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Here is the Pearl 8100 disassemble video:

[Via BerryReview]

If you have recently installed RIM’s new operating system version 4.5 on your BlackBerry, then its time to customize it! Our good friends over at eVeek have designed three new hot themes for you. What’s the best part about these themes? They are free!

To get started simply select your model: BlackBerry 8800, Pearl 81xx, Curve 83xx, 8700.

For anyone who is using the new OS 4.5 on your BlackBerry here is a really cool theme. This theme was designed with the new Plasmic 4.5 CDK and will ONLY work for OS 4.5 (sorry 4.2 and 4.3 users). This theme is complete with bouncing icons on a unique home screen menu. You can grab this theme for free for 8100/8300/8700/8800 series smartphones. Here are the OTA (Over the Air) links to download the theme: Pearl 81xx | Curve 83xx | 87xx | 88xx.

[Source - Pinstack]

So Verizon technicians use to have to carry around a laptop looks like now its been replaced with a BlackBerry. That's awesome but wait. Verizon replaced it with the BlackBerry 8703e?! weird. We aren't too sure why Verizon would replace laptops with such an old model BlackBerry now with the new 8830 Word Edition or 8330 Curve in the game. Anyways click on over for the press release. 

[Source] 

Verizon Replaces Field Technicians' Laptop PCs With BlackBerry Smartphones

Verizon Partner Solutions Uses First-of-Its-Kind Network Application to Replicate Functions of 8-Pound Laptop PC on 5-Ounce Wireless SmartphoneCompact Smartphones Offer Big Benefits to VPS Unit and Its Customers

May 15, 2008

Media Contact:

Les Kumagai, 213-434-2693

ORLANDO, Fla. - The Verizon Partner Solutions (VPS) unit and its force of 2,250 field technicians and managers are experiencing big boosts in mobility and operating efficiency - enhancing their ability to deliver higher levels of customer satisfaction - after replacing their 8-pound laptop PCs with 5-ounce BlackBerry® 8703e smartphones from Research In Motion (RIM). Verizon unveiled the new application Thursday (May 15) at the Wireless Enterprise Symposium 2008 in Orlando.

Using a new, first-of-its-kind network solution developed by Verizon, the specially configured BlackBerry devices deliver the same computing and data communications functions as the retired PCs - at a fraction of the size, weight and cost of a laptop computer.

Verizon Partner Solutions is a wholesale provider of networks and network services to wireless, Internet, cable and telephone companies based in the U.S.  VPS field technicians use automated electronic systems and software applications to manage their daily service workflow, which includes the critical tasks of installing, maintaining and repairing services for customers.

"Prior to the deployment of the BlackBerry smartphones, technicians working at remote locations in the field could only connect using laptop PCs," said Diane McCarthy, senior vice president of customer experience for Verizon Partner Solutions.  "It was a cumbersome process that limited their access to routine work-assignment, testing, close-out and time-reporting applications, and their ability to communicate job-status updates to customers and supervisors."

Charles Henry, vice president of systems management for Verizon Partner Solutions, said, "What we were hearing from our techs in the field was a call for a new communications tool that would empower them to better manage their work assignments and fulfill customer requests more efficiently.

"We took their suggestions to our IT group and determined that a wireless smartphone could be the answer.  But we couldn't find an existing product that fulfilled all of our techs' needs.  So, working with our colleagues at Verizon Wireless and a team of vendors, our IT group built this new first-of-its-kind wireless solution for us," he said.

The new solution was designed to address four key technician requirements:

• Portability - Reducing the volume of equipment that technicians hand-carry into and out of work sites saves time by preventing repeat trips, which in urban areas can stretch for several city blocks.  Carried on a belt or in a pocket, the hands-free portability of the Blackberry 8703e increases technicians' carrying capacity by removing the laptop PC from their gear load.

• Speed - Because the smartphones are always on, they give technicians fast access to the systems and applications they need - eliminating the time-consuming PC start-up and shutdown cycles that halted technicians' progress whenever they used their laptops. 
• Simplicity - After becoming familiar with the device, technicians are up-and-running quickly because they use the same Verizon systems and applications they accessed via their laptops.  In addition, because the smartphones combine both data and voice communications in a single device, they relieve the technicians of carrying and caring for a separate mobile phone.
• Customer Communication - Timely technician-to-customer communications are an essential element of quality customer service.  Verizon systems and software applications accessed using the smartphones have been upgraded to automatically prompt submission of real-time job-status updates to VPS customers - enabling technicians to provide customers with greater real-time service and support information.

"Without question, the new BlackBerry smartphones are a huge leap forward in our ability to serve our wholesale customers," said McCarthy.  "One of the best features, in my mind, is the real-time job-status reporting function enabled by Verizon's customer support systems.  Keeping customers apprised and aware of the status of their service request is a crucial element of a positive customer experience."

While the benefits of the conversion are most visible with technicians in the field, the smartphones are also having a measurable impact on the VPS unit's operations.

"Our cost to issue a fully loaded BlackBerry 8703e smartphone to a field tech is less than what it used to cost us to equip that same technician with a laptop," said Henry.

The lower cost of deployment has allowed VPS to make the BlackBerry smartphones the standard communications device used by all of its technicians.  This has enabled VPS to streamline its internal IT support and help desk operations, focusing on the smartphones rather than a variety of devices and operating systems.  And in the future, use of the smartphones should reduce the overall cost of periodic equipment refreshes across the field force.

Data security is always an operational concern.  The BlackBerry 8703e smartphone eliminates the need to secure a PC hard drive - the system and application servers used are all shielded by a network firewall - and its home screen is locked and password protected.

The new device also supports Verizon's green environmental initiatives by reducing the number of energy-consuming devices used by VPS technicians, while reducing the number of PCs that the VPS unit will decommission and recycle in the future.

"Our field technicians' response to the smartphones has been positive, but that's not surprising because we designed this solution using their recommendations," said Henry. "Going forward, our plan is to solicit their continuous feedback on the device to help us plan future upgrades and improvements.  We believe that enriching the utility of the device for our techs and their managers will correspondingly enrich the value of our relationships with our wholesale customers."

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ), headquartered in New York, is a leader in delivering broadband and other wireline and wireless communication innovations to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers.  Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving more than 67 million customers nationwide.  Verizon's Wireline operations include Verizon Business, which delivers innovative and seamless business solutions to customers around the world, and Verizon Telecom, which brings customers the benefits of converged communications, information and entertainment services over the nation's most advanced fiber-optic network.  A Dow 30 company, Verizon employed a diverse workforce of approximately 232,000 as of the end of the first quarter 2008 and last year generated consolidated operating revenues of $93.5 billion.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

Rogers Wireless in Canada is now offering BOGO (Buy one, Get one) to clear out their BlackBerry 8700g stock. So now you can buy any BlackBerry device and get up to four 8700’s free! OR you can buy any BlackBerry device and get $100 off up to four BlackBerry Curve 8310’s. Both these offers of course require a three year contract. See your local Rogers store for details.

[Source]

Bell also launched new data sharing packages allowing the 5 users to share certain amounts of data. For example: $25/4MB, $40/8MB, $60/30MB or $100/1GB (1024MB) then you can add any users over your 5 for just $20/month. Kind of a neat idea for small businesses.  You can find the details over on Bell.

Well its about time but Research In Motion (RIM) and Alcatel-Lucent have signed an agreement for the distribuation of BlackBerry handhelds in China. The first BlackBerry smartphone to ship to China will be the classic BlackBerry 8700, then most likely followed by some newer models. 

“Following our launch of the BlackBerry service with China Mobile, we are very pleased to now enter this smartphone distribution agreement with Alcatel-Lucent and Alcatel Shanghai Bell. Our partnership with Alcatel-Lucent has been very productive in other regions and has been key in our progress to import smartphones into the Chinese market,” said Jim Balsillie, Co-CEO of Research In Motion. “The BlackBerry platform offers robust and unmatched benefits for enterprise customers that wish to enhance mobile productivity and competitive advantage. We look forward to building on the early interest and momentum we are experiencing in China with both multinational and domestic corporations.”

Alcatel-Lucent and RIM Announce Strategic Agreement for the Distribution of BlackBerry Smartphones in China

Paris, France and Waterloo, Ontario - Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU) and Research In Motion (RIM) (Nasdaq: RIMM; TSX: RIM) today announced that the companies have expanded their partnership with the signing of a strategic agreement for the distribution of BlackBerry® smartphones in China. The first smartphone offered to Chinese enterprise customers through this agreement will be the 8700 model.

The announcement coincides with the first shipment of smartphones to distribution networks in China and availability for Chinese enterprise customers in key markets is expected to begin later this year. Alcatel-Lucent achieved certification of the 8700 model for the Chinese market through partnership with TCL Communications, a major mobile device manufacturer in China that holds the Alcatel brand for mobile handsets. RIM and TCL Communications are showcasing BlackBerry smartphones at the PT EXPO COMM CHINA 2007 show in Beijing this week.

“This strategic partnership perfectly matches Alcatel-Lucent’s global presence and strength in the Chinese market with the global awareness and popularity of RIM’s BlackBerry brand,” said Frederic Rose, President of Alcatel Shanghai Bell and President of Alcatel-Lucent’s Asia Pacific activities. “This agreement strengthens the distribution frame agreement that Alcatel-Lucent and RIM signed last year covering Africa, the Middle East, South East Asia and now extends to China.”

“Following our launch of the BlackBerry service with China Mobile, we are very pleased to now enter this smartphone distribution agreement with Alcatel-Lucent and Alcatel Shanghai Bell. Our partnership with Alcatel-Lucent has been very productive in other regions and has been key in our progress to import smartphones into the Chinese market,” said Jim Balsillie, Co-CEO of Research In Motion. “The BlackBerry platform offers robust and unmatched benefits for enterprise customers that wish to enhance mobile productivity and competitive advantage. We look forward to building on the early interest and momentum we are experiencing in China with both multinational and domestic corporations.”

RIM continues to expand its global distribution and the industry-leading BlackBerry solution is now available from over 300 carriers around the world.

About Alcatel-Lucent
Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU) provides solutions that enable service providers, enterprises and governments worldwide, to deliver voice, data and video communication services to end-users. As a leader in fixed, mobile and converged broadband networking, IP technologies, applications, and services, Alcatel-Lucent offers the end-to-end solutions that enable compelling communications services for people at home, at work and on the move. With operations in more than 130 countries, Alcatel-Lucent is a local partner with global reach. The company has the most experienced global services team in the industry, and one of the largest research, technology and innovation organizations in the telecommunications industry. Alcatel-Lucent achieved adjusted proforma revenues of Euro 18.3 billion in 2006 and is incorporated in France, with executive offices located in Paris. [All figures exclude impact of activities transferred to Thales]. For more information, visit Alcatel-Lucent on the Internet: http://www.alcatel-lucent.com

About Research In Motion (RIM)
Research in Motion is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of innovative wireless solutions for the worldwide mobile communications market. Through the development of integrated hardware, software and services that support multiple wireless network standards, RIM provides platforms and solutions for seamless access to time-sensitive information including email, phone, SMS messaging, Internet and intranet-based applications. RIM technology also enables a broad array of third party developers and manufacturers to enhance their products and services with wireless connectivity to data. RIM’s portfolio of award-winning products, services and embedded technologies are used by thousands of organizations around the world and include the BlackBerry® wireless platform, the RIM Wireless Handheld™ product line, software development tools, radio-modems and software/hardware licensing agreements. Founded in 1984 and based in Waterloo, Ontario, RIM operates offices in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. RIM is listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market (Nasdaq: RIMM) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: RIM). For more information, visit www.rim.com or www.blackberry.com.

Forward-looking statements in this news release are made pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  When used herein, words such as "intend" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions made by and information available to Research In Motion Limited. Investors are cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties.  Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements include, without limitation, possible product defects and product liability, risks related to international sales and potential foreign currency exchange fluctuations, the initiation or outcome of litigation, acts or potential acts of terrorism, international conflicts, significant fluctuations of quarterly operating results, changes in Canadian and foreign laws and regulations, continued acceptance of RIM's products, increased levels of competition, technological changes and the successful development of new products, dependence on third-party networks to provide services, dependence on intellectual property rights and other risks and factors detailed from time to time in RIM's periodic reports filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, and other regulatory authorities.  The Company has no intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

The BlackBerry and RIM families of related marks, images and symbols are the exclusive properties and trademarks of Research In Motion Limited. RIM, Research In Motion and BlackBerry are registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and may be pending or registered in other countries. RIM assumes no liability and makes no representation, warranty or guarantee in relation to third party products or services.

Research In Motion (RIM) has been fighting for years to be able to sell their handhelds in China. Eight years later RIM has received the OK to begin selling them. The BlackBerry 8700g will launch in China by the end of the month. They have already received orders for nearly 5,000 devices. 

[Via CrackBerry] 

The CrackBerry team has reviewed a very neat case for the BlackBerry. The OutterBOX BlackBerry cases are available for both the 8700 and 7200 series models. It encases your device making it dust, drop and crush proof in a polycarbonate/ABS body. The best part is you can still do everything with your device such as send/receive calls, write messages and charge it.

The “stylish” OutterBOX case will cost you a whooping $129.99 USD however it’s a great idea for protection in heavy duty environments. Check out OutterBOX.com for details and other cases for iPods and Treo’s just to name a few.