Last week MyPoynt updated their application for the Bold with some new features and an cool new user interface. Tom let me know that the UI changes have now made their way to non-Bold devices with the release of v0.9.6. They also added some new options for mapping multiple results in Google Maps. This application just continues to improve upon a good thing!

Check out the latest version at m.mypoynt.com

When we mentioned that 16GB MicroSD cards were starting to appear online I could not find a RIM specification letting us know what sizes are supported by each OS. Viscafe kindly supplied us with a link to a RIM knowledgebase article detailing which OS supports what size. Did you know that OS 4.5.0.81 supports 8GB & 16GB cards??? It also confirms that the Bold supports 16GB cards.

From the knowledgebase article:

The following table lists BlackBerry Device Software versions and the supported media card size.

Media cards that use Secure Digital 2.0 (SD 2.0) flash memory format, MicroSDHC, can support data storage up to and above 2 GB.

File this one in the rumor category. Michael @ BBNews is reporting that a high level insider confirmed to certain employees that T-Mobile will not be carrying the Bold anytime soon. They may carry a later edition like the 8100 to the 8120 but not the plain old 9000 version.

This is not surprising with the way the Bold launch has been fumbled in the US so far. You must also take into consideration that the Bold would anyways have to be customized for T-Mobile since the current version of the Bold is only Tri-Band 3G and does not support the 1700MHz frequency that T-Mobile runs 3G on.

It looks like T-Mobile will be focusing on the 8220 and the 8900 Javelin (November?) for their upcoming BlackBerrys.

And the bad news keeps rolling in for those of us in the US waiting for a Bold…

AT&T really needs to get its act together with releasing the Bold. I caved and got one from Canada but most people want one direct from AT&T. Marc @ TBGR managed to score some screens of Best Buy’s internal system showing that the Bold is scheduled to come in stock on October 26th.

Since Best Buy is an authorized retailer they usually get devices 1-2 weeks after the AT&T stores. Does that mean that maybe AT&T will release the Bold this week or next? Who knows anymore.

Personally I would not put it past AT&T to release the device in 2009 the way things are going. When I plugged my AT&T SIM card into my Rogers branded Bold I noticed some small things missing. For example all of the junkware homescreen icons that AT&T pushes out do not have icons ready for the Bold. Also Push To Talk is noticeably absent. (Anybody care?)

Read more at the Boy Genius Report

Thanks to everybody for sending this one in!

Review: UniqueSkins Custom Skin Decals
Rating:
Website: www.uniqueskins.com
Cost: $6.99

I recently had the opportunity, along with some other members of the BerryReview Team, to play around with skins from UniqueSkins.Com. For those of you who may not have heard of them, UniqueSkins offers customized skins for several electronic devices, including Blackberry smartphones. What’s ‘unique’ about UniqueSkins is that you have the option of uploading your own image(s) to create a truly customizable pimping for your Berry.

In my own experience, the whole process of customizing my skins was easy. When you first visit their website, you simply choose the device you want to customize. Then, following a series of links, you’ll be taken to their interactive online ’studio’ where you can then upload your own images or select an image from their pre-existing library (which I did).

Read the rest of this article

A few days ago Josep sent me a link to a great knowledgebase article that details the differences between BES and BIS. This is a quick fact sheet and does not get down into the gritty details but it is a great resource for explaining the difference to new users.

Check it out at this link or a copy after the jump

Read the rest of this article

One of our secret agents picked up this official announcement via the PartnerZone and felt it was needed to share it with all of you:

The upcoming BlackBerry® Storm™ is the first touch screen BlackBerry smartphone from Research In Motion and it builds upon a variety of existing BlackBerry features and capabilities to produce a truly compelling touch experience.  With the BlackBerry Storm, RIM will introduce a version of software (v4.7) that delivers a new set of APIs and capabilities for third party developers including:

1)   Enhancements to the existing RIM User Interface APIs to provide support for touch and gestures including proper handling of multi-touch events.
2)   Support for MIDP applications that leverage touch.
3)   Virtual keyboard APIs
4)   Enhanced and open GPS APIs on all networks

In addition to the new API capabilities, your Browser-based applications will build upon the browser capabilities released in v4.6.0 including:
For third party developers, one of the unique features of the BlackBerry Storm is its compatibility mode which provides an operating environment for existing 3rd party applications that are not implemented to support touch.  This feature will automatically convert the touch events into existing trackball events.  When an application is executing in compatibility mode, a virtual keyboard will be shown at all times for text input to mimic the physical keyboard on previous devices and will only support portrait mode.

• Improved web page rendering including AJAX
• XMLHttpRequest
• JavaScript® 1.5
• CSS 2.1
• DOM L2 (including Core, HTML, Style, Events)
• HTML 4.01 (including Forms, Maps, Tables, Frames, Objects)
• Improved Native Attachment Download
• Support for downloading files via the browser

Key Features
- Screen Resolution: 480×360
- Virtual Keyboard: SureType (Portrait Mode) and Full Keyboard (Landscape Mode)
- Networking: Global network support (2G/3G)
- Memory: Embedded Memory

For all BlackBerry Alliance partners, RIM will be providing access to developer documentation, the BlackBerry Java Development Environment (JDE) v4.7 and the BlackBerry Storm simulator in October to enable development and testing of your applications on this new and compelling smartphone.

Price $49.95

www.otterbox.com

Rating:

Description:

The OtterBox for BlackBerry® 8800, 8820 and 8830 (World Edition) Defender™ Series boasts 3 layers of protection while maintaining a sleek, slim fit to the device. This award-winning case features additional bump, scratch, drop and light rain protection. All functions of the phone remain fully usable through the case, and all ports are accessible through convenient Silicone plugs. This case includes a holster style belt clip for your convenience.

I was very excited to put this case to the test.  I had the choice between the black and yellow or just the straight black.  I chose the straight black being it seemed more “business like” but I have to say I find the black and yellow pretty cool !! Installation was very easy, however I could not get the clear plastic screen cover as smooth as I would have liked. OtterBox does give you some tricks to do so… but I really couldn’t get them to work.  Overall it wasn’t really that terrible.

I have used the case for about two months and overall I am impressed.  It really does deliver.  If you need to protect your Berry this is the case for you. As per the description.. it offers bump, scratch and light rain protection. That it certainly does. The clear plastic cover of the case covers your screen and your keyboard. It “form fits” the keyboard very nicely. The trackball was a bit of an issue for me at first, as the case makes it a bit difficult to use, but I am a firm believer in “Anyone can get use to anything” and I did.  After about a week it became a “non-issue”. Ports as well as the on-off button, mute button and volume buttons are easily accessible. The hard part of the case which is a combination of rubber and plastic really protects. I have dropped, kicked, and even thrown my Berry and it is none the worse for wear. You can’t submerge your Berry in water but as far as splashes of water and rain… it holds up. I will be getting a Bold soon and will definitely be getting an OtterBox for that (coming soon by the way).

I would definitely recommend an OtterBox for anyone out in the field. If you are a “blue collar” guy/girl then this is a must have.  Even the corporate user would benefit from the case.  I personally know a lot of sales and marketing reps that have done major damage to their Berry. In fact, I see it on a daily basis and wish some of these folks were using OtterBoxes !!!

Pros:

Really protects.. makes your Berry almost indestructible.

Cons:

It is a bit bulky. The case changes the footprint of your 8800 series BlackBerry into an 8700 series. If you are looking for sleek and slim this case is not for you.