blackberry

BlackBerry 8900 has received an OFFICIAL firmware update, which bumps the verision to OS 4.6.1.199. Based on the users' feedback, this build includes features like faster GPS locks, better Wi-Fi connectivity, better battery life and more.

BlackBerry 9530 users on Bell have received an exclusive firmware update for their handsets. Why exclusive? The latest OS 4.7.0.122 is not available to other carriers, and can't be installed by deleting the vendor.xml file. So those who are not on Bell will have to wait.

The previously rumored BlackBerry Storm 2 has been confirmed yesterday by a RIM spokesperson over in the Netherlands. The device will be available for purchase later this year or early 2010 and will supposedly solve the weaknesses of the original Storm, with regards to typing. This means they could even include a physical keyboard. Well see...

P.S. The device on the picture above is not real.

Another day, another leaked unofficial BlackBerry firmware update, this time for the BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8220, taking it to OS 4.6.0.259. As always, install it at your own risk and remember to backup your data before you do.

T-Mobile has lowered the price for its flagship BlackBerry Curve 8900 in an effort to boost sales. Now the handset is $50 cheaper, and is available for $149.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate. Nice!

Rumor has it that RIM will be bringing its second BlackBerry Storm sometime this September. The supposed BlackBerry Storm 2 should include some interesting updates, one of which is Wi-Fi support, lacking on the current Storm.

We're pretty sure the new model will be no less popular than the first one.

BGR has posted specs of the three upcoming BlackBerry 9000 handsets. The available specs and codenames are confirmed, but there are no release dates just yet. The last two, Driftwood and Magnum, are apparently the same device bound for different carriers. Here are the specs for each of the handsets:

BlackBerry Onyx:

• GSM/GPRS/EDGE/UMTS;
• GPS;
• Camera;
• Wi-Fi (no UMA support);
• QWERTY keyboard;
• 480x360 resolution screen;
• Confirmed carriers: AT&T

BlackBerry Driftwood:

• GSM/GPRS/EDGE/UMTS;
• GPS;
• Camera;
• Wi-Fi with UMA;
• QWERTY keyboard

BlackBerry Magnum:

• GSM/GPRS/EDGE/UMTS;
• GPS;
• Camera;
• Wi-Fi (no UMA support);
• QWERTY keyboard;
• 480x360 resolution screen;
• Confirmed carriers: AT&T

We're also told there will be a UMA-capable version of the BlackBerry Bold, and that the rumored BlackBerry Gemini will actually be a series of low cost handsets.

RIM's App World, the company's official application store for BlackBerry devices has launched today. It consists of 13 separate categories of apps ranging from Maps and Navigation to Sports and Recreation, including a total of 234 applications. Some of them are free of charge, others cost from $2.99.

To get the App World on your BlackBerry, direct your mobile browser to BlackBerry.

We hear that Verizon is planning to release the OS 4.7.0.113 firmware as its next official firmware for the BlackBerry Storm. That's definitely nice to hear, as the last official update from Verizon was released 4 months ago, and during that time we've only seen countless unoficial builds.

Anyway, here you can find the list of the available fixes and updates.

Verizon announced that they're done supporting the old BlackBerry 8830, but assured that an official upgrade to OS 4.5, up from the build of 4.2, is on its way and will be available in the nearest future. That's nice, but too bad they couldn't do it a little faster, as Sprint subscribers have already received the updated software for the said phone.