Posted on February 4, 2009, at 1:00 AM .
Slacker today announced the availability of the free Slacker Mobile application for the BlackBerry Storm. Slacker Radio, which is optimized for the handset’s unique touch screen, and can be used in both vertical and horizontal modes, is available as a free download by visiting Slacker.com from your BlackBerry Storm.
Slacker station caching, an exclusive feature for BlackBerry smartphones, enables listeners to store favorite stations on a memory card, allowing the Slacker Mobile application to play without a network connection, reducing battery life consumption by up to 5 times that of streaming playback and enhancing application performance. In addition, BlackBerry smartphone enthusiasts can enjoy Slacker Personal Radio while doing other tasks such as emailing, instant messaging or web browsing (sorry iPhone).
As you know, I’m a big fan of Slacker. Now, my BlackBerry Storm friends can share in the same level of excellence from Slacker Radio that I have enjoyed for weeks. The link was scheduled to go live at 8 AM ET, but it appears to already be functional. If you’re in the USA (sorry Canucks), have a BlackBerry Storm or other BlackBerry with OS 4.3 or better, head over to www.slacker.com on your BlackBerry and download the free application. Hit us up in the comments with your thoughts.
Posted on February 3, 2009, at 4:48 PM .
It looks like the fat lady hasn’t sung yet for RIM’s hopes to purchase Canadian security company Certicom. After Certicom had successfully lobbied the Superior Court to strike down RIM’s hostile bid, instead choosing a larger offer from VeriSign, we recommended that RIM forget the whole mess even happened. Instead, the boys and girls from Waterloo have rolled up their sleeves and rushed back into the game.
Reuters is reporting that RIM has returned with a second offer for Certicom today, doubling its bid to C$3 a share, or about C$131.1 million in total. RIM’s new offer is about 43% higher than VeriSign’s bid.
Certicom has said its independent directors are reviewing the RIM bid with its financial and legal advisers and has plans to tell shareholders what it thinks of the offer no later than Thursday.
|via Reuters|
Posted on February 3, 2009, at 1:58 PM .
When BlackBerry Cool became the first BlackBerry website on the Internet to provide free invites to the BOLT BlackBerry Browser private beta, we never thought so many people would have such rabid interest. After thanking you the readers for providing ‘substantial feedback’ on the initial beta release, Bitstream let us know that an updated version is being pushed to users with BlackBerry-specific enhancements. You can find the full list of enhancements after the jump.
For those that haven’t tried the BOLT Browser yet, we have some great news: the ‘berrycool’ code now has unlimited referrals! So head over to the BOLT download page and tell Bitstream ‘berrycool’ sent you.
In addition, Bitstream has set up an email address for people who want to share their experiences using BOLT and possibly be quoted (with expressed permission) in BOLT’s PR efforts. The address is pr4beta@boltbrowser.com. Bitstream has also set up a support form for those with technical issues at: http://www.boltbrowser.com/support.html. So you have your task readers: download the new version of BOLT, keep providing great feedback, and help make a nifty BlackBerry Browser even better.
BOLT BlackBerry Browser Feature updates
Posted on February 2, 2009, at 1:16 PM .
Last week I had the pleasure of heading to Woodbridge, Ontario for Telus’ BlackBerry 8350i launch event at AIM Autosport. AIM is a customer on Telus’ Mike iDEN network, and they were kind enough to talk about how they use the push-to-talk Mike network and why they’re so juiced to be getting the BlackBerry 8350i. I was also able to sit in their wicked sweet race car, which was sadly without an engine, and thus unavailable for a test drive (next time!). You can see all the photos after the jump, and there’s video on the way.
As for impressions, it’s hard to get a sense for the value of the 8350i, because we haven’t done extensive testing of the Mike network to see how cool PTT really is. Telus is going to send us a bunch of 8350′s for everyone in the office, however, so we’ll be able to say more shortly (I expect a lot of PTT silliness will ensue). As for my impressions of the 8350i as a device, I think it’s a winner over the standard 8330. While the BlackBerry 8350i is a bit longer and thicker than its Curve counterpart, it has a much sturdier build quality. It honestly takes me back to the days of the BlackBery 8700: you could throw the 8350i through drywall and it would come out the other side unscathed (it’s a long story). Wi-Fi is also a major bonus, and something I miss on my BlackBerry Storm.
For an extended look at the 8350i, check out BBCool contributer Mike’s Sprint BlackBerry Curve 8350i impressions and unboxing photos.
Continue reading ‘Telus BlackBerry 8350i Launch Event Gallery and Quick Impressions’
Posted on February 2, 2009, at 12:11 PM .
Roy Bragg of the San Antonio Express-News has written an article investigating the security surrounding President Obama’s BarackBerry and how that is juxtaposed against the needs of the common BlackBerry user. Unfortunately, Mr. Bragg was unable to interview any BlackBerry experts, so I had to pinch hit. My take on the matter is that one should be more worried about losing their BlackBerry than having it’s transmissions swiped over the air:
The biggest threat, however, is physical — a lost or abandoned handset can be opened and its contents divulged.
Most handsets have built-in password protection, and Microsoft Office documents can also be created with password protection. Older e-mails and documents should also be deleted at regular intervals rather than being archived on the device.
And to protect the device even more, it’s a good practice to keep sensitive data on a remote computer, accessible only while the phone is logged onto the secure network. Blackberry users can buy software such as SmrtGuard, which can back up data, shred sensitive data, and can be tracked or shut down via GPS if it’s stolen.
It’s a well-written piece and poses an interesting question: are you more concerned about losing your BlackBerry or having it ‘hacked’?
|via mySA|
Posted on February 2, 2009, at 11:23 AM .
Press Release
Oslo, Norway and Waterloo, ON, Canada – Trigcom and Research In Motion today launched the BlackBerry Curve 8900 smartphone in Norway. In addition to its exceptional phone, email, messaging, organizer, web browser and multimedia applications, the BlackBerry Curve 8900 smartphone features global connectivity support, built-in Wi-Fi and GPS, a next generation 512Mhz processor and a stunning hi-resolution display.
“The BlackBerry Curve 8900 lets you stay easily connected with work, family, friends and the Internet using a beautifully designed phone that looks and feels great,” says Mark Guibert, Vice President, Corporate Marketing at Research In Motion. “It is perfect for people who want the renowned functionality, performance and usability of a BlackBerry smartphone in a compact design with a full-QWERTY keyboard.”
The BlackBerry Curve 8900 is available today from Trigcom for both business and personal customers. For more information, visit the Trigcom Business Centre at Kronprinsesse Märthas Plass 1 in Oslo, or go to the online shop at www.trigcom.no/no/nettbutikk for great offers.
Continue reading ‘Trigcom and RIM launch the BlackBerry Curve 8900 in Norway’
