Switched http://www.switched.com Switched http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.switched.com/media/feedlogo.gif Switched http://www.switched.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[BlackBerry PlayBook Tablet To Support Android Apps]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/25/blackberry-playbook-tablet-to-support-android-apps/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/25/blackberry-playbook-tablet-to-support-android-apps/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/25/blackberry-playbook-tablet-to-support-android-apps/#comments blackberry playbook There's probably never going to be a tablet that unseats the iPad, just as there never was an iPhone killer or a serious iPod competitor. But that doesn't mean that some companies won't make great products and fantastic business decisions. Case in point is RIM, which yesterday announced that the forthcoming BlackBerry PlayBook will support Android apps.

There are some caveats, of course. For one, the tablet only supports Android 2.3, not Android 3.0 Honeycomb apps -- which are the ones optimized for tablets. But despite the limitations, the move will doubtlessly go a long way toward pleasing a customer base that could potentially extend far beyond business users.

SwitchedBlackBerry PlayBook Tablet To Support Android Apps originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 25 Mar 2011 11:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidappsblackberryblackberry playbookBlackberryPlaybookhoneycombplaybookrimtabletFri, 25 Mar 2011 11:20:00 EST<![CDATA[RIM Pulls Drunk-Driving BlackBerry Apps, Pleases Democratic Senators]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/24/rim-pulls-drunk-driving-blackberry-apps-pleases-democratic-sena/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/24/rim-pulls-drunk-driving-blackberry-apps-pleases-democratic-sena/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/24/rim-pulls-drunk-driving-blackberry-apps-pleases-democratic-sena/#commentsRIM has decided to pull all BlackBerry apps designed to help drivers avoid sobriety checkpoints, in response to a request filed by four Democratic Senators. Thus far, at least one app has already vanished from the BlackBerry App World, a fact that drew praise from New York Senator Charles Schumer. "RIM's decision to remove these apps from their online store proves that when it comes to drunk driving, there should not be an app for that," Schumer said. Neither Apple nor Google has responded to the Senators' request.

SwitchedRIM Pulls Drunk-Driving BlackBerry Apps, Pleases Democratic Senators originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 24 Mar 2011 10:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appsBlackBerryCharlesSchumerDrunkDrivinglawpolicepoliticsRIMsafetytopThu, 24 Mar 2011 10:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Democratic Senators Ask Apple to Remove DUI Checkpoint Apps]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/23/democratic-senators-ask-apple-to-remove-dui-checkpoint-apps/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/23/democratic-senators-ask-apple-to-remove-dui-checkpoint-apps/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/23/democratic-senators-ask-apple-to-remove-dui-checkpoint-apps/#commentsA group of Senators is asking Apple to remove from its App Store all apps designed to help drunk drivers avoid checkpoints -- apps that the politicians consider "harmful to public safety."

In a letter, four Senators -- Harry Reid (D-Nev.), Charles Schumer (D-NY), Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Tom Udall (D-NM) -- argued that apps that help drivers avoid speed traps, sobriety checkpoints and police radar pose serious risks to other motorists. "Giving drunk drivers a free tool to evade checkpoints, putting innocent families and children at risk, is a matter of public concern," the Senators wrote in a letter to Apple, Google and BlackBerry manufacturer Research in Motion. "We hope that you will give our request to remove these applications from your store immediate consideration."

Continue reading Democratic Senators Ask Apple to Remove DUI Checkpoint Apps

SwitchedDemocratic Senators Ask Apple to Remove DUI Checkpoint Apps originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 23 Mar 2011 13:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AppleappsAppStoreBlackBerryDemocratsdrunkDrunkDrivingduigooglelawPhantomAlertpolicepoliticsRIMtopWed, 23 Mar 2011 13:20:00 EST<![CDATA[RIM: Disable JavaScript on Your BlackBerry for Security]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/17/rim-disable-javascript-blackberry-security-vulnerability/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/17/rim-disable-javascript-blackberry-security-vulnerability/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/17/rim-disable-javascript-blackberry-security-vulnerability/#commentsResearch in Motion is urging BlackBerry users to disable JavaScript on their smartphones after a major vulnerability was exposed at this year's Pwn2Own hacker challenge. According to the company, the security hole could allow a hacker to gain access to the device's data if a user stumbles upon any "maliciously designed" websites.

The vulnerability only exposes data stored on a user's media card and built-in storage (meaning that e-mails and contact information remain secure), and it only affects phones running BlackBerry OS 6. RIM says it hasn't received any reports of hackers exploiting the vulnerability outside of a test environment, but is nonetheless encouraging IT departments to exercise caution until the hole is patched.

SwitchedRIM: Disable JavaScript on Your BlackBerry for Security originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 17 Mar 2011 10:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BlackBerrycellphoneshackeros 6Os6Pwn2OwnRIMsecuritysmartphonestopvulnerabilityThu, 17 Mar 2011 10:04:00 EST<![CDATA[RIM Says It Can't Give India Access to BlackBerry E-Mails]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/01/28/rim-wont-give-india-blackberry-email-access/http://www.switched.com/2011/01/28/rim-wont-give-india-blackberry-email-access/http://www.switched.com/2011/01/28/rim-wont-give-india-blackberry-email-access/#commentsRIM may have resolved its BlackBerry issues in the Middle East and Indonesia, but the company's negotiations with India seem to have hit a wall. Today, the smartphone manufacturer reiterated that it cannot allow the Indian government to monitor corporate e-mails sent from Blackberry devices because, according to RIM, the technology simply doesn't exist.

"We can't give a solution for enterprise services [corporate email]," said Robert Crow, RIM's VP for industry, government and university relations. "It's not possible to do so, because the keys of that service are with the corporate enterprises and corporate entity that owns the server." Earlier this month, the company gave India access to data sent via its BlackBerry messenger service, but government officials were hoping for more.

Continue reading RIM Says It Can't Give India Access to BlackBerry E-Mails

SwitchedRIM Says It Can't Give India Access to BlackBerry E-Mails originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 28 Jan 2011 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BlackBerryBlackBerry MessengerBlackberryMessengercellphonesCorporate emailCorporateEmailemailIndianegotiationspoliticsRIMsecuritysmartphonesurveillanceterrorismtopFri, 28 Jan 2011 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Soothe Your BlackBerry's Spell Check, AutoText and Predictive Text Turmoil]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/01/19/blackberry-auto-text-predictive-text-tips/http://www.switched.com/2011/01/19/blackberry-auto-text-predictive-text-tips/http://www.switched.com/2011/01/19/blackberry-auto-text-predictive-text-tips/#commentsMany BlackBerry owners bemoan -- and remain ignorant of -- their devices' various messaging and keyboard settings. BlackBerry does, however, offer an impressive variety of shortcuts and alternative options, although those features are located within an extensive and disorganized menu arrangement.

When sending messages, typing purists may want to manipulate the AutoText predictive text and spell check features, which -- for some reason -- are all located in different menu categories. For AutoText, simply go to the 'Options' menu (the monkey-wrench icon), and then choose 'SMS Text.' Select the 'Disable AutoText' box, and then save as you go back to the main menu. To address predictive text, which guesses what you are typing as you pound it in, go to 'Options' and then choose 'Language and Text Input.' Click 'Show Text Input Options,' and then customize the individual predictive settings, or uncheck the feature completely.

Continue reading Soothe Your BlackBerry's Spell Check, AutoText and Predictive Text Turmoil

SwitchedSoothe Your BlackBerry's Spell Check, AutoText and Predictive Text Turmoil originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 19 Jan 2011 18:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blackberryrimtipsWed, 19 Jan 2011 18:05:00 EST<![CDATA[RIM Cedes to Indonesia's Demands, Agrees to Block Porn on BlackBerrys]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/01/10/rim-block-blackberry-porn-indonesia/http://www.switched.com/2011/01/10/rim-block-blackberry-porn-indonesia/http://www.switched.com/2011/01/10/rim-block-blackberry-porn-indonesia/#commentsRIM has agreed to block porn sites on all BlackBerry devices within Indonesia, as part of the government's ongoing efforts to rid its country of online smut.

In a statement released today, RIM confirmed that it's in negotiations with local service providers to find a "prompt, compliant filtering solution" before the government-imposed deadline of January 21st. If the company does not comply with Indonesia's demands by that date, RIM would face legal consequences. Government spokesman Gatot Dewa Broto told Bloomberg that the majority-Muslim country would consider blocking all Web-browsing capabilities on BlackBerry smartphones in the event that its demands are not met. The government has also asked RIM to build a server in Jakarta, which would allow officials to easily seize data considered important to criminal investigations.

Continue reading RIM Cedes to Indonesia's Demands, Agrees to Block Porn on BlackBerrys

SwitchedRIM Cedes to Indonesia's Demands, Agrees to Block Porn on BlackBerrys originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BlackBerrycellphonescensorshipfilterindonesiaislamMiddleEastpoliticspornRIMsmartphonetopMon, 10 Jan 2011 15:20:00 EST<![CDATA['My Blackberry Is Not Working' Skit Puns on Tech's Fruity Gadget Names]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/12/21/my-blackberry-is-not-working-skit-puns-on-techs-fruity-gadget/http://www.switched.com/2010/12/21/my-blackberry-is-not-working-skit-puns-on-techs-fruity-gadget/http://www.switched.com/2010/12/21/my-blackberry-is-not-working-skit-puns-on-techs-fruity-gadget/#comments Tech-related comedy is usually painfully awkward (e.g., any number of 'I'm a Mac' spoofs), but the BBC's sketch comedy 'The One Ronnie' may have pulled it off in a recent skit. Comedians Harry Enfield and Ronnie Corbet delightfully take on the tech industry's obsession with fruit, and throw in a few dongle, Windows and Microsoft jokes for good measure.

Continue reading 'My Blackberry Is Not Working' Skit Puns on Tech's Fruity Gadget Names

Switched'My Blackberry Is Not Working' Skit Puns on Tech's Fruity Gadget Names originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 21 Dec 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bbccomedyharry enfieldHarryEnfieldrimronnie corbetRonnieCorbetthe one ronnieTheOneRonnietopTue, 21 Dec 2010 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Amazon MP3 Store Hits BlackBerry, Brings Sharing to BBM]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/12/14/amazon-mp3-store-blackberry/http://www.switched.com/2010/12/14/amazon-mp3-store-blackberry/http://www.switched.com/2010/12/14/amazon-mp3-store-blackberry/#commentsIt might not be enough to make BlackBerry the must-have smartphone platform, but RIM has scored a major victory by finally bringing the Amazon MP3 store to its devices. Users will be able to buy and download music over Wi-Fi and 3G, and share tracks using BBM. The app is in beta right now, but you can download it here to give it a whirl.

Gallery: Amazon MP3 for BlackBerry

SwitchedAmazon MP3 Store Hits BlackBerry, Brings Sharing to BBM originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 14 Dec 2010 17:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazonappsblackberrymusicrimtopTue, 14 Dec 2010 17:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Facebook for BlackBerry Update Finally Adds Search]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/10/26/facebook-blackberry-update-19-finally-adds-search/http://www.switched.com/2010/10/26/facebook-blackberry-update-19-finally-adds-search/http://www.switched.com/2010/10/26/facebook-blackberry-update-19-finally-adds-search/#commentsFacebook For BlackBerry RIM just announced that the latest version of its Facebook for BlackBerry app (version 1.9) is now available in the BlackBerry Beta Zone. The update brings a number of new features, including a dedicated inbox for Facebook messages (if you prefer to keep them separate from your primary BlackBerry inbox) and the ability to search for users and pages. You'll be able to quickly view mutual friends, enlarge profile photos and send friend requests within the search results. These results are also integrated with BlackBerry's Universal Search tool, so Facebook results will pop up alongside contacts and other data. The app has also received a nice layer of polish in the form of redesigned Friend and Page lists (which now include profile photos) and an overhauled navigation bar.

BlackBerry owners can sign up for the beta here, but there are only a limited number of spots available. Slow Facebook fans will have to wait for the official release.

SwitchedFacebook for BlackBerry Update Finally Adds Search originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 26 Oct 2010 06:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appsblackberryfacebookrimSocialNetworkingtopTue, 26 Oct 2010 06:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Steve Jobs: 7-Inch Tablets Are Too Small to Compete]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/10/19/steve-jobs-7-inch-tablets-are-too-small/http://www.switched.com/2010/10/19/steve-jobs-7-inch-tablets-are-too-small/http://www.switched.com/2010/10/19/steve-jobs-7-inch-tablets-are-too-small/#commentsWhat makes the iPad superior to every other tablet on the market? According to Steve Jobs, it boils down to one thing: size.

During yesterday's earnings call, Apple's CEO, as you'd expect, spent a lot of time talking about how Apple's products are way better than anything else mankind has ever known. RIM's business model, according to Jobs, is intrinsically flawed, leading him to conclude that BlackBerry sales won't catch up with the iPhone "in the foreseeable future." And, while he admitted that Android outsold the iPhone during June (when Apple was making the "transition" to the iPhone 4), Jobs took issue with Android's current market share figures, arguing that Apple sells 275,000 iOS devices a day, compared with the estimated 250,000 that Android reportedly moves. The enigmatic CEO also criticized Android's design, which he considers too fragmented to appeal to most consumers. "We believe integrated will trump fragmented every time," he explained. (Hear Jobs' rant in full over at Engadget.)

Continue reading Steve Jobs: 7-Inch Tablets Are Too Small to Compete

SwitchedSteve Jobs: 7-Inch Tablets Are Too Small to Compete originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 19 Oct 2010 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidAppleBlackBerrybusinessbusiness-modelse-readerearningsipadiphoneMacRIMsizesmartphonesteve jobsSteveJobstablettopTue, 19 Oct 2010 08:30:00 EST<![CDATA[BlackBerry Announces Style 9670 Flip Phone on Sprint for $99]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/10/18/blackberry-announces-style-9670-flip-phone-on-sprint-for-99/http://www.switched.com/2010/10/18/blackberry-announces-style-9670-flip-phone-on-sprint-for-99/http://www.switched.com/2010/10/18/blackberry-announces-style-9670-flip-phone-on-sprint-for-99/#commentsBlackBerry Style BlackBerry's long-awaited Style 9670 smartphone will finally hit stores this Halloween, according to an announcement from RIM and Spring issued this morning. The Style, which will be available in either Steel Grey or Royal Purple, offers users what Spring VP of Product Development Fared Adib calls a "compact flip form factor," as well as a full QWERTY keyboard. As Engadget explains, the BlackBerry's first QWERTY-equipped flip smartphone runs the new BlackBerry OS 6, features a 5-megapixel camera, and boasts two high resolution, internal/external displays. The phone also features built-in GPS, Wi-Fi connectivity and an expandable memory slot capable of holding up to 32 GB of extra storage.

If you're interested in taking the Style 9670 out for a spin, you can pre-order one tomorrow from Sprint for $99, after a mail-in rebate. Only the Steel Grey model, however, is available for pre-order. BlackBerry's flashier customers, on the other hand, will have to wait until November to get their hands on the silky Royal Purple Style.

Gallery: BlackBerry Style

SwitchedBlackBerry Announces Style 9670 Flip Phone on Sprint for $99 originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 18 Oct 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BlackBerryblackberry style 9670BlackberryStyle9670cellphoneflipphonehalloweenqwertyRIMsmartphonesprinttopMon, 18 Oct 2010 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[BlackBerry Births the PlayBook: The First 'Professional-Grade' Tablet]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/09/27/blackberry-births-the-playbook-the-first-professional-grade-t/http://www.switched.com/2010/09/27/blackberry-births-the-playbook-the-first-professional-grade-t/http://www.switched.com/2010/09/27/blackberry-births-the-playbook-the-first-professional-grade-t/#commentsBlackBerry Playbook It was really a matter of when, not if, RIM would throw its hat into the tablet arena with a BlackBerry branded device. Now the fun and games iPad has an appropriate foil in the all business BlackBerry PlayBook. The 7-inch device runs an "amplified" (to use RIM's marketing speak) version of BlackBerry OS with multi-tasking, a WebOS-like app switcher and a brand new WebKit browser with support for Flash 10.1. The usual mix of media and e-reading apps will be present, as will the ability to edit office documents, connect to screens and projectors via HDMI (and pump out 1080p video!), and of course all the BlackBerry e-mail and messaging goodness you've come to associate with the brand. Under the hood, the BlackBerry PlayBook packs a dual core 1Ghz processor and a full 1GB of RAM, theoretically doubling the power of that other big name tablet.

RIM is billing the PlayBook as the first "professional-grade" tablet, and while Apple (among plenty of others) might take umbrage, other companies don't command the same amount of respect from enterprise customers as RIM. The iPad might have cornered a large market, but a device like the surprisingly sexy PlayBook has a good shot of getting tablets into the boardroom. Sadly, there's no word on price or release date yet. Check out the promo video after the break.

Continue reading BlackBerry Births the PlayBook: The First 'Professional-Grade' Tablet

SwitchedBlackBerry Births the PlayBook: The First 'Professional-Grade' Tablet originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 27 Sep 2010 17:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blackberryblackberry playbookBlackberryPlaybookplaybookrimtabletMon, 27 Sep 2010 17:03:00 EST<![CDATA[BlackBerry App World 2.0 Launches, Adds Cheaper Apps]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/08/20/blackberry-app-world-2-0-launches-adds-cheaper-apps/http://www.switched.com/2010/08/20/blackberry-app-world-2-0-launches-adds-cheaper-apps/http://www.switched.com/2010/08/20/blackberry-app-world-2-0-launches-adds-cheaper-apps/#commentsBlackBerry App World BlackBerry's App World is finally leaving beta status. Now live and available for everyone, the App World 2.0 shift features a variety of beneficial (and overdue) upgrades and services for app shoppers. The alterations include the institution of a more flexible pricing scheme, the welcome arrival of wireless and credit card billing options, and the introduction of 'Top 25' app lists, which users can arrange by theme, release date or update status.

The overhaul also includes two new policies, both of which are already inherent in Android and iPhone devices, and one of which is unlikely to be celebrated. On the positive side, the App World enables QR capabilities with version 2.0, so that BlackBerry owners can now "discover new apps by scanning barcodes at events, online, in print or even on your friend's BlackBerry smartphone." The other, unwelcome for some, iPhone-Android equalizer concerns RIM's revenue-sharing percentages. BlackBerry app developers once enjoyed an unrivaled 80/20 percentage split, but RIM is selling out following the lead of its smartphone competitors by implementing a 70/30 plan. Hey, someone has to pay for all those renovations.

SwitchedBlackBerry App World 2.0 Launches, Adds Cheaper Apps originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 20 Aug 2010 15:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>app world 2.0AppWorld2.0BlackBerryblackberry app worldblackberry appsBlackberryAppsBlackberryAppWorldrimRIM BlackberryRimBlackberryFri, 20 Aug 2010 15:57:00 EST<![CDATA[iPhone Users Have More Sex Partners, OKCupid Survey Finds]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/08/11/iphone-users-have-more-sex-partners-okcupid-survey-finds/http://www.switched.com/2010/08/11/iphone-users-have-more-sex-partners-okcupid-survey-finds/http://www.switched.com/2010/08/11/iphone-users-have-more-sex-partners-okcupid-survey-finds/#commentsFiled under: , ,

OKCupid Smartphone Graph
We all know that iPhone users struggle to place or receive calls on their smartphones -- except, apparently, when said calls are of the 'booty' variety. According to a recent survey from OKCupid, iPhone owners, on average, have more sex partners than either Android or BlackBerry owners. In a survey of 9,785 smartphone users, OKCupid's team of statisticians found that the typical male iPhone keeper has bedded ten unique people by the age of 30, while your everyday iFemale claims to have conquered 12.3 different Justin Long look-alikes. Male BlackBerry users, by comparison, say they've slept with an average of 8.1 different people by the age of 30, with female BB-ers laying claim to laying 8.8. Last and, well, least, are Android users, who report having done the deed with roughly six unique individuals (6.0 for males, 6.1 for females -- curiously Android-genous).

Of course, these sex-tistics only apply to 30-year-old users, so you could reasonably speculate that older BlackBerry patrons would see a spike once they cash in on those swanky stock options, or that iPhone clients may experience a lag once their trust funds run dry. (We kid.) OKCupid, though, managed to piece together stats from users ranging in age from 18 to 40, and the same sexual discrepancies seem to persist across the full sample.

Continue reading iPhone Users Have More Sex Partners, OKCupid Survey Finds

SwitchediPhone Users Have More Sex Partners, OKCupid Survey Finds originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 11 Aug 2010 10:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidBlackBerrydatingDatingSitesiphoneIphone4okcupidpromiscuityPromiscuoussexSexPartnerssexualsmartphonetopWed, 11 Aug 2010 10:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Dish Network to Stream Live TV to Its Free Mobile Apps in September]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/08/08/dish-network-streams-live-to-its-free-mobile-app-this-fall/http://www.switched.com/2010/08/08/dish-network-streams-live-to-its-free-mobile-app-this-fall/http://www.switched.com/2010/08/08/dish-network-streams-live-to-its-free-mobile-app-this-fall/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Dish Network AppIn an effort to combat other satellite companies and cable providers, Dish Network Corp. will begin streaming live content to subscribers' smartphones and mobile devices next month, without extra charge. Currently, Dish's mobile apps only allow a subscriber to browse shows, set them to record and use their cellular device as a remote control. With the new app installed, however, a subscriber will be able to remotely change channels and watch live TV, as well as view whatever content is stored on their DVR. Fortunately, if you already subscribe to Dish, you likely have a Slingbox or HD DVR, so you'll only have to download the free app available on the iPad, iPhone, iPod touch and BlackBerry once it becomes available in September (Android phones will get the app in October). [From: AP, via: Yahoo! News and Engadget]

SwitchedDish Network to Stream Live TV to Its Free Mobile Apps in September originally appeared on Switched on Sun, 08 Aug 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidappblackberrydishdishnetworkdvripadiphoneipodtouchmoviesremoteslingboxsmartphonestreamingstreamingvideotoptvSun, 08 Aug 2010 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Saudi Arabia Announces Immediate Suspension of BlackBerry Data Services]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/08/04/saudi-arabia-announces-immediate-suspension-of-blackberry-data-s/http://www.switched.com/2010/08/04/saudi-arabia-announces-immediate-suspension-of-blackberry-data-s/http://www.switched.com/2010/08/04/saudi-arabia-announces-immediate-suspension-of-blackberry-data-s/#commentsFiled under: , ,

a blackberry crossed outOn Sunday, telecom regulators from the United Arab Emirates announced their plans to suspend e-mail, instant messaging and Web-browsing services for BlackBerry users, due to manufacturer RIM's refusal to allow the government to monitor the data sent across its network. Now, another major Middle East country has instituted a similar ban that, unlike the UAE's, will go into effect very soon.

On Tuesday, Saudi Arabia's Communications and Information Technology Commission (CITC) formally asked Saudi Telecom, Mobily and Zain Saudi Arabia to suspend services to BlackBerry users, beginning this Friday. As the Saudi news agency SPA told Al Jazeera, telecom regulators decided to implement the ban because RIM's BlackBerry data service "in its present state does not meet regulatory requirements." According to CNET, some 700,000 Saudi Arabian users are expected to be affected by the latest suspension.

Continue reading Saudi Arabia Announces Immediate Suspension of BlackBerry Data Services

SwitchedSaudi Arabia Announces Immediate Suspension of BlackBerry Data Services originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 04 Aug 2010 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BlackBerrydataemailgovernmentmonitorprivacyResearchInMotionRIMSaudiArabiaSaudiArabianBantopuaeUnitedArabEmiratesWed, 04 Aug 2010 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Poor RIM. Study Finds Less Than Half of BlackBerry Users Loyal to Their Phones]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/08/04/poor-rim-study-finds-less-than-half-of-blackberry-users-loyal-t/http://www.switched.com/2010/08/04/poor-rim-study-finds-less-than-half-of-blackberry-users-loyal-t/http://www.switched.com/2010/08/04/poor-rim-study-finds-less-than-half-of-blackberry-users-loyal-t/#commentsFiled under: , ,

buying an iphone on a blackberryOur smartphones are, to a certain extent, like our children. We keep them by our sides at all times, curse at them when they do something wrong, and, on occasion, lose them at bars. One thing we don't normally do with kids, though, is robotically trade them in for a smarter, better-looking model. And, according to a new study from Nielsen, that's exactly what most heartless BlackBerry owners are planning to do in the near future.

As All Things Digital reports, Nielsen's survey shows that only 42-percent of current BlackBerry owners say they're loyal to their RIM smartphones. A full 29-percent say their next phone will be an iPhone, and 21-percent say they'll be switching to an Android. Among the three major brands, Apple seems to inspire the most loyalty among its consumers, with 89-percent of respondents saying their next phone will stay within the Jobs family. Meanwhile, 71-percent of Android users promise to stay true to their smartphones. On the other side of the coin, only 2-percent of iPhone users and 3-percent of Android devotees say they'll be switching to a BlackBerry.

Continue reading Poor RIM. Study Finds Less Than Half of BlackBerry Users Loyal to Their Phones

SwitchedPoor RIM. Study Finds Less Than Half of BlackBerry Users Loyal to Their Phones originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 04 Aug 2010 08:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidAppleBlackBerryBlackberry9800BlackberryOsBlackberryOs6BlackberryOs6.0CustomerSatisfactiongoogleiphonemarketMarketNewsMarketShareRIMsmartphonetopWed, 04 Aug 2010 08:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Hands On With the BlackBerry Torch]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/08/03/hands-on-with-the-blackberry-torch/http://www.switched.com/2010/08/03/hands-on-with-the-blackberry-torch/http://www.switched.com/2010/08/03/hands-on-with-the-blackberry-torch/#commentsFiled under: , ,

BlackBerry Torch
We got a few minutes with BlackBerry's newest phone at today's Torch/BlackBerry OS 6 launch event. Offering a middle ground between the touch-based Storm and full-keyboard smartphones, RIM's Torch opts for both a touch interface and full slider, QWERTY keyboard. Loaded with a new UI and much-needed WebKit Web browser, BlackBerry OS 6 is a big step forward for the company, so keep reading to get our first impressions.

Gallery: BlackBerry Torch

Continue reading Hands On With the BlackBerry Torch

SwitchedHands On With the BlackBerry Torch originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 03 Aug 2010 16:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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blackberry torch 9800
We're live at RIM's BlackBerry event in New York, and the company's Torch phone (previously known as the 9800) just appeared on AT&T's site for $199. The first device running the brand new BlackBerry 6 operating system, the touchscreen and slider phone Torch represents a new form factor for RIM. Though the phone has hardly been a secret, we're finally getting the official specs and details. The Torch packs a 5-megapixel, flash-equipped camera, and comes with 4GB of internal storage. The usual Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity (802.11b/g/n) are here, as well. The Torch lands August 12th. Check out our hands-on with the Torch and BlackBerry OS 6 here.

Gallery: BlackBerry Torch

Continue reading BlackBerry Torch Gets Official, Runs BlackBerry 6 OS

SwitchedBlackBerry Torch Gets Official, Runs BlackBerry 6 OS originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 03 Aug 2010 11:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dropbox for BlackBerryThe mobile version of Dropbox, the popular app that lets users sync files across disparate computers and gadgets, has always been restricted to the iPhone and Android-powered phones. Now, though, BlackBerry users can get in on the action as well, thanks to a newly released beta version of the app. As with the iPhone and Android versions, Dropbox for BlackBerry enables users to open files, stream music and upload content to 2GB of cloud memory. As Ubergizmo reports, the beta version runs best on OS 5, as some users have reported having problems when running it on earlier OS versions.

Before downloading the new app, you'll have to sign up on Dropbox's website. The bad news, unfortunately, is that the beta version was made available to only 1,000 users, and that quota, according to Wired, has already been filled. Organizing your chaotic digital life, then, will probably have to wait until the next batch of beta. [From: Wired and Ubergizmo]

SwitchedDropbox Releases Beta Version for 1,000 BlackBerry Users, Fills Quota Immediately originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 03 Aug 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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blackberry crossed outMulti-billionaires in Dubai and Abu Dhabi may soon have more trouble doing business on the go, as officials in the United Arab Emirates have announced that, as of October, BlackBerry users will no longer be able to send e-mails or instant messages within the country. As the New York Times reports, Sunday's announcement comes after a lengthy standoff between the Middle East nation and Research in Motion (RIM), which produces the BlackBerry. Because encrypted data sent via BlackBerry is automatically routed to servers located outside of the UAE, it's difficult for Emirate authorities to monitor user activity. RIM has thus far refused to meet the UAE's demands, but the looming threat of a ban, as the country's telecom regulator told the BBC, will certainly put the Canadian company under serious pressure.

Should the ban go into effect, it could severely hamper RIM's business not only in the UAE, which boasts an estimated 500,000 BlackBerry users, but throughout the Middle East, as well. Authorities in Saudi Arabia, for example, are already planning on instituting a ban on BlackBerries next month, while regulators in Kuwait and Bahrain have begun raising similar concerns over RIM's services.

Continue reading UAE, Saudi Arabia to Implement BlackBerry Bans

SwitchedUAE, Saudi Arabia to Implement BlackBerry Bans originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 02 Aug 2010 10:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AbuDhabibahrainBlackBerrydubaikuwaitMiddleEastpoliticsprivacyPrivacyIssuesResearchInMotionRIMSaudiArabiasmartphonetopuaeUnitedArabEmiratesMon, 02 Aug 2010 10:20:00 EST<![CDATA[RIM's 'Blackpad' 9.7-inch Tablet Rumored to Debut in November]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/07/30/rims-blackpad-9-7-inch-tablet-rumored-to-debut-in-november/http://www.switched.com/2010/07/30/rims-blackpad-9-7-inch-tablet-rumored-to-debut-in-november/http://www.switched.com/2010/07/30/rims-blackpad-9-7-inch-tablet-rumored-to-debut-in-november/#commentsFiled under: , ,

BlackPad For quite some time, rumor had it that RIM has been wanting to get into the tablet game, and who can blame it? Microsoft has had a long history in the market, Apple's iPad has proven popular, and it seems that just about every other manufacturer is trying to cram Android into the form-factor. A couple of days ago, we heard that RIM had acquired Blackpad.com, and the world collectively cringed at what we hoped was a purely defensive move to keep domain squatters at bay. Now, according to Bloomberg, there is confirmation that RIM plans to call its 9.7-inch tablet the Blackpad.

According to "people familiar with" the situation, the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth-capable device will be unveiled in November with front- and back-facing cameras. While there is no indication of when the Blackpad will find its way into customers' hands, the RIM tablet is expected to cost about as much as the iPad. Like our friends at Engadget, we're seriously hoping for a Microsoft-like change of heart when it comes to the name. [From: Bloomberg, via: Engadget]

SwitchedRIM's 'Blackpad' 9.7-inch Tablet Rumored to Debut in November originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 30 Jul 2010 16:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Obama and Hist BlackBerry
It's a well known fact that President Obama has a bit of a BlackBerry addiction -- so much so, the man fought long and hard to keep his beloved device once he entered the White House, making him the first sitting president to use one of the e-mail centric smartphones. But Obama revealed on 'The View' Thursday that, perhaps, it wasn't worth all the trouble. Though White House security and IT personnel eventually succumbed to the president's desires, only a select few are authorized to contact him on the device. A grand total of ten individuals know the President's BlackBerry info. As he told the coven round table on 'The View,' it's "no fun" because people refrain from sending him the "real juicy stuff" in order to avoid being archived under the Presidential Records Act.

There are some other tantalizing tech bits. "Some 20-year-old" person tweets for the presidential Twitter account. And, while he hasn't "made the switch" to an iPhone, he does have a fully loaded iPod upon which he's dependent. His music choices? "You name a song, I've got it," the President explains, mentioning Jay-Z, Frank Sinatra and Maria Callas -- but definitely not Justin Bieber. [From: AFP, via: Engadget]

SwitchedObama Says Presidential BlackBerry Is 'No Fun,' But His iPod's Stocked With Jay-Z originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 30 Jul 2010 14:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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texting
The modern smartphone possesses the ability to surf the internet, scan retinas, fly a hovercraft and even make calls using your left hand. So, you'd think getting one of these hunks of plastic to send a sensible text would be a cinch. It's not, however. Auto-correction software for phones too often mutates a word into something completely nonsensical or embarrassing. [Ed. Note: We once had a phone that often switched "home" and "good," which lead to a couple of embarrassing professional moments when we agreed to, "Be good all night to finish project."] So, then, if software such as T9 isn't tapping into our inner thoughts, how does it actually work?

The fundamental algorithm driving auto-correction software is, in fact, not much different from your run-of-the-mill spell checker; it recognizes text input, and then crosschecks completed words against a built-in dictionary. Some software will attempt to guess the word you're typing before you have completely entered it. However, Scott Taylor, vice president of mobile solutions at Nuance, testifies that building a correct dictionary and an accurate prediction system are no easy tasks. Privacy policies prohibit companies from retrieving and analyzing words that actual people have typed and sent. Instead, companies like Nuance are forced to analyze a massive pool, or "corpus" of articles from the popular media, and then create their own language model based on the articles' "structure of language [and] frequency of use," Taylor says.

Continue reading Cell Phone Autocorrect: How It Works and Why You'll Never Avoid Embarrassing Texts

SwitchedCell Phone Autocorrect: How It Works and Why You'll Never Avoid Embarrassing Texts originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 16 Jul 2010 07:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BlackBerry Protect
BlackBerry isn't in danger of becoming irrelevant anytime soon thanks to its deeply entrenched enterprise install base. But it would be foolish to pretend there were no threats to the throne. Apple's iOS and Google's Android have been adding enterprise-friendly features, and Microsoft will soon be introducing the exciting looking Windows Phone 7 later this year. Recent teasers of BlackBerry OS 6 have revealed a company in the midst of a severe identity crisis that, rather than doing what it does best, is trying to compete with the other boys on the block at their own game. That's why we're excited to see BlackBerry Protect, a new distinctly business-user-friendly tool to secure your RIM handset (or fleet of handsets).

BlackBerry Protect offers remote management tools that should come by default (and for free) on every modern smart phone. First, the service will back up or restore your data over 3G. In the event you lose your precious CrackBerry, Protect can set off an alarm to help you locate your phone or remotely wipe it to protect sensitive information. If you still think you've got a chance of uncovering your phone, BlackBerry Protect can lock your handset and use GPS to locate it on a map. All of these features will be accessible through a handy Web interface.

Gallery: BlackBerry Protect

Continue reading 'BlackBerry Protect' Brings Mobile Backup and Remote Wipe to Your Phone

Switched'BlackBerry Protect' Brings Mobile Backup and Remote Wipe to Your Phone originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 12 Jul 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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man holding qr code

What is a QR Code?

At its most basic, a QR Code is a barcode on steroids. They're used for encoding information in two-dimensional space -- like in the pages of magazines, in advertisements and even on TV and Web sites. They were originally used to track auto parts, but have become popular (especially in Japan) for much broader, often commercial purposes.

How is it different than a barcode?

Whereas a barcode encodes data in only the horizontal plane (as scanners read the width and distance between the vertical lines), QR codes encode data both horizontally and vertically in a grid of tiny squares. This allows for much more data to be encoded in a smaller space. Barcodes, then, though ubiquitous, are good for little more than identifying products and objects. Specially programmed scanners can read barcodes, and match them to product names, prices and inventory, but that's about it. QR codes, on the other hand, can actually embed that information in the code itself, and, when read with the proper software, can trigger actions like launching a website or downloading a file. Additionally, QR codes can be read from any angle, while barcodes must be aligned properly.

Continue reading In a Nutshell: What Are QR Codes?

SwitchedIn a Nutshell: What Are QR Codes? originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 21 Jun 2010 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>barcodebarcodesfeaturesin a nutshellInANutshellQR codeqr codesQrCodeQrCodestopMon, 21 Jun 2010 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Adults Text While Driving Just as Much as Teens]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/06/21/adults-text-while-driving-just-as-much-as-teens/http://www.switched.com/2010/06/21/adults-text-while-driving-just-as-much-as-teens/http://www.switched.com/2010/06/21/adults-text-while-driving-just-as-much-as-teens/#commentsFiled under: , ,

texting while driving
Adults frequently employ heavy-handed tactics to combat teen texting and driving, but impudent kids remain unfazed by gory films and harsh laws that specifically apply to minors. According to media portrayals, teens seem determined to endanger everyone on the road. But, before adults implement more restrictions or disseminate further propaganda, society's elders may need to cast a long, hard look in the rear-view mirror.

According to the Pew Research Center, a new study -- which will inevitably inspire a stream of "jump off a bridge" lectures -- indicates that "Adults are just as likely as teens to have texted while driving." Even more embarrassing for the patronizing parents and policy makers, the study concludes that adult drivers simultaneously chat on their cells dramatically more often than younger motorists. Of adults who text (at any time), 47-percent admit to reading or sending messages while behind the wheel, compared to 34-percent of 16- and 17-year-old texters.

Continue reading Adults Text While Driving Just as Much as Teens

SwitchedAdults Text While Driving Just as Much as Teens originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 21 Jun 2010 09:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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facecash appIf you blame your credit card for making it all too easy to unconsciously rack up piles of debt, just imagine the kinds of splurge purchases you'd make if you could pay with your face.

FaceCash, the new mobile payment system from ThinkLink, is an app that allows users to store credit card and bank account information directly on their smartphones, enabling them to purchase groceries, clothes or more smartphones without ever having to whip out their wallets. As Engadget reports, all you have to do is sign up, register your credit card or bank account with ThinkLink and then let the frivolous spending begin. The app, available for BlackBerry, iPhone and Android, also allows users to directly transfer cash from one person to another, and then automatically archives every purchase made. In order to prove your identity, you'll have to show the cashier a photo of your face, which is stored on your phone.

Continue reading FaceCash App Lets You Buy Goods With Your Phone and Face

SwitchedFaceCash App Lets You Buy Goods With Your Phone and Face originally appeared on Switched on Sat, 19 Jun 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BlackBerry tests touchscreen phone
Apparently, Research in Motion (RIM) isn't satisfied to stand pat in the smartphone market. According to a report from The Wall Street Journal, RIM is testing a touchscreen BlackBerry prototype that has a slide-out keyboard and will run the yet-to-be-released BlackBerry OS 6. Users would be able to swipe and pinch the screen, and the device would also have a universal search bar for users to navigate the OS and probably the Web. Sound familiar? When released, this device could become a direct competitor to Apple's iPhone 4. But that's not the only Apple device in RIM's sights, according to the Journal's anonymous source. The company is still experimenting with a BlackBerry tablet, too. It wouldn't be a standalone device like the iPad, but the tablet would connect to the Web via a BlackBerry phone.

Naturally, RIM remains tight-lipped about these rumors, but CNET News reports that BlackBerry OS 6 will become available by September 30th. If that's true, we wouldn't be surprised if both of these rumored devices were to launch late this year or early next year. Until then, we'll continue to be consumed by all this iPhone 4 madness. [From: The Wall Street Journal, via: CNET News]

SwitchedRIM Tests Touchscreen BlackBerry and Tablet Prototypes originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 16 Jun 2010 09:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BlackBerry Apps
Thousands of apps now inhabit BlackBerry's App World, but many of the categories definitely seem overpopulated with overpriced, duplicated and sometimes completely worthless selections. Compelling and highly entertaining free apps can fulfill the mobile needs of most every BlackBerry user, but possessing the patience and digital dexterity to scroll through the inordinate supply of choices may seem impossible. Well known apps and services like the BlackBerry App World, the official Facebook app and Google Maps should be loaded on everyone's smartphones at this point. We've also previously discussed the superior benefits of ScoreMobile and Uber Twitter. However, for folks interested in music, restaurants, security and other services, a few specific -- and absolutely essential -- free apps should alleviate the daunting and confusing task of selecting the proper offering.

Continue reading The Best BlackBerry Apps

SwitchedThe Best BlackBerry Apps originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 07 Jun 2010 16:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Part of being a good user and consumer is understanding how technology works, why we use it the way we do, and what that barrage of acronyms and PR jargon means. We're here to help you make sense of it all, and to give you a better appreciation of how those transistors, pixels, and antennae work together to deliver the conveniences of the modern world to your living room or office.

What is 3G?

3G is an umbrella term for a collection of technologies that make up the third generation of cellular data networks. These standards allow cell phones (and other devices capable of connecting to a cellular network) to send and receive data at speeds comparable to cable or DSL. There are two major families of cellular tech, commonly called CDMA (code division multiple access) and GSM (global system for multiple access), each having their own confusing array of specific sub-technologies, that qualify as "3G."

Continue reading In A Nutshell: What Is 3G?

SwitchedIn A Nutshell: What Is 3G? originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 03 Jun 2010 12:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3.6g3gcdmacellphonesev-doevdofeaturesgsmhsdpahspahspa plusHspaPlushsupainanutshellrev.0rev.arevbsmartphonestopumtswhatis3gThu, 03 Jun 2010 12:46:00 EST<![CDATA[Radiation-Shielding Products Appear on the Market for Paranoid Cell Users]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/06/02/radiation-shielding-products-appear-on-the-market-for-paranoid-c/http://www.switched.com/2010/06/02/radiation-shielding-products-appear-on-the-market-for-paranoid-c/http://www.switched.com/2010/06/02/radiation-shielding-products-appear-on-the-market-for-paranoid-c/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Radiation Protecting Products
The debate over whether or not the electromagnetic radiation emitted by cell phones is dangerous to the human body is far from settled. Some, though, would rather be safe than sorry, and a market has opened for products that claim to protect against those invisible waves of energy. While allegations of those waves' danger may not be grounded in good science, some of the protective designs are.

Using special fabrics that incorporate metal fibers, Belly Armor makes t-shirts, blankets, and a belly band for pregnant women. The fibers act as a sort of Faraday Cage, shielding the fetus from any nearby radiation source. The company claims that the Chinese government has tested its products, and has shown that the blankets and shirts block more than 90-percent of electromagnetic radiation.

Continue reading Radiation-Shielding Products Appear on the Market for Paranoid Cell Users

SwitchedRadiation-Shielding Products Appear on the Market for Paranoid Cell Users originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 02 Jun 2010 07:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bitbop Mobile
Thanks to the inclusion of Flash, some intrepid users have figured out how to watch Hulu on the latest edition of Android. Of course, Froyo isn't officially available yet, and, even if it were, it wouldn't be of any help to non-Android owners. But while Hulu drags its feet on entering the mobile space, Bitbop, a Fox-backed streaming TV service, is landing on handsets now with a beta version of an official app.

Oddly, Bitbop is available only on BlackBerry at the moment, but you'll find all your Hulu favorites, including '30 Rock' and '24,' and feature-length films to come soon. Content partners for Bitbop are almost identical to those for Hulu (e.g., Fox, NBC, CBS and Comedy Central), but sadly some big names are missing (in particular, 'The Daily Show,' 'The Colbert Report,' and 'The Simpsons'). On the plus side, streaming works over both 3G and Wi-Fi, and, for the moment at least, the service is free. Eventually, Bitbop will add the option of a $10-a-month premium subscription, which will be required for mobile streaming and will feature no advertising. iPhone and Android owners need not worry, though. Bitbop has apps for those platforms in the works as well. If Hulu doesn't want to miss the mobile bus, it'd better get moving. [From: Bitbop, via: Engadget]

SwitchedBitbop Beta Streams TV to Your BlackBerry, Puts Hulu on Notice originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 27 May 2010 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Twitter Apps on Blackberry
Twitter's 140-character format -- and the tendency of users to follow hundreds, if not thousands, of incessant linkers and tweeters -- provides an almost perfect mobile means of instant communication and interaction. Together, the App World and the Web currently offer a variety of free apps allowing BlackBerry tweeps to keep a constant eye on their feeds and friends, with each selection offering its own multi-blogging benefits and frustrating faults. Since that Little Blue Bird has constructed a nest in the heart of contemporary pop culture, what better way to judge the primary twi-teria (C'mon, you knew the annoying Twitter puns would be inevitable) than with a 1-to-5 birdie scale?

Continue reading The Best Twitter Apps for BlackBerry

SwitchedThe Best Twitter Apps for BlackBerry originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 18 May 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appsbbtweetbest twitter appsBestTwitterAppsblackberryblackberry app worldblackberry appsBlackberryAppsBlackberryAppWorldfeaturesmobilemobileappsopenbeakseesmicsocialnetworkingsocialscopetoptweetcastertweetdecktwibbletwittertwitter apps for blackberryTwitterAppsForBlackberrytwitvidubertwitterwebTue, 18 May 2010 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Data and Texting Usage Trumps Calls in the U.S.]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/05/15/data-and-texting-usage-trumps-calls-in-the-u-s/http://www.switched.com/2010/05/15/data-and-texting-usage-trumps-calls-in-the-u-s/http://www.switched.com/2010/05/15/data-and-texting-usage-trumps-calls-in-the-u-s/#commentsFiled under: , ,

cell phone data usageOf all the things people do with a cell phone, making actual phone calls is at the bottom of the list. The New York Times reports that, according to CTIA's numbers from 2009, data usage from text messages, e-mails and other services was higher than that of actual voice data. Simply put, for the first time ever, Americans text more often than they call. "Originally, talking was the only cellphone application, but now it's less than half of the traffic on mobile networks," Sprint Nextel's Dan Hesse said. Case in point, in 2009, the number of text messages sent by an individual jumped by 50-percent. Despite the fact that 90-percent of U.S. households have a cell phone, the number of voice minutes leveled off and even dropped over the past two years.

The New York Times interviewed many who claim that traditional calls are more invasive than texting, tweeting or Facebooking. Good magazine editor Zach Frechette explained, "You can respond when it's convenient, rather than impose your schedule on someone else." Traditional phone calls won't fall by the wayside, though. At least, not until our Granny figures out how to text message.[From: The New York Times]

SwitchedData and Texting Usage Trumps Calls in the U.S. originally appeared on Switched on Sat, 15 May 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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World's Largest BlackBerry in France
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For a couple days next week, Parisians will be jarred from their customary afternoon strolls (and their customary griping, cigarette smoking and croissant munching) when they encounter a two-story BlackBerry looming high above the Beaubourg Esplanade. From May 20th to May 22nd, the Phonolith, as we like to call it, will display whatever texts you and yours decide to enter into BlackBerry France's Facebook page. Upload a picture, select a wallpaper and type up a rant for all of Gay Paree to see. We'd suggest that picture of you holding an assault rifle, a wallpaper patterned after Old Glory, and a message mentioning how we totally saved their butts in WWII. They love that stuff over there. [From: BlackBerry Blogs]

SwitchedMassive Display BlackBerry Lets You Text Paris -- Yes, All of It originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 13 May 2010 18:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BlackBerry 6 Identity Crisis Revealed in Teaser Video
Yesterday, RIM unveiled two new mobile devices, but the real story coming out of WES 2010 is the next major version of the company's OS, BlackBerry 6. We know very little about the new mobile OS other than the fact that it packs a much-improved Webkit-based Web browser (like Safari, Chrome or Android's browser). Even after watching the new teaser video from RIM, we're still not quite sure what to expect from the OS, except that it excels at pumping out pop tunes of questionable quality.

If you can sit through the two-minute-plus video featuring a Black Eyed Peas song and twirling BlackBerry users (and we won't blame you if you can't), you'll catch glimpses of the future of RIM devices. Clearly, the new OS is focused on touch interaction. It features an all-new virtual keyboard, multi-touch zooming, Facebook and Twitter integration and even a Cover Flow-style music browser. That said, there isn't much here that Android, iPhone and Palm OS users haven't been doing for years.

Continue reading BlackBerry 6 Identity Crisis Revealed in Teaser Video

SwitchedBlackBerry 6 Identity Crisis Revealed in Teaser Video originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 27 Apr 2010 13:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BlackBerry Introduces New Pearl and Bold Handsets
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RIM may not be Apple, and the BlackBerry Storm certainly isn't the iPhone, but, when the company that made mobile e-mail a "must" for the business professional releases some seriously updated hardware, we pay attention.

The new Pearl 3G finally brings the tiny, pseudo-QWERTY, consumer BlackBerry model into the 21st century by adding 802.11n Wi-Fi, GPS, and both T-Mobile and AT&T 3G capabilities. Like the rest of the BlackBerry lineup, the handset is ditching the trackball in favor of an optical pad, but, oddly, customers will have the option of picking up the Pearl with the traditional SurePress, or with a decidedly un-smartphone-like numerical keypad.

Continue reading BlackBerry Introduces New Pearl 3G and Bold 9650 Handsets

SwitchedBlackBerry Introduces New Pearl 3G and Bold 9650 Handsets originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 26 Apr 2010 12:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Way back in 1998, 'The Truman Show' provided a revealing, and prescient, glimpse into the burgeoning world of reality television and surreptitious marketing techniques. Annoying and (sometimes) sneaky product placements are certainly not a new phenomenon, but the advertising scheme has almost reached ubiquitous Truman-esque status as it has expanded to corrupt almost all aspects of daily life.

According to the New York Daily News, BlackBerry recently joined the ranks of nefarious placement perpetrators with a troubling, and alluring, new practice. The company has apparently hired charming temptresses to act as innocent pedestrians in order to entice unwitting, smitten males to play with the vixens' Pearl smartphones.

Continue reading Undercover Actresses Flaunt Their 'MackBerries' in New Marketing Scheme

SwitchedUndercover Actresses Flaunt Their 'MackBerries' in New Marketing Scheme originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 20 Apr 2010 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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