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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As you can tell it keeps getting closer and closer. The BlackBerry 8830 is now plastered all over the Telus web sites. Today we noticed a very large banner on Telus.com saying “BlackBerry 8830 World Edition. Backed by TELUS.” Then when you click for details you get the promo page.

We have new information which tells us the 8830 will be instores next month (June). The price tag still that lovely $499 with three year contract. Stay tuned for more details.

Ok so we are beginning the wonder what the hell is going on… Telus has not made a official announcement nor has RIM that they will be carrying the BlackBerry 8830 World Edition, although they have already started advertising it on their site. If you visit TelusMobility.com today you will notice the 8830 cleary right on the main page along with the promo page showing the device for $499 with a 3 year contract.

We aren’t 100% sure when they will announce it however we know it’s coming real soon…

Small little update: They changed the picture on the main page to show what the Telus theme will look like on their 8830.

It appears that UK carrier O2 has officially launched the BlackBerry Curve. While no official launch has come from any other carriers, O2 is offering the BlackBerry Curve your first one free with contract/service then each other handset is only £51.06.

Details on O2 site

Did we miss something? NO official announcement came out from either Rogers or RIM that we could find yet Rogers Wireless now is offering the Red Pearl. It’s the same price at $249 with 3 year contract. With all the news about the 8300 and 8830 over the past few weeks maybe RIM forgot to tell us about the Red Pearl coming to Canada? Who knows.

Details over at Rogers.com

Now both Bell and Telus in Canada have announced the BlackBerry 8830 World Edition. According to a file sent to us from a employee of Telus they have officially spread the word on the new 8830.

From Telus announcement:

Whats new?
• International roaming on GSM/GPRS (900/1800 MHz)
• Trackball navigation
• Improved battery life
• Voice-activated dialling
• Removable micro SD memory

Details from the release don’t give us an exact release date however its expected to be priced at $499 with three year contract. They say watch this summer for the release. Stay tuned for a official press release from Telus today.

Read the full story

Boy Genius has posted on his site an internal document from at&t comparing both the GSM BlackBerry 8800 and it's CDMA cousin the 8830 (soon to offered by Verizon and Sprint). This sheet compares the two side by side and also very openly admits that AT&T will in fact be seeing a 8820 with Wi-Fi in Q3 of 2007. So whats the big differences you ask? The BlackBerry 8800 will feature a more powerful processor 312MHz processor where as the 8830 will have a 225 MHz processor, They claim the 8830 doesn't have GPS in it however we believe it will, The 8800 will have PTT (push to talk) and the 8830 won't, other than that talk and stand by time (seems the 8800 wins, yet again). However the 8830 does provide much faster data with EV-DO. Click on the picture to see the full table.

(Click for full size)

 

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