Engadget posted some updates on phones but the most shocking item was Verizon canceling the BlackBerry Storm 2. We have long talked about how BlackBerry devices are under powered and if Verizon is saying now to the device for the lack of hardware advancements (too much like the Storm 2) this could be a problem in general for RIM. Since this is a rumor I would not get concerned but it does raise the question, “What is the next touch screen BlackBerry for Verizon if the Storm 3 is cancelled?” For Storm 1 users like RIMarkable Robb waiting to upgrade to the Storm 3 the decision just got hard.
Amazon is putting the Kindle app on almost every device on the market and Research in Motions BlackBerry Playbook will be no different. I recall Brent not wanting to go with the Kindle due to DRM, but there are few devices that do not have a Kindle app. Personally I have never used the Kindle app on my iPhone, iPod Touch, Motorola Droid, HTC Incredible, BlackBerry Storm, BlackBerry Bold 9650, Windows Laptop, or MacBook. I have yet to find a reading experience that is as good as eInk, so for me I enjoy reading on the Kindle. The Playbook will get all the standard Kindle features including WhisperSync to keep devices up-to-date on reading location. I just finished Horns by Joe Hill on the Kindle which is a fantastic book and will start The Rule of Four by Ian Caldwell and Dustin Thomason. The nice thing about Kindle is these titles are available on a host of devices [click to continue…]
The only negative thing about the Research in Motion announcing the BlackBerry PlayBook is the device will not be available until Q2 2011. On the SMRPodcast we have talked at great length about underpowered devices coming from RIM, but the PlayBook is coming with a 1 GHz dual-core processor and 1 GB or RAM which are impressive stats given the current competition. Not to mention it will support current Adobe Air apps which means programs like Tweet Deck are ready to function. Engadget is reporting 16GB and 32 GB of storage on the PlayBook. Pricing is going to be critical. By the time the device hits the markets we will see if the specs on this are surpassed by Apple on the next generation iPad or the army of Android tablet manufactures. [click to continue…]
I have been using BlackBerry 6 on my BlackBerry Bold 9650 for about 1 week now. If you ignore the big features that are part of BlackBerry 6 there are some rather small changes that make a world of difference in the experience of using the BlackBerry. I wrote about My Initial Thoughts Of BlackBerry 6 Running On The Bold 9650, and I covered some of the major advantages of BlackBerry 6 on a traditional non-touch screen device. When an operating system is upgraded it is the major advancements the create excitement, but minor changes that adjust how you do things can have a profound impact on efficiency.[click to continue…]
On August 12 2010 Research in Motion (RIM) released their new flagship device, the BlackBerry Torch, on the AT&T Network. In general the BlackBerry Torch is an amazing looking phone and the update to BlackBerry 6 operation system undoubtedly makes any BlackBerry a better device, see Rod’s article about BlackBerry 6 on the Bold 9650.
While RIM has maintained a dominant position in the US market and the the #2 selling smartphone manufacture in the global market. Despite this position experts have been predicting the fall of RIM, and this makes sense when you consider how fast Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android are growing in the smartphone market. It is not that RIM is losing market share to either company rather they are not gaining market share at the rate of Android and iOS
I am not one of those BlackBerry users that has had dozens of devices over the last 5-10 years but I have grown to enjoy many of the shortcut keys that are part of the BlackBerry OS. I know there a dozens of shortcut keys on the BlackBerry, but I have found a few that have stuck with me over time as I use them on a daily basis.
To compose a new message, SMS, MMS, or EMail, press the C when in the message window.
To reply to a message like BBM, SMS, MMS, or EMail press the R key when in the message. If you are responding to an Email with multiple recipients press L to reply to all.
If you are trying to quickly get through all unread message you can press U to move to the unopened item
Sometimes when reading a message you want to see other messages in this thread pressing J moves you to the next related message. Pressing K moves you to the previous related message. [click to continue…]
Is this the first picture of the upcoming BlackBerry Storm3? An anonymous tipster sent this in to BerryReview.com along with a few specs including WiFi hotspot capability, a 3.7 inch screen, and 8 gigabytes of memory.
Google Mobile App for BlackBerry has updated to version 3.8.22. I won’t hold my breath believing this update will contain any of the recent features Google added to Android, such as voice actions. I would read the change log if there was one. [click to continue…]
Sprint has announced the BlackBerry Curve 9330 is coming to their network on September 26th. The device will come with BlackBerry 6 and won’t be upgraded to BlackBerry 6 until 2011. The device has 512MB flash memory, 2 megapixel cameras, 802.11g WiFi, and MicroSD card Slot. [click to continue…]
Well it is about time Verizon and RIM announce availability of the BlackBerry Curve 3G. The Curve will be available through business channels on September 16, same day as the rumored Galaxy S Tab. The BlackBerry 3G will hit Verizon stores in the coming weeks. The device is $29.99, after a $100 mail-in rebate, with a 2 year contract. The Curve 3G has 512 RAM, 3G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, and supports upt 32 GB SD card although the 16 GB SDCard has the best pricing. The device is running BlackBerry 5 but is BlackBerry 6 ready. [click to continue…]
