It looks like the AT&T branded Curve 8520 dummy units have started to arrive in some stores. The new device is ready for AT&T and was stated to be arriving "in the coming weeks", but no exact date just yet. We've seen this in the past over and over with dummy units and accessories popping up just a few days before the actual device is released. So if you've been waiting on this one, you may not have much longer to go.

When it rains it pours!! If you didn't see our Photos of the new BlackBerry Pearl 9100 (codenamed stratus/striker), be sure to check them out along with the photos spotted/posted by our buddy salomondrin. He also posted up the sweet video above (though it's not him in the video doing the talking per usual - but we're sure that'll happen soon and we'll post all the good stuff he brings). Be sure to watch the video. The new BlackBerry Pearl is going to be one SWEET device.

• Discuss this video in our new BlackBerry Pearl 8100 forum >>

First Live Photos of the new BlackBerry Pearl 9100!!

OoohHHH BaBy!! Any BlackBerry Pearl fans out there? I know there are. And I know so many of you have been waiting for Research in Motion to release an updated version of the candybar-styled BlackBerry Pearl 81xx Series Smartphone. Good news. The wait is getting shorter, because what you're looking at in these photos is the new BlackBerry Pearl 9100! 

We've actually been sitting on these pictures of the new 3G BlackBerry Pearl 9100 for a while now with this post sitting in the queue ready to go live (for obvious reasons -- source's request -- we can't always post stuff the second we have it), but now that it's out there (good stuff Sal!!) we can post these babies up. Be sure to look below for more photos.

As you can see, the new BlackBerry Pearl (has gone by the codename stratus and/or striker we think.... codenames are so confusing sometimes) gets its styling from the latest generation of the BlackBerry Smartphones. The new Pearl really looks like a narrowed down BlackBerry Bold 9700, but with the full physical qwerty keyboard swapped out in favor of a slick new SureType design. We didn't post any photos of it here, but under the battery door the new Pearl features a newly-designed battery. Lots more specs and info to come soon, but for now enjoy the photos! For those who appreciate a small device, this is going to be the one you want. 

Word on the street is that US Cellular may be the next carrier in line for the Curve 8530. The device is soon to be available on both Verizon and Sprint, and US Cellular may be the next in line on December 10th. US Cellular customers just recently had a chance to grab the Tour 9630, so having another new device in such a short time is a great addition to their lineup. Verizon customers only have a few hours to wait until the release, while Sprint customers can sign up to be notified of the release.

[BlackBerry Rocks]

*UPDATE: Looks like we were right - no 5.0 this time. Verizon has posted OS 4.7.1.61 on their update page, so go ahead and grab it from this link if you're still rocking the stock OS.*

Rumor has it that the Verizon Tour 9630 will be receiving and official OS update from Verizon tonight. Before you get too excited, it may not be that 5.0 that everyone is looking for. If the rumors are true, it may only be OS 4.7.1.61 that is being made official. The update will be available through Desktop Manager and the Smith Micro update site. We only have a few hours to go since the update should show up around 5pm EST. Check out this thread in the forums for more info, and we'll update this post later when/if the update pops up.

• Discuss more in the CrackBerry forums>>

 

T-Mobile looks to be revamping all kinds of plans and devices lately, and their latest offering dubbed T-Mobile Complete just adds to the fun. The new program allows for contract-free devices, namely the Curve 8520. According to Engadget, you can grab the Curve 8520 for $299.99 or a Pearl for $149.99. The first month of service is including free, but you're on your own after that. The plans start around $59.99, so not a bad deal if you are weary of getting in on a contract. The T-Mobile Complete packages should be arriving in Best Buy and WalMart just in time for the holiday season.

Our CrackBerry Tip box was flooded this morning by happy canuks letting us know that the Telus BlackBerry Storm2 9550 is available on Telus' website. It's kind of interesting to see a carrier offering both GSM and CDMA-based smartphones... Storm2, Tour 9630... Bold 9700?? Tough Decision! 

The Telus BlackBerry Storm2 9550 sells for $199.99 on a three-year contract, $499.99 on a two-year contract, $549.99 on a one-year contract or you can pick it up for $599.99 off contract. If you're not yet familiar with the BlackBerry Storm2, you'll want to check out our BlackBerry Storm2 Review and BlackBerry Storm2 Features and Specifications page. 

• Check out the BlackBerry Storm2 9550 on Telus >>

In an article posted by Reuters, Scott Totzke, RIM's vice-president of BlackBerry security speaks about the security of smartphones these days making some bold, but reasonable statements about where we could end up if we are not careful.

Totzke, along with Kevin Mahaffey, chief technology officer at Flexilis shared issues and concerns for the smartphone market both agreeing that users need to be more aware of what, exactly they are installing on their devices. Essentially, if warnings are not heeded in these areas your smartphones could be used in DDOS attacks. Totzke was quoted as stating "I think that's an area of concern," while Mahaffey stated "These are not telephones anymore. These are computers. So people are going to have all the problems on their phones that they have on their computers."

The smartphone market is growing massive and it has reached a point where security concerns are now going to be a huge factor with the amount of information and data users store on their devices. We have seen some "proof of concepts" lately wherein security has been breached on a multitude of devices and one can only hope that manufacturers are working hard to help keep their users safe and that users will utilize all offerings such as updates and patches.

So what's your take on it? As a smartphone owner, do you give any thought to security? Or do you just assume it's all good and keep installing apps like crazy?!

• Read The Full Article Over At The Reuters Website >>

It looks like some AT&T stores have already started receiving Bold 9700 units. The device is already available for business customers, and should be widely available on November 22nd. The Bold 9700 is one of the most anticipated devices to date, and in the words of Ferris Bueller "If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up". If you haven't already grabbed one up from T-Mobile, then you only have another week or so to wait so hang in there.

If you're looking to get ahead of the game, it appears as if AT&T has made the 9700 OS available for download as well. We saw a similar situation when the Rogers OS popped up in the forums before the device had launched, but this time the OS is officially available from a carrier site. The OS is 5.0.0.296 which is and older version than both the Rogers and T-Mobile devices.

• More information and download of OS 5.0.0.296 for the BlackBerry Bold 9700 >>

Reports are flowing in, users are frantic. Yes, BlackBerry Internet Service is unexpectedly down across the board. What was initially thought as just as a North American outage has proven to be more widespread. Hang tight folks, we'll let ya know more when we know more. Until then, check out the CrackBerry forums and seek counsel from your peers if this is your first BIS outage. ;)

• Visit the Main Outage Forum Thread related to this issue >>

While all of the hype has been on the Bold 9700, we seemed to forget that the Curve 85xx series was heading to carriers as well. Both Verizon and Sprint will be getting the Curve 8530, and today AT&T announced the 8520 will be available "in the coming weeks". The latest device to the AT&T lineup holds the same specs as its siblings and will carry a $99.99 pricetag (after mail-in rebate). A 2-year agreement and monthly data plan will be required.

Press Release

New BlackBerry Curve 8520 Joins AT&T Smartphone Lineup

AT&T's Great-Value Smartphone Features Global Access, Slick Design, Robust Capability, Trackpad, Media Keys for easy access to Music and Entertainment, Preloaded Facebook and MySpace

DALLAS, Nov. 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- AT&T*, the choice for twice as many smartphone customers than any other carrier and the first U.S. carrier to offer BlackBerry® service, announced today it will introduce the best value in its BlackBerry smartphone portfolio with the addition of the BlackBerry® Curve(TM) 8520 from Research In Motion (RIM) (Nasdaq: RIMM; TSX: RIM).

The BlackBerry Curve 8520 is a stylish, easy-to-use, compact smartphone offering the best value for consumer and business customers looking for BlackBerry service. The smartphone features a full QWERTY keyboard and touch-sensitive trackpad for easy typing and navigation, built-in Wi-Fi® and an advanced media player, plus dedicated media keys, smoothly integrated along the top of the handset, for a convenient way to control music and videos. The handset also provides global connectivity via phone, email, text, IM, picture messaging and social networking, with Facebook® and My Space applications preloaded.

AT&T is finally rolling out the BlackBerry Bold 9700 today. Only caveat at this time is that it's currently only available to business customers. The forums are filling up with users stating they have gotten emails from their business account reps announcing the availability. The device is now also showing up on their Premiere site for ordering.

If you have a consumer account, the wait is almost over as well. November 22nd is the general availability date for all non business purchases of the device and as we have seen you can expect to pay $199.99 for this beauty with a new 2 year contract.

Picked up a brand new BlackBerry Bold 9700 from T-Mobile today? Make sure you activate your free visual voicemail services via the My T-Mobile website. Other savvy BlackBerry users have also found out that when logging into the site, if you have an older BlackBerry that has an OS on it that supports visual voicemail (Some leaked 4.6 and OS 5.0 versions), you too can activate the services.

Log in, change your device to the BlackBerry Bold 9700 and under the services tab, you should now see visual voicemail is now available as an option. Check it out, let us know if it's working 100% for devices other then the 9700.

[ BerryReview ]

Attention all T-Mobile users! The time has finally come... The first T-Mobile 3G BlackBerry is now available for purchase at T-Mobile.com. But wait... is it the 8900, or the 9700. Seems as if T-Mobile dropped the ball and used the wrong photo on the website. Big oops T-Mobile!

Pricing for the new BlackBerry Bold is very reasonable at $199.99 on the new Even More plan, or at $449.99 on the Even More Plus plan. For those wondering why the difference in pricing, here is the reason:

Two types of plans, two ways to save.

Even More Plans come with a 2 Year Contract and feature great phone discounts, so your upfront costs are lower.

Even More Plus Plans have no annual contract and currently provide our best monthly rate plan pricing. So you pay for your phone upfront, but the lower monthly plan costs save you money over time.

So there you have it, hurry up and go place your order. Drop us a note and let us know how the ordering goes. Hopefully T-Mobile won't have any problems fulfilling the orders. I have a feeling this will be a very hot selling device for T-Mobile.

Also be sure to check out CrackBerry's extensive reviews on the T-Mobile BlackBerry Bold 9700.