BlackBerry App World is now open for business

Research In Motion (RIM) fulfill their promise to launch the highly anticipated BlackBerry App World today as planned, on April 1st. Funny enough, the launch date is right on time of "April Fools' Day". Thank goodness it's not a joke, otherwise it'll be one huge sick joke for CrackBerries all around the world.

According to BGR; the apps available right now are like Shazam, Bloomberg and a game called Brain Challenge 2. And the only way to make a purchase in App World is by using PayPal payment, but RIM is said to be working on other ways too.

RIM: a paranoid company?

On an interview with ZDNet.com.au in Sydney, RIM chief information officer Robin Bienfait said: "Everything I have that's on RIM is recorded and retained as RIM. So if they want to have a chat with somebody and it's not a chat that's within RIM's domain, then they may want their own personal device.”

Meaning all actions happened on RIM’s internal network were all logged, so employees who wanted to have private conversations must use his/her own personal devices. Bienfait also admitted that RIM records all of conversations, in order to maintain control over intellectual property.

Sometimes, breaches have occurred, followed by quick action on the part of the company. "We go take a look at whatever the breach or the leak is and we track it back to who or whatever caused it and we take whatever necessary action," Bienfait said.

When asked what’s the action taken by RIM if an employee loses a pre-release beta devices, she said: "I can't melt it from the sky yet. I would like that.” Or in simple normal word means: RIM would wipe the device immediately, so that it was just a piece of hardware. ~LOL~

Read on the whole interview and found out more if RIM is indeed a paranoid company or not, you decide.

RIM sets a new trend of reality: software glitches in smartphones

Oh please, tell me it ain't so!

After trying so hard to cover up the mess of its BlackBerry Storm with firmware updates, and instead of waking up to the reality, RIM co-Chief Executive Jim Balsillie said RIM considers the Storm as "an overwhelming success" and is making 250,000 devices a week to meet demand.

But that's not all, Balsillie also mentioned the Storm post-launch scrambles (including the subsequent software glitches that need to be fixed) are part of the "new reality" of making complex cellphones in large volumes.

Balsillie explained how it all happened in an interview with Wall Street Journal that Verizon and RIM were both determined to release the Storm in time for the holidays, even though they realized there are software glitches found in the Storm's operating system. Then the companies made the crucial Black Friday deadline "by the skin of their teeth," after missing a planned October debut.

We know how hard it is to make smarter smartphones every now and then, it's not an easy task indeed. And like Apple who was forced to quickly release software updates to fix the bugs found in iPhone 3G not so long after its initial launch, RIM is also now facing the same reality with its Storm.

But patience is one virtue that not every customers have, and it has limits of its own. So the customers will keep on storming with complaints until a fix is presented, until then is it wise to keep them under the weather with these comments directly from RIM itself?

Sources are from Wall Street Journal, via CNet & Engadget Mobile.

RIM sets rules in BB Application Storefront

On last Monday, RIM has opened up the submissions process for its Application Storefront, the BlackBerry own app store version.

Along with that, RIM also sets some rules in the App Storefront. developer relations chief Mike Kirkup told ZDNet UK: "If somebody builds a better calendar app than the one that's natively on the device, we don't have a problem with that, and they are welcome to sell it through existing channels."

Kirkup then added: "However, we want to make sure no-one is violating any agreements, and their applications don't use excessive network bandwidth or lewd content." So in other word, BlackBerry users can now stop hoping for bandwidth-hungry apps such as app for streaming on-line videos from the net.

CNet News also reporting: Applications sold through the BlackBerry Application Storefront, which is due to go live in March, will work on any BlackBerry smartphone that has a trackball or touch interface, Kirkup said. He added that a rating system was being developed to make it easier for users to judge the quality of applications being sold through the store.

DroidBerry makes your Bold look like Android

Who says you can't have them all? Maybe at first you just had to use BlackBerry Bold because your company gave it to you, but what your heart really want is an Android phone. So now you can have them both, in figure of speech.

DroidBerry is one of the latest theme made Jason Calhoun at CrackBerry, all of the notification, battery and signal icons are the exact icons from the Google Android operating system. The application icons resemble the stock icons from Android and the menus are sleek and pleasing to the eye. The 5 home screen icons are user customizable, here are the features from DroidBerry v1.0:

• Google Android notification icons and fonts
• User customizable home screen icons
• BlackBerry Bold OS 4.6 ONLY
• Please note that the clock image is for aesthetic purposes only. It is not functional.

Wait, the clock doesn't actually work!? Well, that's a real bummer. It would be superb if the clock can really work, I guess this indirectly shows the difference of each OSes strenght. But don't worry, the developer offers the theme pack without the clock and for the one with the clock included will cost you $7 per license.

Hey, perhaps the President elect Barack Obama can fool the secret service with this DroidBerry theme installed in his BlackBerry and avoid it being taken from him? ~LOL~

BlueBerry phone is a very distant cousine of Bold

They say "beggars can't choose," but those who used to say like that must have never seen knock-off / fake products made from China. ;-p

For you who prefer blue rather than black, ...ouch, that sounds very cheesy. Let me start over; for you who can't afford the real BlackBerry Bold, then you can have the cheaper version of it (a.k.a. knock-off) only at $164.99, but you got to live with BlueBerry name instead that's written on the face of the device.

Although you shouldn't worry, because even the BlackBerry logo is almost precisely copied, so you can still fool your co-workers. Just don't let them borrow it though, or they'll find out. ~LOL~

PMP Today (via Ubergizmo) says this BlueBerry L900i is a quad-band GSM phone, complete with Bluetooth support and a camera. Man, how low can those Chinese-fakers willing to go? Next thing we know, perhaps we'll see a Prē™ knock-off by tomorrow...

BlackBerry Storm is a netbook, says RIM founder

There's definetely something in the air, an airborne influence which is invisible by the naked eyes but spread across and accepted widely by everyone. Nope, I'm not talking about the Christmas spirit or the the new year hope. It's netbook...

Strange is indeed the phenomenon of netbook, the newly born category in notebook crowded pool which Steve Jobs himself calls it as a "nascent category". The Apple CEO even compared his beloved smartphone creation; the iPhone as Apple's netbook.

But apparently, it's not only Steve Jobs who feels that way. Now, it turns out RIM founder and co-CEO; Mike Lazaridis also calls the BlackBerry Storm as RIM's netbook. On a recent interview with CNet Asia at RIM Campus next to the University of Waterloo, Mike Lazaridis said:

"I think I can put Netbooks in here [referring to the BlackBerry Storm]. These are Netbooks. They are just smaller."

He then talked about many other stuffs surrounding the company's vision, its upcoming services and product roadmap. Head on to the Handheld Feature blog to find out more.

Seven free must have BlackBerry Storm apps

Are you still waiting for the perfect Storm to come this year's holidays? With the increasing numbers of users who return their BlackBerry Storm handsets and critics/reviewers who shout in disenchantment of the extremely poor quality operating system which shipped within the device, even the latest software updates don't seem able to fully fix the messy Storm.

But don't you worry Storm owners and early adopters, your investment on RIM's endeavor to enter the full touchscreen handset category is not going to go to waste. Abundant apps are on the work by mobile software developers, many of those apps are beginning to appear on the net. And the best is: many of them are free.

Naw, don't be affraid dear readers, I ain't gonna count to seven. ~LOL~

Al Sacco from CIO (via PC World) has gathered around seven free must have apps for BlackBerry Storm, although not all of the following applications were developed specifically for the Storm, but each and every one functions well on the device--with the exception of a few minor bugs.

Note: All of the recommended applications were downloaded and tested using a Verizon Wireless BlackBerry Storm 9530 running OS 4.7.0.75. Here's the quick list of the apps:

1. WeatherBug for BlackBerry Storm
2. Viigo for BlackBerry Storm
3. Facebook for BlackBerry Storm
4. Flickr for BlackBerry Storm
5. TwitterBerry on the BlackBerry Storm
6. WorldMate Live on the BlackBerry Storm
7. Opera Mini 4.2 on the BlackBerry Storm

For more complete explanation of each apps mentioned above, head on to PC World page to read all about them.

Sprint's Curve 8350i hailed as the "most advanced push-to-talk BlackBerry smartphone ever"

It's bulky, it's dark but shiny, and it's the "most advanced push-to-talk BlackBerry smartphone ever", ladies and gentlemen it's the Sprint's BlackBerry Curve 8350i!

Yup, you see that yellow painted corner of the side button there? That's what makes this mobile phone so special, and got its long nickname there. But I guess Engadget is right: "...considering that it's the only push-to-talk BlackBerry smartphone ever, we can't really argue" ;-p

Other than the boasted push-to-talk feature, the Sprint's Curve 8350i also got WiFi/GPS support for Group Connect and international direct connect and Talkgroup. Sprint is offering it at $149.99 on a two-year plan, head on to Engadget's gallery to see more of this baby.

Hey wait a sec, is that box of cards is the same we saw in Treo 800w pictures? ;-)

Mumbai terrorists used Google Earth & BlackBerry for their attacks

This is indeed a very dishearten news to be heard of, but according to various reports from news channels; mobile technologies are being used by terrorists to plan and execute their attacks.

You must have heard about the most recent and shocking terrorist attack which happened at Taj Mahal hotel in Mumbai, India. But what you might not have heard yet is the findings found after the attacks, as reported by TG Daily:

"Mumbai terrorists reportedly were instructed to memorize satellite imagery of Mumbai streets displayed in Google Earth so that they could find their targets. Indian officials in charge of investigation discovered this fact during the questioning of the only captured suspect. The police also learned that the terrorists relied on satellite phones and GPS equipment to navigate to their targets."

And Gizmodo also had reported previously: "Indian commandos were not only surprised to find the devices (BlackBerries) in the terrorists' rucksacks, but that they used the internet to look beyond local Indian media for information, watching the global reaction in real-time as well."

It's very sad to know when the good technologies made are being used as terrorists' tools to hurt innocent people, I'm speechless to respond on the news... Let's pray that there'll be no more terrorist attacks allowed to happen again in the future, and hopefully technologies can help to thwart such acts from happening.

BlackBerry Storm Hands-On First Impressions by CrackBerry

Kevin Michaluk from CrackBerry has finally got his hands-on the BlackBerry Storm, which he had been dying to get. And I'd say he has make up for the "tardiness", by produced one of the complete & thorough reviews on the BB Storm I've ever read on the net.

I'll cut to the chase, Kevins' verdict on the BB Storm is: "With its easy to type on touchscreen keyboard, the Storm is just as effective as any other BlackBerry for the work day, but with the benefits of a BIG ‘ole touchscreen isn't about to call it quits when happy hour begins. ---

--- One of the inevitable questions that will pop up in the comments to this post are "So Kevin, are you going to switch to the Storm or keep using your Bold?" In anticipation of the question, my first response is I DON'T KNOW!!!, my second response is DON'T MAKE ME CHOOSE! and my third response is AH HELL, JUST GIVE ME BOTH!" ~LOL~

Head on to CrackBerry blog page to see more pictures, and of course to read the complete review. In the mean time, you can watch the video of a first time Storm User typing on its touchscreen keyboard that I've embedded below this post. Enjoy!

[blogged with my Treo 750v]

Wishing the best of luck for BlackBerry’s own “App Store”

Before we get down and dirty into the main issue, few of you might be wondering why I still calling Research In Motion’s (RIM) new application store as BlackBerry “App Store”, instead of the previously known as App Center (complete with leaked screenshots).

In fact, RIM now calls it as BlackBerry Storefront. RIM co-founder and co-CEO Mike Lazaridis himself announced it, at the first Blackberry Developers Conference before the 700 registered developers.

So, not until the so called BlackBerry Storefront is out & running; I’m sticking with the famously known name that’s pioneered by Apple: App Store. Why? Well, it’s like the iPhone-ghost that every mobile manufacturer is chasing to beat it. So is Apple’s App Store, Android is trying to topple it down with Market, while RIM is trying to catch up too.

Too late, bad timing?

Everybody is saying that RIM is taking its time to make the BlackBerry application store to mature and ready for grand opening, but at the same time this act of conduct creates a bigger gap for RIM to jump over in order to catch on Apple’s App Store.

Not to mention, Google’s Android is already shipping its first handset; the T-Mobile’s G1, and already started the Market up and running. Although the Market is currently only offering limited & free apps, we know it’ll soon grow numbers as time fly by.

But most importantly, the BlackBerry applications store won’t launch until March 2009 as revealed at the recent BlackBerry Developer Conference. This could indeed fires back at RIM, and hurt the intended BlackBerry handset sales which is equipped with the application store link in it.

RIM said to be concentrating BlackBerry application store for consumers (not businesses), with applications such as AOL, Facebook, MySpace, Gmail, Hotmail and Flickr. "The introduction of more consumer-friendly features in Blackberry smartphones has clearly helped generate a groundswell of interest with new developers that has already resulted in the introduction of thousands of consumer and lifestyle oriented applications for BlackBerry smartphones," Lazaridis said.

Different company, different policy; but which way?

While Apple is asking 30% share of every app sold in its App Store, and Google claims not to ask for revenue when the Market is launched; RIM is demanding 20% share of every sale made.

RIM is currently working with PayPal to integrate its payment system into the store as well as with its carrier partners to provide an alternative to the online store.

If the revenue policy is set, RIM has yet to make up its mind on how to screen the apps that want to get inside its application store. Apple is using iron grip policy for its App Store, while Google promotes openness for its Android’s Market screening policy. We all have our own pros and cons, when comparing those two policies. Both have their own advantages and drawbacks too, none is perfect… yet.

But there’s a shed of light on where RIM is taking the BlackBerry application store, RIM requires developers to adhere to four basic principles of Blackberry development: Bandwidth, capacity, performance and battery life. For example, if developers push for high broadband speeds, the capacity drops. The restrictions don’t stop there, for organizations that have deployed BlackBerry Enterprise Server or BlackBerry Professional Software will retain control of what applications can be downloaded to BlackBerry smartphones within their corporate deployments.

With so many curbs to follow, the personal users might not as pleased as enterprise/corporate users; and the most pleased and the one who got the most benefit from those kinda restrictions is network/IT administrators.

How about the new trend: ‘kill switch’?

Apple halfheartedly admitted the ‘kill switch’ capability in its new iPhone 3G or iPhone 2.0, and Google officially disclosed the feature in its Android platform. RIM is likely to follow suit with the same feature.

It comes natural when the reason is feared and shared by all of them; like Jack Gold of J. Gold Associates told TG Daily in an email interview: "How will they get sorted out in the application store? Bad applications could easily take down a phone, which could be deadly in such a personal form factor."

But it is too soon to tell, whether the horror will come true or not. Till now, we haven’t heard any complaint from App Store users about that kinda attack from bad apps. So all we can do right now, is hope for the best of luck for all of them (and us too).

Sources are from:

• Blackberry Storefront takes on App Store and Android Market (TG Daily)
• RIM Announces Blackberry App Store (Tom’s Guide)
• BlackBerry Storefront Answers Apple App Store and Android Marketplace (Gizmodo)

[blogged with my Treo 750v]

Is this the new iPhone for business?

The title up there is catchy, isn’t it? That is the same line that has captured my attention when I read this neat article at TG Daily, it’s actually about RIM’s BlackBerry Storm. But there are more than what meet the eyes in the article, especially when there’s a ‘storm’ coming to our little mobile world right now…

There a ghost, that’s being chased by almost every mobile-phone manufacturers in the whole world nowadays; it’s the iPhone ghost. After Apple introduced iPhone to the smartphone world, it basically forced mobile-phone manufacturers to sit back and rethink how they create new devices, including new features and how they can compete.

One true example was thrown at us from the business side; Research In Motion (RIM) has officially launched its first “clickable” touch screen smartphone nicknamed “Storm”. Instead of keeping its (RIM’s) pace inside the safety track, RIM has ‘boldly’ keep one foot astray from its safety zone by making a non-QWERTY keyboard handset; it’s brand new a 3.25” (480x360) touch screen.

The Storm got the whole shebang to beat the race for entertainment-focused handset to rival the king; a.k.a. iPhone. For a quick peek inside the Storm, there’s one of iPhone’s main traits: accelerometer that switches the phone view between vertical and horizontal screen mode. Not to be forgotten, RIM also has prepared the BlackBerry's App Center to fight heads on with Apple's App Store. --click on the comparison chart pic to enlarge it--

But surprisingly, like what Wolfgang Gruener (TG Daily) has mentioned in his article; “An old weakness of the old Blackberries remains with the Storm as well: There is not much memory (1GB).” That and along with the lack of WiFi feature, has made Storm as an awkward choice for entertainment-focused users who are looking for the ultimate ‘iPhone-killer’ handset.

So all in all, Gruener has made a notable remark about the catchy title above: “However, the Storm is building a very convincing case for users with a focus on business applications.” Yup, Storm might doesn’t provide the same level of entertainment as the iPhone does. But it surely has the right knacks to beat the iPhone in the race into the mobile business market.

And how about Nokia’s latest touch screen handset, the 5800 XpressMusic? Did I forget to include it in this blog post? Nay, I’m not. But if I do that, then I might as well add this line into the title of this post: “Is this the new iPhone for entertainment?” Since with the ‘Comes With Music’ service name is slapped all across the face of N5800, it certainly is aimed for entertainment-focused market segment; not for business.

Then how about T-Mobile's G1 Android phone? I'll talk about it in the next post, so stay tune here! ;-)

[blogged with my Treo 750v]

BlackBerry Storm on its wide dock make a nice looking digital clock

The wait is over, the BlackBerry Storm 9500 has finally came out in official style like usual: early announcement of availability at Vodafone site, complete with specs and 3D tour. Then followed suit by the official announcement at BlackBerry's own site, the full specs with all the official glorious pictures are all there. And lastly quick hands-on by well known techie blog sites: Engadget & Gizmodo.

As I was scooping out the hands-on reviews, I spotted something familiar with the DIY iPhone clock stand that I posted here at PalmAddict not long ago. It looks like the BB Storm has beaten iPhone in the race to have the first 'clock stand', bundled along in the packaging box. And I must say the BB Storm and its dock station look very nice together, plus it makes a great digital clock for your bedroom nightstand.

There are, of course, the advantages and minus points for having a wide dock / cradle like that. But if "beggars can't choose", then the riches can, right? ~LOL~ You can always purchase the additional accessories which will soon flood the local market, and on-line stores.

[blogged with my Treo 750v]

BlackBerry Storm's killer feature against iPhone: cut & paste

And now we're back and informed by BGR again... ;-) It's still about BlackBerry Storm, and the previously leaked power point slide has given enough information about one of the Storm's built-in features that can beat Apple's iPhone: cut & paste!

The purpoted cut & paste instruction is: "All you’ll need to do is put one finger at the beginning, and another finger at the end of the area you want to copy. Slide those two fingers together and you have yourself a highlight. Then go Menu, Copy, and you’re good to paste."

With this, you can add one more feature in your checklists comparison between BB Storm & iPhone; looks like the balance is weighing over to BB Storm now? ;-)

[blogged with my Treo 750v]

BlackBerry's App Center first look

If it's not BGR who bring us the latest news & rumors of BlackBerry (BB), then the other site that specialized in BB; the CrackBerry does it. And this time, it's about Research In Motion (RIM), the BlackBerry maker respons to the growing popularity of Apple's App Store: BlackBerry Application Center.

In short, and as written on the leaked screenshot on the left is to be called: App Center. There are lots of other screenshots and more informations about this App Center, head on to CrackBerry page.

Aside from the main requirement that App Center will be available on BB Storm's v4.7 operating system and will be designed for the Storm touch screen UI, the other important remark is that the wireless carriers will be the one to offer directory list of downloadable applications; including responsible for hosting the application data and sending updates to the directory to RIM.

That means you'll gonna get different kind of apps when you use different wireless carriers... I'm not so sure this could turn out to be the best idea, and solution against Apple's App Store, don't you think?

[blogged with my Treo 750v]

BlackBerry Storm Power Point slide emerges

The boys at BGR are doing what they're so good at; bringing us the latest and never seen before BlackBerry news & rumors. This time around is the BlackBerry Storm - Power Point slide, and they got 15 slides overall detailing the BB Storm 9500 & 9530.

The hot trail from BlackBerry Bold hasn't gone cold yet, and we're already teased again with new BB Storm pictures like those. I don't think the Crackberries are gonna survive until all of these are over ~LOL~

Head on to the BGR's gallery to see the whole pictures.
[blogged with my Treo 750v]

Jennifer Anniston is Crackberry too!

Oh no, another celebrity has fallen into the Crackberry circle again. The “Rumor Has It” babe; Jennifer Aniston was spotted buying a new BlackBerry Curve smartphone at a Beverly Hills store.

She didn't expect the paparazi to caught her red-handed while holding the newly bought BB Curve in her hands... but seriously folks, she's gotten a little bit more 'plump' than what she used to back then when she was still in "Friends" tv series. I mean, look at her arm there in the pics. She can take me down with one arm only, but if it's Jen... then I'll willingly fall by myself. ~LOL~

I totally adore, her. Although at 40, Jen still look damn gorgeous! I hope Brad Pitt knows what he has given up...

Eva Longoria invents a new holder for BlackBerry

It's not very often to see actors & actresses to really use their brains for something creative and useful *chuckles*, but Tony Parker's spouse; Eva Longoria has invented a new holder for her BlackBerry Curve.

Sporting a swirly psychedelic pink minidress overtop a pink shirt with matching flip flops, the “Over Her Dead Body” actress had her hands full, so she tucked her Curve in between her curves. Eva Longoria toted her BlackBerry mobile phone around the set of “Desperate Housewives”… in her cleavage!

Way to go girl, you show the world what are those assets of yours can do besides for 'something else'. ~LOL~

BlackBerry is a PC too, for now

You may argue with this post's title line up there, but the fact speaks for itself. Research In Motion (RIM) has only bundled the RIM's BlackBerry Desktop Manager (BDM) with every of its BlackBerry handsets package, and that BDM application only runs on Microsoft's Windows platform. So in short, BlackBerry is a PC, and so are the Crackberries who are using it.

Ohkay, maybe for you non-PC adopters, aka. PC-haters, you can rebel against this kinda stereotype by using alternatives BDM for Macs such as PocketMac and Missing Sync. But even those 3rd party apps are not close enough to offer the full range of features within BlackBerry Desktop Manager for PC, it's clear that neither is a suitable BDM alternative for power users.

But don't worry, looks like you don't have to stuck in that "pigeonhole" for long. Well, at least until half of next year that is. Because according to Al Sacco (CIO) via PC World; RIM plans to release a set of new tools within the first half of 2009 which will address a number of longstanding complaints from Mac users, according to a source within RIM who asked to remain nameless because the company's not yet ready to officially announce details or release dates.

"We know that we don't have an ideal solution for Mac users," the RIM source said. "It's something that's been on our radar since 2004, at least." The RIM Source continues: "In terms of a strategy, we want to do well by our customers. Whether that translates into something that RIM develops or licenses or pays for a third party to build, I can't say at this point, we're trying the best that we can to get a better experience out for Mac users."

Think about it, this BlackBerry-Mac connectivity bottle neck has became a problem since 2004. It's 4 years after then, do you think RIM wants you, Crackberries, to be PCs too? ;-)

Back to the rumor again, not all are vague talks; the RIM source detailed the upcoming RIM's future strategy also includes a sharper focus on wireless, or over-the-air (OTA) & services. For example, the latest available version of the BlackBerry OS, v4.6, which currently is found on RIM's new BlackBerry Bold, lets BES and BlackBerry Internet Service (BIS) users upgrade their handheld OS wirelessly, directly from their BlackBerrys; no desktop computer, be it Mac or PC, is necessary.

I suppose the BlackBerry users at corporate and enterprise companies are PCs after all, for now. Whether they like it or not, but ssshhh... don't say it out loud. If Steve Ballmer finds out about this, he might goes all nuts & crazy again with his own version of PC campaign. ~LOL~

[blogged with my Treo 750v]