Author Archives: Gunnar Saxon

Free BlackBerry Torch contest from Qwell

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Qwell, I must say, is a very cool application.  But that’s not why we’re here!  For every 1000 followers on Twitter or 1000 page likes on Facebook, Qwell will select one lucky winner for a free BlackBerry torch.  You read that correctly, pups…. FREE.  The contest costs nothing to enter and Qwell currently has a 14 day trial going on, so make sure to check that out by clicking on the corresponding link below.

Qwell’s Facebook | Qwell’s Twitter | Qwell Application in BlackBerry App World

via: CrackBerry

BlackBerry Torch update supposed to supercharge the experience

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Torch users, AT&T is throwing you a huge bone.  Despite the fact that you’ve been able to surpass all the current BlackBerrys in, well, everything, you’re about to get another performance boost.  The PR release states that those who upgrade will have:

  • Browser – faster page loading and improved panning
  • User input – handled more efficiently, improved responsiveness after unlocking device
  • Applications – faster launching, exiting and switching
  • Home Screen – faster rendering and smoother transitions when switching between panes
  • Media – faster rendering of thumbnails in picture application
  • Email/Messaging – faster and smoother scrolling in message list and when reading email
  • Voice- Software improvements for improved audio quality

While this may not seem like a huge list, it will definitely add a little extra wick to your Torch.  The release bundle is marked 6.0.0.695 which will include Platform v6.4.0.105 and Application v6.0.0.246.  When (and if) you decide to update your Torch, please let us know in the comments below!

BlackBerry Bold Refresh 9780 coming to Virgin Mobile?

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Looks like we haven’t seen the last of the refreshed Bold 9700.  The 9780 is rumored to hit Virgin Mobile in Canada on October 21st.  The 9780 will set you back $149 with SuperTab and $549 without contract.  The 9780 is a 9700 with a few minor tweaks (in case you haven’t read anything on it) including OS6, 512MB of RAM, and a 5MP camera.  No word on any other features at this time.

So are any of our Canadian pups planning on going 9780, or will you just wait it out until BlackBerry 6 comes to the 9700…. EH?

via: BBLeaks

BlackBerry Curve 8530 has arrived at Boost Mobile

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Although quite late in the game (almost a year after it’s debut) the Curve 8530 has arrived at Boost Mobile.  The 8530 will cost you $249.99 and you won’t have to sign away your soul in a contract.  The unlimited plan is $50, which allows you to use all the data you want.  This is the first 3G enabled BlackBerry to hit Boost Mobile.  No news yet on the quality of the carrier in regards to this particular device, but if you plan on picking this up, please let us know how you like it!

via: IntoMobile

OS 6.0.0.280 leaked for BlackBerry 9650

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Finally, we have a (reportedly) stable BlackBerry 6 build leak for the successor to the Tour, the 9650.  For those of you who plan on trying this, I have heard that this build works and is not detrimental to the health of your BlackBerry.  However, we cannot confirm this, so try at your own risk! Let us know what you find in the comments below.

Also, as always, please remember not to do this if you do not know what you’re doing.  BBerryDog and it’s affiliates are not responsible for any damage incurred while using or loading a leaked OS. Feel free to check out our How-To Guides for information on backing up your device and loading an OS.

***Download the file here.***

via: CrackBerry

BlackBerry 9570 Odin Refresh gets the axe from Verizon?

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In the past weeks we’ve seen multiple prospective Storm units, but we haven’t really been sure of what we were seeing.  The BlackBerry prototype with the trackpad and the Odin Refresh have been leaked, but it looks like the Odin Refresh won’t be coming out at all.  Because the Refresh is a Storm 2 with enhanced specs, it has seems to have been given the axe by Verizon, hopefully in favor of an even better phone, or an LTE Storm, in the near future.  While this is purely heresay and speculation and this point, we will let you know as soon as we have official affirmation.  So how many of you pups are disappointed?  Were you looking forward to the Odin Refresh, or are you just fine holding out for a possible LTE model in the future?

via: BerryReview

Firefox Home App coming to BlackBerry

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Mozilla is (and remains) an extremely versatile company, to say the least.  The biggest problem that I’ve had with Mozilla (as of yet) is the fact that those of us who use BlackBerry have not gotten any love.  Thankfully, we will see that change in the near future, as the Firefox Home application for BlackBerry is in the works right now.  If you’re unfamiliar with Firefox Home, it is an application that allows you to sync your bookmarks, history, and even your tabs from your desktop to your phone.

Mozilla also plans to upgrade the iPhone application that is already out when the BlackBerry application makes it’s debut.  The upgraded Firefox Home will include:

  • Saved password synchronization
  • Search engine preference sync
  • Panorama settings will be migrated to your phone
  • Twitter, Facebook, and other social network integration
  • The ability to give feedback

This is definitely soil for new growth, as we now see companies, such as Mozilla, which have left the BlackBerry platform unattended paying more attention to it.  Let us hope that we see more of this in the future.  So what do you think, pups?  Do you plan on using the Firefox Home app when it hit’s BlackBerry?

via: BBLeaks

BlackBerry 9520 Storm 2 Leaked OS 5.0.0.973

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To continue the love that the BlackBerry community has been receiving with official and leaked operating systems, we have the a leaked 5.0.0.973 for the Storm 2.  The download links can be found here.  As with all leaked OS’s, there is no changelog.  Make sure to comment below and tell us any changes or enhancements that you find!

Also, as always, please remember not to do this if you do not know what you’re doing.  BBerryDog and it’s affiliates are not responsible for any damage incurred while using or loading a leaked OS. Also, feel free to check out our How-To Guides for information on backing up your device and loading an OS.

via: BBLeaks

ÜberTwitter application review

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As some of you have most likely read, I am a huge ÜberTwitter proponent.  You may have also noticed that many of my rants on ÜberTwitter were on how much I love it and a few things I would change here and there. Please remember though, while the application itself is not without it’s flaws, I find that it is the best standalone Twitter client on the BlackBerry platform at this time.  I place emphasis on this bias as ÜT is not for everyone.


First and foremost, ÜberTwitter is a feature rich and beautiful Twitter application. But lets start from the top and break it down chunk by chunk.  Beginning with ÜT’s new icon, it is far from bland or ordinary. The notification bubbles that you are used to seeing (those little black and red stars) have been replaced by different colored flowers that correspond to whether you have new tweets, direct messages, or @-mentions in your inbox. Once inside Ubertwitter, you sign in and verify your account. After this is done, a whole laundry list of options appear before you. Some of those options include the ability to automatically update your Gtalk status, which Twitter picture service and 140+ character site to use, and (my personal favorite) which theme you would like to use to skin the application. While most other Twitter apps are often rather bland, one of ÜT’s biggest selling point is that it is a gorgeous, yet functional, application. Direct messages and @-replies are accompanied by colored speech bubbles (green for direct message and yellow for replies) in order to help differentiate tweets. Despite the fact that the tweets are vividly highlighted, they are still very readable. Now that I’ve touched on several features, I’m going to go Clint Eastwood on you with The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly.

The Good:

    • Fast and easy to use Twitter client
    • Fully customizable
    • Many options for the most finicky tweeter
    • Easily distinguishable direct messages and @-mentions
    • Small application size
    • Works well on low and high-end BlackBerrys

The Bad:

    • No support for multiple Twitter accounts
    • Can get laggy at times
    • Some themes tend to make tweets difficult to read
    • Eats excessive battery compared to Seesmic and SocialScope
    • Twitlonger support tends to be slow

The Ugly:

    • Takes between 1 and 10 seconds to open a profile with 4-bar 3G connection
    • Plan on doing battery pulls or soft resets once a week or more if using a lower end phone (such as the 8530).
    • Did I mention that this application eats your battery life?

While it’s very plain to see that the bad and the ugly are more abundant, but, quite honestly, the good carries much more weight. As a power Twitter user, it can be very very difficult for me to find a client that I can put my full weight behind and really know that it’s going to get the job done. In my opinion, ÜT is definitely the best openly available BlackBerry Twitter client on the market today. ÜberTwitter comes in both a ad-supported, free version, and a paid, ad-free version. The ad-free version will cost you $4.99 and get you unlimited upgrades for a year’s time. If you use Ubertwitter already or have decided to give it a shot, let us know what you think of the application by leaving a comment below!

BlackBerry 9570 is more than just a blurry screenshot

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You read it right, pups!  We finally have photo confirmation of the Odin Refresh, or BlackBerry Storm 9570.  From rumors and hearsay, we can almost guarantee that the 9570 is basically a Storm 2-1/2, or that it will most likely not be the Storm 3. We can further this argument by pointing out that the phone in the pictures below is running BlackBerry 6 and NOT the QNX OS that the Storm 3 should be rocking (if the many rumors prove true). Only time will tell. In the meantime, check out the photos in the gallery below and give us your thoughts in the comments!

BlackBerry Developer’s Conference mobile application now available

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RIM has had a year of third-party companies, and it looks like the DEVCON mobile app is no different.  Developed by Pyxis Mobile, the DEVCON mobile app allows you to schedule what you would like to attend and know exactly what you’d like to see.  For those of you attending DEVCON, you should definitely check this out in App World (warning! it’s 1.3MB).

Features include:

  • View list of breakout sessions
  • Look up session details
  • View speaker details
  • Search for sponsors
  • Fill out session surveys
  • Review conference maps
  • View the developer blog

Let us know if you download the app, and what you think of it!  We’re still looking forward to hear who is going to be going to DEVCON, so let us know below!

via: BerryReview

BlackBerry 9780 makes some (slightly uneventful) video debuts

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The 9700, as I have said before, is most likely the best device out there at this time (unless you like touchscreens, at which point TORCH!).  The 9780, a refresh device, will mainly be a slight upgrade on the 9700 that has remained so popular since it’s release.  The 9780 will reportedly be the first non-touchscreen device to ship with BlackBerry 6.  Below, we have a TechnoBuffalo video, as well as a video from a Vietnamese site by the name of Mainguyen.

Continue reading →

How Do You BBM video contest winner announced

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Well the BBM video contest has come to a close and the winner was a young man by the name of J. Reyez.  Not much can be said without spoiling it, so take a second to watch the video.  I personally didn’t enjoy the rap itself, as it’s not exactly my “thing”, but the video editing was definitely top-notch.  Congratulations to Reyez for being crowned winner of this contest.

via: CrackBerry

BlackBerry Tablet, Storm 3, and new OS coming at DEVCON

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If you read my earlier article about BlackBerry Developers Conference, you know that this year is already shaping up to be fantastic.  On top of all the great things that the guys over at RIM have in store for those at DEVCON, we now have some information on what you’ll actually be able to see there as well!

First off, the long anticipated BlackBerry tablet (also called the BlackPad) will make it’s debut at DEVCON.  As you may or may know know, the BlackPad will not be running BlackBerry 6, or any variation of it.  A company called QNX, which RIM bought out in April, has designed a unique operating system for the BlackPad which will also be making it’s debut at DEVCON.

One of yesterday’s articles (seen here) brought you a possible Odin Refresh or Storm 3 leaked photo.  Speculation will not last for much longer though, as the Storm 3 will be making it’s debut alongside the BlackPad.  Rumor has it that the Storm 3 will be running the same QNX built software that the BlackPad is running, which would further confirm that yesterday’s article was the Odin Refresh.  We can only hope that the QNX operating system is equally as good, if not better, than BlackBerry 6.

So how many of the pups are planning on going to DEVCON?  If you weren’t planning on going before, has the recent news of a BlackBerry tablet and Storm 3 debut changed your mind?  Let us know in the comments below!

via: CrackBerry

BlackBerry Storm 9570 running BlackBerry 6. Odin Refresh or Storm 3?

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If anyone has read Alex’s Monday article on the possible Storm 3 (seen here), we still have no further information on that.  Regardless, a photo was leaked showing a 9570 BlackBerry with a touchscreen running BlackBerry 6.  Now, we know that the most recent storm was the 9550, so what we’re seeing here is not necessarily the Storm 3.  What we’re seeing is most likely the Odin Refresh, which is basically a Storm 2 with the 512MB of RAM necessary for BlackBerry 6.

Whether or not we will see this in the near future is up to speculation, but if this is merely the Odin Refresh, I’m still more excited for the Storm 3.  If the picture we saw in Alex’s article (linked above) were the real deal, then the Storm 3 will no doubt be one heck of a phone.  As excited as I am to possibly see BlackBerry 6 ship out on it’s first Verizon device, I’m really hoping that we see something along the lines of the Torch come to Verizon in the near future.  We all need some wow-factor to hit BlackBerry, and soon.

So what do you say pups?  Will you buy the Refresh or wait for the Storm 3 to hit shelves?  Also, what do you think we’re looking at here, Storm 3 or Odin Refresh?

via: PhoneDog

BlackBerry Curve 3G 9330 updated to 5.0.0.912 in Eastern Asia

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Pups, we’ve had an eventful last few days with a doggie dish full of OS leaks and updates.  Today is no different as we see the Curve 9300 updated to OS 5.0.0.912 in Eastern Asia as per BlackBerry’s website.  You can download the official OS here.  With a 6.0 leak emerging for the 9300 not too long ago, we can only hope that this is only a temporary update to address bug fixes before the expected BlackBerry 6 update.

Please feel free to check out our How-To Guides for information on backing up your BlackBerry, as well as installing an OS.

via: BlackBerryOS

RIM owns rotating keyboard patent

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Please take the following with a grain of salt, as it is nothing but speculation at this time.

Looks like RIM has created quite the oddity!  A recent tip on a patent made by RIM shows a phone that has a sliding keyboard that rotates to portrait and landscape modes.  When in portrait, the phone has a numerical keyboard.  In landscape, we see the BlackBerry keyboard we all know and love.  If you’d like to further investigate, you can see the official patent here.  More after the jump!

Feel free to check out our clamshell, Motorola, and Prism patent articles by clicking on their names.  I personally think that, despite this phone’s very odd formfactor, it could be the perfect device for someone new to BlackBerry.  With the addition of the numerical keyboard, it could be a mid-point for prospective BlackBerry users.So what say you of this phone?  Is it just too strange, or a move in the right direction for RIM?

via: The Cellular Guru

Google mobile app for BlackBerry updated

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As some of you may have seen in my previous Google mobile app article, I am a huge proponent of this application (mainly because Bing is nigh unusable).  Regardless, the Google mobile app for BlackBerry was just updated to 3.8.22, for those of you interested.  Google rarely, if ever, includes a changelog on updates, so no promises on what this update has brought (as I have noticed very little).  It is, however, a tad more responsive than I remember, and it seems to open more quickly.

UPDATE: Just brought to my attention by BlackBerryRocks that the new mobile app allows searching for cloud items within Google Docs, Google Contacts, and Gmail.

via: BerryReview

TELUS BlackBerry Torch now available for pre-order

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That’s right, Canada.  3 carriers will be carrying the oh-so anticipated BlackBerry Torch.  TELUS has just officially set up a Pre-order page for the BlackBerry Torch.  The page requires your name, email, phone number, and postal code, following which a TELUS sales representative will call you to set your order up.  Bell, Rogers, and TELUS will all have the Torch available on September 24th with only speculation on the cost $199.99 on 3-year contract.  To set up your pre-order, click here.

via: IntoMobile