As the story goes, the Slider is taking two guises: the 9900 for GSM networks, and 9930 for the CDMA variants destined to hit store shelves. Furthermore, Sprint is currently being touted as the carrier of choice for the moment, at least for the CDMA versions. However, the problem is coming in waves for the Slider, as early testing has the device at a failure rate of 80%. Apparently, the only other BlackBerry device that had these kinds of problems was the BlackBerry Pearl Flip. There’s a small shed of hope in there though, considering the Flip did indeed get released.

The sad truth is that the 9900, GSM model is meant for other areas of the world. That’s right. If the 9930 does in fact come out, it’s looking like Sprint would be the exclusive carrier here in the States, at least for awhile. We’re hoping that the BlackBerry slider does come out, as it would be a great step in the right direction for the Canadian-based company. Not that Research In Motion has any real issues, but we’d love to see some genuine ingenuity in the form factor department. We’ve got our fingers crossed.

[via Electronista]

Of course, BlackBerry users have a good Twitter application already available to them in the guise of UberTwitter, but there is a small glimmer of hope that an official application will just work better than anything else offered. In this case, the Twitter for BlackBerry smartphones is set to include Mentions, Direct Messages, your Timeline, retweeting, and following (all the essentials for a Twitter client). From the small image we can see of the application, we’re liking how it looks.

The LinkedIn for BlackBerry application also looks pretty nice. You’re able to look up profiles, send messages, and check network updates. However, there’s one feature that seems to suggest a far bigger thing happening here. The advertisement suggests that you will be able to see LinkedIn profile photos in your Contacts. Does that mean the LinkedIn application is going to sync with your BlackBerry contacts? We certainly hope so. Lastly, both of these applications are going to be offered up for free, but the only semblance of a timeline that RIM is offering can be found in that legendary “soon” word, so who knows when they’ll actually hit.

[via CrackBerry]

On the first, which was Monday (just in case you lost track of time), Samsung went on the record as officially launching the Caliber (SCH-r860) for MetroPCS. While this isn’t the highest of mid-range devices, it does offer some pretty good stats: a 3.2-inch (resistive) touchscreen; 3MP camera, Bluetooth, and access to a MicroSD card. Considering it’s a touch-based Samsung, you shouldn’t be surprised that TouchWiz is rocking the User Interface side of things. It also has a full HTML browser, so go ahead and surf away. The MicroSD can be expanded to 16GB, so you can make use of the on-board MP3 player.

Next up, we’ve got a new line of phones from industry heavy Nokia. They introduced the first in their C-Series of devices: the C5. It’s a “smartphone” running S60 3rd Edition, and like most phones coming out these days, it’s a media-centric device with a heavy tilt towards social interation. You can access Facebook status messages through the phonebook, and access to your favorite contacts can be had right from the homescreen. It’s got access to Nokia’s OVI Maps, which means navigation is free for life (or as long as you own the phone), and comes in at EURO 135, so nothing that’ll break the bank. The device is set to launch some time in the second quarter of 2010, so if this something you’re interested in, keep your eyes peeled.

Despite the fact Research In Motion would appear again later in the week, we wanted to make you aware of this story more than anything. Meet what is being called the BlackBerry Storm 3. It’s a slider. Yes, that’s right. Leaked images of a sliding formfactor BlackBerry started making the rounds on Wednesday, showcasing what Research In Motion might be planning for some time later in the week. Nothing was confirmed of course, but as it stands, RIM could use another industry-changer (like the original Storm), and we’re eagerly anticipating anymore images we can get our greedy hands on.

Just past the middle of the week now and we’ve got Samsung on the chopping block again. This time around we’ve got two phones that are seeing shelves around the world, with no plans (as of now) for any State-side sales. We’ve got the Samsung Clutch, which is ridiculously shiny. However, Samsung may want you to think you’re getting a high-end device based on looks, going a bit deeper into the User Interface shows us that TouchWiz is still there in its full glory, with something Samsung is calling a “lady UI.” We’re still not sure what that means exactly, but apparently having applications like a calorie counter and party planner equate to a lady UI. It costs about $520. The Samsung Diva is something less than the Clutch, both in aesthetics and UI. Missing all the flashy “lady” parts (…), the Diva is indeed still aimed at a more female userbase. We’ve got to give it to Samsung: they know how to create phones.

Microsoft may have wowed the world with their upcoming Windows Phone 7 Series Operating System, but apparently they’ve also got something else being worked on in secret. Well, it hasn’t been much of a secret for awhile, but now we’ve got pictures! Microsoft’s Project Pink is apparently meant for the more teenage-age range of customers, with media, messaging, and social networking the focal point. They’re bringing two devices –the Turtle and Pure– to Verizon Wireless in April, if we are to believe the rumors. While the pictures may not speak to everyone, at least we can say the Turtle is one of the most interesting devices we’ve seen in awhile. And that’s saying a lot.

Speaking of Windows Phone 7, LG was nice enough to show off their first device running the mobile Operating System of the future. While everyone has been focusing on the top of the parameters for the hardware, LG wanted to show off what’s been called the second chassis. A slider, with a full, physical QWERTY keyboard, and a touchscreen. There wasn’t much else to go on at the time, but the codename did come out a bit later. LG is going to (according to further rumors) call the new phone the Panther. (Yes, they could have chosen a better name.) But! Even better than an LG slider-phone, is what Eric Rudder showed off at TechEd in the Middle East. He walks us through playing an Indie game on his computer, and then moves the same game over to his Windows Phone 7 Series-based device, and finally moves it over to the Xbox 360 to finish the experience. Rudder (and subsequently Microsoft) have shown what the convergence of the three screens will finally look like, and it looks awesome.

And finally, we’ve got Motorola. They’ve gone ahead and launched their latest Android-based device, but that’s not really the big news. Instead of hitting T-Mobile, Sprint, or even Verizon, this one’s heading to AT&T. That’s right, the second largest carrier in the States has finally received their first Android device, and, well, it’s interesting. It introduces a very intriguing form factor, and one that you’ll have to see to believe. We’ve got a review of the device over at SlashGear, which you should definitely check out, even if you’re not on AT&T or want an Android device. Just go look at it.

That ends this week. Be sure to stop by next week for another wrap-up.

The red version of the 8530 is exactly the same as the two other colored models on Sprint, so you’re looking at a Curve-like form factor; the aforementioned trackpad, expandable memory through MicroSD, and the latest BlackBerry OS, version 5.0. You also have media buttons at the top of the device, which can help navigate through music and movies. There’s no official word from Sprint or RIM at this point, so right now this is still a rumor, unfortunately, When’s the supposed release date? March 14. So we don’t have long before this gets confirmed or shot down.

[via PhoneDog]

“Today we are announcing an exciting new offering that further expands the market opportunity for the BlackBerry platform,” said Mike Lazaridis, President and Co-CEO, Research In Motion. “In a marketplace where smartphones are becoming ubiquitous, BlackBerry Enterprise Server Express significantly raises the bar by providing a cost-effective solution that allows companies of all sizes to support enterprise-grade mobile connectivity for all employees without compromising security or manageability.”

For IT administrators, BlackBerry Enterprise Server Express also offers the following:

• Runs on the same physical or virtual server as the Microsoft mail server or on its own server. BlackBerry Enterprise Server Express is also certified for use with VMware ESX
• Over 35 IT controls and policies, including the ability to remotely wipe a smartphone and enforce and reset passwords
• A Web-based interface that allows remote administration and makes it easy to install the software, connect BlackBerry smartphones and apply usage policies

BlackBerry Presenter gives users easy control of their presentations, allowing them to navigate their presentations, view speaker notes, loop presentation slides and even reference information on one slide while displaying another. Thanks to a wireless (Bluetooth) connection between the BlackBerry smartphone and BlackBerry Presenter, users can also walk around freely while presenting (supports roaming up to 30 feet between the devices).

Specifications

• Conveniently small and light — 3.4″ x 2.4″ x 0.9″ and 140g
• Video Formats Supported: NTSC, PAL
• Video Cable Support: S-Video, VGA
• Power Connection: Micro USB
• Display Resolution Support: 640×480 (VGA), 800×600 (SVGA), 1024×768 (XGA)
• Bluetooth Version 2.0 + EDR, Class 1.5
• Carrying Case: Synthetic Leather
• Support for most PowerPoint animations and transitions
• No additional file processing required – present files directly without having to pre-process the file on the PC
• Languages Supported: English, French, Italian, German, Spanish

BlackBerry Presenter is being demonstrated by RIM at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas this week and will be available at a later date on ShopBlackBerry.com for $199.

Key features:

• full QWERTY keyboard and touch-sensitive trackpad for reliable, responsive typing and navigation
• 256 MB flash memory and 528 MHz next generation processor for enhanced performance
• Supports voice-activated dialing and Bluetooth® (version 2.1), with support for hands-free headsets, car kits, stereo headsets and other Bluetooth peripherals
• 3G-enabled (EV-DO)
• Built-in Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g)
• GPS with support for location-based applications, including geotagging pictures and Verizon Wireless’ VZ Navigator(SM) service
• 2.0 megapixel digital camera with zoom and video recording
• microSD/SDHC memory card slot

Our remaining doubts concern how well the Storm2 stands as a prosumer device compared to its flourishing Android, iPhone and webOS rivals. Each has areas in which they better the Storm2, whether in usability, responsiveness, browser experience or media playback, but the BlackBerry does put up a decent fight. The Storm2 falls short of delivering a knockout blow, but it’s no longer undermined by its own “unique features”. RIM has certainly done enough for the Storm2 to warrant a place on your touchscreen smartphone shortlist.

Key Features:

• Smooth design and premium finish with sloped edges, chrome accents, glass lens and stainless steel backplate
• Large (3.25”), dazzling high-resolution 480 x 360 display at 184 ppi
• Capacitive touchscreen with integrated functions (Send, End, Menu, Escape) and new SurePress technology that makes clicking the display practically effortless
• 3G and global connectivity support for making phone calls in more than 220 countries and accessing data in more than 185 countries (with more than 80 destinations in 3G)
• Network Connectivity: EV-DO Revision A; UMTS/HSPA (2100 MHz); and quad-band EDGE/GPRS/GSM networks
• Supports Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g)
• 256 MB of Flash memory
• 2 GB of onboard media storage and a microSD™/SDHD memory card slot with a 16 GB card included

BlackBerry Storm – MR3 (5.0) Software Release

• Software Version: 5.0.0 Release 508(OS 4.2.0.128 / Applications 5.0.0.328)
• Significant improvements in rotation detection and screen painting have been introduced in this software.
• Device displayed a white bar at the bottom of the screen after a rotation event.
• When setting a custom SMS tone for a single contact, this tone may playback unexpectedly for SMS’ received from other contacts.
• When swiping down the virtual keyboard in an MMS message the send and save draft icons did not appear as expected.
• When viewing an SMS there was no simple way to call the current user. Now the user can select the number from the Callback Number field or from the message body and call that number from the pop up menu.
• The delete prior function has the unwanted side-effect of triggering the compose email screen.
• The user cannot configure their profile settings to increase the number of alerts when being notified of an event such as incoming SMS or email.
• Previous software versions did not allow the user to increase the count of notifications (i.e. Beep 5 times when when I get an email and beep 3 times when I get an sms). In this software, this is now allowed with counts from 1-10.
• When trying to set a home screen background of a certain resolution (more specifically a resolution matching either the width or the height of the native resolution of the LCD) it may have appeared as a black screen.
• When trying to edit/create a folder, the virtual keyboard did not render to allow the user to enter the names of said folders.
• Intermittently, when streaming a video while doing a handover to 2G on a 3G network the video would stop playing.
• If you paused a video recording and then resumed, the icon state may not have reflected the current recording state.
• After recoding a video of a certain size (7M) the saved video may be corrupted and unplayable.
• During manual network selection, the radio buttons associated with the networks did not render as expected.
• When moving out of coverage your device display for no coverage may have been inconsistent.
• During voice calls, your device may have reset on a rare occasion.
• After viewing and accepting the End User Licensing Agreement of the App World application the application doesn’t startup (fixes introduced in the latest version of App World).
• On some rare occasions, the device may reset on its own during a voice call or while idle.
• During an MTP side load of 16GB of music, the device would leak memory and stop the transfer at ~75%.
• During device full boot-up, the progress bar skips from 0% complete to ~66% complete instead of showing a gradual progression (Note: from 66% to 100% it does show a gradual progression).

[via engadgetmobile]

Soon to be available around the world beginning November, for example AT&T, T-Mobile and Bell Canada, T-Mobile will sell the new BlackBerry Bold 9700 for $199.99 with a 2 yrs service contract.

Key features of the BlackBerry Bold 9700 smartphone include:

• Size: 4.29″ x 2.36″ x 0.56″ (109 mm x 60 mm x 14.1 mm) 
• Weight: 4.3 oz (122 grams)
• 2.44” display (480 x 360 resolution at 245 ppi)
• touch-sensitive trackpad
• Built-in Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g)
• 3.2 MP camera with variable zoom, autofocus, flash and video recording
• Built-in GPS
• 3.5 mm stereo headset jack
• microSD/SDHD memory card slot
• 256 MB of Flash memory
• Bluetooth (2.1)
• Removable, rechargeable 1500 mAhr battery that provides approximately 6 hours of talk time and 17 days of standby time in 3G mode

[via slashgear]