If you've been wanting to see how the BlackBerry Bold 9700 stacks up against its BlackBerry brothers and sisters (you can fight in the comments to which is which! lol) then you'll want to check out this one-take, no excuses video. I size up the BlackBerry Bold 9700 and from there we compare it to the BlackBerry Bold 9000, Curve 8900, Tour, Curve 8520, Pearl Flip, Storm2 and more...

The BlackBerry Bold 9700 really is an amazing little device. Components-wise, it represents the best of everything Research in Motion currently offers in a smartphone, and it packs it all into an extremly tight and lightweight package. The ultimate communication tool!

Another new BlackBerry hits the market, and another new BlackBerry unboxing video hits the blogs. That's the way it goes. It's a ritual. With the BlackBerry Bold 9700 now starting to roll out around the world, it's time we officially unbox this baby. Just to spice things up in true CrackBerry fashion, in this video I actually unbox not one, but two brand new units; one from T-Mobile and the other purchased straight from a Rogers dealer. 

As you can see in the video, things were going relatively smooth for me until it came time to remove the battery door. I'm not sure what the heck was going on at first, but with both devices this normally simple task turned into a bit of a nightmare (I literally cut out five minutes of cursing from the video). Tight tolerances for sure. Eventually I got the hang of it (check out this video tip) and the movement freed up a bit. At least I don't think we'll be hearing any complaints of loose battery doors anytime soon.

It's not the best nor most informative nor most engaging unboxing video out there, but if you've been waiting for the BlackBerry Bold 9700 to get released or are contemplating picking one up, then you'll definitely want to watch.

Today we celebrate the launch of the BlackBerry Storm2. So in true CrackBerry fashion, it's only right that we give you a glimpse of another upcoming BlackBerry Smartphone...

The BlackBerry Tour2, codenamed BlackBerry "essex" in its pre-release development, is essentially the BlackBerry Tour with two major updates: WiFi and the optical trackpad. Arguably these should have been included back on the original BlackBerry Tour, but we think simply due to the timing lacked both (Tour was finalized for production before trackpad was slated to get introduced, and before VZW went from not wanting WiFi to wanting it). The BlackBerry Tour2 (device model 9650 I would logically assume) packs both of these into the Tour's standard form factor and hardware. All other specs/features between the two devices appear to be identical at first look, with the exception that the green call key is now flipped -- as we've seen with other new devices -- and the bottom row of keys on the keyboard are slightly less tall, more akin to the Bold 9700. The hardware in this video is the Sprint version, but obviously there will be a Verizon version too with a slightly different look.

We originally were told the release date for the BlackBerry Tour2 would be sometime in late January/February of 2010, but are now hearing production of these is ramping up literally as you read this. I think both RIM and Verizon would like to get the BlackBerry Tour2 into retail channels in time for the holidays and to get it on Verizon's latest BOGO offering before it comes to an end. Keep your fingers crossed. You might not see it until the new year, but what a present it would be if it was here for Christmas!

• Discuss this in our BlackBerry essex forum >>

The Perfect Storm is here.....

Verizon's BlackBerry Storm2 Commercial. Get it while it's HOT! Buy 1, Get 1 Free! :)

• Read CrackBerry's BlackBerry Storm2 Review >>
• Buy BlackBerry Storm2 Accessories >>
• Get BlackBerry Storm2 Apps & Games >>
• Visit the BlackBerry Storm2 Forum for Member Reviews, Reactions & More! >>

Hands on Initial Review of the Verizon BlackBerry Curve2 8530!

While on a recent trip I had a chance to spend some solid hands-on time with the Verizon BlackBerry Curve2 8530. I must admit to being a little surprised when I first received the Verizon BlackBerry Curve2. Firstly the name. The box actually labeled the device as the "Curve 2" and not the Curve 8530 (and that seemed to be the name others kept referring to the device as). I'm pretty sure Curve space 2 is not what the device will launch as though, but am guessing internally that has been the Verizon lingo for it in months past and some of that habit carried through as they get ready to launch (especially with talk of the Storm2. Secondly, the fact that the Curve 8530 now has Wi-Fi - which the first pre-production "aries" units did not (see first photos). We had heard all future Verizon BlackBerry devices wre mandated to have WiFi, so I guess that's holding true. And third, the fact that it isn't six months or more behind the GSM carriers, which historically has been the case. Just a few weeks ago we posted photos showing the Curve 8530 SKU already in Verizon's Inventory system. It's nice to see the CDMA folks are going to get the new Curve love in short order. It's not quite my usual pre-release green table review, but keep reading for a better look at the new Curve from Verizon!

Can't wait for AT&T to release their BlackBerry Bold 9700? Then check out this official AT&T unboxing and walk through video of the BlackBerry Bold 9700 Smartphone. It's a sold overview and review of this next generation BlackBerry Bold. The BlackBerry Bold 9700 will be available in the coming weeks for $199 (pay $299 and send in a $100 mail-in rebate). You can check out the Bold 9700 on AT&T's website for more info.

• Talk about this video in the CrackBerry Forums >>

All right, we all know the BlackBerry Curve 8520 has some less then desirable specifications when compared to other devices that are currently and soon to be available. Granted, I have spoken before about the BlackBerry Curve 8520 having similarities to the BlackBerry Curve 8900 in its processor and memory allocation, and I even compared it to the BlackBerry Bold. While the BlackBerry Curve 8520 may not mean much to most folks, one thing I noticed recently is that the 8520 is making a big splash in the global market. So, while it may not have fully taken off here in the US and Canada, the writing is on the wall that the BlackBerry Curve 8520 is still quite a popular and money making device for Research In Motion and indeed does serve a purpose.

If anyone has looked at the RIM press release website recently, the statements I'm making here should be quite clear. Serbia, Thailand, Indonesia, and Russia are all among the global markets wherein RIM has launched the BlackBerry Curve 8520 and these are just examples. The RIM press release page is mainly covered by other areas around the globe, and RIM is meeting demand for a cost effective BlackBerry across the board. How this will impact RIM's financial earnings remains to be seen, but clearly the BlackBerry Curve 8520 is a hit and that bodes well for BlackBerry users everywhere.

Ready for 1 minute and 1 second of full physical qwerty keyboard bliss? Yeah? Good. Then click play on the video above. Don't get any drool on your keyboard as you gaze at RIM's BlackBerry Bold 9700. Check out the official announcement and features and specs.

Full Features and Specs List for the BlackBerry Bold 9700

Official word of the next generation BlackBerry Bold is finally here. Below you can find the full specs and features list for the new BlackBerry Bold 9700 Smartphone. And be sure to check out our pre-release BlackBerry Bold 9700 Review which goes hands-on with some of the enhancements made to this smaller, yet more powerful, BlackBerry Bold.

Full Photo Gallery of BlackBerry Storm2 - Lots of BlackBerry Comparisons!

It was a mad dash to get our BlackBerry Storm2 Review up, which left me a short on time to put together the full BlackBerry Storm2 image gallery along with the initial post. Below you can find the complete gallery, which includes some more Storm2 pictures along with comparisons to other current BlackBerry smartphone devices model like the original Storm, Tour, Bold, Curve 8900, Curve 8520, and BlackBerry Pearl Flip. We even threw in an iPhone 3GS comparison just for measure. 

Be sure to click on the photos to zoom in for the larger view and captions. Enjoy the show!!

I know, I know... smartphone unboxing videos are a little pointless/lame, but seriously, how could I first lay eyes on a new BlackBerry and not capture that first 90 seconds of pure joy on HD?! So for all the BlackBerry Storm2 chasers out there, here's a look at my Verizon BlackBerry Storm2 9550 getting unboxed when I first received it on October 15th! Keep in mind this is not the way it will come from Verizon (this is a review loaner unit), so you can expect a prettier box with more stuff in it when you pick yours up. I guess that means we'll have to do up a second unboxing video once this baby hits the market for real. And if you haven't read it yet, be sure to check out our in-depth BlackBerry Storm2 Review.

The videos are now live, the specs are laid out and you can slap that official stamp all over this one. Research In Motion has just put the BlackBerry Storm2 up on the BlackBerry homepage. Be sure to check it out and dig into the awesome photos and video. Now RIM / Verizon, can we get that press release please. I'm sure we're all waiting to see a price and official launch date in writing.

• Check Out All The BlackBerry Storm2 Information On The BlackBerry Homepage >>
• Check Out CrackBerry's BlackBerry Storm2 Review >>

Full Features and Specs List for the BlackBerry Storm2 9550

Official word of the next generation BlackBerry Storm is finally here. Below you can find the full specs and features list for the BlackBerry Storm2. And be sure to check out our full BlackBerry Storm2 Review which covers even more of the enhancements in detail that the spec chart doesn't dive into. Face detection while on calls?? You betcha! The BlackBerry Storm2 has a proximity sensor that turns the display off while talking (w00t!). Multi-touch for the Alt and Shift keys? That too! Check out the specs and be sure to view the review for more details.

You can also download the Storm2 spec sheet (pdf) as well as a pdf on the Storm2's gestures.

The announcement and launch of the BlackBerry Storm 2 9550/9520 is fast approaching, and this time around on the pre-release device video front our pal Sal is walking us through a Verizon-branded unit that is rocking an up to date OS in version 5.0.0.287 (5.0.0.293 is actually newest, but .287 isn't that far off!). Sal has been doing a great job entertaining us over the past couple months with his early-look vids, but in past videos the firmware on the devices was still relatively early stage and lagging behind what was in development. This time both the hardware and OS are fresh, meaning this is the first video that's giving you a good look at something that is/is close to what you'll be able to walk out of the store with when the Storm 2 goes on sale. This walk-through is long and in depth - a definte must-watch for all the Storm 2 chasers out there. Great vid sal!

[ salomondrin.net ]

Over at Howard Forums, Treatz has advised that the Rogers branded 8520'S have been sent to some store locations and the rest will follow through out the week. If you're looking to grab one of these you may wish to give a shout out to your local Rogers location and see if they have gotten any in, if you're lucky they may just sell you one before the actual launch date as Rogers isn't really known for keeping devices under wraps. This one will set you back $99.99 with 3 year contract with voice and data promos $45 and higher, a nice entry level price which should drop even further after a while. Offical launch should be around October 9th.