Archive for: rim
Sexy new Blackberry Curve models have been announced. There are three new devices – 9350, 9360 and 9370 – the only difference is the connectivity: the 9350 is CDMA-only, 9360 supports GSM and UMTS while 9370 supports both GSM and CDMA.
All of these Blackberry Curve models have a 2.44 inch display, 480×360 pixel screen, an 800 MHz CPU, 512 MB of RAM, and a 5-megapixel camera.
All of these devices will be launched at the end of August in Canada and then the rest of the world in September.
Have you every wondered how RIM was performing compared to the other smartphone brands in market, well here is a great infographic that outlines this and more.
Geekaphone‘s RIM vs the World Infographic
It seems like RIM have decided to starting thinking about also adopting other mobile platforms. RIM is now planning on supporting smartphones on other platforms including iOS, Symbian, Windows Phone 7 and Android. RIM feels it’s about time to explore the world beyond Blackberry and see if they can have the same success as competitors such as HTC.
It seems like RIM are accepting that the corporate world will be dominated by iOS and Android.
There is still no word on any of the details, but we will report everything as it comes in.
RIM has started to seed a new application called Blackberry Radio. The aim of Blackberry Radio is to offer streaming internet radio stations, from multiple sources, easier to discover.
Users will find services like Slacker, iHeartRadio and terrestrial sources like Clear Channel and Corus.
Users can organize stations by genre and get links to purchase playing-songs directly from Amazon MP3.
The application is free for Beta Zone users to test; interested parties can can sign up for BlackBerry’s Beta Zone here.
Its been reported that the Blackberry Playbook production is in full swing. Quanta, the China-based manufacturer charged with building the BlackBerry tablets is said to be producing around 150,000 to 200,000 units per month
An earlier report from DigiTimes claims that RIM has 1 million BlackBerry PlayBook tablets on order in the first quarter of 2011. RIM plans to launch a Wi-Fi-only version of its PlayBook tablet in March, while 3G and 4G versions are expected later in the first half of this year.
BGR has been leaked the specs on RIMs phones for 2011. Here are three handsets RIM will release in 2011 and their specs.
BlackBerry Dakota Specs and Features:
1. 4GB of storage, 768 MB of RAM
2. 3G mobile hotspot function and Wi-Fi capabilities
3. MicroUSB port
4. Bluetooth
5. 10.5mm thin
6. BlackBerry OS 6.1
7. 2.8-inch screen; 640×480 resolution
8. Full Qwerty keyboard and touchscreen
Furthermore, BGR reported on an upcoming BlackBerry Curve look-alike, tagged as BlackBerry Apollo. While the smartphone is not as smart and powerful as the Dakota, it might be able to attract customers with a pocket-friendly price.
BlackBerry Apollo Specs and Features:
1. BlackBerry OS 6.1
2. Wi-Fi and GPS capabilities
3. 5-megapixel camera with flash
4. 512MB of storage and 512MB of RAM
5. 480 x 360 resolution screen
6. Bluetooth 2.1
7. 11mm thin
RIM made the BlackBerry Torch official, marking it as the first-ever smartphone with full QWERTY keyboard as well as touchscreen on board. Certain voices confirm that the upcoming device would be called the Torch 2
BlackBerry Torch 2 Specs and Features:
1. Tri-band HSPA 14.1 Mbps
2. 3.2-inch VGA; 640×480 display
3. 8 GB memory
4. 512 MB RAM
5. Bluetooth 2.1; GPS
6. 5 megapixel camera with flash
7. BlackBerry OS 6.1
8. 14.6 mm thin
There’s no doubt that recent reports of RIM’s recent launches and positioning as a company shows the struggle it has to maintain relevancy in a world dominated by Apple and seeing large segments of market share also get eaten up by Google. In both cases, the competition is offering more than what RIM currently has on its side and it aims to make changes, but is it too late?
After Google acquired AdMob, and Apple acquared Quattro, now known as the iAd platform, RIM is actively seeking a company to add to its arsenal of offerings to make their Blackberry platform seem more appealing to users. Unfortuately, according to AppleInsider, Millenial, the company they are looking at, looks to remain independent, not wanting to be exclusive to RIM and lose out on its offerings to the Apple platform. It’s a tough place to be no doubt, and while RIM may have scoffed at Millenial’s request of 400-500 million as the price of acquisition, they are only looking to cover their costs in possible lost revenue from no longer being able to offer anything to Apple’s products.
At this point, RIM needs a hail mary play to stay in the game it seems. They’ve been unable to match Apple’s extensive growth and Google’s Android phones have taken over as Verizon’s flagship phones, a spot once held by Blackberry. The BlackBerry Storm, Storm2, and the recent debut of the BlackBerry Torch, which reportedly shipped just 150,000 units at launch, all consistent failures in terms of sales. Globally RIM has suffered a slip in market share from 19.1 to 17.8 percent.
It will be interesting to see where things go. I don’t wish RIM to fall off the planet; I’m a firm believer in the spirit of competition and understand that it’s the only way to keep companies innovating. If you’re a Blackberry user, I’d love to hear why you switched or why you stay loyal. Leave a comment below.
Not too long ago the Blackberry Desktop Manager was leaked and now RIM has decided to counter this by placing up some 6.0 screenshots. The Blackberry Desktop Manageris now available as a limited beta release in the Blackberry Beta Zone.
Below are the screenshots of the Blackberry Desktop Manager 6.0. The user interface looks a lot better and it seems to resemble the Mac version. If you’re looking to get in on BDM 6.0, head over to the BlackBerry Beta Zone and see if you are eligible to try it out.
Cellphones.org made an interesting report about some of the facts about cellphones operating systems.
In this nice and complete picture you’ll get the primary information about some interesting facts about mobile operating systems: Worldwide market share, top smartphone platforms in the US, market share by continent, popularity of mobile OS and App Stores comparisons.
You will probably find some interesting points about these numbers, let’s take a quick look:
- Symbian is by far the most popular operating system today, RIM and iPhone following next.
- Android is projected to surpass iPhone by 2012 with possibly 14.5% of the market share.
- Blackberry is the most used platform in the US.
- Total number of mobile apps downloads reached 7 billion in 2009, with U$S 4.1 billion revenue. North America only has the 50% of that revenue.
- Average paid per app in 2009: U$S1.90.
- Apple AppStore is the busiest store in downloads, with 3 billion total in 2009.
Via: Cell Phones
One of them most overused terms in the mobile phone industry is the term “iPhone killer.” For awhile there, everything was being termed as an
iPhone killer. The BlackBerry Storm, the BlackBerry Bold, the Palm Pre, and countless others were basically set up for failure. Now sure perhaps the companies are not entirely to blame, pundits and other tech analysts are sometimes responsible for attaching that phrase to a next generation product that appears to be the next step in mobile phone development, so when it fails to provide a quality of service the customer expects, the entire ship goes down in flames. Well folks, not every phone needs to be an iPhone killer.
The LG Mini understands that, and purposely sets out to fit the niche it was created for, the socially engaged. There are times when we don’t need the “smart” in our phones, we just want it to do a few things well and we’re happy. This is the case with the LG Mini which does not attempt to be a smartphone, nor does it attempt to conquer any other phone out there. The Mini simply serves as an amazing phone that touts a strong social networking presence with Social Network Connect, a Social Network Feed, and a Social Address Book.
Aside from having those strong social functions, the phone offers Wi-fi, GPS, built-in FM radio, microSD storage, and a 5-megapixel camera. The strength is evident, but the obvious selling point is the social functions. If you’re one of those that can look past the face that this isn’t the iPhone, then perhaps this little device might be worth it’s weight in social contacts.
