Another rumor that is big news, is the Storm 2 that may be hitting Verizon in September.  Less than a year goes by and we may already have a better Storm, not only with a functioning OS (I would assume) but with a few other features that Verizon has been yearning for.  How does a better touch screen and WiFi sound?  Not enough?  What about a possible 5 mega pixel camera?  Well take out of this what you would like, but being rumor we doubt that anything solid will hit the streets in September.  Last year RIM wasn’t the poster child for being on time with device releases and I hardly see that being the case this year as well.

If I were a Verizon customer, I would not be looking towards the second version of the Storm, but to the release of the 9630.  All of my Verizon buddies are jealous of the Bold and all its glory.  I am just telling them to wait a few months for a device that will trump the Bold, minus Wifi.  However, with the word of a better touch screen on the horizon, many will be quick to give the Storm a second chance.

via BGR, CrackBerry, and SlashGear

Here are a few new updates, one which is very important to many Sprint/Nextel users.  We have an official Nextel 8350i OS update 4.6.1.204 which is suppose to fix these issues:

• Echo Issue
• MMS Improvements: Remove original message when replying; Cursor now defaults to message body when replying
• Quiet and vibrate profiles will now not have incoming Direct Connect calls blaring over your speakerphone
• Master Radio Reset will no longer cause the device to reboot

The other OS update we have is for the Curve 8900.  This is an official update from Indosat and is OS 4.6.1.199.

Here are the links to download the OS’s:

Official Nextel BlackBerry 8350i OS 4.6.1.204

Official Indosat BlackBerry Curve 8900 4.6.1.199

Install at your own risk! To delete the vendor.xml file for use on any carrier download and install it, then go to C:\Program Files\Common Files\Research In Motion\ Apploader then it will be at the bottom, delete it.

via Berry Review and CrackBerry

Any of these code names ring a bell?  Well maybethe Onyx and the Magnum.  Remember way back when, we got wind of the Magnum being a Bold like device with a touch screen?  What about the Onyx, we mentioned it only once, but it was supposedly a 3G flip.  Well now we have the Driftwood and the rumors are saying differently about all of them.  BGR got the rumors over the weekend, that they are all part of the 9000 series and could all possibly be the same device on different carriers.  Now don’t go spouting off that this is true or false, because it is very early rumor.  The big boys have been known to be wrong before and it could happen again.  One of the reasons that they seem like they could be the same device is because all the leaked specs are very similar so far.  Take a look at what BGR found out:

BlackBerry Onyx:

• GSM/GPRS/EDGE/UMTS device
• GPS
• Camera
• Wi-Fi (no UMA support)
• QWERTY keyboard
• 480×360 resolution screen
• Confirmed carriers: AT&T

BlackBerry Driftwood:

• GSM/GPRS/EDGE/UMTS device
• GPS
• Camera
• Wi-Fi with UMA
• QWERTY keyboard

BlackBerry Magnum:

• GSM/GPRS/EDGE/UMTS device
• GPS
• Camera
• Wi-Fi (no UMA support)
• QWERTY keyboard
• 480×360 resolution screen
• Confirmed carriers: AT&T

So, what do you all think?  Remember this is strictly rumor at this point.  Anything can change and we could all be wrong about anything.

via BGR

I first want to apologize for being MIA for the last 5 days.  I got really busy at the end of the week and was out of town for the weekend, so I had no time to keep you updated or even give you tips.  I am back though, and ready to inform you guys.

Level: Beginner, but everyone should do this!

Tip of the Day #20 - Download BlackBerry App World! – I don’t know why I didn’t just post this tip on April 1st, but either way, here it is.  Everyone that owns a BlackBerry and has a data package should download BlackBerry App World.  If you aren’t familiar with App World, it is RIM’s very own application store for your BlackBerry.  Most of you reading this probably already downloaded it, but I was surprised at how many people I spoke to last week who did not know what it was.  This is the reason that I am posting it as a tip; so that all the newbies, who know nothing about their BlackBerry, can find and download all the latest and greatest applications for their phones.

So, for all of you that already have App World, disregard this tip.  For all of you that still have no idea what I am talking about, go to either blackberry.com/appworld or mobile.blackberry.com on your BlackBerry browser and download it.  A  It was updated to v1.0.0.28 from v1.0.0.26 a few days after launch so check to see which version you have if you already have it.

Skype announced today at CTIA that they will launch a “thin” version of Skype for BlackBerry very soon.  Beta versions will be launched for the Bold and Curves in May.  This is accurate to our post a couple days ago about the May launch.

To read the full press release continue on after the link:

Press Release

LAS VEGAS, March 31, 2009 – Skype today announced that the lite version of Skype™, a ‘thin’ Skype client for mobile phones, will soon be available as a free download for BlackBerry® smartphones. A beta version will be available in May for the BlackBerry® Bold™ and BlackBerry® Curve™ smartphones, with support for other BlackBerry smartphones coming later.

The lite version of Skype delivers core Skype capabilities to BlackBerry smartphones, including:

• Make Skype-to-Skype calls to other Skype users anywhere in the world
• Send/receive instant messages to/from individuals or groups
• Make Skype calls at low rates to people on landline or mobile phones
• Receive calls to your online number on Skype
• See when your Skype contacts are online/available to chat

BlackBerry smartphone users who download Skype can save money on calls to landlines and mobiles abroad, and stay connected with friends and family over Skype. The application works wherever your mobile phone works, without needing a Wi-Fi connection. It uses local air time and a mobile Internet connection to sign in to Skype, update your contact list and presence and to send/receive calls or messages. As a result, you must have both a calling plan and a data plan to use the lite version of Skype.

“With Skype on BlackBerry smartphones, we are making Skype available in the briefcases and purses of BlackBerry users around the world,” said Scott Durchslag, COO of Skype. “We have heard loud and clear that our users want Skype on whichever smartphone they choose to use. This fulfills our promise of making Skype available on the major smartphones so consumers and mobile professionals can connect to Skype whenever, wherever and however they choose.”

The lite version of Skype will be available to BlackBerry users worldwide. The ability to make calls will be available in 10 countries: Australia, Brazil (Rio de Janeiro & Sao Paulo), Denmark, Estonia, Finland, New Zealand, Poland, Sweden, the United States and the UK. English will be supported first, with additional languages to follow. Those who download the beta version will be able to provide feedback on the application via an online survey.

The lite version of Skype on BlackBerry smartphones is just the latest offering from Skype that allows users to take their Skype conversations with them. Skype recently announced the availability of the Skype for iPhone application, the lite version of Skype for Android-powered devices and more than 100 other Java-enabled mobile phones, as well as a strategic partnership with Nokia. Skype has also released Skype for Windows Mobile, an application that has been downloaded more than 12 million times worldwide. The beta of the lite version of Skype will be available as a free download to BlackBerry smartphone users beginning in May from www.skype.com/m using their BlackBerry® Browser.

*Costs for using the lite version of Skype:
You will be charged by your mobile operator for local air time and data usage based on the type of calling service and data plan you have purchased. Since the lite version of Skype uses a mobile data connection to sign in to Skype, update your contact list, update presence and send/receive messages, you will be charged by your mobile operator for data usage. You will not incur charges from Skype when you make Skype-to-Skype calls or send instant messages to friends on Skype; however national calling rates apply from your mobile operator due to the use of local air time. Skype will charge its regular very low Skype rates when you call landlines and mobiles using Skype or when you receive calls on your mobile handset from other Skype users or people calling your personal online number. We highly recommend getting an unlimited data plan for use with the lite version of Skype. The longer you remain signed in, the more Skype contacts you have, or the more you send and receive instant messages, the more data you will use.

About Skype
Founded in 2003, Skype is revolutionizing the way people communicate around the world. Skype has more than 405 million registered users globally who use Skype software to communicate for free through voice and video calls as well as instant messages. Skype generates revenue through its premium offerings, such as calls made to and from landlines and mobiles, voicemail, call forwarding, and SMS. Skype is used in almost every country on Earth, and people have made more than 100 billion minutes worth of free Skype-to-Skype calls. Conversations over Skype can take place on computers, mobile devices and Skype Certified™ hardware. Skype certifies and sells hundreds of hardware products from more than 50 partners, and works with hundreds of third-party developers who have created plug-ins to extend Skype’s functionality.

Skype is an eBay company (NASDAQ: EBAY). Learn more and download Skype at www.skype.com.

Access to a broadband Internet connection is required. Skype is not a replacement for your traditional telephone service and cannot be used for emergency calling.

Skype, associated trademarks and logos and the “S” symbol are trademarks of Skype Limited. The BlackBerry and RIM families of related marks, images and symbols are the exclusive properties and trademarks of Research In Motion Limited.