Back in June, following up the announcement of iOS 5 and Apple's version of BlackBerry Messenger, iMessage, we put the two head to head in a BlackBerry Messenger vs. iMessage comparison (original video reposted above). Our follow up poll clearly showed the community thinks BlackBerry Messenger is the better service, though most agreed that iMessage will take a bit of the wind from BBM's sails. 

Fast forward a few months and today iOS 5 will officially become available for download to regular users, bringing with it iMessage and a host of other changes. Over at our sibling site TiPb, Rene has put together a CrackBerry Kevin-esque iOS 5 Walkthrough that details all the changes, including iMessage and a lot more. We'll have to redo the Head to Head video again next week once iMessage is put to real world use (and when BBM is working again!).

With iOS 5 rolling out today, tt's definitely not the best day for BlackBerry users to be experiencing service issues. But the BlackBerry fanbase is strong (just see our recent BlackBerry Super Fanboy Contest winning videos) and with BlackBerry DevCon coming up next week the RIMPIRE will have it's chance to strike back. I'm really looking forward to that event and what it'll bring to the BlackBerry platform. While we wait for those announcements, I'm going to jump over to TiPb to learn about the competition. Like G.I. Joe I always say knowing is half the battle, so even diehard BlackBerry fans should spend a few minutes learning up on the competition.

Read TiP's iPhone and iPad iOS 5 Walk Through

Read TiPb's Review of the Apple iPad 2

In a few weeks things will get crazy here on CrackBerry as the BlackBerry PlayBook hits the market and we do our content thing on it (think device, app, accessory reviews, how-tos, tips, tricks and more). Over at our sibling site TiPb.com, which covers all things Apple iOS related, they have now had a few days with their latest tablet toy, the Apple iPad 2, and have posted their initial review of it. Knowledge is power, so for the sake of being able to tell your Apple fan boy friends why your PlayBook is better than their iPad, you'll want to jump over at the link below and check out the review! :)

To be dead honest, as I type this the UPS man is actually on his way to my house with an iPad 2 (and yes, I bought it in white). I was hoping to have a PlayBook by now, but since that isn't the case I'm going to spend a couple of weeks getting to know the competition so that when I do review the BlackBerry PlayBook I can give it a real honest comparison to the current sales leader in the tablet market. We know the BlackBerry PlayBook is power packed out of the box and that the QNX-based BlackBerry Tablet OS has a ton of potential in it, but I'm sure there are going to be areas where iPad 2 > PlayBook as there will be areas where PlayBook > iPad 2. In the meantime, be sure to check out TiPb's iPad 2 Review.  Oh, and if you want me to do a CrackBerry Kevin unboxing of the iPad 2, let me know in the comments and maybe I'll do one up.  If I do do one, it won't be conventional... I can promise you that.

Read TiPb's Apple iPad 2 Review

Not familiar with curling? Check out the wikipedia page to learn more.

* Update: Wow. It came down to the final rock in an extra end of play, but we pulled it off. Team McEwen wins their second Grand Slam of the year! * 

Like the sport of curling? If you do, or want to check it out for the first time, be sure to tune into CBC television today at 1pm ET (viewers outside of Canada can watch online) to watch Team McEwen take on Team Howard in the finals of the BDO Canadian Open, which is the third Grand Slam of Curling event this season (where the world's best curlers from around the world play for $$$ and glory). 

I'm actually the 5th man (alternate player... if one of the boys is sick or has to miss a game I fill in) for Team McEwen and personally sponsored them this year - you gotta love the CB logo on the jerseys and crackberry.com down the pants! And what a year it has been. The team is sitting at the top of the World Curling Tour money list for the 2010/2011 season, and is also ranked #1 in Canada on the CTRS points system which is used to determine which teams will go to the Olympic Trials to duke it out for who gets to play for Canada in next winter Olympics. Team McEwen won the first Grand Slam of the season, lost out in the semi-finals of the 2nd Slam after going undefeated in the round robin, and are undefeated this week leading up to the finals against Howard, who has the homecrowd advantage with the event being held in Ontario. It should be a great game.

If you're curious to meet the CrackBerry curling team, I've posted a couple of Team McEwen videos below (and yes, everybody on the team is a hardcore BlackBerry user and we have a BBM group to keep things in order). As for the question of can I get a curling game for my BlackBerry? the answer is you used to be able to... Curling Challenge was one of the first reviews I ever wrote for CrackBerry back in 2007 when I played it on my 8700. It looks like the game is no longer available though, so it would be great to see a good curling game hit for the PlayBook!

For more info on the team, be sure to check out mcewencurling.com and you can also follow us on twitter at @mcewencurling. That's it. Rock on! Be sure to tune into the game!

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Writing a novel is no easy task. For most people it's too daunting to even think about starting, never mind finishing. But how about writing a novel on your BlackBerry? Pure craziness in my opinion, but that's exactly what CrackBerry member Jessica Meigs (a_silent_song) did. She recently released her first novella in a five-part series, called The Becoming: Outbreak. 

The novel features a group of friends as they fight to survive the outbreak of a virus that turns its victims into homicidal cannibals (aka zombies). And the name of the virus? The Michaluk virus!! Yep, Jessica gave me the honor of being the first victim to bite the dust so the virus got named after me (in case you don't know how to pronounce it, it's Mitch-A-Luck). I read the novel on my flight out to Bali was thoroughly entertained by it -- I can't wait for part 2 to be released -- so do yourself a favor and pick it up. At 99 cents and written by a CrackBerry member on a BlackBerry, it's definitely an entertaining must read. The full press release is below and you can pick it up at the following links. Great job Jessica - two CrackBerry thumbs up!

Buy The Becoming: Outbreak for Kindle from Amazon
Buy The Becoming: Outbreak for Nook from Barnes & Noble
Visit BecomingZombies.com to buy direct and for more info

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With all of the news from BlackBerry DevCon 2010 now behind us, it's been a little quiet this week in the world of BlackBerry. On the other hand, it's been a huge week in Microsoft land with the official launch of Windows Phone 7. If you're not up to speed on all the news, be sure to head over to our sibling site WPCentral (formerly WMExperts) to learn about everything Windows Phone.

Following up the Windows Phone launch, Microsoft loaded up the above commercial to their youtube account.  It's pretty funny actually - instead of focusing on their new phones, they instead hone in on all of us crazy CrackBerry Addicts out there. Funny stuff. Maybe it's just me... but the commercial actually makes me want to own a BlackBerry, not a Windows Phone. I mean, if a phone is that good that you can't take your eyes off it, then why wouldn't you want it?! :)

On another CrackBerry Addiction related note, our updated CrackBerry: True Tales of BlackBerry Use and Abuse book has just been released.  The paperback will be available Oct.19th, but you can already grab the electronic version from Amazon. 

So what you do think of the commercial? And how about Windows Phone 7? Sound off in the comments!

On Monday it was announced that RIM co-CEO Jim Balsillie will be joining the United Nations Secretary-General’s 21 member panel regarding Global Sustainability. The members include high-ranking government officials and civil society representatives from developing and developed countries.

“I am pleased to help this esteemed group develop new ideas for prosperity in a low-carbon world,” Balsillie said on Monday. “This is a critically important initiative for all countries, and integrates perfectly with the work CIGI is undertaking to address the international governance challenges of climate change.”

He will be the only Canadian on the panel, as well as the only private sector representative. Mr. Basillie is also the CIGI’s (The Centre for International Governance Innovation) chair; which he founded in 2002. For more information on CIGI, head over to www.cigionline.org

The purpose of this panel is to discover a “new vision” when it comes to sustainable growth. With the accelerated rate of changes in the climate in mind, this vision will tackle issues that include poverty, discover and maintain workable consumption/production levels and achieving a greener economy. A report from the panel is expected to be made by December 2011.

I wonder if the panel will receive BlackBerrys to aid them in their research?

• Read the official press release from the United Nations >>

As BlackBerry users, we're on the edge of our seat waiting for Research In Motion to deliver us all BlackBerry 6. Over at Android Central however, there has been a constant flow of new devices pouring in. Android Central has given us a Samsung Captivate review as well as a Samsung Vibrant review to look over. Now since this is CrackBerry, we like to take a look at what else is out there from time and time and consider what other platforms are doing. Given the sheer amount of Android devices turning up these days, it's rather hard to ignore.

Some BlackBerry users have turned former BlackBerry users because the Android platform does offer a lot. BlackBerry still maintains a great market share as well as a huge core audience. So, we're putting this out there for those of you considering the possibility of taking on Android.

If there were things that you could take from Android, what would it be? Would it be the super AMOLED screens? Maybe even just larger screen sizes? What about the customization options or does BlackBerry do fine in that are? Let us know what you all think in the comments folks. It'll be interesting to see what some of you would like to see. And of course, if you need to learn more about Android, check out Android Central.

Read TiPb.com's Full Review of the Apple iPhone 4 >>

I still think of CrackBerry.com as a relatively young website, having only launched in February 2007. Of course RIM/BlackBerry have been around a lot longer than that, but as young as I like to *think* we are, we definitely have more grey hairs than Apple when it comes to the smartphone game.  We've always considered the iPhone to be BlackBerry's #1 frenemy since the original iPhone was announced, and that friendly rivalry has continued over the years as we've seen the iPhone's annual update get released to the public. With both BlackBerry and the iPhone excelling somewhat at opposite ends of the spectrum of smartphone needs/capabilities (remember our Smartphone Hierarchy of Needs?), every new iPhone and BlackBerry releases brings the two closer, addressing more of the gaps that each has had.

I haven't had a chance to go hands-on with the iPhone 4 yet (will pick one up when it hits Canada to see just how I personally like it), but it definitely appears to be the biggest leap forward since the original iPhone. The hardware design is pretty industrial (looks good to me), the display and cameras look solid and just as BlackBerry users always have their heads down while walking and typing in public, I can already see the Apple addicts who are going to be walking around with their outreached arms in front of their heads facetime chatting (watch out!).

CrackBerry iPhone 4 Sound Off: So where do you stand on Apple's iPhone 4? If you're a BlackBerry user and haven't been enticed by the any of the previous iPhones, does the iPhone 4 now have something that grabs your attention? Are you a BlackBerry person no matter what? Is there anything you wish your BlackBerry had that the iPhone now offers? Or is there something about your BlackBerry that would make you think about the iPhone more if Apple had it? Or maybe you're now a BlackBerry + iPad person... is there even a draw towards having a BlackBerry + iPhone/iPod touch anymore when you could have a BlackBerry + iPad?  Sound off in the comments and let us know where you're at on Apple's current mobile offerings.

Apple iPhone 4 Review: Rene has reviewed the heck out of the iPhone 4 over at our sibling site TiPB.com (with some of Dieter's help on the video!). Be sure to check out their iPhone 4 Review if you want the skinny on Apple's  latest creation.

Learn More About the iPad: Read TiPb's Full Apple iPad Review >>

Back on January 27th, the day the Apple iPad was announced, we posted a poll here on CrackBerry.com asking readers how they felt about the iPad from the perspective of being a BlackBerry owner. The results: 12% said they loved the iPad (perfect compliment to a BB) and would buy one; 18% said it was cool but nothing life changing; 9% said their BlackBerry did everything they need already; 47% said it's just a big iPod Touch and **shrugged** while the last 13% voted that Apple sucks and the iPad is overhyped.

Fast forward a few months and the Apple iPad is officially available. Now that the reviews are pouring in and it's out there for all to use, I'm wondering if and how people's impressions of it may have changed. If you've changed your opinion of the iPad since that first poll, be sure to drop us a comment and let us know what you're thinking now.

Apple iPad Review: As you can imagine, our sibling site TiPb.com has been in iPad fever for the last couple of days with both Rene and Dieter working overtime to get the Apple iPad Review done. I posted Rene's mandatory unboxing video above to get you started... if you're interested in learning more then be sure to jump over and read the full Apple iPad review.

The Apple iPad - coming soon...

Apple's big announcement has come and gone and its wake it has left us with the Apple iPad - a mobile tablet computer ebook reader thingy that looks like an oversized iPod Touch or iPhone. It'll run all of the iPhone's apps, also run iPad-specific apps and will be available in models with or without 3G service. If you missed the live coverage, be sure to jump over to our sibling site TiPb.com who is all over it. Be sure to watch the video below too for some additional iPad enlightenment.

Once you're up to speed with Apple's latest gadget that fills in that void between smartphone and laptop, be sure to cast your vote above and let us know how you feel about it. I sort of look at it as a device that compliments the BlackBerry quite well (check out my iPhone Review for this year's Round Robin and you'll understand why I think that's the case - it's all about the Hierarchy of Needs). And be sure to ellaborate in the comments - I'm personally really curious to hear what you all think. Is it a Kindle killer? Your next must-have gadget? Is it technology for the sake of technology without their being a need for it? Sound off!!

I know, I know... this is a BlackBerry site, so why are we posting a review of another platform's product? The answer is easy... the Smartphone Round Robin is still going on which dedicates six weeks to checking out the competition. I already reviewed the Sprint Palm Pre and Pixi, but tonight the embargoes have lifted and Dieter over at PreCentral.net has given the new Pre Plus and Pixi Plus the full work over. So while we're still waiting for the new BlackBerry Pearl 3G and Tour2 (and maybe a new touch-Berry) to get their announcements and reviews on, you can watch the video above and click over on the links below to learn what's going on from Palm. What do you think? Liking or disliking Palm's direction? Don't ya just love how they toss a mirror on the Pre?

• Verizon Palm Pre Plus Review >>
• Verizon Palm Pixi Plus Review >>

** OOOOPS.. My bad. Round Robin Week 2 actually has me using the WINDOWS MOBILE phones... not iPhone. Ahh well, always fun to poke fun of our frenemy anyways. **

Week #2 of the Smartphone Round Robin has me coming back to our 'ole pal... frenemy #1.... the Apple iPhone. The folks at Saturday Night Love must be following the event as they decided to give me a little extra ammo on last night's show to put to use this week. Too funny :)   

[ Engadget via TheiPhoneblog ]

It's a bit of a slow news day in the world of BlackBerry (other than @BlackBerry announcing Desktop Manager for Mac was available today, which was a mistake and in fact is not... d'oh!) and it has been a while since we've ran a post in our Berry-Free Talk blog post category, so I thought we'd bring you a look at the newest smartphone to be making a splash on the interwebs - the Palm Pixi Phone.

The Palm Pixi follows up the release of the Palm Pre, with the Pixi slotting in as the Centro of the new Palm and their line of next-gen devices that run the Palm Web OS. It's small, features a full front facing keyboard and is slated to come to Sprint (likely in time for the holidays). Dieter was on location to cover the event yesterday, and has a ton of info up at PreCentral.net if you're interested in learning more. The video above goes through the hardware, and you can follow the links below to see, read and learn more.

In terms of where this stacks up to BlackBerry smartphones, I'd think of this as the head to head phone with the BlackBerry Curve 8530, when that rolls out to CDMA carriers. A little more entry level that makes some comprises, but a nice tight package overall. So what do you think? Does Palm have something here with the Pixi that appeals to you, or is it a thanks but no thanks type offering?

• Palm Announces the Pixi Phone >>
• Pixi Ups the Game with Customizable Covers >>
• Palm Pixi Hardware Demo >> 
• Palm Pixi Photo Gallery >>
• Palm Pixi Specs >>
• Palm Pixi First Impressions and Hands-On Video >>
• Palm Pixi Features, Apps, Facebook & Memory Limitations in Video >>

Hey all you CrackBerry fans! Show your support for CrackBerry.com by adding a Twibbon to your Twitter avatar. The Twibbon will simply add a small CrackBerry logo to the upper right corner of your avatar. If at anytime you change your avatar, you'll have to add the Twibbon again. If for some strange reason you don't want the Twibbon after a while, all you have to do is update your avatar on your Twitter page and it will be replaced. Let's see how many supporters CrackBerry can get! 

While you're at it, make sure you follow the CrackBerry Team:

Kevin Michaluk - Founder/Fearless Leader
Adam Zeis - Editor/Forums Manager
Bla1ze - Editor/Forums Manager
David Boyd - Blogger/Forums Moderator

For those of you not following Kevin, don't forget about this awesome Twitter contest he is running. There have been several winners already!

Knowledge is power. That's why from time to time we like to run non-BlackBerry content here on the CrackBerry blogs... so when you're sitting at the bar chatting smartphones you can woo your friends not only with your know-how of BlackBerry, but all things related.

That said, it's a big week for iPhone owners. The iPhone 3G S goes on sale this Friday, and today (rumors suggest 1pm EDT, though it could be anytime), Apple will release its iPhone 3.0 software. This software update fills in a lot of the functionality gaps iPhone owners have faced since its launch. 

Rene over at our sibling site TheiPhoneblog put together a CrackBerry-style walk through of the iPhone 3.0 software (over 7,000 words.. sniff sniff.. I'm soo proud!), which I'd encourage you browse through if you want to stay on top of your smartphone game. Take a peek! And now I'm curious too... anybody reading this thinking about picking up a 3G S when it hits?

• Read TiPb's iPhone 3.0 Software Walk Through >>