While I can’t predict the weather, one thing is for sure: a storm is on the way.  To be more specific the Storm 2 from RIM.  Yup, they’re releasing the second iteration of the device on October 28th, at least according to some leaked documentation.  This is supposed to be the launch day of Motorola’s Droid, but Verizon isn’t exactly known for warm and fuzziness.  I’m far from excited, especially after playing with the original Storm and predicting its demise.  Expect to drop $179.99 after a 2-year contract signing and $100 mail-in-rebate.

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RIM announced their latest and greatest, the BlackBerry Bold 9700. Touted as an upgrade to the much revered Bold, the new phone features a sleek new design, optical trackpad, OS 5.0, improved battery life, and a smaller footprint. Check out the specs:

• Quad-band EDGE/GPRS/GSM connectivity
• 2100/1900/850/800 MHz or 2100/1700/900 UMTS/HSDPA connectivity
• 2.44 inch light-sensing display with 480 x 360 pixels
• Highly tactile QWERTY keyboard
• Wi-Fi with UMA (where available)
• GPS with Telenav maps
• Bluetooth 2.1
• 3.5mm headset jack
• Access to BlackBerry App World
• 3.2 MP autofocus camera with variable zoom, flash and video recording
• 624MHz processor
• 256 MB of Flash memory
• 2GB memory card in the box
• 4.29 x 2.36 x 0.56 inches (109 x 60 x 14.1 mm)
• 4.3 oz (122 grams)
• 1500 mAh battery

The Bold 9700 will be available from AT&T ($199.99 after contract), T-Mobile, and Rogers sometime in November.

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It’s now official, Vodafone and RIM announced the BlackBerry Storm 2. The new phone improves upon the first with refinements such as:

• An enhanced SurePress Technology
• Overall device performance
• Javascript on by default
• WiFi 802.11 b/g
• 256MB flash memory (vs. 128MB on Storm 1)
• 2GB onboard memory (Storm 1 has 1GB)
• Sleeker design
• Integrated touch navigation keys
• BlackBerry OS 5.0
• Faster web browsing

No specific release date but Vodafone UK customers can get it free from £35 per month on a 24 month contract. Hmm, not sure if I’d want to be tied to a phone for 2 years even if it was free.

Update: You can now pre-order the Storm 2 on Vodafone’s site.

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The wait is finally over: BlackBerry Messenger 5.0 is now officially available via BlackBerry App World. After numerous beta versions, leaks, what have you, RIM have released the much improved, much sought after BBM 5.0. Check out the features:

• Avatars can be easily set up and then populated from BlackBerry Contacts
• Group Functionality - allows groups of friends, family and personal contacts to stay connected & share experiences instantly on their BlackBerry smartphones:
  • ongoing group chat
  • sharing pictures
  • organizing tasks and events with shared lists and calendars
• Bar-code identity - easily add/invite contacts to BlackBerry Messenger by displaying a 2-dimensional bar code that the invitees can capture with their BlackBerry camera
• Large Media File Transfer - up to 6MB

Download it here.

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RIM and Tivo announced the availability of the Tivo app for BlackBerry devices. Yeah, you probably perked up and exclaimed, “Wow!” but the app only allows you to view the program guide and schedule shows to be recorded. Sorry to be a downer but like most of you I was expecting to watch my shows on the BlackBerry itself. Eh, perhaps in the next version.

You can now download the app through BlackBerry App World.

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So what do you do when a major phone carrier (T-Mobile) e-mails you a photo of a highly anticipated, yet unannounced BlackBerry Bold 9700 before any embargo is signed? Why, you immediately post it for everyone to see, of course; and that’s exactly what Al Sacco from CIO did.

Besides the previous unsubstantiated specs that have been going around the net, here are further details straight from the horse’s mouth:

“The BlackBerry ‘Onyx’ sports a premium experience and design with a high-gloss black finish and leather grain detail on the back. Boasting features such as high-speed 3G Web browsing, Wi-Fi calling, visual voicemail and support for corporate and personal e-mail options, the ‘Onyx’ will satisfy all your on-the-go needs. Also the phone comes preloaded with mobile applications from BlackBerry App World, including Amazon MP3 store for quick and easy music downloads and TeleNav GPS Navigator for turn-by-turn directions.”

Sleek, sexy lines, beveled screen, 3G support, UMA, optical trackpad, and the same original Bold keypad? Well, dangit, T-Mobile just became that much more attractive…

[via BGR]

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Looks like the BlackBerry Desktop Manager for Mac has been leaked, much to the applause of BlackBerry Mac users. Finally, some love for all you Mac fanatics, but expect bugs, glitches, and such since it’s only 1.0.0 beta. Click the link below for download links.

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RIM released their BlackBerry App World online. A boon to all BlackBerry users, this online version allows you to quickly browse through the applications and games available in the App World. You can’t purchase directly online but you can send a download link to your BlackBerry via e-mail. Very handy, indeed.

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The folks over at BGR seemingly uncovered the specs for RIM’s next BlackBerry, the 9700. Up to this point, no one knew it even existed so take it as you will. Ready to get your head blown off by the astounding specs of the new super, bionic BlackBerry? Here goes:

• 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

Yeah, I know, not exactly mind-blowing but the excitement is in the details, which will be uncovered. Soon. Hopefully.

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Remember the Dash Express? The “revolutionary” GPS product that brought 2-way communication via internet, real-time user traffic reports, and the ability to search the internet? Well, it was recently acquired by RIM, the makers of the venerable BlackBerry. So the question must be asked, “What in tarnation will they do with it?” Let’s hope they can somehow integrate the cool features of the Dash into the next generation of BlackBerry. It would be a perfect fit: millions of BlackBerries reporting traffic in real time would allow some REALLY accurate traffic reports on any street or highway.

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