Videos4BlackBerry.net put together an overview video of OS 5.0.0.140 running on the BlackBerry Storm.

Here are their findings so far:

• Theme Bug Fixed
• Transitions work every time
• New Boot Up Screen
• Theme Options Screen
• Applications no longer in Advanced Options
• Video Camera Zoom
• The Applications screen in Advanced options now has icons.
• Has .151-style transitions.
• Cut, copy, Paste eyelet is bigger
• BBAlpha Sans Condensed font available
• Music Centre icon in Options
• Gears Setting under Browser Options
• Tabbed browsing
• OS is much faster
• The radio provides a much stronger signal (for some)
• New Media Player
• New version of BB Maps
• No lag at all when typing.

If you are running OS 5.0.0.140 and want to share some feedback not mentioned in the list above feel free to do so in the comments!

Xpressions Inc. that they have launched VQ CarFinder, a premium application for BlackBerry devices with GPS that allows you to automatically locate your car.

“Everyone has a story about forgetting where they parked and being stressed out by it”, says Harris Korn, VP Marketing of Xpressions Inc (creators of VQ CarFinder and a member of the BlackBerry® ISV Alliance Program). “It happens all the time… like when people are talking on their cell phone, when they’re running late for a meeting, or when their kids are screaming in the back seat. VQ CarFinder automatically remembers where you parked and guides you back to your car, so it removes this stress from your life.”

What’s great about this application is that you don’t have to worry about setting any options or GPS location, everything is automatically. Once you need to find your car simply press a button and BlackBerry Maps will launch to help guide you back to your car!

You can try VQ CarFinder free of charge for 31 days. After the trial period you can purchase a VQ CarFinder license for the introductory price of $9.99, regularly $24.99. The only catch is if your car is not already Bluetooth equipped you will need to purchase a VQ Bluetooth Charger for just $19.99 plus shipping & handling, regularly $39.99. You can find an option to purchase the VQ Bluetooth Charger within the application.

Check out VQ CarFinder in the store. There are two versions, one to purchase and one to try.

Full press release after the jump.

CONTINUE READING »

BGR has managed to get his hands on an internal document from Bell about the BlackBerry Tour 9630.

The internal document shows a confirmed launch date of July 17th for the Tour 9630 on Bell, retailing at $699.95. Keep in mind that this is the price of the Bell Tour without a contract. If you are willing to sign up for a new 3-year contract you’re looking at spending about $249.95, but according to BG this price could drop down to as low as $199.95 at the time of launch (maybe lower).

Check out the full internal document after the jump.

CONTINUE READING »

PinPoints let me know that they have just released their free BlackBerry application.

PinPoints lets you find and transmit a location, address or business to your BlackBerry as an instant landmark . It uses Google Maps as the focal point for the web search. There is also a desktop browser plugin for PinPoints that allows you to search and send addresses right from your email client or web browser.

Features:

• Store PinPoints
• Organize PinPoints
• Works with Google Maps & BlackBerry Maps
• Geotag yourself
• Send your buddies saved PinPoints or your location

The PinPoints BlackBerry client works on the Pearl, Curve, Bold and Storm, to name a few.

Register for PinPoints at yourpinpoints.com and download the BlackBerry app. Once downloaded all you have to do is select an address and press ‘Send as PinPoint’.

Don’t forget to let me know how this works for you in the comments!

See some examples of how the desktop browser plugin works after the jump.

CONTINUE READING »

WeatherBug is now available for the Storm in the BlackBerry App World FREE!

Features:

• Live neighborhood weather from over 8,000 weather stations in the U.S.
• Current weather, forecast and NWS alerts for your GPS location.
• Current conditions icon and outdoors temp on your BlackBerry desktop.
• “Always on” NWS weather alerts such as Tornado warnings even when the WeatherBug app is turned off.
• 7-day forecast and hourly forecast.
• Detailed radar and maps.
• Check the weather on BlackBerry Maps by simply touching any area on the map for two (2) seconds.
• Daily National Weather Outlook broadcast provided by WeatherBug meteorologists.
• View snapshots and time-lapse animation from more than 2,000 weather cameras in the U.S.
• Set-up new locations by pulling the location information from your contact list.
• Share the current weather information, forecast, alerts and photographs with friends and family.

Get it now from the BlackBerry App World!

Kevin was able to get his hands on what looks like a draft PowerPoint of OS 5.0’s features and update details!

Here are some highlights:

• Mail Folder Management
• Forwarding Calendar Appointments
• Viewing Calendar Attachments
• Remote File Access to Windows Shares
• Wireless Contact Syncronization
• Microsoft PowerPoint viewing improvements
• Sticky Dates in Message List
• Conference Call Integration in Appointment Details
• Better Applications Memory Management
• Photo Resizing when sending Via Email
• Device Boot Screen
• Event Sounds
• Simplified Configuration Options
• Rename, Edit, Delete Profiles
• BlackBerry Maps, Browser, Multimedia, Security and OTASL Enhancements

So far it looks like this update will be made available for the following BlackBerry models:

• Bold 9000
• Pearl Flip 8220
• Curve 8900
• Storm 9500/9530

Older device support for OS 5.0 is unconfirmed right now.

Get full details and screenshots over at CrackBerry.

Some highlights from the press release:

• With wireless customers craving both style and functionality, Alltel Wireless announced today that the BlackBerry® Pearl™ Flip 8230 smartphone from Research In Motion (RIM) will be available in retail stores and online at alltel.com beginning in early May. This stylish and compact smartphone puts customers in control of how, when and where they communicate and joins Alltel’s impressive spring line-up of phones that make perfect gifts for moms, dads and recent grads.
• Featuring a large SureType® QWERTY keyboard, an intuitive user interface with trackball navigation, built-in GPS with BlackBerry® Maps preloaded and support for locations based applications and services, and a 2 MP camera able to record video*, the BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8230 smartphone is packed with powerful features, yet sleek enough to slip easily into a purse or pocket.
• Alltel Wireless is offering the BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8230 smartphone for $79.99, after a $70 mail-in rebate, at Alltel retail stores and online at shopalltel.com. This discounted price is available to new and existing eligible customers who sign-up for a two-year service agreement on a qualifying Smart Choice Pack. Smart Choice Packs start as low as $69.99 per month and include unlimited data, email and Web access. Alltel has also announced that the BlackBerry Curve 8330 smartphone is now available for $49.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate, and the BlackBerry Pearl 8130 smartphone is free after $100 mail-in rebate.

Read the full press release after the jump.

CONTINUE READING »

Ronen over at BerryReview is rolling in tips about the new BlackBerry Application Suite for Windows Mobile smartphones. Here’s a load of details he received today:

• Its a application that runs on Windows Mobile 6 devices
• It can startup when the device boots
• Features almost exactly the same as RIMs native OS including email & maps support
• Supports IT policies inside the application along with BlackBerry MDS
• It is based on OS 4.2.1 but that will change soon
• Navigation is through a Touchscreen, Dpad, or keyboard
• WM can connect to a separate APN, simultaneous APN connections are supported (You can connect to a carrier APN via WinMo and Blackberry APN via BAS) This is a HUGE improvement over BlackBerry connect.
• Features:
  • BlackBerry Email including attachments
  • RIM Instant Message clients work Gtalk, Yahoo IM, AIM, Windows Live
  • Can send and receive PIN messages and BlackBerry Messenger
  • Supports BES sync of calendar, tasks, address book, & memos
  • PIM/Email databases, unlike BB Connect, are separate. Thus you can have two Exchange accounts (one via WM, one via BES) syncing fully.
  • Browser works just like BlackBerry browser allowing or intranet access on BES
  • Integrates with the phone so you can make calls and all even from links on websites
  • Allows for caller ID in the phone application
  • You can access your windows mobile files from the BlackBerry OS though the opposite is not possible
  • You can easily switch between the BlackBerry and Windows Mobile OS
  • Supports easy switching between landscape and portrait view
  • It works with BIS 2.4+ or BES or both
• Limitations:
  • Blackberry Maps is there but it is not location aware.
  • It cannot access physical hardware, such as GPS, Bluetooth, though since calls are through WM, you can use a BT headset.
  • Video play is not supported.
  • You can install most BB apps, though some may not support VGA resolutions (should be fine on HTC Kaiser, as it is QVGA)
  • Currently not all WM devices are supported, only HTC Kaiser, HTC Raphael and HTC Niki. Xperia X1 support is coming down the pipe.
  • App uses 32 Mb (1Mbx32 files) to simulate BB filesystem

It appears that Verizon has updated their Pearl and Curve BlackBerrys to allow the use of GPS through BlackBerry Maps.

Other GPS and mapping applications (like Google Maps) are still currently locked, but who knows. Maybe Verizon will feel jolly enough to allow other applications to use GPS.

Kudos to Verizon .

You can read more about it at the HowardForums thread.

Read: GPS now works with BB Maps on the Pearl/Curve

Apparently Orange has decided to block the use of BlackBerry Maps for its BlackBerry Bold customers because they offer their own mapping service.

Who cares?!

All this advertisement of the Bold with BlackBerry maps and you guys cut off your customers? Bollocks!!!

Who wants to pay an extra £92 for Orange’s mapping service when the BlackBerry Bold is supposed to come with its own application for that. Not to mention I’m sure that Orange customers already have to pay extra for the benefit of using data. So £92 on top of whatever the data plan is? Unacceptable.

I hope you Orange customers fight back! Good luck!

(via MobileComputerMag)