TELUS has become the first carrier in Canada to release the BlackBerry Storm2. TELUS decided to release the 9550, the CDMA version, which is not compatible with their new HSPA+ network. The Storm2 will run you about $199 with contract, or $599 without contract. Included in box with the 9550 is a 16GB memory card! For more details head over to telusmobility.com. We’re hoping to review the TELUS Storm2 within the upcoming weeks so stay tuned for that as well. Also keep an eye out for an announcement from Bell for the Storm2 shortly.

If you text and you text a lot, read on. This app is for you. Textender by BerryCodes is for the individual who gets irritated that when you are typing a text, you are stopped at 140/160 characters and have to send a separate message. Have heart for there is a cure.

Unfortunately, GSM carriers don’t have this issue, it only applies to CDMA carriers. CDMA carriers have a limit on the text messages to 140 or 160 characters. But some of us write some long texts beyond k or cya. Some of us want to send some real messages. So how do you get beyond the frustration of having to shorten a text when you reach the limit and having to send another. Textender is available for $2.99, but is on sale until Nov 30th for $1.49 in the BlackBerry Sync Store or for the full price in the BlackBerry App World.

The description is as follows: Textender will allow a CDMA BlackBerry user to compose and send messages which are beyond the standard 140/160 character limit currently imposed by their carrier. Simply open Textender, type your entire message (no more talking in code to shorten the message) and send! It’s that easy.
CDMA carriers include Verizon, Sprint, Alltel, U.S. Cellular, Bell, Telus, Cricket, and MetroPCS.

The following are the features:

Send messages beyond 140/160 characters

Send to up to 6 recipients at any given time

When selecting a recipient Textender defaults to the mobile number for the contact

Can be accessed while composing a text/sms

Stand alone app which can be assigned to a convenience key

Displays a message count so the user is aware how many messages they are sending

Sent messages will be saved as one whole message in native message app on the BlackBerry

**Please Note: Your carrier will still charge you for the total number of messages sent, not for one message each time Textender is used**

I  installed Textender on my BlackBerry Tour 9630. It installed quickly and was ready to run. The icon is a blue square with a few silver tool icons and the word TEXT across it. When you open the icon the very top says recipient, and the top says 1/6. What this means is that you can continue typing and the six is how long it can run, in how many messages it would be if you texted separately. If you click the Options button you have: Send Text; Add Recipient; Settings; and Copy. Settings is nice as it allows you to extend. Add Recipient allows you to choose recipients out of your Contacts book. The only issue I found with this app is that it does not save your messages. Keep this in mind and make use of the copy. If you exit out before finishing the message, it will be gone. It sends easily and it will show as sent not in your text folder, but in your messages folder. I was surprised with how fast and easily it sent. On the recipient’s phone it comes in as three texts.

Pros: You are able to send longer messages, all in one time seamlessly. You don’t have to worry about the message being broken apart, until it’s sending. The app keeps track of how long and how many messages your message is. It integrates great with your Contact Book and Messages.

Cons: Does not keep your message if you close or back out.

You can grab your copy of Textender v1.0 by BerryCodes for $1.49 from the BlackBerry Sync Store until Nov 30th >

You can also grab your copy of Textender from the BlackBerry App World for $2.99 >

Compatible with OS: 4.5, 4.6, 4.7

Compatible with BlackBerry Devices:  81xx Pearl series, 82xx Pearl Flip series, 83xx Curve series, 8520 (Curve), 87xx series, 88xx World series, 9000 (Bold), 95xx Storm Series 96xx Tour

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Well maybe its not really in the wild, but its in Canada! A couple new photos of the “unreleased” highly secret BlackBerry Storm 9550 for TELUS have leaked. The photos show the CDMA model 9550, sporting EVDO and Wi-Fi, not HSPA like some were hoping. Still no word on when this device is launching, but if you head to nearly any TELUS store you will notice the Storm2 ads inside. We can only assume it will be launching within the next few weeks (maybe November 24th?). Anyway so final confirmation says TELUS will be launching the 9550, not 9520, and it will be running OS 5.0.0.320. Keep checking back for more details when we get them.

[via Mobile Ninjas]

Confirmation of sorts has arrived that Verizon will be launching the BlackBerry Curve 8530, in two colors. The folks at BerryScoop have recevied a image of Verizon’s inventory system showing off the the two skus. Verizon will get the 8530 in both Black and Lavender. The skus are only for dummy (display) phones, so we don’t have any official word on pricing or even a launch date yet. Stay tuned for more info when we get it…

Just to re-cap this will be Verizon’s first BlackBerry with Wi-Fi and most likely OS 5.0. You can read more details here about it.

Once again Twitter/Youtube member Salomondrin has released a new video showing off the un-released BlackBerry Storm 2. The Storm 2 in the review has older software on it, and doesn’t show off the Wi-Fi which the Storm 2 will pack. After watching this seven minute video we didn’t really learn anything new, but its sweet to see another one live in action. Apparently the Storm 2 will run 100 times better than the current version, the Surepress is still there its just been made better. Watch the video below and let us know what you think… Will you check out the Storm 2?

Oh and Yes... This is a CDMA version (it just has an unlocked sim card slot). You will see this device on Verizon, Bell and TELUS.

By now I’m sure you all have seen the recently announced BlackBerry Curve 8520. It’s the new entry level addition to the Curve family, which sports RIM’s new Trackpad navigation, 2 megapixel camera, Wi-Fi and dedicated media keys. Well Boy Genius is confirming that a CDMA variant will defiantly be on its way to Verizon within the next little bit. This is expected to be Verizon’s first CDMA BlackBerry with Wi-Fi! Most likely other CDMA networks such as Bell, Telus and Sprint will see the 8530 (Code-named Aries) as well. Stay tuned for more details when get them…

Here’s a rundown of features expected on the Curve 8530:

• 320×240 resolution screen
• 1xRTT, EV-DO
• QWERTY keyboard
• 2 megapixel camera
• OS 5.0
• Bluetooth
• Wi-Fi b,g

[via BGR and CrackBerry]

I somehow missed this story on the weekend. Boy Genius is reporting that the BlackBerry Storm 2 will be modeled 9550, and will be heading towards Verizon, Vodafone, Bell and Telus. The new Storm 2 is said to bring RIM’s next generation “SurePress” touchscreen with CDMA/Rev. A radio, Quad-band GSM, HSDPA, plus Wi-Fi, GPS, and a 3.2 megapixel camera. It’s going to be a feature packed device sporting OS 5.0 and a high resolution 360×480 display. But wait there’s more! Boy Genius is reporting that the North American GSM model (9520) will be part of the Storm 2 family, and make its way to AT&T and Rogers with a 3G radio. Both models (9550 and 9520) should be heading across the World later this year.

Specs on the Storm 2 “9550″:

• CDMA 1xRTT/EVDO Rev. A
• Quad-band GSM/EDGE
• Single-band UMTS/HSDPA (2100MHz only)
• Wi-Fi b,g
• 3.2 megapixel camera
• 360×480 resolution capacitive screen
• OS 5.0

What do you think? Will you try out the Storm 2, after the mixed reviews on the orginal Storm?

Just after we reported about Engadget getting some hands-on time with the newly announced BlackBerry Tour, We noticed some other sites got to take a peak too. Here’s a quick round up of both Verizon and Sprint branded BlackBerry 9630’s in the wild. Unfortunately for Canadians we haven’t been able to track down any Bell or Telus hands-on, with the exception of the leaked Telus ones a while ago. From these previews it looks like Verizon has decided to go with the black/darker bezel and Sprint the more Chrome look found on the Curve 8900. Anyway enjoy all the previews…

• Engadget hands-on Verizon Tour 9630
• Pocket-Lint has both Verizon and Sprint Tour 9630’s
• ZDNet has the Sprint Tour 9630
• CrackBerry has a Tour 9630 Pre-Release model

Now with all these hands-on previews a lunch must be getting “fairly close”. Also if you find any other previews of the Tour that we missed please let us know…

Just a week or two after Verizon announced they would be launching the BlackBerry Pearl Flip, it’s become available officially. Starting today you can purchase the Pearl Flip 8230 from Verizon for only $79.99 with two year contract (after rebates). Verizon has launched the 8230 in an all silver colour and its expected they will be launching pink verison within the next few weeks. For more details on the Verizon Pearl Flip visit verizonwireless.com.

Sprint felt a little left out last night with the BlackBerry Tour announcements so they posted their micro site this morning. Sprint has announced they will be rocking the BlackBerry 9630 sometime this summer as well. Sprint took it one step further and even announced pricing! Sprint’s expected to release the Tour this summer for $199 with two year term after rebates. Of course this means Verizon will probably be around the same. If you’re a Sprint fan go register at the link below to be notified when its ready!

Get more details at Sprint.com/Tour >

Sprint Press Release:

The New BlackBerry Tour Smartphone Launches on America’s Most Dependable 3G Network to Create a Powerful Mobility Tool for Those on the GoThe BlackBerry Tour smartphone from Sprint offers access to America’s most dependable 3G network, plus 2100 MHz UMTS/HSPA and quad-band EDGE/GPRS/GSM support for international roamingOVERLAND PARK, Kan.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Jun. 16, 2009– With the new BlackBerry^® Tour™ smartphone from Research In Motion (RIM) (Nasdaq: RIMM; TSX: RIM) available from Sprint (NYSE: S) on America’s most dependable 3G network¹, staying connected won’t be a worry domestically, or when you travel around the world.

The BlackBerry Tour smartphone is a powerful mobility tool that operates on Sprint’s nationwide 3G (EV-DO Rev. A) network domestically. It also roams on other high-speed wireless networks around the world for reliable voice and email communication without missing a beat.

The BlackBerry Tour is a sophisticated smartphone that enables customers to be more productive and better equipped to manage both their busy personal and business lives. It is ideally suited for those who want to stay socially connected, and lets you share moments through pictures and videos via MMS and instant message on popular IM services or BlackBerry^® Messenger. It also offers easy access to your favorite social networking sites like Flickr^®, MySpace and Facebook^®, and you get smooth integration between the BlackBerry Tour smartphone and your Facebook events and friends giving you a great view of what’s happening both personally and professionally. This is the most powerful business smartphone in Sprint’s line-up with instant access to emails, calendar, contacts, robust business applications and location-based services, leveraging the best performing networks both domestically and abroad.

“The BlackBerry Tour is a sophisticated and powerful smartphone that will enable customers to be more productive and better equipped to manage their busy business and personal lives; and global travelers can rest easy knowing Sprint has a solution to keep people connected wherever their travels may take them,” said Kevin Packingham, senior vice president – Product Development, Sprint. “Particularly compelling for world travelers will be the performance enabled by combining the new feature-rich BlackBerry Tour with Sprint’s 3G network and some of the world’s other most robust voice and data networks.”

No one has a larger voice calling area than Sprint. The Nationwide Sprint Network (inclusive of roaming) reaches more than 304 million people in the United States, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, with a Sprint calling plan that includes roaming. Additionally, the Sprint 3G Network, the nation’s most dependable 3G network, is faster in more places than AT&T’s 3G network², and Sprint has more than 20 times the coverage of T-Mobile’s current 3G network, based on square miles.

The BlackBerry Tour smartphone comes with a vibrant high-resolution display (480 x 360 at 245 ppi) plus intuitive trackball navigation, a large, full-QWERTY keyboard, corporate and personal email with attachment viewing, calendar, integrated address book and up to 16 GB of expandable memory with a microSD/SDHC card.

It also includes a 3.2 MP camera with variable zoom, auto focus, flash and image stabilization able to capture crisp pictures and video. It comes pre-loaded with the Sprint Music Store, Sprint TV^®, Sprint NFL Mobile Live and NASCAR Sprint Cup Mobile, and features an advanced media player for playing video and music files, plus a 3.5 mm stereo headset jack and support for the Bluetooth® stereo headsets (A2DP/AVCRP). The BlackBerry Tour smartphone also has built-in GPS and supports location-based services.

The BlackBerry Tour will be available at Sprint stores, www.sprint.com and 1-800-Sprint1 later this summer for $199.99 with a new line of service or eligible upgrade, two-year service agreement and $50 instant rebate and $100 mail-in rebate. Additional savings may be available to business customers through their Sprint account manager.

For more information on BlackBerry Tour smartphone, visit www.sprint.com/tour or www.blackberry.com/tour.

International Travel

The BlackBerry Tour operates domestically on the Sprint 3G network, and globally on 2100 MHz UMTS/HSPA and quad-band EDGE/GSM/GPRS networks where Sprint has international roaming agreements. With this handset, Sprint customers have the power to make or receive phone calls in more than 185 countries and access BlackBerry^® data services including email and Web browsing in nearly 150 countries.

International Service Plans

Sprint offers clear value and simplicity with its Worldwide BlackBerry^® service plan. The Worldwide BlackBerry plan gives customers unlimited BlackBerry email and Web access in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and other locations using CDMA technology, and with GSM/GPRS carriers abroad where Sprint has applicable roaming agreements. The plan is available for $69.99 per month, or just $40 per month (excluding taxes and surcharges) as an attachable to Simply Everything^SM, Everything Data, Everything Data Family or Business Essentials with Messaging and Data.

Sprint international voice roaming rates range from $0.59 to $5.99 per minute, depending on where customers are calling. Customers making frequent calls while in Canada can take advantage of a specific service plan for $2.99 per month which allows calls to be made and received at $0.20 per minute. Additional pricing plans are available exclusively to enterprise customers.

Customers also have the option of using a third-party SIM for international voice and data services.

About Sprint Nextel

Sprint Nextel offers a comprehensive range of wireless and wireline communications services bringing the freedom of mobility to consumers, businesses and government users. Sprint Nextel is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying innovative technologies, including two wireless networks serving nearly 49 million customers at the end of the first quarter of 2009; industry-leading mobile data services; instant national and international push-to-talk capabilities; and a global Tier 1 Internet backbone. For more information, visit www.sprint.com.

The BlackBerry and RIM families of related marks, images and symbols are the exclusive properties and trademarks of Research In Motion Limited. All other marks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.

¹ Most dependable claim based on independent, third-party drive tests for 3G data connection success, session reliability and signal strength for the top 50 most populous markets from January 2008 to February 2009. Not all services available on 3G and coverage may default to separate network when 3G unavailable.

² Speed claim based on total network size, sq. miles, multiplied by network upload/download speed capability. User’s speed experience may vary.

³ Coverage comparison based on publicly available information as of 4/1/09 inclusive of Sprint roaming partners. Based on square miles.”

Source: Sprint Nextel