If you’ve recently picked yourself up a BlackBerry Storm2 and have been looking for a great case, we have good news for you! OtterBox has just released three new cases including the Impact, Commuter and Defender Series. Any of these cases are available at OtterBox.com, and shortly from the BBSync Store.

TELUS has become the first carrier in Canada to release the BlackBerry Storm2. TELUS decided to release the 9550, the CDMA version, which is not compatible with their new HSPA+ network. The Storm2 will run you about $199 with contract, or $599 without contract. Included in box with the 9550 is a 16GB memory card! For more details head over to telusmobility.com. We’re hoping to review the TELUS Storm2 within the upcoming weeks so stay tuned for that as well. Also keep an eye out for an announcement from Bell for the Storm2 shortly.

Ever wish you could shake your Storm, like an iPhone? A fun new app called ShakeItUp allows just that. ShakeItUp allows you to shake your Storm to compose an email or text, launch music player, or shake to shuffle your music while playing. It’s available in the BlackBerry Sync Store for only $3.99. It runs on the BlackBerry Storm (anything from OS 4.7 to 5.0). Check it out in the BlackBerry Sync Store. Click on over to see a video of the app in action!

Quick, easy, and fun way to initiate common BlackBerry applications such as Email, SMS, and the mblware ‘Shake & Shuffle’ Music Player.

Shake your BlackBerry Storm to open the app, then choose to compose an email, sms a contact, play a random song, or open the Shake & Shuffle music player.

To shuffle through songs using the mblware ‘Shake & Shuffle’ Music Player, simply ShakeItUp, and your Storm will pick another song from your SD Card.

RobLock by Xim Technologies, LLC, has released it’s next version, and it’s only available to Verizon US handsets. I’ve done a review on RobLock before, as it’s a security app that is reasonably priced and keeps your BlackBerry safe. It is theft recovery software complete with data backup solution.

Now here’s what the absolute 2.0 features:

GPS and cell based device tracking, using Google Maps; the ability to communicate with your lost or stolen phone by SMS, email, or web interface; be alerted by sms or email if the SIM card is changed; the ability to recover your contacts from a lost phone; remote wipe the ENTIRE device AND media card; remote lock and alarm; remote call back; remote popup text messages; does not require BIS/BES for complete wipe.

Now here’s where 3.0 is different. It has a unique backup system. It has remote backup and restore; view and export backup online; schedule automatic backups; restore to a new device; and secure data handling on top of the RobLock Theft and Recovery System. For recovery, we’re talking calendar, tasks, memo, up to fifty emails, and your contacts.

As I have the absolute v2.0 of RobLock, they notified me about their newest version, so I had to try this out. I have to admit, it’s impressive. While v2.0 is only $9.95, the newer v3.0 for Verizon has three tiers of pricing. $2.95 per month, $15.95 bi-annually, or $27.95 per year. Not bad when you think about the backup system and the security it provides.

I downloaded this version on my Tour 9630, and it went very smooth. I was able to download it with no issues whatsoever. Upon installation, it’s red button icon. You have to set an acct online and on the phone. After setting up the account, the icon will open with your password to reveal the Roblock Theft Recovery System and the Roblockup Data Backup Solution. You have backup and restore. In the Theft Recovery System, you can even have an email contact to email for your phone.

Now should you lose your phone or if it gets lost, you are given different options. You can lock the phone with or without a siren, wipe it, even have the phone silently call you in hopes that you may be able to figure out who has your phone, or where it is by it’s surroundings. Even better, how bout tracking it GPS?  You can change the device, you have the power on your phone. And you have options to back up information. It’s a great solution for on hand backup, for protecting your mobile information, and knowing it’s safe.

Using the Control Panel, I couldn’t wait to put it to the test. After registering and activating the account, you open it up and you have the Overview. This is general information such as the email, the phone, Connection, Profile, Subscription, and change device.

Next is your Commands. First is Where. You can see the coordinates of your phone, first by tower information and then by GPS information. Next is Lock Phone and you have the choices of with or without alarm. Now even if it’s on vibrate or mute, you can be sure the alarm will still sound and it will be loud! The police siren is a nice finishing touch. Next is Unlock. This allows the previous command to be taken off. Next is Remote Wipe, and thankfully you have to confirm before you do, so just checking out the control panel won’t erase your phone. Next is call back and this is where you have your phone call another phone. It’s silent so if it’s stolen, the thief has no idea. Display Text, this one is really fun. You can display what you want the person to read and the text will appear in the front of the phone. Of course all these commands show you as they are being directed to the handset, and also if they are successful. I successfully tested each one, except to wipe my handset. It was really impressive how fast it works. Tracking my BlackBerry was fun, and it was neat to see tower information.

Last is Backup. You can view backup you have already created. There is BackUp Now so you can decide what you are going to back up: Memo, Calendar, Contacts, Call Log, Tasks, and Mail. There is Restore Backup so you can decide what will be returned. Last is the Scheduler so you can decide when to back up on a regular basis.

Overall, RobLock is very easy to use and extremely convenient. v3.0 is currently available to Verizon handsets, but hopefully will be open to other handsets as well. It’s easy to use on your phone and on the PC, and has the options. I tested. I can see this as an asset to anyone who is interested in security on the phone. Again, strictly for security.

If you currently have a Verizon Wireless BlackBerry, you are able to subscribe to the service, and if not, v2.0 absolute is available still.

You can download RobLock v3.0 for monthly, bi-annually, or annually here >

You can download RobLock v2.0 absolute for $9.95 here >

For more information, feel free to read more on RobLock by Vapssky here >

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Well maybe its not really in the wild, but its in Canada! A couple new photos of the “unreleased” highly secret BlackBerry Storm 9550 for TELUS have leaked. The photos show the CDMA model 9550, sporting EVDO and Wi-Fi, not HSPA like some were hoping. Still no word on when this device is launching, but if you head to nearly any TELUS store you will notice the Storm2 ads inside. We can only assume it will be launching within the next few weeks (maybe November 24th?). Anyway so final confirmation says TELUS will be launching the 9550, not 9520, and it will be running OS 5.0.0.320. Keep checking back for more details when we get them.

[via Mobile Ninjas]

A new rumor has arrived that TELUS will be launching the anticipated BlackBerry Storm2 9550 on November 24th. This would be almost one year on the dot since TELUS first launch the Storm 9530. The new Storm2 will be a new CDMA smartphone, and will not be compatible with their HSPA network, which launches on November 5th. There is no word on pricing yet, but at least we have a rumored release date. Stay tuned for more details when they arrive…

[via The Mobile Ninjas]

OtterBox hasn’t wasted any time with this one, today they announced the upcoming launch of BlackBerry Storm2 cases. OtterBox will release three different cases (Impact, Commuter and Defender series). The cases will range anywhere from $19.95 to $49.95, and will be available at OtterBox.com and in the BlackBerry Sync Store soon. Having troubles deciding which OtterBox case is right for you? Check out some of our reviews of OtterBox products. Register for launch information at OtterBox.com.

We don’t know what took them so long, but Verizon finally announced the upcoming release of the BlackBerry Storm2 9550. Verizon says the Storm2 will be landing in stores on October 28th for $179.99 with contract, after mail-in rebates. So all is good and all the Storm chasers out there can finally get their hands-on a Verizon Storm2 later this week. Who’s going to grab one??

Here’s a quick rundown of the key features on the new Storm2:

• Smooth design and premium finish with sloped edges, chrome accents,
  glass lens and stainless steel backplate
• Large (3.25″), dazzling high-resolution 480 x 360 display at 184 ppi
• Capacitive touchscreen with integrated functions (Send, End, Menu,
  Escape) and new SurePress technology that makes clicking the display
  practically effortless
• 3G and global connectivity support for making phone calls in more than
  220 countries and accessing data in more than 185 countries (with more
  than 80 destinations in 3G)
• Network Connectivity: EV-DO Revision A; UMTS/HSPA (2100 MHz); and
  quad-band EDGE/GPRS/GSM networks
• Supports Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g)
• 256 MB of Flash memory
• 2 GB of onboard media storage and a microSD(TM)/SDHD memory card slot
  with a 16 GB card included

A Powerful New Storm Rolls Onto Verizon Wireless’ Network on Oct. 28

BASKING RIDGE, NEW JERSEY and WATERLOO, ONTARIO–(Marketwire – Oct. 26, 2009) – Verizon Wireless and Research In Motion (RIM) (NASDAQ:RIMM)(TSX:RIM) today announced that the BlackBerry(R) Storm2(TM) smartphone will be available in Verizon Wireless Communications stores, online at www.verizonwireless.com, and through business sales channels beginning Oct. 28. The BlackBerry Storm2 with BlackBerry(R) OS 5.0 evolves the BlackBerry(R) touchscreen platform with hundreds of hardware and software enhancements – including new SurePress(TM) “clickable” display technology and built-in Wi-Fi(R) – delivering the exceptional multimedia experience and communications capabilities customers have come to expect from their BlackBerry smartphones.

Key Features:

-   Smooth design and premium finish with sloped edges, chrome accents,
glass lens and stainless steel backplate
-   Large (3.25″), dazzling high-resolution 480 x 360 display at 184 ppi
-   Capacitive touchscreen with integrated functions (Send, End, Menu,
Escape) and new SurePress technology that makes clicking the display
practically effortless
-   3G and global connectivity support for making phone calls in more than
220 countries and accessing data in more than 185 countries (with more
than 80 destinations in 3G)
-   Network Connectivity: EV-DO Revision A; UMTS/HSPA (2100 MHz); and
quad-band EDGE/GPRS/GSM networks
-   Supports Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g)
-   256 MB of Flash memory
-   2 GB of onboard media storage and a microSD(TM)/SDHD memory card slot
with a 16 GB card included

Software Updates on BlackBerry Storm2:

-   Features BlackBerry OS 5.0, which includes typing accuracy and selection
improvements, as well as usability and visual enhancements such as
inertial scrolling, spin boxes that make it easier to set dates and
times, gradient shading on buttons, and more use of animation
-   BlackBerry(R) Browser is improved with faster JavaScript and CSS
processing as well as support for Gears and BlackBerry Widgets
-   Customers running BlackBerry(R) Enterprise Server 5.0 will gain the
ability to set follow-up flags, manage e-mail folders, access remote
files (Windows Shares), forward appointments, view calendar attachments,
and more

Additional Features and Specifications:

-   3.2 megapixel camera with autofocus, Image Stabilization (IS), flash and
video recording capabilities
-   Premium and easy-to-access phone features, background noise suppression
technology, loud distortion-free speakerphone and face detection
(proximity sensor) that prevents accidental clicks and blanks the screen
while the customer is on the phone
-   Media player for videos, pictures and music, plus support for BlackBerry
Desktop Manager for both PCs and Macs, and BlackBerry(R) Media Sync, for
easily syncing Windows Media(R) Player music with the smartphone(i)
-   3.5 mm stereo headset jack and dedicated volume controls
-   Bluetooth(R) (v2.1) capable with support for Secure Simple Pairing,
hands-free headsets, stereo headsets, car kits and other Bluetooth
peripherals
-   Built-in GPS for maps and other location-based applications, as well as
photo geotagging; and Verizon Wireless’ VZ Navigator(SM) service is
pre-loaded
-   V CAST Music with Rhapsody
-   Access to BlackBerry App World(TM), featuring a broad and growing
catalog of third-party mobile applications developed specifically for
BlackBerry smartphones, with categories including games, entertainment,
IM and social networking, news, weather, productivity and more
-   Support for Verizon Wireless’ Mobile Broadband Connect tethering service
-   Removable, rechargeable 1400 mAhr battery that provides up to 5.5 hours
of talk time or up to 11.2 days of standby time

Pricing and Availability:

-   The BlackBerry Storm2 smartphone is available beginning Oct. 28 for
$179.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer
agreement on a voice plan with an Email and Web feature or an Email and
Web for BlackBerry plan. Customers will receive the mail-in rebate in
the form of a debit card; upon receipt, customers may use the card as
cash anywhere debit cards are accepted. Data plans for the BlackBerry
Storm2 smartphone begin at $29.99 when added to any Nationwide voice
plan.

In case you missed the news this week Verizon’s internal blog has been updated, and the BlackBerry Storm2 9550 launches in just a few days. According to the screen shot that CrackBerry received Verizon will be launching the new Storm2 on October 28th. Pricing is expected to be around $179 with contract, after mail-in rebates. So anyone who has their hopes up of getitng a Storm2 before the end of the month… Your odds are good. More details will follow shortly.

Would you look at that… Best Buy USA’s mobile catalog shows the BlackBerry Storm2 9550 for Verizon. This catalog comes out on October 25th, which means that if the rumors have been true all along Verizon may be releasing it around that time. No word on pricing from Best Buy just yet. Looks like they also have a small misprint as well. The 2 is missing from Storm2. Doh!

[via CrackBerry]