Feeling overloaded with BlackBerry news and rumors? We know the feeling. We hear new things almost every day, and it can be tough to keep up with it all. that’s why we’re bringing you BlackBerry News from the Wire every Thursday.
We’ll catch you up on everything ‘Berry that happened over the course of the week. Not only that, but we’ll rank ‘em by importance, so you can more easily skim the items and read the ones of most significance. If you only have time to read one article, for instance, you might want to head down to our 5-star section. It’s All the BlackBerry News Fit to Geek.
Storm gets official release date, price
Finally, after months of speculation, we get the official word on the BlackBerry Storm. The device will launch with Verizon on November 21. This is about the estimates I had been hearing — on last week’s BBGeekcast I mentioned that I had heard November 23, so close enough. It’ll cost you $249, but will come with a $50 mail-in rebate, knocking it down to $199. Look for prelaunch events in the days prior.
BlackBerry Curve 8900 to drop in early 2009
This week RIM announced the BlackBerry Curve 8900, formerly known as the Javelin, on T-Mobile in Germany. In the announcement, they mentioned that the device would be coming to other countries soon, including the U.S. in the first quarter of 2009. There’s no word on cost or carrier, though T-Mobile sounds like a logical destination. It has already been approved by the FCC, though that doesn’t really give us any further insight into the release plans. For now, you can check out the BlackBerry Curve 8900 emulator. It should keep you busy until release.
Previewing Verizon’s Storm tips and tricks handbook
Great pickup by the always-informative BlackBerry News. They got their hands on a Storm tricks and tips guide issued by Verizon. It’s basically a quickie how-to guide, noting how to perform certain functions with the touchscreen. Stuff like this always gets me more pumped up for device releases. I know everything we’ve gotten to this point is marketing propaganda, but it certainly looks like the Storm will deliver.
BlackBerry social networking grows with MySpace, updated Facebook
Social networking on mobile phones is becoming huge. First, via BlackBerry Cool, we find out about the newest release of the BlackBerry Facebook application. You can download version 1.3 at the BlackBerry website. In even bigger news, after hearing of their partnership a few months ago, we’re finally getting the BlackBerry MySpace app. Well, not really an app. You can get full access through m.myspace.com.
Preselling the Storm
As you can see the News is dominated by the Storm this week. The last item on that list is a private sale for select Verizon customers. This was leaked on Monday, so I’m not sure if it is still planned. However, it is advertised from November 17th through the 21st, which makes sense given the release date. If you’re among the select, let us know.
You can get the Nextel BlackBerry 8350i on December 1
A week or so back, we shared a rumor that Nextel would be releasing the 8350i on December 1. It remained unconfirmed until this week. Thomas at Berry Reporter, unsatisfied with this lack of an official date, hounded Sprint until they told him. Yes, it will be released on December 1. Once again, if you get one, let us now how it is. I’m intersted to see if it’s any different than the other Curve models.
iPhone beats the BlackBerry?
A story making the rounds this week: The iPhone has a greater level of customer satisfaction than the BlackBerry. What?!?! Thankfully, Doug at BlackBerry Cool sets the record straight, noting that it was the iPhone 3G against an unknown BlackBerry model. We’ll see how this competition fares once the Storm is released.
BlackBerry Curve (Javelin) on eBay
One of the big things in the Berry Blogosphere is finding preproduction models on eBay. I think it’s become even bigger since CrackBerry finagled a Bold before anyone else. This time, it’s the BlackBerry Curve 8900 up for auction. The price: a mere $2,500. Seriously, folks, wait until it’s released.
Will the lack of GPS and WiFi keep you from buying the BlacKBerry Storm? I asked this question late last week, and it elicited some passionate responses. I agree with the consensus: Give us GPS, Verizon!
Twitter BlackBerry help roundup. From the BB Twitter-master himself, Cooper.
Save new numbers as home or mobile. Not everyone calls you from their work number. Here’s an app that allows you to add a new number to work, mobile, or home.
BBSmart Alarms Pro. Sometimes, one alarm just isn’t enough. I like to have alerts going off multiple times a day, so I’m always using this one.
12 BlackBerry accessories that will knock your socks off. Want to pimp your Berry? Check out this list of handy gadgets that complement your big, badass gadget.
What does UMA mean?. Asked and answered.
Expense Manager. Another application I use constantly. You can track all of your purchases right as you make them. You’ll never break budget again — or at least will be aware when you do.
How to recover deleted text messages from your BlackBerry. This can be horribly frustrating. Thankfully, there’s a solution.
Find public bathrooms with your BlackBerry. Because believe it or not, there are some neighborhoods in New York that don’t have a McDonald’s every three blocks.
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