Feeling overloaded with BlackBerry news and rumors? We know the feeling. We hear new things almost every day, and it can be tough to keep up with it all. that’s why we’re bringing you BlackBerry News from the Wire every Thursday.
We’ll catch you up on everything ‘Berry that happened over the course of the week. Not only that, but we’ll rank ‘em by importance, so you can more easily skim the items and read the ones of most significance. If you only have time to read one article, for instance, you might want to head down to our 5-star section. It’s All the BlackBerry News Fit to Geek.
BlackBerry Curve again the top-selling smartphone
In the first quarter of 2009, the BlackBerry Curve was the best-selling smartphone in America. It was a testament to the Curve’s versatility. Enterprise and consumer users alike found plenty to enjoy with the relatively small Berry. The results are in for the second quarter, and again the Curve is on top, beating out the iPhone 3GS, which was released at the end of the quarter. In fact, four of the top six spots went to the BlackBerry — the Pearl at No. 3, the Bold at 5, and Storm at 6 — while the iPhone took slots 2 and 4 (for the regular 3G). That’s nothing but good news for RIM, which could see the Tour enter the ranks starting next quarter. Think it will rate higher than the Bold? Tough to outdo the Curve and Pearl, since those cover various models over all carriers.
New patent reveals RIM playing with touch screens
We haven’t seen a RIM patent in a while, but that changed this week. Unwired View tracked down a new application, this one for a touch screen. And not just any touch screen, but one with hybrid capacitive/resistive capabilities. The idea is to take the best of both types to create an even better touch screen, with the sleekness of an iPhone which has the ability to handle stylus inputs. It’s just a patent application, so we have little to go on. Still, it sounds like a mighty cool idea.
An early look at Desktop Manager for Mac
One of the most exciting bits of BlackBerry news this year is that RIM will release Desktop Manager for Mac. Us Mac users have been left behind with BlackBerry, forced to use inferior desktop managers like PocketMac. It’s not the worst program in the world, but it just can’t do all the same things Desktop Manager can. That should change in September, but for now there’s a quick preview of Desktop Manager for Mac. It has the basic DM properties, like backing up and restoring contacts and programs, adding and removing third part apps, and the ability to upgrade or downgrade an OS. Then there’s the ability to sync with iCal, iTunes, and Entourage, even across multiple machines. I can’t wait for the day in September when I visit the RIM site and click “download.”
Possible release dates for the Storm 2
We’re going to run into a lot of projected release dates over the next few months, mainly for the BlackBerry Onyx and the BlackBerry Storm 2. On the Storm 2 front, The BlackBerry Zone hears that it will hit the UK on Vodafone in October, while Verizon will have it for US customers around Black Friday. While there’s no known source behind the information, it makes sense. For all we know it could be an educated guess, because it goes along with what we’ve been hearing for a while, and it logically fits. I wonder if RIM and Verizon will have a similar marketing push this year.
What is the BlackBerry 9990?
It seems a bit early for RIM to be introducing a device with the model number 9990, but that’s what someone found in an image file. Kevin did some research, and found that the model number does exist, but doesn’t necessarily mean a new device. In fact, it kind of looks like 9990 refers to the Storm 2. But I thought that was the 9550. It also says device software 5.7, so it could be a farce. Easily. Or it could be the Magnum, I suppose.
Could a new device feature a front-facing camera?
One potential feature of the Bold which got many excited was a front-facing camera. These make for perfect video conferencing, an act many BlackBerry users participate in. It could be coming early next year, though the information is filtered through someone who doesn’t much care. Honestly, I don’t either, but I know other people do. Perhaps this would work better as Verizon deploys its LTE network throughout 2010? That’s an idea…
Look for the Curve 8530 on Sprint, Verizon in November
We already heard that Verizon would be carrying the BlackBerry Curve 8530, the Gemini for CDMA, on November 1. It looks like Sprint will follow suit. Both carriers are pushing the old Curves out the door it seems, ready to welcome this new one. Though with the Storm 2 dropping around the same time, Verizon might not get much time to hype the 8520.
RIM upgrades App World to 1.1. RIM has added some new search filters, including the ability to sort for free apps. Sounds like a good upgrade for App World.
A status message for your BlackBerry. If everyone integrated WhatsApp into their Address Books, life might be a bit easier. It’s a program which sets you a status message, so people know if you’re free to take a call.
Reviewing the MOTOROKR EQ5 wireless speakers. These seems like a good deal for those who listen to a lot of music on their BlackBerry.
Add or remove call logs from your messages list. Notice how missed calls pop up in your message list by default? You can change that.
Transferring voice notes to MP3 on your desktop. So you can archive and play back your voice notes.
Edit forward and reply emails. Sometimes you need to edit some stuff out of emails you forward and reply to. This app lets you do that.
