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How To Install the Atomic Trackball onto Older Devices

by Kevin Michaluk on 8 Dec 2008 10:44 AM
31
 

Want to run the supposedly new and improved "atomic" trackball in your pre-BlackBerry Curve 8900 trackball-using smartphone? (update: check the comments... sounds more and more like this is just a BLACK trackball and NOT the ATOMIC one.... the 8900 was supposed to ship with it but they didn't get it ready in time. Apparently the atomic trackball will not be backwards compatible to older devices). The video above will show ya how to get it done! If you don't have those fancy tweezers I have always found the edge of a credit card to work well for popping the trackball housing out (likely not an "approved" method, so do so at your own risk).

Now for the big challenge... tracking down an atomic trackball to actually install! I'll let y'all know when we get these little suckers in stock at ShopCrackBerry.com.

Filed Under: Help, How-To & Tips; Tags: video
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31 Comments

Posted by SouleMan Monday, Dec 08, 2008 1263 days ago

What are the advantages of the atomic trackball over the OEM trackball?

 
 
Posted by amkls704 Monday, Dec 08, 2008 1263 days ago

In the forums people were saying it wouldn't work because it's a different type of technology, so will this actually work in the Bold?

 
 
Posted by thesquire Monday, Dec 08, 2008 1263 days ago

I'm pretty sure this isn't the atomic trackball...from what I have heard there were some initial issues with it so the first set of devices no not have it, they have a normal trackball but its black instead. The actual atomic trackball is different. I guess we will know soon enough.

 
 
Posted by Kevin Michaluk Monday, Dec 08, 2008 1263 days ago

Now that's interesting! Definitely need to learn more about this then. I still haven't gotten to play with one of these myself, so was wondering what the exact deal was here.

When I first heard about this I WAS originally expecting the "atomic" trackball to actually have a different housing (wasn't thinking you'd be able to easily drop it into older devices) so was kind of surprised to find out it would work. Made me wonder what could be that different on this one other than the color (and maybe the material), and if it that was all that changed could it be that much better??

 
 
Posted by SLVR6 Monday, Dec 08, 2008 1263 days ago

Even if there isn't much change it still look cool!

 
 
Posted by Navan Monday, Dec 08, 2008 1263 days ago

I might have to break down and switch out my trackball- atomic or black I don't care, my white trackball is so unbelievably gross!

 
 
Posted by eclipse604 Monday, Dec 08, 2008 1263 days ago

it works. i got took it out of a 8900 and put the "atomic" trackball into my bold. works like a charm. i love it. know i just need another atomic trackball for my 8900.
the best part about the new trackball is it never gets dirty. but the trackball no longer lights up at night because its not see-through.

 
 
Posted by Anonymous Monday, Dec 08, 2008 1263 days ago

This is not ATOMIC its just black. Although RIM was supposed to release the Atomic in the javelin it never happened and it was delayed to the next jogball device because it wasnt ready...Atomic one will not fit in our old devices

 
 
Posted by Anonymous Monday, Dec 08, 2008 1263 days ago

This is not ATOMIC its just black. Although RIM was supposed to release the Atomic in the javelin it never happened and it was delayed to the next jogball device because it wasnt ready...Atomic one will not fit in our old devices

 
 
Posted by robrowald Monday, Dec 08, 2008 1263 days ago

You can get if from Cellular Nationwide Network Accessories
http://cnn.cn/shop/blackberry-curve-8900-trackball-p-3968.html

 
 
Posted by Outrigger Monday, Dec 08, 2008 1263 days ago

This is just a black trackball and not the Atomic trackball, hence backwards comopatible with older devices since its the same technology. The REAL atomic trackball which isn't available anywhere as of yet, is a different technology and isn't backward compatible. Still looks cool.

 
 
Posted by chochopr Monday, Dec 08, 2008 1263 days ago

The ATOMIC TRACKBALL AT for my BB curve, If you know please send me an email at: chochopr@crackberry.com

Thx

 
 
Posted by GenusRubus Monday, Dec 08, 2008 1263 days ago

Intereshhhting! Anybody have any clue if 2nd run 8900's are supposedly going to ship with the actual 'atomic' technology, or are they abandoning the idea altogether for this device so as to get it right for the next?

 
 
Posted by Joyce Porter Monday, Dec 08, 2008 1263 days ago

I'm not sure if thats the real atomic trackball since many said that the atomic trackball is of a diff technology and wont be backward compatible.

 
 
Posted by Dirtbuddy420 Monday, Dec 08, 2008 1263 days ago

advanatges are...?

 
 
Posted by Anonymous Monday, Dec 08, 2008 1263 days ago

smoother and more precise control
it wont have dirt problems inside the mechanism or at least it will minimizd

it will be in next rim trackball device thats released. just got pushed back

 
 
Posted by Tuesday, Dec 09, 2008 1262 days ago

would like to know where can i buy the atomic trackball

 
 
Posted by yoyoslap Tuesday, Dec 09, 2008 1262 days ago

wow next trackball rim phone..... did we hear any rumors as to whats coming next. We now have storm, bold, javelin. i dont know of anything else.

the bold with a touchscreen? did someone mention that is coming out?

 
 
Posted by BlckBrryMD Tuesday, Dec 09, 2008 1262 days ago

When can we get the black trackball? I have checked www.cnn.cn and they show it out of stock and no other info. my Bold is nearly complete, I just need the trackball.

 
 
Posted by BlckBrryMD Tuesday, Dec 09, 2008 1262 days ago

When can we get the black trackball? I have checked www.cnn.cn and they show it out of stock and no other info. my Bold is nearly complete, I just need the trackball.

 
 
Posted by Ub3RdoRK Tuesday, Dec 09, 2008 1262 days ago

where do we get these?

 
 
Posted by lcg8080 Tuesday, Dec 09, 2008 1262 days ago

it sounds cool. but where to find an atomic trackball?

 
 
Posted by MsRandall Wednesday, Dec 10, 2008 1261 days ago

Search ebay they are listed under black trackball not cheap 25 bucks with shipping from HK.

CNN.CN is sold out on their site....

 
 
Posted by PRICE31 Thursday, Dec 11, 2008 1260 days ago

So there's no advantage from this black one to the white one?
Or is the ball made of different material and you can actually scroll better?

 
 
Posted by Anonymous Wednesday, Dec 24, 2008 1246 days ago

CNN.CN shows it as IN STOCK as of today.. thinking I'm gonna order one for my Bold.

http://cnn.cn/shop/blackberry-curve-8900-trackball-p-3968.html

 
 
Posted by Belize2004 Thursday, Jan 01, 2009 1238 days ago

www.blackberry8100parts.com now has the Atomic Trackball in stock.
Its silky smooth not Gritty.
You can install it on the Curve or Pearl you just have to use the old style chrome ring though.

 
 
Posted by Anonymous1234 Tuesday, Mar 03, 2009 1178 days ago

This is just a regular black trackball, not the Atomic trackball. Atomic will require different software and componenets.

 
 
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Posted by ichigo23 Friday, Mar 06, 2009 1174 days ago

i've been enjoying my new tmobile curve 8900 since it arrived this past tuesday. only one minor problem, my atomic trackball seems to not scroll in the downward motion as well as it does in the upward scroll. it if you have any solutions to solving my dilemna, please advise me on how to alleviate this minor problem?