BlackBerry Storm 9530 owners, you're in luck as well. The same OS, 5.0.0.1041 has leaked for your device.Again, it's a leaked OS so be sure to back up your data before loading it up.
Also, be sure to drop some comments here or in the CrackBerry forums about what, if anything is new within the OS itself so that others may know. Enjoy folks, this one has been a while coming.

*OS Disclaimer - Please Read: Keep in mind this is NOT an official release and as such is not supported by RIM or your Carrier. If you choose to install, do so at your own risk and only if you're comfortable in the process of upgrading and downgrading your device software. It is quite normal during operating system development for certain features to be crippled or disabled while others are tested, and these beta builds often reflect that. They are not always better. Depending on your BlackBerry comfort level, it may be best for you to wait for community feedback on a build before deciding to download and install for yourself or simply wait for the next official release. If you require support, you will find it in our CrackBerry forums via our extremely knowledgeable community base - do not contact your carrier or RIM for Beta OS technical support (their first course of action will be to advise you to downgrade to a supported OS). *

Download OS 5.0.0.1041 for the Storm 9530
Discuss more in the forums

Source: BerryCN

The Storm and Torch devices use an on-screen keyboard. Because of this, some of the shortcuts used for others’ BlackBerry smartphones may not always apply when using touchscreen devices. Fear not, for those shortcuts are not gone. They’ve simply been lost in translation.

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As fast as the news arrived about the BlackBerry Storm 9570 we now have rumors that it's been cancelled. Not just on Verizon as previously noted but rather, across all carriers as RIM has seemingly dropped the device totally. Rumors and speculation of course lead this news so take it all with a grain of salt but, that said we'd not be surprised if this turns out to be the straight up facts. As the rumor goes, this was the information gathered:

"Thank you for your hard work and diligence in preparing your application to support the upcoming hardware refresh of the BlackBerry Storm2 smartphone (model number 9570, codename R027). Regrettably, RIM has decided not to pursue this device further and has ended the program.

However, rest assured that you will have the opportunity to leverage the work you’ve put in thus far in preparing for the new OS, as BlackBerry 6 will be making its way to more Verizon products in the near future, including the BlackBerry Bold 9650 and the BlackBerry Curve 9330"

Sounds legit right? In all honesty, the "refresh" made no sense anyways. Adding a 5MP camera and a bit more RAM to the exact same form factor as the Storm 2 just didn't seem right. Of course, I guess the same could be said about the BlackBerry Bold 9780 as well. Anyone out there really disappointed if this turns out to be more then a rumor? The best I can say about the whole situation is that I hope the rumored Hotspot feature didn't die with the BlackBerry Storm 9570 and that we'll see it arrive later as an addon to the BlackBerry platform.

Source: BBLeaks

GesturePad by Tafasa is a new application designed to make using your BlackBerry Storm or Torch more efficient. This app eliminates the need to fumble through multiple screens and menus to open the app you want. Instead, you simply swipe your screen in a shape you've chosen and your desired function is activated.

Features:

• Unlimited number of custom gestures can be added
  
• Gesture to compose an email to a specific address
• Gesture to compose an SMS to a specific number
• Gesture to call a specific phone number
• Gesture to show all of a person's contact information
• Gesture to open a specific website
• Gesture to launch an application
• Option to have a confirmation prompt after gesture
• Option to have the application close once the gesture is recognized and the action is performed

The developer recommends assigning the app to a convenience key, for ease of use. From there, setup is pretty simple. Just add a new gesture from the options screen of the application by drawing the desired gesture, giving it a name and then telling it what action to perform. Once you save your changes, you can swipe that gesture on the main gesture screen and your action will be performed. You can even go back into the options and modify any gesture or delete it.

GesturePad is only for your BlackBerry Storm running OS 4.7 or 5.0, and the BlackBerry Torch on BB6. Available now in the CrackBerry App Store for the low price of $.99, I definitely think it's worth trying out! Let us know in the comments below what you think if you give it a go.

• Click here for more info and to download GesturePad >>

We just got word that QuickLaunch 3.0 is now available for all Storm devices. Unfortunately it's not quite ready for trackball/trackpad devices just yet, but should available very soon. The new version includes a slew of new updates that continue to make QuickLaunch on the of the top apps for BlackBerry. Features of version 3.0 include:

• Border size - you can now speciry the border size of the menu to be the default size or 'minimum'
  
• Background color - in addition to being able to set images for the menu background you can now specify a color
• Scheduled reboots - set a specific time of day to automatically reboot your device
  
• Larger font option - added a new font size option 'Larger'. easier to read and select menu items
  
• Support for Lister, Pandora, Slacker, iHeartRadio
  
• Password toggle shortcut - toggle your device password setting on or off
  
• Opera Mini url launch support - you can now launch websites using either the bb native browser or Opera Mini

These are just some of the new features so head check out QuickLaunch in the CrackBerry App Store for a full list of whats new. Version 3.0 is available for $4.99, while anyone that purchased before February 1st of this year can snag it for $1.99. Hit the link below for more.

Contest: We have 25 copies of QuickLaunch 3.0 for the Storm to give away. Keep in mind this is not for trackball/trackpad devices (we'll give that away upon release). Just leave a single comment to enter. Contest ends this Sunday at midnight PDT.

• More information/download of QuickLanch 3.0 for Storm >>

We've been hearing plenty of rumors surrounding the BlackBerry Storm 3. As with all rumors you kind of have to take them all with a grain of salt until those rumors get confirmed one way or another. Today, Engadget posted up the above image for which they were advised was from a training slide that outlines details of the upcoming device. Well, technically the info is for an Odin refresh, which sort of seems like it means Storm 2.5 vs. Storm 3, but you never know how things things will get branded and labeled this far in advance. All in all, it looks to be a minor refresh but, there is a few notables here and one insanely huge one to point out.

• BlackBerry 6
• WebKit Browser
• 512MB Of RAM
• 5MP Camera With new UI
• World Edition
• 802.11n WiFi
• 3G Mobile Hotspot (Coming Soon)

Wait, what?!? 3G Mobile Hotspot? Yes, it's noted as a coming soon feature and from the looks of it, the biggest upgrade to the device aside from the normal items that were already assumed or known about. Also, if you'll notice at the bottom of the image the month listed for release ends in "---ember". Previous rumors have put the device on Verizon in time for the holidays, so that still looks to be holding strong. What do you all think?

Source: Engadget

Tips have been flying in one, and it looks like a good number of you are having all kinds of issues. It appears as if T-Mobile may be denying service to many Storm users, resulting in mass chaos. While the Storm isn't a T-Mobile device, an unlocked Storm has no problems working on T-Mobile service (with a few tweaks), but now it appears that the devices aren't functioning properly on the network at all. Users are reporting that they have no data service, and calls to customer service result in no help at all or hearing "your device is not supported". We're not totally sure whats going on with all of this, but if you are trying to use your unlocked Storm on T-Mobile, leave a comment and let us know if its working for you and/or what your story is. Hit up the forums for more discussion.

• Discuss more on this issue in the CrackBerry forums >>

The brand new Doctor Who series began the other day and while the eleventh Doctor, played by Matt Smith may or may not be a fan favorite across the board he's alright with us here at CrackBerry. Sure it could be his witty charm and wacky approach to things that made us like him but we're going with the fact that he's a BlackBerry user that won us over.

That's right, Dr. Who was spotted using a BlackBerry Storm during the episode, a debranded one no less. Ok, so maybe it was branded as a "BBC" but that's a fine line, in either case we all know it was a earth saving, multimedia messaging BlackBerry Storm. I just have to know what OS he was running or was he making use of some Dr. Who built hybrid? I mean, he did save the world with it.

Source: Engadget

Here's a pretty cool novelty app from the folks at BIC. I'm quite certain most of us have been to at least one concert or event where you've witnessed the sea of lighters being taken out and waved in the air. BIC has made available for the BlackBerry Storm their virtual version, complete with customizable designs and true to life lighter flicking sounds. Now the next Grateful Dead concert you attend you can play it safe, no waving open flames around. Rock on, keep on truckin or...whatever the cool kids are saying these days. ;)

• Download The BIC Concert Lighter App From BlackBerry App World Today >> 

Needless to say, we're gonna stick the fat rumor tag on this one. But, according to the folks over at The Street it seems investors and analysts were given reason to worry about Research In Motion at some point in time. The worry coming from what is yet to be confirmed news that BlackBerry Storm orders have either been drastically reduced or cut off entirely.

While we speculate all day about the reasons why this may be, it's best we just ride this little piece of information out for the time being and see what, if anything actually comes out of it. Seems every year as we count the days down to WES rumors come from everywhere, all spelling Research In Motions demise. But none of them ever seem to become reality. That said, what do you all think? Original Storm series saying goodbye or still around for a while yet?

BlackBerry Storm owners this one is for you. Storm Unlock from MMMOOO is a lock / unlock solution for your device. Rather then making use of a password, you can simply create a pattern for locking and unlocking your Storm. Storm Unlock is now available as a free OTA installation. A nice, simple app for free. Can't beat that.

• Download The Storm Unlock OTA For Free Today >>