BlackBerry News From The Wire for the Week of 6/21/2010

Today we lead with the 9800. As long as the device remains unreleased, and as long as we keep seeing new pictures of it, we’ll continue to lead with it. The device is probably the most exciting one we’ve seen from RIM in a while, and the hype in the media grows by the week. We heard a Q3 launch, and Q3 is just a couple of weeks away, so it could be any time now. And if you thought you knew everything about the 9800, well, you might get a wild card thrown your way right about now.

RIM banking on the 9800

Update (4:02 p.m. EDT): Of course, just after I publish this, Engadget gets a working unit. Make sure to check out the whole picture gallery. We’ll start with new photos. You can see more at BerryTimes.cn, via BB Rocks.

This week Reuters ran a report that speculated on RIM’s need for the 9800 to be a success. It contained all the usual details — Apple has a new iPhone, Google is spreading its Android platform to more and more handsets, RIM will lose market share because of it, etc. In its first quarter forecasts, which the company should announce soon, RIM has estimated over 11 devices shipped and a gain of around 5 million subscribers. Those are solid numbers for sure, but apparently their investors aren’t worried about solid numbers. They want the hype, too. They’re also worried about the future. And, apparently, the 9800 will be considered a barometer for RIM’s future sales. If it lives up to the hype, investors will be happy. If it fails in the face of the iPhone and Android, well, RIM could have a tough couple of years ahead of it.

“The expectations are that they’re going to want to get a new product out into the marketplace in time for September, because that is when you get the back-to-school and big consumer push,” said Mackie Research Capital analyst Nick Agostino.

Oh, and that new tidbit. Yeah. So remember when we thought the 9800 was going to be an AT&T exclusive? It still probably is, but this picture kind of makes you wonder:

Update: Not so much. Here’s a picture from the Engadget gallery: AT&T it is. Tip of the Week: Get Google Voice for free visual voicemail. It also offers other services like voicemail transcription, for free, for anyone in the U.S.

First details of BlackBerry Shield emerge

I’d heard the name BlackBerry Shield before today, specifically that RIM had trademarked the name. What could it be, though? Today we found that out, and it’s going to be huge for BIS users. The program — which is free — acts as a security measure for BIS users. You can wipe your device, set a password, and display a lost and found message remotely, so your device will be safe, and perhaps returned to you, if it is lost. You can also track the device via GPS, which is a brilliant and logical feature. And, just in case you want to get that data off the device before wiping it remotely, you can also pull the data off it from your desktop. It comes with both a mobile and desktop interface, though obviously the desktop one is more valuable if you lose your BlackBerry. There’s no word on release, though CrackBerry thinks it will be relatively soon. I wonder if this will hit the Beta Zone before it goes out to the public. Seems like something a bit too important to leave the bug testing to the public.

RIM laying the bait for developers

Part of the reason that the iPhone has exploded during the past three years is because of the App Store. Thousands and thousands of applications fill its virtual walls, and people just can’t seem to get enough. Apple apparently made it easy for developers to make an application on its platform — though the approval process can be a pain — which meant that more developers were more apt to create an iPhone application. It has been quite a successful plan. RIM, on the other hand, has had trouble attracting developers. A recent story in The Wall Street Journal recounts the story of Urbanspoon, the random restaurant finder application that made waves on the iPhone — even made it into an iPhone commercial. The developers decided to make a BlackBerry version, but found many more obstacles and hurdles. When they finally did release it, the BlackBerry audience didn’t find it as compelling. This story, among others, has discouraged developers from making BlackBerry applications. RIM just doesn’t make it easy for them.

Developers say the myriad BlackBerry models, with their different screen sizes, processing power and features, are their biggest hurdle to making software. A row of buttons that looks good on one phone’s screen may not fit on another’s. BlackBerry Storms, for example, have touch screens, while Curves have track balls and track pads, and Pearls have half the processing power of Bolds.

That, apparently, will change. RIM plans to release a drag-and-drop development kit, which should make life easier on developers. The new version of App World, of which we saw a preview this week, should further help in making the apps readily accessible for consumers.

Roundup

Stray links? Stray links.

• Adobe releases Flash 10.1 to mobile partners. That includes RIM. Flash should be here for BlackBerry soon.
• Free BlackBerry apps for summer travel. Plus, a (non-free) accessory you might want to check out.
• A review of BES Express.
• And don’t forget: Hedone Design is running a sale this week. Today you can get 50% off Their Explicit theme. Tomorrow you can get Wall-E for half off.