Wrapsol has announced that they are now taking pre-orders for their BlackBerry Torch protection kits.  The Wrapsol ultra comes with a lifetime replacement warranty, in recycled, reusable and 100% recyclable packaging, with everything you need for an easy application.  So if you are like me and do not like having a bulky case around your phone, then check these protection kits out.  The Original scratch protection kit is $24.95 and the Ultra scratch protection kit is $29.95.  Wrapsol will start shipping these out on August 16th.  For other BlackBerry protection kits visit their BlackBerry section of their website.

T-Mobile has officially released OS 5.0.0.714 for their Bold 9700.  You can head over to the T-Mobile website and download the latest OS.  No word yet on any improvements or changes, but if you have installed it let use know what you think.  As always upgrading your OS is done at your own risk, but if you need a guide visit our How-To: Upgrade OS.

Additional Mirror for OS 5.0.0.714

Via Crackberry.com

Well the wait is finally over for Verizon customers.  It was officially announced today that Verizon will begin selling the BlackBerry Bold 9650 online starting tomorrow, June 3rd.  It still will not be released to stores until June 10th.  The phone will cost $149 after $100 mail-in rebate and a new two-year contract.  This release date is just slightly less than a year after the release of the Bold’s predecessor, the Tour 9630.

Via Crackberry.com, Verizon News

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If you are running OS 5.0 on your BlackBerry and you are not satisfied with the built-in Files app, then FileScout is for you.  One of the best things about this app is that they will give you a 14 day Free Trial.  FileScout now comes in two versions, the paid version which is on sale now until March 15th for $4.99 and the Free Lite version.  To download the Free Trial visit their website at emacberry.com, they also provide a nice comparison between the two versions and the built-in OS 5.0 Files app.

Via BerryReview

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A few weeks ago we posted about the announcement of BESX (BlackBerry Enterprise Server Express), and now it is available for download.  RIM stated that it would be released in March, I wasn’t expecting March 1st, but I am not complaining.  This is a FREE download, just fill out the order form with your information and RIM will review it and send you a download link.  To download go to the BESX on the BlackBerry website.

Via CrackBerry

The people over at BerryScoop have posted up some pictures show that Verizon will be launching the Backup Assistant on BlackBerry devices on March 9th 2010.  This is a free feature that Verizon offers to keep your contacts backed up.  Once this is released it will be as simple as just downloading the app and signing in with your pin code that you created.  Check out more pictures over at BerryScoop.

Via BerryScoop.com

BoyGenius has posted up some details about a rumored sliding-QWERTY that one of his contacts sent to him.  Here are some of the details:

• It’s a portrait-oriented slider. While most people assume a device with slideout keyboard would end up being something like HTC’s devices, we’ve been told this particular handset is more like the Palm Pre in terms of layout.
• The phone will run BlackBerry OS 6.0
• The rumored device will 100% support Wi-Fi 802.11n
• The phone will not be a Verizon exclusive — it’s supposed to be a GSM/HSPA device.

Via BoyGeniusReport

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The guys over at BBLeaks are on top of these beta OS leaks.  This time we have OS 5.0.0.530 for the BlackBerry Tour 9630.  We are still waiting on an official 5.0 release from Verizon, the experts say that is when the 9650 will be released.  In the mean time I will just enjoy the new beta leaks.  To install this on your Tour make sure you delete the vendor.xml file and remember this is NOT official, install at your own risk.

Download: OS 5.0.0.530 BlackBerry Tour

Via BBLeaks.com

The guys over at Crackberry and BerryReview have posted that BIS 3.0 is coming out on March 21st 2010.  I am looking forward to this update, especially because of the two-way sync with Google Mail.  It will now sync read/unread and sent items from BlackBerry to Google Mail.  Here is part of an email sent out to CrackBerry.com:

I wanted to advise you that RIM will be launching the newest version of BlackBerry Internet Service (BIS) version 3.0 on March 21, 2010. To help you prepare your team as necessary, I’ve attached a Support Readiness Document as well as BIS 3.0 overview presentation and a Document summarizing the key new features. PLEASE share this information with your Technical Support Teams.

Via CrackBerry, BerryReview

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Sprint isn’t giving up hope for the Curve 8330 just yet.  They released an official OS, 4.5.0.186 for their 8330 and 8330m devices.  If you have an 8330 and you are not on the Sprint network, you can still install this by removing the vendor.xml file.  No word on any changes or updates this includes.  Let us know your thoughts.

Download: 4.5.0.186 for 8330

We posted yesterday about a rumor that Verizon was dropping the Storm 9530, this just confirms the rumor.  Along with the Storm, the Pearl Flip 8230, both colors of the Curve 8330 and the 8830 are all being dropped.  The Storm I can understand, seeing as it had the very high return rate and the recent addition of the Storm2.  Although it was reported a the other week that the Curve 8330 was being dropped, I still don’t understand why.  The 83XX series phone is one of the best selling smartphones around the world, why cut it from your inventory?  The big question that everyone has, is Verizon making room for new BlackBerry devices?

Via CrackBerry

Fido releases their BlackBerry Curve 8520 in black.  They offer this phone for $50 with a 3-year Fido agreement, $350 with 2-year agreement and $400 without any agreement.  Here are some of the specs for this device:

• New optical trackpad makes navigation easy
• World Phone –Quad Band 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900MHz EDGE
• 2.0 MP camera with video capture
• Stereo Bluetooth™ 2.0 (A2DP, AVRCP)
• 35 key backlit QWERTY keyboard
• 128 MB internal memory and External memory support up to 16GB via microSD
• Out of the Box Mac Computer Support
• 3.5 mm audio jack
• Connect via microUSB cable

Via Fido

Is Verizon going to stop selling the BlackBerry Storm?  According to TheStreet.com there is speculation about a report that indicated orders for the Storm were cut or canceled.  Verizon is the largest seller of the Storm and they are likely the ones reducing their supply.  Neither RIM nor Verizon have made comments on the situation.  Could Verizon be making room for a new BlackBerry device?  Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

Via TheStreet, BlackBerryCool

Amazon finally released their free Kindle app for BlackBerry devices.  This app is supported on the Bolds 9000 & 9700, Curves 8520 & 8900, Storms 9530 & 9550, and the Tour 9630.  Right now this is only available for U.S. customers so that is a slight down-side.  Here are a few features from Amazon.com.

• Get the best reading experience available on your BlackBerry. No Kindle required
• Access your Kindle books even if you don’t have your Kindle with you
• Automatically synchronizes your last page read and annotations between devices with Whispersync
• Create bookmarks and view the annotations you created on your Kindle, computer, or other Kindle-compatible mobile device

Visit http://amazon.com/kindlebb from your BlackBerry browser to download the free app.

Free New BlackBerry Software for Microsoft Exchange and Microsoft Windows Small Business Server Allows Companies to Empower All Employees with Wireless Access to Their Corporate Email Without Compromising Security or Manageability

Waterloo, ON – Research In Motion (RIM) (NASDAQ: RIMM; TSX: RIM) today introduced BlackBerry® Enterprise Server Express – free new server software that wirelessly and securely synchronizes BlackBerry® smartphones with Microsoft® Exchange or Microsoft® Windows® Small Business Server.

The new BlackBerry Enterprise Server Express software will be provided free of charge in order to address two key market opportunities. First, the software offers economical advantages to small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) that desire the enterprise-grade security and manageability of BlackBerry® Enterprise Server but don’t require all of its advanced features. Second, more and more consumers are purchasing BlackBerry smartphones and the free BlackBerry Enterprise Server Express software provides a cost-effective solution that enables IT departments to meet the growing demand from employees to be able to connect their personal BlackBerry smartphones to their work email.

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It has been a while since we have seen any beta OS leaks for the Storm2 9550.  This time we have leaks for both the 9550 and the 9520, 5.0.0.451 and 5.0.0.497 respectively.  I haven’t personally tested either of these, but I am thinking about getting out my 9550, wiping the dust off of it and throwing this on there.  If you decide to install either OS, remember it is a beta and install at your own risk.  Tell us what you think about it in the comments.

Download: 5.0.0.497 – Storm2 9520

Download: 5.0.0.451 – Storm2 9550

The other week we posted about a new BlackBerry trackball replacement plan from T-Mobile.  This was originally suppose to start on the 15th of February, but has now been delayed until the 24th.  This program is set up to replace any damaged trackballs for the Pearl 8100/8120 and Curve 8320.  The replacement kits are being changed and are no longer including tweezers.  RIM is updating procedures and screenshots for the new tool called a “spudger”.  Training for the replacement program will resume today and they should be back on track for the new launch date.

Via TmoNews

Although there has not been any official announcements about the new BlackBerry 9650, there have been several leaks hinting that it could be released in the near future.  First we had the slight slip-up on RIMs Facebook page, now we have a link to download the Visual Voicemail app for the 9650 from Verizon.  If you follow the link it will let you download the .jad file.  This could tell us one of two things, either the people behind this device are slipping up real bad or the 9650 is getting real close to its official launch.  I am hoping for the second one, what about everyone else?

Via BerryScoop

Sprint officially releases OS 5.0.0.459 for their Curve 8530.  This has been a popular device this past week, first we see a 5.0.0.463 Beta OS leak and now an official from Sprint.  If you have one of these OS releases tell us what you think about them, or if you have used both what are some pros and cons of each?  This download will only work for the 8530 and not the 8520.   To download, follow the link below and select your device from the drop down list.

Download: OS 5.0.0.459 Sprint 8530

Alltel releases their official OS 5.0.0.419 for the BlackBerry Tour.  This has been leaked out for a while and I believe it was working well for everyone, I am currently running it on my Verizon Tour and it works pretty good.  The question now is, what is Verizon Wireless waiting for?  If you have a Tour and haven’t upgraded to 5.0 yet, feel free to download this and try it out.  To download follow the link below and select your device from the drop down list.

Download: OS 5.0.0.419 for Alltel Tour