Orange UK puts Bold on hold?

The lads from MobileTechAddicts scored an Orange UK internal statement that says:


" Following reports of software issues with the BlackBerry Bold handset across a variety of mobile operators, Orange has decided to act in the interest of its customers by suspending shipments of the device in the UK. We are currently awaiting feed back from RIM as to when an industry wide fix for these issues will be in place, and expect this suspension to be an interim measure.We apologise for any inconvenience this issue may cause you.BlackBerry/RIM are doing everything they can to resolve this issue and will be completing full testing and validation to ensure future handsets do not have any quality issues. This may take a couple of weeks so it’s up to us to do what’s best for our customers."

I would love to know exactly what these "software issues" are. I hope it has something to do with the delay/lag/unavailability of contacts experienced with BlackBerry Messenger, the occasional call failures, random reboots and data connection timeouts, that have been reported. That means it will be addressed soon... I do suffer the BBM delay/unavailable contact issue and it's beginning to be a PITA! It seems the problem is present on both Celcom and Maxis networks, so can't single out one carrier or pin the blame on network configuration.

Javelin sells on eBay for USD17,100.00!

Wow this is crazy! USD 17,100.00 which translates to about RM59,217.30

If I had known this, I would've grabbed the engineering set  I was playing with in Celcom and ran out of the building. The things I could've done with RM59K let me tell you!

Bold available for pre-order on Maxis, but not for Kuching?

Many thanks to drooler from bbsabah.net for giving us the heads up that Maxis is now accepting pre-orders for the bold on their website.

When you sign up for pre-order, it will ask you to state from which Maxis center you would prefer to  pick up your set from. It list the usual centers in West Malaysia as well as Miri and KK BUT NOT Kuching!? WTF is up with that?

Bold available on T-Mobile Germany?

Apparently it's available on T-Mobile Germany too. Odd that the Bold is popping up everywhere except North America...

Read more here

Chile gets to launch the Bold first?!

Boy was I shocked when I read this article on crackberry.com but pleasantly shocked nevertheless.

It just goes to show that even lesser known carriers can beat the big boys to the finish line; funnier things have been known to happen right?

Expect Bold to be launched on Celcom in September and rumor has it on Maxis in October. I can't confirm the Maxis part so if anyone has any inside scoop, please post a comment.

I do know that you won't be disappointed; you have to see the screen to believe it. Seriously! It still takes my breath away every time I look at it. Awesome! Add that to the complete range of Bold accessories that will be available to you all not too far in the future (I hope), I can honestly say, I see good things happening for Celcom BlackBerry aficionados (Malaysian BlackBerry users in general t00) in Malaysia. And about time too!

Baha

Kickstart coming to Malaysia?

Rumor has it the BlackBerry Kickstart; the BlackBerry flip-phone that sorta looks like a  Motorola will be reaching our shores sometime in Q4.

From what we know so far about this device, it will NOT have 3G but will have WiFi, a 2MP camera and the internal LCD will be  320x240 while the  external LCD will be  160x128. It will be running OS 4.6

First live pictures of "Thunder"

Crackberry.com has the scoop on the first live pictures of the BlackBerry device known as "Thunder".. the iPhone contender... the wannabe.

I'm not quite sold on the "tactile feedback" of typing on a touch sensitive screen; I much prefer a real keyboard with real tactile feedback, but different strokes for different blokes right?

If you were to hold the phone in landscape mode you can type with a virtual full QWERTY keypad while if you use it in portrait mode, you can key your data in via a "virtual" suretype keypad.. hmmm... I'm not sure about this? Not that it effect me, but what about women who have long finger nails?

I think Reuben has a few things to add regarding this topic haven't you Reuben?

Malaysian BlackBerry accessories reseller

Sorry for the delay but it has been a hectic several weeks for me here but I believe it's worth it.

My company, Soleen Strategies Sdn Bhd has been appointed a reseller of original BlackBerry accessories for Malaysia recently. This means, original accessories will be available for Malaysian BlackBerry users locally at reasonable prices. I'm tying down some loose ends, sorting out distribution and retail channels for West Malaysia and East Malaysia and hopefully, accessories for the BlackBerry will be available from various retail outlets within a month or two! I want it out as fast as possible, but I have to make sure it's done properly so bear with me folks!

Curious what types of accessories are available? Go to www.shopblackberry.com which is the official RIM website for accessories and pretty much everything you see there is available once I am up and running. What it doesn't show there are the accessories for the Bold, which I will also be bringing in as well! Cool init!?

Good things come to those who wait... won't keep you waiting much longer. Promise!

Kuching BlackBerry User Group on Facebook

Ok so even if you're not from Kuching, you're more then welcome to join us. Just search Facebook Groups for "Kuching BlackBerry User Group" and you should find us. It's for anyone who is a fan of the BlackBerry. Doesn't matter if you're a Maxis or a Celcom user (or any other BlackBerry Service Provider for that matter), whether you're a newbie or a self professed crackberry, you're all welcome.

Discuss, share or talk about anything BlackBerry related. We're going to organize get-togethers soon. Perhaps even offer prizes.. who know. Weirder things have happened right?

Another new convert...

Another convert who has seen the light! Well, partly a convert once he switches to Celcom and activates his BIS service; he's using it as a basic phone on DiGi right now and he's loving the Pearl as a phone!

My friend Frost who is technical manager at the epicenter of local Mac life; ITFusion is now a proud owner of a Pearl 8100 and finds little problem integrating it into his Mac-centric lifestyle. The owner of ITFusion, Moorey, is also a BlackBerry fiend as well!

Check out Frost's entry about his new toy or visit his blog

Microsoft and RIM brings Windows Live to BlackBerry

For those of you who still rely on MSN/Windows Live messenger for your online chatting requirements, there's good news.

Microsoft and RIM are working together to bring another missing piece of the messenger chat puzzle to the BlackBerry. Native and free chat applications already exist for Google Talk and Yahoo Talk and now we're about to add Windows Live messenger to that list!

Great news for those who still rely on Windows Live as their main chat program I suppose. Long ago, I have already switched my office to use Google Talk so it's not a big deal for me. I don't really know too many people still stuck on MSN Messenger (oh sorry, Windows Live Messenger). It's a non event for me. Besides, I have IM+ installed so I've got MSN messenger, AOL, Jabber, ICQ and Myspace (as well as Google Talk and Yahoo) available on my Curve.. Hoo hum...

Read the press release

BlackBerry Bold officially announced!

It's official!!

The BlackBerry Bold has been officially announced. No word yet as to when it will be available; rumors to it being available on AT&T in the US around August persist though, so lets wait for it.

When will it hit our shores? Not sure? I'm guessing around Nov/Dec this year if not early 2009. I also know its going to be expensive! But what the heck! It's worth it isn't it? Look at the beauty in its design. Look at the comprehensive set of features it will come with. How can you not want one???

The official website is up at www.blackberrybold.com so have a look for yourself...

Here's the official press release regarding the BlackBerry Bold

BlackBerry 9000 is called... BOLD!

Well rumors have it that its "pretty much a certainty" that the new BlackBerry 9000 will be named "Bold"

Not only that, crackberry.com has released a confirmed list of features and specifications for the new BlackBerry Bold. These include:

BlackBerry Bold Smartphone Features & Specs

Size - Length: 144mm, Width: 66mm, Thickness: 14mm
Weight (with battery) - 133g
Memory - 1GB on-board plus 128 MB Flash
Battery - 1500mAhr lithium cell
Est. Battery Life - Standby: 13 days, Talk Time: 5 hours
Network Support - UMTS: 2100 / 1900 / 850MHz, GSM: 1900 / 1800 / 900 / 850 MHz, GPRS, EDGE and HDSPA networks
Wi-Fi - 803.11a/b/g enabled
Display - HVGA, 480 x 320 pixels, Transmissive TFT LCD, supports over 65k colors
Media Player, Video Support - DivX 4, Div X 5 & 6 are partially supported, XviD is partially supported, H.263, H.264 and WMV3
Media Player, Audio Support - .3gp, MP3, WMA9 (.wma/.asf), WMA9 Pro/WMA 10, MIDI, AMR-NB, Professional AAC/AAC+/eAAC+
Media Player, Audio - BlackBerry Media Sync allows you to transfer your desktop iTunes music to your BlackBerry!!!
Camera - 2.0MP, 5 x digital zoom with flash
GPS - internal GPS with extended ephemeris, BB Maps is standard
Bluetooth - Bluetooth v2.0, all the normal stuff and Bluetooth Stereo Audio via A2DP and AVCRP
USB Port - Enables charging and high-speed data synchronizations via USB "A" to mini-USB "B" cable
Browser - HTML browsing, View Movies/Clips from websites built for mobile streaming, RSS feed support

Read original article

BlackBerry 9000 specs

BGR again has outdone itself! It has gotten hold of what appears to be the "hard specs" for the upcoming 9000 series. They include:


- Radio: GSM/GPRS/EDGE/UMTS/HSDPA
- Bands: Quad-band GPRS/EDGE: 800/850/1800/1900MHz
- HSDPA: 850/1900/2100MHz
- Expandable memory - microSD
- Display - HVGA Color LCD (480×320)
- TrackBall Navigation
- Camera - 2MP
- Wi-Fi - a,b,g
- A-GPS
- Battery - 1500mAh
- High quality material, high-end finish
- Software - 4.6

Click here to read the article on BGR

BlackBerry Kickstart?

BGR has produced photos of a Blackberry device called "Kickstart" which is a clamshell type BlackBerry device.

This could be an awesome little device. It appears to have an external and internal screen and a camera amongst other features. Rumor has it it may be a 3G or 3.5G device too! And a release date sometime late 2008 is being talked about...

Something worth looking forward to I think.

Click here to see more pictures from BGR

BlackBerry 9000 to have forward facing camera?

Almost every BlackBerry based website is buzzing with a rumor that the as yet to be released BlackBerry 9000 will have a forward facing camera for 3G video calls.

I'm not that bothered about this feature because to me, video calling is a gimmick. I tried it a few times and the picture quality was so-so, it was jerky and tended to break up. Even the voice would break up on occasion. The only time I can seriously think it will be of any use would be when I am traveling and I speak to the children in the evenings before they go to bed. That's about it.

The most commonly repeated reason why not to have 3G video calling capabilities is; would you really want your boss or wife to know exactly where you are when they call you? Me neither. Imagine, you're "hard at work" making a sales call, the boss calls only to see you're actually about 110 yards off the green on last par 4 before the drink hole on the back nine! I can think of much worse situations where 3G video calls won't be a good thing to have... 'nuff said.

BlackBerry 9000 in the wild demo video

Courtesy of engadget.com

RIM 4Q and 2007 Financial results!

RIM recently reported its 4th quarter and end of year results for 2007 (Fiscal Year 2008).

Revenue for 4Q was $1.88 billion, up from $930.4 million in the previous year and it shipped 4.4 million devices in the quarter or approximately 14 million devices in 2007. Approximately 2.18 million new user accounts were added in the quarter bringing the total number subscriber accounts to over 14 million.

I'm not sure what BlackBerry figures for Malaysia are, but in Kuching, it has been explosive. Not just among corporate types but also amongst small business users and social users as well.

To read the RIM press release, click here

BlackBerry 9000 in the wild!

Engadgetmobile has posted pictures of the upcoming BlackBerry 9000!

It looks sweeeeeeet! Definitely going to hold out for this baby! RIM.. release it already!!! Now! Now!

Unfortunately, latest rumors from BGR says that release of the 9000 has been delayed till around August or September, so don't expect it in our part of the world till December or even early 2009.

To see more pictures, click here

Is "Big Brother" watching (listening or reading) us?

The recent and still developing story in India where the security agencies are demanding a way to monitor encrypted traffic over the BlackBerry network has got me thinking; are Malaysian BlackBerry users being "monitored" too?

I hope not but somehow I wouldn't be surprised if RIM struck a deal with the Malaysian government that would allow the latter to "monitor" selected BlackBerry traffic. The idea of it is quite scary isn't it?

It's not that I email anything that may be detrimental to national security but the idea that my private communications are being monitored by some stooge somewhere doesn't particularly sound appealing!

Let's hope I'm just over reacting as I sometimes tend to do...

Oh and.. I love the government! You're number 1!!! Love ya! :)

Blackberry still alive in India.. for now

The Indian government has backed down from its threat to shut down BlackBerry services in India.. for now.

It all began with the Indian government allegedly demanding that RIM provide a means for the decrypting of emails sent (and received) by Indian BlackBerrys. Failing which, the government would shut down the entire network. The immediate concern is that if you let one group in what stops other groups from demanding similar access? 

Recent reports has quoted India's communications secretary, Siddhartha Behura  with saying " there is no question of banning at this point". The Indian government, RIM and the four local BlackBerry service providers are still in talks to solve the issues concerned

BB 8110 launched in Singapore

SingTel and RIM announced the availability of the 8110 in the island republic on 4th March.

Designed for people who want to make the most of their work and personal lives, the BlackBerry Pearl 8110 smartphone comes complete with built-in GPS (Global Positioning System) allowing mobile users to pinpoint their location, a 2-megapixel digital camera with video capture capability*, a powerful multimedia player, robust email and messaging features and premium voice and data capabilities including phone, web browser, organizer functions and access to a wide variety of business and leisure applications. The BlackBerry Pearl 8110 smartphone is now available from SingTel at a suggested retail price of SGD538 with a 2-year contract.

Read more

BlackBerry Desktop Manager for the Mac?

An article on the popular site crackberry.com suggest that the end is near for the suffering that Mac-BlackBerry users have endured all these years. Rumor has it that RIM is developing a Mac version of the DM!

I hope this is more then a rumor. This would mean another reason why I no longer have to keep Boot Camp and a copy of Windows XP on my MacBook

Unfortunately, I still have a PC in the office that runs Vista (yuck!) for one reason alone; Entourage 2008 still doesn't completely sync with the Exchange server! It syncs emails, calendar and contact information without any problems but it still doesn't sync notes and to-do's!

Quite disappointing as I was led to believe all the bugs in the previous Office for Mac would be ironed out in the new version.

Anyway, if you want to read the article on crackberry.com regarding this click here

Leaked Vodafone documents reveal BlackBerry 8920

According to BGR, a leaked Vodafone documents have revealed that a new QWERTY device is due to be launched in May 2008. It looks sweet!

Feature set includes:

- GSM/GPRS/EDGE/HSDPA
- 624MHz processor
- 480*320 VGA display
- 2 megapixel camera
- WiFi
-GPS
- 1500mAh battery
- high speed USB

This is going to be one hell of a device; definately going to get one!

Read original article

M1 launches BB 8320 in Singapore

First of all, a very Merry Christmas to you all. I hope you all enjoyed yourselves during this festive period. The things you can do with turkey and mistletoe...boggles the mind really.

Local telco's are a little hesitant to release WiFi BlackBerry devices in Malaysia, which I think is rather silly. Their fear of hordes of Malaysian BlackBerry users crammed within every hotspot range and making VOIP calls using Skippie is ill placed. Why single out BlackBerry users? How about the thousands of users who have WiFi access on their Symbian or Windows Mobile devices? Should we ban all WiFi equipped phones in Malaysia? Don't be silly...

Thankfully, our friends to our West (hey, I'm in Sarawak), M1 in Singapore has recently released the Curve 8320 for around S$450 (approximately RM1030) which is dirt cheap! 

Still no sign of the 8120 on any of the Singapore BSP's though. Wonder what's the hold up?

Read original article at blackberrycool.com

The worlds first BlackBerry multi-carrier superstore!!

The worlds first multi-carrier BlackBerry superstore opened recently in Farmington Hills, Michigan.

As a good friend of mine so eloquently put it, "it's like a BlackBerry Hamleys!" If only we could do something similar to that here. Well maybe not in Kuching, but how about Singapore? As my friend again suggested, "next to the Mac Store at Wheelock.."

This store is a milestone because normally BlackBerrys are sold in carrier specific outlets if at all. RIM prefers to deal with carriers direct.

One can only dream...

Fire at RIM? Could this be the reason why Celcom BB is laggy?

Apparently a fire at RIM in Canada caused a disruption in the email services of a Philippines BSP, Smart Communications! The fire affected the leased line that links the companies servers at RIM to Smart's GPRS platform in the Philippines. Smart was the only affected BSP in the Philippines and traffic is being re routed to overcome the problem.

Hmmm! I wonder if Celcom was affected too? Friends on Maxis also complained of laggy service this morning. SMS's and BB messages to Celcom remain unanswered. I've tried resending service books twice this morning and have still not received the activation messages that usually accompanies the sending of service books!!

Read the article

Celebrities and their BlackBerrys

Ok here's proof positive that BlackBerrys are the "it" phone; a website dedicated to tracking celebrities and their BlackBerry addiction!

Check it out here

Celcom's thank you advert in The Borneo Post

This ad appeared in The Borneo Post on Thursday 6 December (or was it Friday 7 December?). Basically it was a huge (1/4 page) thank you from Celcom Vodafone to all those who attended the Celcom Vodafone BlackBerry Round Table event on Friday 23 November.

In the bottom middle picture you can see Mr. Adrian Wilkes of DrillCorp (M) Sdn Bhd receiving his free BlackBerry 8310 for being Celcom's largest BB revenue contributer in Sarawak (a.k.a. has the biggest bill).  You may need a magnifying glass or zoom in to the picture on the right a lot but you can see my bald head to the left of Mr Adrian Wilkes. I'm not very photogenic; I know.

Anyway, it's the little things like this that counts and I have to say, from what I have seen and am seeing, Celcom has a good game plan. They are taking BlackBerry and Sarawak seriously. I whole heartedly endorse Celcom Vodafone BlackBerry services in Sarawak! Go Blue!!!

Oh and one  thing, sorry for the poor scan.. I a one man show so can't afford all the fancy equipment required to properly promote a top class carrier like Celcom *wink,wink, knudge, knudge, say no more, say no more...*

BlackBerry Pearl 8120 launched in Singapore

On 30th November, RIM announced that it has released the BlackBerry 8120 "Pearl 2" in Singapore and should be available sometime in December.

No specific carrier was mentioned but odds on favorite appears to be SingTel but it is expected that M1 and Starhub will also introduce the model in the near future.

What about us Malaysians? Unfortunately I have it on very good authority that the chances of WiFi equipped BlackBerrys being introduced in Malaysia are slim at this point. Why? Four letters.. V-O-I-P!

Read the RIM press release here

The BlackBerry 9000 revealed??

Thanks to the boys over at BoyGeniusReport.com for this sneak preview of what may be to come.

The soon to be revealed BlackBerry 9000 (the iPhone killer?) which should be launched sometime either in Q1 or Q2 2008 will have among many features:

- screen resolution of 480 by 320
- 1GB of on board memory
- Intel XScale PXA270 processor at 624MHz
- GPS AND WiFi
- 3G and HSDPA support
- 2.0 or even a 3.2 megapixel camera

This is one BlackBerry worth waiting for!

Read more

Optus launches Pearl 8120

Its getting closer and closer...

Optus Australia has announced that the BlackBerry Pearl 8120 will be available starting the first week of December carrying a RRP of $659

"BlackBerry Smartphones are well received in Australia and we are pleased to be working with Optus to introduce another RIM innovation," said RIM President of Asia Pacific, Norm Lo. "The new BlackBerry Pearl 8120, with its elegant design, advanced multimedia features and Wi-Fi capabilities, is perfect for both personal and professional use."

Besides the WiFi functionality it also includes a 2.0 megapixel camera with video recording capability, externally accessible micro-SD slot, improved keyboard and Suretype.

Surely, it can't be too long now before it reaches our very own shores?

Celcom signs MoU with Prudential

Celcom has recently formalized  it's joint collaboration with Prudential Assurance Malaysia Bhd whereby the carrier will be providing voice and data plans as well as BB devices to the 1500 Prudential employees. The employees will have a choice  of  the 8707v, 8100 Pearl and the newly launched 8310 Curve.

"The BlackBerry will be an essential tool for the agents because the information for all their needs will be at their fingertips" says Celcom CEO Datuk Seri Shazalli Ramly during the ceremony for the signing of the MoU between the two companies recently

Pearl 8120 released in India

The slow crawl towards Malaysia continues as Airtel of India releases the Pearl 8120 in conjunction with Vodafone.. in greyish titanium steel finish! Looks good...

RIM launches Blackberry Professional Software

Research in Motion recently launched the Blackberry Professional Software, targeted at small to medium businesses.

Based on the Blackberry Enterprise Server but streamlined to meet the needs of small organizations with less then 30 Blackberry devices, it is available now at $499 for 5 users

Key features and benefits of BlackBerry Professional Software include:

• Small IT Footprint – Installs on the same server as the email system, saving customers the cost of additional hardware and operating system licenses.
• Support for the Leading Email Systems – Provides tight integration with Microsoft® Exchange or IBM® Lotus® Domino®, allowing a full complement of synchronized wireless services including access to email, calendar, contacts, notes and tasks.
• Simple Installation – A Pre-install Assistant utility performs a technical assessment of the environment and provides a recommended configuration making installation fast and easy with little or no requirement to determine configuration settings.
• Easy Management – Simplified BlackBerry Manager Interface is a one-stop location for most management tasks, and wizards and quick-links enable customers to easily change common functions such as adding or deleting a user. IT policies are also easy to set up with pre-defined IT policy templates.
• Advanced Security – Utilizes the same certified security architecture and encryption system of the BlackBerry® Enterprise Server, which is trusted and accredited by more organizations around the world than any other wireless solution.
• BlackBerry® MDS (Mobile Data System) Support – Provides customers with the ability to extend internal applications to mobile employees and use any of the thousands of third party applications developed for the BlackBerry platform.

Read the press release

O2 launches Pearl 8120 in the UK

The long awaited spread of the new Pearl has begun in earnest with O2 launching the Pearl 8120 in the UK. Sporting a vast array of improvements including 3.5mm headphone jack, externally accessible microSD slot, WiFi, improved 2 megapixel camera, improved keyboard and suretype, it promises to be worth the wait.

Lets see how long it takes to reach Malaysia. I love the blue color too

OS 4.3 will include video recording capabilities

Finally the ability to record video! Once the OS is released we can download it and flash our older Curves to take advantage of the video recording ability.

The Pearl doesn't support video recording in the current model so be forewarned Pearl users. The only Pearl that can record video is the new Pearl 8130 a.k.a. "Pearl 2".. Makes sense innit?

New version of Missing Sync coming soon

For those of you who are Mac users and Blackberry fans, a new version of Missing Sync will be available soon that will be compatible with Leopard, so remain patient.

Missing Sync is the only Mac program that allows Blackberry syncing with your Mac that actually works!

I have tried PocketMac but could never get it to work properly. However, the only drawback of Mac based Blackberry syncing is that you still can't install applications through it. I have tried running the windows version of Blackberry Desktop Manager on Parallels and it doesn't even recognize the device is present and this was the primary reason why I now carry a Sony Vaio laptop for work. Now that Leopard has been released and it includes Boot Camp, I will try if that solve my problem; I remain optimistic that BB Desktop Manager will work flawlessly under Boot Camp.

The current version of Missing Sync is 1.0.2 but there are still a few "minor" issues when running under Leopard. The developers have promised to remedy those issues when version 1.0.3 is released "soon".

The Beta version is available for download here. Be careful folks, it is Beta so download and install at your own risk.

Blackberry Facebook application a drain on battery life

Reports are being received from various websites that the newly launched Facebook application for the Blackberry is draining the battery life at an accelerated rate. However, RIM is denying that such a problem existed.

Read more

J.D. Power and Associates Reports: BlackBerry Devices Rank Highest

According to the J.D. Power and Associates 2007 Business Wireless Smartphone Customer Satisfaction Study released recently, Blackberry devices ranked highest in terms of overall customer satisfaction among business wireless smartphone users (yeah.. yeah.. tell me something I don't already know...).

Overall satisfaction is measured by taking into account six key factors; ease of operation (22%), operating systems (21%), physical design (20%), audio (14%), battery (13%) and utility features (10%).

On a 1000 point scale, Blackberry scores 702 points performing well especially in the operating system factor, which includes the speed of switching between applications and the speed with which emails are sent and received. Blackberry also performs well on battery aspects, including length of battery life. Palm scores 698, Samsung 698 and Motorola 658.

Also mentioned in the study is that 40% of smartphone users would like to see GPS capabilities on their device, 26% with Wi-Fi, 22% want a touch screen and 19% would like to have a TV integrated into their devices.

Read the press release here

Update on Blackberry Unite!

In a previous post we reported on a Blackberry software called Unite! that was released in conjunction with Telefonica in Spain recently.

Now we have some new details regarding this revolutionary software..

BlackBerry® Unite!™ software will allow a small group of up to 5 users to:

• Stay connected with wireless email and web browsing – enables easy wireless access to up to five supported email accounts (per user) using sophisticated wireless encryption security, allows shared contact lists and supports high-performance mobile web browsing.
• Coordinate schedules using shared calendars – provides a wireless shared calendar with the capability to check each others’ availability, set up or modify appointments and send reminders.
• Remotely access content – users can remotely download pictures, music, documents and other content on their desktop PC directly from their BlackBerry smartphone**.
• Share photos and files - users can share photos and files with other group members directly from their BlackBerry smartphone.
• Remotely secure the smartphones – includes simple controls to enforce password protection or wirelessly erase a lost or stolen handset.
• Control smartphone use - includes customizable wireless settings to control certain uses for each individual, such as the ability to restrict long distance calls or certain online content.
• Protect smartphone content – contacts, pictures and other data from the BlackBerry smartphone can be backed up automatically over the air (via a cellular or Wi-Fi® network) to the desktop PC.
• Set up quickly and easily – the BlackBerry Unite! software will be provided as a free download and, with the help of an easy-to-follow setup wizard, can be installed in minutes on a desktop PC.

This is awesome! Imagine the possibilities for families and small groups! Share calendars, pictures, MP3's and even wirelessly erase a stolen or lost device! AWESOME!!! When can we get this slice of heaven?

Read press release

RIM gets ready for new devices?

According to a report by BGR, it seems folks up at Research in Motion are getting ready for a slew of new products by reserving domain names as part of the product marketing drive.
The following domains have been reserved:

blackberry9110.com
blackberry9120.com
blackberry9130.com
blackberry9310.com
blackberry9320.com
blackberry9330.com

Read more

Red Curve available on AT&T network

Rumors that a red 8310 Curve will be available on the AT&T networks soon holds promise for Blackberry users in Malaysia; perhaps it will be available locally too. Instead of the plain vanilla gray colored Curves we have here, it would be nice if we had a choice in the same manner that we have a choice as to what color a Pearl 8100 we can purchase. The black and grey key color combination looks great too!

RIM releases Q2 financial results

Research in Motion recently released its Q2 financial results for 2007. Revenue increased 27% from last quarter to US$1.37 billion; 78% of which came from the sale of new devices. Approximately 1.45 million new Blackberry subscribers were added during the quarter and over 3 million new devices shipped. Total Blackberry subscriber base now stands at approximately 10.5 million

The future's looking good for RIM and the entire BB community as a whole...

Rumors of a BB 9xxx??

Rumors are rife of a new BB model, the 9xxx! From the looks of the photo above, it could very well be classified as an "iPhone Killer". I can't see any keys? Can you? Could this mean a touch screen?? It's rumored to have 3G/HSDPA connections and a 600MHz processor! Lets hope its all true.

Read more at BoyGeniusReport.com

The new GSM Pearl (aka 8120) makes it debut in Europe

The GSM version of the new Pearl was launced by RIM and Telefonica recently. It new and improved features include a 2 megapixel camera with improved flash and video recording capability, WiFi, GPS, improved web browser and an externally accessible memory card slot

Check it out here (Spanish version)

First peek at the Pearl 2 (BB 8120)

Courtesy of Hayden at Pinstack.com here are the first pictures available of the Pearl 2!

The specs:

• WiFi enabled
• GPS may be available but is carrier dependent (possible an either/or with WiFi)
  
• OS 4.3 installed
• Improved build quality
• Improved version of SureType
• Improved email layout and display
• Improved voice control software
• Improved keyboard layout
• Improved camera with improved flash
• External Entry MicroSD slot
• 3.5mm Headset Jack

I just hope they offer the Pearl 2 in other colors; black at least since I'm not too excited about the "gold" color
Read more

Blackberry Home Server

Rumor has it that Research In Motion is developing a consumer orientated software called Blackberry Home Server.

Blackberry Home Server is a software program that users will install on their PC or laptop which will have access to RIM's back end servers. It works similarly to BES whereby you would drag and drop a file on your computer, upload it to RIM's servers and it will be transfered wirelessly to your BB device! Great for transferring work documents and of course those MP3's!

Read the article from The Globe and Mail here.

Handango Q2 2007 survey

Handango.com has published a survey conducted recently which shows among other things, the top devices for which software is being downloaded and the top software that are being downloaded for the Blackberry.


Read more

Blackberry still king of the hill

A survey done by the ChangeWave Alliance during the past year shows that RIM's Blackberry is widening its lead as the preferred smartphone device; widening it's lead over Palm which slips to 23%. A survey done to identify which smartphone would the respondents by next reveals that the Blackberry is still top but the iPhone trumps all others

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Blackberry Curve arrives in Philippines

Globe Telecom of the Philippines and Research in Motion (RIM) announced the introduction of the Blackberry 8300 Curve this week. The Curve will be made available to its corporate clients only at this time at a price of PHP21,100 (approximately RM1586)or free for those on the Blackberry 2000 plan.

It's getting closer folks! It shouldn't be long before the Curve officially arrives on Malaysian shores. What's your bet that the launch will be done at The Curve Mall?? In Singapore it sells for S$740 (approximately RM1693) so let's see if Malaysian carriers will try and scalp us or not...

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Pearl 2 comes to Verizon in November

Rumor has it the new Pearl 2 will hit American shores in November 2007. When it will be available in GSM format or when it will arrive here is open to debate but Boy Genius has a report of the upcoming release of Pearl 2 on Verizon. Read it here

Leaked information regarding the new Pearl 2 and more!

I'm not sure when these "new" devices will find their way to our shores, but it is worth salivating over!

To read more about these "confidential slides" click here

Blackberry still enteprise king!

A new survey conducted by Chadwick Martin Bailey reaffirms the Blackberry's position as "by far the preferred handset manufacturer among survey respondents". Conducted by Sage Research, the technology arm of Chadwick Martin Bailey, the survey collected responses from hundreds of IT decision makers in large corporations (1000 or more employees).

"They absolutely have the first mover advantage in this market," said Sage Research senior consultant Chris Neal. "They've been around quite some time, so if there's a hangover effect, it's a pretty long-lasting one."

To read more about this, click here