It comes in red or silver.

Prices are $349.99 straight up and $299.99, $249.99 or $49.99 on a 3/2/1 year contract with a minimum $50 monthly voice + data plan.

Click more to see a quick summary of my thoughts.

First and foremost the Storm 2 has terrific on screen keyboards. The inclusion of WiFi is nice plus my Storm came with a nice bundle. Besides the charger, leather case and usb cable mine also came with a neoprene sleeve and a car adapter.

I wasn’t crazy about how RIM integrated the four buttons into the touchscreen though this is a minor complaint.

If you’re deciding between the Storm 2 and the Bold 9700 (you can get both on TELUS up here in Canada) it’s a really tough choice. I loved the 9700 but the Storm’s on screen keyboard is so good that I can’t decide…

While the only 2 major differences between this one and the original Storm are screen and the WiFi the screen makes the Storm 2 a major upgrade. You can now type really, really fast with the Storm.

While I really liked the Storm 2 I can’t help but think this is what RIM should have released when they came out with the original Storm. The first Storm didn’t feel like a Blackberry, this newer Storm does.

Howard Chui 12.14.2009

click more to get a quick run down of what I thought:

BTW most of my reviews are in high definition so check that feature.

I liked the Bold 9000 and while it has been a long time since it came out chances were I’d like the 9700 as well.

Turns out it was true. Here are some of the improvements the 9700 brings ot the table:

• trackpad (no more replacing trackballs)
• smaller form factor
• better build quality
• slightly high resolution display
• OS 5.0 (unless you upgraded your 9000 too)
• 3.2mp autofocus camera

You do lose a stereo speaker and I guess you might not like the smaller size if you have huge hands.

You still get

• good messaging capabilities out of the box
• pretty snappy performance (with the exception of the browser)
• very efficient multitasking
• reasonably good integration between apps
• a good QWERTY keyboard
• decent battery life for a HSPA smartphone

So while I really liked the 9700 I’d like to see a better camera. The 9700’s camera doesn’t really suck but it could be better. Especially 3.2mp is basically status quo. The browser needs to go – RIM, hurry up and bring a new faster browser out!

Howard Chui

12.08.2009

The BlackBerry Bold 9700 offers sophisticated design coupled with high-performance features to offer users a premium smartphone experience. This 3G smartphone ensures you will receive your emails quickly and reliably. The new optical trackpad ensures easy navigation and the multimedia capabilities mean you can have fun and stay connected to the office. The Bold 9700 allows users to live their personal and professional lives to the fullest through power and performance.

Despite what the marketing team at Rogers tells us, the 9700 is commonly referred to as the “Bold” or “Bold 2″ and not the “Curve”.  With that cleared up, lets look at the key features of the device. 

BlackBerry Pearl 8100 (Red)
3 year: $0 (requires data)
prepaid: $400
November 2009

Nokia 2720
2 year: $0
prepaid: $80
November 2009

Sony Ericsson T715a
2 year: $50
prepaid: $200
November 2009

LG Xenon
2 year: $125
$225: prepaid
December 2009

Discuss Fido’s Q4 plans on HowardForums.

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The 9700 features a 2.44″ screen, 3.2 MP camera, wifi, and GPS.  In addition to the previous mentioned features, the 9700 replaces the roller ball with a track pad.

The Bold 2 will be  in the starting lineup for Bell and Telus’ new HSPA network, which should be ready for use in November.  The 9700 should be up for sale in November in around the $300 price mark on a 3 year term with data.

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AT&T has released a white version of the popular BlackBerry Bold.  Like the black Bold, the white one will also feature a 2MP camera, 802.11 b/g wifi, Bluetooth, and 3G high speed voice and data.  Pricing below:

Requires purchase of a $30/mo data service. 2 year contract & new activation required.

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Research in Motion (RIM), the makers of the BlackBerry, and Rogers Wireless are pleased to announce the launching of the BlackBerry 8520 Curve.  The all new BlackBerry Curve features:

•Trackpad–The first Blackberry with an optical trackpad, the Curve 8520 makes navigation easy
•Dedicated external media keys -access your multimedia easily and instantly
•Social Networking –If you prefer Facebook®, Flickr, Twitter or love them all, the Curve 8520 will keep you connected to all your social networks
•2.0 MP camera with video capture
•Large, Colorful Screen –Your life on-the-go –the way it was meant to be seen
•Out of the Box Mac Computer Support –Make the Mac connection
•Built-in Wi-Fi(Supports TalkSpot™)
•World Phone –Quad Band EDGE with Stereo Bluetooth™

The BlackBerry Curve 8520 is launching at the following price points:

3 year: $99.99 (voice and data)
3 year: $349.99
2 year: $399.99
1 year: $399.99
no term: $449.99

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New features for 1.1 including:

• faster image and icon loading
• limit search to “free” or “paid” applications
• search for application by category
• install applications to microSD card
• memory indicator so you know how much free space is left

To download BlackBerry App World 1.1 you can do so one of two ways.

1. From your BlackBerry:
   open your browser and navigate to
   www.blackberry.com/appworld/download
2. From your desktop:
   connect your BlackBerry to your computer using the USB cable then click here
   (note: the download requires ActiveX to be enabled so you can only use Microsoft Internet Explorer)

MarketWire has posted the following video of the latest device from Research in Motion.  The video highlights the major features of the BlackBerry 8520: dedicated media keys, trackpad, and out of the box Mac compatibility.

Read more on the 8520 on the BlackBerry website.

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