It seems like we’re seeing new BlackBerry devices released more frequently than ever. RIM has set a number of model lines — the Bold, the Curve, the Pearl, the Storm — and has been pumping out more and more, for both CDMA and GSM networks. Eventually, once they hit a certain pace they have to start phasing out the old models. The Curve might be the top-selling smartphone in America, but that’s not going to last forever. Newer devices will eventually catch it on the list, perhaps as soon as this quarter. This week, we learn that Verizon might be retiring a few of its devices to make room for the new.
Pearl Flip, Storm among the handsets leaving Verizon
Early in the week we heard a rumor from TheStreet.com that Verizon would soon stop selling the original Storm. This doesn’t come as a huge surprise. The Storm2 has been out for about four months now, and I’m sure both RIM and Verizon want to focus on selling that model. More recently, though, we learned that the Storm won’t be the only casualty on Verizon. In fact, given this screenshot, courtesy of CrackBerry, it appears Verizon will ax four BlackBerry models.
Three of the four models make sense. Verizon already has replacements for the 8830 (Tour and soon 9630), the 8330 (8530), and the Storm (Storm2). The Pearl flip 8230, however, seemingly has no replacement. Seems that one didn’t sell enough. We are due for a new Pearl sometime soon, but that looks ready for GSM markets, not CDMA. Looks like the 8130 will still be the CDMA Pearl of choice for another few months at the least.
Tip of the week: Clean your BlackBerry Tour trackball. The housing for the trackball on the Tour isn’t the same as on the Curve and other BlackBerry models. That means it requires a different cleaning method. Check out the video if you missed it on Monday.
Bold 9700 tops cell phone radiation charts
Since even before cell phones became widespread, people worried about the radiation potential. It’s not unfounded. Cell phones do emit radiation, and if you’re holding it to your ear you’re certainly exposing yourself. What we don’t yet know is how that type of radiation affects our bodies. There are conflicting scientific studies, some of which say the radiation poses a high risk, while other say it does not. Cell phones haven’t been used long enough, by a large enough segment of the population, to conclude much at this point — though apparently it does improve Alzheimer’s symptoms in mice.
The Environmental Working Group released their list of phones that emit the highest radiation, and topping the charts is the BlackBerry Bold 9700. Most of the top 10 comprises advanced feature phones — either smartphones or otherwise touchscreen devices. It’s surprising, then, that the BlackBerry Storm 9530 ranks as the third lowest emission.
PocketGear and Handango form largest cross-platform app store
Could the third party, cross-platform app store market be shrinking? It must be tough keeping up, seeing as how each major platform now has its own app store. Not only that, but carriers, like Verizon, are also creating their own application stores. So where do the third parties fit in?
Combining forces, it seems. This week we learned that PocketGear and Handango will join forces, creating the largest cross-platform app store. This includes not only BlackBerry, but also Android, Symbian, Windows Mobile, and Palm. With over 140,000 available applications the combination should be a force. I do wonder, though, if even a company this large can keep up with the manufacturer and carrier app stores.
If there’s room for one flashlight app, there’s room for plenty
I’ve never shied from mocking BlackBerry flashlight applications. You can use your video camera app and do it for free. Hell, even apps like QuickLaunch have the function built in. So why, then, does one company think it can patent flashlight functionality?
The whole saga is beyond ridiculous. The Jared Company has written developers of flashlight apps to let them know that they’ve applied for a patent in the U.S., and that the other applications might infringe. It sounds like crap to me. Patents are, in essence, government-awarded monopolies. So why would they hand one out for a function native to the device?
But hey, if you want a flashlight app, check out the selection at the store. Just don’t buy the top one on the list. That’s the one from The Jared Company.
Notes
Just a few closing items.
- Rogers improves roaming rates in U.S. It’s called One Rate Roaming, and it costs from $20 to $55 more per month for more robust roaming plans.
- Check out this week’s BlackBerry themes. There’s a particularly awesome one for the Storm in there.
- Make sure to get the latest version of Slacker radio, complete with revamped UI.
This post originated at BBGeeks.com – home to all things Blackberry! Also a great source of info about AT&T BlackBerry.
BlackBerry News From The Wire for the Week of 2/22/2009
This post originated at BBGeeks.com – home to all things Blackberry! Also a great source of info about AT&T BlackBerry.
BlackBerry News From The Wire for the Week of 2/22/2009