AT&T today launched OS 5.0.0.405 for the BlackBerry Bold 9700, a significant upgrade (in a build perspective, at least) from the stock 5.0.0.296 installed at launch.  It can be installed directly from RIM’s website, or from your device using the “Wireless Update” tool.  When you upgrade your Bold, give us a shout in the forums and let us know how it went!

Via: CrackBerry

After what seemed like a long wait, Sprint customers can order the Curve 8530 at the company’s website, or if you can find one that has them in stock, retail stores.  Featuring 3G connectivity, OS 5.0, Wi-Fi, and a 2.0-megapixel camera, the device can be had for $49.99 after mail-in rebates.  Anyone passing up the Tour for the Curve?

Via: PhoneDog

This morning, North American BlackBerry BIS users woke up to e-mail troubles.  In a statement, RIM acknowledged the outage:

“Some BlackBerry customers in North America may be currently experiencing delays receiving e-mail.  Our technical teams are working to resolve this issue. for those impacted.  Phone services, browsing, and PIN-to-PIN messaging are not impacted.  We apologize for any inconvenience.”

As of 4:00 EST, RIM claims that the issue had been resolved, however e-mail is still delayed for me (and the others that I’ve spoken to).  How’s your e-mail?  Sound off in the comments section!

Via: Engadget Mobile, PhoneDog

Days after reporting on the beta version of the software, Beejive v2.0 is official.  A trial version can be found at www.beejive.com/download, and the application can be purchased at www.beejive.com/buy.  Among other things, new features of Beejive 2.0 are support for OS 5.0 and the Storm series, different chat styles, Facebook chat, push notifications, a refined user interface, and more.  If you purchase Beejive prior to January 1, 2010, the individual device license is $9.95 (normally $19.95) and a transferable user license is $14.95 (normally $29.95).

The full press release is after the break.  Stay tuned for my full review!

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I’ve been using the ifrogz Ear Pollution Timbre headphones for the past few weeks, and for a sub-$50 pair of headphones, I’m incredibly impressed.  I’m not a headphone junkie by any means, but I have one requirement: they have to fit into my ears.  My actual ear lobes are incredibly small (picture not included, sorry), and most headphones (Apple’s, Delta’s in-flight earphones (bleh), and others) don’t work well for me.

The ifrogz pair not only fit my ears well, but they block out most background noise while the music is playing.  Thanks to the wood chambers, bass was natural and music sounded excellent.  Whether it was Michael Bolton, Bobby Brown, or some variation of rap music, the headphones performed admirably.  For calling purposes, the headphones worked fine with my iPhone, Palm Pre, Motorola DROID, BlackBerry Bold 9700, and Palm Pixi.  I’ve been using the version with the in-line microphone ($49.99), and have tested them during several conference and personal calls.  On both fronts, I’ve never had a complaint about the other party not being able to hear me.  Whenever I’ve asked “hey, just wondering, can you hear me?,” all comments have been positive.

If you’re like me and scoff at paying a great deal of cash for a pair of headphones, the ifrogz Timbre headphones are just for you.  They’re not too pricey, but are fantastic in the sound department.  Whether you use them as a dedicated solution for your BlackBerry, or use them for your computer, you shouldn’t be disappointed.

The product page can be found on ifrogz website.  More pictures after the break!

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Featuring some minor updates.  OS 5.0.0.55 is now official in the BlackBerry App World and at www.blackberry.com/messenger.  Go get ‘em, tigers – and discuss in the forums!

Via: CrackBerry

If you ship through UPS on a regular basis and own a BlackBerry, your life is about to get a bit easier.  UPS today announced their BlackBerry application, which will be arriving tomorrow in the BlackBerry App World and at www.ups.com/blackberry.  Through the application, you can track packages, create shipping labels, find UPS locations, and get quotes.  What’s more, a user ID gets you access to your address book and payment options.

I use FedEx almost exclusively, but if UPS is your preferred shipper, get your download on tomorrow and let me know what you think!

Via: IntoMobile

Thanks to the great folks at RIM, we’ve been given a BlackBerry Bluetooth Headset HS-500 to give away to our loyal readers!  Here’s the product description:

The BlackBerry Bluetooth Headset HS-500 fits comfortably in the ear, allowing users to keep in touch on their BlackBerry (or other Bluetooth-enabled phone) while keeping both hands free to pay a toll, sip their coffee and most importantly, steer the car! The headset integrates with third party GPS mapping applications, providing turn-by-turn directions without ever having to check a map. It lets users hear and be heard clearly even in noisy settings with automatic volume control and noise cancelation. The headset features one-touch calling and multi-function button control features like answer, end, mute and voice dialing. The HS-500 is available at ShopBlackBerry.com for $79.99.

So in a nutshell, you’re getting an $80 headset for free, thanks to RIM!  Click through for the specific rules, and good luck!  The contest will close on Friday at 11:59 PM EST, so be sure to get your entries in!

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Kevin at CrackBerry has obtained shots of the BlackBerry Pearl 9100 and the Pearl 8130.  Perhaps I’m being opinionated, but I think the Pearl 9100 blows its older sibling out of the water.  I absolutely love the design changes that RIM are implementing.  The beveled edges, chrome sides, rubberized side keys, and a battery back that resembles the Storm2.

Here’s the question: With the trackpad replacing the trackball (i.e. the Pearl itself), should the name be changed?  Hit the link for more pictures!

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Quick news brief: BeejiveIM 2.0 (RC 2) beta for BlackBerry is out!  You can download it here.

Hit the link for the change log.

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Thanks to my buddy Simon Sage (@simonsage) at IntoMobile, here’s a few tips on how to get into the engineering screens of your BlackBerry device:

1. From the homescreen, hit Alt + Shift + H (or Alt + EACE on SureType devices like the Pearl, or Escape + tap top-left three times followed by once on the top-right on SurePress BlackBerrys). This should bring up an extended Help Me! screen.
2. Take the values shown there (App Version including the bracketed value, PIN number, uptime since your last reboot, and how long you want your Help Me! screen replaced by engineering screens) and type them in the corresponding fields in the Thyth-o-matic Engineering Screen Unlock Code Generator. Do not close the Help Me! screen, since the code generated is specific to the uptime shown there.
3. Type in the unlock code provided and your Help Me! screen accessed via Shift + Alt + H (or otherwise) will be switched to Engineering Screens for the duration you chose.

Unless you really know what you’re doing, want to check the temperature of your battery, or like a lot of numbers, you don’t want to be in these menus.  In other words, this is really FNO (”For Nerds Only”).  For anyone, trying this is done at your own risk.

Via: IntoMobile

Thanks to the great folks at OtterBox, we’re giving away a case!  The best part?  OtterBox is letting you choose which case you want (with a limit of up to $50)!  I’ve always been impressed with their cases, and I’m happy that we’re able to give one away on BBerryDog!

For more information on their cases, check out my review of the Commuter Case for the BlackBerry Tour.

Update: Congratulations to Mandy Harmon (@xMandyHarmon) for winning the BBerryDog OtterBox case contest!  Don’t worry, there are plenty of contests coming in the near future, so be sure to check back!

Let me preface this story by saying that I have waited for an application like this for quite some time.  During the work day, I prefer to keep my calls to work-related things only.  Thanks to the connectivity of today’s society, I’m constantly getting phone calls, which distract me away from the important tasks at hand.  Do Not Disturb provides an excellent solution to those plagued by similar problems.  Offering the ability to field calls by specific numbers, unknown numbers, private numbers, or a specific time frame, it’s a near-perfect solution.  The program will screen the call, and send directly to voicemail depending on the parameters you’ve set.

Do Not Disturb is priced at $6.99 (until mid-December), and can be found in the BlackBerry App World.

Via: CrackBerry

Much like the Curve 8520, the BlackBerry Curve 8530 is the “BudgetBerry” of the group. Sporting a few design changes, 3G connectivity and OS 5.0, it represents a continued push by RIM to appeal to first-time smartphone buyers. There’s a marked difference in build quality versus other BlackBerry models like the Storm2 and the Bold 9700. Other features include a full QWERTY keyboard, Wi-Fi, a 2-megapixel camera, and RIM’s new trackpad. It’s relatively inexpensive and more durable than the other models on the market (thanks to the plastic build).  Will the 8530 deliver and provide the ever-so-popular BlackBerry experience?

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With all of the BlackBerry news circulating around, I’m curious as to what BlackBerry you prefer and/or use on a daily basis. I’d love to hear from you, so after you vote, head to the comments section and tell me why you chose the device that you did. Form factor? Screen? Battery life? Let me know!

It’s that time again, friends.  The countless OS leaks continue, so if you’re up for the challenge, head to the appropriate link below and get your download on.

• Download OS 5.0.0.415 here (BlackBerry Bold 9700)
• Download OS 5.0.0.411 here (BlackBerry Bold 9000)
• Download OS 5.0.0.411 here (BlackBerry Curve 8900)
• Download OS 5.0.0.411 here (BlackBerry Curve 8520)

Since these are unofficial releases, downloading is done at your own risk.  As always, be sure to report your findings in the forums!

Via: BerryReview, CrackBerry

Thanks to the OTA link provided by BBHybrids, you can get in on the fun too.  Make sure your device has OS 5.0 before you get to downloading.  With reports that BlackBerry Messenger version 5.0.0.52 is significantly improved from 5.0.0.33 (the official version), it may be worth checking out.  The OTA download link can be found here.  I’m not sure how long the download link will last, so be sure to download ASAP if you’re interested.

As always, install at your own risk, and report your findings in the comments section and our forums!

Via: CrackBerry

If you have $1400 sitting around and are sick of your Tour 9630 (or any other BlackBerry, for that matter), the Essex is now appearing on eBay.  Offering 3G connectivity, Wi-Fi, and RIM’s new trackpad, the seller states that the device will be available for retail purchase between March and July of 2010.  What’s more, they continue on in broken English:

“For this moment in time.  You can avoid the crowd control at the shopping malls/plaza, and avoid the inevitable long lines when this bomb shell iPhone killer hit the shelves few months later.”

Seriously?  Despite the interesting (for lack of a better word) auction, I find the whole process funny.  You see, after being in this industry for several years, it’s easy to notice that all phone launches follow a similar trend.  They’re leaked, pictures surface, a few units show up on eBay, the device is officially announced, and the phone becomes available to the public.  We’re at stage three, so it’s a good sign for those eager to purchase one.

As always, if you’re interested in one of these units, be my guest – but purchasing is done at your own risk (and those familiar with RIM’s practices know that the PIN will most likely be blocked shortly after testing ends).  What say you – eBay auction, or is it worth waiting for a retail unit?

Via: PhoneArena

After a long wait, themes have officially arrived in the BlackBerry App World.  Entries are sparse, but it’s certainly a welcome category.  Designers have been notified to begin categorizing their themes by type, so you should see more entries in the coming days.  The full launch is expected on December 14th.  Want to design a theme and have it appear in the BlackBerry App World?  Head over to BlackBerry for more information.

Via: IntoMobile

It’s no secret – despite my love for all things BlackBerry, I’m not a fan of the web browser.  When compared to alternatives such as those found in Android, webOS, and the iPhone, it falls short.  That being said, Bolt has launched version 1.6 of their popular browser, which can be set as the default browsing tool.  What’s more, Bold v1.6 offers better page rendering, the ability to stream videos, and the ability to upload large files.

The full press release can be found after the break, and you can download the new browser at boltbrowser.com.  Get your download on, and report back with your findings!

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