Today T-Mobile USA announced that they will be releasing the webConnect Rocket USB laptop stick.  This makes T-Mobile the first national carrier in the U.S. to offer a HSPA+ device.  So what does that mean to you?  Once T-Mobile rolls out their full HSPA+ network you can expect to see speeds of up to 21Mbps using such a device.  The new laptop stick will be available on March 14th for  $99.99 on a 2-year agreement.  The full rundown of the new plans and more info regarding the webConnect Rocket below in the press release.

T-Mobile webConnect Rocket USB Laptop Stick
When surfing the Web, downloading large files or watching video from a laptop on the go, customers in HSPA+ coverage areas will benefit from lightning-fast mobile broadband with a home broadband-like experience. Compatible with PC and Mac, customers simply plug the webConnect Rocket into their laptop and the built-in T-Mobile webConnect Manager software installs and automatically finds the best available Internet connection. Additionally, T-Mobile webConnect Manager enables customers to monitor how much data is being used and avoid overages.

Starting March 14, customers can purchase the T-Mobile webConnect Rocket USB Laptop Stick for $99.99 (plus taxes and fees), with a 2-year contract and Even More webConnect data plan at select T-Mobile retail stores in Philadelphia, online at http://www.T-Mobile.com or by calling 1-800-T-Mobile.

T-Mobile webConnect Service Plans
T-Mobile is bringing its suite of Even More and Even More Plus plans offering both annual contract and no annual contract options to our family of webConnect products.  The new pricing plans include:
·         Even More webConnect data plan (two year contract):
·         $59.99/mo. for 5GB per month ($0.20/MB overage)
·         $29.99/mo. for 200MB per month ($0.20/MB overage)
·         Even More Plus webConnect data plan (no annual contract):
·         $49.99/mo. for 5GB per month ($0.20/MB overage)
·         $19.99/mo. for 200MB per month ($0.20/MB overage)
Unlimited nationwide T-Mobile HotSpot access is included in both plans and doesn’t count toward monthly data usage.

T-Mobile 3G Network
Today T-Mobile’s 3G high-speed data network is available in more than 273 U.S. cities covering more than 206 million people. HSPA 7.2 is now enabled across our entire 3G nationwide network and we’re working to put the necessary backhaul in place to support these faster speeds.

While other carriers are waiting to deploy LTE, T-Mobile is the only national U.S. carrier upgrading its existing 3G network to support HSPA+, which is capable of delivering download/upload speeds that are significantly faster than T-Mobile’s standard 3G network. With three times the speed capabilities of HSPA 7.2, HSPA+ offers theoretical peak throughput speeds of 21Mbps.

* T-Mobile recently became the first U.S. carrier to launch HSPA+ with a deployment in Philadelphia and is integrating HSPA+ into its 3G network now with broad national deployment planned for the end of 2010.  In the coming months, we’ll be lighting up HSPA+ in major cities on both coasts. Our network upgrade efforts are well underway and we’ll share more details as the service becomes available to more customers.

Just like they promised the folks over at FourSquare promised they have updated at least one of the mobile applications to version 1.7 right before SXSW.   So far it looks like the UI has been revamped on this version a significant amount, bringing it more in line with the UI which has been unleashed on the website over the last week.  I look forward to seeing the updates of the rest of their apps.  If you dig around and find anything extra please let us know!

Download foursquare for BlackBerry by visiting foursquare.com/blackberry/beta

Update:  It has been brought to my attention that FourSquare is now available in BlackBerry App World for the first time.  You can download it by clicking HERE

ÜberTwitter has released beta 7 of their BlackBerry Twitter client.  There is a decent sized list of changed listed in the change log.  A lot of BlackBerry users prefer this client over the other options currently available for the BlackBerry platform so I am sure this is a welcome update.  Change log listed below.

The following changes have been made from 0.963 to 0.970
• Java exceptions on device boot – Fixed issue where java exceptions would be reported on device reboot due to lack of permissions
• Opt-out of sponsored tweets – Users can now opt out of receiving sponsored tweets
• Goto User bug fix – Fixed bug where entering a user not in your timeline and then pressing trackball wouldn’t use the text you entered but instead find the closest match from your friends list
• Everyone Near You – Fixed bug where it wouldn’t uses your current location, and sometimes would revert to somewhere off the coast of Africa. Also increased the distance to a 10 mile radius, in the future we will let you select this.
• Mini-Icon Notification – Fixed bug where if the app didn’t have certain permissions not related to the mini-icon, it still wouldn’t show the mini-icon
• Fine-Tuned control of visual notifications – There are now three settings each for the mini-icon and application icon so you can fine-tune the control over how you want each to notify you. Also, the number next to the mini-icon will only reflect the number of new tweets of the type it is tracking. For example, if you only set the mini-icon to track new DMs, then the number next to the mini-icon will only reflect the number of new DMs.
• New short-cut for page-up – Added a new short-cut to page-up in the timeline, pressing ‘0′ (zero) will now page up in the timeline
• Instability when using cell location – Fixed bug that would cause instability in the app when using cell tower location
• 3G Cell Tower Inaccuracy – Fixed a bug in the cell tower location mechanism when 3G towers were being used
• Symbol Screen – Again reworked the symbol screen
• Secure Connection – Changed the default Twitter endpoint so your traffic will travel over a secure HTTPS connection
• Deleting DMs – We now allow you to delete direct messages.
• Constant permissions requests – Fixed bug where every time the app was started it would ask for permissions.

ÜberTwitter can be downloaded via your BlackBerry browser by visiting ubertwitter.com

The guys from RIM just announced on their Official BlackBerry Blog, Inside BlackBerry that the service MyBlackBerry has some new features and a new look. MyBlackBerry is now open to the world so anyone can register, there are device specific areas, quick links for your BlackBerry model, including software upgrade checks, the ability to post your bbm qrcode and more. They have also made the site more intuitive to use,

There were a bunch of small tweaks that needed to be made so that people could easily navigate their way through the site. One of the biggest improvements here is staying in the discussion window when you are replying; the previous version of MyBlackBerry took you to a whole new window, so replying to messages is now much more efficient!

And we’re not even done yet! Here are some other things we’re working on:

• An app/mobile friendly version (yes, it is coming)
• Ability to display your BlackBerry smartphone PIN in your profile
• Badges for our super friends who make the site spectacular
• Easier ways to make friends

For more info read the entire announcement over at Inside BlackBerry and then go sign up for MyBlackBerry™.

(via Inside BlackBerry)

We just had one of our trusted sources send us some pictures of the upcoming Nokia Nuron 5230 and the Motorola Cliq XT.  Our source told us that he is hearing both phones will launch on March 17th.  I have to say I like the look of the Nuron, maybe we will see it on the 17th.

Thanks McShovin’!

A forum member from CrackBerry has leaked OS 5.0.0.545 for the BlackBerry Bold 9700.  Reports have indicated this is a “gold candidate” for carriers and from what I have read initial impressions are good.  Leave a comment with your findings.

Download The Leaked OS 5.0.0.545 For The BlackBerry Bold 9700

REMEMBER: Install at your own risk. Always make backups before making major changes/upgrades/downgrades to your BlackBerry.

[Source]

Nimbuzz has updated their BlackBerry application to include support for 5.0 devices. Nimbuzz is an instant messaging application that consolidates all of your friends from the various chat providers into one, simple application.

The highlights of the new Nimbuzz include:

• Runs in background  – so you can be online wherever you go.
• Connects all your friends: Put all your friends in one place, check their status updates, and chat right from the buddy list.
• Home screen notifications: You wont miss anything, a red dot will show up on the letf corner of your screen everytime you get a new message.
• Auto-reconnects: for switching between 3G, 2G and Wifi networks
• “Clickable” URL’s: Share links and websites with your friends! No need to retype web addresses.
• Sound profiles – your notifications can be customized, so you can make them personal.
• Save money on text messages with free Nimbuzz to Nimbuzz messaging.
• And it is free! 

You can download the new Nimbuzz for Blackberry from Nimbuzz.com or via Blackberry App World.

Update:  I have never seen people get so bent out of shape over a rumor.  Truly amazes me.  I want to clarify, since some people seem to not understand, that end-of-life simply means that Verizon will no longer be placing orders for the Eris.  It does not mean that come April 1st the Eris will be pulled off of shelves and no longer available, other carriers handle end-of-life differently but this is how Verizon handles it.  If there is stock in the warehouse it will still be on shelves.   Also, when I say “Incredible is expected to launch around that same date” that doesn’t mean before the end of March as some other sites have decided to put it.  That means, it will launch around April 1st.  Enough said.

We just got word from a trusted source that the HTC Incredible will be replacing the Droid Eris at Verizon Wireless.  The Eris will be end of life on April 1st.  With the Eris going end of life on the 1st and information from our source the Incredible is expected to launch around that same date.  Another interesting thing our source told us was that Verizon is viewing the Incredible as their version of the Nexus One.  I will be the first to admit I was wrong with expecting Verizon to have Nexus One’s in store, at least at a display level.  My source says not to count on it, the Incredible is what they will push in store.  Great news for Android fans on Verizon!

Thanks to The BlackBerry Kid!

Verizon Wireless has just landed a huge 4-year partnership with the NFL.  Starting next month Verizon Wireless customers will be able to watch and follow the NFL draft as it happens on their wireless devices as part of NFL Mobile on Verizon Wireless.  In August NFL fans will have access to NFL RedZone on their device, as well as NFL Thursday/Sunday night games streaming live.  At this point in time it is unclear what devices and pricing will be rolled out with the new service.  I am sure true football fanatics won’t have any issues with handing over some cash for access to the NFL RedZone wherever they are.  Sprint and the NFL Mobile Live claim to fame isn’t looking as hot as it once was.  Read on for the full press release and details.

NFL Mobile Kicks Off With Verizon Wireless in April

BASKING RIDGE, N.J., and NEW YORK, March 9 /PRNewswire/ — The National Football League (NFL) has joined forces with Verizon Wireless, the owner and operator of the nation’s most reliable wireless network, to provide fans with the deepest NFL experience on their mobile phones, it was announced today.  The new four-year agreement for NFL Mobile kicks off next month with coverage of the 2010 NFL Draft to be held from April 22-24 and continues with the NFL’s regular season.

Verizon Wireless, which also becomes the NFL’s official wireless service sponsor, will provide fans with unprecedented access to America’s favorite sport regardless of whether they are in the stands, at home, or on the go.

Among the programming that will be available for the first time during the regular season will be the wildly popular NFL RedZone channel from the NFL Network, which airs live look-ins of every key play and touchdown from Sunday afternoon games.  Fans also will be able to watch live streaming of NBC’s Sunday Night Football and NFL Network’s Thursday Night Football.  In addition, fans will receive the NFL Network channel, which airs seven days a week, 24 hours a day on a year-round basis, and is the only network fully dedicated to the NFL and the sport of football.

“This is an agreement that has, at its core a mutual desire by both the NFL and Verizon Wireless to provide consumers with what they want on and off the field,” said John Stratton, executive vice president and chief marketing officer for Verizon Wireless.  ”For Verizon Wireless, it is NFL content delivered over our 3G network so football fans can extend the excitement of the sport long after the last touchdown of a season.  And the NFL content is customizable in that consumers have options from video to ringtones to alerts; the choice is theirs.”

The NFL experience will become increasingly rich as Verizon Wireless launches its 4G network. It plans to have 4G available in 25 to 30 markets in 2010 and in virtually all of its current nationwide 3G footprint by the end of 2013.

“We are looking forward to working with Verizon Wireless to deliver our fans the most extensive experience on mobile phones,” said Brian Rolapp, the NFL’s senior vice president of media strategy.  ”Our fans have an insatiable appetite for football, and we will be able to keep them connected wherever they are on game day but also throughout the year.”

In addition to NFL RedZone, live Sunday Night and Thursday Night games, and NFL Network, other features of NFL Mobile on Verizon Wireless will include:

• Video: Game highlights and an extensive collection of on-demand video featuring analysis and inside access from NFL Network and NFL Films.
• Audio: Live radio broadcasts of every regular season and playoff game from both home and away teams.
• Fantasy: Access to fantasy information, news, and player and team statistics.
• Customizable NFL alerts, ringtones and graphics.

Fans will get their first taste of NFL Mobile on Verizon Wireless with one of the most anticipated sports events of the year, the NFL Draft, to be held from April 22-24.  Among the content:

• Live 24/7 stream of NFL Network’s coverage of the Draft from Radio City Music Hall.
• Extensive collection of on-demand video of NFL Network analysis.
• Pick-by-pick Draft tracker updated in real time.
• In-depth prospect profiles, blogs, news and more.

Additional information on specific phones and associated pricing will be available closer to the start of the NFL season in August.

[Source]