The BlackBerry Podcasts app has been updated to version 1.5 for North America. The app is pretty decent but there are a lot of third party apps for listening to podcasts already available. In this latest version, new features include:
Addition of a preview or play option while the podcast is downloading
Web podcast searching with integrated Google search
Improved content presentation within categories: the first 40 listings in each category will be “featured content,” a combination of the most popular feeds and RIM-programmed feeds
RIM doesn’t have a music solution like iTunes and it should actually stay that way. By leaving the content market open, RIM is allowing third parties to cash in and build innovative music apps. The BlackBerry itself is a great music player that allows you to drop your own music on it, but the device needs a lot more space than what a MicroSD card can fit to allow for more music. This is why a good cloud-based solution works best.
The BlackBerry Bold 9780 is official and the biggest selling feature for this device is the better camera, additional Flash memory and of course, BlackBerry 6. Considering there doesn’t seem to be much new with this device and the differentiation with the 9700 isn’t all that great, initial price points do seem a little high. Features of the device include:
Premium design and finish
Brilliant, high resolution color display (480 x 360 pixels, 2.44” diagonal measurement) with support for over 65,000 colors
HSDPA support (3.6 Mbps)
Built-in GPS and Wi-Fi with UMA support (802.11 b/g)
5 MP camera (JPEG Encoding, CMOS) with Auto focus, Image stabilization, Flash and 2X Digital Zoom.
BlackBerry 6, the new operating system for BlackBerry smartphones which includes:
Crisp, more immersive visuals, including new icons, graphics and animations
New WebKit browser; it’s high-fidelity and very efficient, with tabbed browsing
Graphical, context-sensitive pop-up menus
Redesigned core apps, plus a new multimedia UI and new apps for downloading podcasts, watching YouTube videos, and integrating RSS and social networking feeds
The Bold 9780 is going to be available from various carriers beginning in November, and we have learned already that T-Mobile will offer the device November 17 for $129.99 with a two-year contract and after a $50 mail-in rebate.
