After releasing the BlackBerry 9700 “Curve” RIM (Research in Motion) seemed like they had themselves a sold phone which had BlackBerry users pleased and content, but the competition did not let up. Apple released the iPhone 4, HTC the Sprint EVO, and Samsung the Galaxy S which is slowly taking BlackBerry users in a new direction. These three new full touch screen devices didn’t leave RIM with a good position in the touch screen market. The BlackBerry Storm and Storm 2 didn’t leave a big impression in the touch screen market.

RIM still learning the touch screen market decided to give its users the best of both worlds with the launch of the new BlackBerry Torch a touch screen mobile device with a bottom sliding full QWERTY keyboard giving you the feel of the BlackBerry and a touch screen for users who have made the jump to touch.

With the new member of the BlackBerry line-up I do believe the Torch is going to hold up fairly well with the BlackBerry faithful.

User reviews have been mixed and diehard BlackBerry users seem to like the design and OS 6 even with a lack of compatible applications at launch. Hard core touch screen users seem to not like the lag that has come to be the dated BlackBerry OS.

Torch Specs:

-          Touchscreen- 3.2″ High Resolution 480×360 pixel color display with slide-out QWERTY keyboard and optical trackpad

-          Web Browser- Full HTML tabbed browser for “PC-like” Web browsing with tabbed browsing for access to multiple web pages at the same time and pinch-to-zoom capability

-          Email and IM-BlackBerry Enterprise Servicer for corporate email, BlackBerry Internet Service for personal email, and Mobile Instant Messaging

-          Messaging- Next-generation messaging including group messaging for up to 10 people and locations

-          Social Networking- One view of all your favorite sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and MySpace

-          Operating System- BlackBerry 6 OS with integrated search and new UI

-          BLUETOOTH  2.1- with A2DP Stereo

-          Wi-Fi- 802.11b/g/n and AT&T Hot Spots for Wi-Fi access at over 20,000 locations

-          3G- Broadband data speeds on the nation’s fastest 3G network

-          Camera- 5 MP autofocus flash camera with video and scenes

-          Music and Video- AT&T Music, PrimeTime2Go video-on-demand application, YouTube podcast, video capture, playback and streaming, 3.5 mm headset jack

-          Media Synch- iTunes, Windows Media® Player DRM-Free music, photos and videos on the go from your computer to your BlackBerry. Sync from your home computer music library to your BlackBerry wirelessly over Wi-Fi.

-          Wireless Technology- UMTS: 2100/1900/850/800 MHz (Bands 1,2,5/6) GSM/GPRS/EDGE: 850/900/1800/1900MHz

-          Memory- 512 MB RAM + 512 MB Flash + 4 GB Flash + 4 GB MicroSD

-          Dimensions Weight- 161.1 g. (H X W X D) 111 x 62 x 14.6 mm

-          Battery- 1300 mAHr Lithium cell

-          Talk Time- GSM: 5.5 hrs UMTS: 5.8 hrs

-          Standby time- GSM: 17 days UMTS: 13 days

All in all the BlackBerry Torch is a good device with the all BlackBerry features we have come to know. The OS is still outdated by today’s standards but provides the enterprise solution so many people are looking for. I hope RIM takes a hard look at the consumer market and develops a device geared around that market and less for the enterprise to continue to compete.

You can purchase the BlackBerry Torch for $199.99 with a two year contact on AT&T, via this link.

It can be hard to find a way to keep in touch with friends and family with so many social networking options out there like Facebook, Twitter, MySpace and Flickr. You have an account for each of them because your friends are scattered across them all. Having to sign into each account to see your friend’s updates and updating your own status on each account can be real hassle.

T-Mobile released a free Android application named Social Buzz that allows you to update your status for Twitter, Facebook, or Myspace all at once; so everyone can see what you’re doing at that exact moment! You can easily configure your settings for how frequently you want your time-line to update or manually check for updates.

I found Social Buzz to be useful and time saving. I’m able to keep up with all my social media in one stream or choose to check each source individually. Social Buzz makes it easier to keep in touch and keep up with what’s going on with friends and family.

Social Buzz works on Android devices with an OS of 2.X or higher and is available in the Android Market.

Best Buy Mobile is allowing users wanting to get a BlackBerry Torch on release day (August 12) to pre-order.

 The BlackBerry Torch from AT&T is the first BlackBerry smart phone to launch with the new BlackBerry 6 operating system and slide-out QWERTY keyboard and is $199.99 with new 2-year contract or upgrade purchase.

You can pre-order at any Best Buy or Best Buy Mobile location or on-line at www.bestbuy.com/mobile

Looking for a better media experience on your BlackBerry? mblware has been working hard to deliver the best possible media experience. Their soon to be released Hypoxia is a powerhouse when it comes to handling your media.

Features Include:

Wi-Fi Streaming

Stream From: Your home, or work network using popular apps like Windows Media Player, TVersity, XBMC, Myth TV with Hypoxia Player.

Stream To: All of your supported upnp devices like: Xbox 360, Windows Meida Player, or another BlackBerry!

Full Skinning System

Change nearly every aspect of Hypoxia’s look and feel with downloadable Skins. Create your own, or choose a pre-made skin to suite your own personal style.    

Audio and Video Playback

Support to playback audio and video media files in Full Screen, and Player modes. Supported file types include: MP3, WMA, M4A, ASF, 3GP, MP4, MOV, AVI.

Custom Playlists

Import, edit, and create your own custom playlists containing songs, videos, or both. Hypoxia will seamlessly play both audio and video within the same playlists.

Hypoxia PicShows

Create a custom slideshow of pictures, backed with your favorite audio tracks. A great way to share memories with others.

Message Notifications

Quickly preview incoming SMS, Email, and PIN notifications right inside Hypoxia without interrupting your playback.

Bluetooth Support

Stream your favorite songs to connected Bluetooth devices and enjoy your media playlists on the go.

You can get more information via this link http://www.hypoxiaplayer.com and we will also follow-up when a release is announced.

Our friend Branden has put together  a quick guide for installing Frash on your iPhone to get Flash working in Safari.

How-To Install Frash on your iPhone 4 • The Easy Way.

1. You must have a jailbroken iPhone 4. To do this go to JailbreakMe.com in Safari on your iPhone 4.
2. Add http://repo.benm.at as a source in Cydia.
3. Install the package titled “frash.”
4. Reboot your iPhone.
5. Enjoy Frash! You can test your install by going to homestarrunner.com.

[via Branden Flasch <-- Full Guide Available] Be sure to follow Branden on Twitter: @branden3112

The group at iFixIt.Com completed an iPhone 4 tear down yesterday. They have put together a guide that details in 24 steps how to completely disassemble your new pride and joy.

If you don’t feel like taking apart your new two year investment, have no fear as iFixIt took some amazing pictures. (Link Below)

What we know from the tear down:

• Front glass is Corning Gorilla Glass reported to be 20 times stiffer and 30 times harder than plastic
• 512MBs Memory
• Apple has integrated the UMTS, GSM, GPS, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth antennas into the stainless steel inner frame
• A4 processor, manufactured by Samsung

Nothing too shocking. We had all hoped for 512MB of memory and we got it. Check out all the pictures and instructions via this link.

We heard this rumor last week and I stopped by my local T-Mobile store to inquire and the rep told me “We don’t know why yet, but we have to open two hours early on June 19”

Today T-Mobile issued an official press release acknowledging all devices free on June 19  and stores opening early across the country. If you need a phone I would wait until Saturday.

This is available for anyone switching to a family plan or activating a new line. There is no mention on people who qualify for upgrades but I would defiantly go in and plead your case on Saturday as mobile providers really need to offer current customers a thank you every now and then.

Full press release below:

T-Mobile Celebrates Dads with Unprecedented, One-Day-Only Every Phone Free Event on Sat., June 19

T-Mobile Declares “No More Ties for Dad” for Father’s Day;

New Poll Notes Most Dads Would Trade-in Every Tie in Their Closet for a New Mobile Phone

BELLEVUE, Wash.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–To help celebrate dad, T-Mobile USA, Inc. today announces the mother of all Father’s Day offers: on Sat., June 19, for one day only, every phone in every T-Mobile store is free.^* This first-of-its-kind promotion will “untie” families from giving dad the traditional, same-old gift, instead offering him something he craves — a new smartphone.

“For this very special day celebrating dad and the entire family, T-Mobile is thrilled to offer an industry-first promotion that helps families stay connected”

T-Mobile will break the traditional gift-giving mold by offering every phone in every store for free. This Saturday, starting at 8 a.m., simply visit a T-Mobile retail store and switch to any family plan, or add a new line to an existing family plan, and walk out of the store with a new phone for every new line with a two-year agreement — customer’s choice — while supplies last.

“For this very special day celebrating dad and the entire family, T-Mobile is thrilled to offer an industry-first promotion that helps families stay connected,” said Adrian Hurditch, vice president of marketing, T-Mobile USA. “This unprecedented event champions dad and helps families stick together with the latest phones — all for free.”

With affordable unlimited calling, texting and data family plans, T-Mobile is giving our most connected customers options that take advantage of the latest devices. With the Father’s Day promotion, dads can choose from a selection of 30 devices, no phones excluded, including a variety of brands such as HTC, Motorola, Nokia, RIM, Samsung, SonyEricsson, and Sharp. All phones will be available while supplies last, so customers are encouraged to arrive early to stores to secure the latest and most popular new devices, including the most recently launched smartphones from T-Mobile:

• myTouch 3G Slide™: Combines a slide-out QWERTY keyboard with an incredibly crisp, high-performance touch screen powered by the latest Android™ software. The device hosts unique new features that will help dads connect more easily, more quickly and more often, including the Faves Gallery™, myModes and Genius Button™.
• HTC HD2: Offering the largest touch screen size on a smartphone in the U.S., this slim and sleek device comes ready with a blazing-fast processor and access to millions of eBooks, movies, television programs and more, keeping dad constantly entertained.
• Garminfone™: For the adventurous dad, this new Android™-powered smartphone is fully-integrated with Garmin’s premium navigation experience and includes voice-guided and on-screen directions, real-time traffic, weather, and gas price updates.

“No More Ties” – Dads Want Smartphones

T-Mobile’s celebration of dads couldn’t come at a better time with new T-Mobile survey results showing that more than half of dads received Father’s Day gifts they didn’t want. In fact, 53% of dads don’t recall the gift they received just two years ago.

According to the poll, one in four dads would ban ties as gifts for Father’s Day, and the majority of dads (56%) would trade all ties in their closet for a new phone. Nearly three quarters (74%) of dads polled said they would be excited to get a new phone for Dad’s Day, and more than half believe their current phone is out of date.

Dads want a gift they’ll actually use, with two-thirds admitting they’ve received a Father’s Day gift they’ve never or hardly ever used. If dads had their way, not only would they ban ties but 19% said they would ban golf balls, 17% would ban coffee mugs, 14% would ban cologne and 11% would ban desk sets.

Dads have one day to get the phone they’ve really been craving – and he can ensure the rest of the family can join him in staying connected. T-Mobile’s free phones Father’s Day promotion is one day only, June 19, in every T-Mobile store across the country. For additional promotion details and a list of participating stores, visit http://www.t-mobile.com/celebratefamilies.

*The offer is valid at T-Mobile owned and operated locations only. New activation on qualifying family plan with two-year agreement required. Limit five lines per family plan. Mail-in rebate and restrictions may apply. Store hours may vary. See store for details.

We have heard from many sources that in true Apple style the pre-order site for the iPhone 4 will go live at 8:00 AM Eastern, June 15. Also keep in mind you can go to your local BestBuy and pre-order. The listed time is an estimate so keep hitting that refresh button.

AT&T issued an official response to Gawker about the security breach and AT&T really does not seem to care that the information leaked was of any substance. I am glad to see AT&T does not value email addresses; aren’t they the company who’s CEO threatens customers with legal action for emailing him?

Below is AT&T’s response. Take it for what it is worth. A generic PR statement. to try and make you feel better about exposing your personal information.   There are reports that the ICC ID could be used to locate an iPad device with help from additional databases.

“AT&T was informed by a business customer on Monday of the potential exposure of their iPad ICC IDS. The only information that can be derived from the ICC IDS is the e-mail address attached to that device.

This issue was escalated to the highest levels of the company and was corrected by Tuesday; and we have essentially turned off the feature that provided the e-mail addresses.

The person or group who discovered this gap did not contact AT&T.

We are continuing to investigate and will inform all customers whose e-mail addresses and ICC IDS may have been obtained.

We take customer privacy very seriously and while we have fixed this problem, we apologize to our customers who were impacted.”

 [vua Gawker]

Gawker reported today that at least 114,000 email addresses and their associated iPad 3G ICC ID numbers have been leaked via a script put against an AT&T wireless site. It appears this script was used to validate accounts to an iPad device by Apple stores during activation. The script only returned an email address associated with an ICC ID.

While the security breach may not seem to be too bad it is still a breach that AT&T needs to disclose to the effected users, which technically is every iPad 3G user.  Neither Apple nor AT&T have issued a statement on this breach which is just another black eye for AT&T.

The real concern with the breach is the email addresses of many top U.S. Military officials as well as CEO’s from many top companies. Even Microsoft is listed. I must also wonder why these people use their “real” email addresses for this type of account. It is called setting up a Gmail account for situations when you have to provide an email address for this type of subscription and don’t expose a direct way to contact you within your company or organization.

This script was shared prior to being brought to AT&T’s attention so you can bet this list has already been sold to spammers worldwide and hacking attempts are sure to follow with spoof emails.

Below is two screen shots from the Gawker article.

 Please check out the full article at Gawker via this link. The vulerability was discovered by Goatse Security.