BlackBerry Accessories

No, I am not referring to a fruit salad people (sorry I just couldnt resist!) Indeed those nasty little rumors have resurfaced that wireless carrier Orange is planning to drop the RIM BlackBerry Bold from its lineup. So many people have complained about this device and its service that the carrier might be forced to do such a thing!

Have a look at this image from BGR for the BlackBerry Bold device known as the BlackBerry Niagara for the Sprint network (CDMA version of course).  These images actually look like a cross between the Bold and the yet to be launched in the USA, BlackBerry Curve 8900.  What are the chances that this device, supposedly set to launch in the 1st Quarter of this year actually does so? Lets see if we find out anything more at CES next week.  As far as the BlackBerry Niagara phone specs - very similar to the BlackBerry Bold: full QWERTY keypad, 480 x 360 display, EV-DO Rev. A, aGPS, WiFi and a 3.2 megapixel camera. Theres also a possibility of HSPA world-roaming.

Listen up parents out there - I know your kids are begging you for a BlackBerry. If this was on their Christmas list and you didnt get it for them then youre probably on their black list. Just kidding. A device once synonymous with corporate executives, has now spawned a new generation of followers, namely tween and teens who are desperate to get this device into their hands. Whats the reason behind this and why do you kids really need a BlackBerry? Your kids reasoning is simple. Think about it... When you see people on the street with their BlackBerry typing away at an email you tend to think of them as cool & important right? I dont know why but it gives an image of importance, like they are so busy that they dont even have the time to check their emails at home.  Well, the truth of the matter is that many people have actually converted to checking and sending their email via a smartphone as opposed to a desktop or a laptop. And many of them read their newspapers on their BlackBerry too... and chat ... and shop, etc, etc. The point is that everyone holding a BlackBerry isnt just working anymore. Theyre living their life too. BlackBerrys have become a symbol of modern society in that they are our lifeline. So, whether youre 12 or 52 they will keep you connected and provide you with the information you need (and allow you to have fun too)!

Looks like the folks over at BGR still have a few tricks up their sleeve before the year runs out... Check out this picture of a release schedule from T-Mobile showing the RIM BlackBerry Curve 8900 launching on Feburary 18.

 

This is going to be the hottest business device for 2009, I can just see it now...

BGR reports that the much anticipated RIM BlackBerry Curve 8900, already out in Germany and and Canada, is making its way to T-Mobile in 2009. T-Mobile? Yep, thats what it seems. February 18 to be exact. We first reported on this new device in early December. This model is based on the ever so popular BlackBerry Curve 8300 and is aimed at business users. There is no 3G in this device and its all business but users have given it rave reviews.

Back on October 11th we reported to you about the BlackBerry 8350i for the first time and now folks the phone is finally out on Sprint Nextel.  Heres the official press release: Sprint Launches BlackBerry Curve 8350i for Customers Wanting the Most Advanced Push-to-Talk BlackBerry Smartphone Ever Monday December 15, 8:00 am ET First push-to-talk BlackBerry smartphone with built-in Wi-Fi and Group Connect demonstrates Sprints firm commitment to the Nextel National Network OVERLAND PARK, KANSAS and WATERLOO, ONTARIO--(MARKET WIRE)--Dec 15, 2008 -- Responding to the requests of Nextel Direct Connect customers, Sprint (NYSE:S - News) today launched the BlackBerry® Curve(TM) 8350i smartphone. Developed by Research In Motion (RIM) (NasdaqGS:RIMM - News)(Toronto:RIM.TO - News), the new BlackBerry Curve 8350i is the most advanced push-to-talk BlackBerry smartphone ever. The BlackBerry Curve 8350i smartphone utilizes iDEN technology on the Nextel National Network. It offers Nextel Direct Connect, the only national push-to-talk service in the industry to offer sub-second call set up to the worlds largest push-to-talk community with millions of users. The BlackBerry Curve 8350i is the first push-to-talk BlackBerry smartphone to offer: - Built-in Wi-Fi® support, allowing customers to browse the Internet and download email attachments quickly and easily wherever they have Wi-Fi access, and they can also send and receive emails or browse the Internet while talking on the phone. - Group Connect, enabling customers to instantly set up group conversations with up to 20 participants. Additionally, the BlackBerry Curve 8350i smartphone supports: - Integrated business solutions, including a large selection of GPS-enabled solutions and access to thousands of other third-party mobile applications for jobs such as dispatch operations and fleet and workforce management. - International Direct Connect, which enables instant connections between the United States, Canada, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Peru. - Talkgroup, which connects groups of up to 200 people at once within the same local market and in the same fleet. "Because of its unique combination of push-to-talk capabilities and several other advanced features, the BlackBerry Curve 8350i smartphone is likely to appeal to both individual consumers and business customers," said David Chamberlain, principal analyst with analyst firm In-Stat. "The BlackBerry Curve 8350i smartphone can also address the needs of several industries such as construction, field services, transportation and manufacturing." "The BlackBerry Curve 8350i smartphone is the most recent example of our solid commitment to iDEN technology and our Nextel Direct Connect customers," said Danny Bowman, president of Nextel Direct Connect. "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." The BlackBerry Curve 8350i smartphone is slim with a sleek black exterior, a full QWERTY keyboard, a convenient trackball with intuitive navigation and an internal antenna for a smooth, clean design. Other key features include: - BlackBerry Device Software v4.6 for a simple and easy user experience with an updated interface, new shortcuts, an enhanced HTML web browser, support for free/busy calendar lookups and more. - BlackBerry "push" email for easy and efficient delivery of corporate and personal email. - Robust messaging capabilities with support for popular instant messaging, multimedia messaging (MMS) and text messaging services. - Integrated GPS for step-by-step directions, navigation and local search as well as support for other location-based applications and services. - Advanced media player for listening to music, watching videos and viewing pictures. - 2 megapixel digital camera with digital zoom, flash and video recording(i). - DataViz® Documents To Go® preinstalled for editing Microsoft® Word, Excel and PowerPoint files directly on the smartphone. - Speakerphone that provides exceptional sound quality. - Expandable memory of up to 16GB through its microSD/SDHC memory card slot, providing plenty of storage for pictures, videos, music and documents. - Bluetooth® 2.0 support for hands-free use with headsets, car kits, stereo headsets and other Bluetooth peripherals. - Support for thousands of applications, including business, lifestyle and entertainment titles. - Stereo headset jack for calls, push-to-talk conversations, music and other audio. - Removable/rechargeable 1400 mAH battery. "The BlackBerry Curve 8350i smartphone is ideal for customers who want the benefit of the popular Nextel Direct Connect service together with the power of the BlackBerry platform," said Mark Guibert, vice president of corporate marketing at RIM. "We think Nextel Direct Connect customers will be very pleased with its range of new features and stylish design, and we are very excited to be launching the BlackBerry Curve 8350i smartphone today with Sprint." The BlackBerry Curve 8350i smartphone is available beginning today at www.sprint.com or 1-800-SPRINT-1 or from a Sprint business sales representative. It is available for as low as $149.99 with a two-year service agreement, an $80 instant savings credit and a $100 mail-in rebate. On January 11, it will be available in Sprint retail stores nationwide. The BlackBerry Curve 8350i smartphone measures 4.4" x 2.4" x .7" and weighs 4.7 ounces. For more information about the BlackBerry Curve 8350i smartphone, visit: www.sprint.com. For more information about Nextel Direct Connect, visit www.sprint.com/nextel. (i) Video recording requires a microSD card, sold separately. About Sprint Nextel Sprint Nextel offers a comprehensive range of wireless and wireline communications services bringing the freedom of mobility to consumers, businesses and government users. Sprint Nextel is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying innovative technologies, including two wireless networks serving nearly 51 million customers at the end of the third quarter 2008; industry-leading mobile data services; instant national and international push-to-talk capabilities; and a global Tier 1 Internet backbone. For more information, visit www.sprint.com. About Research In Motion (RIM) Research In Motion is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of innovative wireless solutions for the worldwide mobile communications market. Through the development of integrated hardware, software and services that support multiple wireless network standards, RIM provides platforms and solutions for seamless access to time-sensitive information including email, phone, SMS messaging, Internet and intranet-based applications. RIM technology also enables a broad array of third-party developers and manufacturers to enhance their products and services with wireless connectivity to data. RIMs portfolio of award-winning products, services and embedded technologies are used by thousands of organizations around the world and include the BlackBerry® wireless platform, the RIM Wireless Handheld(TM) product line, software development tools, radio-modems and software/hardware licensing agreements. Founded in 1984 and based in Waterloo, Ontario, RIM operates offices in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. RIM is listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market (NasdaqGS:RIMM - News) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (Toronto:RIM.TO - News). For more information, visit www.rim.com or www.blackberry.com. Forward-looking statements in this news release are made pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used herein, words such as "intend" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions made by and information available to Research In Motion Limited. Investors are cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements include, without limitation, possible product defects and product liability, risks related to international sales and potential foreign currency exchange fluctuations, the initiation or outcome of litigation, acts or potential acts of terrorism, international conflicts, significant fluctuations of quarterly operating results, changes in Canadian and foreign laws and regulations, continued acceptance of RIMs products, increased levels of competition, technological changes and the successful development of new products, dependence on third-party networks to provide services, dependence on intellectual property rights, and other risks and factors detailed from time to time in RIMs periodic reports filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, and other regulatory authorities. RIM has no intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The BlackBerry and RIM families of related marks, images and symbols are the exclusive properties and trademarks of Research In Motion Limited. RIM, Research In Motion and BlackBerry are registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and may be pending or registered in other countries. Wi-Fi is a registered trademark of the Wi-Fi Alliance. All other brands, product names, company names, trademarks and service marks are the properties of their respective owners. RIM assumes no obligations or liability and makes no representation, warranty, endorsement or guarantee in relation to any aspect of any third party products or services. EDITORS NOTE: VISIT WWW.SPRINT.COM/NEWSROOM FOR MORE INFORMATION ON SPRINT DEVICES, INCLCUDING FACT SHEETS AND IMAGES. Contact: Contacts: Media Contacts: Sprint Aaron Radelet (703) 433-8246   Brodeur Partners (PR Agency for RIM) Marisa Conway (212) 515-1924 Email: mconway@brodeur.com   Investor Contact: RIM Investor Relations (519) 888-7465 Email: investor_relations@rim.com   Source: Research In Motion and Sprint

Now that the Blackberry Storm and BlackBerry Bold have been launched this year by Research In Motion world-wide,  you would think that the company has left the Curve in the dust right? Well, not so the case... The 8300 Curve was a very successful phone for the Canadian-based smartphone company and they are not ready to give up on it just yet. Here comes the BlackBerry Curve 8900. Already launched in Germany in late November, the phone also just came out today on Rogers Wireless for the Canadian market and is set up to be a big hit. This is the thinnest and lightest full QWERTY BlackBerry device and it looks awesome. Call me old-fashioned but I love the Curve. As far as I am concerned this was (and still is) the best BlackBerry ever. Dont get me wrong... I like the new Bold because of the 3G speed and the screen but it is just too bulky for me. And the first touch-screen BlackBerry, the Storm 9530, is great too, but I just think I work faster without a touch-screen on my BlackBerry.    the new Curve 8900 is pretty much an improved version of its predecessor. The US version is due out in 1st quarter of 2009. No date has been finalized for the launch. See the Rogers Wireless version specs below: - A refined, streamlined design - the handset weighs just 110 grams and measures only 109mm x 60mm x 13.5mm - A brilliant 2.4 inch HVGA+ light-sensing display that makes pictures and videos come to life - A 3.2 MP digital camera including auto focus, digital zoom, flash, image stabilization and video recording - Built-in GPS supporting TeleNav GPS Navigator(TM) and BlackBerry® Maps -- providing maps, step-by-step directions, and local searches -- as well as support for geotagging pictures - Built-in Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g) with support for Rogers TalkSpot(TM) service - The Rogers Do More portal enabling access to a variety of mobile applications for business and personal use - Instant messaging with BlackBerry® Messenger, Google® Talk, Windows Live Messenger(TM) and Yahoo!® Messenger - Support for the Facebook® for BlackBerry® Smartphones application, which enables fast, streamlined and optimized mobile access to the popular Facebook social utility - An advanced media player for music, video and pictures, including support for streaming audio and video - An enhanced web browser that displays full web pages quickly, for a desktop-style browsing experience wherever you are - MicroSD/SDHC memory card slot supporting cards up to 16 GB, ideal for storing songs, pictures, videos and documents - Removable and rechargeable 1400 mAhr battery that provides approximately 5.5 hours of talk time and 15 days of standby time - DataViz® Documents To Go® preinstalled, enabling customers to edit Microsoft® Word, Excel and PowerPoint files on the smartphone - Support for BlackBerry® Media Sync, giving users a simple way to sync iTunes® digital music collections with the smartphone(i) - Premium phone features including voice activated dialing, enhanced background noise cancellation, a low-distortion speakerphone, and Bluetooth® (2.0) support for hands-free use with headsets, car kits, stereo headsets and other Bluetooth peripherals - BlackBerry® Internet Service support that allows access to up to 10 supported personal and corporate email accounts, including most popular ISP email accounts - BlackBerry® Enterprise Server support for enterprise deployments with advanced security and IT controls

 

Some poking around for mobile phone rankings landed me with different lists of rankings for most popular handsets. 

Avian Research came out with a list for October headed by none other than BlackBerry Curve from RIM and not the iPhone which is at 2. However iPhone sits on top of the list published by NPD Group.

Avian took into consideration 100 service reps and store managers at retail stores of AT&T Mobility, Verizon Wireless, Sprint Nextel Corp. and T-Mobile USA Inc for conducting its survey.

It has been RIM on the top for some months now according to the Avian survey. It was BlackBerry Pearl on top in April and BlackBerry Curve from May. The list this month has some new entrants like the G1, LG’s Env2 and HTC Diamond. LG Rumor, Palm Centro and Nokia 5310 lost face, it seems. G1 for all the brouhaha created before launch comes up at position 7 only.

When one sees the NPD list of top rankers, there is iPhone 3G sitting pretty on top followed by Motorola’s Razr a topper for the past three years. BlackBerry Curve is at three here.

Why the difference? It is probably due to differing methodologies used or different samples considered.

The long and short of it is that the winners were handsets optimized for messaging and Internet features. Mobile phones should have Bluetooth connectivity, digital music and camera as basic features. Many users want a device with a QWERTY keyboard.

In the smartphone category RIM holds about 40 percent of the U.S. market share according to October sales figures. In Europe Nokia is among the top contenders in smartphone sales where there are at least 250 models in market.

Maybe the smartphone market did not really take off owing to the economic downturn generally perceived the world over.

Come Christmas the harbinger of change. Good in most cases.

Even here analysts give varying comments. Some say there will be a boost in sales, a trend already detected in the October sales figures. People seem to be vying for the smartphones, interest in which has been fired by the BlackBerries and iPhone.

There are also those who predict a dip in sales generally. However demand for smartphones is not going to waver from its upward trajectory.

iPhone and BlackBerry will rule the roost in the US at any cost. 

 

MySpace’s customized mobile solution for RIM’s BlackBerry smartphones broke records in its first week of release. The initial week was marked with more than 400,000 downloads a never before achieved figure considering both RIM and MySpace. 

Adding more laurels MySpace confirmed that users sent and received over 15 million messages using the BlackBerry smartphone app and mood and status settings were updated more than 2 million times. WOW.

The MySpace application gains popularity due to its instant, push-based messaging of social content with full messaging interface, real-time status and mood updates. MySpace is further decked up with features like camera integration, optimized photo management and notification of MySpace events like message and friend requests. 

The MySpace app will be available for BlackBerry Bold, BlackBerry Curve, BlackBerry Pearl and BlackBerry 8800 Series of smartphones and it was confirmed that BlackBerry Storm will also be included soon.

MySpace took the opportunity to launch a new community page for BlackBerry smartphone users, rich in content, videos, games, ringtones, skins and other features. This Web page features a product demo of the BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8220 smartphone besides a tutorial on ‘How to use MySpace app’ and BlackBerry smartphone cheats.

Back on October 21st, RIM held a Blackberry Developer Conference.  A few things were mentioned like, Blackberry plans to launch a new application store front in March of 2009. So far Blackberry has about 20 million users, 400 carrier partners,is available in 50 countries and holds 54% of market shares with smartphones. Developers will have many users to develop for. Developers will set their own prices for their applications and retain 80% of revenue generated form their applications. Sounds good to me and the Blackberry Developer Zone gives you, the developer, all the tools you need to start creating awesome apps for BB users. Those interested should visit  www.blackberry.com/storefrontinfo for more info. RIM is also working with Paypal to allow users to easily and securely pay for the apps straight form their Blackberry smartphones. With iPhones app store having so much popularity, Blackberry is also trying to give the same opportunity to Blackberry users as well. Hopefully when they do  launch their online store they will make it available on Mac computers as well, although there has been no details of that being in the works.