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?

There you go! CrackBerry has just completed the first hands-on of the unreleased BlackBerry code-named Onyx. The Onyx has been talked about for a few months now. It’s NOT the touchscreen QWERTY BlackBerry, but rather a more traditional device featuring a 3G radio with Wi-Fi, GPS, and 3.2 megapixel camera. Its expected that this model may actually become part of the Tour family joining the CDMA 9630.

Here is a list of known features:

• 3G device – GSM/GPRS/EDGE/UMTS (Bands: 850, 900, 1800, 1900)
• 480 by 360 display, beveled edges
• 256 megabytes of internal memory (same as Curve 8900, 8520)
• 1550mAh M-S1 battery (same as Bold)
• 3.2 megapixel camera, with flash and auto focus
• GPS and Wi-Fi

At this time the processor speed isn’t exactly known but its expected to be a little faster than the Bold’s 624MHz one. No ETA as to when this device will be released, but stay tuned for more details coming within the next little bit.

Vodafone UK has just released OS 4.7.0.141 officially for the GSM BlackBerry Storm 9500. So if you have a Storm 9500 you can install this OS on your device. Apparently it seems to be working great so far! The good news is this is an official OS update directly from RIM. If you would like details on how to install an OS please click here. If you do end up installing it please post a comment below letting us know how it works out for you.

Download OS 4.7.0.141 for Storm 9500 from the Vodafone RIM Site >

GSM carriers never have an issue allowing a BlackBerry to send long texts. If it’s long, it will automatically break it into 160 character chunks. The term for this is Extended/Multipart SMS. It might break it into six messages, but you only pay for one. This is not supported on CDMA BlackBerry models such as the BlackBerry Storm, Curve 8330, etc. So this includes: Alltel, Bell, Sprint, Telus, and Verizon Wireless.

For those of us who love long texts but have a CDMA carrier, Cannon Soft has announced their solution for you. It is called Beyond160, v1.0.0. The application will automatically break up the texts into 160 character messages, and it will send them in order through the normal sms outbox with delivery confirmation. The application does have a fourteen day trial period. Be aware that although GSM carriers will charge as one text, CDMA carriers will charge per message. This means if you do not have an unlimited text plan, and the message is broken into three messages, you will be charged for three messages. So if you find yourself typing long messages, trying them to shorten them, don’t fret, just download Beyond160 today.

Beyond160 v1.0.0, by Cannon Soft can be downloaded from here.

Minimum requirement:

Compatible OS:  4.2, 4.3, 4.5, 4.6

Compatible BlackBerry Devices: 7130c, 7130e, 7130g, 7130v, 8100 (Pearl), 8110 (Pearl), 8120 (Pearl), 8130 (Pearl), 8220 (Pearl Flip), 8300 (Curve), 8310 (Curve), 8320 (Curve), 8330 (Curve), 8350i (Curve), 8700c, 8700f, 8700g, 8700r, 8700v, 8703e, 8705g, 8707g, 8707h, 8707v, 8800, 8820, 8830, 8900 (Curve), 9000 (Bold), Curve, Pearl.

Purchase Beyond160 for only $6.99 from The BlackBerry Sync Store >

[via: BerryReview]

The first part of Boy Genius’ BlackBerry 9630 “Niagara” review has been posted. His review includes some nice new pictures that show this hot little puppy! We won’t go into great detail of his review you can find it here. On big note on this review is that he is using a beta unit with a early OS version (presumably 4.7.1.10) so for the most part he can only review the hardware. Here is the conclusion to the review which sums the device up pretty well:

We went through this with the Storm review and we told most of you to wait for the 9630. Most of you didn’t listen and you’re bitching everyday about your Storm. It’s ok, we’re here to help. Basically, to you know, not beat around the bush. Verizon + 9630 = the best BlackBerry experience on the planet. This is the phone you’ve been waiting for. Smash those Storms, donate them to charity, sell them on eBay or give them to your significant others you want to slowly and cruelly torture. This is it as far as Verizon goes. We said the Storm was the best phone on Verizon (hey, everything is relative, ok?) and this obviously takes it a step further. In its complete buggy state probably more than 3-4 months away from release, this is going to be the big seller on Verizon when it launches. There’s not a single person who wouldn’t want this phone. Young, old, black, white, rich, poor, disabled, not disab… never mind.

I think the question on everyone’s mind at the moment is when the 9630 will be available and who will carry it first…

A new picture has surfaced of what is being called BlackBerry “Gemini” 8325. It’s a cross between the two Curve series 8300 and 8900. The Gemini is rumored to feature OS 5.0 with a 320×240 high resolution display, Quadband GSM/EDGE, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g and possibly N, 2.0 megapixel camera (ew really?) and of course the Curve’ s full QWERTY keyboard. It’s expected that this will be the first device to launch with OS 5.0 sometime later this year. Basically it seems that its just a slightly updated Curve 8320 is a flasher body.

I really hope they decide to put a 3G radio in this thing…

Our friends at BlackBerry Cool have received a great tip on the rumored Rogers BlackBerry Storm 9520. Looks like its still in the works and should be coming fairly soon. The BlackBerry Storm 9520 will feature 3G HSDPA and Wi-Fi packed into that clickable body. No word on exact launch dates or pricing but stay tuned and we’ll let you know as soon as we find out more.

1.  Download and install Microsoft NET Framework 2.0

2. Download and install Blackberry desktop manager v4.7.0.32

3. Download and install Blackberry Operating System

4. Delete the vendor.xml file located in c:\program files\common files\research in motion\apploader

5. Download and install MFI Multiloader.

6. Open MFI Multiloader shortcut on your PC and wait until shows up as:

7. Then your phone should be like this on screen:Unlocking a BlackBerry Pearl

8. Open Blackberry Desktop Manager on your PC and read how to update/reinstall BlackBerry Operating System explained below. How To update/ReInstall BlackBerry Operating System ? Connect your device to your computer. Open the BlackBerry® Desktop Manager. Click Application Loader. Click Start in Add/Remove Applications or Update Applications. If necessary, perform the following actions: If the Device Security Password dialog box appears, type your device password. Click Next. If the Communication Port Selection dialog box appears, specify a communications port. Click Next. Click Next. Perform any of the following actions: To add an application that appears in the list, select the check box beside the application. To add an application that does not appear in the list, click Browse. Double-click an application loader (.alx or .ali) file. Click Next.

9. Click Finish.

10. Congratulations, your BlackBerry unlock is done for free! You can now replace your SIM and memory card and set up your phone the way you like it.

Find all the links over at IntoMobile

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]

Thanks to the latest round of spy shots, those of you who were concerned you wouldn’t be able to get your hands on a BlackBerry Storm unless you went to Big Red (aka Verizon) have been saved. Apparently RIM will be releasing a European only model of the Storm with GSM/EDGE/UMTS/HSDPA only. This model will be simply just BlackBerry Storm 9500. Check the full specs of the 9500:

• 7.2 mbps HSDPA/UMTS (2100/1900/850 MHz)
• Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE (850/900/1800/1900 MHz)
• 1GB of memory, 192MB RAM
• 1400 mAhr battery. Standby time: 528 hours
• MicroUSB port
• MicroSD and MicroSDHC expandable up to 8GB
• 3.2 megapixel camera, flash, 2.5x digital zoom, auto focus, and image stabilization
• Video capture. Normal mode (480×320) and MMS mode (176×144)
• Assisted GPS – Enhanced version of GPS that performs at a faster speed

This means you should be able to unlock the BlackBerry 9500 and use it on other carriers such as Rogers, Fido, T-Mobie and AT&T. Anyone really excited now??

[Source]