Rumored QNX BlackBerry Images Leaked? We Have Our Doubts!

This is probably going to make you say that can’t be right! Which is the way I am leaning on this latest image that might be the rumored QNX BlackBerry. The image honestly looks pretty ugly at this point, which make me think they are either fake, or a nock-off device as we have seen many knock-off BlackBerry devices before.  Other rumors suggest that the first QNX device will be an all touch screen. This new image has a full QWERTY keyboard and a the traditional four buttons below the screen.  Hopefully this is not what we see released or the device looks a lot better later down the road. But for now we have our doubts whether this is the first QNX powered BlackBerry Smartphone. If it is true maybe we will see some higher resolution images soon.

Let us know what you make of this in the comments below.

Mobile Miscellany: week of August 1, 2011

Here’s some of the other stuff that happened in the wide world of wireless for the week of August 1, 2011:

• Vodafone unveiled the world’s first prepaid-only Facebook phone, dubbed the Vodafone 555 Blue. It has a portrait QWERTY, 2 MP camera, 2.4-inch display, and a few other minor features added in. No word was given on pricing or availability, only that it’ll be sold through its own shops and website. [via Pocket-Lint]
• The Motorola Milestone Plus is Cellular South’s variant of the Droid Pro, a portrait QWERTY that runs Android 2.2 and has a 1GHz CPU and 3.1-inch display. It can be yours for $200 with a two-year commitment and after a $50 mail-in rebate. [via AndroidCentral]
• While we’re chatting about Cell South, the regional carrier will soon release the Samsung Admire, the same entry-level Android device we’ve peeked at en route to MetroPCS. No pricing or availability have been announced. [via AndroidCentral]
• A phone with the model number LG-P699 received its Bluetooth certification this week. It’s widely speculated that this phone’s the Optimus Net. [via PhoneArena and PocketNow]
• Screenshots and an APK of Sony Ericsson’s latest home launcher for its Xperia series were leaked this week. Most of the changes are subtle UI differences. [via Xperiablog]
• Rogers announced the upcoming availability and pricing of the BlackBerry Bold 9900, Torch 9810, and Torch 9860. All three will be added to the lineup this summer, and all will require a three-year commitment. The 9900 will be sold for $250, and both Torches will be priced at $200. [via MobileSyrup]

engagdet

RIM’s Upcoming BlackBerry Curve Apollo Is Leaked

Following the unveiling of its latest BlackBerry Bold and BlackBerry Torch smartphones earlier this week, RIM’s U.K. chief revealed that the company is working on a budget device that will make the BlackBerry 7 OS available to fans of its entry-level Curve smartphone. No details were given on its availability or its technical specs, but we do know what it will look like, courtesy of some leaked images published by OneMobileRing.

The device is called the BlackBerry Curve 9360, or the BlackBerry Curve Apollo. While its specifications are yet to be confirmed, it seems the device will feature a HVGA 480×360 display, the trademark BlackBerry QWERTY keyboard, a 5-megapixel camera with flash, and NFC capabilities; all powered by a Tavor MG-1 800 MHz CPU and 512MB of RAM.

Sprint announces BlackBerry Bold 9930 and Torch 9850, coming this fall

AT&T isn’t the only major U.S. carrier getting in on the action today. Sprint on Wednesday confirmed that it too will soon launch a pair of Research In Motion’s latest smartphones. The touch-and-type BlackBerry Bold 9930 and the full touchscreen BlackBerry Torch 9850 will both become available to Sprint subscribers later this fall. Sprint neglected to specify a launch date or pricing, but we likely won’t have long to wait until these sleek new BlackBerry 7 phones find their way to store shelves. “Sprint’s incredibly loyal BlackBerry customers will appreciate the benefits of the BlackBerry 7 user experience on these two new smartphones – BlackBerry Bold 9930 and BlackBerry Torch 9850,” said Sprint’s product boss Fared Adib in a statement. “BlackBerry 7 is an evolution that extends the ability to support our customers domestically and internationally as they juggle their busy personal and professional lives with one easy-to-use device. We are excited to continue our strong relationship with RIM through these new powerful devices.”

Sprint’s full press release follows below.

RIM's BlackBerry Curve 9360 outed — is this Apollo?

Did RIM forget this budget entry update, or was it pushed aside for this morning’s announcements of its higher-end BlackBerry brothers? No matter the case, OneMobileRing got a hands-on with the Curve 9360, and it looks like this portrait QWERTY could be following in its brethren’s OS 7 footsteps. Shots of the device reveal a Tour-like chrome trim, optical trackpad and the requisite micro-USB port for your charging / connectivity needs. A pic of the device’s open battery door also shows off a SIM card slot, leading us to believe that this may very well be the ever-elusive Apollo. Could we see this mid-end, GSM workhorse in T-Mobile’s near future? Our in-house Ms. Cleo predicts a yes.

SlashGear

OneMobileRing

via: engadget

BlackBerry Torch 9860 Video Walkthrough

 

[ youtube video link for mobile viewing ]

For those of you that are anxiously awaiting the next all-touch BlackBerry – the wait is over. The BlackBerry Torch 9860 has been announced and will in your hands before you know it. With no QWERTY keyboard, the Torch 9860 hopes to fill the needs for those who simply want a touchscreen device. It carries a 1.2GHz processor, 768MB RAM, 4GB embedded memory and more. Of course the Torch 9860 sports RIM’s Liquid Graphics as well as other BB 7 goodies. Check out the video above for more.

via: cb

The 7 Solid Reasons To Keep Your Faith And Hold On To Your BlackBerry

CIO’s Al Sacco wrote a great article on the 7 Solid Reasons To Keep Your Faith In RIM, BlackBerry which I wanted to share with our readers. The article outlines some great points why BlackBerry is strong and not going anywhere. Despite what negative comments fly, the truth holds strong. Check it out…

 

Al’s honesty and truth doesn’t make excuses for BlackBerry, and he does go over the rough points, he also points out the best of BlackBerry.

What are the 7 Solid Reasons?

1. Love that BlackBerry QWERTY Keyboard. I have to agree with Al on that one. I’ve tried touchscreen devices, but I really love my BlackBerry keyboard and can’t use simple phones anymore. I’ve played with the phones and the Apple iPhone, but I really love the BlackBerry’s keyboard for it’s ease of use and functionality.
2. BlackBerry Battery Life Can’t Be Beat. This is another truth to be said. Compared to the Android devices, the BlackBerry’s battery life is longer. Though many of us keep our BlackBerry on the charger most of the day anyways. I find that most people who move to the Android are shocked by the battery life difference.
3. Enterprise Security and Manageability. Even though the gap is being filled, BlackBerry is still the dominant business phone. Even overseas they hold the majority of the Enterprise use. Secure and efficient, there’s Enterprise and BES Express.
4. BlackBerry Messenger and BBM Social. BlackBerry Messenger is definitely unique and it’s my favorite means of communication. And with the apps connecting with BBM v6, even better. You can connect with Foursquare, Facebook, games, and the possibilities go on. BBM is definitely a strength of BlackBerry.
5. The Future Is Bright With the BlackBerry PlayBook Tablet. While the BlackBerry PlayBook came out without the native email, it really was a neat device. With the QNX system powering the Tablet and the ability to load apps via the Android player, and the BlackBerry Bridge, it has a lot of potential. I know native email to me isn’t a big issue, and I’m loving the apps and how easy it is to use. And to be honest, I’m checking World three times a day looking forward to the next updates and newest apps.
6. Seven New Handhelds In 2011, Promise Of QNX-Based BlackBerry Devices. We will see seven new devices, and we’ve seen the leaked photos of them, with RIM even displaying the 9900/9930 on it’s very site. All will have the OS 7 which is a transition OS preparing for the QNX-Based devices to come. More memory, more power, thinner. From what we’ve seen, they’re very nice devices.
7. BlackBerry Data Compression. With the unlimited data becoming a legend known only to those grandfathered with their carriers, and limited data plans for the new customers and those choosing to go to a smartphone, the BlackBerry’s compression of data makes it easier to be online as much as you want without having to worry about your data. Sure one can argue about turning on wifi, but how many of us are fortunate to have wifi with us 24 hours a day? With the BlackBerry, it’s peace of mind and wallet.

While these are actually my additions, you should read Al’s article and his points as he goes into detail. I would have to say it’s even more than just that. The ability to bank on your phone, the security of the phone, the convenience of the apps and the native apps of BlackBerry. I don’t game really, but I do socialize and use Twitter and BBM most with my email. So for me the BlackBerry is my device. I bank on it, never worry about data usage, and love that my BlackBerry and BlackBerry PlayBook work hand in hand together.

I don’t dwell on what it lacks, because there’s always way when there’s a will. I’m happy with what I have but I’m so grateful when changes are made and new apps and features are available. Rome was not built in a day, but nonetheless it is an icon.

[via: CIO.com]

via: bbsync

BlackBerry QWERTY Password Screen Trumps iPhone’s 10 Digits

An iOS developer, Daniel Amitay, recently released iPhone passcode data revealed by his Big Brother Camera Security application. The free app uses code to record common user passcodes, and because the BBCS app’s passcode screen is identical to the iPhone passcode screen, it’s highly possible users will enter the same passcode for both. What he found was that the vast majority of users used very simple passcodes such as “1234″, “0000″ and “1111″. All told, Amitay discovered that 15% of the over 200,000 passcodes captured by his app were represented by just ten different passcodes. Therefore, anyone who steals an iPhone, has a 15% chance of breaking into it with just 10 password tries.

Now compare this to the BlackBerry and it’s full QWERTY keyboard passwords. The possible permutations of passcodes that you could come up with are so vast it’s not even worth trying. Now, there are still some out there who will use basic passwords such as “BNM$ ENTER” because it’s fast to use, but for the most part BlackBerry passwords are probably pretty diverse. Even the way the keyboard is designed means you probably won’t use “1234″ as your password because it’s not as easy to remember when surrounded by letters and symbols. What’s probably more common on a BlackBerry is a name or simple word such as “password”. Still, we’re happy to be using a device that at least gives you the option for a complex and secure password. Four digit passwords are simple to break simply by their nature of only being 4 digits.

via:bbcool

Blackberry 101: Yes BB does have a soft reset

 

Most people know that removing the battery from your BlackBerry is a perfectly acceptable way to reset the BlackBerry. There is another way. A soft reset will accomplish the same thing as pulling the battery but without all the hassle of taking your BlackBerry out of its case, removing the battery door, pulling the battery, waiting for a few seconds, replacing the battery, replacing the battery cover, and returning the device to its protective case.

Incidentally, a “soft” reset is not a kinder, gentler way to restart your BlackBerry. Soft, in this case, means the device is reset by the SOFTware. A “hard” reset involves pulling the battery, a HARDware reset. To accomplish this soft reset, you’ll hold three keys down all at the same time. On your keyboard, press and hold the ALT key, press and hold the right SHIFT key, and press DEL. In my mind, this is almost the same as pressing Control-Alt-Delete to restart a Windows PC (at least it once did).  Unfortunately for Storm and Pearl users, this soft reset is only possible on devices with QWERTY keyboards.

Though the reset starts immediately; at first, it won’t appear that anything has happened. Don’t worry, it has. The screen freezes and you won’t be able to use the device (because it’s resetting). After a moment, the screen will go blank and that comforting red LED will turn on letting you know that screen won’t be blank for long. After a few moments, you’ll be back in business with a refreshed BlackBerry, and you didn’t even have to touch the battery.

via:cb

Key Shortcuts for the BlackBerry PlayBook

The BlackBerry PlayBook doesn’t exactly have a keyboard. Sure there’s a virtual one, but it doesn’t do a whole lot of tricks as of yet. Where your standard BlackBerry with a QWERTY keyboard has somewhere in the neighborhood of forty-five keys on it, the PlayBook has four. Nevertheless, the PlayBook has some cool tricks you can do with those keys.

The power button, though difficult by design to press, does a few cool, power-related shortcuts. Pressing the button once will put the tablet to sleep (Research In Motion calls it Stand By); pressing it again will wake the device (though it’s much easier to simply swipe bezel to bezel). Holding down the button for about five seconds will open a pop-up window giving you the option to Turn Off or Restart the device. If you continue to hold the button, the device will power down.

The play/pause button seems straightforward. If you’re watching a video or listening to music, pressing this button will pause the action. A second press resumes the media you were enjoying. This button works for all of the apps found in your media folder. Hold down this button for a moment, and you’ve found a quick way to mute the PlayBook.

Volume +/Volume – Yeah, there’s a trick with using these, too. Obviously, the buttons raise and lower the volume on the tablet, but they can also be used to skip to the next or previous track. Much like the controls in A2DP Bluetooth headsets, holding either of the keys for a moment is enough to change tracks. If you’ve played your media file long enough, holding the Volume – key will jump back to the beginning. A second press and hold will skip to the previous track.  Holding the Volume + key will skip ahead to the next track. And of course, pressing these two keys at the same time will take a screenshot.

Except for the power button tricks (and the screenshot), I found all of these purely by accident. I absolutely love that “I didn’t know I could do that” moment. What IDKICDT moments have you had with your BlackBerry, be it tablet or smartphone? Sound off in the comments.

via:cb