Posted on October 18, 2009, at 5:22 PM .
Now that the new BlackBerry Messenger is out, it’s worth taking the time to put some BlackBerry OS 5 downloads in one spot. Many of the leaked versions of OS 5 have been missing the new BBM, but now that it’s released, you may want to get OS 5 for your device and have the whole package.
Keep in mind these are leaked OS links and the official version is much safer for your BlackBerry. We’re putting these links here so you can preview what will soon be officially released for your device. The official release of OS 5 features:
- More responsive experience and includes usability and visual enhancements such as inertial scrolling, spin boxes that make it easier to set dates and times, gradient shading on buttons and more use of animation.
- Typing accuracy and selection have been significantly refined.
- BlackBerry Browser improved with faster JavaScript and CSS processing as well as support for Gears and BlackBerry Widgets
Customers running BlackBerry Enterprise Server 5 will gain the ability to:
- Set follow-up Flags on the handset like they can in Microsoft® Office Outlook®
- Manage Microsoft Exchange email folders (Add, Rename, Move, Delete) on the handset
- Access remote files shares (Windows Shares); Save, View, Edit, and Email documents from remote file shares
- Forward appointments and view calendar attachments on the handset
- Benefit from wireless sync improvements for Contacts, including sync for multiple contact folders, personal Distribution Lists and contacts in Public/Shared folders
Click through for download links for some of the latest devices
Posted on October 15, 2009, at 1:03 PM .
RIM has gone ahead and made the BlackBerry Storm2 official and now you can get updates for when this device will be officially launched.
The BlackBerry Storm2 9550 still does not have any specific availability, but the it’s interesting to see the current prices of the Storm 9530.
Some of the prices include:
Bell: $299 on a 3 year contract
Amazon: $0.01 on a new service plan
Let’s Talk: Free on a new service plan
Verizon: $49.99 on a new service plan and includes a Buy One Get One Free promotion.
WireFly: Free on a new service plan
MTS: $249.99 on a 3 year contract
TELUS: $99.99 on a 3 year contract
These prices are reflective of carriers and vendors trying to offload their original Storm stock but still some carriers have some relatively high prices. Is anyone seriously still paying $249.99 on a three year contract for a year old device? It just goes to show that carriers are dropping the ball when it comes to offering good deals on devices. When the Storm2 launches, it will probably be in your best interests to skip the carrier and find an online vendor who will give you a better deal.
[Hat tip James L.]
Posted on June 15, 2009, at 1:38 PM .
On Thursday, RIM will be reporting results for the first quarter of fiscal 2010 after the close of the market. We’re expecting some good news from RIM in light of the current competitive smartphone pricing environment.
With the $99 iPhone and the Palm Pre launch, the smartphone wars have become much more intense. This is forcing RIM and other smartphone manufacturers, who wish to capture more of the consumer market, to lower their prices to increase sales. We have recently seen the Bold and the Curve 8900 drop around $50, and this, along with other carrier promotions, have helped sales tremendously.
Last quarter, RIM managed to beat expectations with sales increasing 84 percent to $3.46 billion compared to the same period a year ago. But gross margin was down to 40 percent from 51.4 percent a year ago, and 45.6 percent sequentially.
The issue therefore, is margins. By reducing device prices, you can increase sales, but profit margins are becoming increasingly slim in this environment.
The BlackBerry Bold costs around $169.41 to manufacture but this price does not include IP and a variety of other costs the carrier needs to pay. This means margins must be tight if AT&T sells the Bold for $199.99. By comparison, the BlackBerry Storm 9530 which carries a combined materials and manufacturing cost of $202.89, sells for $49.99 on Amazon.
RIM has a brilliant team of economists on board so while I’m sure they have assured the profitability of these devices, one can only hope that price wars don’t drive down profits enough to affect R&D and device improvements.
[Via]
Posted on April 23, 2009, at 10:10 AM .
I feel awkward writing about unofficial BlackBerry OS releases because the thought of someone’s BlackBerry exploding and them losing all their data is unnerving. If you’re going to try this OS update, remember to take all the necessary precautions and back that BlackBerry up.
Download OS 4.7.0.132 for the BlackBerry Storm 9530.
[Via]
Posted on March 26, 2009, at 7:02 AM .
Google Search for BlackBerry now uses voice search. I put it on my BlackBerry Storm 9530 and it recognizes speech fairly well. On the Storm it brings up the keyboard which you can’t get rid of. This I found slightly annoying. Also, it isn’t obvious how to scroll through the selections. Google Search looks great on my Storm and I’m curious, how does it look on your device?
{ED NOTE: The title said Storm because that is what the author was using. It did not mean to imply a version specifically for the Storm.]
Click though to see screenshots from my Storm
Posted on March 22, 2009, at 10:08 PM .
With most standalone GPS devices being of the touch screen variety, it is no surprise that the BlackBerry Storm is the perfect platform for a GPS program. Historically, Verizon only offered VZ Navigator for it’s device, including the BlackBerry Storm. As you may have seen from the video I shot during CES, Telenav has entered the arena with it’s own GPS application for the Storm. We’ve decided that it would be a great idea to give you a quick comparison between VZ Nav vs Telenav on the Storm.
Continue reading VZ Navigator vs Telenav for the BlackBerry Storm
