Looking for your first case or skin for the BlackBerry BlackBerry Storm2? Here's Your Chance to Win One! Just leave a comment to this post letting us know which form of protection (case, skin, shield, etc.) you plan to buy first for your new BlackBerry Storm2...

Cases and Skins for the BlackBerry Storm2

Back on October 19th, shortly after the BlackBerry Storm2 was announced, we ran a post on the blogs asking soon-to-be BlackBerry Storm2 owners what the first type of BlackBerry Storm2 accessory they would buy would be: some form protection, a hands-free accessory, charger, spare battery, etc.

70% of respondents to that poll voted that a cases for the BlackBerry Storm2 (or some other form of protection) be the first item they take care of (wow!). From there, it only makes sense that we follow up and find out exactly which type of offering be the most popular. These days there are many ways in which one can protect their BlackBerry model from scratches, bumps and drops, each offering their own pros and cons compared to the other.

Looking for your first accessories for the BlackBerry Bold 9700? Here's Your Chance to Win One! Just leave a comment to this post letting us know which accessory you plan to buy first for your BlackBerry Bold 9700...

Accessories for the BlackBerry Bold 9700

When we posed the question recently asking What is the first accessory you'll buy for your BlackBerry Storm2?, it was clear that some form of protection - be it a leather case, rubber skin or invisible shield, was the most popular accessory category. When it comes to accessories for the BlackBerry Bold 9700, it is yet another new form factor from Research in Motion and thus need to be aware that some of your old stuff, but not all of it, will work.

Following up on our BlackBerry Storm2 Review, we received a number of comments, tweets and emails related to BlackBerry Storm2 accessories. Will the 'insert name here' case / accessory I already own for my Storm work with the Storm2 or will I have to buy a new one? What accessories should I buy first? Is there anything else I should look out for? We figured a quick post and poll could quickly get soon to be and new BlackBerry Storm2 owners pointed in the right direction.

I recently got the chance to check out Tazzle IT, and I can simply say I'm in love. This great little device allows you to easily view, print and send files wirelessly to any PC without the need for cables or additonal accessories. The Tazzle IT can be carried around anywhere as it is smaller than most USB flash drives. You simply plug the device into a PC, fire up the application and you're off. You can view files on a PC that are stored on your device, print documents without having the files on a PC, and even transfer items from your device to a PC. This adds a ton of mobility to your BlackBerry device. You can store important documents, email attachements and more and have quick and easy access to them over multiple PCs. The documents will be safe and secure on your device, as nothing will be permanently saved on the PC. By far my favorite feature of the Tazzle IT is the ability to print directly from my device. Countless times I've had to move documents or files to a PC, and then open and print them. Now I can send the document to the printer with a few clicks and that's that. The Tazzle IT is available for $79.95 from TazzeIT.com and the setup is a breeze. If you are on the go or simply use multiple systems to get things done, the Tazzle IT may be just what you need.

• More information and purchase of Tazzle IT >>

This is sweeeeet! While you're waiting on your BlackBerry Tour to complete its operating system upgrade, you may just want to jump over to the ShopCrackBerry store and check out what just got added... replacement battery doors for the Tour! These are OEM (BlackBerry brand) doors and come in a variety of colors. Blue and red are already in stock and shipping, and our e-commerce team let me know the silver, pink and black doors are in-transit (arriving shortly), so you can pre-order now to be first in line to receive them. Each door sells for $17.95 (MSRP is $19.95) and are a great way to add a touch of personalization to your device.

On the same topic, the e-commerce team also let me know that more colors are now in stock for the Seidio Innocase 360 and Innocase Surface II for the Tour.

• More Photos, Info & Purchase BlackBerry Tour Battery Doors >>

Above: Case-Mate Vroom for the Curve 8900 and Barely There for Curve 8520
  Fuel Case 8900	Clear Armor Tour	  Vroom Storm	  Barely There II

Our awesome e-commerce team added some sweet Case-Mate BlackBerry accessories to the ShopCrackBerry store today that I wanted to highlight here quick on the blogs. Depending on the device model you have, you'll want to click the images above to check these out. Nascar/F1 fans will love the race tire-inspired Vroom cases, while Curve 8900 power users will want to check out the Fuel Case. I have been using Fuel with my Bold for a while now with great success. Clear Armor for the Tour will prevent scratches without adding any bulk, and the Barely There cases will let new Curve 8520 owners add a layer of protection and style to the device without sacrificing usability. You can follow the link below to check out out everything Case-Mate for BlackBerry.

• Browse All Case-Mate BlackBerry Accessories @ ShopCrackBerry.com >>

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.

A while back we talked about the Zeemote Gaming Controller coming to BlackBerry but had no definite release date. Well it looks like it is finally available for purchase at shopblackberry.com for $39.99. You can use the Zeemote to control many popular games on your device, and the purchase even includes a free download from Gameloft. You can also navigate applications like the web browser, media player and maps using the remote. Honestly I think you'd have to be a pretty hardcore gamer to even think about picking up this $40 accessory, but to each his own. Anybody out there going to grab one of these? 

• Zeemote JS1 Mobile Gaming Controller at ShopBlackBerry.com >>

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I'm always a bit surprised whenever I click into the ShopCrackBerry.com accessory store to see that the replacement BlackBerry trackball continues to top the best sellers list. It's been #1 since the first week it went on sale and has yet to drop down even a single notch, though between touchscreen BlackBerrys and the introduction of the touch-sensitive trackpad at some point that may just happen. I guess I shouldn't be that suprised though - there are literally millions of BlackBerry Curves, Pearls and 8800 series smartphones in use out there with the older-style white trackball and housing and from time to time they can wear out and need to be replaced.

In fact, just yesterday evening while out doing some shopping, the ball on my girlfriend's Curve 8320 went completely wonky to the point of being unusable. Luckily, I had a spare in my car's glove box so was able to do a parking lot fix up job and get it up and running like new in under a minute (yes, I keep some spare trackballs handy - I highly recommend it especially if/when you're traveling as if it your ball is going to give out on you it will always do so at the most inconvenient time. I always keep a spare charged battery handy too). The experience prompted me to write this up... because what I want to know is, have you ever changed the trackball on your BlackBerry? Be sure to cast your vote above (Storm owners can skip this one). And accessory tip of the week - it never hurts to have a spare trackball on hand. Trust me... you'll thank me one day. You can watch the video above to learn how to replace it yourself.

• Purchase Spare / Replacement BlackBerry Trackballs >>

Contest: Leave a comment to this blog post listing your five favorite BlackBerry accessories and we'll pick one lucky winner to receive a $100 coupon for free accessories from ShopCrackBerry.com!

So you've had your new BlackBerry Tour for a while now (or maybe only a few days!) and hopefully have already stumbled upon our First Five Must-Have Apps for the BlackBerry Tour article. Now that your new BlackBerry is loaded up with useful and fun apps, the next way to enhance your BlackBerry ownership experience is with accessories.

BlackBerry accessories come in many shapes and sizes and serve many different functions to help out get more out of your smartphone. Items like skins, cases and holsters help protect your BlackBerry in style and provide a means of carrying around your BlackBerry that suits the way you want to use it. Bluetooth headsets, speakerphones and stereo headphones allow you to go hands-free while talking or listening to music, while a bluetooth accessory like the BlackBerry Music Gateway allows you to play your BlackBerry's music on your home's stereo system. Extended life batteries help your BlackBerry go longer while a desktop stand or charging pod makes it easy to charge your device and turn it into an awesome bedside clock. And that's just scratching the surface....

Zeemote Inc. has announced their JS1 Bluetooth mobile gaming controller for BlackBerry smartphones. The wireless unit can control nearly all games and applications on compatible trackball devices. It features four action buttons and a thumbstick for navigation, and runs for an estimated 50+ hours on two AAA batteries. To use the remote, you simply download the Zeekey application to your device and you're good to go. The Zeemote will be available in the coming weeks from ShopBlackBerry.com and other retailers, and includes one free game from Gameloft. Users can choose from titles such as Wimbledon 2009, Pro Golf World Tour 2010, Sonic Unleashed and more. I couldn't find any pricing or exact release details, but check out zeemote.com/blackberry for more information.

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A few weeks back I posted Part I of my BlackBerry Visor Mount Speakerphone review (video above). Part I was more an overview mixed with some entertainment or infotainment as I like to call it - some of you liked it while others didn't. Either way, a ton of interest was shown in the Visor Mount from that review which at that time was not yet available for purchase. I still owe you guys Part II of the review, but wanted to make note here in the blogs that the BlackBerry Visor Mount is now available for purchase from ShopCrackBerry.com for $84.95 (still listed as coming soon at ShopBlackBerry.com and will sell there for $99.99). Here's the description and highlights:

The BlackBerry Visor Mount Speakerphone VM-605 is a hands free Bluetooth speakerphone from RIM. Enjoy your calls and your favorite music from your BlackBerry smartphone with the convenience and sound quality of your car's FM stereo system. It's easy to use. Just clip it to your car's visor, turn it on, and you're ready to start making and taking hands free calls on the go. And because it supports voice activated dialing, caller ID, and verbal notifications to let you know who's calling, you can stay in touch while keeping your hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.

• Wireless transmission via Bluetooth® connection
• Driver-friendly
• Simple operation
• Slim, ultra-light design
• Up to 13hrs talk time
• Noise reduction and echo cancelation technology
• Works with GPS Mapping Applications
• Compatible with other Bluetooth enabled devices

I'll get part II of the review up soon (am comparing it head to head with the Blueant Supertooth 3 and Jabra SP700 at the moment) but overall to date have been very happy with the BlackBerry Visor Mount. It works well, looks good, and if you are a BlackBerry owner and live in a place where you have to go handsfree by law (and don't have Bluetooth in your car) it's a no-brainer.

• More Information, Photos and Purchase at ShopCrackBerry.com >>

As much as I'm a BlackBerry device addict, I'm also a BlackBerry accessory junky. That being the situation, almost nothing bothers me more than when a new device model hits the market but there's a lack of cases and other accessories available for it. I remember when the BlackBerry Bold was released it felt like forever before we finally started to see lots of aftermarket case and accessory options roll out.

Things are looking good for the BlackBerry Tour though! The device hasn't even been released yet but the BlackBerry Tour cases and skins are already starting to arrive in stock and are now shipping via ShopCrackBerry. As you can tell from the picture above, I'm already starting my collection! Pictured from left to right for the Tour are the: Smartphone Experts Click Case; BlackBerry Skin Case; Smartphone Experts Skin Case; BlackBerry Synthetic Pocket Pouch; ecoLife Element Side Case and not really visible but there is a Screen Protector (for the 8900 but fits the Tour just fine - and Tour BodyGuardz are also available now).

Not a bad start for protecting my Tour! Lots of colors are available for most of the cases/skins above and over the weeks ahead the selection will continue to broaden as more manufacturers bring their Tour accessories online. So if you're killing time waiting for the Tour to be released.... you know what to do! :)

• Browse BlackBerry Tour Cases and Skins >>
• Browse All BlackBerry Tour Accessories >>

The BlackBerry Visor Mount Speakerphone is RIM's latest accessory of note, allowing you to take advantage of Bluetooth and go hands-free in your car. We first caught wind of it back at the Consumer Electronics Show in January and got a good walk-through of it in April at CTIA Wireless. Research in Motion has put a lot of thought into the Visor Mount's design and functionality - you can tell this is one of those accessories they want every BlackBerry owner to buy (assuming your vehicle isn't pre-equipped with Bluetooth). They'll have some competition though from existing best-selling speakerphones including the Jabra SP700 and the Blueant Supertooth 3.

We'll be getting the BlackBerry Visor Mount in stock at ShopCrackBerry.com soon and will bring you the full review then. In the meantime, I just couldn't wait to post Part I of this reality review up. DEFINITELY CHECK IT OUT. I had some fun on this one. Let me know what you think in the comments! :-)

• See All Bluetooth Speakerphones @ ShopCrackBerry.com >>

Way back at CES we got our first glimpse of RIM's Visor Mount Speakerphone and saw about a week back that it was listed as "coming soon" on the BlackBerry website.  I have been playing around with the Jabra SP700 Car Speakerphone which is an overall great device, and from what I can tell very similar to the Visor Mount Speakerphone.  The Jabra SP700 sells at ShopCrackBerry.com for $79.95 and is well worth it.  Not only does it allow you to use it as a speakerphone in your vehicle, but it also acts as a Bluetooth gateway, allowing you to play music through your car stereo speakers.  Check out the video for a quick walkthrough, and head over to ShopCrackBerry.com to pick one up for yourself.  

• Jabra SP700 Car Speakerphone at ShopCrackBerry.com >>