* Update: The original poster of this video removed it from their youtube account as quick as they posted it, but luckily I we got it yanked from youtube in time (thx Bla1ze! I managed to get a copy recorded on my 9780 too). Check out the video again above. Enjoy! *

As I mentioned in our 2011 BlackBerry Smartphone Roadmap post, we're still not sure if the next-generation of full touchscreen BlackBerry is going to carry the Storm name or something different, but that hasn't stopped a Verizon branded version of it from popping up on youtube. Codenamed monaco, the device in the video should be rocking BlackBerry 6.1 along with the following specs:

• Dimensions: Sleek, thin profile - 11.5mm thick (120 x 62 x 11.5 mm)
• Processor: Qualcomm 1.2GHz Processor
• Radio:Dual band CDMA, EV-DO Rev A, RX Diversity ; Quad band EDGE / Single Band UMTS
• Display: 3.7" - 800x480 resolution, 15:9 aspect ration, 253 DPI
• Camera: 5 MP - Flash - Image Stabilization - HD Video Recording (720p)
• Navigation: Capacitive touch + BlackBerry navigation keys + optical navigation module. One convenience key
• Memory: 4GB storage + 768MB RAM + up to 32GB MicroSD
• WiFi/GPS: Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n + GPS + Bluetooth 2.1 EDR + Mobile HotSpot
• Connectivity: Micro USB - Bluetooth - NFC
• Sensors: Magnetometer - Accelerometer - Proximity
• Software: Enhanced BlackBerry SW v.6.1, BlackBerry Evolution 6, Open GL ES 2.0, APIs for magnetometer and augmented reality apps

With this device not really expected to be announced until BlackBerry World in May, there's still lots of time for RIM to work on the software. But all in all it's looking good! Check out the video above and drop us a comment with your thoughts. Let's hope we see a more in-depth follow up video in the not so distant future.

Source: CrackBerry Forums

Research In Motions 2011 device line up has spilled out onto the web and while we got glimpses of it previously, the full on images have now been posted. Whether you're looking to be picking up a brand new Bold (Dakota), a new Curve (Apollo) or even looking to put yourself in a newer, faster BlackBerry Torch 2 it should be a good year for RIM all around. What about the Storm 3? Well we're still not sure RIM will even be keeping the Storm brand at this point but that device is looking pretty awesome and it's nice to actually have something more then just one individual picture to refer to when speaking about it. Personally, I like the code names Monaco and Monza better for it.

RIM hasn't strayed far from their current line up in the way of looks; they certainly have extended in the specs department providing if what we have seen thus far makes it to market. As we know, RIM has taken a lot of heat in the past for having their device specifications lower than those of others but this should level the playing field a little bit when people are looking at specs and nothing more. It should be an interesting year what with the PlayBook launching and now these new devices. Hit the break for some more images of the Dakota, Apollo and Torch 2.

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As if all the crazy device info that showed up yesterday on the Torch 2, dakota and apollo wasn't enought. Today we have some more info on the rumored BlackBerry Storm 3 as well. BGR landed some more details of the next-gen device and the specs look pretty amazing as it stands now. These images do look just like the in-the-flesh device we saw a while back as well. Not only will the device have an 800x480 display, it also has a trackpad among other things. Specs include:

• 1.2GHz processor
• 3.7-inch 800 x 480 capacitive display
• Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE
• Tri-band UMTS/HSPA
• 5-megapixel camera with 720p video recording
• 8GB eMMC (storage for apps and data), 512MB of RAM
• microSD slot
• Magnetometer
• Proximity sensor
• Accelerometer
• Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR
• 2.4GHz b/g/n and 5GHz a/n Wi-Fi + UMA
• 3G Mobile hotspot
• Optical trackpad
• 1230 mAh battery
• BlackBerry OS 6.1
• OpenGL ES 2.0

Again, most of these devices are still just rumors at this point, so take all the info for what it's worth. Still some very exciting stuff. Go Team BlackBerry!

Discuss more in our Storm 3 (monaco) forum 

Source: BGR

Finally!! It's been just over six weeks since our last podcast (my bad - I blame CB Redesign as soaking up all my time), which means we cover a lot of good stuff in this show. While my written BlackBerry Bold 9780 review will be hitting the blogs soon (Monday Tuesday, don't miss it!), in the mean time you can listen to our verbal review. We dive into this discussion just a few minutes in. From there, we cover a bunch of other BlackBerry talk of late, including the Kik craziness, BlackBerry Style and Pearl 3G user impressions, and some of the latest rumors for things to come in 2011. Unfortunately Craig couldn't make this one as we recorded during the day, but we had CrackBerry Idol runner-up Joseph Holder fill in.

We hope you enjoy episode 60. And we PROMISE to be back before the end of 2010 with our super duper Best of 2010 year end show!

Looking for some more BlackBerry Storm 3 news? Well, here is a little tidbit of information that may interest some of you all out there. It seems as though the BlackBerry Storm 3 on Verizon has indeed been cancelled. Reason? It's too close to the BlackBerry Storm 2 and not enough of an upgrade to make it to the Verizon line up of BlackBerry smartphones. So, does that mean the Storm 2 refresh really was to launch as the BlackBerry Storm 3? It all seems kind if weird to us and well, we can certainly see Verizons stance on the situation of all this turns out to be true. That said, we can't help but wonder whether or not we'll see another "Storm" series device elsewhere.

Straying away from the BlackBerry Storm 3 news, it also seems that Verizon is set to "update" other devices such as the BlackBerry Bold 9650, Curve 3G and Tour for known issues. While the BlackBerry Tour will just be another 5.0 OS update the others are at some point, slated for BlackBerry 6. These updates are noted to be rolling out in October so, could this possibly mean that Verizon has certified BlackBerry 6? We can certainly hope so.

Source: Engadget

 

With all the talk of surrounding the BlackBerry Storm refresh and BlackBerry Storm 3, a new picture has emerged of the BlackBerry 9570. What is it? We're not really sure to be honest. We're certainly under the impression that this is indeed the BlackBerry Storm 2 refresh we seen pop up though. The question really is what will it go to market as? BlackBerry Storm 2? That name has been used already. BlackBerry Storm 3? Well, that previously leaked image was thought to be the BlackBerry Storm 3 but that may or may not be the case.

While those questions can't be answered as of yet we do know some specifics on the "BlackBerry 9570" though and that's the reasoning why for now, we'll call it a basic Storm 2 refresh until we know more. Basically, you're getting a SurePress device with 512MB of RAM, a 5MP camera and fully BlackBerry 6 capable. And of course, a presumed 624mHz processor that RIM is so fond of (although Qualcomm 528mHz are more commonly used for CDMA so that's more likely). All of which is running on CDMA and looks identical to a BlackBerry Storm 2. That's all we know for now folks but, I'm sure some more information will come out now that it's been publically shown off. How do you BlackBerry Storm 2 owners feel about this devices arrival? Would any of you non Storm owners consider buying this with the minor upgrades it has?

• Discuss The BlackBerry 9570 In The CrackBerry Forums>>

Source: BBLeaks

Just in case you weren’t excited about the upcoming BlackBerry Developers Conference before, some information being tossed around today may change your outlook on the situation. According to the folks over at the Wall Street Journal and the Financial Post, RIM is seemingly poised to launch some new hardware and services at this year’s event. Of course, for all you CrackBerry readers this may not exactly be new news or come as a surprise at all. In reality, we've been talking about a new OS developed by QNX and the BlackBerry Tablet for months now. Go back as far as WES 2010 and even more recently, the last CrackBerry podcast and you'll hear us speak of QNX, the OS they are developing and what exactly, it would be released on and what RIM has planned for it as a long term solution.

The news today was that, Research In Motion would be announcing (or at least showing off) the BlackBerry Tablet at the BlackBerry Developers Conference. Which would indeed be running the new OS as developed by QNX software. In addition to that, it was also noted that the OS would eventually carry over to newer, upcoming devices such as the BlackBerry Storm 3. While we have heard before that it was Research In Motions intentions to demo the device we've since heard that idea got put on the back burner but, it's anyone’s guess now. Finally, the last piece of information to come out today was the Research In Motion is also planning to announce a new advertising service using Mobclix. Rumours have been abounding for a while about the RIM and Mobclix connection but nothing solid has ever come from those rumours.

All this information is great to see as we draw closer to the opening of the BlackBerry Developers Conference but, one thing to remember is that until announced they are just rumours. It's rather easy to take every rumour from the past 6-8 months that has never fully come to light yet and say yes, that's what Research In Motion is going to announce. But, the fact is it's all speculation until those press releases start to roll out. We'd be remiss though if we didn't say that the excitement of seeing what we've been talking about for months now turn to reality is high.

Sources: WSJ, FP

With most of the "new device" hype over the Torch 9800 dying down, hardcore users again will surely turn to the ever-speculated BlackBerry Storm3. We're pretty sure the device is out there somewhere but don't have any solid proof just yet. We did see the "Odin refresh" training slide that gave us some hope, but today BerryReview posted up this photo of what could possibly be the elusive device in the flesh. Their intel says the device will sport a 3.7 inch screen and 8GB of internal memory as well. It does look like a Storm, so we'll expect uncover some more details on this one when we can. So for now leave a comment with your thoughts - do you think this could be the BlackBerry Storm3??

Source: BerryReview 

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