As trentm in the forums posted, Tumblr has rolled out their own official BlackBerry application. Personally, I'm a Posterous fan myself but if you frequent using Tumblr you'll want to check the app out for sure. From what I can tell, all native Tumblr functions are in place within the app. For example text, audio and even video show as being supported features and this is only the first version. Give it shot if you are a Tumblr user and let us know how it works out for ya. 

• Check Out Tumblr Staff Blog For More Information And Downloads>>

Yesterday, Boy Genius dropped some whispers hinting that the long awaited OS 5.0 update for the BlackBerry Tour 9630 was coming in the next 2-3 weeks and that it was also bringing a new Push To Talk feature. As it turns out, the files needed for that new data plan using push to talk features has been turning up in the past two OS leaks for Tour owners. And from info gathered in the forums, Verizon is seemingly not really trying hard to hide it from end users either.

As posted in the forums, some skilfull folks have found through the Verizon wap website you can actually find and attempt to add the services to your Verizon account. While at this point, the files and the addition to your account doesn't mean you can get it to work. It certainly puts weight behind the timelines given for push to talk and the rumored 9650 release.

• Check Out The CrackBerry Forums For More Information Where The Options Were Found>>

If you're like me, you're in a constant battle with your device to find the perfect wallpaper. It seems like at least twice a day I'm running through the pictures on my phone or searching the web to find a new one to keep me happy. Well today I have a wallpaper that I'm sure will stick around on my device for a while. User brianajr88 dropped this awesome 3D design in the forums early this morning, and it even looks like some have had custom designs done up as well. The 3D logo looks great in all the different colors, but I'm still a fan of the standard orange. Head into the forums for all the download links, and thanks to brianajr88 for the awesome deisgn!

• Download and discuss the CrackBerry 3D Wallpapers >>

 

Cruising the forums I came across this thread with a request for pig emoticon. I obviously had no idea there was one, but just a few replies into the thread, it turns out there are a load of hidden emoticons deep inside BlackBerry Messenger. I'm still not sure where they came from or how exactly they were discovered, but they are definitely loads of fun. Among the list is a pig, cheesburger, dog, cat, sports stuff and tons more. To get the new set, you'll have to copy the text from the thread an post to BlackBerry Messenger using AutoText (check out our Mini-101 on how to get symbols into BlackBerry Messenger). Now I couldn't personally get these to show up on my 9700 (running OS 5.0.0.423) but I've tested with a few others and it seems like most devices aren't having any issues. Leave a comment and let us know if they work for you. Jump into the forums to get in on the fun!

• Check out the cool hidden BBM emoticons in the CrackBerry forums >>

Hey, it's no secret. Much like the BlackBerry Tour 9650 and the BlackBerry Pearl 9100 we all know "Twitter For BlackBerry" is coming at some point in time, we just don't know when exactly. Alas, I guess we can take this latest piece of information spotted by Rajrani in our very own forums as even further confirmation. When I look at this info, I see one of two things here:

1). RIM actually is advertising their RIM-built Twitter for BlackBerry.

2). They are using the Twitter name as selling leverage in India.

BlackBerry users know they can access many Twitter clients on their devices. For that matter even the mobile Twitter site is accessible enough through the BlackBerry browser. So, I guess there is the distinct chance for a third slot there. Being that RIM knows they have a Twitter client coming, it's not fully completed yet but they are using the Twitter name as leverage in the mean time cause they know no matter what, users can still access Twitter.

• Click On In To The Forums To Discuss The Twitter For BlackBerry Client >>

Here we go folks. Something many of you all have been waiting for. Finally, an official 5.0 release for the BlackBerry Bold 9000. As it was posted in the CrackBerry forums, Bell Mobility has made OS 5.0.0.411 available for everyone to download. If you've been running the previously leaked version there is no reason to update but if you haven't grabbed a leaked version yet you'll want to get your hands on this one. Remember to delete your vendor.xml file if you are not a Bell Mobility subscriber. Here's to hoping we'll see a bigger roll out across carriers for all devices still needing OS 5.0.

• Download The Official 5.0.0.411 For The BlackBerry Bold 9000 >>
• Instructions: How to Upgrade your BlackBerry's Operating System >>
• Instructions: How to Downgrade your BlackBerry's Operating System >>
• Instructions: Mess things up? Fix a Bricked BlackBerry Here >>

WeatherEye has posted a new thread in the CrackBerry forums introducing their new WeatherEye Beta. The application brings a number of changes with it, which from my testing so far are great to see.

• New WeatherEye design
• WiFi Connectivity
• Ability to add multiple cities
• Radar maps
• Hourly forecast
• GPS locator

With the release of the beta to the public WeatherEye developers are actively hanging out in the forums and gathering feedback from users on how to possible better improve the application as well as catching any bugs before full on release. Give it a look and help them out with making a great app even better. All OS' 4.2.1 and higher are applicable here. Thanks to Phishgirl3 for the heads up.

• View The Full Thread In The CrackBerry Forums For More Information And Downloads>>

A little while back we posted about Hockey Scores, a free application that offered hockey score upates right on your BlackBerry smartphone. Shortly after, I got a few emails from some folks asking where the app had gone as it no longer worked and was no longer available in BlackBerry App World. I reached out to Ebscer, to inquire what had happened to the awesome app and was advised it was no longer working and an update was well under way.

After a very short time, glad to say Ebscer has got the newly updated version (1.5) up and running  and in BlackBerry App World. Quite a few changes have been made such as the following:

• Improved Battery Life
• Face Off Percentage
• Hits
• Corsi Number
• List of Goal Scorers
• French Language Support
• Font and Colour options 

Awesome work by Ebscer, great updates. As before, Hockey Scores is supported on all devices OS 4.6 and higher but a special note for Pearl flip owners can be found in the CrackBerry forums as well as further details about the update.

• Read More About The Update In The CrackBerry Forums >>
• Download Hockey Scores From BlackBerry App World >>

Looks like we have another showing of the BlackBerry 9650 Essex / Tour 2 in the CrackBerry forums.  This time, Matt_25 was able to grab these pics of the Sprint branded version (OS, no device logo) and post them for everyone to get a look at. Anytime we start seeing branded devices appear, such as we have with the Verizon and now Sprint versions you know that launch is nearing close.

For some, it may not be as close as we want it to be but that's the waiting game for CrackBerry addicts. If we had to take a guess on an official release for the Essex / Tour 2 we'd point it towards sometime in the New Year. We don't think it'll be here for the last minute holiday rush. Could be February or we wouldn't be surprised to see it even hit later, maybe in March. But again, that's just a guess. Two more shots after the jump, rest of the details can be found in the forums.

After reviewing the forums for the past few days, I noticed a lot of users were having issues with their BlackBerry Messenger which was also noticed by DangermouseUK. The issues seen in this case is that avatars and remote back up of BlackBerry Messenger contacts is not correctly working. This current situation appears to be affecting not only BIS users but BES users as well.

From the information gathered, it seems the issues started as of Friday and have not been corrected since then. Not only are BIS and BES users not able to sync avatars you can't register a new email, restore a backup remotely, and even restoring using a backup file from the PC using device switch or the feature built into messenger, will NOT initiate a PIN switch on RIM servers.

This is a confirmed issue and from the information, it does appear that the servers designed to support these features are not responding to the requests to perform the actions mentioned. So I ask you all, anyone having issues with remote back up of BBM contacts? Maybe you have some people on your list who once had avatars and now, do not? Let us know in the comments if you're affected by this.

• More Information In The CrackBerry Forums >>

* Update - It seems that now at this point if you're suffering from this issue, simply resending the service books may fix it (without need to call in and change plans). Try that first before you spend anytime waiting on the phone! Dig into the forums at the links below for more details. *

If you listened to the CrackBerry podcast recently you would have heard us make mention of users in the forums having some issues with the WiFi on their BlackBerry Storm2 devices. As it turns out, this appears to be a fairly large problem for many of the customers who have purchased a Storm2. The issue is a known one to Verizon at this time since it's their issue to fix (not RIM's) and they are working on a complete fix for it but no ETA for that fix is currently available. Instead, work arounds are needed in order to ensure the WiFi is working properly.

The issue at hand is when WiFi enabled the device is not able to fully transmit voice and data at the same time and the WiFi logo stays greyed out, indicating that it is not fully connected to whatever WiFi service you set it up to (All white means connected). The fix for it currently at this is to call Verizon and have them place you on a more expensive data plan ($45+ BES Plan), power cycle your device and resend your service books. All should be fine after that, just be sure to ask about a credit for the difference between plans. But I guess the real question here is how did this glitch ever pass through Verizon's hands unnoticed?

• Read More About The Issue And The Fix For It In The CrackBerry Forums >>
• Another WiFi Fix Thread >>
• Visit the BlackBerry Storm2 Forum >>

I'm sure there have been a few of you anxiously awaiting the release of the Storm2, or maybe even an official announcement from Verizon of it's existence. Well after browsing through the forums, it looks like user LazyDanes has found evidence that the Storm2 may be here soon. 

While she was at a Best Buy store with her family, she went over to the cell phone area and found the Storm2 dummy unit on display and snapped this pic for us. Of course the salesperson did not have any info on the release date, but I'd say having dummy units arrive in stores is a good sign!

Come on Verizon, give us a release date already! Can you hear us now???

The master of all things iPhone over at The iPhone Blog, Rene Ritchie yesterday posted an article regarding the new iPhone accessory, iTwinge, which quickly made its way to the CrackBerry forums as well. iTwinge is aiming to bring a physical keyboard to the iPhone and are now accepting pre orders for this...thing, that resembles a keyboard that can easily be slid off and on the iPhone to allow usage. Now while to some this may seem great, the majority of users seem to think this is just simply not needed. So, since this question was raised in the forums, will any one now be switching from their BlackBerry to an iPhone now that it... kinda, has a physical keyboard? Anyone? 

We sure hope so. It has been a while since we have heard anything big from the folks over at Opera. Their Opera Mini web browser was and still is a favorite of many BlackBerry users, though over the past six months has taken a bit of a back seat to other third party BlackBerry web browsers like Bolt Browser and SkyFire's alpha/beta testing. Over the past few days though the Opera hype machine has been going crazy as Opera posted a rather omnious image on their site, and then began revealing the above image piece by piece.

Clearly, a new Opera mobile browser is on its way, but will we be seeing it on BlackBerry soon? Time will tell I guess, but here is one thing I'm willing to bet on. We'll see a new Opera Mini on BlackBerry before we see RIM do ANYTHING with their acquisiton of Torch mobile.

• Discuss The New Opera Mini Possibility On BlackBerry In The Forums >>

Itching to get your hands on Research in Motion's next touchscreen BlackBerry Smartphone? A couple of Storm 2's have popped up on ebay recently and as you can tell are generating some bids. Legit or scam? When it comes to pre-release devices on ebay we've seen both happen, but in this case the seller has a solid rating so the odds are good it's legit even though the image used on the auction is one that was previously posted on the web.

Should you try and pick one it up? Having been there and done that, I'd probably recommend waiting for the production units to hit stores if it's something you plan to actually try and use. Though for many the appeal of having that little something you really shouldn't have may justify the cost even if the hardware is wonky, the pin gets killed, and the unit won't take newer software updates (aka... is a paperweight). At the time of this post there is a little over 13 hours left to go on the auction - I'll be curious to see what it goes for. Any bets??

• Ebay Storm 2 Auction 1 | Ebay Storm 2 Auction 2
• Ebay Storm 2 Forum Thread 1 | Ebay Storm 2 Forum Thread 2