Reviews on the latest and best mobile phones on the market.

As expected, Rogers will be the first Canadian carrier to offer the upcoming BlackBerry Bold.
All willing can sign up on their web site to get a notification, when the device will become available.
However, we can't tell exactly WHEN it will hit the stores, but ...
[Continue reading Rogers Wireless to Offer BlackBerry Bold in Canada]BlackBerry 8330 Curve is reviewed by Neil Jordan on Wed, May 21, 2008
Average rating: 8.3/10.
PROS:
Cnet reviews the BlackBerry Curve 8330: “The BlackBerry Curve 8330 delivers where it counts–voice and messaging–and all with a great design to boot, so we give it a big thumbs up. The handset is available at Verizon now for as low as $149.99 with a two-year contract and after rebates and discounts.
The good: The BlackBerry Curve 8330 offers integrated Bluetooth and GPS. The smartphone also delivers good call quality and strong messaging capabilities with a full QWERTY keyboard.
The bad: Unlike Sprint, Verizon doesn’t offer support for its 3G streaming media services on the cell phone.
The bottom line: Though we wish the smartphone supported Verizon’s VCast multimedia services, the BlackBerry Curve 8330 is still an excellent smartphone that delivers on call quality and of course, e-mail.”
Read another BlackBerry Curve 8330 review.
iPass today announced service availability for Windows Mobile 6 devices. Users of the iPass Mobile Office service for enterprises and iPassConnect mobility service for individuals can now connect to the Internet via Wi-Fi using their Windows Mobile 6 smartphone and handheld devices. iPass plans to support the Apple iPhone and iPod Touch later this year and intends to support Wi-Fi-enabled Blackberry devices as well.

With more than 100,000 business-class hotspots worldwide, iPass Wi-Fi connectivity gives smart phone users an alternative to 2.5G and 3G access provided by cellular providers. iPass service auto-detecting available Wi-Fi networks in their area and automatically connecting to their bookmarked locations.
Use of Windows Mobile handhelds in the Mobile Office service is priced at a flat monthly rate for the enterprise based on the number of active users. For individuals in the United States looking for a subscription to the iPassConnect mobility service, pricing information is available at: www.ipassconnect.com.
via [mobileburn]

RIM announced the BlackBerry Media Sync, a new software designed to "transfer your desktop iTunes music files" to BlackBerry handsets.
We assume that it was developed specifically for the media-centric <a title="blackberry bold" href="/news/2262/blackberry-bold-pricing-and-availability-...
[Continue reading BlackBerry Media Sync for iTunes Transfers Coming Soon]
A new AT&T BlackBerry Bold photo is available. The AT&T BlackBerry Bold is an upcoming handset scheduled to release in July. It’ll be the first carrier in the US to carry the new smartphone. The handset is a great mix between business & pleasure, with it’s sleek black design and superb multimedia features. The other 3 major carriers are scheduled to pick this one up later in the year.
The AT&T BlackBerry Bold specs will include: Quad-band GPRS/EDGE, microSD slot, A-GPS and BlackBerry Maps, 2 megapixel camera, WiFi, HVGA Color LCD display, OS 4.6, HSDPA & BlackBerry Media Sync. You can also create playlists from your music collections. The AT&T BlackBerry Bold should be available shortly, for around $300.
The Rogers BlackBerry Pearl 8120 is coming soon. The Rogers BlackBerry Pearl 8120 is the WiFi-enabled cousin of the already available 8110. It seems like a good fit for the company, as some customers may prefer the WiFi over GPS.
The Rogers BlackBerry Pearl 8120 would also feature: a 2 megapixel camera w/ video, Bluetooth, speakerphone, trackball & a microSD slot. And of course WiFi, which will be it’s biggest selling point. Pricing and exact release date for the Rogers BlackBerry Pearl 8120 are not yet known. Check back soon for details.
The T-Mobile BlackBerry Bold is on it’s way. The T-Mobile BlackBerry Bold is scheduled to debut in September, along with Verizon & Sprint’s versions. The new cell phone will have a familiar BlackBerry look (Qwerty keyboard and all), but the user interface has been upgraded - making the handset much more user-friendly.
The T-Mobile BlackBerry Bold will feature: a nice 2.5″ screen, CDMA, full Qwerty keyboard, 2 megapixel camera with video recorder, WiFi, EV-DO, Bluetooth 2.0, microSD/microSDHC memory slot & BlackBerry Maps. Pricing for the T-Mobile BlackBerry Bold is set to be a whopping $350. So, yes it’s a little pricey, but the features may justify it.

These are unofficial, and are subject to change: as expected, AT&T will be the first to get the Bold, and will start selling it for $300 in July.
Verizon, Sprint, and T-Mobile customers will be able to get their hands on the device in September. It sounds strange, b...
[Continue reading Blackberry Bold Pricing and Availability Details]
The Garmin Mobile for BlackBerry is now available. Garmin Mobile for BlackBerry is a new feature that Garmin made available to all North American BlackBerry owners. If you have a GPS-enabled device, you can now get a lifetime Garmin GPS subscription for just $99.99.
The new Garmin Mobile for BlackBerry is only good for the life of your phone, so you won’t be able to transfer the service to another cell phone. Basically, this is a great deal if you plan on keeping your BlackBerry for a few years. If you’re just going to be upgrading every few months - the Garmin Mobile for BlackBerry may not be for you.
The Verizon BlackBerry Bold is on it’s way. The Verizon BlackBerry Bold is set to arrive in September, along with T-Mobile & Sprint’s versions. The new handset has some great new features, and even sports a new interface. The interface has been revamped to be more user-friendly - and it definitely is.
The Verizon BlackBerry Bold will feature: a nice 2.5″ screen, CDMA, full Qwerty keyboard, 2 megapixel camera with video recorder, WiFi, EV-DO, Bluetooth 2.0, microSD/microSDHC memory slot & BlackBerry Maps. The Verizon BlackBerry Bold will set you back $300 on contract, so it’s not exactly cheap. However, it’s definitely worth the extra dough.
The Sprint BlackBerry Bold is on it’s way. The Sprint BlackBerry Bold is scheduled to debut in September, a few months after AT&T’s version get’s released in July. The new handset has some pretty hot features, and the interface is even more noteworthy. It’s a nice upgrade from past versions, in that it’s much more user-friendly.
The Sprint BlackBerry Bold will feature: a nice 2.5″ screen, CDMA, full Qwerty keyboard, 2 megapixel camera with video recorder, WiFi, EV-DO, Bluetooth 2.0, microSD/microSDHC memory slot & BlackBerry Maps. Overall, a pretty nice set of features for the Sprint BlackBerry Bold. Pricing is set at $300 with contract.
CrackBerry reviews the BlackBerry Bold: “The BlackBerry Bold has a familiar form factor. Within the BlackBerry family, I’d argue it most closely resembles the BlackBerry 8800 Series – both in terms of physical dimensions and general appearance, with the BlackBerry Bold delivering an overall sleeker and more modern package.
push come to shove while the Curve gets a slight edge for feeling good in the palm of the hand, the BlackBerry Bold really does not give up that much to it. After using the handset for only a few hours, it’s beginning to feel quite natural. And for that little bit the BlackBerry Bold does give up in terms of feel, when it comes to hardware and features it seems the new handset will leave every other BlackBerry made to date in the dust.
When it comes to the device itself, the BlackBerry Bold has sleek looks, a full QWERTY form factor that’s comfortable and usable (even if you are from the Curve camp) and amazing hardware components. It’s a solid foundation to power a pimped up OS.”
Read more from the BlackBerry Bold review.
Geek reviews the Sprint BlackBerry Curve 8330: “The Sprint BlackBerry Curve 8330 itself hasn’t changed much and still sports a track ball, Micro-SD card slot, 2MP camera, Bluetooth, and integrated GPS. Sprint’s own flavor is the key differentiator though, with connectivity to the Sprint Software Store, Sprint TV, Sprint Music Store, and Sprint OnDemand, among others.
I played with Sprint TV, which worked perfectly thanks to the EVDO connectivity, and a number of other applications. They all worked flawlessly and the bright color screen on the Sprint BlackBerry Curve 8330 made it a pleasure to use.
I was a BlackBerry user in the early days and playing with Sprint’s implementation of the Sprint BlackBerry Curve 8330 has me thinking about going back. Sprint isn’t the first carrier to get its hands on the Curve, but they did succeed in putting they’re own spin on it, and in my opinion has created the bundle to beat.”
Read another Sprint BlackBerry Curve 8330 review.
The Wall Street Journal has made it official: Thunder is RIM’s iPhone Killer:
Apple is taking steps to steal sales from BlackBerry by making the iPhone more appealing to corporate users. Apple is also expected to introduce an iPhone that runs on faster networks known as 3G.
The Thunder is only part of RIM’s response. Last week RIM announced plans to introduce an updated BlackBerry, the Bold, that runs on 3G networks and can synchronize more easily with Apple’s iTunes software.
ScotiaBank analyst Gus Papageorgiou thinks though the iPhone is still the coolest mobile out there it’s “advantage is slowly eroding.”
The good news for RIM and other smartphone makers, and even for Apple, is that the smartphone market has grown 50% last year and will most likely continue to grow. But if last year was the Apple Phone’s maybe this year will be the year of the iPhone killers.
This is a post from Cell Phones Etc. entitled:
WSJ: BlackBerry Thunder Will Arrive Q3 | Add your Comments

RIM BlackBerry Bold
(Credit: Research in Motion)We know it exists. Now, the question is when can we get one and for how much? We are, of course, talking about the RIM BlackBerry Bold, which has drawn many an admirer before and after its official debut earlier this week. RIM ...
Garmin announced today a one-time-purchase plan for Garmin Mobile for BlackBerry. This one-time, $99.99 purchase is only available in North America and will give customers who own BlackBerry devices unlimited use of Garmin Mobile’s turn-by-turn, voice prompted directions for the life of their specific BlackBerry. Users will also have unlimited access to Garmin Mobile’s dynamic content such as traffic, weather conditions and forecasts, fuel prices and more.

Garmin Mobile for BlackBerry users can navigate to addresses in North America, or search millions of points of interest (POI’s) - places like hotels, restaurants, shopping, and tourist attractions. Once a destination is selected, Garmin Mobile for BlackBerry automatically calculates the fastest route to the destination, and provides voice-prompted turn-by-turn directions along the way. If a turn is missed en route, Garmin Mobile automatically recalculates the route based on the user’s current location. Map data is provided by NAVTEQ - a world leader in premium-quality mapping.
BlackBerry customers will also have access to real-time traffic, fuel, and weather information. The real-time traffic service identifies accidents, road construction, or other incidents affecting traffic, and routes users around the congestion. The fuel feature displays helpful fuel information such as the filling ...

Garmin Mobile for BlackBerry
(Credit: Garmin)Today, Garmin announced a new plan that will give BlackBerry users unlimited, lifetime access to its Garmin Mobile for BlackBerry navigation application. Designed for those who don't want to be bothered by monthly subscription fees, the lifetime plan only requires a one-time fee ...
The Rogers BlackBerry Bold is on it’s way. A Rogers BlackBerry Bold announcement recently popped up on the carriers’ homepage, telling customers it will be available soon. We already know that RIM is planning on releasing the new smartphone this summer, so you can expect it to hit Rogers before Fall.
The Rogers BlackBerry Bold will feature: Quad-band GPRS/EDGE, microSD slot, A-GPS and BlackBerry Maps, 2 megapixel camera, WiFi, HVGA Color LCD display, OS 4.6, HSDPA & BlackBerry Media Sync. The Rogers BlackBerry Bold also allows you to organize & build your music playlists right from your handset.
Cnet reviews the Sprint BlackBerry Curve 8330: “The Sprint BlackBerry Curve 8330 is slightly thicker and heavier than its GSM variant, measuring 4.2 inches high by 2.4 inches wide by 0.6 inch deep and weighing 4.2 ounces. The smartphone comes in a titanium color, though unlike the AT&T BlackBerry Curve 8310, the QWERTY keyboard features black keys and a black trim around the display instead of silver.
The good: The Sprint BlackBerry Curve 8330 offers integrated GPS, Bluetooth 2.0, and EV-DO. The compact smartphone continues to offer solid messaging capabilities and includes support for a number of features that the Verizon model does not.
The bad: The handset lacks Wi-Fi, and call quality wasn’t the greatest.
The bottom line: Despite some spotty call quality, the Sprint BlackBerry Curve 8330 is a great messaging device with the bonus of EV-DO and integrated GPS. Plus, it offers more services than the Verizon BlackBerry Curve.”
Read more from the Sprint BlackBerry Curve 8330 review.
Research in Motion has a touchscreen BlackBerry in the works that should be out in the third quarter, according to a report Thursday.

RIM just released the BlackBerry Bold shown here, but could have a touchscreen model coming soon.
(Credit: RIM)The Wall Street Journal has echoed a previous report ...
Korea, perhaps the most sophisticated cellphone market in the world, and it will get to test the power of the BlackBerry. Buried in this busy news week where we’ve seen the Bold and the Thunder come out of RIM’s lab and a couple of iPhone rivals or so, this little piece of BlackBerry news must answer one question to become a little more relevant: will the Koreans turn into CrackBerrys like their European and American counterparts?
Note: RIM is lucky the Sout Koreans allowed BlackBerrys in. Cellphones in Korea must use WIPI, the local wireless platform. “There have been continuous requests from foreign investors that they should be able to use the BlackBerry here. This issue has been raised as a hindrance to investment,” official of the Ministry of Knowledge Economy. “The government has decided to apply exemption provisions among the regulations to the BlackBerry, classifying it as a PDA used for business purposes.”
Via
This is a post from Cell Phones Etc. entitled:
BlackBerry Comes to Korea | Add your Comments
Microsoft has made its Windows Live suite of services, which encompasses Windows Live Search, Hotmail, Messenger and Spaces, available to the BlackBerry OS platform. It is offering the suite to BlackBerry users for the first time, who will be ...
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Six Apart announced availability of a native mobile blogging application for the Blackberry Curve and Blackberry Pearl smartphones that lets users upload photos, manage comments, and draft, edit and post to their TypePad blogs with just a few clicks.

TypePad customers can now easily capture and upload photos directly from their Blackberry Curve and Blackberry Pearl phones to their blogs wirelessly. TypePad bloggers can also use their device to compose draft blog posts, store them for later editing or publish them from within the device’s trackball and keyboard interface. In creating and saving drafts for later editing, bloggers are able to use popular desktop publishing controls with the convenience of mobile blogging.
TypePad members who use any Blackberry model have always been able to post to their blogs via the mobile browser and the email-to-blog feature. The new native application for the Blackberry Curve and Blackberry Pearl rounds out these offerings by making mobile blogging even easier.
To download the TypePad application for the Blackberry or to start a free TypePad trial, visit http://www.typepad.com/mobile
IBM and Research In Motion (RIM) are taking mobile work far beyond email by delivering to mainstream business professionals the full line of Web 2.0-powered IBM Lotus collaboration software and information on demand on the market-leading BlackBerry platform.

The joint initiative enables customers to securely manage their communications, contacts and schedules and collaborate and network through social software, all from within the interface of their BlackBerry smartphones. This includes the general availability of the new BlackBerry Client for IBM Lotus Connections, IBM’s social software for business.
IBM and RIM are making the following technologies portable and accessible, anytime and anywhere:
The new BlackBerry Bold may have been touted as an 'iPhone killer' despite its Qwerty keyboard, but RIM is refusing to commit to a touchscreen BlackBerry
The BlackBerry Thunder is the rumored name of the real BlackBerry touchscreen phone. This is supposedly BlackBerry 9500 and should be 4G ready with LTE and GSM HSPA. It will be exclusive for Verizon and will no doubt be dubbed as an iPhone killer. No more details have been shared.
This is a post from Cell Phones Etc. entitled:
BlackBerry Touchscreen Phone is Thunder | Add your Comments
The Verizon BlackBerry Thunder is in the works. Verizon BlackBerry Thunder will be a carrier exclusive touchscreen smartphone, in a iPhone-esque fashion. The handset will only feature 4 buttons on the front: the send / end phone keys, the BlackBerry menu key, and the back key.
The Verizon BlackBerry Thunder will not have any slide out keypad, it’s a true touchscreen phone. I’m sure when this lands on Verizon, it will be a decent competitor to the iPhone - and may even lure some AT&T customers to Verizon. The Verizon BlackBerry Thunder is expected to release in Q3, 2008, although pricing & exact release date are not known. Check back soon for details.

According to BGR, there's a new touchscreen BlackBerry handset called 9500 Thunder coming to Verizon and Vodafone as an exclusive device.
They claim it will be feature four physical keys (send, end, menu, and back), sport a hybrid CDMA EV-DO Rev. C / GSM HSPA radio, and...
[Continue reading BlackBerry 9500 Thunder]BlackLine GPS today announces LonerMobile, an application for GPS-enabled BlackBerry smartphones. LonerMobile creates a multi-layered sphere of protection for mobile and lone workers.

LonerMobile’s multi-layered protection ensures that employers are aware of their mobile worker’s safety via connection monitoring, confirmation of worker awareness, and location through GPS reporting. Supported by BlackLine’s Location Services Platform, the LonerMobile application notifies the employer through safety alerts communicated via text message, email, and BlackLine’s Web monitoring portal. Alert types include missed user check-in and loss of device communication. In the event that a mobile worker requires emergency assistance, a GPS location history enables the employer to quickly determine the mobile worker’s most recent location.
“BlackLine’s LonerMobile application for BlackBerry smartphones expands our mobile worker protection product line, joining our industry-leading, dedicated LonerGPS device,” commented Patrick Rousseau, President and Co-founder of BlackLine GPS. Further adding “LonerMobile creates a completely new category of GPS functionality for mobile workers who rely on the BlackBerry platform.”
WorldMate today introduced ‘Connections,’ a new feature within the WorldMate Live application for BlackBerry users. Connections makes it easy for members to meet when they are on the road by notifying them when friends and colleagues are nearby.

Members can request to connect with each other as well as anyone else in their BlackBerry address book. Then, as long as the travelers’ itineraries are imported into the system, WorldMate Live will detect when their schedules overlap and will advise them when they arrive in the same location.
In this release, WorldMate Live also added automatic calendar sync capability. Previously, WorldMate Live synchronized members’ itineraries between its Web Site and the mobile application. Calendar sync completes the cycle by connecting the service directly to the BlackBerry calendar. All itinerary items, including flight and hotel reservations and scheduled meetings, are now instantly updated in all three locations whenever they are added or edited. As a result, people need to rely on only one calendar while traveling and can use any email program or scheduling system they wish.
WorldMate Live is offered as a ‘Freemium’ service, with most components and services provided to end users at no cost. Premium services, ...
RIM dropped a new BlackBerry model and its slimmer than older BlackBerrys. RIM president and co-CEO Mike Lazaridis calls it a a “tremendous step forward in business-grade smartphones.” One of the improvements is a Safari-like mobile browser that allows full view of the web page. You can take better pictures from the 2.0 MP camera onboard because the 480 x 320 LCD is fused to the camera lens. The Bold is also the first BlackBerry with triband HSDPA, which is a great addition to the built-in WiFi.
The Bold will be coming to AT&T this year.
This is a post from Cell Phones Etc. entitled:
BlackBerry Bold Revealed With HSDPA | Add your Comments
Another BlackBerry 9000 design? No this is the keyboard-less BlackBerry 9000, the BlackBerry Thunder. BGR has got the exclusive info again on the BlackBerry Thunder, possibly the first full touch screen smartphone from RIM.

The BlackBerry Thunder has a model name 9500. With only 4 shortcut key buttons below the display screen, text input will have to rely on the virtual keyboard like the iPhone. It is not sure if you will see this worldwide, but BGR said this will be exclusive lifetime to Vodafone and Verizon Wireless. The device might support both the CDMA and GSM network, and might even get the 4G support. Earliest announcement will happen in Q3 this year according to the source.
BlackBerry smart phones will soon come with Hotmail and Windows Live Messenger, following the announcement of an agreement between RIM and Microsoft

As we expected earlier, RIM has finally announced the BlackBerry 9000.
It is indeed codenamed Bold, and will soon be available from AT&T, which is said to be the excl...
[Continue reading RIM BlackBerry 9000 Bold Gets Official, bound for AT&T]
You have a chance to get a brand new BlackBerry Curve for FREE!
RIM is be giving away 5 free BlackBerry Curve handsets - "2 Limited Edition Pinstack Curves and 3 Limited Edition BlackBerryHomePage Curves, complete with Certificate of Authenticities and custom cases!"</p...
[Continue reading Get a RIM BlackBerry Curve for Free on May 13!]
An AT&T BlackBerry Bold is coming soon. The AT&T BlackBerry Bold will be the first carrier subsidised version of the new 9000 model. The handset is a great mix between business & pleasure, with it’s sleek black design and superb multimedia features. Of course, more carriers are sure to pick this one up at a later date.
The AT&T BlackBerry Bold is said to feature: Quad-band GPRS/EDGE, microSD slot, A-GPS and BlackBerry Maps, 2 megapixel camera, WiFi, HVGA Color LCD display, OS 4.6, HSDPA & BlackBerry Media Sync. The BlackBerry Bold also allows you to organize & build your music playlists right from your handset. No word on exact release date, but pricing for the new AT&T BlackBerry Bold would run anywhere from $300-$500 with contract. More details coming soon.
The BlackBerry Bold is now official. The BlackBerry Bold (9000) has been rumored about for several months, but just recently RIM has made the classy-looking cell phone official. It’s mostly black in color with silver trimming, so you can definitely use it for business. However, the BlackBerry Bold has plenty of extras to attract younger audiences as well. It’s definitely one of the best looking cell phones RIM has put out to date.
The BlackBerry Bold will feature: Quad-band GPRS/EDGE, microSD slot, A-GPS and BlackBerry Maps, 2 megapixel camera, WiFi, HVGA Color LCD display, OS 4.6, HSDPA & BlackBerry Media Sync. Also, the BlackBerry Bold allows you to organize & build your music playlists right from your handset.

Quickoffice and DynoPlex today announced the immediate availability of a new release of eOffice. BlackBerry users are able to open, view, edit and create native Microsoft Office documents in their original format and save the document with high data integrity.
The eOffice solution works on all currently shipping BlackBerry devices, connected both through BlackBerry Enterprise Server architecture and carrier-hosted BlackBerry Internet Service solution for individual customers. eOffice is immediately available without any upgrade requirements to the enterprise server or the BlackBerry device operating system.
The eOffice application allows users to open native attachments sent via email, stored on the device memory card or transferred to the BlackBerry. eOffice also enables users to create new documents and spreadsheets with comprehensive editing capabilities. All features, including editing native files, are available even when the BlackBerry is not wirelessly connected or in airplane offline mode.
eOffice includes the following Word, Excel and Sharepoint features: