Sprint has just launched the OS 4.5 upgrade for the BlackBerry Pearl 8130 and Curve 8330. They launched OS 4.5.0.131 for both models, however they skipped OS 4.5 for the 8830 World Edition. Keep in mind you don’t need to have a Sprint model to install this OS on your 8130 or 8330 just remember to delete the vendor file. For details on how to install it click here.

Also we should add according to BGR, this OS upgrade for Sprint users enables MMS picture and video messaging!

Download from the Sprint BlackBerry Download Site >

First there was a stock shortage on the BlackBerry Storm, now there seems to be one on the Curve 8330. According to Mobile Syrup, Bell has doubled their three year contract price in order to save a little stock on the BlackBerry Curve 8330. They have told employees to offer the free Pearl 8130 before showing the Curve due to the stock issues. So for now if you really want a Bell Curve you will have to dish out $99.95 for that three year term.

So what is Verizon making room for?

The Holiday Shopping season is now starting in full swing. The competitive pricing on BlackBerry smartphones is here. Both Bell and TELUS both now have their popular BlackBerry Pearl 8130 for $0 with three year term and Rogers is offering their new BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8220 for only $24.99 with three year term as well.

Let’s take a quick peak into the deals between the big three and see who is winning.

Bell: Currently offering Pearl 8130 for $0 (in four colors) and Curve 8330 for $99 (two colors) with three year terms.

TELUS: Currently offering the same pricing as Bell. Free Pearl 8130 (choice of 5 colors) and $99 Curve 8330 (choice of 3 colors) with three year terms.

Rogers: Currently offering Pearl Flip for $24.99 (choice of two colors), Curve 8320 (one color) for $99, Bold 9000 for $199, Pearl 8110 or 8120 for $49, Curve 8310 (three colors) for $99 all with three year terms.

Virgin Mobile: Currently only offering the Pearl 8130 in one color for $0 with three year term. Should be offering the Curve 8330 sometime this month as well.

Then of course if you wait just a little bit you should be able to pick up a BlackBerry Storm 9530 from either Bell or TELUS for an unknown price..

After you pick up your new BlackBerry smartphone head on over to The BlackBerry Sync Store and get it setup with hot new accessories and software!

While many are painfully waiting the launch of the BlackBerry Storm on TELUS. They have added two new BlackBerry smartphones to their lineup, however neither are the Storm. TELUS has added two more color Pearl 8130’s – Blue and Red. This means TELUS now offers five colors of the popular Pearl smartphone (Silver, Pink, Black plus Blue and Red).

Pricing is currently set at $499.99 with no contract and $49.99 with a three year contract.

See more at telusmobility.com

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]

We’ve received a very solid tip that TELUS’ release date for the BlackBerry Storm 9530 is set for November 17th (unless RIM pushes it back). If this is right TELUS would have a five day exclusive over Bell here in Canada. The tipster also is reporting that TELUS will charge users .50 cents per stream of Youtube clips, however if the client has certain data packages with web browsing (not known which ones at this time) then Youtube streaming will be included. Last but not least TELUS will be introducing both Red and Blue BlackBerry Pearl 8130’s early next month.

UPDATE: The tipster has sent in a few more details… Below is a picture of the two new colored Pearl 8130’s. Apparently the Storm is expected for November 17th, however RIM may still be working on software patches. Unfortunately no more details are available as of now. I guess we will have to play the waiting game…

Stay tuned for more details…

Read more details on the BlackBerry Storm >>

US Cellular is the first carrier in the United States to launch OS 4.5 for the CDMA Curve 8330 and Pearl 8130. They have launched OS 4.5.0.66 for both units and its now available for download on USC’s BlackBerry download page. Keep in mind you don’t have to have a USC BlackBerry you can find details on how to install it here.

The folks from OtterBox messaged me the other day and reminded me that I haven't posted a review yet for my BlackBerry Pearl 2 OtterBox case. This time instead of writing the review after a few days I decided to put the case threw a test for a month or so. Check out how the case performed…

If you remember we gave a few of these cases away and every single person we gave them to had positive things to say about them! Over the past three weeks I've been using the OtterBox case on my Pearl and I must say after a night on the town the case sure took a beating. The OtterBox cases are designed with three layers of protection:

• Layer 1: Thermal formed protective clear membrane to safeguard screen and keyboard against scratching as well as dust and dirt* (layer optional depending on the level of ruggedization desired).
• Layer 2: Hi-impact polycarbonate shell.
• Layer 3: Silicone skin absorbs bump and shock (silicone includes innovative retaining features to hold it in place).

Now because the case does make your BlackBerry a little bigger it does come with its own durable Plastic Holster with the magnet for standby mode and locking (just like the OEM ones). Check out our pictures of the OtterBox case a few drops and bumps.

 

You can purchase the OtterBox Defender Case for the BlackBerry Pearl 8110, 8120 and 8130 for only $49.95 USD. The case is available in either all Black or Black/Yellow combo. You can purchase the case at OtterBox. Also while shopping over at OtterBox don't forget to check out their Avon Breast Cancer Crusade cases designed for the Apple iPod Nano and iPhone.

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5

Where did the OtterBox loose points? Although the OtterBox is designed to bring lots of protection we do find the case a little too bulky for everyday use. The price is around $50 dollars which some people may find high, however you will understand why once you see the case. Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

I've been testing a beta version of RIM's upcoming OS 4.5 for my BlackBerry Pearl 8130. While no exact time frame is known for this new OS upgrade it is expected to come VERY soon. First off you won't notice any crazy new additions to the UI or anything. Continue reading to see the changes and pictures…

Depending on how much you use your BlackBerry you will notice a few small changes. I've snapped some screen shots and listed the changes I noticed below:

• FIRST OFF! Volume up and down now control the music (skip or back)
• Camera and video camera interface has changed a little
• Geotagging (puts GPS location on photo) is coming in the new OS
• Documents to Go only comes with Word and Powerpoint so far. You can't make new sheets only edit existing ones.

Stuff that currently isn't working (but should be fixed for the full release):

• I couldn't get the geotagging feature to pickup my GPS yet…
• You can select words via the ALT key at the moment
• Voicenotes can't be played
• The camera is slow at saving pictures