Yep, despite it not being commercially available as of yet (in the US, that is), OS leaks are already beginning to pop up for the BlackBerry Bold 9700.

• Download 5.0.0.321 here
• Download 5.0.0.344 here

Note: Links to beta OS builds have a tendency to disappear pretty quickly due to their unofficial nature.  That being said, I’ll try to keep the links updated.  As always, installing beta OS builds is done at your own risk.

Via: Crackberry

Though it’s not out just yet, I’ve been working with the BlackBerry Bold 9700 since RIM’s media event in New York City on Monday evening, and it has quickly become my favorite QWERTY BlackBerry.  As a replacement to the aging BlackBerry Bold 9000, the Bold 9700 (also referred to as “the Bold”) ushers in new design cues, and adds notable improvements such as the trackpad, a 3.2-megapixel camera, and OS 5.0.0.330.  As much as I loved the Bold’s design, I love the Bold 9700’s even more, as it fits in my hand with the smoothness of the Curve, but offers the premium features expected from the Bold product line.

Yes, it’s a love or hate characteristic, but RIM is a historically conservative company when it comes to design changes, and the Bold is no exception.  From a distance, it’s challenging to tell the 9700, Tour, Bold 9000, Curve 8900, and Curve 8520 apart, and I don’t think that’s an accident.  What I love about the Bold 9700 is not that it’s a radically new design, but that they’ve improved upon the issues that plagued previous models to make a truly great device.

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As expected, Verizon will be launching the BlackBerry Storm 2 on Wednesday, October 28th for $179.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate and new two-year agreement.  Complete with a 3.25-inch touchscreen (480 x 360) with RIM’s SurePress technology, 3G connectivity (EVDO Rev. A), Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g, and a microSD card slot with an included 16 GB card (nice!),  Humorous/corny PR catchphrases aside, the Storm 2 is billed by many as “everything that the original Storm should have been.”

For those of you that are sticking with the original Storm, OS 5.0.0.323 is now officially available via RIM’s website (www.blackberry.com/update) for the original device.  So, while you’re missing Wi-Fi, a new design, and a better touchscreen, at least the OS will be relatively consistent.  If you haven’t used OS 5.0 at some point, it’s well worth it, and it’s nice to see RIM officially offering it.  Storm users, go get your download on, and let me know what you think!

The official press release for the BlackBerry Storm2 can be found below.

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The day is getting closer and closer, as Research In Motion has officially placed the upcoming BlackBerry Storm2 on its website.  Complete with video, we get the first true (and official) look at the replacement to the original Storm.

As I’ve said before, the BlackBerry Storm2 has a branding scar that it has to get rid of.  Shortly after the launch of the original device, users complained about everything from battery life to software crashes (despite the phone selling quite well).  Their criticism was certainly justified, and though it took RIM some time to respond, the latest software builds have finally placed the original Storm at where it should have been at launch last November.

That being said, RIM needs a smooth and successful launch to counter the challenges from the original Storm.  With the early reviews being largely positive, it looks like RIM may have a winner on its hands.

Source: Crackberry