Yesterday we reported about the possibility of a AWS-capable BlackBerry Pearl 9100 heading to networks like T-Mobile and Wind Mobile. At first it was thought to be a separate model of the Pearl 9100 designed only to work on these networks, but Boy Genius has decided to set everyone straight. Apparently all newer 3G BlackBerry smartphones such as the Bold 9700 and the upcoming Pearl 9100 are one single model, and not designed separately for North American or European markets. This means that the Bold 9700 that lets say AT&T or Rogers carries is the exact same as the one that T-Mobile or Wind Mobile carries. RIM has created a single chip for pretty much all 3G bands out there, and when flashed (by RIM) with the carrier branding the device is only good for those bands. This allows RIM to cut back on producing multiple models for every band. Cleaver eh? If you want to read more about this head over to the Boy Genius Report.

Oh, and in case you were wondering… No you can’t buy a Wind Mobile BlackBerry 9700 for $450 (without contract) and use it on another GSM carrier. Once RIM flashes the device with the bands the carrier users, you can not change it.

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The day I received my Bold 9700 I knew it needed protection. It was so shiny and had that beautiful chrome bar at the top of the phone. I knew the first time I drop it, I would be crushed. About a week after getting my Bold I received both the Commuter and Impact series cases from OtterBox. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I’ve owned an OtterBox for every smartphone I’ve had, and I’m glad to have it protecting my Bold. Click on over to see the rest of this review…

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With the launch of Android, WebOS, and of course the iPhone, the current BlackBerry OS is starting to feel a little obsolete.  It’s only a matter of time before RIM’s starts working on a refresh, and with any luck at all OS 6.0 will bring that. Boy Genius is reporting about a tip he received saying RIM plans to release OS 6.0 sometime next year, and that RIM is working on OS 5.2 for a release later this year. Considering it took so long to release OS 5.0 I’m not setting any high expectations of seeing this anytime soon. But let’s all hope RIM’s OS 6.0 really kicks ass.

The original BlackBerry Pearl series was a crazy popular device, and there is no doubt in my mind that RIM’s upcoming Pearl 9100 will be the same. New rumors are flying around that RIM will release a variant of the Pearl 9100 with 1700MHz 3G bands that would work on T-Mobile in the United States, and Wind Mobile in Canada. Both carriers use different 3G bands than carriers like AT&T, Rogers, TELUS and Bell. It is expected that RIM will still release a “North American” version on the new Pearl 9100 for AT&T and friends.

First off, a big thanks to Charlotte and Kevin from SMobile for this exclusive. Today I had the opportunity to speak in conference call with Kevin Thomas, Vice President of Business Development of SMobile Systems, and the security concerns of the Apple iPad coming aboard to the Mobile World. There’s a lot of excitement, a lot of anticipation of the great things Apple has in store, but what about the risks? Continue Reading

It’s that time again. It looks like Google Talk, Yahoo, Windows Live and AOL messengers are now ready to be updated. This doesn’t include Facebook or MySpace, or even BBM. Keep in mind a happy BlackBerry is one that’s updated. There’s usually a reason why there’s an update available. Currently the version available is 2.5.32

There are a few ways to get your updates. First, you can go through the BlackBerry App World.

• AOL Instant Messenger
• Google Talk
• Windows Live Messenger
• Yahoo Instant Messenger

Or you can go through the BlackBerry Mobile site itself from your BlackBerry browser. The easiest way to find it is to go to Bookmarks, from Bookmarks click on BlackBerry Help. From there, scroll down to Communicate and click the link below that reads Instant Messaging.

• AOL Instant Messenger
• Google Talk
• Windows Live Messenger
• Yahoo Messenger

“Hello, this is MotoMania letting you know that the warranty on your vehicle is about to expire, and we can renew today “(to a 15 year old’s phone) “Hi, marketing annoyances here, we’re offering a buy ten get one free magazine subsciption today for the low price of $500, how does that sound?”  Sound familiar? Well now there’s been a new privacy app released that has launched in Canada called PrivacyStar, by First Orion.

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When I saw this theme, I swore I heard Madonna’s “Vogue” playing in the background. This theme is clean. and perfect for the woman who loves her Coach brand. Great colors and icons, it emulates a Coach bag for sure, from the exterior to the interior.

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It’s been a while since we’ve covered any BlackBerry OS leaks, but we are going to fix that. Early this morning a new OS leaked for BlackBerry Curve 8530 users. The new OS is 5.0.0.463 which is a huge step up from the .386 that was first leaked (and .336 that was released by TELUS and Bell). Follow the links below to download this leaked operating system. Please remember that this is not an official OS for BlackBerry (yet) and no one is responsible for any issues you may occur during installation. So install it at your own risk.

Download OS 5.0.0.463 for BlackBerry Curve 8530 from Megaupload

[via BB Leaks]

I’m referring to biometrics of course. Al Sacco of CIO, posted a great article, and it’s entitled: “Why Fingerprint Scanning Via TrackPad Could Be An IT Nightmare”. The article refers to the well-known security safeguards of the BlackBerry devices and that of the BlackBerry Enterprise Server corporate mail server.

RIM has recently filed a USPTO patent application that looks like RIM is going to be adding another security feature to it’s BlackBerry devices. Imagine this, a fingerprint scanner built right into the very trackpad of your BlackBerry.

There’s a history of the patent that’s evolved. Back in May of 2004 RIM filed a patent called “Apparatus and method of input and finger print recognition on a handheld electronic device.” April of 2009 they filed a related patent. This is interesting as it looks like RIM has been with that concept and idea a while.

The article also states the field and background content of the patent. It also includes that RIM introduced new API’s within some of the newest BlackBerry JDE development toolsets for “fingerprint biometric data”.

Al also related it to his experience with his ThinkPad laptop and that it became an issue for IT when several users didn’t get the device to recognize their fingerprint.

I would think this would be a BES feature to protect sensitive information, or government employees. I’m curious and looking forward to how this will be integrated, who will be endowed the feature, and how many issues will it present. I have to admit, the trackpad is a whole lot easier than the trackball, though I do love my trackball most of the time. I will miss it when I have to give it up, though the possibilities ahead are intriguing to say the least.

You can read the article by Al in detail at CIO. The article has diagrams, and is more in depth. So let us know what you think. Is the fingerprint scanner a thumbs up or thumbs down feature?

[via: CIO]