On location with BlackBerry Bold on Tour

This is the first weekend of RIM’s BlackBerry Bold on Tour, so I stopped by New York’s South Street Seaport to sample the Boldacious action.

The concept of BlackBerry Bold on Tour is to give the public hands-on time with the Verizon 9650. There are demo units to play with, along with displays from Skype, Slacker, VCast and the BlackBerry App World.

There are phone giveaways and one lucky winner will also walk away with a holiday. All you need to enter for the holiday competition is to record a short video in the booth inside the BlackBerry Bold on Tour tent and it will be voted upon by the public on the event’s microsite to find a winner.

There is of course a certain irony in the name BlackBerry Bold on Tour, since the model being showcased (the 9650) is essentially version 2 of the Tour which is actually branded Bold. I think that’s a clever marketing strategy by RIM and Verizon and helps people to make the transition from the Bold brand to the Tour brand. Ever since the arrival of the Bold 9700 there has not been that much difference between the two brands so it makes sense to consolidate into just one name to help consumers.

I did ask one of the reps about the upcoming 9800 and he did mention that he has enjoyed some quality time with the eagerly anticipated device. However there is nothing further to report regarding a release date.

There are also some free goodies on offer, like bags, pouches and screen cleaners. So even if your idea of a Berry is a strawberry, it’s still worth checking out to score a bag to put all that fruit. Who knows you might even discover that the best berry of all is the BlackBerry!

Related Posts:

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• BlackBerry Tour 9630 Being Kicked Out the Door Soon?
• Slight Change in Location of the Micro USB port on the BlackBerry Bold 9650?

Only 20% of BlackBerry Users have BlackBerry OS 5.0

Al Sacco posted this interesting Pie char that breaks up the number of users that currently have BlackBerry OS 5.0 installed on their devices and those that don’t have it installed on. Only 20% of BlackBerry users have BlackBerry OS 5.0 installed which is about 8 million out of 41 million users. 24% of BlackBerry users are running BlackBerry OS 4.6.1, and 27% are using 4.5.0. These numbers are kind of odd consider how much better OS 5.0 is compared to 4.5.1 and 4.5.0. It makes me wonder why a lot of users haven’t updated their device . Is it because a lot of BlackBerry owners don’t know how to update their OS? There are also folks out their that don’t care about updating their OS because they are fine with what they currently have and don’t want to have to learn a new OS . I wonder if a lot of these users are 8330 users because I don’t believe they have every gotten an official OS 5.0 update (someone check me on that) and if that is the case then 8330 owners make up a good number of the BlackBerry users around North America and the world considering that the 8330 series is the most popular device. What BlackBerry OS are you running and why? Leave it in the comments section.

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Two Story High BlackBerry Smartphone On Display in Paris from May 20th-22nd

We just got the word from Inside BlackBerry that the world’s largest BlackBerry will be up on display on Beaubourg Esplande in Paris, France. The BlackBerry will be broadcasting messages and pictures sent in from the message creator app currently available on the Facebook fan page for BlackBerry France. To broadcast your message on the big BlackBerry between May 20th-22nd, follow the steps below:

• Visit www.facebook.com/BLACKBERRYFR and select the “Love concours” tab to load the message creator application. Visit www.facebook.com / BLACKBERRYFR and select the “Love concours” tab to load the message creator application.
• Select a wallpaper, and use the text tool to craft a message that tells everyone what you love to do. Select a wallpaper, and use the text tool to craft a message That tells everyone what you love to do. You can also select an image from your Facebook albums to accompany your message. Also you can select an image from your Facebook albums to accompany your message.
• Select the time and date you want your message to be broadcast, so you can tell your friends to watch for it! Select the time and date you want your message to be broadcast, so you can tell your friends to watch for it!
• After your message has been created it will be broadcast during the 20th-22nd of May on the world’s biggest BlackBerry smartphone in Paris, France. After your message has been created it will be broadcast During the 20th-22nd of May on the world’s biggest BlackBerry smartphone in Paris, France.

So many of you are thinking “what’s the point if I can’t see it?” So RIM will allow you to watch the event in live stream on the Facebook fan page for BlackBerry France.

• Check out the BlackBerry France Fan Page on Facebook >>

-by Otoniel Bruno

Announcing PushPress for BlackBerry-Testers Needed!

I am very happy to finally be able to announce the chance for our readers to test a new application, one we have worked very closely with the developer on. PushPress is the first native BlackBerry application that brings WordPress blogs straight to your BlackBerry with no need for an RSS reader or using your mobile browser to view the content. Features:

• Compile all of your blogs in one location
• View content optimized for your mobile device
• No need to wait for page after page to load from the web browser
• Limited data usage compared to the browser leads to full content at a fraction of the time
• Comment on any post straight from the app
• Share posts via many social networks including Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn

This app really does make the viewing of blogs a better experience. We have had the required WordPress plugin installed from day one and have seen this app grow leaps and bounds. You are able to comment straight from the app on a post, view pictures, tweet a link.. a lot more than you can do in your mobile browser. At this time, PushPress is entering a private beta with a limited number of testers. There are still some quirks and bugs to be worked out and I am sure testers will have some great ideas for it as well.

How do you sign up? It is simple, visit the ALL KAPPS website and enter all the requested information. All they ask in return is that you provide quality feedback and ideas. You must be on BlackBerry OS 5.0 or higher.

http://www.allkappssoftware.com/index.php/beta

After you install the application make sure you add BerryScoop to the blog list using www.berryscoop.com (have to have “www”). We are currently the only blog with the plugin installed, with the developer in talks with other blogs to take part in testing by installing the plugin. If you have a favorite blog that is running on WordPress and you want them to install the plugin, let them know! Full press release and screenshots below.







Introducing the Very First Native App for WordPress Blog Consumers ALL KAPPS Software, developers of the top selling application bChat for BlackBerry smartphones, is proud to announce the release of the private beta version of PushPress for BlackBerry. PushPress offers the consumer the ability to aggregate all of their blogs based on the WordPress blog platform in one easy to use and convenient place. Open the app for a brief update off all of your blogs at once or dig deeper into the blog to check out full posts, all images, and comments.

Features:

• Compile all of your blogs in one location
• View content optimized for your mobile device
• No need to wait for page after page to load from the web browser
• Limited data usage compared to the browser leads to full content at a fraction of the time
• Comment on any post straight from the app
• Share posts via many social networks including Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn

Beta Info PushPress is available right now for a limited time through a limited beta release to those who sign up at http://www.allkappssoftware.com/index.php/beta Signups will be limited to a certain number of testers so sign-up while there are still open spots. We have set up a feedback site for testers to leave feature requests, bug reports and feedback. Users must have OS 5.0 installed for the beta test which means that we support the following devices: BlackBerry 9700, 9000, 9630, 9650, 9550, 9500, 8520/30.

Blog Editors At this time we are actively looking for blogs to join with us and install the free plugin back end for the WordPress blogging platform. It is a non-intrusive unnoticeable plugin that allows the PushPress mobile application to interact with your blog and access the optimized content. Optimize your site for mobile users through the site without the need for a specific mobile site. We are currently working on a partner program that will share revenue on a per subscriber basis. Monetize your blog in a way that simple RSS feeds cannot. We also offer customized versions of the app for your site only, complete with ad support and UI customization.

BlackBerry Bold 9650 Releasing On US Cellular With Mail-In-Rebate?

An image emerged today on HowardForums showing a new mail-in-rebate promotion by US Cellular. To our surprise it shows one of the eligible devices to be the BlackBerry Bold 9650! What is even stranger is the promotion starts April 16th and ends July 15th 2010.



While we doubt the 9650 will be available in two days on US Cellular, it is still interesting that it may be up for an MIR. When do you think the Bold 9650 will release?

Verizon Backup Assistant Now Available for Storm2 Users

A month ago Verizon BlackBerry Tour 9630 users were getting Backup Assistant pushed to their devices and I remember wondering when the Storm 2 users were going to get it. Well today reports have been flying that BlackBerry Storm2 users are getting an icon pushed to their device and when they download it, Backup Assistant appears. I haven’t gotten it yet so don’t know much about it besides its very easy to use. You just backup your contacts to Verizon’s cloud so you always have access to them if you need to change devices. Keep an eye out for it!

Related Posts:

• Backup Assistant from Verizon Wireless Now Available for BlackBerry Tour Users
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RIM Places an Order for a 8.9 inch display from Hon Hai- What Does This Mean?

So this morning word was released that RIM has put in an order for a 8.9 inch display screen. After hearing this, many people started to believe that RIM might just be thinking about developing a BlackBerry tablet to compete with the I-pad. Now RIM is not the company that starts developing something right away that another company has come out with. However when Apple launched the I-phone, RIM launched to BlackBerry Storm 9530 and later the BlackBerry Storm2 9550.

The other day I actually got the oprotunity to play around with an Apple I-Pad, and I have to say I was pretty impressed with the look, feel, and concept of it. However I also realized that if you have a BlackBerry device you pretty much can do what the I-Pad can do. Think about it, the I-Books feature on the I-Pad is a great concept but if you have the Kindle for BlackBerry you can already read books on your BlackBerry. The media player on the I-Pad is just as good as your BlackBerry Native media player. You could argue so many other features of both products both ways.

Although I don’t think RIM is trying to develop a BlackBerry Tablet, you can never say never with RIM! However RIM also acquired QNX today who is resposible for car technology and I think these to pieces of news are related. Makes sense, RIM buys a car tech company and orders a 8.9 inch display screen. Possible car dash for your BlackBerry in the works? Maybe!

Leave your comments below

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BlackBerry Messenger Message “From RIM” is Fake. Don’t Worry!

If you guys have a lot of BBM contacts then I am sure one of them has broadcasted this message to you just like the one in crackberry Adam’s BBM message. The message states this

Hello, greetings from RIM (Research In Motion) proprietors of BlackBerry. This message is to inform all of our users, that our servers have recently been really full, so we are asking for your help to fix this problem. We need our active users to re-send this message to everyone on your contact list inorder to confirm our active users that use BlackBerry Messenger, if you do not send this message to all your BlackBerry Messenger contacts then your account will remain inactive with the consequence of losing all your contacts.

We apologize for the inconvenience but this is the only way possible to resolve this problem. Sincerely Research in Motion. For more information visit www.blackberry.com/inactiveusers’

Now there are a few things in this message that points to it being fake. The first thing is the web link. If you click on it, it goes no where. The second thing is the line that says, “This message is to inform all of our users, that our servers have recently been really full” RIM or any other company would never say really full it just doesn’t sound professional. The third thing that CrackBerry Kevin pointed out is that RIM would never write Research in Motion. Even BlackBerry’s Facebook page says this is false.

Please if you guys get any messages like that please feel free to contact berryreporter.com or myself either through my email address brad@berryreporter.com or my twitter page.

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WES 2010 Mobile Guide Now Available to Download in App World

For those of you attending WES 2010 later this month, this app is just for you. This app lets you plan and schedule all of the events that you plan on attending while your at WES so you can make sure to plan your day around it. It syncs when you update your schedule on the Attend WES website. It also will sync if you add items using your BlackBerry. The app also comes with a shuttle schedule so you will know when the shuttle is coming and going. If you haven’t registered yet for WES 2010 the deadline is April 25th so make sure you hurry up. I know I am pretty excited about WES 2010 as I will be there to cover all of the latest at greatest news for the fans of BerryReporter.com.

Click here to Download the WES 2010 Mobile Guide

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RIM Scheduled Maintenance Outage: Blackberry Internet Service and BB Messenger will be down on March 28

As expected, Research In Motion has been sending out scheduled maintenance notifications to admins and carriers as they prepare to roll BIS 3.0 to North American users (view BIS 3.0 feature doc). Dates and timeframes are as follows, so you can all prepare for the inevitable loss of data connections:

• There will be scheduled network maintenance by Research In Motion (RIM) affecting BIS customers between 0100 CT / 0200 EDT on March 28th and 0500 CT / 0600 EDT on March 28th.
• Blackberry will be performing a BlackBerry Internet Service v2.8 upgrade to BlackBerry Internet Service v3.0
• BlackBerry Internet Service subscribers may be unable to send or receive messages using their BlackBerry hosted email account or integrated third-party email accounts, view email attachments, activate email service, or request to see “”more”" text during the maintenance.
• Wireless service providers and device resellers may be unable to create subscriber accounts or provision services for subscribers.
• The estimated duration of impact is 4 hours and affects 100% of BIS customers.

Even with 100% of all BIS customers without data, the real overall impact shouldn’t be that bad. Considering most normal people sleep during the timeframe anyways. If all goes well, when ya get up we should have some BIS 3.0 action going on. Thanks to all those who sent this in.

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BlackBerry App World Officially Launched in Taiwan ,Japan ,Thailand ,Bolivia.

BlackBerry App World was just launched in the following countries!

• Taiwan
• Japan
• Thailand
• Bolivia

Only free applications are available in these countries by now, but this is supposed to change in the coming months.

http://appworld.blackberry.com

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BlackBerry Desktop Manager Updated to Version 5.0.1.37 For Those Who Use It

For those of you who use BlackBerry Desktop Manager to perform task such as Application loader, device back up, syncing your BlackBerry with your email client (Outlook Thunderbird) you will be glad to hear that there is an update for it. It used to be the Desktop Manager got updated almost as much as BlackBerry App World but nowadays you don’t see that many updates.

Not a lot of people use Desktop manager that much nowadays either. I for one wouldn’t use it that much if I didn’t Outlook to store all my contacts and calendar appointments. I usually backup my device with Desktop Manger but other than those two tasks I don’t use it that much. Maybe it is time for RIM to re build it and put some more features in it.

Click Here to Download the Latest Version of Desktop Manager

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Google Voice Updated to Version 0.1.7

Google Voice has been updated to version 0.1.7. Google voice lets you make calls and send text from your Google Voice Number. Download this version from by visiting m.google.com/voice in your phone’s browser.

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Rogers Updates Tethering Policy for Users With 1GB+ Data Plans

Anyone with Rogers who has a subscription of a data plan 1 GB and above can get tethering as part of their plan at no extra charge. The updated Rogers’s tethering policy can’t be with 1 GB + one rate roaming plans, family shared data& voice plans and smartphone & rocket stick shared data plans. The current tethering plan is going to expire on May 3^rd. Check out more info at their website.

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24 Carat Gold Plated Bold 9700! Is This Really Something You Need?

The folks over at CrackBerry got these pictures sent into them by Kenneth Tong, who is on UK Channel 4 Big Brother, as well as the upcoming Millionaire Matchmaker. This is Kenneth Tong’s BlackBerry Bold 9700 that is plated in 24 carat gold. This does look beautiful but is this really needed? Do you really need your BlackBerry device cover in Gold. I really do love the look of my BlackBerry Storm 2 9550 and I sometimes hate putting cases on it because I can’t see the true look of my device. I think it is a bit overboard to Plate my BlackBerry with Gold, silver, pearls, or whatever else people have plated there BlackBerry device. I guess why not if you have the money right?

What do you guys think?

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What the BlackBerry OS 6.0 might look like

Some pics from the Super App webcast, which is held for developers, were seen on BerryScoop. The pics showed what looks like Blackberry’s new OS plan. This Blackberry would have live home screen updates, live widgets, and some more memory. I guess we’ll have to wait and see if this is really something that’s gonna happen.

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Poll: Should Research In Motion Buy Palm?

This is just a quick little poll that I probably should have included with my Note to RIM post that I wrote earlier today.
Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.
Poll: Should Research In Motion Buy Palm? is a post from: RIMarkable

First Images of BlackBerry OS 6.0?

There has been much speculation over what OS 6.0 could possibly look like. We were recently hit with these images of what appear to be of a device running OS 6.0 with a similar screen resolution of a storm or storm2. These spy shot images come highly regarded as real from one our best connects. We're hoping to see it soon on a physical device (maybe the slider?) and so until then take from it what you will.

From what we can see, it appears that Research In Motion may have a competing OS against the likes of Google Android; making use of widgets. It will be interesting to see if a device will soon surface with this OS to give it more confirmation. However, from what we've seen and know, it is obvious RIM is at least moving in a forward direction.

BlackBerry Slider… Possibly Code Named “T”… Possibly Launching In April

According to the CEO of Korean based parts supplier to RIM, Woojeon & Handan, a new BlackBerry code named “T”, possibly the BlackBerry Slider, is going to be released in April.

The Canadian company RIM famous for BlackBerry smartphones is releasing a new model next month. Known as the “T,” The new model is an ambitious product aimed at competing against iPhone’s storm of success. Rim will present it (“T”) as its flagship model to compete in global markets such as the U.S. and Europe.

I have to say that I am just a bit skeptical…
Might RIM officially announce the BlackBerry Slider next month? Maybe… Will they actually release the Slider next month? I just can’t see it.
Additionally, it is being said that the new device will become RIM’s flagship device. I don’t see that being the case either. The last time RIM tried to make a new device their flagship device we got the original BlackBerry Storm pre OS 5.
[Via Engadget]
BlackBerry Slider… Possibly Code Named “T”… Possibly Launching In April is a post from: RIMarkable

Guest Post: Should RIM have released the Dakota instead of the Storm?

This is a guest post written by Joe Pawlikowski. Joe is the Senior Editor for Magnum, and then again when RIM worked it and renamed it the Dakota. Given the familiarity people have with the BlackBerry brand, I agreed that perhaps RIM would have been better off releasing that type of device.Just a few weeks ago we saw another new device type for RIM...
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