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Prior to WES 2010 we already knew we'd soon be seeing the BlackBerry Bold 9700 in white, but just to make it officially official Mike Lazaridis announced it during his keynote and showed it off on screen. Check out the video above to see the BlackBerry Bold 9700 in it's pearly white with grey and chrome accent color scheme. She's a beauty.

Over the course of our WES 2010 week in Orlando, the smartphone color debate came up quite a few times. I personally love white smartphones. I loved my old colorware BlackBerry Curve 8320, will be buying the 9700 in white the second Rogers gets it in stock and will be buying a white BlackBerry Pearl 3G from whatever carrier releases it first. Even when it comes to devices like the iPhone, I like the look of the white one over the solid Black one. 

Of course, smartphones these days are starting to show up in more and more colors -- RIM is making the Pearl 3G available to carriers in a rainbow of colors -- but to see where things stand I'm curious to see how CrackBerry readers will vote in a white BlackBerry vs. black BlackBerry contest. So here's the poll question... if the BlackBerry you already own or are going to buy next were available in both white or black when you went to buy it, which color would you buy? Be sure to cast your vote above and sound off in the comments!

CrackBerry.com's feed sponsored by ShopCrackBerry.com. BlackBerry Bold 9700 in White Video; Poll: Do you prefer your BlackBerry to be Black or White?

WES 2010 is now over and the CrackBerry crew is back home recovering from a couple of crazy days. While the big news of the event has been covered on the site already -- BlackBerry 6, BlackBerry MVS, BlackBerry Pearl 3G and BlackBerry 9650 -- we still have a ton of WES posts coming your way over the next week. This year we kicked things up a notch and introduced CrackBerry.tv at the event. When our friend Ewan MacLeod wasn't reporting for his sites (MobileIndustryReview; MobileDeveloper.tv) he put on the official CrackBerry.tv shirt and hat and we put him to work behind the BIG camera. Leaving WES we have literally hours of raw footage that we'll be producing down into some sweet pieces you'll be able to find right here.

First up we have our BlackBerry Solutions Showcase CrackBerry Reality Tour.  I've been to four WES events now, and I've noticed the tradition that every year RIM's Founder and Co-CEO Mike Lazaridis makes a tour of the Solutions Showcase, checking out the cool things BlackBerry partners are up to. Playing off that notion and with help from Mike Kirkup, RIM's Director of Developer Relations, we did up our own CrackBerry tour. It's 9m30s of non-stop action that puts you right there at WES.... grab a drink, sit back and hit play above. Enjoy the show!!

CrackBerry.com's feed sponsored by ShopCrackBerry.com. WES 2010 BlackBerry Solution Showcase CrackBerry Tour with Mike Kirkup of RIM

Last week's poll totally blew me away. I had talked with Kevin on it before it was posted, and we both agreed it would be close. I had no idea it would be a dead heat at 50/50 however. Out of over 15k votes, the results were split down the middle on using a 3rd party theme or not. Really interesting stuff on that one.

For this week we turn to another burning question. While at WES, I was asked what is the easiest way to add a contact to BlackBerry Messenger. While I find that in person, the barcode method is best, others say that they always just add via PIN. Then there is also the email address and elusive "SMS contact's name or phone number" method. While I have never been able to add a contact via email for some reason, others have done it without a problem. So our question this week is, what is your primary method of adding contacts to BlackBerry Messenger? Cast your vote in the poll and leave a comment letting us know why you choose that method. 

CrackBerry.com's feed sponsored by ShopCrackBerry.com. How Do You Use Your BlackBerry Series: Adding Contacts to BlackBerry Messenger

 

Verizon's Push-to-Talk service has been active for a few weeks now, and perhaps as a sign of just how many Tour users haven't added the service, Verizon has sent out emails to Tour users letting them know they can get the service free for life. The email states that users need only add the PTT software and service to their device before June 30th and they will get to keep it free for the life of the contract. To me this seems like a sign that PTT isn't going over as well as they thought. If you're a Verizon Tour user you should see the email pop up in your inbox, but if not, hit the link below to download the software and get rolling. Are you using PTT on your Tour? Leave a comment and let us know. Thanks to everyone that sent this in!

• More information on Push-to-Talk for Verizon >>

CrackBerry.com's feed sponsored by ShopCrackBerry.com. Verizon Offering Push-to-Talk "Free for Life" on the BlackBerry Tour 9630

WES just ended with some great news for RIM, IDC just released their Q1 report listing RIM/BlackBerry on #4 for the first time. Why is this important you may wonder, the IDC report covers the entire mobile phone market, not just the smartphone market.

You can read the full report at this LINK

The devices that were the most popular for Q1 include the 85XX and the 9700.

Some other highlights for RIM include:

• RIM announced BlackBerry Mobile Voice System 5 with voice over Wi-Fi calling

• RIM provided an update on BlackBerry App World, explaining that over 20 million customers have already downloaded BlackBerry App World and nearly 1 million apps are being downloaded per day on average
 
• Over 50,000 copies of BlackBerry Enterprise Server Express have been downloaded since its launch in March
 

• BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) is growing strong with a 500% increase in usage last year and over 20 million users currently
 

• Millward Brown published its annual brand study on Wednesday and BlackBerry was listed as the 14th most valuable brand in the world (and the 6th most valuable tech brand)
 

• According to a recent GSM Exchange report (regarding mobile handset sales during the first half of April), the BlackBerry Bold 9700 was the #1 selling mobile handset in Europe and BlackBerry Curve 8520 was #2. According to the report, the #3 – #8 ranked phones were Nokia 5800, LG KP500, Samsung GT-S5230, Nokia 5230, Apple iPhone 3G 16GB and Nokia 6700 Classic respectively

• Over 90 million BlackBerry smartphones sold
• 10.5 million BlackBerry smartphones sold in the last quarter alone
• 11.2 – 11.8 million BlackBerry smartphones expected in the current quarter
• Approx. 550 carriers and distribution partners in 170+ countries
• Over 250,000 registered app developers
• Over 250,000 BlackBerry Enterprise Servers
• Over 14,000 RIM employees focused on BlackBerry
• BlackBerry is #1 smartphone in USA
• BlackBerry is #2 smartphone worldwide

If you liked this article, you might find these interesting:

• CitySourced to Let You Report Potholes from Your BlackBerry
• Google Voice Reserves 1 Million Phone Numbers with Level 3
• Polar Mobile Announces “MINT” White-Label Mobile Application Solution
• T-Mobile G1 Not Drawing The Crowds Like The iPhone – How About The 8900?
• Rumor: T-Mobile 3G 9700 Coming Early November?

Posted by Luis Merlos for ©BerryReview, April 30, 2010, 10:45 am. | RIM #4 On IDC Q1 Mobile Phone Tracker Report | Leave a comment |

Hard to believe, but April has almost come to an end. It's been a busy one on the BlackBerry App scene. We've seen the official BlackBerry Twitter client from RIM, NFL Mobile App for Verizon, and a BMW Roadside Assistance app, just to name a few! Moving on as we do, this week we've got the following titles for you to learn about in the BlackBerry App Roundup:

Giveaway of the Week: Mobile Bartender

Freebies of the Week: AP Mobile, New York Driver License Test Practice, Calorie Counter

In Case You Missed It: Cisco WebEx Meeting Center, Nimbuzz Updated, WorldMate Partners Up with American Express Business Travel, Poynt Updated

New This Week: MobiAccounts, Up Or Down, BBAssistant

Cool at BlackBerry App World: Cargo Control

read more

CrackBerry.com's feed sponsored by ShopCrackBerry.com. BlackBerry App Roundup for April 30th, 2010; Contest: 25 Copies of Mobile Bartender to be Won!

IDC has announced their Q! Mobile Phone Tracker report results, and Research In Motion is listed in the top 5 of all mobile handset makers in the world (not just smartphones). This is the first time that RIM has broken into the worldwide top 5, as their total shipments surpassed Motorola by nearly 2 million units. The Curve 8520 and Bold 9700 are the devices noted for bringing up RIM, and it is also noted that they are the only smartphone-only company in the top 5. During our WES 2010 podcast we discussed the goods and bads to come from the conference as well as RIM in general. Reading the comments it looks not everyone is happy with RIM at the moment,  but we do know that good things are coming down the road. There are some new devices and obviously BlackBerry 6, as well as MVS 5 and some other goodies in the near future. RIM is still going strong, so hopefully things will shine in the coming months. Hit the jump to check out the full IDC report.

read more

CrackBerry.com's feed sponsored by ShopCrackBerry.com. IDC Q1 Report Is In - RIM/BlackBerry In Top 5 of All Handset Makers in the World

If you’ve been itching to get your hands on the TELUS BlackBerry Pearl 3G, which is expected to launch within the next couple weeks, then we have good news for you! Best Buy Canada is now taking pre-orders for the Pearl 3G from TELUS. All you have to do is leave a $50 deposit and they will hold one for you, once they’re available. It’s expected the Pearl 3G will run $29.99 with three year contract, or $449.99 without. For more details visit BestBuy.ca or your local store.

You're reading a story which originated at BlackBerrySync.com, Where you find BlackBerry News You Can Sync With... This story is sponsored by the new BlackBerry Sync Mobile App Store. Grab your free copy today at www.GetAppStore.com from your BlackBerry.

Pre-order the TELUS BlackBerry Pearl 3G from Best Buy

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2. TELUS places BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8230 as “Coming Soon” TELUS has updated their smartphone guide to now include...
3. Best Buy outs BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8230 from TELUS Earlier this month we reported that TELUS would be...

Last day of April! Be sure you are following us for a Chance to Win These Awesome Prizes...

Motorola S7HD Headphones follow on youtube!

SmoothTalker Cradle follow on twitter!

Case-Mate Fuel Case follow on facebook!

You gotta love the Ongoing Follow CrackBerry Contest... you get a chance to win great prizes each month just for following CrackBerry on youtube, twitter and facebook!

April's Awesome Prizes: For April we mixed up the prizes so you'll want to make sure you're subscribing / following / a fan of us on all of youtube, twitter and facebook so you get a shot of winning all three:

• Youtube: The Motorola S7-HD BT headphones will let you listen to your music on the go
• Twitter: The SmoothTalker Charging Holder/Cradle will keep you charged in the car
• Facebook: The Case-Mate Fuel Case will keep you powered up for days and days and days

Solid prizes. And remember... all you need to do is follow, so if you're already following us... you're in! We'll announce the winners and May's prizes early next week, so stay tuned!

CrackBerry.com's feed sponsored by ShopCrackBerry.com. Reminder to Get in on April's Prizes in the Follow CrackBerry Contest: Win a Fuel Case, S7HD Headphones and SmoothTalker Cradle!

While at WES 2010 we got a chance to meet up with the crew from Otterbox for the announcement of their new Otterbox Commuter series Strength case for the BB 8500. The commuter series is one of my favorites I used it everyday on my 9700 but this new one has a good cause behind it. By purchasing one of this hot pink and white cases 10% of your purchase will go to support the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade.

Features:

• Pink polycarbonate on a white silicon
• Access to all the convenience keys and ports
• Silicon plugs provide coverage for the ports
• Self-adhesive protective film

Check out  the video announcement

Otterbox is also releasing a multi colored commuter series option for the 85xx series. The case cost is $34.95 and can be found at this link.

If you liked this article, you might find these interesting:

• OtterBox Releases Commuter Case for BlackBerry Bold 9700
• Review: OtterBox Commuter Case for BB 9700
• OtterBox Releases Cases for the BlackBerry Curve 8500 & Pearl Flip 8200 Series
• OtterBox Commuter Case for BlackBerry Storm
• Review: Otterbox Commuter Case for BB 8900

Posted by Luis Merlos for ©BerryReview, April 30, 2010, 8:00 am. | Otterbox Releases 85xx Pink Commuter Series Strength Case | Leave a comment |