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.

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]

A new rumor has arrived that TELUS will be launching the anticipated BlackBerry Storm2 9550 on November 24th. This would be almost one year on the dot since TELUS first launch the Storm 9530. The new Storm2 will be a new CDMA smartphone, and will not be compatible with their HSPA network, which launches on November 5th. There is no word on pricing yet, but at least we have a rumored release date. Stay tuned for more details when they arrive…

[via The Mobile Ninjas]

We don’t know why TELUS was a little behind in the news yesterday, but they got around to announcing the BlackBerry Bold 9700 is coming soon. TELUS plans to release the new Bold 9700 with their HSPA network, along side Bell early next month. TELUS joins most of the larger networks in North America with this launch. No pricing or exact release date has been announced as of yet. Rogers is expceted to release this device at $299 with three year term, we imagine TELUS will come in a little cheaper. Stay tuned for us to get more details.

TELUS to offer the BlackBerry Bold 9700 in November

TORONTO, Oct. 21 /CNW/ – TELUS today announced that it will be offering the BlackBerry Bold 9700 in November, the latest 3G smartphone from Research In Motion (RIM).

“The new BlackBerry Bold 9700 will offer both our business and consumer clients an amazing mobile experience,” said David Neale, senior vice-president of Product and Services at TELUS. “TELUS is focused on smartphone leadership for the benefit of our customers, and to that end we offer a comprehensive line-up of state of the art smarphones to meet our customers’ need to stay connected, informed and entertained on the go. The BlackBerry Bold is definitely a great addition to our smartphone selection.”

The BlackBerry Bold 9700 smartphone offers top-of-the-line performance, functionality and features with support for 3G HSDPA networks around the world, a next-generation (624 MHz) processor, 256 MB Flash memory, built-in GPS and Wi-Fi, 3.2MP camera and, a sharp, dazzling display and a premium finish. Its cutting edge engineering and premium finishes extends to the exterior of the handset as well, with the new model integrating apremiere of BlackBerry’s new touch-sensitive trackpad and added to the highly tactile, distinctive, fretted keyboard found in RIM’s premium full-QWERTY handsets. Chrome highlights and a leatherette back add to the new smartphone’s sleek and elegant look, while the narrow profile, balanced weight and soft-touch frame allow it to sit comfortably in one hand.

“The new BlackBerry Bold 9700 delivers state-of-the-art features and performance in a compact and beautifully designed handset,” said Don Morrison, Chief Operating Officer at Research In Motion. “This sleek and powerful 3G smartphone offers an incredibly refined mobile experience that is ideal for both personal and professional use.”

    Features of the BlackBerry Bold 9700 smartphone from TELUS include:

    -   Sleek design measuring 109 mm x 60 mm x 14.1 mm and weighing just 122
        grams
    -   Sharp and dazzling 2.44" (62mm) light-sensing display (480 x 360
        resolution at 245 ppi)
    -   Highly tactile, full QWERTY keyboard - with finely sculpted keys and
        chrome frets - for fast, accurate typing
    -   Innovative touch-sensitive trackpad that allows intuitive and
        responsive navigation
    -   Built-in Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g)
    -   3.2 MP camera with variable zoom, autofocus, flash and video
        recording
    -   256 MB of Flash memory
    -   microSD/SDHD memory card slot that supports up to 16 GB cards today
        and is expected to support 32 GB cards when available; a 2GB card is
        included
    -   Media player for videos, pictures and music, plus support for
        BlackBerry Desktop Manager for both PCs and Macs, and BlackBerry
        Media Sync for easily syncing iTunes and Windows Media Player music
        with the smartphone*
    -   A 3.5 mm stereo headset jack, dedicated volume controls, Lock and
        Mute keys seamlessly integrated across the top of the handset
    -   Access to BlackBerry App World, featuring a broad and growing catalog
        of mobile applications developed specifically for BlackBerry
        smartphones; categories include games, entertainment, IM and social
        networking, news, weather, productivity and more.
    -   Premium and easy-to-access phone features, background noise
        suppression technology and high quality speakerphone
    -   Bluetooth (2.1) with support for Secure Simple Pairing, hands-free
        headsets, stereo headsets, car kits and other Bluetooth peripherals
    -   HSDPA and quad-band EDGE support for global roaming
    -   BlackBerry OS 5.0, offering users email management and calendar
        enhancements(xx) as well as a better browsing experience with faster
        JavaScript and CSS processing
    -   BlackBerry Internet Service and BlackBerry Enterprise Server support
    -   Removable, rechargeable 1500 mAhr battery that provides approximately
        6 hours of talk time and 17 days of standby time in 3G mode

    Additional information about pricing and availability will be shared in
the coming weeks.

    -------------
    *  Certain music files may not be supported, including files that
         contain digital rights management technologies.
    (xx) Some features require BlackBerry Enterprise Server 5.0

It only seems right after 4 of the major networks in North America confirmed they would be getting the new Bold, that TELUS did the same. Our friends over at MobileSyrup has confirmed that TELUS will be launching the new Bold 9700 to go hand and hand with their HSPA network next month. Unfortuantly there is no word on pricing yet, however earlier today Rogers did say when they launch the 9700 it will run you about $299 with three year term. Either way we still are yet to see an official press release from TELUS. Stay tuned when we do find one…

The Mobile Ninjas managed to score a couple great shots of the un-released BlackBerry Bold 9700 (Onyx) and Apple iPhone running on TELUS’ new HSPA network. Recently TELUS announced that they would be launching their new HSPA network this November, and that it would cover 93% of Canada. Even though they announced the network they have been fairly quiet on what devices they plan to release. All we know officially is that TELUS will get the iPhone, and hopefully they will follow Bell and launch the Bold 9700. Anyway enjoy a these two quick pics of the TELUS network up and going.

It’s been rumored for a while, but Boy Genius has officially confirmed that Bell will be launching the BlackBerry Bold 9700 this November. Bell plans to launch the Bold 9700, along with several other high-end devices (Bold 9000, iPhone 3G/3GS, Omina 2) with their new HSPA network. Bell is said to be switching on their HSPA network early November, and shipments of the new Bold 9700 start October 30th. This is awesome news for fellow Canadians… Now I wonder when and what TELUS will be launching?

Forget about the Tour! Looks what a Bell ninja found in Bell’s inventory system… It’s a HSPA BlackBerry listed as the Bold 9700. Do you know which model we’re talking about? It’s the BlackBerry Onyx. Looks like Bell’s plans to move into HSPA are moving along quite nice, with a launch expected by the end of the year. It’s still way to early to talk about pricing, but its sweet to know that Bell is working on getting the Onyx. Now where is Rogers and TELUS?

[via Mobile Syrup & HowardForums]

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]