Sometimes it’s good to hear an objective point of view about BlackBerry and its development. As hardcore BlackBerry fans, many of us may have a biased perspective. I myself always talk about how awesome my BlackBerry is, but I do recognize that there is room for improvement (which I’m sure RIM is working on).

On that note, Priya Ganapati of the Wired Gadget Lab put together an article with 5 things that RIM needs to fix in its BlackBerry devices.

Apple may get all the press, but the venerable BlackBerry is untouchable when it comes to sales. Three of the top five best-selling smartphones in the first quarter of the year were BlackBerries, according to research company The NPD Group.

So why aren’t the devices better? Sure, BlackBerry users rely on their physical keyboards to pound out e-mails, as they always have, and Research In Motion’s longstanding support for push notification and corporate mail servers means you’ll never miss an urgent message from the boss.

But even though BlackBerries have been adding gee-whiz features like multimedia playback and touchscreens, the devices still seem like a mishmash of undercooked ideas. Here are five things RIM needs to fix if it wants to maintain its lead.

Summary of the 5 things:

• Browser
• Touchscreen
• App store
• Wi-Fi
• Desktop software

So…do you agree/disagree? Is something missing from the list or are you satisfied with your BlackBerry?

Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments as I’m sure RIM would love to read them .

READ MORE @ WIRED

Pandora for BlackBerry has been updated to version 1.1.1 with a few bug fixes:

• Fixed HTTP 502 issue (and other networking-related issues such as the “connection closed” problem on the 8350i)
• Fixed volume going to “full” after an audio system alert (phone, email, IM) on Storm
• For listeners who use the low end of the volume scale, the jump from 3 bars to 4 bars isn’t as jarring anymore

Pandora will work on the BlackBerry Pearl 8100 series, Pearl Flip 8200 series, Curve 8300 and 8900 series, 8800 series, Bold 9000, Storm 9530 and the Tour 9630.

Download it now by visiting Pandora.com from your BlackBerry Browser, or visit the Pandora for BlackBerry page for more info.

via CB Forums

One of BGR’s ninjas sent them the specifications for an upcoming BlackBerry, model number 9700.

• Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE
• UMTS/HSDPA
• 480×360 resolution display
• Wi-Fi a,b,g
• OS 5.0
• QWERTY keyboard
• 3.2 megapixel AF camera
• Bluetooth

Still no codename or pictures of this BlackBerry, but this is definitely a start. Hopefully we’ll see some more details about this device soon.

If you have more information about the BlackBerry 9700 be sure to send me a message!

FlyCast let me know that they have released v2.0 for BlackBerry with some great new features!

FlyCast 2.0’s caching technology features:

• 3 Plays/30Days –Cached content is maintained in the context of the station and can be kept for a maximum of 30 days or three plays, whichever occurs first;
• In-Application Purchasing – Users can purchase tracks with the click of a button from within the application, even after the song has been broadcast;
• Twitter integration — Users can Tweet or “recommend” songs they like from FlyCast. Links are then posted to their Twitter account and followers can click on the link from any Twitter reader and be immediately taken to that station and hear the entire song.

The great thing about FlyCast’s station caching is that you don’t have to be connected via Wi-Fi for it to work, you can do it with your regular network connection too! I also like the option to post a Twitter update with the songs you like, allowing your Tweeps to click on the link to hear the song.

FlyCast is available for the BlackBerry Curve, Bold and Storm. You can download it for free by going to flycast.fm from your BlackBerry Browser or from your desktop computer for more info.

Full press release after the jump.

CONTINUE READING »

Just got an email tip with information about the T-Mobile BlackBerry Curve 8520’s launch!

The Curve 8520 will be launched with an Optical Trackpad and is meant to replace the T-Mobile Curve 8320. It will launch August 5th for the following:

• Retail (stores)
• RPS
• Walmart
• Employees
• Upgrades (after 10 a.m. PT)

Top features:

• Full QWERTY keyboard
• Optical Trackpad Navigation
• Wi-Fi and Mobile Calling
• Personal and Work E-mail
• SMS, IM and Social Networking
• BlackBerry App World

Still no official pricing info yet but I’m working on that . Who plans on getting the Curve 8520, especially since it’s meant to replace the Curve 8320 for T-Mobile?

That Optical Trackpad sure does look nice.

* UPDATE Mark Freeze let me now that Pandora is no longer available outside the US. *

The free streaming radio application known as Pandora has been updated to version 1.1 for BlackBerry with some nice new features and bug fixes.

New Features

• Significantly better audio quality over mobile network – now using stereo AAC+ (HE-AAC) for both Wi-Fi and mobile connections
• Listener preference option to select “High” quality stream over mobile network or “Normal” for slower connections. Both are stereo.
• Create Station screen now has auto-complete functionality as you type
• Added user preference option to enable or disable station auto-start
• Moved “Log Out” from main menu into Options screen, it now shows the currently logged-in username
• Visual overlay when changing volume; easier to see actual volume level
• Application will check for correct application permissions on startup, and offer to set them to appropriate values if required
• You can now get to the “Options” screen from the menus of both the Station List screen and the
  Now Playing screen
• Reduced download size of app by about 30-40%

Bug Fixes:

• Fixed stream resume problem on some Storm devices after being interrupted by a system alert (phone call, SMS, email, etc)
• Fixed bug where Wi-Fi capable devices without a SIM card or data plan were not able to use Pandora over Wi-Fi
• Fixed reports of “low volume” settings not being low enough – the lower volume settings now go as quiet as possible before being muted
• Fixed bug where album art may not have been displayed for some tracks
• Mute button should now properly sleep the device when holding it down

Pandora will work on the BlackBerry Pearl 8100 series, Pearl Flip 8200 series, Curve 8300 and 8900 series, 8800 series, Bold 9000, Storm 9530 and now the Tour 9630!

Download it now by visiting Pandora.com from your BlackBerry Browser, or visit the Pandora for BlackBerry page for more info.

BGR found out that the upcoming BlackBerry Storm 2 is going to be the 9550 (CDMA) and that the 9520 version of the Storm 2 does exist.

The Storm 2 (9550) should be out later this year for Verizon and maybe Vodafone, along with the 9520 possibly releasing on AT&T and Rogers “relatively soon.”

Here are some features of the BlackBerry 9550:

• CDMA 1xRTT/EVDO Rev. A
• Quad-band GSM/EDGE
• Single-band UMTS/HSDPA (2100MHz only)
• Wi-Fi b,g
• 3.2 megapixel camera
• 360×480 resolution capacitive screen
• OS 5.0

That’s right! The BlackBerry Storm 2 will come complete with Wi-Fi capabilities, something the first generation Storm failed to ship with.

With the Tour being released, will you wait for the Storm 2 or just get the Tour?

Image via Engadget

Whenever I am home I am always connected via Wi-Fi to my wireless router, but when I leave I usually forget to shut it off. A new application was just released called WiFi Disabler, an application that automatically disables Wi-Fi when you are out of range.

If you don’t turn off your BlackBerry’s Wi-Fi connection it will continue to seek out Wi-Fi networks in your area, resulting in some battery drainage. WiFi Disabler is a convenient application that allows you to not have to worry about turning your Wi-Fi on and off.

Features:

• Setup a delay timer so that the WiFi radio has a chance to reconnect
• Enable/Disable visible notification of WiFi been turned off
• Conserves Battery Life

Wi-Fi Disabler is available for any Wi-Fi enabled BlackBerry on OS 4.5 and higher.

You can grab a copy of WiFi Disabler for $1.49 in the store until July 15th, after that it goes up to $3.95. You can also find this application in the BB Rocks! Mobile App Store.

Made Simple Learning let me know that they have just launched their BlackBerry Curve 8350i Training Center!

If you have a Curve 8350i (or any BlackBerry for that matter) and have been looking for a way to learn all there is about it, Made Simple Learning is the way to go.

Here are some highlights of what the Made Simple Learning Training Center offers for the Curve 8350i:

• Dozens of hidden or little-known time-saving tips and tricks.
• Using the Wi-Fi and GPS Features of the Curve ™ 8350i
• Using “Direct Connect” or “MIKE” walkie-talkie feature
• Synchronizing your BlackBerry with your Windows™ or Mac™ computer.
• How to squeeze every ounce of power from the Address Book, Calendar, Tasks and MemoPad.
• How to become “Master of Your BlackBerry Email”
• How to use Google Sync for true “Wireless Sync” without an Enterprise Server
• Support for both BlackBerry Internet Service and Corporate BlackBerry Enterprise Server users.
• Tips and tricks to unlock the rich Media Features of the BlackBerry 8350i.
• How to  turn your 8350i  into something that could replace a video and audio “iPod™”
• How to use your 8350i for Mapping (including Google Maps.)
• Learn how to go Online as well as update your Facebook and Myspace pages – right from your BlackBerry

The Complete Training Center is available for $29.95.  The Videos can be purchased separately for $19.95 and the EBook can also be purchased separately for $14.95 until July 30th, after that it goes up to $20.99.

In the store, Made Simple Learning offers Ebooks and training for various BlackBerry devices on sending email and typing basics, learning about your BlackBerry’s camera, tips for watching videos and much more. Ebooks and training from Made Simple Learning will soon be available for the Tour 9630.

Visit the Made Simple Learning BlackBerry Curve 8350i Training Center for more info, or check out the full press release after the jump.

CONTINUE READING »

Found out about a new and free instant messaging application called Friendplay.

Friendplay is currently in Beta and is supposed to be compatible with Java enabled phones (including BlackBerry), but all my attempts to download it have failed. I figured I’d still let you all know in case you have better luck . Since it’s in Beta it may have bugs, so only download this application if you’re comfortable with testing Betas.

Friendplay allows you to connect to your Yahoo, MSN, Gtalk and AIM accounts over data or Wi-Fi. Besides one-on-one chat sessions users can create multiple chat rooms, add friends to frequently chat friend lists, and backup your contact list!

Friendplay also has non-chat features where you can “Send free SMS”, download ringtones, wallpapers or even videos via Friendplay Mobilefun.

You can download it now by visiting im.friendplay.com from your BlackBerry Browser, or visit Friendplay.com for more info. If you’re able to download it let me know what you think in the comments!

Full press release after the jump.

CONTINUE READING »