The Bold Slider, Do We Like This?

This past weekend, something groundbreaking happened, the first semi-official shots of the forthcoming BlackBerry Bold 9800 Slider were leaked onto the web via the geniuses at BoyGeniusReport. We've seen some blurry shots of this device for quite some time but we finally got some clear ones and reviews are more positive now than they were before.

For starters, it is official that the 9800 will be a Bold line device due to the branding on the back side which definitely gave it some more credibility. Its sporting the optical trackpad and a touch screen (not sure if its SurePress like the Storm line....hopefully not) and the keyboard is basically the same as the Bold 9700 which definitely gives it some cool points. Its also sporting OS 6.0 which is definitely something we all want to get our hands on.

I hate to say it but after seeing these new shots, I am definitely excited about this device. Obviously I'll need to hold it in my own two hands first but this could possibly be a device I may be interested in. Bold lovers, do you agree? Post your thoughts after the break.

Photo Credit: Engadget, BGR

RIM Releases First Shots of BlackBerry6, Change Is Good.

At&T's Current Generation...What's Next?

The Curve 8520, the Curve 8900, the Bold 9000, and the Bold 9700. These four devices serve as the BlackBerry benchmark on America's largest cellular provider with (arguably) the best 3G coverage, AT&T. All four of these devices sport the latest widely available Berry software, and they each can be found in the pockets or hands of millions of people worldwide. Each device is unique in its own right, yet they all let it be known that they come from the same family. Everyone has a favorite, but that leads to the question, what exactly comes next?

With OS 5.0 rolling out to these devices in the last few weeks and 6.0 finally in its last stages of development, all that means is that by this time next year, we'll be looking at a new AT&T flagship family of BlackBerrys. But other than new software, we'll need to see some new advancements in hardware.

BoyGeniusReport leaked some new photos of a BlackBerry flip clamshell device, sporting OS 6.0 and a massive external screen display and a shrunken Bold-style keyboard on the inside. The images haven't gotten any favorable reviews, the BlackBerry faithful aren't really feeling this new form factor even though its been in the works for quite some time.

So the question is, what happens now? How does BlackBerry expand their line without disappointing their faithful followers? How do they get new followers? The traditional line is up for a makeover (albeit semi-minor), so what should they do? Post your thoughts after the break.

Photo Credit: Ninja_M

The Curve 8300, Long Live the Classic?

With all of the Bolds, Tours, Storms, and Pearls of the BlackBerry world, we seem to forget that the mainstream BlackBerry craze came with the original everyone's BlackBerry, the Curve 8300.

Probably the main contributor to the Curve's success was that it was the first Berry to have a 2 megapixel camera integrated into the device. Up until this moment, BlackBerrys were only known for their impressive email capabilities with phone integration, but not as a mainstream device, with people having separate camera phones as primary devices still. With the Curve hitting the market, QWERTY lovers could have their cake and eat it too.

The Curve is known as the "RAZR" of the smartphone era, being available on basically every single carrier worldwide in a variety of colors, styles, and model variations, and soon enough, everyone seemed to have one and they weren't hard to obtain at all. They're still available on all major US carriers in different colors and variations, people are still looking to get their Curve 8300 CrackBerry fix.

So, did you own, do you own, or are you still looking to own your own Curve 8300? Was it the best phone you ever had? Did it get you hooked on CrackBerrys forever? Feel free to comment and let us know.

Photo Credit: Dan_H

Celebrity CrackBerry Spotlight: Kristin Cavallari vs. Lauren Conrad

The new (and final) season of The Hills returns on April 27th on MTV at 10pm. With all of the drama from this show, we also witnessed Lauren Conrad leave the show after five season and her former Laguna Beach nemesis, Kristin Cavallari join the cast. One thing these two divas have in common however is their love for their BlackBerrys.

Lauren prances around Hollywood toting her BlackBerry Tour. She's had a Verizon phone all the way back to the Laguna Beach days, so this doesn't surprise me in the least. The Tour is her style, a fresh new generation BlackBerry model that sports the 5.0 OS and definitely gets the job done in a smart package. Kudos to LC for making the right choice.

Kristin however, everyone's favorite bad girl, opted for the Bold 9000. You all know how much I love my Bold: its big size, shiny chrome finish, black leather back, stunning display screen, it is often referred to as the most obnoxious device in the BlackBerry family, making it perfect for Kristin and us Bold lovers alike. Kristin is a very in-your-face person (don't lie, you watched her fight with Audrina in the season 5 premiere last fall), so it is only fitting that she rocks that Bold all around Tinsletown.

But in the end, who really wins this smackdown? As much as I love Kristin, I call this one a draw. Lauren and Kristin both are CrackBerry addicts, but in their own rights, with their own taste. If you want to see some serious drama elsewhere in their lives, just wait and watch this new season of The Hills this spring.

Photo Credit: CelebrityBlackberrySightings

WhiteBerry Bold....Whats All The Hype?

Who said all BlackBerrys had to be...well...black? While the Curve 8300 series had its variety of colors ranging from titanium silver to navy blue and even orange and pink, RIM seems to be attempting that again, but in a somewhat classier sense.

The Bold has become RIM's signature BlackBerry brand. Its distinctive shape and model differentiates it from the rest of the BlackBerry line, not to mention its trademark Black and Chrome finish.

Making its debut on the Mid-season return of Melrose Place on the CW, Heather Locklear storms into her office and the camera zooms in on her typing out an email on her brand new BlackBerry Bold in white. For us BlackBerry Bold lovers, seeing our beloved black and chrome beauty somehow transformed into this pure white goddess of a device was actually breath taking.

The WhiteBerry (as I and many others have been referring to it as) is available only through AT&T's online store and in "limited quantities" so RIM hasn't manufactured too many of these. But my question is, is it worth all the hype? Should a current Bold user get the upgrade?

My advice is this: if you were already planning on purchasing a Bold 9000, there's absolutely no reason why you shouldn't go white. If you already have a Bold 9000 in black and the 9700 isn't doing it for you and you'd rather just stick with the current model Bold you have, then yeah why not go for the white, refresh your love for your current model. And if you are looking to purchase the Bold 9700 I did a review on in my last post, then you might want to hold off a bit, because word on the street is that the Bold 9700 in white is on its way as well, so keep a look out.

Photo Credit: Bunz234

The Bold 9700: Worth the Upgrade?

The latest Berry to hit the market actually arrived a few weeks ago, the Bold 9700. It is being dubbed as the "flagship" device for RIM, but does it actually fit the bill? Should Bold 9000 users feel the need to upgrade? Lets way in on this one.

I'm am a proud and faithful Bold 9000 user, so of course I was ecstatic when the 9700 came to market....that is of course until I actually handled the device for myself.

What attracted people to the Bold 9000 was its...well...boldness. The size, weight, the feel of the 9000 in your hand and you know you are holding the most powerful BlackBerry on the market. When I held the 9700, I felt like I was in possession of a Curve. The 9700 is much smaller and lighter, the keyboard feels much narrower and I just was not into it. Yes, the trackpad is nice instead of the traditional trackball, but still not enough to warrant a switch of devices.

So Bold 9000 users, should you upgrade? My answer would be no. This device and the one you have now are basically the same minus the trackpad and BB software 5.0. But considering the 5.0 upgrade for the Bold 9000 will be hitting the At&T website in the coming weeks, I think you'll be fine. My upgrade is coming up in a few short months and unless a real successor to the 9000 hits the market (9050 with a trackpad perhaps?) I will be upgrading to yet another 9000, in white of course.

As for any other BB users, say Curve guys, you might as well go with the 9700. It will feel like a true upgrade for you, similar in size to your Curve yet it boasts 3G speeds and a nicer keyboard.

Are you a Bold 9700 fan? Do you want to defend your decision? Post your thoughts in a reply and let me know.

photo credit: liewcf