SmartPhones

There's a new Blackberry Curve on its way, and it's coming courtesy of T-Mobile. The announcement came just yesterday, Monday July 27, that the T-Mobile Blackberry Curve 8520 will hit stores on August 5 and retail of $129.

One of the niftiest features (for some people, at least) of the new BB Curve is that it is Mac compatible straight out of the box! This will also be RIMs first Blackberry smartphone with dedicated media keys located along the handset's top.

Other changes with the new Blackberry Curve 8520 are an optical trackpad, replacing the trackball of old.

As for its general specs: it's a quad band phone, it's got WiFi, 2 megapiixel digital camera, Facebook and MySpace integration, and of course, support for the Blackberry Apps Store, as well as T-Mobile's Unlimited HotSpot Calling service support.

What it doesn't have however...is 3G! What good is that??

Besides T-Mobile Stores you'll also be able to pick up this little beaut at Walmart.

written by SmartPhoneWizard \\ tags: 8520, Blackberry, Blackberry Curve, RIM, T-Mobile

Ordinarily in this feature we compare an up-and-coming smartphone with the king (or queen) of all smartphones - the iPhone 3G. And often, one of the most tenacious battlers for Apple's throne is RIM with its ever-improving, always innovative Blackberry series (heck, now the President even uses one). What's also become glaringly apparent in the past year is that the Apps market--3rd party applications--is where smartphone makers are seeing their biggest business converging around. With that in mind, then, we take a slight (but relevant) diversion from comparing smartphones to the inimitable iPhone and instead compare Apple's iPhone App Store to RIM's Blackberry App World.

The iPhone App Store (also sometimes called the iTunes App Store) came first, and has enjoyed plenty of time tweaking its system to best suit the marketplace. So with that kind of head start, it should be a hell of a lot better than RIM's copycat incarnation.

Apps for the Blackberry have existed for a long time, but this is the first time that Blackberry users have a one-stop shop from which to load up (or down, as the case may be) on useful, convenient, and fun new functionalities and capabilities. Like the iPhone App Store, Blackberry App World sorts apps by type for easy browsing and includes a handy search feature too. And like with the iPhone, many of the apps are totally free.

While the iPhone comes with iTunes App Store access built in, Blackberry users must download the free store software to their Blackberries before being able to go online and browse the apps available. The biggest drawback to Blackberry App World is that, unlike the iTunes App Store that runs its own checkout platform, RIM reroutes buyers through PayPal.

One online reviewer summed the difference up nicely when he said that it's all about culture. He even went on to say that Apple is more about the company and RIM about the customer. Whether that's necessarily true or not, there is truth in that Apple and its products, from the iPhone to the App Store, have to be hip and cool, focusing more on style than substance in order to serve its niche market; while RIM, to serve its market, had to focus on creating a more toned-down, business-oriented service for the more toned-down business-oriented culture it serves.

written by admin \\ tags: blackberry app world, blackberry apps, iphone app store, iphone apps

While corporate favorite BlackBerry continues to reach out to the general consumer market, with its MySpace app receiving 400,000 downloads since its launch less than two weeks ago, general consumer fave Nokia continues to reach out to the corporate enterprise, with its latest facility: support for IBM Lotus Notes.

First the BlackBerry: The Washington Post was stunned to find that more than 15 million MySpace messages had been sent over the BlackBerry mobile app, and more than 2 million moods and statuses had been updated.

Next Nokia: As of December, most Nokia S60 series handsets, including the S60 3rd Edition and the N96 Bruce Lee Special Edition, will be able to access their corporate email accounts through a new mobile app called Lotus Notes Traveler, catering to a market base IBM reports at 140 million plus licensed users.

Who will have more success cross-marketing their products in "the other guy's court"? Only time will tell.

written by SmartPhoneWizard \\ tags: Blackberry, IBM, Lotus Notes, Lotus Notus Traveler, MySpace, N96, N96 Bruce Lee Special Edition, Nokia, Nokia S60, S60 3rd Edition, Washington Post

The Apple iPhone may be America's most famous smartphone, but believe it or not it's not quite yet the most popular. Despite capturing 17% of the entire smartphone market, at last count, the iPhone 3G still only achieves second place in the US smartphone popularity wars, falling short to the one device still holding fast to its supreme reign as the country's most popular handset - the Motorola RAZ v3.

Why is this comparatively archaic smartphone that made its debut back in 2004 still a better seller in the US than even the ever-present iPhone? Possibly because it's gone down in price from an intimidating $400 to free (with contract). Or possibly because the Motorola RAZR is supported by all the major US wireless carriers, while the iPhone still only runs on the AT&T network.

The full top 5, according to recently released results from research firm, the NPD group:

1. Motorola RAZR
2. Apple iPhone 3G
3. BlackBerry Curve
4. LG Chocolate
5. BlackBerry Pearl

written by SmartPhoneWizard \\ tags: Blackberry Curve, BlackBerry Pearl, iphone 3g, lg chocolate, Motorola RAZR, top 5 cell phones, top 5 smartphones

RIM is finally putting out its first flip phone model Blackberry with the soon-to-be-released Blackberry Pearl Flip 8220. The new Pearl Flip promises all the same features and conveniences of the traditional candybar Blackberry in a more compact flip phone style. This in response, no doubt, to the statistics showing that 70% of smartphone users own flip phones, originally made popular by the industry-changing Motorola RAZR.

If the new Blackberry Bold is designed for the business customer, the Blackberry Pearl Flip (as with the original Pearl) is geared more towards the gadget-hungry consumer set. Also as with the original Pearl, the new Blackberry Pearl Flip 8220 will feature the deft and dexterous SureType keypad.

On another note: RIM has also announced a partnership with AOL to incorporate AOL Instant Messenger, AOL Mail, and ICQ Services to future BlackBerry handheld devices, flip phone and candybar style alike.

Though the release date for the device is still under wraps, the price point looks to be $150 with a 3-year contract.

written by SmartPhoneWizard \\ tags: AOL, AOL Instant Messenger, AOL Mail, Blackberry, BlackBerry Pearl, Blackberry Pearl Flip, Blackberry Pearl Flip 8220, candy bar, candybar, flip phone, ICQ, Motorola, Motorola RAZR, RAZR, RIM, Sure Type, SureType

No doubt in an effort to compete with the likes of AT&T and its unlimited data plan for web access, Verizon Wireless released today, April 14, 2008, a new unlimited web data plan of its own.

Called "Verizon Wireless E-Mail and Web for Smartphone", the plan includes an array of attractive features:

• Unlimited data allowance for internet browsing and email access
• Support for up to 10 email accounts (including Yahoo!, AOL, and Windows Live)
• Familiar branded email interfaces

And all directly from your smartphone.

The plan may look familiar to BlackBerry users on the Verizon network, as it's already been available for them. But now users of other Verizon smartphone can enjoy the convenience as well, starting with:

• Verizon Wireless SMT5800
• Verizon Wireless XV6800
• MOTO Q9m

In line with the service's top competitor's rate, Verizon Wireless will be offering unlimited web and email access for smartphones for $29.99 per month (on top of any existing voice plan)

I wonder if this means Verizon will be changing its slogan to: "Can you read me now?"

written by SmartPhoneWizard \\ tags: AT&T, Blackberry, e-mail, email, MOTO Q9m, SMT5800, unlimited data plan, verizon, Verizon Wireless, Verizon Wireless E-Mail and Web for Smartphone, web access, XV6800

Research in Motion (RIM) has now released a new software package for the BlackBerry for use in small and medium sized businesses. BlackBerry Professional Software, as it’s called, is primed to be a big hit, available for instant download by IT Managers with Administrator capabilities for email servers of companies using either Microsoft Exchange or IBM Lotus Domino.

BlackBerry Professional Software comes bundled with a huge number of features and functionalities, far too numerous to list here, but with some of the most exciting utilities and capabilities including:

• selecting which company smartphones have browser access and restricting which sites can and cannot be viewed
• limiting long-distance calling to only approved numbers
• defining automated backup schedules

BlackBerry Professional Software has been put together so as to be simple to install and manage, with all sorts of step-by-step wizards at your disposal, as well as advanced security features (like end-to-end AES or triple DES encryption) and IT policies and commands (for imposing lockdown, wiping data, and defining and enforcing security protocols such as for using Bluetooth and voice calling).

written by SmartPhoneWizard \\ tags: AES, Blackberry, BlackBerry Professional Software, Bluetooth, DES, encryption, IBM, IBM Lotus Domino, IT, IT Manager, Microsoft, Microsoft Exchange, Research in Motion, RIM, security, voice calling

Recently this blog reported on results of a study that showed the RIM Blackberry OS to be the "best" smartphone OS among industry analysts. However, according to an informal survey conducted by internet technology review stalwart CNet, the preferred smartphone operating system among consumers (or at least, CNet readers) is Windows Mobile.

Smartphones running Windows Mobile include the Samsung Blackjack, the Motorola Q (the top two tier-1 smartphones), as well as many manufactured by HTC, including the widely-popular HTC Tilt.

Based on pure market share alone, the study of 130 users showed Windows Mobile at 42.3%, RIM Blackberry at 19.2%, Apple OS X at 17.7%, and Symbian and Palm OS at 10%. Those are the stats for operating systems. As for smartphone manufacturers, RIM and HTC both took the lead, tying with a 19.2% market share each, Apple following close behind with 17.7%, Motorola at third with 11.5%, Palm at 10%, and all the rest (Nokia, Samsung, etc.) taking the remaining 22.3%.

Interestingly enough, the praise for Windows Mobile was balanced out (read: marred or tainted), however, by half of the respondents reporting complaints of the very same OS. Finally, a whopping 66% of CNet readers responding the survey said they would be likely to consider purchasing an Apple iPhone as their next smartphone, three times more than those who said they'd opt for the second place contender, the Blackberry.

written by SmartPhoneWizard \\ tags: apple, Blackberry, CNET, HTC, HTC Tilt, iphone, Microsoft, Motorola, Motorola Q, Nokia, Palm, RIM, Samsung, Symbian, Windows Mobile

The world leader in travel resources - AAA - is now accessible via the Blackberry, specifically the 8830 and the 8130. AAA Mobile, downloadable through the Blackberry's GPS app and powered by Networks in Motion, now makes the world's favorite handy devices even handier, adding the following of its services to its menu:

• TourBook Guide Travel Information
• Navigation
• Member Roadside Assistance

This makes the RIM Blackberry the first smartphone device compatible with AAA's award-winning local search and navigation applications. Even Blackberry users who aren't AAA members can still subscribe to AAA Mobile and get access to:

• audio/visual directions to any U.S. destination
• the locations of AAA-approved POIs (points of interest)
• the locations of Diamond Rated restaurants and hotels
• a searchable listing of more than 100,000 destinations that offer member savings to those who present their AAA or AAA Mobile card
• detailed maps of all of the above
• bookmarking features

The service also streamlines the process of using AAA roadside assistance by transmitting one's location via their GPS to the nearest AAA-approved responder.

written by SmartPhoneWizard \\ tags: AAA, AAA Mobile, Blackberry, Diamond Rated, directions, GPS, hotels, maps, POI, restuarants, RIM, TourBook Guide, Travel Information

A recent survey by Handango shows that smartphone users use their smartphones for far more than making and receiving calls and emails. It seems more and more people are using their smartphones more and more for entertainment purposes than in the previous two years when the devices were primarily used for professional and business purposes. Entertainment has just recently eked above business use 17% to 16% and looks only to be climbing higher from here.

Analysts attribute this shift to a shift in the predominant market for smartphones, that being from techies and executives to everyday consumers. The reining leader in the world of smartphones - still RIM, despite the big splash made recently by the Apple iPhone - reports that the 10 best-selling applications for their revered Blackberry includes:

• Ringtones and ringtone libraries
• Games (like Sudoku and Texas Hold'em)
• Instant messengers
• Travel assistants

And the Blackberry isn't alone in this. One of the main activities used on Windows Mobile Standard devices is the viewing of streaming media.

written by SmartPhoneWizard \\ tags: apple, Blackberry, entertainment, games, Handango, IM, instant messenger, iphone, RIM, ringtones, Sudoku, Texas Hold'em, travel assistant, Windows Mobile Standard