Salomondrin has provided a hardware update for the BlackBerry Dakota (formerly codenamed the Magnum) claiming that it will come with a “liquid lens”, a lens technology that mimics the human eye and is without moving parts.

Here are some details about the liquid lens from PalmInfocenter (gets a bit technical):

Philips’ FluidFocus system mimics the action of the human eye using a fluid lens that alters its focal length by changing its shape. The new lens, which lends itself to high volume manufacturing, overcomes the fixed-focus disadvantages of many of today’s low-cost imaging systems.

The lens consists of two immiscible (non-mixing) fluids of different refractive index (optical properties), one an electrically conducting aqueous solution and the other an electrically non-conducting oil, contained in a short tube with transparent end caps. The internal surfaces of the tube wall and one of its end caps are coated with a hydrophobic (water-repellent) coating that causes the aqueous solution to form itself into a hemispherical mass at the opposite end of the tube, where it acts as a spherically curved lens.

The shape of the lens is adjusted by applying an electric field across the hydrophobic coating such that it becomes less hydrophobic – a process called ‘electrowetting’ that results from an electrically induced change in surface-tension. As a result of this change in surface-tension the aqueous solution begins to wet the sidewalls of the tube, altering the radius of curvature of the meniscus between the two fluids and hence the focal length of the lens. By increasing the applied electric field the surface of the initially convex lens can be made completely flat (no lens effect) or even concave. As a result it is possible to implement lenses that transition smoothly from being convergent to divergent and back again.

Sounds awesome right? The Dakota is rumored to be RIM’s first touchscreen + QWERTY keypad combination BlackBerry so it would make sense that they upgrade other hardware and features as well.

I tried to find more info about this technology as far as pixel capability (and other info) but it looks like Philips removed the FluidFocus item from their site because of a legal patent issue. If you happen to find more info about this please let me know in the comments!

No, that wasn’t a joke. According to @Salomondrin, RIM is working on a new BlackBerry that is codenamed “Mr. T”. Here’s what Sal had to say about it:

Mr. T is a QWERTY Keyboard Slider the size of a Storm with a full touchscreen.

This is not a rumor anymore, RIM is actually working on this phone full force, although its at a very early stage of development.

Another thing I know about it is that the ON/OFF and SEND/CANCEL buttons are on the screen, although anything can change at this point, except the fact, of course, that we will be getting a Slider from RIM.

Also, its not like a Sidekick, the keyboard here will come underneath the bottom of the phone, BUT then again, anything can change.

This begs the question: Will this be the “Storm 3,” a version of the Magnum (which was rumored to be a touchscreen/keyboard device), or an entirely different BlackBerry?

Also, I’m glad it won’t be like a Sidekick and the idea of a BlackBerry slider is interesting, but will it rock? Let me know what you think in the comments!

via TCGR

@Salomondrin is adding more fuel to the rumor fire by “confirming” some release info mentioned last week about the BlackBerry Bold 9700 and the Storm 2, along with bringing the Magnum back from the dead which is now known as the Dakota.

Storm 2: Mid October, but don’t be fooled, Verizon won’t be the first one releasing this berry, Vodafone will. Although Verizon is working really hard in order to get almost the same release as Vodafone my guess would be a week apart from each other, and then Canada will see the release soon after Verizon, if not at the same time.

Bold 2: Since RIM decided to push the Storm 2 first, they want to give the second generation Storm a little air in order for it to sell as much as possible. This leads the Bold 2 – 9700 to release Mid November to almost the first days of December. Although, lucky people from the UK, here is some good news for you: T-Mobile UK is planning on releasing on October too.

Dakota (formerly known as the Magnum)  info:

Name: Dakota
Size: Bold size
full QWERTY keyboard
GSM 3G speeds
Has a trackpad <— yes, you read correctly
Has a touchscreen (this is where the angels start singing)
Its development is AHEAD of the Blackberry Essex. Yep, we are going to see this bad boy really soon.

via TCGR

Here’s something that will definitely make all the AT&T BlackBerry users happy. Engadget Mobile was sent some specification sheets detailing info about the BlackBerry Magnum, Onyx, Pearl 3G and the Gemini, all of which are going to be headed to AT&T.

There is no confirmed or leaked launch date available right now, but I’m sure these specification sheets will temporarily satisfy you. The only actual photo available in these sheets is of the Onyx and the others are just abstracts, but the specification sheets give us great insight on what to expect from these upcoming devices.

For those that were not interested in the Pearl Flip 8200 series, it looks like a new 3G Pearl is in the works.

These specification sheets being for AT&T doesn’t necessarily mean other carriers won’t get these BlackBerry devices as well, but AT&T may be getting a first crack at them.

Check out the rest of the sheets after the jump.

CONTINUE READING »

Image via SlashGear

According to SlashGear, Verizon has given RIM the green light to release the BlackBerry Storm 2 this September.

BGR has also confirmed SlashGear’s information, saying that the Storm 2 will also get a new screen and technology called TruePress (vs SurePress). For everyone who did not get the Storm because of the lack of Wi-Fi, the Storm 2 is supposed to have Wi-Fi in addition to possibly (this is a rumor) a 5 megapixel camera!

After the recent leak of the BlackBerry Onyx, Driftwood and Magnum, which BlackBerry will you choose?

Source: SlashGear via BGR

I’ve gotten a bunch of emails asking me whether or not I have heard anything new about the BlackBerry Magnum or any other upcoming BlackBerry devices. Until now I’ve had no updates besides what was leaked at the end of 2008.

One of BGR’s ninjas was able to get some info about three upcoming and confirmed BlackBerry devices:

BlackBerry Onyx:

• GSM/GPRS/EDGE/UMTS device
• GPS
• Camera
• Wi-Fi (no UMA support)
• QWERTY keyboard
• 480×360 resolution screen
• Confirmed carriers: AT&T

BlackBerry Driftwood:

• GSM/GPRS/EDGE/UMTS device
• GPS
• Camera
• Wi-Fi with UMA
• QWERTY keyboard

BlackBerry Magnum:

• GSM/GPRS/EDGE/UMTS device
• GPS
• Camera
• Wi-Fi (no UMA support)
• QWERTY keyboard
• 480×360 resolution screen
• Confirmed carriers: AT&T

So far it looks like the Driftwood and the Magnum might be the same device, but meant for different carriers. BGR also says that the BlackBerry Bold might get refreshed to allow UMA connectivity.

The Onyx, Driftwood and Magnum are part of the 9000 series, so they will all be 3G capable.

Who’s excited about these upcoming BlackBerrys!?

Source: BGR

BGR’s RIM ninja was able to get this info. Here’s the lineup:

• BlackBerry Curve 8900 in Q1
• BlackBerry Storm variant in Q2
• BlackBerry 9220 (Magnum, think BlackBerry Curve 8900 with 3G) in Q3
• BlackBerry 9900 (Pluto, think Bold with touch screen) in Q4

Which one will you get? Or will you get them all?

Source – BGR

Alright, I’m officially confused and don’t know what I want now. First I thought the Storm, then the Curve 8900, now this? RIM is obviously trying to drive some of us crazy with all these new BlackBerrys coming out. Just kidding RIM, but I hope this doesn’t turn out to be just a rumor. BGR is usually on top of things, so I’ll trust them .

This new BlackBerry will supposedly be announced at WES 2009. Would you wait for the Magnum if it meant waiting till next year? Leave some comments and let me know!

Source – BGR , BlackBerryNews