This was out yesterday, but I didn't get a chance to see it until last night. It's Verizon's new commercial for the Storm2. It's actually a pretty good commercial. Verizon has really been stepping up with the advertising lately. But it does make me wish they had started running this commercial before the device was released! A little hype never hurt anyone... I suspect I know the answer though, Verizon was so nervous after the original Storm1 launch last year, that they did not want to hype up the device. Rather they want to device to sell itself.

• Direct YouTube link for Mobile Devices

Today is the day many of you have been waiting for. Verizon is today finally launching the BlackBerry Storm 2! I know a lot of you are picking up a device today, but there are also a lot of people who are holding off getting one I think. So make sure to post in the forums on The BlackBerry Zone and let everyone know what you think of the device when you pick it up!

• Thinking of getting a Storm 2? Tell us about it
• Already got your Storm 2? Tell everyone what you like and dislike

Have you ever wished you could be the fly on the wall? Or maybe just have someone you want to keep an eye on? Well maybe you need Mobile Spy. What is Mobile Spy? Quite simply it's an App for your BlackBerry that allows you to monitor exactly where the BlackBerry it's installed on is, and what it's doing. You can monitor GPS position, Call Logs and even view ingoing and outgoing SMS Messages! Here's what Mobile Spy have to say:

"Mobile Spy is proud to announce the availability of BlackBerry spy software. This powerful software gives you the ability to learn the complete truth of WHAT they are doing and WHERE they are going.

Mobile Spy will reveal the truth for your company or family. You will SILENTLY learn the truth about their calls, text messages and GPS locations by logging into your Mobile Spy account from any web browser.

Mobile Spy is a hybrid software/service which allows you to silently monitor your BlackBerry device in real time.

This unique system records the activities of anyone who uses yourBlackBerry in complete stealth. You install the small program onto your device. It starts at every bootup phone but remains completely hidden.

After the software is setup on your phone it will record SMS and call activities and then silently upload the data to your private Mobile Spy account using the Internet. The software also records GPS locations every 30 minutes when signal is available.

When you want to view results, simply login to the secure Control Panel from any computer or phone web browser. Just enter your username and password to see the activity logs."

• Read more about Mobile Spy for BlackBerry

So Verizon today finally admitted what we all knew, that the BlackBerry Storm2 will launch Wednesday October 28th. No real surprise as the signs have been showing up more and more every day for the past week or two. But very good for sure to see official word from Verizon.

"October 26, 2009 - The BlackBerry® Storm2™ smartphone will be available in Verizon Wireless Communications stores, online at www.verizonwireless.com, and through business sales channels beginning Oct. 28. The BlackBerry Storm2 with BlackBerry® OS 5.0 evolves the BlackBerry® touchscreen platform with hundreds of hardware and software enhancements – including new SurePress™ "clickable" display technology and built-in Wi-Fi® – delivering the exceptional multimedia experience and communications capabilities customers have come to expect from their BlackBerry smartphones."

So how many of you will be camping outside the stores on Wednesday morning to get your hands on one?

One of our favorite apps has been updated once again.  In recent days, RIMGeeks have updated their popular BlackBerry Swiss Army Knife (BBSAK) app to version 1.7.0.  For those that don't know about BBSAK, you are missing out on an essential program for all your BB needs.  With the app you can install apps, backup apps, install OS, wipe your device, take screenshots and so much more.

Change Log:

• Brand New Tabbed Layout for better organization
• Animated app expansion
• Multiple COD install now available through the "Install COD(s)" button
• Multiple COD removal now available through the "Remove COD(s)" button (Read system required to remove cods)
• Install JAD files (ALL CODs referenced in JAD file must be in the SAME FOLDER as JAD)
• JAD Maker now included! (Box is drag and drop for windows xp and vista users only)
• New BB Screenshot Preview! - Preview your screenshot before you save it!
• RESTORE APPS BUTTON IS BACK!!! (NOTE** will install all files under "BBSAK BACKUP" in the applications section of your blackberry removing this app will remove ALL apps in the backup!!!!! THE ALX IS STILL CREATED!!! feel free to install that via loader.exe or blackberry desktop manager)

v1.7.0 Changes
• Auto Update Feature Now Included (upon load bbsak will check to verify you have the most current version install)
• Compact view button now available in all expanded windows
• Restore Apps completion popup now pops up at correct time
• Some small speed tweaks also included with this version

Download BBSAK v1.7.0 via RIMGeeks.com

So here's the moment all the Storm Chasers have been waiting for, the official Storm OS 5.0.0.328 release from BlackBerry! Simply visit the update link below, with your BlackBerry plugged into your PC. Also included are links to the official Verizon update guides for both BIS and BES users. 

• Official BlackBerry Storm OS 5.0.0.328 Download Link
• Official Verizon BIS OS 5.0.0.328 Update Guide
• Official Verizon BES OS 5.0.0.328 Update Guide

So once again my good buddy Don has hooked me up with more Verizon goodies tonight. After the Verizon OS 5.0 upgrade docs earlier tonight, now we have the 9530 OS 5.0.0.328 Change Log. So if you're curious about what you will get from this new OS, read on:

BlackBerry Storm - MR3 (5.0) Software Release
OEM: RIM
Model: 9530
Software Version: 5.0.0 Release 508(OS 4.2.0.128 / Applications 5.0.0.328)
Approval Date: 10/22/09
Available through the following methods:
 Over The Air Software Loading (OTASL): NOT AVAILABLE for this upgrade.
Desktop Manager Software Loading: Customers will have access any time after
10/25 10PM Eastern time.
Web Based Software Loading (WebSL): Customers will have access any time
after 10/25 10PM Eastern time.
A software update to help enhance the performance on your BlackBerry ®
StormTM smartphone is now available. From your computer go to
www.verizonwireless.com/storm, select "Software Download" and follow the
on-screen instructions. Thank you, Verizon Wireless

New software has been approved for the RIM Blackberry Storm (9530), and will
be available effective 10/25/2009 at 7 PM PST for customers. Communication
will be provided to customers via a "Pin Message" to their device stating:

Symptoms Resolved:

The image above comes from official Verizon Internal documents showing the official arrival of OS 5 for the BlackBerry Storm 9530! I'll cut right to the chase, the official Verizon documents were sent to me by TBZ member DonNguyen and show that as of October 25th, OS 5.0.0.328 will officially be available for the Storm. Very good news for everyone, considering all the improvements that have been made. Here's what the official documents have to say:

EQUIPMENT SOFTWARE ALERT

BlackBerry Storm – MR3 (5.0) Software Release

Overview:  New software has been approved for the RIM Blackberry Storm (9530), and will be available effective 10/25/2009 at 7 PM PST for customers. Communication will be provided to customers via a “Pin Message” to their device stating:

From: Verizon Wireless

Subject: BlackBerry Device Software v5.0 Update  Available

Message Content:  A software update to help enhance the performance on your BlackBerry ® Storm^TM smartphone is now available. From your computer go to www.verizonwireless.com/storm, select “Software Download” and follow the on-screen instructions. Thank you, Verizon Wireless

Inventory:

·        Effective on Monday 10/26, all Storm devices shipped to customers from the DC will have MR3 (5.0) software

·         Effective on Monday, 10/26, Retail locations are to sell/exchange only MR3 updated devices to customers. New and CLNR devices in store as of close of business on Sunday October 25th are to be quarantined for return, refer to the communication provided by the Inventory Team for complete details

Resolution: Over the Air Software Loading (OTASL) is not supported when upgrading to MR3 on the Storm (9530).  Existing customers looking to be upgraded must use the WebSL Tool or Desktop Manager.  For complete details refer to: 

You can download the Verizon documents right here on TBZ:

• Download BlackBerry Storm OS 5.0 BIS Upgrade Guide
• Download BlackBerry Storm OS 5.0 BES Upgrade Guide
• Download BlackBerry Storm OS 5.0 Overview

Well just a few mins ago Vodafone UK put up their Bold 9700 pages. Apart from the shipping date seeming highly optimistic.

 Its an exciting time for UK Vodafone customers, or people interested in joining the big red :-)

Here are the relevant pages at Vodafone UK:

http://shop.vodafone.co.uk/shop/mobile-phone/blackberry-bold-9700 - For the Blackberry Bold 9700

http://shop.vodafone.co.uk/shop/mobile-phone/blackberry-storm2 - For the Blackberry Storm 9520

With the Storm 2 shipping on the 26th and now the Bold 2 shipping on the 28th of this month, some USA users must be pretty jealous !

Anyone thinking of relocating ? :-p

If you've been living under a rock for the last 6 months, then you might be surprised to see the BlackBerry Bold 9700! But for the rest of us who have been anxiously waiting for this device for over 6 months, today is a good day! Today the Bold 9700 was officially announced! I'm really excited about this device, and it might just be good enough to lure me away from CDMA over to the GSM dark side  

You can learn all about the new 9700 in the video above, as well as checking out the links below.

• Official BlackBerry Bold 9700 Homepage
• Official BlackBerry Bold 9700 Specifications
• Official T-Mobile BlackBerry Bold 9700 Homepage

Good news for all the Storm Chasers out there, with the leak of 9530 OS 5.0.0.323! Haven't had a chance to try this one out yet, so take it for a ride and let us know what you think!

• Download BlackBerry Storm 9530 OS 5.0.0.323

This is the first sign of the BlackBerry Storm2 9550 on Verizon's site that is meant for the general public. Hopefully they're getting closer to launch which is a good thing.  

Here's the link: http://images.verizonwireless.com/multimedia/360_demos/bb_storm2/

It seems like we may have a little more evidence towards an official BlackBerry Storm2 advertising launch on October 21st by VZW. TarheelAce over at CrackBerry has been saying since yesteray that they saw an internal document of an October 21st release and today has provided us all with a picture of this.  Reminder:  Even though there is a document saying the 21st, we still don't know if this is a solid release day of the device. What do you all think about this launch date?  Do think it is just the day they will announce it being official and start displaying advertisements or do you think this may be the day we will all get our hands on it?

Well here it is, my very own barcode for you to all add and chat to me if you so wish.

PIN: 30C0B0E4

Have fun with it :-) And remember, I'm always up for a good chat. I'm sure BT and BMX will be along to do the same shortly.

Peace Out

Danger Mouse

Recently Research In Motion (RIM) took the Inquirer through a tour of some of the features coming in the BlackBerry Storm2, the successor to their BlackBery Storm that launched last year.  Some of the things mentioned are an updated operating system (OS), a sleeker design, Wi-Fi, increased storage capacity, improvements to their SurePress technology (piezoelectric technology and the multitouch system) and BlackBerry Messenger(BBM) 5.0.  Nothing that we don't already know but it is nice to see as many walk-through videos as possible.

Vondafone UK BlackBerry Storm2 Walk-through by RIM - The Inquirer

• Direct link to YouTube Video