Following this mornings announcement by Rogers, Telus has announced that they too will be carrying the BlackBerry Torch 9800 on September 24th. Telus’ VP of Mobility and Solutions, Brent Jonston, had this to say: “Both business and consumer customers will get an incredible mobile experience from the new BlackBerry Torch smartphone. Telus is pleased to bring the BlackBerry Torch to Canadians, which will allow them to easily stay connected, entertained and informed wherever they are while running on our blazing fast 3G+ network.” No pricing was given in the press release, but $199 on a 3-year contract is a pretty safe bet.

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The producers of Entourage have already shown their tech savvy with a littering of BlackBerry, Jawbone and iPad use, but how about some unreleased hardware? Turtle was spotted doing a bit of cardio in last night's episode, nothing too shocking about that, but he did it using Microsoft's Kinect peripheral as a workout buddy. Last time we checked, that motion-controlled goodness wasn't supposed to be out for another two months -- we can only guess that good old Sal Assante managed to get his name on that top-secret beta tester list.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Continue reading Screen Grabs: Turtle gets his Kinect on

Screen Grabs: Turtle gets his Kinect on originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 30 Aug 2010 08:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Each week Ross Rubin contributes Switched On, a column about consumer technology.

Before the mass adoption of smartphones in the U.S., many fretted that the heavy subsidization model was feeding a free handset model that would keep Americans hopelessly addicted to basic voice plans and phones optimized for them. The price consumers paid in relation to the value of the handset, it was argued, was hopelessly out of whack. This year, a string of successful smartphones have shown that an increasing percentage of U.S. consumers are willing to pay $200 for a flagship device. On the other hand, there's still ample evidence that price and value can remain disconnected. And the carriers aren't making it much easier.

The smartphone surge has been driven in part by a desire to acquire the best and by a response to carrier advertising. However, a recent run-up in advanced smartphones have made it difficult to define a clear top of the line at many carriers, and carriers simply cannot promote them all with the same attention lavished on the iPhone or original Droid. Take the turn of events at Verizon, for example, which in the space of a few months has rolled out the Droid Incredible, Droid X and Droid 2, with the Samsung Fascinate in the wings. At least the first three have been all priced at $199, with strong precedent for the Fascinate coming in at that level. And while AT&T has been a bit more diverse in the operating systems of its recent spate of high-end contenders -- the iPhone 4, BlackBerry Torch and Samsung Captivate -- they too have all been priced at $199.

Continue reading Switched On: Gluts and glory

Switched On: Gluts and glory originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 21 Aug 2010 19:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It's felt almost as if the BlackBerry smartphone rumor mill has been a little too quiet -- dare we say burnt out -- since the Torch hit the scene (BlackPad notwithstanding, of course). That's all changed with a pair of interesting leaks care of Boy Genius Report. Behold a successor to the Bold 9700, the R020. The tri-band UMTS / quad-band EDGE device is gonna disappoint some with the same 624MHz clockspeed and 2.44-inch 480 x 360 screen, but it does have twice the RAM (512MB), a 5 megapixel camera with AF and flash, and of course runs on BlackBerry 6. If the purported leaked slides are correct, a device of such magnitude should be launching in the October timeframe. Looking to the CDMA side of things -- which means likely both Verizon and Sprint -- we've got a 9670 "Oxford" (at least by codename) flip phone with a full QWERTY keyboard, 5 megapixel camera, 360 x 400 internal display (240 x 320 for the external), usual amenities like WiFi and GPS, and the hip new BB6. No touchscreen on either phones, as far as we can tell, but perhaps that's a blessing for those that fret smudged screens.

BlackBerry Bold R020 and 9670 Oxford flip outed? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Aug 2010 18:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bloomberg is reporting that the rumored BlackBerry tablet, dubbed the BlackPad, will run an operating system designed by QNX Software; QNX is the software company RIM acquired back in April. Bloomberg quotes anonymous sources with knowledge of the matter, and speculates a November launch for the deivce. “QNX, with headquarters in Ottawa, has customers in the automotive, industrial, medical, and communications industries. Its software helps control the music, media and navigation systems in cars such as those from Bayerische Motoren Werke AG and Porsche SE,” writes the company’s website. The BlackPad is rumored to be a Wi-Fi tablet that will closely integrate with BlackBerry handsets, although it is not clear if a BlackBerry will be necessary for the device to function. What do you think? Is QNX software a relief, or would you prefer to see a customized version of BlackBerry 6 on the fabled device?

We did wonder why RIM was acquiring infotainment specialist QNX Software Systems back in April, and today, according to Bloomberg, much of that mystery has been dispelled. Three separate sources are cited in a report claiming that RIM intends to run software built by QNX on its virginal tablet effort, the BlackPad. It's curious that the company is opting against upscaling its BlackBerry 6 operating system into the tablet space, though one of the sources suggested that's due to legacy code hanging around in the still new OS, making it easier to just start afresh when building the slate's software package. It shall be very interesting indeed to see how well this $200 million investment works out for RIM; it'll certainly be the biggest departure from the BlackBerry maker's conservative norm.

BlackPad to have its own OS, built by QNX? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 Aug 2010 08:57:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Today, Verizon announced a new video application that will allow subscribers of their FiOS television service to watch live, linear programming on an iPad. Before anyone gets too excited, the application — which is scheduled to be released early next year — does have one fairly enormous catch. As reported by Gigaom, “subscribers with an iPad will only be able to watch linear programming within their own home, which allows Verizon to authenticate and make certain that the users have access to whatever content they have paid for.” Verizon has said that all the backend legwork to make the TV streams available has been completed; they are now woking on getting content providers comfortable with the idea of their precious shows being available on devices other than television sets.

Verizon also announced a new video-on-demand application that will debut in Q4. The application, “will allow subscribers to purchase and rent videos and watch them across multiple devices and multiple platforms,” including the DROID X, DROID 2, BlackBerry Storm and handsets running Windows Mobile 6.5 (wah?).

All pretty exciting stuff in the mobile entertainment realm. Our one question is: why would we want to watch TV on a 9.7-inch iPad screen when we’re in the same vicinity as our HDTV? Thoughts?

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Just a quick note here… Google has announced that its calendar desktop syncing conduit for Outlook — Calendar Sync — is now compatible with Microsoft Outlook 2010. The blog writes that Outlook 2010 support has been one of the team’s top feature requests. Currently, only the 32-bit version of Outlook 2010 is supported, but keep your eyes on the Gmail Blog for updates. We’ve got the announcement after the break.

Google Calendar Sync now supports Outlook 2010

Making sure that your calendar is available to you whenever and wherever you need it is important. That’s why Google Calendar works with a number of desktop applications and mobile devices including iCal, iPhone and iPad, Blackberry, Android, Nokia/Symbian, and Windows Mobile phones. Google Calendar Sync for Outlook is also available, but one thing was missing — until now.

Google Calendar Sync now supports Outlook 2010 — our top feature request. Outlook 2010 comes in 32-bit and 64-bit versions, and currently only 32-bit is supported. To start syncing your calendar with Outlook 2010, download Google Calendar Sync version 0.9.3.6. Once you install it, a Settings window will appear. Enter your account’s email address and password, choose your sync optionand sync frequency, and you’re done! (Note: If you’re already using Google Calendar Sync, you’ll still need to download and install this new version in order to be able to sync with Outlook 2010. If you need help, take a look at our getting started guide.)

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Blog driphter.com has new images of the unreleased BlackBerry Bold 9780 equipped with 3G bands 1, 2, 5, and 6. The bands operate on the 800 MHz, 850 MHz, 1900 MHz, and 2100 MHz spectrums and are what the folks over at AT&T use on their network. Previously, the device had only been seen with bands 1, 4 and 8, indicating that the device was potentially headed to T-Mobile USA. In light of this new discovery it looks like versions of the 9780 could hit T-Mobile, AT&T, Bell Mobility, Telus, and Rogers if RIM so chooses. Anyone out there prefer this more familiar form factor to that of the new Torch 9800?

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According to blog DigiTimes, Quanta Computer will be charged with manufacturing Research In Motion’s rumored tablet, dubbed BlackPad. The blog cites Chinese publication Apply Daily, and writes:

The tablet (BlackPad) will support Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, as well as 3G through connection to a Blackberry smartphone. The device will be priced at US$499 and Quanta will start shipping orders in September with volumes to reach two million units in 2010 and eight million units in 2011.

Where the report gets a little suspect is here: “Research In Motion’s Android tablet PC [...] will be launched in November 2010.” RIM shipping an Android product? Don’t get us wrong, we would love to see it, we’re just having a hard time believing it.

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In the world of the HTPC, the quest for the least inconvenient means of controlling on-screen action continues. We had a winner with the Rii Mini wireless keyboard in March, but the familiar aesthetics of this EFO iPazzPort keyboard make us want to have one lying about our coffee table. This is the newly redesigned third generation model, a big step forward from the first gen and, from the second revision, adds on function keys that can be used during bootup (for the "Hit F1 to enter BIOS" types), dedicated keys for playing and pausing and whatnot, and a laser pointer -- crucial for indicating the fatally arcing trajectories of contestants on Wipeout. All that's in addition to the already present QWERTY keyboard resting just below a functional touchpad. The cost? $45. Watching your friends try to make a call from your keyboard? Priceless.

EFO iPazzPort Keyboard looks like a BlackBerry, calls your HTPC instead of your boss originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 08 Aug 2010 18:57:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Alright guys, we finally have a BlackBerry Torch 9800 in hand, before launch date, and we figured we’d do the second honors on your behalf. We have chimed in with our first-hand impressions of the new BlackBerry, but now that we have a unit in front of us again, here are a couple more quick thoughts:

• Again, the device is really solid. Construction seems high quality, though there is obviously a “plastic” feel as opposed to something more luxurious. Like metal (aluminum, stainless steel). The rubberized back battery cover, while kind of scares me at first, feels really good when you hold the phone. It’s not overly rubbery, it is something that will probably save many Torch owners from flinging the device out of their palm while carrying it around.
• The screen is depressing. I personally think at this point in time, there is no excuse. It instantly makes the phone not feel competitive, and doesn’t encourage you to use the phone. In fact, it makes me not even want to use the device. Not sitting next an iPhone 4 and a DROID X — no way.
• Love the keyboard. I’m already able to bang out my 80 WPM emails (most likely ones yelling at Andrew).
• Will reserve full thoughts on the OS and UI for our review, but the phone really does feel a bit busy as I mentioned earlier. One of BlackBerry’s strengths has been providing users with that “always connected” feel, but I really think they might have taken it too far with the BlackBerry 6 OS.

While we put together the full review, we have to ask — who’s getting one, and who’s passing?

Click on over to our BlackBerry Torch 9800 gallery!

A Best Buy source just messaged us some information of interest. According to said source, Best Buy stores will start accepting preorders for the BlackBerry Torch 9800 starting immediately. Additionally, Best Buy locations that stopped taking preorders for several phones (DROID X, Incredible, EVO) have now opened that service back up. Finally we have heard that Best Buy systems are showing the Motorola DROID 2 release date pegged for August 12th, just like we reported. DROID 2 > DROID X?

We can't say this is exactly a surprise, but we are rather saddened to learn that Saudi Arabia has apparently carried through on its threats to shut down all BlackBerry messaging services functionality due to "security concerns." Users there are reporting that they are no longer able to use their keyboards for the jobs they were intended, forcing them to actually call friends -- with their voices. Saudi Arabia has threatened $1.3 million fines for any wireless provider that does not play nicely and, until those threats are lifted, we're thinking BBM is down for the count out there.

BlackBerry messaging shut down in Saudi Arabia, users feel early withdrawl pains originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 06 Aug 2010 07:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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One of our Sprint sources has just given us a heads up that the Samsung Epic 4G will be released on Sprint on August 11th…The source goes on to say that this information is located in the Sprint playbook, and some stores will be opening at 8:00 AM on launch day to meet expected demand. August 11th, one day before the reported DROID 2 launch and the BlackBerry Torch 9800 launch… who is planning on purchasing an Epic 4G?

If you haven’t been following the soap opera that is going on between the United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and RIM let us fill you in. The UAE and KSA will halt BlackBerry data services beginning October 11th and August 5th respectively citing concerns over national security. For the most part, RIM has remained quiet noting the delicate and sensitive nature of talks at the state level. However, that all changed yesterday. The Wall Street Journal is reporting that RIM CEO Michael Lazaridis has released a statement saying, “This is about the Internet. Everything on the Internet is encrypted. This is not a BlackBerry-only issue. If they can’t deal with the Internet, they should shut it off.” We’re assuming when Mr. Lazaridis says “everything on the Internet is encrypted” he is referring to SSL and the like. The BlackBerry maker CEO continued, “We have dealt with this before. This will get resolved. And it will get resolved if there is a chance for rational discussion.” We say good for RIM. What do you think?

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A freshly minted post on the official BlackBerry Blog is giving all those interested a more in-depth look at the redesigned BlackBerry 6 browser. As you may or may not have heard, the new BlackBerry browser is based on the WebKit rendering engine and should dramatically improve the browsing experience on BB6 equipped devices. Images and descriptions of the new start page, tabbed browsing, social feed integration, options menu, and browser viewing are all included. Hit the read link to have a look, and let us know what you think.

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