BlackBerry Torch 9800 – UK Price and Release Date

Friday, August 20, 2010

The BlackBerry Torch 9800 has been launched through AT&T in the USA and is currently the most talked about BlackBerry handset as it looks to take all the best features of their other devices and roll it into one to make is a viable solution for business and consumer users.

Running the massively improved OS 6, there are lots of great new features that make usability and overall performance better.

Key features of the Torch 9800 include:

  • Solid build quality and design
  • Slider design that reveals a QWERTY keyboard
  • Optical trackpad
  • High-resolution 3.2 inch touch screen
  • Full QWERTY keyboard
  • 3G network support
  • Simultaneous voice and data support
  • Email and text messaging
  • BlackBerry Messenger (Free BlackBerry to BlackBerry messaging (subject to enabling BlackBerry services))
  • Enhanced HTML web and email browser
  • Social networks integration
  • 5 Megapixel camera with auto focus, flash and video recording
  • Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n
  • GPS
  • Bluetooth
  • Tethered modem

We can today confirm that the BlackBerry Torch 9800 is due for release by the 1st week of October and will be available for purchase at a price of £425 + VAT (£499.38 inclusive)!

We are already taking advanced orders for this smartphone, so if you want to pre-order yours or simply register your interest you can do so here.

We will continue to bring information on the Torch 9800 availability as and when we have any updates.

If you have missed out on the Torch and what it has to offer or want more information you really could do with checking out this video provided by Tracy and Matt’s blog which looks in detail at the 9800.


BlackBerry Bans in the Middle East

Monday, August 9, 2010

Blackberry_Bold_9700_Front

The saga with BlackBerry devices being banned in the Middle East has been ongoing for a while, but it now looks like Saudi Arabia is close to reaching an agreement with RIM. BBC News reports Saudi officials as saying a deal is ‘”in sight”, so it looks as though it will not reach the point where handsets are banned completely.

The problem has arisen in Saudi Arabia and UAE due to the encryption system used by RIM. Basically, messages sent using BlackBerry services (e-mail, BB messenger, web browsing) are encrypted and stored on servers in Canada, the home of RIM. Because of this, third parties are not able to monitor data sent over the network.

This is not a new issue by any means and negotiations have been ongoing between RIM and some Gulf states for 3 years now. However, it seems the threat of a ban in some Gulf countries has occurred as the negotiations have failed to reach an outcome. The growth in popularity of BlackBerry devices in UAE and Saudi Arabia could also have contributed to authorities feeling the need to take action.

While other Smartphone services, such as Gmail and other web-based mail systems, also encrypt their data, RIM is the only firm that automatically sends its data to overseas servers, making it impossible for authorities to monitor content.

In relation to allowing access to its data, RIM has said that it:

‘does not discuss ongoing regulatory discussions ongoing with any one government, but they did say that they often meet the needs of governments, corporations and consumers’ (TFTS).

However, RIM has allowed other governments, such as the US, to gain access to data for some years with the correct court orders. It is also rumoured that the firm has come to agreements with the Russian and Chinese governments in the past, making it slightly confusing previously as to why it couldn’t agree terms with UAE/Saudi Arabia.

As a result of the failure to reach an agreement, BlackBerry devices were due to be banned in Saudi Arabia in Friday and it was reported that the use of some services did go down for about 4 hours. However, according to reports it now seems likely that a deal is likely that will allow authorities to decipher exchanged messages.

This is good news for the estimated 700,000 BlackBerry users in Saudi Arabia, as well as the 400,000 users in UAE. The UAE has said it will ban BlackBerry services in October, but if the deal with Saudi Arabia does materialise, there’s a good chance something similar could arise for UAE.

Via BBC News


1 day left- BlackBerry Competition

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Earlier this week we announced a BlackBerry Pearl 3G Competition which gives you the opportunity to get your hands on a load of BlackBerry goodies to celebrate the launch of the BlackBerry Pearl 3G 9105.

All you need do is simply enter your name, email address and a reason as to why (the more innovative or amusing the better) you should win the following:

  • A 2 and a half foot tall cardboard replica of the BlackBerry Pearl 9105
  • BlackBerry Pearl 3G T-Shirt (large)
  • BlackBerry Pearl 3G Notepad
  • BlackBerry Post-it notes
  • BlackBerry Leather Folio with Paper Pad and Pen
  • BlackBerry Lanyard
  • BlackBerry Drawstring Bag
  • BlackBerry Keyring with LED
  • BlackBerry Mints
  • BlackBerry Pens

The competition can be entered by competing a short form HERE or by following the link below:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/BlackBerryPearl3G

Entries will be accepted up until 5PM (GMT) on Friday 6th August after which a winning entry will be picked.


RIM Table BlackPad Possibly in Development

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

There have been rumours circulating the Internet speculating about the possibility of RIM (Research in Motion) releasing a tablet in the future.  This has possibly been further confirmed by RIM recently acquiring the domain name BlackPad.com.  With the name BlackPad as being one which many have been speculating as a possibility for a RIM tablet. 

Information provided so far would indicate that it will feature a 9.7 inch screen, Bluetooth and WiFi, with sources apparently being unable to provide any additional details.  The speculated date for this product to be officially announced by RIM is within November, but no information has been provided by them.

Via SlashGear


Inside BlackBerry 6

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

image As you probably already know, RIM will soon be launching the eagerly awaited BlackBerry 6, ahead of this launch, they wanted to provide potential users with some information on the multimedia experience this will bring.

A summary of the features:

  • Music Album Art and Discovery – for instant and easy recognition of your favourite albums
  • Organise Your Photos – photos will be able to be grouped by event or by date with the “Pinch to Zoom” feature
  • Streaming, Sharing and Searching for Videos – instantly share your videos with the world using the new integrated YouTube® video uploader
  • New Camera Controls and Supported Scene Modes – access and review camera pictures, set popular options and pick from a variety of scene modes, all directly from the camera screen
  • New Podcasts App – subscribe and play entertaining audio and video podcasts directly for free
  • Finding New Multimedia Content and Apps - direct link to quickly discover popular media apps from BlackBerry App World
  • BlackBerry Desktop Software and Media Sync - greater music sync options

Read the rest of this entry »


RIM Co-CEO’s Respond to Apples Press Conference

Monday, July 19, 2010

We haven’t exactly been covering iPhone’s on the Clove Blog but we have now been drawn in a little with the recent happenings which you are no doubt all aware of; if your not, where have you been because everyone is talking about it?!

With Apple suggesting that all smartphones suffer with antenna problems, it seems they (Steve Jobs) has to put it politely annoyed some major players, most specifically Nokia and RIM.

Read the rest of this entry »


Blackberry Tablet Rumoured

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

blackberry logo 2

Rumours are rife of a Blackberry tablet and it seems RIM are taking a leaf out of Apple’s book in remaining tight-lipped about its would-be competitor to the iPad. However, there’s only so long that these things can be kept quiet and as of last Friday details have started to emerge.

On Friday, Ashok Kumar, an analyst working for Rodman & Redshaw, let slip that by the end of the year RIM would release a tablet device. He reports that it will feature a 1GHz processor made by Marvell, a 7-inch screen and 2 camera, one on the back and once front-facing.

Yesterday, Betanews news reported that these rumours were accurate and claims that a source close to Blackberry has revealed that the tablet will also support Adobe Flash 10.1 out of the box. 

If the rumoured specs are true, Flash 10.1 playback and the 2 cameras could make the RIM tablet a strong competitor as a business tablet and a perfect companion to a Blackberry handset.

via Unwiredreview


BlackBerry Pearl 3G 9105 – Coming Soon

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

image

The BlackBerry Pearl has always been a popular smartphone as it offered so much considering its physical size.

An efficient communication and productivity tool for the mobile business person, many corporations globally have installed and take advantage of the RIM email system.

One thing that the Pearl series lacked was 3G connectivity.  Not that it necessarily needed it, thanks to the efficient data capabilities of this device, but it is always nice to have it.

Thankfully RIM, the company behind BlackBerry smartphones, recently announced the Pearl 3G 9105.  Updated to include 3G many will be pleased to hear this news.

Well a little more good news is that we can now confirm that the Peal 3G 9105 will be available as of the 2nd August and will cost a very competitive £255+VAT.

If you would like to know a little more about the Pearl and what it can offer you, do have a read of the product information found HERE.

We are taking orders for the first stock now, so should you want to obtain one of the first you can! CLICK HERE to place a pre-order.

Alternatively if you are not quite ready to place an order and wish to be informed when the stock actually lands, you can do by registering your interest on our product page HERE.


Western European Mobile Phone Market Grows

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Via PDA247

IDC (International Data Corporation), has published figures of the growth of the Western European mobile phone market. As may have been expected, Smartphone growth has increased while traditional mobile phone growth has decreased slightly. For the first time, the Android OS shipped more units than Windows Mobile, while Symbian has continued to lose market share.

Interestingly, Samsung has become the market leader in traditional mobile phones and could well overtake Nokia as the overall market leader for mobile phones in 2010. HTC, Apple and RIM all experienced 100% growth in Q1 of 2009, further demonstrating the increasing popularity of Smartphones. Continue reading for the full IDC Press Release.


Blackberry Pearl 9105 3G Unboxing Video

Monday, June 14, 2010

Blackberry_Pearl_3G_9105_2

The Blackberry Pearl 3G 9105 is the forthcoming ‘Candybar’ device from Blackberry. It is RIM’s smallest handset to date and looks to bridge the gap between business and consumer devices by offering a traditional 14-Key phone keyboard on a Smartphone.

James at Tracyandmatt has got hold of a handset pre-release and posted an unboxing video.