A few months back Verizon Fios released an application that allows users to control their DVR from a mobile device. The app lets you search, view TV listings, record programs and more. While it was a step in the right direction, I was still frustrated that my cable company, Cablevision, had yet to release their own. Well a few months down the road, Cablevision finally got it together and revealed a web portal that allowed users to control their DVR, and Thursday they finally unveiled a mobile site for doing the same. While not a full featured app (as we could hope for down the road) the mobile site simply lets you see what programs have been recorded, delete them or search for new shows to record. Unfortunately there are no TV listings and you have to search for each program, but its definitely a good start. The service is for Cablevisions iO TV customers (a small few of us I know) and can be reached by logging into your account on your device via optimum.net. View the full press release after the jump.

• Check out Optimum.net on your device >>

Hmm... this is interesting. Just yesterday we told you about DreamTheme's new offering of PrimeThemes, DreamTones and StillScreens. I was just clicking through App World catalogue this morning to see if there was any new apps on the BlackBerry scene and lo and behold, I stumbled onto a few of DreamTheme's new PrimeThemes! These are standard themes, built with the Plazmic CDK.

We've been hearing that RIM will soon announce support for themes in App World (at least to RIM ISV partners who pay the annual fee and assure RIM they are only using content they own the rights to in their themes). This is either a little slip up -- maybe naming it PrimeTheme and throwing in a few extra wallpapers was all it took to get past QA and into App World -- or maybe this is just the first of themes to show up. I guess time will reveal all.

In the meantime, if you haven't loaded it up on your device yet, be sure to grab the new CrackBerry Theme Store. It's full of free and paid themes from all developers who choose to include their collections there (no fees to developers).

• Check out DreamTheme's Themes in App World >>

Seems as though RIM is not only flooding the market with new BlackBerry smartphones but now also getting in the habit of relaunching old devices, just with new paintjobs. First we saw the BlackBerry Bold 9000 arrive in white on AT&T and Rogers (more carriers coming) but now we are getting a look at the BlackBerry Curve 8900 in white.

BGR didn't have any details on release date or anything along those lines but at least we get a glimpse at it. What do you all think? A lot of folks loved the white BlackBerry Bold 9000, so who is on board for a white BlackBerry Curve 8900?

A few days ago we covered a story that was posted on the Inside BlackBerry Blog. RIM had posted that they would be answering questions regarding BlackBerry App World and clearing up some unanswered questions about the application. After some issues with the blog not accepting questions being submitted another post went up yesterday, the second half. In it you'll find some common questions but one specifically may peak everyone's interest.

"Why won't BlackBerry App World work with my leaked OS?"

While I appreciate the power user's need to have the latest and greatest, you are using something that has not been publically released or fully tested, and of course has not been approved for use. You should only use the latest released OS for your BlackBerry smartphone - available from your carrier or at BlackBerry.com - and we think you'll find that everything will run smoothly on finalized (read: public) product.

A relevant question. But that answer doesn't really sit so well with me and probably not many others out there. It sounds as though running a leaked OS is the cause for all things not working right? But..Umm..how can this be? Considering some of the issues we have seen with officially released OS' on devices these days, we as users certainly know what was said is NOT the truth here. We could start off with themes not working (9530), media player bugs, menu system errors (9700) and the list really does go on and that folks, is the truth. Keep reading.

You didn't think it was only Verizon that would be getting the BlackBerry Curve 8530, did you? Sprint users looking to get there hands on the new Curve can sign up now to be notified of its release, which we'd imagine is coming soon... no pricing and release date have been announced just yet. Oh, and in case you don't like the Royal Purple color pictured above, it also comes in black.

Ha! So it's not the Curve2. Looks like all that crazy Curve2 talk and Curve2 promotional material was just VZW being a little overzealous in branding the Curve themselves (in reality you'd think it should be the Curve 8550 now that it has WiFi). Whatever the case, Verizon has gone ahead and announced the BlackBerry Curve 8530 Smartphone. It goes on sale November 20th and will be $99 after a $100 mail-in rebate. GPS, Trackpad, WiFi... it's a nice little device. If you haven't yet, be sure to read our BlackBerry Curve 8530 Review.

Amidst all the BlackBerry 9700 news some other changes did happen at Rogers the other day. Rogers has since reduced the pricing on some of their other BlackBerry offerings such as the BlackBerry Bold 9000, the BlackBerry Curve 8900 and the BlackBerry Curve 8520. Often times when a new BlackBerry such as the 9700 comes people may have no interest in that device. If you're one of those people you may see it as the time to get a BlackBerry you do want at a discounted price. 

All the mentioned devices are still great and no one out there should have to worry about them being obsolete for a little while yet. This would be a great time to grab a new device on the cheap and still have some of the best devices BlackBerry offers.

The BlackBerry Bold 9000 is now going for $99.99 in black or white and the BlackBerry Curve 8900 is now set at a mere $79.99, while the BlackBerry Curve 8520 is at what it should have been released at, being $49.99. All based on 3/yr long contracts with Rogers, of course.

• More Details Available Via The Rogers Website >>

Gotta love carriers and their late night website updates. Last night it was Rogers, toinight we have Bell going live with the BlackBerry Bold 9700 on their website. Bell rings in the device slightly cheaper then Rogers though at least in terms of 3 yr contracts.

As shown above, $229.95 will get ya a brand new BlackBerry Bold 9700 and prices goes down from there depending on term. 2 Yr/ $449.95 with a 1 yr contract rolling in at $549.95 and finally, no contract set at $599.95. Oh and the best part, some stores already have them in stock so check them out!

• Head On Over To The Bell Website For More Details>>

* Update: Looks like things are starting to return back to normal for some... *

Looks like T-Mobile customers are reporting service issues, both voice and data, for the last little bit. Sounds like it's actually a nation wide outage. You can stay on top of it in our Service Outage forums. Let's hope they get back up and running soon... they have a new BlackBerry Bold 9700 to roll out!

• Stay on top of the T-Mobile Service Outage in the CrackBerry Forums >>
• Visit the Official T-Mobile Forum Thread on this Outage >>
  

The wait is over for US Cellular customers. Reports have been flying in on this one, and it is true that the BlackBerry Tour 9630 is now available for on US Cellular. The device sells for $499.95 flat out, but you can grab it for $199.95 after a mail-in rebate. This requires a 2-year contract with a calling plan of $39.99 or higher plus the BlackBerry Email & Web plan at $24.99. So if you're a US Cellular user and have been hanging on to that 8330 (or maybe even and 8830?!) you can now grab a shiny new Tour. Head over to US Cellular for all the details.

• More information on the BlackBerry Tour 9630 for US Cellular >>

Time has come for all you Canadian wannabe 9700 owners. The BlackBerry Bold 9700 has just gone live on the Rogers website at the price we stated a few days ago. $299.99 and 3 yrs of your life is all it will take to get you the hottest new BlackBerry. What are you all waiting for? Go, Go, Go!

• Head On Over Top The Rogers Website To Learn More And Order>>

Thanks Garz!

As we mentioned the other day, Rogers is ramping up their BlackBerry 9700 launch in the next few days as stock has became available today for retailers to order through hardware management. At this time though the Bold 9700, White BlackBerry Bold 9000 and Cameraless Bold 9000 are starting to show up for corporate orders system wise (salescentral), but are yet to be orderable. While they haven't filtered through all systems, the fact of them showing up, once again proves that a full on launch is near and some stores should be getting stock in as early as November 4th. Two days too long in my opinion.

Thanks Cellguru!

If you've been thinking about picking up a new BlackBerry Smartphone from Verizon, you may want to move quick. Assuming the info we just received above holds true, it shows that Big Red is looking to end their current Buy One, Get One BlackBerry promotion next Saturday, November 7th. I'm sure the BlackBerry BOGO will make its return at somepoint in the not so distant future, but we're not exactly sure when or for how long. So if you've been eyeing up the Verizon BlackBerry Tour or newly-launched BlackBerry Storm2 for you and a loved one, there's no time like the present!

A new blog post went up yesterday over at the Inside BlackBerry blogs. It may be of a lot of interest to those among us here in the BlackBerry community. RIM wants to hear all the questions you have about BlackBerry App World.

Inside BlackBerry writer and Product Manager, BlackBerry App World Alex. K has stepped up to the plate to address what is the first part of what I assume, is many articles regarding BlackBerry App World. Ever since the launch of BlackBerry App World there have been some questions which have remained unanswered -- be sure to check it out if you have any that you would like to see addressed.

• Head On Over To The Inside BlackBerry Blog With Your Questions >>