Breaking news, information, and analysis on the latest mobile phones and mobile technology
Some theme files have been ripped from BlackBerry OS 6, revealing what looks like indicators for fingerprint scanning. I’ve been curious about RIM implementing fingerprint scanning ever since they made the switch to optical trackpads. RIM had included APIs for biometrics back in OS 5, but I was told that was primarily for accessory manufacturers.…
It won’t be long before we find out for sure, but a Spanish Google ad is showing that the BlackBerry 9800 will indeed be named the Torch as rumoured, not the Bold as it had been previously branded.The BlackBerry 9800 is understandably a pretty big deal for RIM, being both their first slider as well…
This morning AT&T is expected to launch the BlackBerry 9800, RIM’s first slider, and the spearhead of their new operating system. Right on queue, the FCC has released the filing for the BlackBerry 9800, confirming Bluetooth, 802.11 b/g/n, and all the right bands for AT&T and world roaming. From what we’ve seen in the extensive…
I’ve got a couple of OS leaks for some lucky BlackBerry users out there. That is, BlackBerry Bold 9700 and Storm 9500 users. Over the past 24 hours or so, 5.0.0.862 has leaked for the 9700, and 5.0.0.841 has leaked for the Storm. Operating system leaks have been few and far between these days, so…
Tomorrow AT&T and RIM are expected to unveil the BlackBerry 9800, their first OS 6 smartphone. This is the biggest single leap BlackBerry’s software has made, and its reception will define how well RIM competes over the next year and beyond. The old giant, Nokia, still carries a lot of weight (though it’s slowing down),…
Despite all the super cool video-streaming capabilities of things like Hulu Plus, a new survey from Nielsen indicates that e-mail is the most common mobile Internet activity. As you can see from the chart above, mobile e-mail is the most common activity, followed by portals, social networks and search. I expect a few of these…
The iPhone and Android operating systems are taking the US by storm, and it seems Google’s mobile OS has just surpassed Apple’s little darling of a smartphone in sales this past quarter – Android comprised 27% of last quarter’s smartphone sales, while the iPhone accounted for 23%. Meanwhile, it seems that most BlackBerry owners aren’t…
Research In Motion just sent me an outline of their position regarding the United Arab Emirates’ ban of BBM, browser, and e-mail BlackBerry data, although it’s mostly in general terms since they can’t discuss ongoing negotiations. RIM is still somewhat defensive, however, stating that governments should have the tools necessary to fulfill their own security…
Last week, Google Maps for Android was updated with a new feature that placed two new icons in your library for Places and Latitude. The prior let you quickly find places within a certain category on Google Maps for mobile, while the latter is the well-established location-sharing service. Latitude’s been on BlackBerry for awhile, and…
Last week there was talk about BlackBerry getting banned in the United Arab Emirates, as RIM’s data handling is proving too secure for governments. Since BlackBerry data gets sent to the servers in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, government agencies have a hard time getting access to it, and as such people communicating through that channel can…