Blackberry Unlocked

The time has come for Verizon to do a little housekeeping around their stores, no doubt to make way for the Storm 2 that will be making it’s way to the hands of BlackBerry users reportedly in October. Right now if you have been holding out for a new BlackBerry you can surely walk your way into a $49.99 BlackBerry Storm if you do so wish, just keep in mind that is with a new 2 year contract. So when the Storm 2 hits, you’ll be out of the running unless you want to pay full retail for it.

• Head On Over To The Verizon Website To Pick Up A Storm For $49.99>>

[ BGR/PhoneArena ]

CrackBerry.com’s feed sponsored by ShopCrackBerry.com. BlackBerry Storm Price Reduced To $49.99 On Verizon!

Storm 2 Video time! It seems youtube user iluvblackberry is back in action with another video of the touchscreen BlackBerry Storm 9550, and this time around both the device and iluvblackberry’s video skills are showing signs of improvement (though there’s still room for just a bit more improvement…). 

Compared to his first video, this time around the Storm 9550 shows off some nice flick scrolling action as well elasticity when scrolling. WiFi makes its appearance again (w00t!) and overall the device seems very snappy compared to previous videos we have seen of the Storm 9550 in action. Screen orientation adjusts fairly quickly, though for some reason iluvblackberry kept trying to make it orient upside down, which it won’t do, so no worries there. For the web browser test, he brought up the full version of CrackBerry over Edge on Rogers, which takes a while (heavy site – visit m.crackberry.com on your berry – improved mobile experience coming soon!) but does render pretty well. All in all, this is a video Storm chasers should start getting excited about. I’m guessing the operating system code will get a couple more revisions by the time it goes to Verizon for technical acceptance, so based on the progress seen so far the Storm 9550 should be able to hit the ground running. 

CrackBerry.com’s feed sponsored by ShopCrackBerry.com. Another BlackBerry 9550 In Action Video… Getting Better!!

Learn More About the Seidio Tour Holster and Purchase @ ShopCrackBerry.com >>

Hands-On Look at the Seidio Spring Lock Holster for the BlackBerry Tour

I go through phases of what type of carrying solution/protective casing I like to use on my BlackBerry and trust me, I’ve used them and abused them all — rubber skins, hard cases, leather pouches, invisible shields — you name it. However, my first experience with carrying around a BlackBerry smartphone and one I’m still very fond of is the holster. Both my BlackBerry 7290 (old blue) and my BlackBerry 8700 came with a holster in the box, and I always loved the Quick Draw McGraw feeling of being able to whip the device out of the holster in just a moment’s notice (see picture). I also love the whole sleeper magnet thing. Being able to customize alerts for when the device is in and out of the holster is simply brilliant and one of the things I love about Research in Motion – they give a lot of thought not just about the device as it is in your hand, but how you use it throughout the day. While you see less people wearing holstered smartphones these days (at least I seem to see less of them), I’d argue it’s still more than acceptable. Afterall, the BlackBerry is the ultimate communication tool and we all know that tools can be worn! For shakers and movers, it’s a must.

I never gave much holster love to my BlackBerry Bold, Curve 8900 and Storm, but somehow with the BlackBerry Tour it has found its way into use again. I’ve been really impressed with Seidio’s Spring Lock Holster for the BlackBerry Tour. There’s enough material to the holster to wrap around the device and keep it snug, and the spring lock and whole holster for that matter is very well built. The ratcheting clip on the back is a good length and offers 7 preset angles of tilt. The holster has a sleeper magnet built-in, and the screen-facing-in design ensures the device is well-protected when not in use. The holster retails for $29.95, but if you’re a holster-using kind of gal or guy it’s worth it. If you like holsters and own a Tour, I’d recommend this one. It’s a 5/5 for me. You can see more photos and learn more here.

CrackBerry.com’s feed sponsored by ShopCrackBerry.com. Quick Look: Seidio Holster for the BlackBerry Tour

Its no secret that SmartAlerts is one of my favorite BlackBerry apps. I do think that the functionality should have been included in the standard OS, but I’m glad that Bellshare took advantage and came up with this great piece of software. If you haven’t heard of SmartAlerts, it is simply an app that lets you add all kinds of custom features and filters to your emails, sms and more. You can specify custom actions and profiles for specific messages according to sender, recipients or subject. It works best when paired with BerryBuzz, but is a great standalone product. Today Bellshare announced a price drop, and you can snag SmartAlerts for only $4.99 through the CrackBerry App Store. To celebrate, we’ve be given 50 free copies to give away. Just leave a comment on this post to be entered. Contest ends this Sunday at Midnight PST. Please only leave one entry, multiple submissions won’t count.

• Check out SmartAlerts in the CrackBerry App Store >>

CrackBerry.com’s feed sponsored by ShopCrackBerry.com. SmartAlerts Lowers Price to $4.99; Contest: 50 Free Copies to Give Away!

I bumped into an acquaintance on the weekend that I haven’t seen in a long time, and before parting ways we did the good ‘ole exchange of contact information. Thankfully he was a BlackBerry user and was sporting a Curve 8900 (which btw he loved). I didn’t want to send him my full vcard, so dictated him my office line to save directly into his address book. When I gave him my extension, I got a little miffed to see him hit the menu key and then the Add Pause option before typing in the extension digits. I couldn’t help but say… you know you don’t have to do that, you can just type an X (alt X) after the main number (before the extension) and the BlackBerry will automatically put in the pause for dialing the extension. It’s quicker!

Did you know you could insert an X while saving a number in contacts to prompt the dialing of an extension?(opinion)

Reflecting upon the event made be realize that putting in an X might not be the most intuitive thing, and that even the Add Pause / Add Wait thing can be a bit confusing. It’s not really standard lingo considering most people think of dialing either extensions or passwords or menu option numbers after the main number is called. Below is a quick walk through.

read more

CrackBerry.com’s feed sponsored by ShopCrackBerry.com. Quick Tip: Inserting an X for Dialing Extension When Saving Contact Info

If you remember way back (almost a year ago) we first heard about how to get cool custom text characters into BBM, emails and SMS. There we endless threads about "character swapping" and everyone was getting in on the action. Sergey just let me know about an app that makes all of this much easier. Fancy Characters allows you to put any of these custom characters in your emails, SMS, BBM and more with just a few clicks.The app adds in a menu item so you can drop a cool character into almost any text field on your device. Fancy Characters is available in the CrackBerry App Store for only $0.99. 

Contest: We have 200 free copies of Fancy Characters to give away. Just leave a comment on this post to be entered. Contest ends this Sunday at Midnight PST. Please only leave one comment – mulitple entries won’t count.

CrackBerry.com’s feed sponsored by ShopCrackBerry.com. New App Fancy Characters Adds Custom Characters to Your Messages – 200 Copies to Give Away!

The Seidio Innocase II is less than 1mm thick and provides a strong layer of protection for your BlackBerry Tour 9630. Wiith its 2 piece design, this slick case will easily snap onto your phone and the hard, yet flexible material with a "rubberized" texture, will provide a great feel and better grip around your Tour.

The front of this sturdy case is left opened for easy access to the screen and keyboard. The inside of the case is lined with soft material to help keep it safe from scratches. This case also includes cutouts for all of your phone’s ports and features. The Innocase II Surface retails for $29.95 and is available today from ShopCrackBerry.com.

• More Photos, Info and Purchase the Innocase II for the Tour >> 
• View All Seidio Products at ShopCrackBerry.com >>
• View All Cases for the BlackBerry Tour >>
  

CrackBerry.com’s feed sponsored by ShopCrackBerry.com. Now Shipping: Seidio Innocase II Surface Case for the BlackBerry Tour 9630

Oh Gawd… we guess it was only a matter of time. Swine Flu – The Game is now available for BlackBerry Smartphones. First off, there is absolutely no serious aspect to this game. It is completely for fun, and though some will argue it’s maybe in poor taste, at least it does not dissapoint in terms of fun. The main objective is to dodge the "pig poo" and attempt to shoot the flying pigs with your shotgun. On each hit, the pigs turn into bacon, ham hocks or ham sandwiches. This is one of the most entertaining and stress releiving games I’ve played in a long time. There are multiple levels to conquer, and Swine Flu works on all devices (the game play on the Storm is the best by far). Now through September 8th you can grab Swine Fly for only $0.99 in the CrackBerry App Store. 

• Purchase Swine Flu – The Game for all devices in the CrackBerry App Store >>

CrackBerry.com’s feed sponsored by ShopCrackBerry.com. Swine Flu The Game – Only $0.99 Through September 8th

We first got word of BerryAddon a few weeks ago, and it has quickly become a favorite among the community. The all-in-one utility lets you easily tweak your device by adding a firewall, email signature, vibration features and more. The beta has gone over well with users thus far, and more features are sure to follow. BerryAddon is on its way to a full release and head to BlackBerry App World, but as we all know, RIM frowns upon apps with any "Berry" name in their title.

Since BerryAddon needs a new name, we extend this mission to you, the CrackBerry community. What do you think is the perfect name for this app? BerryAddon is a great fit, but it needs a RIM/BlackBerry-less title to make it App World friendly. Leave a comment on this post with what you think would be the best title for BerryAddon. What do you think BerryAddon should be called? Super Utility? Sir Tweaks-A-Lot? The folks at Twinkler Software will choose what name they think best fits and will rebrand BerryAddon for its journey from here on out. The grand prize winner of the chosen name (1st to submit chosen name if submitted more than once) will receive a full lifetime license for the renamed BerryAddon as well as a $50 ShopCrackBerry.com Gift Certficiate. We also have 50 free copies of the software to give away, and by leaving your comment/name suggestion you will be automatically entered to win. Contest ends this Sunday at Midnight PST. The software should sell for around $14.95 on its full release, so you don’t want to miss this chance. Be sure to follow all the latest news and updates from Twinkler Software on Twitter @twinklersoft as well.

CrackBerry.com’s feed sponsored by ShopCrackBerry.com. Contest: Help Rename BerryAddon and You Could Win!

Looks like we’re kicking off the week with some BlackBerry Desktop Manager news. First, lets talk about the image above. What you’re looking at is BlackBerry Desktop Manager version 5.0.1.18 (not currently available) which shows off a new icon that adds an exciting feature to the desktop software – IP Modem (also in .16). The new feature allows you to easily setup your BlackBerry so you can tether it as a modem to your laptop. Be aware of your carrier’s tethering charges. Also displayed is a new icon Email Settings that will allow you to create filters or change email forwarding right from your desktop. 

While Desktop Manager 5.0.1.18 software is not available yet, over the weekend version 5.0.1.16 leaked onto the interwebs for all to enjoy by our German friends at benezblog. This version may not be the latest and greatest out there, but does include the new IP Modem feature. You can follow the links below to download.

• Get Desktop Manager 5.0.1.16 (english, no media manager)
• Get Desktop Manager 5.0.1.15 (multilanguage with media manager): Part I | Part II

CrackBerry.com’s feed sponsored by ShopCrackBerry.com. Desktop Manager: v5.0.1.16 Leaked; 5.0.1.18 Sneak Peek Shows Off New Features – IP Modem and Email Settings!