According to RIM, a QNX BlackBerry would be in place early 2012.  After that more inside info suggested the same in a device codenamed the BlackBerry “Colt.”  A new rumor is floating around suggesting that the BlackBerry Colt might be due a bit earlier than expected.  From what we’re hearing now, RIM is working hard to launch it before the end of 2011, which will probably be the holiday season at some point.  The Colt is expected to sport a nice 4.3 inch display with a 1.2GHz Qualcomm MSM8255 processor.  It is single core, but would have been nice if RIM kept up with dual core as they did with the BlackBerry PlayBook.  Either way it’s just a rumor for now and the last official word on a QNX BlackBerry remains to be 2012.

With that said, would you still consider purchasing an OS 7 device or wait it out for a QNX bad boy?

 

Source: Engadget, Tweakers

BlackBerry Desktop Software for Mac got an update to version 2.1.2.8 at some point this week.  According to Bla1ze from CrackBerry, it prompted for the update when an OS 7 device would be connected.  There’s nothing new in this build other than the extend device support which includes the BlackBerry Bold 9900/9930, Torch 9810, and Torch 9850/9860 as the release notes indicate.  You can download the update directly from the BlackBerry site as well now.  Hopefully most of you are able to update to OS 7 devices now as they become available for carriers in your area where this update will come in handy then.

Download BlackBerry Desktop Software v2.1.2.8 >>

Thanks Simon for the tip!

Finally! T-Mobile has came out at last and announced the BlackBerry Bold 9900 officially with a launch date.  Back at BlackBerry World 2011, T-Mobile said they would carry the Bold 9900, but never had a launch date specified.  The device is set to launch on August 31st in all T-Mobile stores and online. For business customers, it will be available as soon as August 17th.  As for pricing, T-Mobile is asking $299.99 for the device AFTER a $50 mail in rebate.  So we have it a little pricier than other carriers, but those who have been waiting for the device will get it any way I believe.  Hit the jump for the full press release from T-Mobile.

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Looks like RIM is rolling out updates to instant messaging clients. So far RIM has updated Google Talk, Windows Live, and Yahoo Messenger to version 2.5.85. Which is the same version that was extracted from OS 7.0.0.176. No official changelog has been released (well known that I have noticed). It also looks like AOL Instant Messenger has been the only client that hasn’t been updated, no word on why it was left out. Hopefully we will see an update soon. If you are wanting to download the other clients follow the links below to download the official clients

• Google Talk
• Yahoo Messenger
• Windows Live Messenger

The BlackBerry Bold 9900/9930 is floating around with various carriers at the moment.  It’s been a nice week seeing that Verizon Wireless in the United States picked up the Bold 9930 officially.  To go hand in hand with that, you can grab the leaked OS for it as well.  Here’s OS 7.0.0.308 for the BlackBerry Bold 9930, as it ships out with .254, and usually out of the box OS builds are buggy any way.

Download OS >>

Source: N4BB

We got the word from MMMOOO about a free theme they have up in our app store.  Doodle Monsters is a quite interesting theme giving you monsters running around your wallpaper with some cartoon-style icons for the home screen and menu.  Doodle Monsters is free for a limited time, so grab it while it’s still available at no cost to you at the PocketBerry Store.

Doodle Monsters Theme for BlackBerry >>

BlackBerry Handheld Software v7.0.0.1346 (Multilanguage)
Package Version: 7.0.0.1346
Consisting of:

• Applications: 7.0.0.261
• Software Platform: 5.0.0.464
• File name: 9850AMEA_PBr7.0.0_rel1346_PL5.0.0.464_A7.0.0.261_U.S._Cellular_.exe
• File size: 197.61MB

Note: The Software Platform and Applications version numbers can be found under Options-About screen on the handheld.

Download OS 7.0.0.261 for the BlackBerry Torch 9850 >>

Tacky cases for BlackBerry have been around for a while.  Even Lebron James was spotted with some sort of gold housing for his BlackBerry Bold 9700 in the past.  That one was probably plastic of some sort but we did see the full gold plated BlackBerry Bold 9700 too.  And by full gold plated, I mean everything was wrapped in gold including the housing, bezels, and even keyboard.  Amosu Couture is famous for creating expensive casing for smartphones.  We have seen various BlackBerry devices get wrapped in gold in the past, and now the all new BlackBerry Bold 9900 has received the same fix.  You can pick up a Bold 9900 with 24k gold casing for £999.99.  Here’s Amosu’s stock description of the device:

Once again Amosu Couture storms the market in ‘Shine’.Amosu Couture now releases the latest BlackBerry 9900 with the bezel plated in hardened 24ct.Gold. Be the first to get one of these luxury phones. ‘Add Shine To Your Life’ Also available in white, yellow or platinum gold or the bezel encrusted in Swarovski crystallized elements.

Are you sold yet? Check them out here.

Source: N4BB

A while back T-Mobile USA changed their prepaid services, and with the change they took away prepaid BlackBerry services. This meant BlackBerry users from outside of the US or users with an unlocked BlackBerry couldn’t use services such as Appworld, BBM, and in some cases email (on T-Mobile prepaid plans).  It would only work if connected to WiFi. It seemed that AT&T had adopted the same idea for prepaid BlackBerry users.

Now it seems T-Mobile USA has changed their prepaid plans once again. It looks like they are opening up BlackBerry use on prepaid but there is a catch. You have to select one of two plans. Either a 60$ Unlimited Talk/Text/Web (100mbs of web at “4G”speeds) or an 80$ which is Unlimited Talk/Text/Web. With either of the two plans any one who doesn’t want a contract or who is traveling to the United States for vacation, work, or business can still continue using all of their BlackBerry services. (as long as the device is unlocked)

A few weeks ago BlackBerry App World 3.0 rolled out in the Beta Zone.  App World 3.0 gave the BlackBerry application market a huge new face lift.  App World definitely responds faster and the layout is a lot easier to use.  Any way, the beta version of App World has updated to version 3.0.0.59 with the following change log:

• UI changes to the background and app details screen
• Further improvements to speed and screen transitions
• Various bug fixes