BGR scored some great tips about upcoming launches on Verizon Wireless for BlackBerry devices. Apparently the Pearl Flip 8230 will be launching almost anytime (June at the latest) followed by the BlackBerry Tour 9630. The tipster also claims that (take a deep breath) Verizon will be launching another model to go along with the 9630 called Atlas, which will feature Wi-Fi. We aren’t too sure on that rumor yet but stay tuned. Apparently any BlackBerry models launched after the Tour (see Storm 2) will include Wi-Fi. The Storm 2, which has been floating around the internet will apparently feature Wi-Fi as well, plus some sort of new touch screen (most likely still with some clicking to it). Watch out for more details as they arrive…

[Source]

DevelopIQ will be releasing their 7digital MP3 Music Store for BlackBerry smartphones this summer. It’s going to be nice to be able to download DRM-free music, and how this store works is you can download OTA low fidelity version of the song (low quality) but as soon as you are in a Wi-Fi area, it will download the high fidelity version.

From the description, this MP3 music store allows you to browse, search, discover, and purchase your high quality mp3 music, which will be replaced in a Wi-Fi area with the better quality version. I know this will greatly enhance Wi-Fi capable phones, but what about the BlackBerry phones without Wi-Fi capability?

Features are:

No information is currently available as to what handsets or os are compatible with the Music Store. If you would like more information, you can sign up so you can be notified of the application release by heading over to  7digital>.

[via BerryReview]

TELUS’ iDEN brand Mike has been in need of a serious BlackBerry update! People with dying 7520 and 7100i’s were feeling hopeless until today. TELUS introduced the hot new BlackBerry Curve 8350i featuring Wi-Fi, full QWERTY keyboard, 2.0 megapixel camera, OS 4.6 and of course Push To Talk (PTT). You can pick up the new Mike BlackBerry for only $249.99 with three year contract or $599 without starting today.

TELUS today also introduced new Mike smartphone data plans, which start at only $30/month and give you unlimited email, IM and web browsing or $45/month with unlimited email, IM, web browsing, text messaging, caller ID and voicemail.

For complete details head on over to telusmobility.com >

T-Mobile will be launching three more colored BlacKBerry models on their network come October 15th. The three new colors include “Frost”, “Black Emerald”, and “Indigo”. The three new models are still the BlackBerry 8120 so they will be packing Wi-Fi, 2.0 megapixel camera and OS 4.5?

You should be able to get these hot new colors on or shortly after October 15th.

[Source: BGR]

Rogers this morning released the Wi-Fi equipped BlackBerry 8820. This is the second BlackBerry packing Wi-Fi to go along with their UMA service. The BlackBerry 8820 is be rocking a crazy price tag of $399 with three year term or $499 outright. The 8820 will be available in most stores and online early next week.

Rogers Wireless this morning announced the launch of the UMA (Wi-Fi) packing BlackBerry Pearl. The BlackBerry Pearl 8120 features UMA support for Rogers Home Calling Zone, a UMA based service which allows Rogers customers to make unlimited local calls while in their Wi-Fi area.

The Pearl 8120 features a 2.0 megapixel camera, external microSD memory card slot and of course the Pearl 2's newer design. The BlackBerry Pearl 8120 is available for $249.99 with three year contract and a $15 subscription to Rogers Home Calling Zone. One quick thing we should note Rogers says this model comes with Documents to Go on it… Skip over for the full press release.

UPDATE: Looks like the price has been changed to $149.99 with three year contract. A reader messaged me and said it looks like the Rogers 8120 might be the first BlackBerry to ship with OS 4.5 as well.

Rogers and RIM Launch the UMA-Enabled BlackBerry Pearl 8120 Smartphone

With Rogers Home Calling Zone, a wireless router and a high-speed Internet connection, customers can use the same phone inside and outside the home

TORONTO, ONTARIO and WATERLOO, ONTARIO–(Marketwire – June 4, 2008) – Rogers Wireless (TSX:RCI)(NYSE:RCI) and Research In Motion (RIM) (NASDAQ:RIMM)(TSX:RIM) today introduced the new BlackBerry(R) Pearl(TM) 8120 smartphone to customers in Canada. The new smartphone supports Rogers Home Calling Zone, a UMA(i)-based service from Rogers that enables customers to make unlimited voice calls over a wireless Internet connection(ii). Rogers is the first carrier in Canada to offer UMA services with its new Rogers Home Calling Zone.

The new service leverages the dual-mode Wi-Fi(R) and cellular capabilities of the BlackBerry Pearl 8120 smartphone for both cellular and home calling. Rogers Home Calling Zone works by connecting calls through a voice optimized wireless router over a high-speed Internet connection when at home and can seamlessly switch to the cellular network when out of range – offering seamless mobility and the ultimate in convenience. Customers can use the BlackBerry Pearl 8120 smartphone inside and outside the home, making it easier to stay connected how and when they want, while effectively managing their phone costs.

"Rogers Wireless is proud to add the BlackBerry Pearl 8120 to our extensive lineup of BlackBerry phones, and especially to our innovative Home Calling Zone service, a Canadian first," said John Boynton, SVP and Chief Marketing Officer, Rogers Wireless. "With the UMA-enabled BlackBerry Pearl 8120, not only will our customers have the benefits of RIM's world-renowned push email solution, they can also experience the flexibility and convenience using their BlackBerry phone for both home and away, with Rogers Home Calling Zone."

"In addition to Wi-Fi connectivity for both voice and data, the BlackBerry Pearl 8120 smartphone offers rich multimedia features and the industry's leading mobile messaging capabilities in an amazingly compact and stylish design," said Mark Guibert, Vice President, Corporate Marketing at Research In Motion. "The Rogers Home Calling Zone service adds another valuable dimension to the customer experience and helps make the new BlackBerry Pearl 8120 an ideal phone for both personal and business use."

Available in an attractive titanium-coloured finish, the BlackBerry Pearl 8120 smartphone from Rogers features:

– An ultra-sleek design measuring 107mm x 50mm x 14mm and weighing approximately 91 grams

– Built-in Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g) with support for Rogers Home Calling Zone service

– 2 megapixel camera with 5x digital zoom, built-in flash and video recording capability

– Advanced media player perfect for pictures, music and videos, and support for High Speed USB 2.0 for quickly transferring files between a PC and the smartphone

– An externally accessible microSD/SDHC expandable memory slot for additional storage (8GB microSDHC cards are now available)

– Support for downloading music directly from the Rogers MusicStore

– The Rogers Do More portal enabling access to a variety of mobile applications for business and personal use

– Instant messaging with BlackBerry(R) Messenger, Google(R) Talk and Yahoo!(R) Messenger

– Support for the Facebook(R) for BlackBerry(R) Smartphones application, which enables fast, streamlined and optimized mobile access to the popular Facebook social utility

– DataViz(R) Documents to Go(R) allowing users to edit Word and PowerPoint files on the handset

– An enhanced visual interface that makes text and web pages more visually appealing

– Premium phone features including enhanced noise cancellation to offset background noise, a low-distortion speakerphone, and Bluetooth(R) (2.0) support for hands-free use with headsets, car kits, stereo headsets and other Bluetooth peripherals

– SureType(TM) keyboard system, including new word completion and spell check features

– BlackBerry(R) Desktop Manager software, which includes Roxio(R) Media Manager for BlackBerry(R), a powerful media manager application that allows users to easily manage media files on their computer and transfer them to the smartphone

– BlackBerry(R) Internet Service support that allows access to up to 10 supported personal and corporate email accounts, including most popular ISP email accounts

– BlackBerry(R) Enterprise Server support for enterprise deployments with advanced security and IT controls

The BlackBerry Pearl 8120 from Rogers Wireless also comes with a variety of in-box accessories including stereo headset, travel charger and 1GB microSD memory card.

Rogers Home Calling Zone

With Rogers Home Calling Zone, customers can use the BlackBerry Pearl 8120 to make unlimited voice calls, when in their home calling zone. For $15 per month customers can make unlimited local calls, or for $20 per month customers can make unlimited local and Canada-wide long distance calls. Calls seamlessly transfer between UMA and cellular networks, and calls originating over UMA do not count against a customer's monthly allotment of voice minutes.

Pricing & Availability

The BlackBerry Pearl 8120 retails for $249.99 with activation on any combination of 3 year voice plan and 3 year BlackBerry data plan from Rogers. Some conditions apply.

For more information on the BlackBerry Pearl 8120 smartphone, please visit www.blackberrypearl.com or www.rogers.com/8120. For more information on Rogers Home Calling Zone service, please visit www.rogers.com/homecallingzone.

Word has it Canada's Rogers Wireless is getting set to pick up one maybe two new Wi-Fi enabled BlackBerry smartphones. We know that RIM has been testing both models over the past five months or so. If Rogers picks up both these new BlackBerry smartphones they will go great with their new UMA service (Rogers Home Zone). 

Stay tuned for more details as they come in. 

Apparently Sprint-Nextel’s CEO Dan Hesse announced at CTIA 2008 that Nextel will gain a Wi-Fi iDen BlackBerry. This new BlackBerry will replace Nextel’s old school BlackBerry 7100i. Unfortunately thats all we know but hopefully RIM pulls something tough out.

[Source]