It’s been trickling into Verizon stores for a few weeks now, and it’s finally available! Verizon has officially launched the BlackBerry Curve 8530, in two color options – Black or Violet. Starting today you should be able to grab the Curve 8530 for $99.99 with two year term, after rebates. See verizonwireless.com for more details…

It’s no secret that the BlackBerry Curve 8530 is heading to Verizon, and now rumors have arrived that some Verizon stores have started to receive their accessories for the new Curve. It’s expected that Verizon will officially put the Curve 8530 on sale November 20th, therefore it only makes sense that accessories are starting to flow into stores now. Is anyone here interested in grabbing the new Curve with Wi-Fi and optical Trackpad from Verizon?

[via CrackBerry]

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

Look what came out of hiding! The BlackBerry Curve 8530 has just been announced officially by RIM. Not too long after it was announced we saw press releases from both Verizon and Sprint, in the United States. The new Curve 8530 sports a newer style body, with trackpad navigation, Wi-Fi, dedicated music keys and GPS. Sprint is yet to announce pricing or a release date, however Verizon says they will be launching it on November 20th for $99.99 with contract, after rebates.

Press  Release:

Verizon Wireless Introduces the BlackBerry Curve 8530 Smartphone

New Smartphone Features 3G Connectivity, Built-In Wi-Fi and GPS, Touch-Sensitive Trackpad and Dedicated Media Keys

BASKING RIDGE, N.J., and WATERLOO, Ontario – Verizon Wireless and Research In Motion (RIM) (NASDAQ: RIMM; TSX: RIM) today introduced the BlackBerry® Curve™ 8530 smartphone, an exciting new addition to the BlackBerry Curve series of smartphones. The slim BlackBerry Curve 8530 smartphone gives customers access to Verizon Wireless’ 3G network, built-in GPS and Wi-Fi capabilities, as well as easy access to music, games and other mobile apps for entertainment on the go.

Available colors: Black and Smoky Violet

Key features:

• Easy-to-use, highly tactile, full QWERTY keyboard and touch-sensitive trackpad for reliable, responsive typing and navigation
• 256 MB flash memory and 528 MHz next generation processor for enhanced performance
• Supports voice-activated dialing and Bluetooth® (version 2.1), with support for hands-free headsets, car kits, stereo headsets and other Bluetooth peripherals
• 3G-enabled (EV-DO)
• Built-in Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g)
• GPS with support for location-based applications, including geotagging pictures and Verizon Wireless’ VZ NavigatorSM service
• 2.0 megapixel digital camera with zoom and video recording*
• Advanced media player for music, pictures and videos, with dedicated media keys and a 3.5 mm stereo headset jack, plus BlackBerry® Media Sync, which makes it easy to quickly sync music from your computer to the smartphone**
• Access to BlackBerry App World™, featuring a broad and growing catalog of third-party mobile applications developed specifically for BlackBerry® smartphones. Categories include games, entertainment, social networking and sharing, news and weather, productivity and much more
• Access to e-mail, messaging (IM, SMS, MMS) and popular social networking sites (including Facebook and MySpace)
• Rich multimedia capabilities, including dedicated media keys smoothly integrated along the top of the handset, giving customers an easy, convenient way to control their music and videos
• Support for BlackBerry services with access to up to 10 supported e-mail accounts, including most popular ISP e-mail accounts such as Yahoo! ®, Windows Live™ Hotmail®, AOL® and Gmail, and BlackBerry® Enterprise Server support, which provides advanced security and IT administration features for corporate deployments
• Expandable memory via hot swappable microSD™/SDHC memory card slot, supporting up to 16 GB cards today and expected to support next generation 32 GB cards when available

Pricing and availability:

• The BlackBerry Curve 8530 smartphone is expected to be available from Verizon Wireless beginning Nov. 20 for $99.99 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 Curve 8530 smartphone begin at $29.99 when added to any Nationwide voice plan.
• For information on Verizon Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or go to www.verizonwireless.com.

* Video recording requires microSD card, sold separately
** Certain music files may not be supported, including files that contain digital rights management technologies

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.

It’s finally starting to roll out, Last night RIM released the first official version of OS 5.0 for the BlackBerry Storm 9530. The OS available is 5.0.0.328, and is said to feature a number of key updates to enhance overall performance from the keyboard and rotation. You can start downloading the update as of now by visiting one of the links below. Keep in mind anyone can install this update, even if you don’t have a Verizon one. Simply just put in a phone number, and download the file. After downloading be sure to follow these steps to remove the vendor.xml file and your all good.

Download the file at vzw.smithmicro.com/blackberry or blackberry.com/update.

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]

Woot! It’s getting closer. Some Verizon stores have already started to receive BlackBerry Storm2 9550 Display Units, and Accessories. We still have not even seen an official release from Verizon or RIM yet, but it’s expected VERY soon. So if there is any Storm chasers out (and we know there is!) sit back and relax you should be able to get their hands on the new Storm2 within the next few weeks… Until then enjoy some pictures courtesy of CrackBerry.

Ronen from BerryReview has just posted some updates to the Storm 2 launch for both Verizon and Vodafone. Apparently Vodafone UK will be launching the Storm 2 (9520) on October 15th (just a few days away!), followed by Verizon launching the Storm 2 (9520) on October 25th or so. Now Ronen also goes on to say that he received a tip that RIM will not be launching the 9520, the 3G version of the Storm 2 in the USA. With any luck we might see the 9520 hit Canadian shores for a HSPA launch on Bell and TELUS? Although its kind of doubtful.

So I guess we will have to sit back and wait to see if these dates are true.