Posted on June 15, 2009, at 12:33 PM .
The line between corporate user and consumer is becoming increasingly gray. For example, an application such as Gwabbit, that automatically adds email signatures to contacts, is geared towards enterprise, but it’s equally useful for consumers.
The IRS has become aware of this trend and is now weighing a proposal to deem one-quarter of employees’ use of work cell phones as personal use and therefore subject to tax as a fringe benefit.
Although this would only translate to around $100 per year for most users, it’s still harsh to arbitrarily assign the 1/4 value as personal use. Many users don’t have the IT permission to download apps and do the fun personal things they’d like to do with their device, and yet they’ll still have to pay this tax.
Calculate your added taxes under this proposal:
[Yearly BlackBerry bills x Marginal Rate (eg 20%) x 25% for personal use]
How much are you paying under this proposal?
[Via]
Posted on June 15, 2009, at 11:43 AM .
How have you been liking your BlackBerry Curve 8310? It must be hard living without 3G or WiFi but at least you’re working with a sweet keyboard. You can’t go wrong with the classic 83xx QWERTY.
Upgrade your BlackBerry Curve 8310 with an official OS update to version 4.5.0.163 which is now available from 02 UK.
Worried about updating? It’s so easy. You can read a How To or just follow these simple steps:
- Download the OS file.
- Run the file.
- Connect your BlackBerry.
- Run Desktop Manager.
- Search for updates and install.
Download OS 4.5.0.163 for your BlackBerry Curve 8310 from O2 UK.
[Via]
Posted on June 15, 2009, at 11:10 AM .
Simon found a pic of the BlackBerry Gemini that is incredibly frustrating in its poor quality. If you’re sitting there looking at an unreleased device, here are a few tips:
- Steady hands – Yes, it’s a sweet BlackBerry device that isn’t on the market, but shaking hands makes a blurry photo.
- Megapixels please – At least 5 of them.
- Angles – We need to see the front, back, side and top.
I have to give it to Kevin, he’s done the best job to date giving us some high rez images of the 8520. From that review, we see that the Gemini 8520 features rubber side keys, top-mounted media controls, and an optical pad replacing the classic trackball.
We’re expecting this to be an introductory smartphone device with a fairly low price point. Release dates aren’t exactly set yet, but we’re likely looking at an early August launch. Looking forward T-Mobile users?
More of those high rez BlackBerry Gemini 8520 images after the jump
Posted on June 15, 2009, at 9:11 AM .
I use BlackBerry messenger often to keep in touch with both friends and coworkers. The messenger is useful but really boring in its lack of features and functionality. The coming update to BlackBerry Messenger will come with some incredible features and changes.
The upcoming BlackBerry Messenger includes:
* Avatar support — set your own avatar using the Camera or saved photo on your device (this is displayed locally as well as shown next to your Messenger name on your friend’s buddy list)
* GPS location integration — you can now set permissions so friends can always see your location, have to request it each time, or never can see it
* Proximity sensor — we’re guessing this will let you know if you’re within a certain distance of friends (pending, of course, you’re both set to share locations freely with each other)
* Set conversation subjects — this will allow you to organize your convos on the main Messenger screen and label them with subjects to keep track of all your conversations
* Homescreen support — you can pin/sticky actual Messenger contacts directly to the homescreen for easy access!
No word on launch dates yet but it will likely come with OS 5.0. Don’t expect to be able to pick up a leaked OS 5.0 and use this though, it’s still in beta and very much a guarded secret.
Click through for more screenshots showing all the features of the new BlackBerry Messenger
Posted on June 15, 2009, at 8:48 AM .
The upcoming version of BlackBerry Desktop Manager has been leaked on rapidshare. Desktop Manager 5.0.0.8 is a fairly large file at over 300MB, and it has been split into 3 parts.
Download part 1 of BlackBerry Desktop Manager 5.0.0.8
Download part 2 of BlackBerry Desktop Manager 5.0.0.8
Download part 3 of BlackBerry Desktop Manager 5.0.0.8
[Via]
UPDATE: Sorry folks, the file has been removed. You have to catch these things immediately.
Posted on June 15, 2009, at 7:11 AM .
Win a 7-day all-inclusive trip to Scandinavia this summer!
A common criticism of BlackBerry devices is that the web browsing experience needs to be closer to that of the desktop browser. Opera Mini has been filling that need with a truer desktop experience.
From the beginning, Opera have been helped by communities such as BlackBerry Cool spreading the word about the browser and sending in valuable feedback. Because of their involvement, Opera Mini has become one of the most downloaded applications for BlackBerry.
Now, the company wants to give back to the community. This summer, one lucky reader from the BlackBerry Cool community will get to visit Oslo, Norway and visit the Opera headquarters. He or she will be accompanied by a correspondent from BlackBerry Cool, who will be writing about the experience. You’ll even get to visit Linkoping, Sweden where Opera Mini is made.
Click through to read how to enter and win from a long list of prizes including this amazing trip
