Posted on November 17, 2009, at 5:40 pm .
The last time we wrote about Cellcrypt, they were showcasing their secure mobile voice encryption software for BlackBerry at WES 2009. The company and BlackBerry app have come a long way and we got to talking with them last week at BBDC.
Since WES, the company has received FIPS 140-2 certification, a standard approved by the US National Institute of Standards and Technology. At BBDC, the company announced that their product is available for the BlackBerry Bold 9700, as well as Curve and Pearl series devices.
Cellcrypt’s product has become more relevant than ever with the ongoing media coverage behind a group of hackers looking to crack the standard GSM network. The hackers say they’re doing this in order to send a message that 2G GSM calls lack proper security encryption, and they could make their code book available to anyone via torrents. While the process is purely academic, and not likely an imminent threat, it still demonstrates a need in the industry for greater voice security.
Posted on May 1, 2009, at 1:44 pm .
It seems the keys on either side of the trackball are cracking under stress. The above picture was sent in by a friend who uses his BlackBerry in a pro-user fashion, but not in any unusually abusive manner.
The crack seemed to be a manufacturing default and therefore Rogers would be under contract to replace the device. My friend took it the Rogers store where it was purchased, and they agreed that it was a problem, but said that I’d have to call tech support to get it fixed. After said person called tech support and after being asked several questions over and over again (asked for the BlackBerry model 3 times), he was told they had to check with another department and would call me back.
Tech support has said that the only way it was possible that the buttons broke, was if he pushed down hard on both at once. He explained that there are several 8900s around that all show the same stress, and there are many reports online as well. Despite this, he was told that if RIM does not tell them it is an issue, they cannot help.
So if this is the case, we would love to see some official word from RIM to Rogers. I can understand that RIM would avoid something like this because it could lead to a recall, but let’s at least let people who have cracked devices return them. It couldn’t be that many that it is worth avoiding. If anything, it will help people like my friend stay with the carrier as a loyal customer (which he has been for 6 years).
Are you experiencing similar cracks on your BlackBerry Curve 8900?
This issue is not an isolated case as can be seen on the CB forums.
Posted on February 13, 2009, at 9:58 am .
Press Release
Hong Kong – Research In Motion today announced that the new BlackBerry Curve 8900 smartphone, the thinnest and lightest full-QWERTY BlackBerry smartphone to date, is available in Hong Kong. Powered by a 512MHz next generation processor, it packs quad-band EDGE support with built-in Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g) and GPS in a refined, streamlined design weighing just 110 grams and measuring only 109mm x 60mm x 13.5mm.
“The new BlackBerry Curve 8900 smartphone packs a wealth of functionality in a compact and refined design that looks and feels great,” said Norm Lo, Vice President, Asia Pacific at Research In Motion. “Its multimedia and messaging features help users stay connected and entertained, allowing them to make the most of their busy lifestyle at work and at play.”
The BlackBerry Curve 8900 will be available from 3 Hong Kong, China Mobile Hong Kong Company Limited (PEOPLES), CSL and SmarTone-Vodafone from mid February. For more information on pricing and detailed service plans, please contact the respective carriers.
BlackBerry Curve 8900 features
Posted on February 12, 2009, at 10:56 am .
Great news for recent BlackBerry Curve 8350i users having problems enjoying some iDEN PTT goodness. Sprint has officially released OS 4.6.1.128 for the Curve 8350i, which should fix many known issues (minus the ‘echo effect’ issue, which I’m told will be taken care of in a future release). To download the OS update, hit the either the Sprint or direct BlackBerry link below. To figure out what to do after that, read our OS upgrade how-to (Telus 8350i users may find this particularly interesting, as it contains instructions on how to use an OS build other than your carriers for upgrade goodness).
Direct BlackBerry.com OS 4.6.1.128 Download
Sprint OS 4.6.1.128 Download
HOW TO UPGRADE YOUR BLACKBERRY OS
Posted on February 12, 2009, at 9:46 am .
Press Release
Research In Motion, today introduced the BlackBerry Curve 8900 in Malaysia. The new BlackBerry Curve 8900 is the thinnest and lightest full-QWERTY BlackBerry smartphone and features a compact and refined design that works, looks and feels great.
“We are pleased to work with our carrier partners to offer this impressive new BlackBerry smartphone to customers in Malaysia,” said Gregory Wade, Regional Vice President, Asia Pacific at Research In Motion. “We believe that the BlackBerry Curve 8900 will be a very popular choice with both business customers and consumers, offering an exceptional mobile experience for their business and lifestyle needs.”
The BlackBerry Curve 8900 will be available from carriers Celcom and Maxis in February 2009, with pricing and service plans to be announced by each carrier respectively. Until then, you can see some basic specs after the jump, or head to RIM’s BlackBerry Curve 8900’s device page for more information.
Continue reading ‘BlackBerry Curve 8900 coming to Malaysia’
Posted on February 10, 2009, at 12:14 pm .
It appears as though our friends in the Waterloo area were spot on when they pinged us that the upcoming BlackBerry 9300 that BGR revealed yesterday was not in fact codenamed ‘Gemini’. BG did some digging of his own, and come up with this information:
Okay, we’ve got to have a little chat here about the BlackBerry 9300 which we referred to as the “Gemini.” Indeed there was some confusion on our part (yes, we made a boo-boo and we mistakenly referred to the BlackBerry 9300 as the “Gemini”. It is not the Gemini. The Gemini is apparently the codename for the BlackBerry 8325, a T-Mobile GSM/EDGE device with OS 5.0, a 320×240 display, 2 megapixel camera, and Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n (they’re going to put 802.11n on a crap device?). It was slated to come out in September of this year but with 8900 Curve about to hit up T-Mobile we’d think it pretty stupid of RIM to release it, especially since it’s got some less than desirable specs. With all of this said, we can assure you that the device we were talking about is indeed real.
Hmm. So while the BlackBerry 9300 is not the ‘Gemini’, it’s 3G+Curve=Yay factor still leaves me burning with desire. As for the ‘actual’ Gemini, the BlackBerry 8325? Not so much.
|via BGR|
Posted on February 10, 2009, at 11:27 am .
Press Release
LIME, the Caribbean’s only full service telecoms provider, and Research In Motion, a global leader in wireless innovation, today announced that the new BlackBerry Curve 8900 smartphone, the thinnest and lightest full-QWERTY BlackBerry smartphone, is now available from LIME in Jamaica and other countries in the Caribbean region.
LIME anticipates that the new handset will be a hit with its customers just like the tremendously popular BlackBerry Bold smartphone, which has been a hot seller throughout the Caribbean. “There’s always a lot of excitement when we have a new BlackBerry product. The BlackBerry Bold flew off our shelves and I think the new BlackBerry Curve 8900 is going to be very popular as well,” said LIME’s Executive Vice President Commercial, Mariano Doble.
To launch the BlackBerry Curve 8900 smartphone, LIME has unveiled a sweet deal for the month of February that offers any new prepaid or postpaid BlackBerry service subscriber, 30 days of free data service. Those interested in learning more can head to LIME’s BlackBerry page.
Continue reading ‘LIME Launches the BlackBerry Curve 8900 With Free Service Offer’
Posted on February 9, 2009, at 10:51 am .
Press Release
Vodafone and Research In Motion today launched the BlackBerry Curve 8900 for Vodafone customers in Spain. The new BlackBerry Curve 8900 has an expansive feature set that keeps users easily connected with their office, friends and family. In addition to being an exceptional phone with email, messaging, organizer, web browser and multimedia applications, the new BlackBerry Curve 8900 features built-in Wi-Fi, GPS, a next generation processor (512 MHz) and a dazzling hi-resolution display, enabling customers to remain connected, productive and entertained while on the move.
Vodafone is selling the BlackBerry Curve 8900 for a flat rate of 18€ per month with BIS service. Those interested can head to Vodafone’s website or look at more BlackBerry Curve 8900 device specs after the jump.
Continue reading ‘Vodafone and RIM Launch the BlackBerry Curve 8900 in Spain’
Posted on February 9, 2009, at 10:26 am .
Those not from Ottawa may be unawares that Canada’s capital city is having quite a February. Not only has our soul-killing bus strike finally ended, but we’re also celebrating our annual Winterlude festival (Sens still suck though). Dave Woodbridge, BBCool’s Biz Dev guru was enjoying the festivities this weekend when he spotted a giant Rogers BlackBerry Curve 8900 ice sculpture. Embracing his inner blogger, he snapped a pic.
So last week we had a tasty BlackBerry cake, and this week a BlackBerry ice sculpture. Can someone please get working on a giant LEGO BlackBerry, please? (Close enough?, ed.)
Posted on February 9, 2009, at 9:56 am .
UPDATE: I’m getting word from friends that happen to live and work in the Waterloo area (wink) that the ‘Gemini’ codename does not actually refer to the 3G Curve 9300 but another EDGE device. Regardless the actual codename, it is still a sexy device. If anyone can clarify the name discrepancy fully, send us a message.
Mmmhmm, isn’t that a sexy new BlackBerry to make a cold Monday in February just a wee bit warmer. The Boy Genius has uncovered one of the first BlackBerry rumors of the New Year, the BlackBerry 9300 ‘Gemini’, which can most easily be considered a “3G BlackBerry Curve.” Sounds tasty. Here’s what BG has uncovered on the Gemini so far:
* The screen will be larger than the BlackBerry 8900, and that will also include a higher resolution
* The CPU will also be beefed up. We’re not sure if this means it will include something more powerful than the Bold’s 624MHz processor or not, but we’d like to think so.
* The device is said to be silver (think BlackBerry 8830)
* The keyboard is a little more rounded than the BlackBerry 8900
* The Send/End keys are rounded instead of being flat on the sides
* Styling is not drastically different — it keeps with the 8900/Storm styling
* It of course rocks quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE, and tri-band UMTS/HSDPA
* Wi-Fi and GPS was not confirmed, but we’d say there’s about a 99.99% chance
* Camera specs were not confirmed as well, but you can bet you’re looking at 3.2 megapixels or better
No word on a release date (pretty understandable considering how recently the BlackBerry Curve 8900 was release), but BG has guesstimated a potential Q4 ‘09/Q1 ‘10 drop date. We’ll let you know as we learn more.
|via BGR|
