Are you getting ready to pick up a new BlackBerry? Head on over to Walmart next week and you’ll receive a $100 gift card with the purchase of any BlackBerry device. We’ve included the list of available devices, so you can make out your shopping list. Of course, all the phones listed below will require a 2-year contract agreement. The offer runs from 8 am Saturday through November 20th.
RIM today kicked off their BlackBerry Developer Conference in San Francisco with a host of announcements regarding the BlackBerry OS. While it’s not as exciting as a new BlackBerry device, this is good news for developers. That usually translates to good news for end users, so that’s all we need to know.
RIM Announces BlackBerry Application Platform Enhancements to Foster Rich Content Development
Research In Motion today announced enhancements to the BlackBerry Application Platform that will further enable developers to rapidly develop rich content and applications. The enhancements include support for OpenGL ES for the development of 3D games and graphics; an upcoming Java GUI builder for the rapid development of user interfaces for BlackBerry applications; and BlackBerry Theme Studio for the creation of themes for BlackBerry smartphones.
RIM and Adobe to Simplify Delivery of Rich Content and Applications for BlackBerry Smartphones
At the 2009 BlackBerry Developer Conference, Research In Motion and Adobe Systems Incorporated today expanded their collaboration and announced that creative professionals and application developers will be able to use the Adobe Flash Platform technology and Adobe Creative Suite content development and authoring tools to easily create rich content and application experiences for BlackBerry smartphones. Read entire press release.
RIM Unveils New Services Platform for BlackBerry Developers
Research In Motion today unveiled a new services platform for developers that will enable them to streamline business processes and build highly responsive, location-aware, revenue-generating applications for BlackBerry smartphones. The new services platform will offer advertising, payment, content push and new location services. Read entire press release.
Earlier this morning, the BlackBerry Storm2 went live on Verizon’s website. The new and improved BlackBerry Storm2 will set you back $179.99 (with a 2-year agreement, after a $100 MIR). We suspect these will also be available at brick and mortar locations. Anyone jumping to the BlackBerry Storm2?
Today, as part of our Deal of the Day, you can purchase QuickLaunch for BlackBerry for just $2.49. That’s a 50% savings off the regular price.
QuickLaunch is a must have application for every BlackBerry owner. With an interface that is seamlessly integrated with the look of the BlackBerry OS, QuickLaunch will create shortcuts to most any application on your device with ease and style. In addition the added functions included with QuickLaunch will enable you to delete several other apps on your device saving memory making QuickLaunch the ‘Swiss Army Knife’ of your Blackberry.
QuickLaunch allows you to setup shortcuts to various functions such as Websites, Email, SMS and PIN addresses, Phone numbers, 3rd Party Apps, Videos, Images, Audio files, Device Info, Bluetooth Configuration, Camera, Video Camera, Delete your Call Logs, Manage Connections, Device Reset, Google and Wikipedia Search and other functions such as Blackberry Options, Calculator, Calendar, Event Log, Tasks, WiFi On/Off Toggle (Bold and Curve Versions) and more! Configure a convenience key to activate QuickLaunch and when pushed a menu will popup showing a scrollable list of your configured actions. The menu can be set to appear on the Right or Left side and can be shown on virtually any screen so you can perform any action without backing up and navigating through your homescreen and folders saving you time. Quick easy access to what you want to do wherever you are!
This deal on QuickLaunch is valid today only, so act quickly. Be sure to download the Everything Berry App Store direct to your BlackBerry, so you’ll have quick and easy access to great deals on BlackBerry software. Join our community and receive a members only coupon valid for 20% off all regularly priced BlackBerry software.
If you have one of the best selling smartphones of all time, then of course you follow it up with a successor. Enter the BlackBerry Curve2 and it’s coming to Verizon in time for the holidays. The Curve2, or 85XX series, will feature WiFi and comes with Flickr and Facebook pre-installed.
That leaves the BlackBerry Tour lacking WiFi, while the Storm2 and Curve2 both offering that feature. One has to wonder why RIM and/or Verizon decided not to include WiFi on one of the higher end BlackBerry devices. In any event, the Curve2 is coming to Verizon in time for the holidays. No word on pricing as of yet.
In advance of the BlackBerry Storm2 release, RIM has released OS 5.0 for the first generation BlackBerry Storm. There are a host of improvements as detailed by RIM.
New Power / Lock button usage
Using the Power or Lock button on the top of the BlackBerry smartphone, you can perform the following tasks depending on the state of the BlackBerry smartphone:
State of the BlackBerry smartphone: Unlocked and the back light is turned on
Action: Press and release button.
Result: Locks the BlackBerry smartphone and turns off the back light.
Action: Press and hold button.
Result: Turns off the BlackBerry smartphone.
State of the BlackBerry smartphone: Unlocked and the back light is turned off
Action: Press and release button.
Result: Turns on the back light.
Action: Press and hold button.
Result: Turns on the back light and displays the power off prompt.
State of the BlackBerry smartphone: Locked and the back light is turned off
Action: Press and release button.
Result: Turns on the back light and displays the unlock prompt.
Action: Press and hold button.
Result: Turns on the back light and presents the power off prompt.
State of the BlackBerry smartphone: Locked and back light is turned on
Action: Press and release button.
Result: Presents the unlock prompt.
Action: Press and hold.
Result: Presents the power off prompt.
If you want to wear your BlackBerry, your chance will come sometime next February. Allerta is producing the inPulse Smartwatch for BlackBerry. The company is working with RIM on the smartwatch and they have started taking pre-orders. The first BlackBerry watch will ship in February and it’s priced at $149. The inPulse Smartwatch features a 1.3 inch OLED dispaly, glass lens, full metal body, vibrating motor, microUSB port and a rechargeable battery that lasts for four days of normal use.
Interesting device, but is it practical? Let us know if you’d wear your BlackBerry? To pre-order, visit getinPulse.com.
Verizon today made it official, the BlackBerry Storm2 will be released on October 28th and will be priced at $179.99 (with a 2-year agreement, after a $100 mail-in rebate). The BlackBerry Storm2 will ship with BlackBerry OS 5.0, features a new SurePress “clickable” display and feature built-in WiFi. Full specs available after the break.
Verizon has yet to officially announce the BlackBerry Storm2, although we know it’s coming soon, possibly even next week. EngadgetMobile received what appears to be an internal document stating the BlackBerry Storm2 will be available in all channels on Wednesday, October 28th. Yes, this Wednesday. It won’t have the fanfare of the first Storm, but we’re eager to see the improvements made in the Storm2.
The document also reveals pricing. When available, the Storm2 will retail for $179.99, with a 2-year commitment.
Very odd timing on the part of Verizon. The company has a Droid event planned for October 28th, with that release looking more and more like November 9th.
The BlackBerry is no doubt a fierce email machine, but the browser still falls short when compared to webkit browsers found on the iPhone and Palm Pre. RIM is looking to hire a WebKit developer as per this listing on LinkedIn, so it certainly appears that a WebKit browser is in the works.
WebKit browsers tend to offer desktop-like experience on a mobile device, featuring fast and accurate rendering of web pages. If and when a WebKit browser gets released for the BlackBerry, it’s not clear if this will be available on current generation BlackBerry devices or a future, unreleased BlackBerry. In any event, this is certainly good news for those frustrated with the browsing experience on a BlackBerry.
