Posted on October 20, 2009, at 1:58 pm .
The BlackBerry Storm 2 is going to be a great platform to develop for. The device ships with OS 5.0 meaning new APIs and features are available to the developer, including the ability to:
- Link 3rd party applications to the Address Book.
- Use push data more efficiently.
- More easily make UI customizations.
- Implement multi-touch for zooming in and out of images.
The BlackBerry Storm 2 will also support widget development. This is crucial for developers as it makes development easier through web standards.
Click through for more relevant information about the Storm 2 for developers
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 October 15, 2009, at 2:38 pm .
The BlackBerry Storm2 is available for pre-order from Vodafone and it’s free with a new service plan. The service plan is reasonable and the fact that these devices are being offered for free is a huge step in device pricing.
The Storm2 pricing seems to be indicative of a much more competitive pricing model which could be traced to some improvements in the manufacturing process. Since RIM and carriers have much more freedom in pricing, we could see some great sales figures from this device. The original Storm retailed for a couple hundred dollars after a rebate, therefore this device is relatively cheap.
On a less positive note, it’s clear that the new way of naming the Storm as the Storm2 is confusing a lot of people. For example, the Vodafone website lists the device as the Storm2, but the title of the page is “BlackBerry Storm 2.” While I appreciate the marketing efforts to give the Storm a cool name, it’s not exactly the most practical marketing effort.
If you pre-order the Storm2 today, Vodafone says it will aim to deliver from October 26th.
Posted on October 14, 2009, at 11:50 am .
We have heard all manner of launch dates for the Storm 2 9520 and the Storm 2 9550 (or should I call it the Storm2?).
For Verizon, we are seeing the BlackBerry Storm 9550 rumored to launch October 21st. This rumor comes from an internal Verizon email that was leaked showing a launch date for the Storm 2 to be October 21st.
There is also some evidence pointing towards a Storm2 launch for October 28th. This is loosely based on some Verizon BOGO material that was leaked. At the very least, we know that when the device launches, the carrier is pushing a very intense sales campaign with it. On a side note, does anyone else think writing Storm2 vs Storm 2 looks a little silly? It could easily be mistaken for a typo.
The Vodafone Storm 2 9520 seems to be launching about the same time as Verizon. While we haven’t seen many internal leaks on the subject, we are seeing a lot of promo materials going up in preparation.
Overall, these things tend to get delayed for any number of reasons and I would be really surprised if the carrier, being a giant cumbersome organization where the left hand doesn’t talk to the right hand, could actually peg a date and stick to it.
The 21st is a reasonable date, but could easily be pushed back closer to the end of the month.
Posted on September 14, 2009, at 9:41 am .
Vodafone Italia and RIM have announced the BlackBerry Curve 8520 in Italy. Starting September 3rd, the device is available and costs €249 with no contract from Vodafone outlets and from Vodafone’s online shop.
At Wal-Mart, this device costs $399.99 without a contract, but with a contract, you get it for $49.99.
It’s pretty incredible how much money is knocked off the initial price given a contract. It’s hard to imagine why anyone would go out and purchase a device these days without getting a contract.
Are you in Europe? Here are a couple questions for you:
1) Do you regularly buy a device with no contract?
2) What do you think of the price for the 8520?
3) On average, how much do you spend per month on your phone bill?
Posted on August 3, 2009, at 12:24 pm .
The BlackBerry Storm 2 is rumored to launch around the same time as the original BlackBerry Storm (launched late November, 2008). While we haven’t heard anything official, BlackBerry Zone is saying that Vodafone UK is set to release the Storm 2 in October with Verizon following soon after in November.
While this is just rumor, it makes sense for a few reasons:
- The BlackBerry Storm launched around this time last year.
- It fits with the other devices set to launch, Curve 8520 in the summer, followed by the Onyx and then the Storm 2.
- We’re approaching the Back-to-School and Christmas consumer blitzes, so RIM will be pushing as many devices as possible.
The original BlackBerry Storm had a lot of bad press from the Internet, even though it had an incredibly low return rate. This suggests that it was the blogosphere giving it bad search engine mojo while many happy customers simply didn’t voice their opinion. RIM will be working really hard to make sure that the Storm 2 is the device that everyone expects. So while the rumor may be true, it could easily be pushed back last minute if RIM isn’t fully satisfied with the device.
[Via with hat tip]
Posted on July 31, 2009, at 11:45 am .
There’s some good news for the folks in Australia. Firstly, it seems that Vodafone Australia have finally upgraded their GPRS network to EDGE. Although EDGE isn’t necessarily blazing fast, it’s a huge improvement and Vodafone customers.
Another piece of good news for Australian BlackBerry users is that Telstra have announced that the BlackBerry Bold has been accredited with Telstra’s Blue Tick, which recommends devices for handheld use in metro, rural and regional areas. Users can upgrade their existing Bold devices, while new users will get Tick-ready devices out of the box.
[Special thanks goes to Brendan for the tip]
Posted on May 21, 2009, at 1:13 pm .
A week ago, the BlackBerry Storm, Curve 8900 and the Bold launched in Egypt via Vodafone Egypt. The move was significant because previously, GPS-enabled BlackBerry devices were banned in Egypt.
Until April 2009, the Egyptian Telecoms Law 10/2003 outlawed the import of GPS-equipped mobile phones, and retailers found selling them could have their entire stock confiscated. The same applied to any kind of commercial use of GPS technology, which included cars equipped with GPS devices.
The ban on GPS-enabled devices upset many Egyptians who felt the military was using security concerns of GPS aided terrorism to justify cutting consumers off from the latest technology. The ban on GPS-enabled devices affected trade locally, as well as on an international scale.
Now that the ban has been lifted, Vodafone and RIM have began exporting devices.
Special thanks to Fisal for the tip!
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 January 30, 2009, at 11:29 am .
Press Release
Milan, Italy and Waterloo, Canada – Vodafone Italia and Research In Motion today announced the availability of the BlackBerry Curve 8900 smartphone in Italy. The new BlackBerry Curve 8900 makes keeping in touch with the office, family, and friends easy thanks to the smartphone’s extensive set of features, including: built-in Wi-Fi, a fast processor (512Mhz), GPS, and an astounding high resolution display.
The BlackBerry Curve 8900 is available now from Vodafone Italia retail stores and online at www.vodafone.it for the price of 429€. Tariff information is available after the jump.
BlackBerry Curve 8900 Tariff Information and Specifications
