GADGET REVIEWS Just another GADGET NEWS

Research In Motion’s BlackBerry operating system is long overdue for a makeover. RIM fans have been waiting for the upcoming BlackBerry OS 6 to modernize the BlackBerry user interface. Now a video from the company shows what some of those features could look like.

BlackBerry OS 6 will have universal search, a better media interface, social feeds that bring together Facebook, Twitter and chatter from BlackBerry messenger, a richer web browser and easier to manage RSS feeds.

The new features shown in this video bring some polish to the BlackBerry. But much of what the company is touting–pinch and zoom in the browser, and search–are all what Android and Apple iPhone users have had for months.

Still this is a step forward and a sign that RIM is trying to keep pace with the market. The company is yet to announce the launch date for the OS 6.

Separately, RIM launched ‘BlackBerry Protect‘, a remote backup and find feature that’s similar to the service that Motorola and Apple offer for their phones. Like Motorola, RIM will offer the BlackBerry Protect for free so consumers can back up contacts, calendar, tasks and message and restore or locate their phone using a computer if the device is misplaced, lost or stolen.

BlackBerry Protect will be available in limited beta this week and is expected to be available to all users later this year.

Photo: (Honou/Flickr)

Source:wired.com

Posted under Gadget Reviews

Music WithMe will wirelessly sync the music on your computer with your BlackBerry, wherever you happen to be. Specifically, it will sync selected playlists in iTunes over a Wi-Fi or cellular network so your mobile music library is always up to date.

The app, from a company named ParkVu, works with a piece of client software on your Windows PC to read your iTunes library database. Whenever you add or change something in iTunes, those changes are pushed to an app running in the background on your BlackBerry and added to its standard music-player.

It sound a little gimmicky at first, although when on the same Wi-Fi network, auto-syncing would certainly be helpful. But it somewhat ironically solves one of the biggest problems of the iPad or iPhone: the lack of auto-updating podcasts. If you are away from your home machine and you want to update your podcasts on an Apple device, you have to search them out one at a time and download manually. With Music WithMe, you could just check your podcast playlist and have new episodes pushed to your BlackBerry.

Sadly, Music WithMe won’t be coming to iOS anytime soon, although Android, Symbian and Maemo users (yes, both of you) will be getting versions. The trial price, when the app launches any day now, will be $15. The final price has yet to be announced.

Music WithMe puts your iTunes library on your smartphone [Music WithMe. Thanks, Roseann!]

Source:wired.com

Posted under Gadget Reviews

BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8220

When Research in Motion had a corner on the mobile e-mail market, the company fostered roughly the same innovation as the Soviet empire circa 1989. Color screens? Who needs that on a phone meant for the working class? A media player? We should not foster idleness and diversion. A camera? That’s Bolshevik! But now that nearly every phone can handle e-mail and IM, RIM is forced to play catch-up. With the Flip, a BlackBerry can finally go toe to toe with so-called multimedia phones, while still touting its BackBerryness.

When the Pearl line made its debut, BlackBerry users were treated to a newfound wealth of  goodies like a camera, media player and the sweetest trackball we’ve seen outside an Apple mouse. But the Flip takes it a step further with WiFi calling and browsing, a better camera and an arguably better screen — essentially it has left the catch-up phase and has features worthy of envy.

BlackBerrys have a long history of weak, pale, washed-out screens; even the original Pearls’ was a bit lackluster. But the Flip’s? We’re talking bright and rich at 240 x 320. Being able to switch to WiFi for voice calls and faster browsing is useful (and should be on every phone). The voice quality is just as good or better than calling over GSM. RIM also ups the camera to 2 megapixels, though there’s no getting past the “I took this with my phone” look — snaps still abound with telltale blur and lack of detail. The TrueType layout (two letters per button) is not that big of a hassle, unless you like impressing your friends with uncommon words like “nidifice” or “yelve,” and though typing in e-mail addresses can be frustrating, the Flip will remember all your obscure web addresses the second time around. And even though RIM only promised four hours of talk time, we were able to wring six hours from the phone with the WiFi off.

RIM can pat itself on the back for these successes, but this phone is far from perfect. It’s not terribly compact when closed, and when open, it’s too big and positively awkward. You’d have to have to be Andre the Giant or Yao Ming for it to fit your head. The side buttons for volume, camera and voice dialing are elusive and hard to press without inadvertently hitting the wrong one. The video player is weak and prone to freezing the picture if you adjust the volume mid-video. In fact, the phone’s all-around laggy when switching between applications and after button presses.

RIM’s inaugural foray into flip phones is decent, and it’s good that the company has a model that’s fully up to date, but it could benefit from some design refinements and a stronger processor to reduce some of the phone’s almost omnipresent lag. Flip phone enthusiasts aching for a Blackberry (if there is such a thing) will probably like it and overlook its flaws. And though Andre is not here to enjoy it, Yao is.  —Roger Hibbert

WIRED The bright, sharp screen is pretty and vivid. Long talk time is a boon for e-mail fiends and talkaholics. WiFi calling is loud and clear with audio fidelity akin to GSM. Comes with a microSD slot for adding storage (and includes a 265-MB card).

TIRED Video playback is low quality and prone to freezes. Images in e-mails are re-rendered for the screen at an uncomfortably low quality. The countersunk nubbin is harder to tap than  other Pearl models. Phone is big, awkward and gangly when opened.

$200 (with two-year contract), t-mobile.com

(Photos by Jonathan Snyder for Wired.com)

Posted under Gadget Reviews

Telecom service provider Orange in U.K. is reportedly suspending shipments of Research In Motion’s BlackBerry Bold phone due to "software issues."

Following reports of glitches in the device across different carriers, Orange is waiting for feedback from RIM regarding a fix
which could take up to weeks, according to a internal
Orange statement posted on Mobile Tech Addicts website.

The statement, which is reported to have come from an anonymous tip off, did not reveal the alleged issues with the device but it raises questions whether the Bold could be facing similar problems in the U.S. and if that could be holding up the carrier certification for the phone.

"If true, it is a bit of surprise that this should happen to RIM which has a reputation for delivering rock solid devices," says Neil Strother, an analyst with Jupiter Research. "But now that they are coming out with new models rather quickly, there is a lot of software integration that could go wrong."

In May, RIM announced the launch of BlackBerry Bold, a full QWERTY keyboard device with 2 megapixel camera, 3G, WiFi and integrated GPS. The device was expected to debut in summer but so far there has been no news on the U.S. launch of it.

The Bold is available in 20 other countries but there has been much speculation that AT&T, the carrier most likely to introduce the device in the U.S., is facing problems with 3G reception on the phone.

RIM was not immediately available for a comment.

Meanwhile, the company announced on Wednesday its latest phone, a touchscreen device called Storm.

So is the BlackBerry Bold too old now for a U.S. release?

Yes, unless RIM can get it out by the end of the month.

The Bold will be battling other phones for consumer attention in a weak economy this holiday season.

The company’s own device, the Storm is scheduled for a launch ahead of Christmas and the much anticipated T-Mobile G1 phone based on Google’s new Android phone will be available in stores starting  Oct. 22.

That could put the Bold in a tight spot unless it markets itself largely as a device for business users.

"Not everyone necessarily wants a touchscreen device," says Strother. "The Bold may satisfy folks who want a hard keyboard and want RIM’s proven email capabilities."

It may be exactly what RIM is counting on.

Also see:
BlackBerry Bold Exhibits Same Network Symptons as iPhone 3G

Photo: BlackBerry Bold (malyousif/Flickr)

Posted under Gadget Reviews

After all the leaked info, BlackBerry Storm, the latest touchscreen phone from Research In Motion, has appeared officially on service provider Vodafone’s website.

Vodafone’s webpage is scarce in details but offers some specifications about the device that could become one of the biggest challengers to the iPhone.

The Storm will have a 3.2 inch screen, built-in GPS, touchscreen navigation, media player, 3.2 megapixel camera, video recording capability and access to an App Center along the lines of iPhone App Store or Google Android marketplace.

In the U.S., the phone will be available through Verizon Wireless. No word yet on the release date.

Photo: Apple iPhone and BlackBerry Curve 8300 (Dan H/Flickr)

Posted under Gadget Reviews

If you read the tech blogs (especially G-Lab) with any degree of frequency then you’re already familiar with the long and winding rumor mill that has been the touchscreen BlackBerry. Yesterday, folks from RIM and Verizon stopped by the Wired offices to squelch those rumors and to give us a hands-on with touch enabled device that they have dubbed the Storm.

To put it eloquently, we’ve seen a butt-load of handset makers jump on the iClone bandwagon since Apple’s device was announced in 2007. And without exception, every single attempt has failed to come close to meeting the iPhone’s nearly mythic combination of intuitive UI, responsive touchscreen, and gorgeous hardware. The Storm, though, actually gets closest of any device we’ve ever laid hands on. And in one critical area it — get ready for it — it actually beats the iPhone.

Do you need a mop because we just blew your mind? Here let us explain what features make this device so cranium busting:

4-inch ClickThrough Touchscreen: This is the Storm’s prime-time killer feature and the reason why it gives the iPhone a run for its money.  The Storm’s screen — like the iPhone’s — is sensitive to the bioelectric pulses in your fingertips. It’s responsive, bright, and requires only a very delicate touch. But when you want to select something, be it anything from music application to a text message, you have to press down on that screen until it clicks. It’s not much — essentially it’s the same sensation you get when clicking with your mouse — but it makes a world of difference. There’s no ambiguity to button presses. You know exactly what key you have pushed and what application you have selected. Text messaging is a breeze — I was able to compose a lengthy detailed SMS without a single typo. That’s a feat I have yet to accomplish with the iPhone.

Cut and Paste: Yes, Virginia there is text editing. Be prepared to access Word and PowerPoint files on the fly.

World Phone Capability: The Storm will operate on Quad-Band: 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900MHz GSM/GPRS/EDGE networks Single-Band: 2100 MHz UMTS/HSPA networks  and Dual-Band: 800/1900 MHz CDMA/EVDO Rev A networks. Meaning? It’s compatible with virtually every single network on earth.

3.2 MP Camera: No real surprise here, but the unit tales some very good pics along with sharp video and clear audio.

The Storm should be called the Hurricane. It’s that heavy. The
device tips the scales at 5.46 ounces and feels even beefier when
shoved in a pocket. It also lacks both video out and Wi-Fi — Verizon
apparently wants you to use its data plan and nothing else. But that
nearly doesn’t matter, the ClickThrough screen is a flash of genius and
more than makes up (upon first impression at least) for any minor
quibble that we might have for the phone.

To say the Storm isn’t a direct response to the iPhone would be
poopy- pants childish. But it’s hard to say if the Storm will eclipse
the iPhone in terms of performance, applications, or even cultural
cache.

Despite having some superior features, I doubt it will have the same
impact on the cellular landscape that the iPhone has. But this is still
the most fully realized version of a touch compatible iPhone competitor
the Lab has seen yet. If the finished product is fully baked and
competitively priced, Cupertino might be wise to worry. My biggest
question? Will future versions of the iPhone crib from the Storm’s
ClickThrough feature or will Steve just bite his lip, close his eyes,
and just try to weather the Storm? 

No pricing or availability has been announced as of yet. Verizon and
RIM both assured us that it would be out before December 25th of this
year. Once we get a fully realized version in, expect a review in no
time, Labbers.

(Photos by Daniel Salo for Wired.com)

Posted under Gadget Reviews

After teasing us with videos and a vague web site, Research
in Motion has finally decided to come out of the closet with full
details on its touchscreen handset, the BlackBerry Storm.

Those following the smartphone market are aware that the word touchscreen has
become a synonym for "iPhone competitor." So we’ve compiled a chart
comparing the two handsets’ specifications (below the jump). You’ll be
entertained to see that in terms of hardware, the Storm is much
more competitive with the iPhone than the underwhelming T-Mobile G1.

Behold:

Those of you who have been itching with curiosity over the Storm are
probably surprised to see the handset’s lack of Wi-Fi connectivity. That’s the major area where iPhone has an advantage, although
BlackBerry smartphones are typically aimed at enterprise users, who primarily use
their smartphones for e-mail — so they may not mind. Still, quite an
odd omission from a handset that features a web browser and multimedia capabilities virtually
identical to the iPhone.

As for the Storm’s advantages, you’ll notice that the camera sports a
superior resolution at 3.2 megapixels and also includes a flash, auto
focus and video-recording capability. We can only hope the Storm’s
battery lasts long enough to handle those features without rendering
them impractical.

Another interesting tidbit: The Storm’s screen is a wee bit smaller but
sports a higher pixel resolution than the iPhone screen. Wired.com’s
Daniel Dumas had some hands-on time with the Storm, and he’s described the screen as "Beautiful."

Moving on to software — the Storm will ship with the popular BlackBerry OS, which,
as I mentioned earlier, is optimized for enterprise purposes. Think
wireless synchronization with Lotus Notes, Outlook and Novell GroupWise.

Overall, the Storm appears to
attempt to strike a balance between "business" and "casual," allowing
serious enterprise users to take a breather every once and a while and
watch a video, for example. However, it remains questionable whether
enterprise users will appreciate the lack of a physical QWERTY
keyboard.

RIM has not disclosed U.S. pricing or an official ship date yet. Verizon
will serve as the U.S. carrier. We’ll provide updates as more details
become available.

See also:

• Hands On With The BlackBerry Storm

Specification Sheet (in PDF) [RIM]

Posted under Gadget Reviews