Everyone’s favorite BlackBerry app Facebook is due to get upgraded to version 1.5 in early 2009. Recently RIM introduced the new MySpace application for BlackBerry and it allows users to do more than the Facebook one. Not to mention if you take a look at the iPhone’s Facebook application it kills the BlackBerry one. Maybe and Facebook will release a special version for the Storm?

[Via CrackBerry]

Our TELUS ninja has reported that TELUS’ Mike iDEN network will finally see a new BlackBerry soon. The BlackBerry Curve 8350i is the new addition to the iDEN BlackBerry lineup (joining the 7100i and 7520i). It will feature Wi-Fi, OS 4.6, Direct Connect (PTT) and a little more ruggid but similar design to the current Curve 8300 series. Unfortunantly for now this ninja doesn’t have an exact release but they are expecting it to come soon with tons of accessories to make it a more consumer friendly market.

So what do you think? Will TELUS introduce two BlackBerry smartphones (Storm and iDen Curve) in the month of December or will they wait until early next year??

Thanks, Frogger

News have arrived that Bell managers received a email last week stating that they would be launching the BlackBerry Storm 9530 shortly after Verizon does. Verizon is expected to launch their Storm on November 21st. The interesting part about the email is that Bell is saying “Bell & Telus will receive the device for sale at the same time.”

Bell requires all BlackBerry Storm quizzes to be cfompleted by December 5th. Therefore this could mean that the Storm will be available on both Canadian carriers around December 8th or so. Stay tuned for more details as we get closer…

[Via MobileSyrup]

Great news for those in the United States! The BlackBerry Curve 8900, which was previously code-named Javelin has been approved by the FCC. This means that technically the Curve 8900 could go on sale almost any time in the United States. So the next part is to try and guess who will have the Curve 8900 out first - T-Mobile or AT&T?

FCC Reports

The Boy Genius has got his hands on a slide from Verizon Wireless. It shows that the BlackBerry Storm 9530 will start launching November 20th for high-value clients then followed by availability for the general public on November 24th. Storm’s will be available in 123 Coporate Verizon stores with apparently a ton on hand.

Pricing still hasn’t been announced, however its expected to be around $199 with two year contract.

Verizon has a test site known as “testman” which previews different parts of the website before its officially updated online. Well if you take a peak over at the site it seems that they have put the BlackBerry Storm on the site and have all the pricing ready.

Here is a breakdown of what the prices are currently showing on the VZW site. One thing we should note is that even though it says BlackBerry 9530 World Edition at the top the description does talk about the 8830 World Edition and if you look at the pricing for the 8830 its exactly the same.

$219.99 with two year contract
$289.99 with one year contract
$519.99 with no contract / month to month

So this is looking good for a release very very soon. Stay tuned for an official announcement from Big Red aka Verizon soon.

[Source]

Looks like Verizon’s hosting a private sale of the BlackBerry Storm for select customers on November 17th until 21st. Details have been sent to a select amount of customers to pick up the all new Storm for an undisclosed price. We can’t see the release being too far behind for the general public! We want in Verizon. We want in!

[BBNews]

Previously we reported that TELUS would be launching the BlackBerry Storm on November 17th. However that there may be a possibility of delay. Well more tips have arrived stating that RIM has delayed the launch of the BlackBerry Storm for TELUS until early December. Apparently TELUS will still be the first to launch the Storm in Canada.

The latest rumored release dates include anywhere between December 4 to 8th. Its a small delay but at least we will see it for Christmas. Stay tuned if we get more details…

Big thanks to all the TELUS ninjas who reported this!

Some interesting news arrived today. The FCC has approved a GSM only version of the BlackBerry Storm, this is not the 9530 World Edition which will be seen by Verizon. It seems this GSM only Storm will be packing WCDMA 2100 and will be very similar to Vodafone’s Storm 9500.

At this point we aren’t too sure what networks may see the GSM only Storm, but keep in mind Rogers is suppose to get a Storm varriant next year… AT&T or T-Mobile can’t be too far behind.

FCC Page

[Via BGR]

Bell Canada’s own little budget brand Solo Mobile is getting set to launch their first BlackBerry smartphone. Solo will be launching the BlackBerry Pearl 8130 in white near the end of this month. Pricing is expected to land around $49 with three year term. Solo will offer similar data plans to both Bell and TELUS, however will also offer voice and data package combos.

More details should arrive closer to the end of the month.

[Source]