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Engadget gets hands-on time with BlackBerry Tour 9630

James — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 23:59:48 +0000

The Engadget team has got their hands-on the newly announced BlackBerry Tour 9630. This particular unit was Verizon branded and in this gallery goes head to head with the BlackBerry Bold and Curve 8900. No official review on the Tour from Engadget just yet, but for now you can enjoy some decent eye candy. All we can say is hurry up RIM! We’re getting bored waiting for this device…

See the full gallery at Engadget.com

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New Simple Call Back Reminder App, LaterDude

Susan C — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 14:03:24 +0000

FabianMH has brought a new app to the BlackBerry apps available, LaterDude. He designed it to be very simple, very friendly, and does exactly as it says…reminds you to call that friend, coworker, any one you need to contact later.nI know many of us take a call or say, “Can I call you later?” only to forget.

This app allows you to fully control who you call back from the call log or the messages app. You choose an entry, the Menu key, and from there it’s “Remind Me Later”. It will then bring a pop up asking you when you would like to be notified. It’ll make a calendar entry for you. Double check by going into the Calendar and options.

I think this app is nice for two reasons. One, it’s FREE, and two, there are so many of us who say I’ll call back later, and just forget. So it’s a great reminder for the person who’s on the go or very forgetful. Fabian makes some really great apps and if you’d like to keep up on the latest apps, follow him on Twitter. His Twitter name is @FabianMH and his website is MobileUtil. If you’re interested in the app LaterDude, I would encourage you to try it. Fabian has several apps he’s created and they’re all very creative and work great. You’ll be familiar with several of them.

You can download a free copy of LaterDude here at MobileUtil >

24kt Gold BlackBerry Curve 8900 hits the market! Only $999 USD

James — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 12:55:18 +0000

Ever want a 24-karat BlackBerry? Well the folks at Computer Choppers have hooked up the BlackBerry Curve 8900 with a beautiful Golden body. You can purchase either the device or parts only. Prices start at just under $400 USD for the body or $999 USD for the Curve 8900 in Gold, Unlocked and Unbranded. It looks like they also have plans to introduce the BlackBerry Bold and Storm 9530 in Gold as well. Keep an eye on their website computerchoppers.com for more details.

Anyone out there interested?

[via CrackBerry]

Elecite Premium Theme Sale! Buy Two Get One FREE!

James — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 04:00:59 +0000

Our friends at Elecite have decided to hold a small two day sale. Basically purchase any two Elecite premium BlackBerry themes and get one more FREE! This means you can get your hands on hot themes such as iBerry, Noble, Ulterior, Scion or any of the others. All you have to do is follow the link below and use coupon code “241″ when checking out to receive your third one free. Happy shopping! Please note this sale is only valid for June 25 and 26, 2009.

Visit Elecite.com and start shopping >

BlackBerry Tour 9630 shows up on Verizon rebate sheet!

James — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 23:36:00 +0000

This is a sign that Verizon’s BlackBerry Tour launch will come soon than later. On Verizon’s new rebate sheet which is valid from June 28-August 1it clearly has the Tour 9630 listed with a rebate of $70. This means that we at least know Verizon will be launching the Tour somewhere within this window. Most likely you will see Verizon launch the 9630 sometime early next month… Stay tuned for more details once we hear them.

[via CrackBerry]

Upcoming Twitter App for BlackBerry “Tweetevv” to be “disruptive”

James — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 00:44:52 +0000

Word on the street is that a new Twitter application is coming for BlackBerry devices. The app which is called “Tweeteev” is set to be unveiled for both BlackBerry and Android devices within the coming weeks. Tweeteev has plans to support many models including the BlackBerry Storm. We aren’t too sure of all of Tweeteev’s features as of yet, but I’m sure it will be interesting to see how it shapes up with Tweet Genius and others. If you would like to register for updates on Tweeteev’s launch visit tweeteev.com or keep an eye on our twitter @blackberrysync.

[via CrackBerry & G Style Mag]

RIM Unleashes First Quarter Financial Results

Susan C — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 06:55:48 +0000

RIM has reported $643 million in earnings (that’s $1.12 per share), for the 1st Quarter that ended May 30th. A year ago, that result was 482.5 million (that’s $.84 a share). Excluding a $175.1 million tax credit and other items such as that, RIM earned $564.4 million (that’s $.98 a share). Revenue was $3.42 billion, that’s a whole 53% from the same quarter last year.

This was pretty much in line with what was expected. About 81% of the revenue was attained from the sales of BlackBerry devices, 13% from service, 2% from software, 4% from various businesses. Gross margins were at a strong 43.6%, up from 40% last quarter.

RIM stated it had shipped 7.8 million BlackBerry smartphones and added 3.8 million BlackBerry subscribers which is now at almost 29 million. According to the IDC, RIM is estimated to hold 55% share of the U.S. Smartphone market. So with the great news on hand, why did shares of RIMM fall 5% in after hours trading time? Inflated expectations and the fact that RIM met expectations, but some investors want to see them exceed expectations. Investors are worried about Apple’s newer iPhone, Palm’s Pre, and also the addition of Google’s new Android smartphone (Goog), Samsung, and even Nokia that are now competing to try and get in on the competition. RIM says it will sell between 8.1 and 8.7 BlackBerry devices in the second quarter. With the Flip Pearl (”no more butt-dialing”) on the scene, the Storm 2 and the Tour (hopefully to be arriving soon to a cellular provider near you) on the horizon, RIM may just exceed the goal they’ve set for the next quarter.

[via: Daily Financial]

BlackBerry: Dominating U.S. SmartPhone Market Shares

Susan C — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 05:59:32 +0000

June 17th, 2009, CNN Money reported that BlackBerry smartphones are leading the market in smartphones. While there are oooh’s and aaah’s over Apple’s newest iPhone 3GS, and Palm’s Pre, don’t size up Research In Motion’s BlackBerry smartphones just yet. RIM has continued to grow despite the newer flashier phones, and the percentage keeps climbing.

In the 3rd quarter of 2008, BlackBerry smartphones accounted for 40.4% of the U.S. Smartphone market, while Apple held 30.1%. Compare that with this quarter and you’ll see that BlackBerry smartphones had 55.3% share while Apple had 19.5% with the iPhones, according to IDC data. Even though there were some negative reviews on RIM’s first touchscreen device, the Storm, the Curve outsold the iPhone. A Yankee Group survey was done and results showed that 41% of Americans plan on upgrading to a smartphone, and of those who plan to upgrade, 50% said they were going to choose a BlackBerry while only 25% intend to purchase an iPhone. It almost makes me wonder if RIM has the following quote in mind: ” You have been weighed, you have been measured, and you have been found wanting. In what world could you possibly beat me?”

Experts contribute RIM’s success to be due to a combination of competitive pricing, business expertise, and also new consumer products. Every wireless carrier has at least one BlackBerry device, so there is not one exclusive carrier. They can also offer competitive pricing because it costs much less to operate a BlackBerry in comparison with an iPhone or a Pre. The BlackBerry is also designed to be more bandwidth-efficient than it’s competitors.

Most experts even agree that BlackBerry is solid as the preferred business smartphone. It has made its name synonymous with security, service, and reliability.

RIM is never content to sit back like the rabbit while it’s ahead, the hints of upcoming devices by RIM leaves us standing on our toes and biting our nails in the excitement of what lies ahead. The Tour, the Storm 2, and the hint of a touchscreen device with a keyboard, these are examples of why we are loyal, because we’ve been there, done that and we found our niche. I can’t wait to see what they’ll come out with next!

[via: CNN Money]

Your BlackBerry May Save You Or Your Loved One Someday

Susan C — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 07:42:23 +0000

You never know what the future holds, or when the phone you hold may save your future. It seems that the very phones we find ourselves attached to can be our knight in shining armor as well. It’s stories like these two I’m going to share that will bring safety to our attention.

I don’t know if you recall the story in Columbus Ohio that happened on a Wednesday, January 7th, 2009. While this story did not involve a BlackBerry, you’ll see where I’m going with it. Alan Heuss was sitting in his BMW that night when he was ordered to get out of his car at gunpoint. The thieves took off with his car, his cash, and his cell phone. He had to file the stolen car report and went to meet friends afterwards. Well one of his friends comes up with the brilliant idea of texting the phone as if he were texting Alan, pretending to have some “hot chicks” and drugs. So you would think only in a movie such as “Pineapple Express” would that scheme work right? Wrong, the thiefs actually texted back! The texting conversation continued, Alan’s friend continued with the scenario and in the morning the thieves were waiting for the “hot chick” with the drugs to arrive and were greeted by Columbus’ finest instead. You can read more about this story from WBNS 10TV News.

Here’s the BlackBerry related story. June 14, 2009 in Pennsylvania, the BlackBerry defined the importance as the thread in life or death. On that Sunday evening Mary Wilkerson went out to dinner with her neighbor Robert Scott, and his wife. Mary drove her car. When they returned, Robert and his wife walked home, just a few houses down. Her son called police the next morning as his mother had gone missing from her home sometime during the night. When investigators asked Robert Scott if he could remember anything about the night, anything suspicious, he remembered he left his BlackBerry in her car. They told him that was all they’d need. Police had to work fast to find her, and they were able to locate by the signal the BlackBerry gave out the location. Her car was parked in an alley and police found her in the trunk. A little bruised and dehydrated, she remembered some masked men having broke into her home and kidnapped her. She’s very lucky, and so was Robert, that both Mary and the BlackBerry were unharmed. I can’t help but think that while the outcome was amazing and how fantastic it is that the BlackBerry is such a device that it can save our lives in so many ways, but if Robert had ROblock by Vapssky or SmrtGuard , he could have had the phone call out and he and police could have listened in on the phone’s surroundings. This is one of the features I really liked, that the security apps such as these enable you to use the phone as a “bug” or audio capture. Just imagine the possibilities, the potential your BlackBerry has with such a security program.

So I really thought these two stories give a lot to think about. One if by text, two if by GPS, our phones are more than just to call someone, they can actually be more than just a communication device, they are a way of giving more security. If either Alan or Robert had not had their phones with them, what might have happened? I shudder to think. So what is your opinion? While some of us suffer from COBD (Chronic Obsessive BlackBerry Disorder) or OCBD (Obsessive Compulsive BlackBerry Disorder), there is a flip side to the coin that can give us a positive aspect.

Have you ever encountered a situation like that? Did you read either of these stories before? What are your thoughts? Please share with us, we’d like to know.

[via: ABC News]

Weekly Sync: BlackBerry News from Week 25, 2009

James — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 02:50:05 +0000

What’s up everyone? It’s once again week’s end and time to get you in sync. This week was all about the BlackBerry Tour, after being officially announced we heard official release news from both Verizon and Sprint, however nothing from the Canadian carriers. Who knows what this upcoming week will bring! Here is all of the BlackBerry headlines from the 25th week of 2009, starting with the oldest first.