The upcoming 3G-less BlackBerry Javelin will be the first BlackBerry smartphone to feature a "Safe Mode" feature. This will allow users to boot into safe mode (similar to Windows) simply by holding down the 'ESC/Escape key". This new feature will make its debut in OS 4.6.0. 

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Rumor on the street is that RIM will be re-modeling the upcoming Kickstart and Seawolf models. Originally the BlackBerry Kickstart was thought to be modeled BlackBerry 9100, but now apparently it will be 8220. BlackBerry Seawolf was supposed to be the 9110 and now it looks like it'll be called 8210.

Not only that but BlackBerry Javelin may be modeled 8301 instead of 9300. This would make Javelin the next in the Curve sereis (8300 series).

The good news is RIM implemented BIS 2.5 late last night/early this morning for North America. The upgrade brings access to HTML email, OTA (Over the Air) software updates, push email for Hotmail, MSN, Live and AOL email and the ability to now download a ton of attachment formats (doc, .ppt, .xls, .wpd, .txt, .html, .pdf, .zip). You won't be able to get HTML emails until OS 4.5 is installed on your BlackBerry.

The bad news is that most BlackBerry smartphones won't be running OS 4.5 till around September, unless RIM releases any new smartphones before then (which they will run 4.5).

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The folks from OtterBox messaged me the other day and reminded me that I haven't posted a review yet for my BlackBerry Pearl 2 OtterBox case. This time instead of writing the review after a few days I decided to put the case threw a test for a month or so. Check out how the case performed… Read the full story

Vlingo has introduced a voice navigation software for your BlackBerry, which allows you to press a side convenience key and speak a command such as send a text or email without typing a single letter. The best part is the software is completely free! You can download it on your BlackBerry by pointing your browser to m.vlingo.com or visit their website on your PC.

“Just a few months ago, vlingo was selected to voice-enable Yahoo! oneSearchTM, which
showed the world just how quick and easy mobile Web search can be with the power of
voice,” said Dave Grannan, CEO of vlingo. “Vlingo takes this technology beyond Web search
into everyday applications that are now instantly more usable and easier to find because
you only need to think about one button and a few spoken words. Vlingo believes that we
can immediately improve the way every person interacts with their wireless device and the
BlackBerry platform is the perfect place to start our aggressive expansion strategy here in
the U.S. and abroad.”

Read the full story

Is the BlackBerry Bold too hot to handle? That's the question we're asking after John Mayer was seen recently using his BlackBerry Curve. If you remember John was using the un-released BlackBerry Bold about a month ago. Pictures posted online today show him holding onto his trusty BlackBerry Curve. Maybe the battery life sucks too much or it overheats? 

Those of you who are craving the BlackBerry Bold will enjoy this video, but I must say I'm sorry to the readers in the United States who have to wait till August for the Bold. Anyways CrackBerry pointed out that a video was on Youtube of the BlackBerry Bold running Documents to Go on the Bold's OS 4.6. 

Yesterday RIM announced their first quarter results for 2009 and of course they did great. RIM saw revenue go up 107% to $2.24 billion from Q1 of 2008. Not only that but RIM added 2.3 million more subscribers this quater bringing their overall to around 16 million. This summer RIM is also getting ready to ship their 40 millionth BlackBerry smartphone!

“We are pleased to report another record quarter with revenue increasing 107% as the popularity of the BlackBerry platform continued to spread in business, government and consumer segments. Our comprehensive technology and business strategies continue to reap strong results in the market and RIM is well positioned to build on its momentum throughout the remainder of fiscal 2009,” said Jim Balsillie, Co-CEO at Research In Motion. “As we prepare this summer to ship our 40 millionth BlackBerry smartphone, we continue to steadily scale our business and partnerships to support the opportunities ahead in this thriving sector.”

[RIM Press Release]

Jason from DataViz, creator of Documents to Go has informed me that they have released a new Premium Edition. The new Premium Edition builds new features on top of the standard edition which can be found on most OS 4.5 BlackBerry smartphones.

New features for premium edition include:

• Create new Word, Excel and PowerPoint files
• Spell checking for word processing files
• Advanced character/font formatting
• Advanced paragraph formatting
• Insert and delete tables for word processing files
• Insert and edit auto bullets & numbers in word processing files
• Sorting in spreadsheets
• Apply cell formatting in spreadsheets
• Insert and delete worksheets
• Insert, duplicate and delete slides in presentations
• And much more

You can purchase Documents to Go Premium Edition for only $69.99 USD or get a free 30 day trial from their site (dataviz.com).If your still not convinced read the break down of Standard vs. Premium Edition here. 

Another Visual Voicemail for BlackBerry has hit the market. A company called PhoneFusion has launched an Enhanced Visual Voicemail allowing you to read your voicemail on your BlackBerry similar to the iPhone. The service is completly FREE! It works on most carriers in the USA but not in Canada. Not only does the service work for BlackBerry but it works on Windows Mobile, Symbian, Linux and Palm.

Check out PhoneFusion at PhoneFusion.com, sign up and you'll receive a OTA download link as a text.

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