Storm 1 OS .323 or .328? Releasing Sunday or Monday?


 If you're a BlackBerry Storm 1 owner you've probably heard the good news that an OS 5.0 release will become official very soon. We were just tipped that it appears there is some confusion going on in Verizon. One screen shows OS 5.0.0.323 releasing for the Storm, while another shows OS 5.0.0.328. So, which one is it?



Here is a screen capture taken today that is still showing the official OS 5.0 to be releasing on Sunday October 25th, with a time-stamp of 6pm! Why hasn't this been updated to show it on Monday, like we've apparently seen?



Might have seen a similar looking pic like this on CrackBerry. It seems this page has not been updated to show it releasing on Monday. This image was taken today!

So what is going on here. Is it going to be OS 5.0.0.323 or .328 and will it be releasing Sunday or Monday? Guess we'll find out tomorrow! lol.

Bold 9000 & Curve 8900 OS 5.0.0.314 Leaked


BlackBerry Bold 9000 and Curve 8900 OS 5.0.0.314 has been leaked! As always, we've uploaded these to our own server.

- BlackBerry Bold 9000 OS 5.0.0.314

- BlackBerry Curve 8900 OS 5.0.0.314

*DISCLAIMER* - DOWNLOAD AND INSTALL AT YOUR OWN RISK. BBLEAKS IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY MALFUNCTIONS, ERRORS, OR DAMAGES THAT MAY OCCUR.

BlackBerry Master Control Program 0.9.2.0 Beta 10 Goes Live

The Blackberry Master Control Program 0.9.2.0 has been updated to beta 10. This program is great for those who'd like to do more with their BlackBerrys than what Desktop Manager offers. Here's what has been changed/added:

Read more after break...

BlackBerry Storm2 Launching October 28th


From what has appeared on the Verizon device blog for the BlackBerry Storm2, looks like this device will officially launch on October 28th! There were reports of shipping errors, which is what delayed the original October 21st date. We were the first to show you that Verizon took the date down, which caused much confusion on what was happening. We're hoping now everything continues to go smoothly and the Storm2 9550 releases in less than a week!

Storm2 Info PDF - Launch Kits Arriving Oct. 24th


A very nice and detailed BlackBerry Storm2 info pamphlet has been leaked. In this pamphlet you see the Storm2's accessories, chords, nationwide regional support, and more. Towards the bottom it says that Storm2 launch kits will be arriving Saturday, October 24th. Could this help back up the new speculated October 28th release date? Check out the PDF here.

Storm2 Emulator Appears Online


The BlackBerry Storm2 emulator has shown up online. The emulator was originally only available to Verizon customer service reps. It was taken down due to the landscape view not working correctly. If you rotate the phone, you will see what I am talking about as they still haven't fixed it. So play around with it while it's still online here: http://www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia/mim/emulators/bb_storm2_9550/emulator.html

BlackBerry Bold 9700 Officially Announced


Press Release

New 3G Smartphone Delivers High-End Features and Performance With a Compact and Highly Refined Design

Waterloo, ON - Research In Motion (RIM) (Nasdaq: RIMM; TSX: RIM) today announced the sleek and powerful BlackBerry® Bold™ 9700 smartphone. The new BlackBerry Bold 9700 offers an extensive array of high-end communications and multimedia features in a compact and highly refined design that will appeal to both men and women and for both professional and personal use.

The BlackBerry Bold 9700 smartphone offers top-of-the-line performance, functionality and features with support for 3G HSDPA networks around the world, a next-generation (624 MHz) processor, 256 MB Flash memory, built-in GPS and Wi-Fi®, a 3.2MP camera and a sharp, dazzling display. Cutting edge engineering and premium finishes extend to the exterior of the handset as well, with a smoothly integrated touch-sensitive trackpad and a highly tactile, distinctive, fretted keyboard. The dark chrome frame and leatherette back add to the new smartphone's sleek and elegant look, while the narrow profile, balanced weight and soft-touch sides allow it to feel incredibly comfortable in one hand.

"The BlackBerry Bold 9700 builds on the success of the original BlackBerry Bold with new, state-of-the-art features and a smaller, lighter and highly optimized design that looks, feels and performs great," said Mike Lazaridis, President and Co-CEO, Research In Motion.

Read more after break...

Bold 9700 Official Video



This device is still looking sleek and sexy!

OS 5.0.0.323 Leaked for Storm 9530


Yes, you read it right. The new hip OS for the Storm 9530 is version 5.0.0.323! Put the .230 to rest and check out the latest leaked OS.

- BlackBerry Storm 9530 OS 5.0.0.323


*DISCLAIMER* - DOWNLOAD AND INSTALL AT YOUR OWN RISK. BBLEAKS IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGES OR MALFUNCTIONS IN WHICH YOU MAY OCCUR.

Hands-On: HTC Desire Preview


You're probably scratching your head as to why a BlackBerry website would be posting a hands-on preview of an HTC device. The main reason we couldn't resist touching this bad-boy is the mystery that surrounds the (currently in Verizon testing) Android device. We could not pass up an opportunity like this. Obviously, we're die-hard BlackBerry fans, but we had to get the info out on the HTC Desire in order to let RIM (and Apple) fans know what is about to enter the market.

This phone hasn't even been approved by any carriers yet, so you can imagine it's on lockdown and is such a secret. We were not allowed to take pics or video just yet. We should be getting a few new photos (hopefully video too) in the days to come, but the specs are most important.

Read the full hands-on preview after the break....

Poynt Getting NAVTEQ Turn-by-Turn Audible Navigation


This just in from one of our ninjas. Apparently, Poynt is going to have turn-by-turn audible navigation coming in about 12 days. Before, to get turn-by-turn voice nav you had to plug Poynt into Gokivo, VZ Navigator, Telus Navigator, AAAMobile, Metro Navigator, or Your Nav navigation system. Now, that is going to be a thing of the past, as we've heard Poynt will be getting its own voice nav from NAVTEQ. We also heard that Poynt is still going to remain free!

Sex Positions App for BlackBerry


Thought your BlackBerry was mostly for business and only a little play? Now you can use your BlackBerry for A LOT of play. Well, at least learning how to play. When you get the app you start out with 15 different positions. TC inc, creators of the app, plan on bringing out 30 more for free and eventually the entire collection of Kama Sutra. Learn the "Lotus Posture", "Union of the Bull", and many more from the ancient and wise text.

Features:
  • Full-screen illustrated positions from the Kama Sutra and more.
  • Over 30 more images included as free updates.



Thanks to PocketBerry for the heads up on this app!

InterType for BlackBerry Now Available


InterType is a software application which allows you to enter text in languages not readily available as keyboard layouts for your BlackBerry such as Russian, Greek, Turkish, Bulgarian and others.
  • Allows text entry in most built-in BlackBerry applications
  • Text entry in 3rd party apps require OS 4.7 and higher
  • Small, easy to install and remove and safe to use
  • Usually offers several different layouts per language
  • Free, fully functional downloads for evaluation purposes
BEIKS highly recommends that you download and install InterType directly from our site to your BlackBerry. You can do this by pointing the BlackBerry's browser to our mobile web site http://mobile.beiks.com

SmartWatch Not Just for BlackBerry?


You probably saw the image that CrackBerry posted of the SmartWatch render. CB eventually clarified that the SmartWatch was not being made by RIM, but for RIM. However, we're going to add in one extra detail they left out. This SmartWatch will be made for other smartphones as well!


We did a little research and found out the creator of the SmartWatch is a Canadian entrepreneur by the name of Eric Migicovsky. He has started a small company called Allerta (see image above). This is the company spearheading the SmartWatch product for BlackBerry, Nokia, and Android. We're not sure when the SmartWatch will be released, but when we find out, so will you.

VZ Navigator Updated - But Not Working?


According to BlackBerry Application Center there is an update for VZ Navigator. The older version (4.2.21.40) will be replaced with version 4.2.21.56, however, there's a catch. Once you go to install the update it will take you to this:


So you click install, it takes you to the BlackBerry page where you agree to the User Agreement and it prompts you to download. Ahh wait! It shows it wants to download old version? Low and behold, it will not download. I'm not sure if either Verizon or RIM is aware of this, but it is showing the old verison, which is giving us a '907 Missing COD' error. Wonder why? Hopefully, they will resolve this soon.


Storm2 Appears on Verizon Website


Stop! Just before you go looking on the Verizon website, you won't find a link to this page just yet. Recently found was a true Verizon web page with a 360-degree image of the Storm2. One would assume this is in preparation for the pre-order/purchase page they should be adding soon. So, if you'd like to check it out for yourself please go here: http://images.verizonwireless.com/multimedia/360_demos/bb_storm2/

No Storm2 Advertisements?


So we looked for the 'big' ad campaign that was to launch today for the Verizon Storm2. Guess what? Nothing. The only advertising we could find was the current "love" campaign we saw at the U2 concert. Seriously Verizon, what gives? McAdam, the CEO, touts it around, yet we can't get an official confirmation from VZW? A silent launch we suppose...

BlackBerry InPulse SmartWatch is Coming!


CrackBerry got the hook up with two renderings of what is to be a watch for BlackBerry devices. The smartwatch, dubbed 'InPulse', is not made by RIM, but rather a third party. Some of the watches features are:
  • it has been designed specifically for use with BlackBerry Smartphones from the ground up - developed by a new BlackBerry-dedicated accessory company
  • it features an OLED screen that we hear is "big, bright and beautiful" and optimized for displaying text clearly, and thanks to OLED has solid battery life
  • it's designed to show you notifications and previews of messages arriving on your BlackBerry
  • judging by the filename of the photos as they were sent in to us, we're thinking it's going to be branded the inPulse smartwatch 
It will be interesting to see real images of the watch. Can't wait to get our hands on it!


Hands-On: BlackBerry Storm2 9550

We got to fully test out a Verizon Storm2 9550 running on (a bit old? but it's the current test build) OS 5.0.0.224 today. It caught us off guard and we could only take the shots with an original Storm1 (how ironic), so we apologize for the fuzzy images. We hope to get a few more clearer photos and a video up soon. Like you've probably heard before, the Storm2 is a great step-up from the Storm1. It felt very solid in design and didn't feel like it was rushed. You won't hear things moving around if you shake it as you would with Storm1.
Wi-Fi was undoubtedly amazing! The Storm2 came with a pre-installed Microsoft Bing launcher (bye bye Google?) so we tested how quickly it loaded on Wi-Fi. Needless to say Bing, Yahoo, and other full webpages loaded very quickly. The power-lock works very similar to the iPhone's version. The Storm2 locks immediately, unlike Storm1, so this should dramatically help in saving your battery. Nevertheless, we'll have our full review in the next couple of days (before launch). More photos after break...