All throughout the Summer and Fall, we have seen videos and pictures of the BlackBerry Bold 9780. It sounds like the handset will finally get launched in a matter of weeks when Canadian carrier Bell Mobility offers the phone starting November 2nd. It will be the first BlackBerry Bold to feature the new BlackBerry 6 OS and the first Bold unit to give users the much improved surfing experience inherent in the WebKit browser.

A leaked internal document meant for Bell reps eyes only, says that not only are the above two facts key selling points, reps should also tell customers that the BlackBerry Bold 9780 is the first Bold to offer a 5MP camera and support 512MB of RAM.

The handset, available in black or white, is equipped with a 2.44 HVGA screen with resolution of 480 x 360 pixels. The document did not mention any subsidized pricing and off contract, the BlackBerry Bold 9780 costs  $499.99.

The very next day, November 3rd, Bell will launch the HTC Desire Z. The phone supports the carrier’s HSPA+ pipelines and is Bell’s first model to come preloaded with Android 2.2. This allows the handset to feature a Mobile Wi-Fi Hot Spot, improved Exchange security and faster browsing speed.

The HTC Desire Z will be the first smartphone in North Amerca to feature HTC Sense 2.0 which allows users to wipe their phone remotely from any computer. It also allows for users to read text messages, contacts and missed calls from any browser. Similar to the T-Mobile G2, this model has a second generation 800MHz Snapdragon processor, a 3.7 inch screen and a unique pop-out QWERTY keyboard. Priced at $499.99 off contract, there are no indications yet about subsidized pricing of this phone.
source: BGR (BlackBerry Bold 9780), BGR (HTC Desire Z)

BlackBerry Bold 9780 (L), HTC Desire Z (R)

Boys will be boys. Yesterday, during the Apple conference call related to the company’s earnings report, Steve Jobs took the time to let everyone know exactly where he stands on certain issues.

According to the Book of Jobs, Google is using “openess” to hide the fragmentation that is part of the current Android experience. As we reported yesterday, the Apple CEO said, “With iPhone, every handset works the same. We think Android is very fragmented and more fragmented every day.” Jobs also pointed out that while Google is activating 200,000 Android phones daily and has 90,000 apps in the Android Market, Apple is activating 275,000 iPhone units a day and has 300,000 apps in the App Store.

The Apple co-founder didn’t stop with Android. He also went after RIM, saying that the company must change to compete with Apple. He noted that the 14.1 million Apple iPhones sold in the last quarter easily topped the 12.1 million BlackBerry models that rang the register over the previous three month period. With one comment saying that 7 inch tablets cannot support great tablet apps, the CEO was negative on both the BlackBerry PlayBook and the Samsung Galaxy Tab. He said that his company had done extensive testing and that a 10 inch screen-like on the Apple iPad-is the way to go and that Apple will never release a 7 inch iPad.

Business-wise, sizing a tablet to fit into a pocket doesn’t make sense, according to the executive, because tablet buyers are also smartphone buyers and if they can fit a 7 inch device into a pants pocket, that is a potential smartphone sale you are losing. Lastly, Jobs noted that the iPad currently has 35,000 of its own apps while new tablets will have zero at launch.

Both Google and RIM fired back salvos of their own today. The “father” of Android, Google’s Andy Rubin, used his Twitter account for the first time to respond. Rubin’s tweet, seen below, refers to the commands you would use to build your own copy of Android on any Linux machine. Rubin is saying to Jobs: “Is that open enough for you?”. As a measure of support, Google CEO Eric Schmidt decided to retweet Rubin’s message.

RIM co-CEO Jim Balsillie took Steve Jobs’ words harder and as a result, he hit back harder. Less blunt than Rubin, Balsillie said, ““For those of us who live outside of Apple’s distortion field, we know that 7″ tablets will actually be a big portion of the market and we know that Adobe Flash support actually matters to customers who want a real web experience. We also know that while Apple’s attempt to control the ecosystem and maintain a closed platform may be good for Apple, developers want more options and customers want to fully access the overwhelming majority of web sites that use Flash. We think many customers are getting tired of being told what to think by Apple…As usual, whether the subject is antennas, Flash or shipments, there is more to the story and sooner or later, even people inside the distortion field will begin to resent being told half a story.”

So as the smartphone industry heats up, we have three of the most charismatic executives in the business engaging in the modern equivalent of corporate warfare, using Twitter, YouTube and other modern modes of communication. We think things are going to get a whole lot hotter before there is any semblance of a cease-fire.

An audio tape with 5 minutes of Jobs’ tirade can be heard by clicking on the play button below. This is not a video, which explains why the still picture on the link is upside down.
source: BGR, TiPb (1), (2), TechCrunch

Just yesterday, we reported that Verizon and Motorola had introduced the Motorola DROID Pro. During a speech made at the press event, CEO Sanjay Jha said that 34% of BlackBerry users are ready to jump to Android. Motorola obviously thinks that the BlackBerry-esque form factor of the new device will help businessmen make the decision to switch.

During his speech, Jha noted that there is not one device that can handle all the needs of a business user. As a result, Jha says that people are looking for a phone that “bridges the gap between work and play”. The CEO says that his company is now focused on the commerce segment with the result that “Motorola is ready for business.” Motorola Android devices are the first to offer additional security above and beyond what is capable of most Android flavored handsets, according to the executive.

Check out the video below for some snippets of the speech along with the introduction of the Motorola DROID Pro. Designed with businessmen in mind, Jha says that the unit will replace all of the devices people carry and replace them with just this one unit that combines features for both business and play. Does that sound like the aim of a certain Canadian based smartphone manufacturer?
source: AndroidandMe

GetJar is the biggest independent app store in the world and probably tied up for the second place with Android Market. To increase the awareness about its presence, GetJar has partnered with the game developer Glu Mobile to offer some of their older titles for Android, BlackBerry and good ol’ Java, for free. These games usually cost $1-$5, but for the next two weeks users can download them off GetJar, and play without spending a dime. Competition is so nice, when it benefits you. The games include strategies, like “Build-a-lot”, and action titles such as “Race Driver”.

GetJar has an ad-supported business model, i.e. developers can’t charge on it, but rather use advertising revenue, or promote their applications and upsell, in order to monetize the GetJar presence. For users whose phones don’t have a dedicated app platform, the store also offers an extensive collection of Java-based applications. You just need to redirect your phone’s browser towards GetJar’s mobile site and it will show you the compatible apps. Or, alternatively, you can visit the website and enter your cell phone or model numbers to see what’s in store for it. It is available in more than 200 countries, with about a 100 million downloads per month.

However, while wildly popular outside US, GetJar has had little brand presence in the minds of US users. Verizon phones have been a notable exception for the app store. They run the BREW Mobile platform by Qualcomm, which is a close environment. With the advent of BlackBerry and Android devices, though, GetJar’s access to Verizon’s stable is improving. The games offered are nothing very exciting, but you can’t beat free, so if you are interested, head over to GetJar and have a look.
source: PCMag

Ever wondered what smartphone users are searching for from their handsets? Chitika Research has got you covered with a study revealing the top five search queries from each mobile OS. The sample was based on more than a million impressions across its advertising network in the past week. If we leave out common searches like  “Father’s Day 2010”, “NBA Finals 2010”, “Oil spill” and “50 Cent Skinny”, some interesting differences emerge.

First off, Palm users seem to want back in vogue, as 2 of their top 5 searches are “HTC EVO” or “Sprint iPhone”. That’s not to say Palm users want them apples by all means, it rather looks like they just want out. On the other hand, Apple owners already have the mojo, but they still love to remind themselves they are part of the clan – iPhone and iPad users have often searched for “iPhone 4G” or “WWDC 2010”. And just as every self-respecting community, Apple users want to stay in touch with its main events.

The study finishes by listing the Android and BlackBerry top 5 searhes. By the looks of it, BlackBerry users stray from the everyday grind with the “funny sayings” search. Now, is that the most fun you can have with a BlackBerry, or what? It’s sad that the number 5 search from Android handsets is “Unemployment extension”, but that’s why they went with a free OS, after all, smart move.
source: Chitika Research

Two compact looking smartphones are looking to arrive this summer for T-Mobile UK which may not be all about the supreme high-end devices out there. First up is the Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 mini pro that shrinks down the dimensions while retaining most of the looks of its bigger brother – the Xperia X10. The Android 1.6 device, which is looking to be upgraded to 2.1 some time in Q4, is expected to come in during the middle summer month of July. That’s according to its T-Mobile UK web page where future owners can sign up for email updates regarding the handset. If Android isn’t your kind of platform and prefer the business centric platform of the BlackBerry OS, then you may want to check out the BlackBerry Pearl 3G with its slim and updated new looks. This handset will be making its arrival a bit sooner with a launch expected to happen in June. Both devices will surely add to T-Mobile UK’s lineup for this summer, but there is no word yet surrounding pricing for either handsets.
T-Mobile UK (X10 mini pro & Pearl 3G) via Unwired View

Attempting to use your cell phone while driving can be downright be dangerous and fatal, but there have been few solutions to allow drivers to control their hand-held devices without losing focus in what’s in front of them on the road. Ford looks to be in the forefront of doing their best in allowing drivers to safely use and control some of their favorite apps on their smartphones. They’ve just announced their new SYNC AppLink which is a downloadable software upgrade for their Ford SYNC systems. Now both BlackBerry and Android owners will be the first to experience what it has to offer – interestingly enough, the first Ford vehicle to offer SYNC AppLink support will be the 2011 Fiesta. Basically Android and BlackBerry owners will have the ability to control certain apps that are compatible with SYNC AppLink – so far it looks like Pandora, Stitcher, and OpenBeak will be the first set of apps. Instead of fumbling around with your smartphone to control or navigate one of those apps, the SYNC AppLink will offer you to access and control them via voice guidance and in-dash car controls. It’s nice to see not only one specific handset would be supported, but rather almost every single one that runs either of the platforms. At the same time, it’s a safer way of having to deal with navigating on your phone without sacrificing your attention on the road ahead.
via UberGizmo

An order form for Sprint locations gives away some information about upcoming handsets soon to be available for the pin-dropping network. Of course, you might be focusing on the EVO 4G, but we do suspect that Sprint will offer other models besides the drool producing handset du jour. According to the form, Sprint will soon be selling the BlackBerry Bold 9650. That Sprint should offer the 9650 should come as no surprise for anyone, considering that the carrier does sell the BlackBerry Tour 9630 , the predecessor of the new model. The latter phone adds Wi-Fi and an optical trackpad to the Tour. For those who work in jobs where picture taking would be frowned upon, a version of the 9650 without a camera will be available. As we earlier reported, a leaked copy of the User Guide called the device the Bold 9650 instead of the Tour2. Another ‘Berry apparently on the way to Sprint is the Pearl Flip 8230, written as the Apex on the order form.

The Motorola ES400 also appears on the paperwork, as a Windows Mobile device. The guys based in Schaumburg have been focused on Android (and have been quite successful at that), so this could end up being an Android flavored device. As an alternative scenario, consider that because Motorola isn’t really producing any more Windows Mobile 6.5 models, the ES400 could be a Windows Phone 7 powered device for late this year.

Another device listed is the Palm C40. While the model showed up last August in Sprint’s inventory system as we reported, nothing came of it and not much of anything is known about this phone. It might be reasonable to wonder if Palm even has the funds to go ahead and do everything needed to make a new model a decent seller. When you consider that Verizon can’t seem to even give away the Pre and Pixi Plus, and AT&T’s pricing on their models will be affected by what Big Red does (why pay more for the same phone on a 3G network that many feel is not up to Big Red’s pipelines?), the C40 could end up stillborn. But none of this matters anyway, right? After all, you probably have you eyes on the prize, which for now is the EVO 4G.
source: BGR

As we’ve seen iPhone users get treated to the new “bump” feature on PayPal to instantly send or transfer money, it looks as though Android and BlackBerry owners will also soon get into the new routine of bumping on PayPal as well. Essentially PayPal users can perform money transfers in a convenient way to another user by simply bumping, or tapping ever so slightly against one another, to another device so that a transaction can be completed – and as we said, it’s actually available now to iPhone users. Even though the new feature is on its way to BlackBerry and Android, it’ll take approximately two to three months for the update to become a reality – until that day arrives, you’ll have to settle on doing it the old fashion way. PayPal’s mobile manager, Eric Duprat, also mentioned some new implementations for the service during CTIA as it could potentially include paying bills from Internet-connected televisions and gaming devices.
source: CNET

Last month at the MWC, Verizon and Skype held a press conference stating their new partnership for Skype-to-Skype calls using specific Verizon smartphones. Today at CTIA, this was taken one step further with the official launch being set for this Thursday. First off you’ll need to have a supported Verizon smartphone, including the BlackBerry Storm 9530, Storm2 9550, Curve 8330, Curve 8530, 8830 World Edition, Tour 9630, Motorola DROID, Motorola DEVOUR, and HTC DROID ERIS. There are a few ways you can download Skype, including going to Verizon’s Skype site to register, text “SKYPE” to 2255, and Android user can search “Skype” in the Android Market. New BlackBerry customers will also find the Skype application in their “downloads” folder once the device is activated. Once it is installed on your smartphone, you’ll be able to make and receive unlimited Skype-to-Skype voice calls to any Skype contact around the globe, send and receive unlimited instant messages with other Skype users, manage the Skype contact list directly from the mobile application, and call international phone numbers at competitive Skype calling rates. It is also stated on the Skype site that “Skype mobile uses the Verizon Wireless voice network for the wireless connection of the Skype-to-Skype calls…and that they will not be charged against your monthly minute allowance or data plan…but to make calls to international landline or mobile numbers you’ll need to buy Skype Credit.”
source: Verizon Wireless and Skype