Selasa, 24 Mei 2011

BerryReview.com Giving Back to the BlackBerry Community

BerryReview.com Giving Back to the BlackBerry Community


iFrogz Luxe Case Review and Giveaway!

Posted: 24 May 2011 04:00 AM PDT

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I've been testing out this custom case from iFrogz for a couple of weeks now and the more I use it, the more I like it. I am all about keeping cases as thin and minimalistic as possible. This Luxe case does a great job of this. It is made from injection molded, super-durable polycarbonate. The iFrogz website describes this case as having a "metallic finish and plush feel." It is really tough to describe the feel of the case, but I love it. Its tough, but super soft to the touch. Pretty cool polycarbonate!

Keep reading to find out how you could win a Luxe case for your BlackBerry!

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The first thing I love about this case is the huge range of color choice options. You can mix and match top and bottom pieces of the case from the iFrogz website and find the color combo/match that suits your personality best. I went with the pure white top and gun metal bottom. Its tough to see in the top photo, but the black portion inside the case is a soft, fuzzy layer to pamper the backside of your berry.

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The 2 pieces of the case slide on snugly from the top and bottom until the top ring slides over the bottom circle to lock it into place. It is quite secure, almost to the point of being tough to get off. This could be seen as a pro or con. Its great to not have to worry about having the case coming apart in my pocket, but a little cumbersome when trying to do a quick battery pull. The best method I've found to take it apart is lift the bottom edge of the ring while pulling the 2 pieces apart. I'm all about efficiency, but this is definitely not a deal breaker for me. I'd rather have it more secure than worry about it falling apart.

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The cutouts on the back match very nicely with the camera and flash. I'm pretty sure the middle cutout is for the external speaker.

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The front shows off the slim profile of the Luxe case.

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There are 2 cutouts on each side of the case and 2 more on top for the lock and mute keys.

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Overall this is an excellent case. After giving it a fair shot, it has definitely grown on me. The custom colors are cool, the soft feel is seriously awesome, and it fits just right.

Check out the full range of colors and options on the iFrogz website. The Luxe case is available for the following BlackBerry devices: 8310, 8320, 8330, 8520, 8900, 9500 and 9700. I guess that means the 9780 as well. It sells for $29.99.

iFrogz has been kind enough to offer a free Luxe case to one of our lucky readers! For your chance to win, leave a comment on this post. Make sure you have one of the compatible devices listed above! One comment per person. Contest is open until Saturday May 28 at 11:59pm EDT. Best of luck!

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Posted by jforce for ©BerryReview, May 24, 2011, 7:00 am. | iFrogz Luxe Case Review and Giveaway! | Leave a comment |


BlackBerry PlayBook Gets Teardown and Repair Video from DirectFix

Posted: 24 May 2011 02:36 AM PDT

 DirectFix PlayBook Repair Video

Right after the PlayBook was launched we got a video tear down by iFixit but it did not offer much meat in terms of repair instructions. DirectFix let us know that they have posted their own nine minute teardown and screen repair video for the PlayBook and its quite fun to watch. Instead of simply seeing the guts of the PlayBook this video actually shows the steps needed to disassemble and reassemble the device. The video tries to show you how to replace the LCD and touch screen panel on the PlayBook in case you are that brave. Let us know if you actually dare to try it!


Desktop Video Link | Mobile Video Link

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Posted by Ronen Halevy for ©BerryReview, May 24, 2011, 5:36 am. | BlackBerry PlayBook Gets Teardown and Repair Video from DirectFix | Leave a comment |


Review: Jabra Freeway In-Car Bluetooth Speakerphone

Posted: 23 May 2011 03:15 PM PDT

Review: Jabra Freeway In-Car Bluetooth Speakerphone
Rating: 8 out of 10 stars
Price: ~$129.99 at Amazon.com

The Jabra Freeway is the latest in-car speakerphone for hands-free dialing and surround-sound audio for music playback. The Freeway is very interactive with built in voice guidance. Upon turning on the device, you are greeted with “Power On” followed by “Connected” as the device connects to your phone (which you previously paired).

Receiving Calls: Upon receiving a call, the Freeway announces “Call from …”. To answer immediately, you can hit the Send/End button. If you need to keep your hands on the wheel, you can let the Freeway finish announcing the name or number, wait for the tone, and speak “Answer” or “Ignore”.

Placing Calls: As you might assume, you may place a call from your phone and the audio is routed through the Freeway. The other option is to use voice dialing. As with every other device I have ever tried to use voice commands to dial, the wrong name was usually picked up. “Call Shannon” resulted in calling a friend Matt with a last name sounding similar to Shannon. “Call Home” resulted in a “goodbye”.

Other Voice Commands: Other than picking up the right contact name, the device picked up all other commands very well. Commands available include “Redial” and “Call Back”, “Battery” to hear the amount of talk time remaining on the device, and “Play” to stream stereo music over Bluetooth from your phone. “What can I say?” will speak back to you a menu of voice options, and “Phone Commands” allows you to then speak any voice commands built in to your phone.

Speaker: The speaker on the Jabra Freeway is nice and loud. Both the built in voice and caller’s voices came through loud and clear. The Freeway claims Surround Sound Music and I was very impressed with the quality. The device can get quite loud while still sounding crisp and clear. The Freeway also includes a built in FM transmitter to play your music over your car’s stereo.

Other Thoughts: Hitting the “Voice” button to speak a voice command is very convenient and works very well for all tasks other than attempting to get the right contact to be dialed. That being said, every time you hit the “Voice” button, the device loudly announces “Say a command”. This could probably be replaced with a short beep or tone, as it becomes a nuisance pretty quickly.

Conclusion: If your car does not already include built-in Bluetooth the Jabra Freeway is for you. The Freeway is as easy a device to use as there could be, the speaker is loud and clear, voice commands work quite well aside from the aforementioned caveat, and you now have the ability to listen to your phone’s music on the Freeway’s speaker or your car’s stereo.

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Posted by Mendy for ©BerryReview, May 23, 2011, 6:15 pm. | Review: Jabra Freeway In-Car Bluetooth Speakerphone | Leave a comment |


Holzer Holzer & Fistel Investigating RIM for Securities Violations

Posted: 23 May 2011 12:26 PM PDT

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I am no finance guru but even I noticed that something fishy was going on when RIM made their "Updated Q1 Guidance" announcement at the end of April. They had just set their guidance at the end of March and all of a sudden in the end of April they had "Updated Guidance." That would make sense if something unexpected happened but RIM stated the reason was:

This shortfall is primarily due to shipment volumes of BlackBerry smartphones that are now expected to be at the lower end of the range of 13.5-14.5 million forecasted in March and a shift in the expected mix of devices shipped towards handsets with lower average selling prices.

It could be they lost a large order from a customer? The second part of the reason is something RIM knew for months now so its not really something new. Now we learn that Holzer Holzer & Fistel LLC and investigating RIM with a focus "on whether a series of statements made between December 16, 2010 and April 28, 2011, inclusive, regarding RIM’s business, its prospects and its operations were materially false and misleading at the time they were made."

They even clarify to say:

Specifically, the investigation focuses on, among other things, whether the Company knew but failed to adequately disclose that it was experiencing problems associated with an aging product line which were negatively impacting RIM’s business and margins.

It seems like RIM cannot go a month without getting sued for one reason or another. I asked a few analyst friends of mine why RIM even made that "Updated Q1 Guidance" announcement and I still don't have a good answer. Anybody have some thoughts?

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Posted by Ronen Halevy for ©BerryReview, May 23, 2011, 3:26 pm. | Holzer Holzer & Fistel Investigating RIM for Securities Violations | 10 comments |


YouMail for BlackBerry Updated to v2.2.6 With Improved Stability

Posted: 23 May 2011 12:06 PM PDT

YouMail

We have not heard much from YouMail in awhile so its nice to see they have not forgotten about the BlackBerry platform. Tom let us know that they have updated their BlackBerry app for their voicemail service to v2.2.6 from version 2.1.0.6. According to Tom there is no real new functionality but it includes "great improvements in stability."

That is some nice news considering that I stopped using the app due to its instability. You can pick up the latest version of YouMail in App World here.

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Posted by Ronen Halevy for ©BerryReview, May 23, 2011, 3:06 pm. | YouMail for BlackBerry Updated to v2.2.6 With Improved Stability | 3 comments |


Upcoming BlackBerry Management Center Solution Detailed

Posted: 23 May 2011 10:57 AM PDT

BIS management

A bit ago we heard that RIM was working on a BlackBerry Management Center solution for small businesses to centrally manage their BlackBerrys without a BES solution. This solution is called the BlackBerry Management Center and RIM is currently beta testing it with select partners. This solution is intended to allow organizations such as small businesses, not-for-profit groups, governments, and families to centrally manage their BlackBerrys by condensing already available RIM solutions.

This new solution will allow you to invite users/employees to join your Management Center and based on that you can manage their email addresses, settings, administrate BlackBerry protect, and help them find lost devices. It is actually a pretty cool service for small businesses who currently have to manage quite a few separate BIS accounts and have to singularly setup BlackBerry Protect. It also gives administrators the ability to delegate and set permissions.

Features of BlackBerry Management Center include:

  • Web-based console
    • Broadcast pin and message for guaranteed delivery
  • Central Management of employees' email
    • Reset password
    • View device details
    • Delete email
  • Central Management of BlackBerry Protect Features
    • Lock device
    • Send message
    • Backup device
    • Restore device
  • End user Opt-in Model for device management
    • Subscribe to BlackBerry Management Center
    • Unsubscribe to BlackBerry Management Center
  • Supports
    • Yahoo!, POP, Gmail, IMAP, Hotmail, AOL and BlackBerry Internet Service Hosted Mail
    • BlackBerry Device Software 4.6+
    • Browsers: Windows® Internet Explorer® 7.0 and 8.0, Mozilla® Firefox® 3.5 and 3.6, Apple Safari 4.x, Opera® 10, Google Chrome™ 4.x, Browser on the BlackBerry® PlayBook™ tablet
  • Localization: Software available in English, French, Italian, German, Spanish and Brazilian Portuguese.

I think this is a brilliant solution for RIM and I really think administrators will appreciate the ability to centrally manage these BIS BlackBerrys without having to fork over for a BES solution. It truly is so simple it makes you wonder why RIM did not do it before. :)

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Posted by Ronen Halevy for ©BerryReview, May 23, 2011, 1:57 pm. | Upcoming BlackBerry Management Center Solution Detailed | One comment |


Verizon Plans On Offering Family Data Plans With Data Buckets Across Devices

Posted: 23 May 2011 10:49 AM PDT

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Since 3G came out and more and more devices benefit from connecting to the internet I knew this would eventually happen. Carriers need to find a middle ground where you are not paying another $30 a month per device you want connected to their network. Their first attempt at a solution was mobile hotspots like the Mi-Fi but those are only good in certain cases. I would ideally like to see plans like electric bills where you pay for usage and delivery no matter what device uses electricity.

Verizon told Reuters that it is thinking of moving in that direction with Family Plans for data services on multiple devices. Now that the faux "Unlimited" plans are mostly gone they plan on offering data buckets shared across a family plan sort of like what they do now for minutes. You would pay for say a 5GB data bucket and be able to share that data between your tablet, smartphone, or in my mind even your camera, laptop, and other gadgets.

Verizon has no timeframe for these new plans but hopefully they are coming soon. The 4G PlayBook is coming later this year and it would make quite a bit of sense if we had such plans at that time. What do you think?

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Posted by Ronen Halevy for ©BerryReview, May 23, 2011, 1:49 pm. | Verizon Plans On Offering Family Data Plans With Data Buckets Across Devices | 2 comments |


Giveaway: New Fun Game Pair ‘Em Up by Mobile Ventures

Posted: 23 May 2011 09:30 AM PDT

screenshot_1Roel let us know that they just released a new game that makes use of your noggin's memory called Pair 'Em Up.  The game is simple and fun allowing you to get the hang of it right away. If you like puzzle games this game should be on your BlackBerry. That is why Joel also sent us over 20 free copies for our BerryReview readers details below.

App Description:

Pair ‘Em Up is a simple, yet addictive game that can be played by young and old. The aim of the game is to clear the screen by finding 2 panels with the same image.
Where the ‘Easy’ mode is great for kids (or when you’re lazy), the ‘Hard’ puzzle requires great concentration and full dedication.
A great way of training your memory.

The application is on sale on our store at this link for only $0.99 regular $1.49. The game supports most of the latest devices.

Giveaway: The first 20 to head over  to the link above and use coupon BBREVIEW will get the application for free. Good luck and thanks to Mobile Ventures Pty Ltd for the giveaway.

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Posted by Luis Merlos for ©BerryReview, May 23, 2011, 12:30 pm. | Giveaway: New Fun Game Pair ‘Em Up by Mobile Ventures | One comment |


Slacker Radio Updated to v4.0.736 – No Change Log

Posted: 23 May 2011 07:42 AM PDT

Slacker Update Slacker Radio3

I use Slacker on my BlackBerry practically every day and I am really liking this new v4 that just came out. It fixes many of the bugs I have found in the app though it takes a little longer to start. This new version 4.0.0.736 improves the startup time a bit which is nice. I do not know what else is new in this update but let us know if you spot anything!

Download the update at www.slacker.com

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Posted by Ronen Halevy for ©BerryReview, May 23, 2011, 10:42 am. | Slacker Radio Updated to v4.0.736 – No Change Log | Leave a comment |


Cellular South Says PlayBook Is “Selling Well” With “Few if Any Returns”

Posted: 23 May 2011 06:46 AM PDT

PlayBook Sharing Telus

After all the hoopla around the PlayBook sales rumors started this Friday and RIM's comment on them the WSJ did a nice roundup of what happened. What I found interesting is that Stuart Weinberg managed to get Cellular South, the eighth-largest wireless carrier in the US, to comment on their PlayBook sales. What they said is promising for RIM considering their size:

Dave Miller, a spokesman for closely held Cellular South Inc., the eighth-largest wireless carrier in the U.S., said the device is selling well, particularly with business customers that already deploy the BlackBerry. "They view it as a companion device to the BlackBerry," Mr. Miller said, adding that there have been few if any returns of the device.

While Cellular South is on RIM's list of official retail stores the bigger US carriers do not seem to be stocking them though they are also on the list. For example, I have stopped by a few AT&T and Verizon locations in Manhattan and none of them had the BlackBerry PlayBook. They might be holding out for the 4G versions coming later but it makes you wonder why carriers up north are already pushing them.

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Posted by Ronen Halevy for ©BerryReview, May 23, 2011, 9:46 am. | Cellular South Says PlayBook Is “Selling Well” With “Few if Any Returns” | 6 comments |


Free AIR Google Reader Client App for the BlackBerry PlayBook

Posted: 23 May 2011 06:24 AM PDT

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I am loving the fact that Google Reader clients for the BlackBerry PlayBook keep on popping up. The latest is by the same developer of AIR Browser, Nicolas CHAIX, that we just mentioned. The app claims to have some offline capabilities and kind of works once you open a feed it will be available without images offline. It is not the most feature filled Google Reader client but it does work. I really hope the developer keeps working on it by adding features like marking all as read and only viewing unread articles.

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Check out the free Air Google Reader app in App World at this link

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Posted by Ronen Halevy for ©BerryReview, May 23, 2011, 9:24 am. | Free AIR Google Reader Client App for the BlackBerry PlayBook | One comment |


AIR Browser Free File Manager for the BlackBerry PlayBook

Posted: 23 May 2011 05:51 AM PDT

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I have been waiting for a decent free file manager to come to the BlackBerry PlayBook. AIR Browser is trying to fit that bill with a pretty solid file manager though it does have some quirks. You can copy, paste, and rename your shared files through the app and it does a pretty nice job of it. It could use some refinement and the ability to open attachments but all in all a pretty nice app by Nicolas CHAIX.

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You can find AIR Browser in App World at this link or simply search for it from your PlayBook!

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Posted by Ronen Halevy for ©BerryReview, May 23, 2011, 8:51 am. | AIR Browser Free File Manager for the BlackBerry PlayBook | One comment |


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