Posted on October 27, 2009, at 2:42 pm .
I have loaded the official OS 5.0.0.328 on my BlackBerry Storm 9530 and my themes are broken. There has been some buzz about this in the forums and I’ve tested the theory using an Elecite theme on my Verizon 9530.
What happens when you load a theme with the latest official OS 5 build, is very worrying. If you go into landscape mode from the homepage, and scroll, you get the dragging window effect (see the above screenshot). Also, some of the buttons in my theme, such as the “media” button, no longer work.
The Verizon BlackBerry Storm 2 is shipping tomorrow with OS 5.0.0.320 (according to the device I’m holding in my hands now) and now I’m worried the whole themes business is crushed for Storm users.
Stay tuned as we test this themes bug on the Storm 2.
Posted on October 21, 2009, at 8:36 am .
We’re getting tips that RIM is launching themes on BlackBerry App World November 9th. It’s still very early to tell whether RIM will hold to this date, but we do know that they’re aiming for it. A number of events could lead to a delay but all we can do is wait and see.
If you don’t believe us: good. It’s for the best that we aren’t labeled as a leak site so don’t pass this on to any other blogs.
BlackBerry App World to launch themes November 9th. If we’re wrong, it won’t deviate by more than a few days.
Also, not to brag or anything, but we called the 9700.
Posted on October 15, 2009, at 7:42 pm .
It isn’t often we make predictions at BlackBerry Cool but when we do, they generally come true.
With the BlackBerry Storm2 on the way, we’ve been getting a lot of tips about content available for the device. It’s highly possible that the launch of themes in App World will coincide with the Storm2 launch, and users will be able to download a wide variety of themes, games and apps for the new device.
The reason for opening themes to App World is probably due to the fact that RIM is banking on the Storm2 being the ultimate consumer device and themes are the hottest item in the BlackBerry consumer market right now. You can’t launch the Storm2 without great consumer content so it just makes sense. In order to get that content out to Storm2 users, RIM would currently have to rely on third party vendors such as Mobihand, Bplay and Handango. Opening themes to App World therefore eats their lunch and helps App World sales.
Something that will inevitably disappoint about Storm2 content will be the lack of multi-touch games available on the device. Also, we have heard rumors that the Storm2 features support for OpenGL, but it’s not clear whether developers are taking advantage of the APIs. So while the Storm2 will, assuming we’re correct, feature themes and games, that content will simply be ported, with no specific attention given to the new hardware features of the device.
So if you’re a developer, get your hands on a Storm2 and start making some great Storm2 specific content. Storm users buy a disproportionate amount of software and they’re a great market for your applications.
Posted on September 29, 2009, at 1:05 pm .
The latest theme from Elecite is the Archaic theme. It slides horizontally between four pages giving you a customizable icon dock, calendar list, message list and media page. If you have a BlackBerry 8350, 8500, 8900 or 9000, you can change the wallpaper for further customization. This is a really clean theme and it will run smoothly on your device.
the Archaic theme is available from Elecite for $6.99.
Posted on September 29, 2009, at 12:46 pm .
HedoneDesign have a new theme and this one is called Simple Black & White. The theme is just what the title says: a simple theme that uses a black and white color scheme. The theme comes with accurate meters for the battery and signal, with visually appealing icons. The theme also comes with a wallpaper friendly today preview.
Until October 6th, you can get this theme for $3.99.
Posted on September 10, 2009, at 3:22 pm .
NFL themes from Bplay are $1.00 off as of now and the sale runs until Sunday, September 13th at 11:59PM EDT. Find your favorite team and support them on your BlackBerry.
Purchasing a theme also guarantees your team will get a touchdown during their next game.*
Get your NFL theme for $4.99 (regularly $5.99).
*Guarantee void if your team is the Kansas City Chiefs.
Posted on September 3, 2009, at 3:34 pm .
Bplay is offering a Labor Day Blowout sale to help you relax over the long weekend.
The promotion, starting now and ending at 11:59 PM EDT, Monday, Sept 7th, will mean $2.00 off the entire iBerry Theme line, a $0.99 cent sale on selected puzzle games, and a special $1.00 discount on all officially licensed NFL Themes.
The iBerry discount comes with the launch of iBerry Edge, a new iteration of one of the most popular themes ever made for BlackBerry.
Check out the discounted iBerry themes.
See the list of $0.99 Puzzle and Card Games.
And last but not least, be sure to check out the discounted NFL Themes.
Posted on August 31, 2009, at 10:22 am .
Elecite have a new theme called Focus. It features 10 HDR nature photos that circulate in the background each hour, much like the Urban theme.
The homescreen is the most unique part of this theme, with a circular arrangement of 8 customizable icons. Overall, this theme looks like it would be best for Storm users, but trackball users will love it too. Also, combining nature and technology always makes for a nice Ying and Yang.
Focus is available for $6.99 for the BlackBerry Storm, Bold, 8900 Curve, 96xx Tour, 8520 and even the 8350i.
Posted on August 27, 2009, at 12:21 pm .
It’s a tragedy that summer is almost over and it’s almost time to go back to school but there’s good news around the corner. By the time you settle down in your courses and you’ve read the syllabus, new BlackBerry devices will launch and you’ll forget you have midterms.
Get ready to go back to college and represent your institution with a College Theme. All Bplay College Themes are $1 off until 11:59 PM EDT, Sunday, August 30th. That means themes are only $4.99 each (regularly $5.99).
Check out all your favorite College BlackBerry themes from Bplay.
Posted on August 13, 2009, at 9:16 am .
Elecite have been putting a lot of work into making the battery and signal meters. As you can see with this theme, the meters are embedded in analog dials much like a futuristic odometer.
This theme has a 45 degree sliding dock with 8 customizable icons. It’s reminiscient of some of the functionality built into the Urban theme.
This theme is available for the Bold, Storm and Curve 8900. A caveat, this theme isn’t compatible with the Storm OS .151.
The Analog theme is available for $6.99.
