Earlier this morning Vodafone and RIM announced the availability of the BlackBerry Storm2. Vodafone UK has updated their site to allow pre-ordering of the Storm2. Those who pre-order the Storm can expect to receive theirs on October 26th.

According to an article by guardian.co.uk, the Storm2 will be exclusively available through Vodafone for only a few weeks.

Vodafone will have the handset as an exclusive in the UK, but only for a few weeks. RIM is understood to have demanded that the device be available to other operators after Vodafone joined Orange in successfully ending O2’s exclusive two-year deal with Apple for the iPhone in the UK.

It is unclear whether any of the other UK operators will be stocking the Storm 2 in time for Christmas, but by the start of next year – when Vodafone will finally be able to start shipping the iPhone – it is expected to be available on at least one other network, most probably Orange, which will also start selling the iPhone within the next few weeks.

The Storm 2 will be launched by Vodafone in Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Spain, the UK, France, Italy and South Africa, and Canadian handset maker RIM is hoping that it will get a more positive critical reaction than the first version, which went on sale last November.

If you’d like to pre-order the Storm2 you can find it on Vodafone UK’s site, or for more info check out the press release that was posted earlier today. The Storm2 features and specifications can also be found here.

Software For BlackBerry® Curve (TM) 8310 smartphone
BlackBerry Handheld Software v4.5.0.257 (Multilanguage)

Package Version: 4.5.0.257
Consisting of:

• Applications: 4.5.0.163
• Software Platform: 2.7.0.92
• File name: 8310M_PBr4.5.0_rel257_PL2.7.0.92_A4.5.0.163_O2_UK.exe
• File size: 89.9MB

Note: The Software Platform and Applications version numbers can be found under Options-About screen on the handheld.

• Download: OS 4.5.0.163 for the Curve 8310 from O2 UK
• How To: Upgrade your BlackBerry Operating System (OS)

REMEMBER: Install at your own risk. Always make backups before making major changes/upgrades/downgrades to your BlackBerry.

Source: BerryReview

Some highlights from the press release:

• Telmap, the global leader in location solutions and winner of the ‘Life on BlackBerry’ award announced today that Telmap Navigator, its search, mapping and navigation system is now available on BlackBerry App World™.
• Telmap is the most successful search, mapping and navigation application on BlackBerry devices today and is already available through leading tier 1 operators worldwide such as Vodafone, Orange, O2, Carphone Warehouse, MapQuest, Sprint, ATT and more.
• Telmap Navigator is available for download via the BlackBerry App World for users of the BlackBerry Curve 8900, Bold 9000, Curve 8310, Pearl 8110 and BlackBerry 8800 with several commercial packages including worldwide coverage. For more information and a list of packages available, visit www.telmapnavigator.com

Read the full press release after the jump.

CONTINUE READING »

Just got an email from The Carphone Warehouse letting me know that the BlackBerry Curve 8900 titanium is now available!

It looks like the two networks it is being offered with are O2 and Orange.

The BlackBerry Curve 8900 handset is smart enough to keep up with your personal and professional lives. It’s small enough to slip into your pocket, yet it’s large enough for a proper QWERTY keyboard.

• Connect to the internet via WI-Fi hotspots.
• With it’s 3.2mp camera auto focus and flash… great photos are only a click away.
• Working with it’s inbuilt GPS, your BlackBerry® Curve^TM enables you to locate that meeting address or restaurants while you’re on the move.
• The 2.4inch large screen increases picture quality makes while reducing the strain on your eyes.
• Bluetooth enabled so easily allows you to share files and calls from your BlackBerry® Curve^TM while you’re driving.

More info: http://shop.carphonewarehouse.com/pay-monthly/blackberry/curve-8900-titanium/

Wow that title was a mouthful.

Get OS 4.5.0.52 for your 8820 or OS 4.5.0.55 for your 8110, 8120, 8310 here.