It’s been a while since Salomondrin leaked some unreleased device information but they’re back with some pictures and a video of the unreleased 3G BlackBerry Pearl 9100, aka the Stratus/Striker!

If you recall back in September I posted a photo of what appeared to be the Pearl 9100. Taking a look at Sal’s photos and video you can see that the photo was the real deal. I’ve included some of the photos after the jump.

Any Pearl fans out there planning on getting the 9100 when it comes out?

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It’s been a while since I’ve mentioned Phrehnck here on BBRocks! but he’s back and has released shaqBerry, a free little app that’s good for killing time when you’re extremely bored.

Phrehnk was quick to jump on the idea after an episode of The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien last week where they featured a new skit called “New Trends.” I was able to find a video clip and thanks to Hulu, was able to cut it down to just when the New Trends skit is beginning and ending right after the shaqBerry part. No thanks to Hulu, there is a quick ad in the beginning of the video that is unavoidable.

I’m not sure why I found this app so amusing, but I did. Best of all…it’s free! Check out the video clip above to get an idea of what shaqBerry does or download it now from the BBRocks! store.

As soon as I received my BlackBerry Bold 9700 from T-Mobile I whipped out my camera and did a quick unboxing video. In this video you’ll see what you can expect to find in the box if you decide to get the 9700.

This is my second unboxing video and, unlike the last one, I actually talk as I go through the box’s contents. If you have any feedback or would like to see more in these kinds of videos feel free to leave your suggestions in the comments.

By the way, in case you missed it earlier, the T-Mobile Bold 9700 is now available in the BBRocks! Smartphone Store.

Originally only available for the Storm, @FabianMH has made his Whippoh BlackBerry app compatible with the new Storm2.

As seen in the video above, Whippoh is a free app that allows you to simulate a whip by performing a whipping movement with your Storm. The sound will only simulate if you make a correct whipping motion with your Storm…practice makes perfect!

Download Whippoh for free in the store and be sure to check out the rest of Fabian Heuwieser’s apps.

http://www.vimeo.com/7298787

This video was posted by Spike to promote yesterday’s iTunes release of their new short, We Once Were a Fairytale. In it, Kanye West can’t stop texting on his BlackBerry while director Spike Jonze attempts to talk him through a video, pissing him off to the point that he slaps Kanye to get his attention.

I’ve gotten dirty looks but have yet to be slapped for not being able to put my BlackBerry down . Can anyone relate? If so share your slap moment in the comments!

via Huffington Post & NYMag

Verizon didn’t promote the BlackBerry Storm2 like they did the Storm, but considering the various issues the Storm had this is understandable. The VerizonWireless YouTube account posted this rocking Storm2 commercial , very brief but straight to the point and it includes a video clip of the rock band Switchfoot. Good band .

In case you missed it, earlier this week Verizon and RIM announced the Storm2 9550 and it went live on the Verizon website this morning.

Don’t forget to play with the interactive user guide or check out the features and specifications if you want to learn more about the Storm2 before buying it.

AT&T’s Facebook account posted some news about the BlackBerry Bold 9700 along with a link to a ShareATT YouTube video where Seth Bloom, an AT&T spokesman, does an unboxing and walkthrough of the Bold 9700.

A first look at the brand new Blackberry Bold 9700, which features a 624 MHz processor, 256 MB of Flash memory, a 3.2 megapixel camera and A-GPS to provide a faster location fix in support of AT&T Navigator with real-time traffic data. The new BlackBerry Bold 9700 smartphone also features an re-designed, innovative touch-sensitive trackpad, Wi-Fi, tethering capability, increased battery life, and BlackBerry OS v5.0, which supports BlackBerry Enterprise Server 5.0.

It’s very exciting to see an official video of the Bold 9700. Here’s a recap of AT&T’s pricing for this device from their press release:

The BlackBerry Bold 9700 smartphone will be available in the coming weeks for $199.99 (pay $299.99 and receive $100 mail-in-rebate.) AT&T smartphones require the purchase of a monthly data plan. Other monthly charges apply.

Don’t forget to watch the video and let me know what you think in the comments!

These software versions contain a fix for the BlackBerry Browser bug I mentioned a few weeks ago. For more info about this bug click here.

Software For BlackBerry® Tour (TM) 9630 smartphone
BlackBerry Handheld Software v4.7.1.110 (Multilanguage)

Package Version: 4.7.1.110
Consisting of:

• Applications: 4.7.1.57
• Software Platform: 4.1.0.70
• File name: 9630AMEA_PBr4.7.1_rel110_PL4.1.0.70_A4.7.1.57_Sprint_L.P.exe
• File size: 102.16MB

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

• Download: OS 4.7.1.57 for the Tour 9630 from Sprint
• How To:
  • Backup And Restore Your BlackBerry
  • Upgrade your BlackBerry Operating System (OS)

Please report any feedback/findings in the comments. See a changelog after the jump.

REMEMBER: It is recommended that you make a backup before attempting to upgrade your BlackBerry just in case something goes wrong during the upgrade process. *

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Morrison (aka @moestepp) let me know that he has put together a video guide with instructions on how to install hybrid or beta OS versions using BlackBerry Desktop Software for Mac.

I’ve transcribed the steps (below) for those that prefer text, but the video is better since it offers visual aide. The BlackBerry used for this tutorial is a Curve 8310 on AT&T. Do this at your own risk and only if you are comfortable with using beta/leaked software.

Morrison has also provided links to beta OS files in DMG format for use with a Mac computer. This method is mainly used for a hybrid OS upgrade. If you are using a beta “you would typically include the radio file in the same folder” (according to Morrison).

• 8330 5.0.0.230 http://www.megaupload.com/?d=G4VGQBM9
  
• 8900 5.0.0.238 http://www.megaupload.com/?d=V0IQRULX
  
• 9000 5.0.0.238 http://www.megaupload.com/?d=S3CMOBM2
  
• 9530 5.0.0.230 http://www.megaupload.com/?d=PL31VO1W
  
• 9630 5.0.0.230 http://www.megaupload.com/?d=G1PURKUJ

Here are the steps for use with a hybrid:

1. Plug your BlackBerry into your MacBook with BlackBerry Desktop Manager running
2. Install the carrier recommended OS (in this case AT&T OS 4.5.0.110)
3. Reload the OS that the carrier recommended for the phone. This will download all the appropriate files that are required.
4. Have the hybrid OS handy (in this case 8330 OS 5.0.0.238)
5. Go to Hard Drive > Username > Library > Application Support > BlackBerry Desktop Manager > Device Applications > Folder with numbers and letters
6. Open the Java file containing the hybrid OS files
7. Select all the files in the hybrid OS folder
8. Drag and drop these files into the folder with numbers and letters found in step 5
9. When prompted to replace files, click on apply to all and then replace
10. Go to BlackBerry Desktop Manager (should be running in background) and click on Applications and click Check for Updates
11. It will say there are no new updates in the next screen. Click on Show Other Versions in this screen.
12. You will now find the carrier recommended OS that was installed in steps 2 and 3. Click on the radio button to the left so it is “selected” and then click on Select.
13. Click on Reload
14. You’re done!

The Desktop Manager for Mac will think it’s just reloading the current OS to the BlackBerry but since you copied over the files from the hybrid OS it will actually be loading a different OS. As always please make backups before attempting to install or upgrade anything.

If you decide to try this out let me know how it works for you in the comments!

Salomondrin has done it again with another great overview video, this time goingt over the Verizon BlackBerry Storm 2 9550. The Storm 2 in this video is a newer release, which includes the hardware and the software (OS 5.0.0.287).

The Hardware: The phone is great to look at, and specially with RIM fixing the previous battery door problems that older revisions had, the phone is ready for every day use. The screen’s response is perfect at all times (Even though this is OS dependent), and there is no more light leaking around the screen

The Software: The latest update I did to the phone made the phone a solid device. This is exactly what RIM had in mind when they decided to put out the phone. We are back to the screen becoming solid when its off, but now the buttons on the bottom of the phone (send, end, app, return) are able to bring the screen back to live  as well. I don’t know how that is possible since those buttons are integrated on the screen, but I’m loving it. Random reboots are a thing of the past. In fact, they got rid of those with builds over .19X. There is no random freezing on the screen anymore either, and every single click works this time. The OS also makes the phone very snappy (responds really fast) whether you are going in or out of a menu, making a call, or even texting, the lag is completely gone here. With this bad boy you can text as fast as you want, and not as fast as the phone allows you to, like with the first version of the Storm.

I definitely agree with Sal, the Storm 2 looks and sounds ready for an official launch. As of right now we’re looking at a launch sometime between October 25th and November 27th if things work out internally and nothing gets pushed back. For more about this device check out the Storm 2 Archives.