At this point we know what’s coming down the pike. In other words, there won’t be many surprises from RIM here on out. The Curve 9300 is already out in some places, and we know it’s coming to others in the near future. The 9760 has been nameless since its inception (hint, hint), but we know it’s coming soon enough to Verizon and Sprint. And we of course know that the Storm 3 will drop around the same time the Storm 2 did last year. So what’s there to get excited about? Plenty, of course. We’ve got some interesting nuggets this week that will help sate your BlackBerry hunger.
BlackBerry Style 9670
That pesky BlackBerry clamshell is back in the news again, which is equally good for those who think they’ll love it and those who like to make fun of it. This time we have a name to attach to it. After confirming with multiple sources, CrackBerry reports that the device will be dubbed the Style. Judging by the picture there might not be anything stylish about it. But I suppose that’s a matter of taste.
When we first heard about the clamshell device I thought it might make a nice addition to RIM’s lineup. But the more we’ve seen it the more I’ve grown skeptical. It just seems unwieldy, and the above picture — if it’s real — makes it look even worse. It’s all short and stubby.
We’re still waiting for a release date on this one, but I don’t think it will capture much attention.
Tip of the week: Optimize your BlackBerry with What’s Running in My Phone.
Canada ready to get the Torch
The Torch is here, but it’s only on one carrier and it’s only available in the U.S. That’s about to change. This week we got either an official or rumored date for the Torch launch on four major Canadian carriers.
Earlier in the week it looked as though the Torch would would hit Rogers on September 15, but we later learned that it will be the 24th. That’s the same date it will hit Virgin Mobile, Telus, and Bell as well. That means we’re just about three weeks away. Any Canadians plan on getting this on the launch date?
Verizon raises the stakes with prepaid BlackBerry service
It wasn’t long ago that we heard of Verizon’s plans to release a prepaid BlackBerry. This week we got a better idea of what exactly they’d offer. It’s supposed to be available September 2, which is today, but I haven’t seen anything on the VZW website. But in case you were wondering, here’s what we’re looking at:
As you can see Verizon has made all of its BlackBerry lineup available for the prepaid plan, and for the same $30 unlimited data plan as they offer to postpaid customers. In fact, the entire package will cost you just $5 more per month on prepaid than postpaid. That’s a bit regressive, yes, but it also makes a degree of sense.
The device might cost you a bit, since it won’t carry the same subsidy, but if you can take that and $120 more during the life of a two-year contract, you can have at it. Packages should be available at Verizon corporate outlets.
Roundup
- T-Mobile will release the Curve 9300 on September 8.
- BlackBerry app use is increasing. Millenial Media’s latest report shows a 9 percent month-over-month growth in BlackBerry app usage from June to July, the platform’s largest growth to date.
- Streaming music apps for your BlackBerry. I missed Grooveshark and the commenters let me have it.
- Torch better than iPhone for business? eWeek takes a look.
- India will hold off on its threatened BlackBerry ban for another 60 days.
- Is RIM screwed? Simon Sage of IntoMobile doesn’t think so
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