This one has me excited because I’ve always been a fan of my 8830 World Edition even though its been replaced by several newer models. Boy Genius got new details about the rumored BlackBerry Niagara, which in the past was rumored to be called Bold 9030 or 8930. Well it’s not going to be either according to one of BGR’s sources, the BlackBerry code-named Niagara will be modeled 9630 and seems it will pack tons of stuff except Wi-Fi. The Niagara is gurentueed to be a World Edition BlackBerry featuring CDMA EV-DO with Rev. A, Quad-band GSM with EDGE for roaming, 3.2 megapixel camera (with possibly a camera-less model), and OS 4.7.1 (maybe even 5.0 depending on the release date). Also the browser should be a little more updated to support Javescript 1.6 (that’s a little better)… As for a release date the source could not confirm that but with any luck at all you will see it around May or June on Verizon and possibly a few others? ;-)

Great news for BlackBerry 8830 World Edition users! OS 4.5 is now official, Bell Mobility is the first carrier in North America to bring the new OS 4.5 to the 8830 smartphone. Even though this OS is designed for Bell users it can by installed on any 8830 from Verizon, TELUS, etc.

BlackBerry Handheld Software v4.5.0.177 (Multilanguage)

Package Version: 4.5.0.177
Consisting of:

• Applications: 4.5.0.127
• Software Platform: 3.4.0.20
• File name: 8830AMEA_PBr4.5.0_rel177_PL3.4.0.20_A4.5.0.127_Bell_Mobility.exe
• File size: 81.37MB

Note: The Software Platform and Applications version numbers can be found under Options-About screen on the handheld.

Download it from Bell’s BlackBerry Software Site >

[via BBForums]

[via CrackBerry]

Verizon has officially announced the BlackBerry Storm will be available starting November 21st at all corporate and retail channels. The Storm will be priced at $199 with two year contract. Rumor has it Verizon has a mass amount of stock ready to go around.

Now that Verizon has announced the launch of their Storm. Bell and TELUS in Canada can’t be too far behind either…

Verizon BlackBerry Storm Page

The Boy Genius has got his hands on a slide from Verizon Wireless. It shows that the BlackBerry Storm 9530 will start launching November 20th for high-value clients then followed by availability for the general public on November 24th. Storm’s will be available in 123 Coporate Verizon stores with apparently a ton on hand.

Pricing still hasn’t been announced, however its expected to be around $199 with two year contract.

Verizon has a test site known as “testman” which previews different parts of the website before its officially updated online. Well if you take a peak over at the site it seems that they have put the BlackBerry Storm on the site and have all the pricing ready.

Here is a breakdown of what the prices are currently showing on the VZW site. One thing we should note is that even though it says BlackBerry 9530 World Edition at the top the description does talk about the 8830 World Edition and if you look at the pricing for the 8830 its exactly the same.

$219.99 with two year contract
$289.99 with one year contract
$519.99 with no contract / month to month

So this is looking good for a release very very soon. Stay tuned for an official announcement from Big Red aka Verizon soon.

[Source]

Previously we reported that TELUS would be launching the BlackBerry Storm on November 17th. However that there may be a possibility of delay. Well more tips have arrived stating that RIM has delayed the launch of the BlackBerry Storm for TELUS until early December. Apparently TELUS will still be the first to launch the Storm in Canada.

The latest rumored release dates include anywhere between December 4 to 8th. Its a small delay but at least we will see it for Christmas. Stay tuned if we get more details…

Big thanks to all the TELUS ninjas who reported this!

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 >>