RIM Patents Adaptive/Smart Billboards Based on Road Traffic

RIM, the company best know for the BlackBerry, has filed a patent indicating it may be making its way into advertising. Specifically smart or adaptive billboards. The idea is pretty simple. When traffic is flowing drivers and their passengers neither have the time nor inclination to read long winded billboards (to say nothing of the safety issues). As traffic slows the people stuck have more time and may look for distractions. Thus when the vehicles are speeding along the billboard will display giant logos (or something of the sort) and as they slow down from traffic jams the billboards will display more detailed ads. RIM will be able to tell how quickly the traffic is flowing by tracking the BlackBerrys in them.

http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/detailed_ads_for_traffic_jams_rim_patents_adaptive.php

"According to mobile-focused blog Unwired View, the innovation comes in the form of using nearby phones to measure traffic speed and density and then adapting a billboard's content accordingly.

When traffic is moving fast and drivers have no time to pay attention to billboards, or there's a dense crowd on the street so you are distracted and less likely to pay attention, the billboard may just blast a huge logo and slogan of the advertiser at you, to catch any peripheral attention it can get. When traffic slows down in a jam, and you are sitting bored at the wheel waiting for a car in front to move the next few meters, grateful for any distraction, the same billboard will give you a detailed information about the service, prices, benefits and stuff.

The two separate patents are for "Adaptive roadside billboard system and related methods" and "Adaptive pedestrian billboard system and related methods"; both are described as having a storage system that could retain a number of different messages for different speeds and traffic densities. Beyond the level of detail involved, such a system could also be used to offer interaction opportunities when density is high and speed is low (such as in a traffic jam)."

BlackBerry Tour 2 First Look Video

Here is a first look at the BlackBerry Tour 2 from CrackBerry. The two biggest changes are the addition of wi-fi and replacing the track-ball with a track-pad.

Video embedded below.

BlackBerry Storm 2 Gets Official

The rumors were off by a month. The BlackBerry Storm 2 was officially announced by Verizon. At $179 with a 2yr contract (after a $100 mail in rebate), it is not a bad price. The new 'click' technology sounds interesting, because the clicking feature on the first Storm was what turned me off to it. You can get your hands on the device in two days (28th of October).

http://crackberry.com/verizon-officially-announces-blackberry-storm2

"Key Features:

* Smooth design and premium finish with sloped edges, chrome accents, glass lens and stainless steel backplate
* Large (3.25"), dazzling high-resolution 480 x 360 display at 184 ppi
* Capacitive touchscreen with integrated functions (Send, End, Menu,
* Escape) and new SurePress technology that makes clicking the display practically effortless
* 3G and global connectivity support for making phone calls in more than 220 countries and accessing data in more than 185 countries (with more than 80 destinations in 3G)
* Network Connectivity: EV-DO Revision A; UMTS/HSPA (2100 MHz); and quad-band EDGE/GPRS/GSM networks
* Supports Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g)
* 256 MB of Flash memory
* 2 GB of onboard media storage and a microSD(TM)/SDHD memory card slot with a 16 GB card included"

'BlackBerry Watch' - "inPulse" (Smart Watch)

"inPulse", the first smart watch, may be publicly announced shortly. Here is a little preview. It is not technically speaking a BlackBerry watch (will not have a BlackBerry logo), but it is clearly one of the main targets and designed with that brand in mind. The watch would sinc with you smart phone, and alert you when you get a new message or alarm goes off. More then just alert you, it can display the text. The advantage is obvious. Right now when you phone vibrates, you do not know if it is really important. You have to take your phone out to check. In the middle of class or work that could be problematic. It could also be a problem if you hands are just full. With the watch, you can see the message an know if it requires your immediate response or not. No more guessing or awkward moments checking your phone at inappropriate times when it turns out to be not necessary.

Picture embedded below.



"Key features we've been told so far about the BlackBerry-connected smartwatch by our source:

• it has been designed specifically for use with BlackBerry Smartphones from the ground up - developed by a new BlackBerry-dedicated accessory company


• it features an OLED screen that we hear is "big, bright and beautiful" and optimized for displaying text clearly, and thanks to OLED has solid battery life


• it's designed to show you notifications and previews of messages arriving on your BlackBerry


• judging by the filename of the photos as they were sent in to us, we're thinking it's going to branded the inPulse smartwatch

The intent of the watch isn't to replace using your BlackBerry to view messages. Rather, it's for those occassions when your BlackBerry is tucked away - while in a meeting, while driving, or while you're out for a bike ride and you feel it vibrating in your camelback. When you get that impulse to stop what you're doing and pull out your BlackBerry, now you can quickly glance over at your inPulse and decide if you need to pull out your BlackBerry to address that message now or if it can wait fifteen minutes you're free.

"

Blackberry Storm 2?

There are some rumors that a sequel to the Blackberry Storm will be released in September of this year. According to the source which they say is extremely reliable, the Storm 2 will be WiFi enabled. They also say it will "be an even better Pro-consumer device than the first Storm".

The information is fairly sketchy, as would be expected from the first rumors. If this is a legitimate tip, we should be hearing more in the not to distant future.

More at http://www.slashgear.com/blackberry-storm-2-due-in-september-has-wifi-0640236.

BlackBerry One

Obama will be able to keep his BlackBerry. He has been upset at the thought that he would have to part with his trusty devise because of security concerns. Not to worry, Obama's BlackBerry got a special encryption package to keep everything secure.

More at http://crackberry.com/president-obama-still-using-his-blackberry-now.

BlackBerry Storm Official Release Date And Pricing

The BlackBerry Storm now has an official release date and pricing from Verizon (http://estore.vzwshop.com/storm). The Storm, BlackBerry's first touch screen, is set for release on the 21st of this month. It will cost just under $200 after a $50 mail in rebate ($199.99) with a two year contract. Even though the Storm is a touch screen, it is supposed to "click" when you type on it. I am not entirely sure what that means, but I can not wait to give it a try. I have a BlackBerry (Curve), and I purposly got a phone with a qwerty keybord. If the "clicking" is as realistic as they are claiming, the Storm may be my next phone. If not, I will probobly get the Bold (BlackBerry).

Qik Releases BlackBerry Client

Qik has just released a client for BlackBerry phones. Now people with select BlackBerry phones can use Qik's live streaming technology. It does not yet work exactly the same as the other phone clients, but it is still live streaming. This is the first serivce I have seen that is compatible with any BlackBerry phone.

Video embedded below.




http://qik.com
http://qik.com/blog/250/qik-now-live-with-alpha-release-client-for-blackberry

"One of the most frequent requests we've had from Qik fans has been for a BlackBerry client. Today we are really excited to announce our alpha release clients for the BlackBerry Pearl 8120, BlackBerry Pearl 8130, and BlackBerry Bold. BlackBerry Curve and BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8220 will follow soon."

BlackBerry Bold Official Release Date And Pricing

Research In Motion (RIM) announced that the BlackBerry Bold will be available at AT&T on November 4th. It will cost just under $300 ($299.99) with a two year contract after mail in rebate. This is great news for the many that have been waiting a long time for the Bold.

http://news.cnet.com
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10072634-1.html

"On Wednesday, Research In Motion announced that the long-awaited RIM BlackBerry Bold will finally be available starting November 4 at AT&T for $299.99 with a two-year contract and after a mail-in rebate."

Rumor - BlackBerry 9900 = Bold + Storm

The new rumor for an upcoming Blackberry phone is over one to be released during the second half of 2009. The phone will to be similar to either the Bold or Curve with a physical keyboard in form, but will have a touchscreen like the Storm. After the Storm comes out, this will fill one of the few remaining gaps in BlackBerry's arsenal.


http://www.boygeniusreport.com
http://www.boygeniusreport.com/2008/10/17/rim-announcing-blackberry-storm-alike-for-us-at-wes-2009-more-devices

"We’ve even heard that RIM is about to blow Palm out of water with — you guessed it — practically a Bold with touch screen. That’s right. Probably the most sought after BlackBerry form-factor ever… a physical QWERTY device with touch screen. It’s supposed to be Curve 8900-sized,"

Credible Rumors About New Blackberry Phones - Storm Two And Three

Credible rumors have surfaced About new Blackberry phones, potentially Storm Two and Storm Three before the first has even been released. Details are scarce, but the next phone will likely have near High Def screen quality, a five megapixel camera, and 1GB or ram. No clear hint about phone shape or form factor. None of this seems out of the range of possibility even in the short term. We will have to wait and see what comes next.


http://www.boygeniusreport.com
http://www.boygeniusreport.com/2008/10/10/blackberry-super-phone-in-the-works-storm-2-and-3-coming-soon

"We don’t have too much info to go off of at this point in time, but if you are still waiting to get your hands on the Pearl Flip 8220, Curve 8900, Bold, or Storm, we’re about to screw you up real quick. We’ve now confirmed from 2 independent sources that RIM is working on a device that will blow the roof off all previous models. Ready for it? 5 megapixel auto-focus camera, 1GB of RAM so your precious worthless apps don’t cause memory leaks, and a “near-HD quality” screen. We’re honestly not sure about the form-factor but we heard this device could be sort of a Bold and Storm mashup. Either Treo-esque or a slide-out device. One last thing… we have also heard from a different source that RIM is hard at work on a second generation Storm device and they’ve even started the first stages of a third generation Storm."

Blackberry Bold Release Date From Best Buy

Boy Genius Report posted pictures they said were from Best Buy's system showing when the Blackberry Bold would be coming out. As shown on the screen shots which can be viewed at http://www.boygeniusreport.com/2008/09/28/blackberry-bold-release-date-at-best-buy, the Bold is coming out October 26th.

BlackBerry Bold Available For Order September 24

It now looks as though the much anticipated BlackBerry Bold will be available for order in the United States on September 24. This release date is only for AT&T, with the dates for other companies still unknown.


http://crackberry.com
http://crackberry.com/another-t-bold-update-dealers-begin-ordering-24th

"A few AT&T dealers this week sent us in the emails that contained the word from head office...

We have very important liquidation opportunities, please read the entire message and post for your employees. This has been sent to the stores, SM's, DM's, and GM's... AT&T is pleased to announce the launch of the new Blackberry Bold. It will be available to order on September 24, 2008. 

Sweet. If dealer ordering begins on the 24th as is currently planned (I know many of you at this point won't believe it till you see it!), the AT&T Bold could likely be in your hands a day or two after... so it should be available everywhere on or hopefully a few days sooner than the rumored October 2nd release date. The wait is almost over folks!

"

BlackBerry Bold Now on Sale, in Germany

Any thought that the BlackBerry going on sale in Chile are being put to rest now that the phone is on sale in Germany. The price is just under 130 Euros, or roughly $200.

To see for yourself, head over to T-Mobil's German page at http://www.t-mobile.de/shop/handy/0,4855,2963-_10060-0-1-0,00.html.

BlackBerry Bold Now on Sale, in Chile

The long awaited BlackBerry Bold may finally be here. Engadget reports:


http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/04/blackberry-bold-now-available-in-chile2/

"Movistar's Chilean outpost has now become -- somewhat surprisingly, may we add -- the very first carrier in the world to launch the BlackBerry Bold and put it into subscribers' hands. The carrier's making sure everyone knows what a coup they've managed to pull off, too, proudly proclaiming "FIRST ONES IN THE WORLD" with a red banner draped across the Bold's image on Movistar's site."


The cost in US dollar figures is just under $600. It is unclear when the Bold will be sold in the United States, but hopefully this is an indication that the answer is soon. The website that shows the Bold on sale is - http://tienda.movistar.cl/tiendavirtual/tiendavirtual.mxml?&versionChecked=true