sell more phones. He added, "But it's harder to say what will happen in the long term. It's difficult to know what the feature-set will look like on phones in a year. But it's clear the iPhone still has enough cachet today to pick up market share."

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Amazon Releases Kindle for Blackberry

Amazon is releasing a version of its Kindle e-Reader for Blackberry, which means Blackberry owners won't have to have their Kindle devices in hand to read their e-books. The app is free and runs the Kindle software right on your Blackberry.

Using Amazon's "Whisphersync" technology, the app will automatically synchronize to your Kindle, taking you to your last page read. It also allows you to create bookmarks and view annotations you've created on your Kindle in the past. With it, you can access that same e-book on your Blackberry, Kindle, or your computer.

Unfortunately, newspapers, magazines, and blogs will not be accessible via the app, but you will be able to preview the first chapter of any of the 400,000 books in Amazon's catalogue, much like you can with the actual Kindle. According to PC World, the app is easy to use. Most of the books cost around $10.00.

The app is available for Blackberry Curve 8520 and 8900, Bold 9000 and 9700, Storm 9530, Storm 2 9550, and the Tour 9630. Currently, it's only available in the United States, but an international version is supposed to be available in the future.

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WordPress & Sirius XM Radio Now on Blackberry

Good news for Blackberry owners this week, especially if you like to blog or listen to music. Both WordPress and Sirius XM Radio are now both available for your mobile device.

The online version of Sirius is available for selected Blackberry smartphones, including the Storm 9530, Storm2 9550, Bold 9000, Bold 9700, Tour 9630, Curve 9800, Curve 8520, and Curve 8530. The app is available for free download at the Sirius website but the service isn't free. You can currently sign up for a seven-day free trial, but once the trial is over, you'll have to pay $13 a month to keep listening.

The company launched an iPhone app last year, in an effort to make content available both online and via mobile devices. If you're interested in the service, you'll get to listen to 120 channels of exclusive programming. That includes shows from CNN, Playboy, Fox News, Oprah, Sports, and commercial-free music. Due to some legal issues, Howard Stern will not be available for your Blackberry.

Also for Blackberry users who like to blog, the new WordPress for Blackberry 1.0 is now available. As Mashable.com points out, a beta version of the app has been available for over six months, but the new 1.0 version has lots of better features. These include the ability to record and upload video, easier commenting and support for 3gp and 3g2.

Below, you'll find a video that shows you just what you can do with the WordPress for BlackBerry app. You can download the app for free from Blackberry App World.

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Anti-Radiation Blackberry Cases from Pong

There is still a fierce ongoing debate about how cell phone radiation really affects the human body. For Blackberry Curve owners who don’t want to take any chances, Pong Research has developed a brand new Blackberry Curve Case that should put their minds at ease.

At the 2010 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Pong revealed their new protective cell phone case that looks very much like any other cell phone case but has been certified by FCC-certified labs to reduce cell phone radiation exposure by more than 60 percent. This case will fit on the 8300, 8310, 8320, and 8330 models of the Curve.

In September, everyone seemed very doubtful about the case, but in October after extensive radiation-testing, it was found to indeed work.

It is very difficult to explain how exactly the technology works, but in Pong’s press release on Wednesday they said, “These cell phone cases exemplify many years of research into precise antenna structure in order to couple with the energy from the phone’s antenna.”

Although difficult to explain, these are the basics to how the cell phone case works. Cell phones send and receive signals from wireless networks by emitting radiation. Now radiation is unable to go to one specific area. It scatters everywhere, and therefore some of it can reach our head. By using what they call “passive antenna coupling,” a second antenna is placed inside of the actual case. This antenna pulls the energy towards itself without having to communicate back to the cell tower.

Essentially, the radiation is redirected up and away from the brain. The case does not lessen radiation levels at all, so while your directing radiation away from your brain, you will not be compromising your cell phone signal. Researchers said, “What we found is the signal strength actually improves, as it is now being directed toward the cell phone tower instead of you head, where it is not improving communication.”

Pong has already released a case like this for the iPhone and it is said that most likely Verizon’s Droid and Google’s Nexus One will be the next phones to receive such cases. Smartphones are the top priority because they have higher radiation levels due to the fact that they have much more data communication to accommodate.

If these cases take off like I think they will, there is definitely a possibility that future cell phones will have this new antenna coupling technology automatically built into the phone.

If you’re at all concerned about cell phone radiation, this is a great way to not worry anymore. The anti-radiation Blackberry Curve case is available for $49.95.

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The Best Free Blackberry Apps

The Blackberry is the number one smartphone platform in the U.S. It had tons of apps years before the iPhone was even thought up. The issue that Blackberry has had is that there has never been an easy way to find and install these apps. Some of them can be found at the Blackberry App World, where you download apps directly on your Blackberry. Others are available from the independent store GetJar or some are only downloadable from developers’ Web sites. Its harder to find Blackberry apps than iPhone or Android apps, so hopefully this guide will help you to find the top 10 Blackberry apps much easier.

1. AP Mobile News 2.5.5
Download at: The Associated Press; bb.apnews.com
This news app gives you easy access to local, national, and international news. You can receive up-to-the-minute news, send stories to your Facebook, read stories off-line, or watch news videos. Any news needs will be met with this very convenient app.

2. BBNotePad 1.1.2
Download at: Qin; http://krzysztow.com/BBNotePad/#downloadm
The BBNotePad is so much more useful than the Blackberry notepad. It has three different font sizes, gives you the ability to save files as .txt so you can open files right on your computer, and can send memos to other devices through Bluetooth.

3. Bloomberg Mobile 1.9.11.5
Download at: Bloomberg LP; m.bloomberg.com
Bloomberg is the best free business app for Blackberry. It can provide you with news, stock information, customized lists of stock, market trends, and company descriptions that can be very helpful and is extremely easy to use.

4. BOLT 1.5
Download at: Bitstream; www.boltbrowser.com
BOLT is a quick, high-quality browser that can actually download Web pages so they look the same as they would on your desktop computer. You are also able to use all the usual browser features just with a fantastic page views.

5. Facebook 1.7.0.18
Download at: Research in Motion; www.blackberry.com
This app can turn your Blackberry into a complete version of Facebook. You are able to view your news feed, lets you view recent status updates and photos, view comments and wall posts, upload or tag photos, a do pretty much anything you can do when using Facebook from a computer.

6. FlashLight 1.0.2
Download at: App Pro Shop from the Blackberry App World
There are a variety of different free flashlight apps to choose from but FlashLight from the App Pro Shop seems to be the easiest to use. The light is bright and you are given the option to adjust the color and the brightness. The manufacturers say that different colors work better for different situations.

7. Gmail 2.0.6
Download at: Google; m.google.com/a/
You can get so many more features with Gmail. If you choose to read your Gmail through the built-in Blackberry client, you’re going to have a pretty basic experience. If you download the Gmail app, you will be able to access your contact list, sent mail, labels, and stars, and the great thing is that it looks just like Gmail.

8. Google Maps 3.2
Download at: Google; m.google.com/maps
Google Maps gives you GPS navigation for free. It offers driving, transit, and walking directions. There are even real-time traffic updates that help you get around high-traffic areas. You can easily look up businesses and street addresses and keep yourself going in the right direction.

9. Ka-Glom 1.4
Download at: Magmic; www.magmic.com
Finding a fun free game for you Blackberry can be difficult, but Ka-Glom is a puzzle game that will keep you occupied for awhile. It’s a little bit like Tetris, but with some added bonuses. This is a quick, fun-loving game that can give you something a little bit different to amuse you.

10. Opera Mini 5.0
Download at: Opera Software; mini.opera.com
The Opera Mini is great for speed. It is able to compress Web pages so that they can transfer more quickly and reformat them so they are readable on small screens. You are able to utilize tabs and bookmarks and can view the page from a desktop view.

These are the top ten free Blackberry Apps. Although Blackberry Apps can be difficult to find, you now have a guide to find the most useful ones easily.

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The Blackberry Bold 9700

AT&T is now offering the update to the Blackberry Bold 9000, the new and improved Blackberry Bold 9700. It is more powerful, useful, and chic than the previous version, and for $99 after rebates and a two year contract, it’s a very good deal that incorporates everything that you could possibly need for work related business.

The design of the Bold 9700 is slimmer and lighter than its predecessor. The smartphone measures 4.3 x 2.4 x 0.6 inches and weighs 4.3 ounces. The back panel is made of faux leather, while the rest of the phone features chrome accents and full-size keys that spread across the entire width of the phone. Although it is not a touch screen, the LCD screen is extremely bright and sharp. The display resolution comes in at 480 x 360 pixels. The QWERTY keyboard on the Bold 9700 is fantastic. It is easy to use, accurate, and very quiet. The optical trackpad is another welcome improvement over the easily broken trackball that can be found on the Bold 9000.

The Bold is credited as a quad-band EDGE and quad-band HSDPA 3.6 device with Wi-Fi. The device uses Wi-Fi for data purposes but does support Wi-Fi calling like a lot of T-Mobile’s smartphones.

When the Bold 9700 was compared to the iPhone 3GS for call quality, clarity, and crispness, the Bold came out on top. I found this very impressive. It also has a fantastic speakerphone that is able to project perfectly. Battery life averages at about 6 hours and 45 minutes of continuous talk time when in 3G mode.

The Bold features a 624 MHz processor and Blackberry OS 5.0. This offers upgraded Web browsers, threaded text messages, and a variety of other enhancements. Included with the phone is push e-mail for accounts including Google, Yahoo, and Microsoft Exchange. There are about 3,000 apps that are available to buy and download from the Blackberry App World. Included on the phone is AT&T’s Navigator which features TeleNav-powered GPS directions. IM clients are not preloaded on the Bold, but they can be easily downloaded from major accounts for free. With the Documents to Go software, you can view and edit Word and Excel files and even display PowerPoint presentations right from your smartphone.

The list of impressive features just continues on as the Bold is also an excellent music player. It syncs with both PCs and Macs and even syncs unprotected iTunes music and playlists. You can also easily download MP3 tracks from Napster or eMusic. Included with the Bold 9700 is a pair of wired stereo earbuds and a standard-size 3.5mm headphone jack. AT&T even throws in a 2GB microSD card for storing all your media files. The card is conveniently stored underneath the battery cover.

The 3.2-megapixel camera on the Bold 9700 should serve all your purposes well. It features image stabilization, auto-focus, and an LED flash. The photos seems sharp and well balanced. The video is 480 x 360-pixels, 28 frames per second, and extremely sharp and smooth.

The Blackberry Bold 9700 is a fantastic smartphone with a multitude of features. It has quite a bit of competition in AT&T’s lineup, but I feel that it stays towards the top with its low price tag, sleek design, and many impressive features. If your looking for a new smartphone, this is definitely one direction to consider.

inPulse Smartwatch for BlackBerry Smartphones

Its a watch and may be one of the coolest BlackBerry accessories around. Its not a BlackBerry on your wrist, rather its a watch which connects to your BlackBerry via Bluetooth to alert you to emails, SMS messages, and calls. This watch isn't made by RIM (the makers of BlackBerry) and its not designed to operate like a phone, but it is handy for when you're walking down the street and don't hear or can't reach your phone, you can get an update right to your wrist.

When you get an incoming phone call, the watch lets you know who's calling. So you can decide if you want to answer without even picking up your phone. It also has a vibrate option on the watch so even if you're busy or can't hear your phone, you won't miss your call.

If you're waiting for an email or SMS message, your BlackBerry will automatically push the messages to your inPulse watch, so even if you're in a meeting you won't have to keep picking up your phone to check to see if you've received what you're waiting for.





Some specs:
* 1.3" full color organic light-emitting-diode (OLED) display
* Bluetooth® v2.0+EDR
* 150 mAh lithium-ion polymer battery
* Glass lens and full metal body
* 22mm interchangeable wrist band
* Vibrating motor
* Micro-USB port (for charging)
* Over-the-air firmware updates
* Dimensions: 51mm height x 38mm width x 12mm depth

According to the inPulse website here are a few more need-to-know facts about the inPulse:

*inPulse has a rechargeable lithium-ion polymer battery inside. Under normal use, i.e. paired with a BlackBerry, receiving and displaying 20-30 updates per day, the battery should last approximately 4 days. Since inPulse is highly configurable, the battery life will vary from user to user

*inPulse charges via a built-in micro-USB jack. If you have a fairly new BlackBerry smartphone (such as a BlackBerry Storm, Tour, 8520, 8900 or Bold 9700) then inPulse can be charged using the same charger as your BlackBerry. A micro-USB cable is also included. Charging is also very quick and usually takes less than 30 minutes.


While you cannot actually send messages or make calls with the device, it still seems like a fairly handy device to have. It will be available February 2010 and will retail for $149, you can pre-order at the inPulse site. It works with every BlackBerry with the OS 4.3 and above. It may not be a necessary gadget, but it is pretty cool for those on the go.

Review of the Blackberry Storm 2

People are finally getting their hands on the much-talked about, highly anticipated Blackberry Storm 2 and the reviews are flooding in. As a matter of fact, people were talking about it before the original storm was even released to customers. So, does it stand up to the hype? Let's take a look.

According to Crackberry.com, the Storm 2 is definitely an improvement over the first model, with lots of additions and an overall better performance, but it doesn't make the first one obsolete. In other words, if you're already a Storm owner, and you don't have any major issues with your phone, you are probably better off sticking to what you know. On the other hand, the addition of Wi-Fi could make or break your decision.

But Wi-Fi isn't the only improvement over the original model. There are also any number of other improvements worth mentioning, including: enhanced SurePress Technology, overall device performance, JavaScript is now on by default, 256 MB of Memory (compared to 128 MB), 2GB of onboard media memory (compared to 1GB), a sleeker design with tinted chrome ring, integrated touch navigation keys, Blackberry Handheld Software version 5.0, and internet browsing enhancements such as fast page loading.

Below, you'll find a list of expanded Blackberry Storm 2 Specifications:

• Size - 112.5 mm x 62 mm x 13.9 mm
• Weight - 5.65 ounces
• Memory - 256 MB Flash memory 2GB eMMC
• Expandable Memory - MicroSD located under battery door cover (up to 16GB)
• Battery - 1400 mAhr removable/rechargeable cryptographic Lithium cell
• Battery Life - 5-6 hours of talk time
• Display - High-resolution 480 X 360 pixel color display 3.25 inch
• Camera - 3.2 MP camera, flash, auto focus, image stabilization, 2X digital zoom
• GPS - Integrated GPS with A-GPS
• Wi-Fi - 802.11 b/g enabled
• Media Player - BlackBerry Media Player
• Video Format Support - MPEG4 H.263, MPEG4 Part 2Simple Profile, H.264, WMV
• Audio Format Support - MP3, AAC, AAC+, eAAC+, WMA,WMA ProPlus
• Headset - 3.5mm stereo headset capable
• Network - QuadBand: 850/900/1800/1900MHz GSM/GPRS/EDGE networks; Single-Band: 2100 MHz UMTS/HSPA networks; Dual-Band: 800/1900 MHz CDMA/EVDO Rev A network

For a more expanded, in-depth review of the Blackberry Storm 2, visit Crackberry.com.

The Blackberry Curve 8300 Series

The NPD Group, leaders in market research of the wireless industry, say that Verizon Wireless’ BlackBerry Curve has been able to move past Apple’s iPhone with their aggressive “buy-one-get-one” promotion. The Curve Series has grown to become the best-selling smartphones in the U.S. in the first quarter of 2009. So what is so great about these phones? Well let me tell you…

Let’s start with the design. The BlackBerry Curve 8300 Series show off sleek features, clean lines, and soft, smooth edges. They are one of the smallest phones in the BlackBerry line to feature a full QWERTY keyboard. The Curve 8300 Series also have large, high-resolution screens for surfing the net, viewing pictures, playing games, or watching video clips all in bright vibrant colors.

The cameras featured on all BlackBerry Curve 8300 Series smartphones allow you the freedom to capture any moment and share it instantly with friends and family. The camera includes: digital zoom, built-in flash, and a self-portrait mirror. On most of the 8300 Series phones, you also have the option of video recording those special moments as well. You can then share them instantly or enjoy viewing them in your phone’s high resolution display. Also, all Curve smartphones come with a USB cable for easy transfer of your pictures and video from your phone to your computer.

To satisfy all your music needs, BlackBerry phones allow you to easily sync all your desktop iTunes and Windows Media Player music files right to your smartphone. To permit the storage of as many songs as you want, the Curve allows you to use a microSD card for expandable media storage.

The BlackBerry Curve 8300 Series also features GPS capabilities, e-mail, easy text messaging, voice notes, conference calling, Bluetooth capabilities, fast on-the-go internet access, and so much more. The Curve 8300 Series really has a lot to offer and with the “buy-one-get-one” deal that Verizon is running on the Curve 8330, if you’re looking for a new phone this is definitely one to consider.

3G BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8230 Now On Verizon

It's been leaked, it's been rumored, and it's been delayed, but now it's official; the 3G BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8230 will now be available on Verizon starting June 19th. The Pearl Flip is Wi-Fi enabled and will run on an OS 4.6.0 and is powered by a 324MHz processor. The flip also comes with an external display and a vertical QVGA internal display.

The Pearl Flip will also offer a 2 megapixel camera with flash and video recording and a SureType QWERTY keyboard. In addition to that the Flip will have a microSD/SDHC slot and will also have VZ Navigator support. On top of all of this, there are also a ton of other features.

The Pearl Flip supports the BlackBerry App World. This provides fast access to all the apps developed for BlackBerry Pearl flip 8230 in a multitude of categories like games, entertainment, social networking, and sharing things like productivity, utilities, travel, music and video. There is also a built-in GPS with preloaded BlackBerry maps with additional support for location based apps and services. The Flip also has an advanced media player for support with pictures, videos, and music for BlackBerry Media Sync. This makes it easy to sync up iTunes digital music collections from Windows Media Player. The Flip also has Stereo Bluetooth support (A2DP/AVRCP) and 3.5mm stereo headset jack.

The only downside, if you see it that way, is that the BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8230 is going to run you $129.99 after a $70 mail-in rebate plus a two-year agreement. But this is a cool smartphone, and people are going to be happy it is finally coming to Verizon. The Verizon model will come in a silver finish.

BlackBerry Curve Rises Above Apple iPhone

Smartphones are the popular way to go right now for cell phone users. The possibilities with such a device are endless and people all over the world are finding new things to do with them.

Apple's iPhone has long been the reigning champion in the smartphone market but now a new device has dethroned the "king" and taken the spot as number one. According to the Q1 smartphone sales released by the NPD group, Blackberry phones took three out of the top five positions and took out the iPhone 3G from the top spot. This is mainly due to the fact that the Curve is available on the four biggest U.S. cell phone carries and the fact that Verizon is giving a special buy one get one free sale for the Curve. Aside from the Curve, the other top spots were grabbed by the Storm and the G1.

But how did the Curve topple the iPhone 3G? The availability of four major carriers helps, considering the iPhone is still restricted to AT&T. The price is also better than that of the iPhone coming in at $99 with a two-year contract. A trend for Apple which could have helped them get bumped is that RIM's share of the market in smartphones jumped from 15% to a nice 50% whereas Apple saw shares drop 10%.

But who knows? People could be delaying their iPhone buying for both models due to the thought that Apple's new iPhone model may be announced next month. But one shouldn't underestimate the BlackBerry products. Their smartphones are among some of the best on the market with an added boost from low prices and a wide availability of carriers. You can get the Curve on four different carriers for $99 whereas you can only get the iPhone 3G on AT&T for a higher $199. The iPhone is still a good product and it will be interesting to see how the Curve and iPhone do against each other in the upcoming months.