Sleek BlackBerry® protection just got better. The OtterBox 1935 BlackBerry® Curve™ case now fits models from all carriers including the 8300, 8310, 8320 and 8330 Series smartphones. Part of the Defender™ Series case line, this enclosure is slim, stylish and fully functional even through the case.
Providing maximum protection with minimum bulk, the OtterBox 1935 is ideal for active business professionals, frequent travelers and casual BlackBerry users. Three layers of protection keep devices safe from bumps, drops and dust:
* Layer 1: Slide on the thermal formed protective clear membrane to safeguard screen and keyboard against scratching as well as dust and dirt* (layer optional depending on the level of ruggedization desired)
* Layer 2: Snap together the hi-impact polycarbonate shell
* Layer 3: Wrap the silicone skin over the device to absorb bump and shock
“These small changes to the OtterBox 1935 are going to make a big difference for BlackBerry users,” said Curt Richardson, CEO of Otter Products, LLC. “The case now fits all Curve models, accommodating for the slight differences in models provided by each carrier.”
Acoustical vents protect the speakerphone, headset and microphone from dust and dirt while allowing clear sound transmission. The case comes with a holster style swivel belt clip for easy-access carrying. While in the OtterBox, all phone features are accessible including sync/charge jack, trackball and camera. Also, the BlackBerry Curve smartphone features a magnet proximity sensor to automatically shut off the screen to maximize battery life when stored, and this feature is supported with OtterBox 1935.
Well, this iPhone lovin’ guy took a hold of the latest BlackBerry and gave it a spin. Yes, yes, I kept thinking, ‘How does this compare to the iPhone,’ in nearly every thing I did with it and funny to say, in some things, it faired better than the Apple-made phone. Granted, in others it didn’t (man, that web browser is plain horrible,) but truth is, not everyone wants an iPhone. Some people want Cut-n-Paste on their smartphone. 
So I trekked with the Curve for a couple of weeks, used it, played with it, snapped photos with it, let it guide me to destinations, and even talked on it. Many things surprised me about it and I must say, I was really impressed with it. It is without a doubt a definite replacement for all my Windows Mobile phones I used in the past, but my iPhone? Mmm, you’ll have to read the review for that answer.
Callpod, Inc., an award-winning emerging technology company that has created and patented unique audio conferencing and content sharing technologies for wireless and consumer electronic devices as well as cellular telephones, has reduced the starting price of its debut product, the Chargepod, to $39.95 and the bundle pack to $79.95.
The Chargepod is a 6-in-1 device that allows users to charge most mobile electronic devices with a single power cord from almost anywhere including at home, in the car or at the office.
“The response to the Chargepod has been extremely positive across the board,” said Darren Guccione, President, CEO and Co-Founder of Callpod Inc. “It is a unique yet simple product that is extremely useful as it eliminates annoying gadget clutter by saving space, outlets and power. We understood that the Chargepod was a very special product that we wanted to share in both domestic and international markets. This price enhancement allowed us to better serve our customers as we scale into the mass retail channels this year.”
Essential at Home, at the Office or on the Road
Callpod offers hundreds of manufacturer-specific adapters for all types of portable devices. Users can dispose of numerous power cords once the Chargepod enters the picture. The Chargepod uses voltage regulator technology and interchangeable power adapters to safely charge all of your mobile devices regardless of manufacturer or model. The Chargepod comes with an AC adapter; users can also purchase the car adapter for use in an automobile, making it an extremely versatile product for the mobile traveler or business user.
The Chargepod is an easy-to-use charger that solves an annoying problem that has plagued portable gadget lovers, families, road warriors, and employees ever since portable gadgets came on the scene. Callpod continues to add adapters for the Chargepod as new devices are introduced so that users can simply add an adapter and not a whole new charger every time they upgrade their device. The Chargepod is the last device charger you’ll ever need to buy. It is simply the best travel charger for mobile devices available today.
Pricing options start at $39.95
1. The Chargepod carries a street price of $39.95 which includes the Chargepod base unit, a carrying case and wall plug (100-240V AC, 50-60 Hz). Each additional adapter is $9.95.
2. Callpod offers a bundle pack for $79.95, which includes the Chargepod base unit, AC wall plug, car charger, carrying case and the following six popular adapters: Apple/iPod/phone, Motorola, Blackberry, Nokia, Palm Treo and Sony PSP devices. (Consumers save $40 by purchasing the bundle pack)
Callpod has also fitted the Chargepod with a smaller wall plug for customer convenience.
In addition, Callpod recently released the award winning Dragon®, a 100m range advanced Bluetooth headset for mobile phones, PDAs, gaming systems and computers. Another breakthrough device is Callpod’s Phoenix, a revolutionary and patented Bluetooth mobile conferencing system which connects five Bluetooth headsets together so when users make a call, all five participants can talk in full duplex and join in a phone call on the other end. The Dragon is currently available in several retail stores and online retailers. The Phoenix® will be available this quarter. Stay tuned as Callpod plans to announce several new innovative products this year.
For more information please visit Callpod at http://www.callpod.com/.
Verizon Wireless, builder and operator of the nation’s most reliable wireless network, announced today that the highly anticipated BlackBerry® Curve™ 8330 smartphone from Research In Motion (RIM) is now available through Verizon Wireless’ online store and through business sales channels. This sophisticated, silver smartphone will be available in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores, including those in Circuit City, on May 12.
The BlackBerry Curve is the smallest and lightest full-QWERTY BlackBerry smartphone and is packed with rich multimedia capabilities and services, allowing customers to stay connected to work, family and friends while on-the-go. The BlackBerry Curve 8330 smartphone also includes the following capabilities and key features:
- BlackBerry® Internet Service – access up to 10 supported POP3 and IMAP personal and corporate e-mail accounts, including most popular ISP e-mail accounts
- BlackBerry® Professional Software for small businesses and BlackBerry® Enterprise Server for enterprise deployments – advanced security and IT administration within IBM® Lotus® Domino®, Microsoft® Exchange and Novell® GroupWise® environments
- VZ NavigatorSM – get visual and audible directions to a destination, locate businesses and other places in an area, get a map of a location, bookmark favorite spots and recent searches, and even share locations with others.
- Customers will be able to upgrade to the new VZ Navigator (Version 4) in the coming weeks, which will provide traffic updates, information on traffic incidents and detours around traffic congestion and accidents in 75 cities from coast to coast
- Small and light design that is easy to handle and use; measures 4.2” x 2.4” x 0.6” and weighs only 4 ounces
- Large, vibrant 320 x 240 display, with light sensing technology that automatically adjusts brightness for optimal viewing in outdoor, indoor and dark environments
Responsive, highly-tactile full-QWERTY keyboard and RIM’s intuitive trackball navigation system - Premium phone features including: noise cancellation technology to offset background noise; Speaker Independent Voice Recognition (SIVR) for Voice Activated Dialing (VAD); dedicated “send,” “end” and “mute” keys; and low-distortion speakerphone
- Bluetooth® 2.0, with support for hands-free headsets, stereo headsets (Bluetooth stereo audio profile A2DP/AVRCP), car kits and other Bluetooth accessories
- 2.0 megapixel camera with support for video recording, a self-portrait mirror, enhanced flash and 5x zoom (microSD™ memory card required for video recording, sold separately)
- Easy access to the popular Facebook® for BlackBerry® Smartphones application
- 3.5 mm stereo headphone jack and dedicated volume controls
- Advanced media player and enhanced desktop media manager software that makes it easy to move media files between a PC and the BlackBerry Curve 8330 smartphone via High Speed USB 2.0 – USB Data Cable comes in-box
- microSD/SDHC memory card slot, providing plenty of additional storage (cards up to 8 GB are currently available)
- HTML Web browser delivers a fast, rich browsing experience and supports streaming video from sites like m.youtube.com (3GPP RTSP streaming protocol over EV-DO)
- Removable, rechargeable battery, rated for up to 260 minutes of talk time and up to 11 days of standby time
- In-box accessories include: a stereo headset, USB cable, travel charger and premium tote sleeve
The BlackBerry Curve 8330 smartphone is available for $269.99 (updated) after a $50 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement. An additional $100 credit toward the purchase of the handset is available for customers who sign up for qualifying voice and data plans at the time of purchase. Customers who purchase a Verizon Wireless Nationwide voice plan can also subscribe to the E-Mail and Web for BlackBerry plan for an additional $29.99 per month while those opting for a data-only plan can pay $34.99 per month for unlimited e-mail and access to the Internet via BlackBerry Internet Service.
For more information about Verizon Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or go to www.verizonwireless.com. Business customers should call 1-800-VZW-4BIZ or contact their Verizon Wireless Business Sales Representative.
Exclusive to the Defender™ Series line, Otter Products, LLC. introduces the slim-fit OtterBox 1936 case to protect the new BlackBerry® Pearl™ 8120 and BlackBerry® Pearl™ 8130 smartphones from Research In Motion (RIM) (Nasdaq: RIMM). Allowing complete access to the trackball, sync/charge USB port, camera and self-portrait mirror, the OtterBox provides an ideal solution for on-the-go protection with style.
Similar to existing BlackBerry smartphone cases in the OtterBox Defender™ Series line, the OtterBox 1936 case offers three layers to safeguard the BlackBerry Pearl 8120 and BlackBerry Pearl 8130 from bumps, scratches and drops.
* First, slide on the thermal formed protective clear membrane to safeguard screen and keyboard against scratching as well as dust and dirt* (layer optional depending on the level of ruggedization desired)
* Second, snap together the hi-impact polycarbonate shell
* Finally, wrap the silicone skin over the device to absorb bump and shock
“Our new Defender™ Series line has been extremely popular since they provide protection without compromising the look and feel of the BlackBerry phone,” said Curt Richardson, CEO of Otter Products, LLC. “The OtterBox 1936 case provides a stylish yet protective solution ideal for those with busy lifestyles.”
Additionally, three acoustically approved, semi-permeable membrane vents protect the headset and speaker phone openings, while still allowing clear sound transmission. Cases include a holster-style, swivel belt clip for convenient carrying. BlackBerry smartphones also feature a magnet proximity sensor to automatically shut off the display to maximize battery life when stored in a holster or case, and this feature is supported with the OtterBox.
“Short of being run over by a truck, they’re oil field tough,” said Tim Anderson, Operations Manager for Maverick Stimulation Company. Being in the oil field service industry, Anderson is constantly in the elements and was having a hard time finding a case to protect his BlackBerry smartphone. “The OtterBox works great even in cold weather and seems to be the ticket for quality protection!”
“Many of our customers have shown interest in accessories like the OtterBox 1936 to provide additional layers of physical protection for use in a variety of environments,” said Jeff McDowell, Vice President, Global Alliances at Research In Motion.
OtterBox also offers the Defender™ Series cases for the BlackBerry® 8800, BlackBerry® Curve™ series and original BlackBerry Pearl™ 8100 series smartphones.
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Alltel Wireless, America’s largest network, providing coverage across the nation, today announced that three new handsets – the LG Scoop, red BlackBerry Pearl 8130, and the Samsung Muse – plan to be available in Alltel retail stores and online at www.alltel.com/style during the first quarter of 2008. Whether into music, messaging or quick access to applications on the go, such as e-mail and the Internet, Alltel customers can choose from an extensive lineup of phones in brilliant colors to find one that fits their unique personality.
“Alltel strives to provide customers with phones that have the most innovative technology and allows them to express their individual style,” said Brian Ullem, vice president of device strategy for Alltel Wireless. “Our phone lineup delivers a variety of functions, from music to messaging, which will give our customers the ultimate wireless experience.”
Messaging Made Quick and Easy
For people who stay connected through text messaging, the LG Scoop allows customers to take it easy on their thumbs with a messaging-friendly QWERTY keyboard and chat-style IM. Offered in three colors including citrus orange, slate gray and turquoise blue, the LG Scoop has AOL Instant Messenger and Yahoo! Messenger pre-loaded, so there is never a missed message. The phone also features a 1.3 MP camera with video capabilities and is Celltop-ready as well as Bluetooth capable. The LG Scoop is the ideal phone to use Alltel’s new service, Axcess Voice2TXT, which converts incoming voicemails to text and sends them to the customer’s text inbox. With the QWERTY keyboard, users of this phone will be able to easily and discretely respond to voicemails.
Coolest Smartphone is Now Red Hot
The BlackBerry Pearl 8130 smartphone, now available in red, gives customers an exceptional mobile experience with powerful communications and multimedia capabilities. This sleek, eye-catching smartphone offers e-mail, fast HTML Web browsing, a 2 MP camera with flash and video capture, GPS capabilities, Bluetooth wireless technology and microSD expandable memory. With the stylish red BlackBerry Pearl 8130, customers can multi-task like a pro, and look good while doing it. This smartphone is available for pre-order at www.alltel.com/style.
When Music is Your Inspiration
The Samsung Muse sports a fresh look and a stimulating sound to satisfy all who find inspiration in music. With the Samsung Muse, those passionate about music always have their favorite tunes within reach. Users can customize the phone with a dedicated music key for ringtones, XM Radio Mobile and easy access to the MP3 player. The modern design, available in midnight blue, also features a 2 MP camera with video capabilities, GPS capabilities and is preloaded with Axcess Mobile Guide and Stereo Bluetooth technology. Multimedia fans can also enjoy streaming music from their PC using Music Powered by Celltop along with premium preloaded applications like Axcess TV and Search.
Alltel Wireless, America’s largest network, today announced that it is the first U.S-based carrier to offer small business customers SalesNOW®, a contact, activity and deal management software designed for the BlackBerry® and the Web. SalesNOW utilizes the functionality of the BlackBerry to provide customers with the ability to manage their sales data in the palm of their hands.
With the SalesNOW application, professionals can track and manage their contacts, deals, activities and e-mails as well as access and share information with their entire sales team. Customers can perform these activities on their BlackBerry or on the Web through an individual, secure SalesNOW account. Changes the user makes within SalesNOW on the BlackBerry are automatically synced to SalesNOW on the Web and vice versa. The application also allows sales teams to provide up-to-date information on sales activity, view and print weekly activity reports, collaborate on team forecasts, track sale details and next steps on business deals.
Additionally, SalesNOW enhances administrative time management and productivity by giving users the ability to update graphical reports and dashboards, which allows professionals to focus on building quality customer relationships.
“SalesNOW allows our small business customers to better manage their workload no matter where they are,” said David Maddox, director of advanced data solutions for Alltel Wireless. “This innovative solution is the ultimate sales tool for the mobile professional and demonstrates Alltel’s commitment to deliver the most beneficial business applications available today.”
The software is available for $25 per month for individual users or $40 per month for enterprise users with qualifying smart choice data plan on all Alltel Wireless BlackBerry smartphones. For more information, or to purchase SalesNOW and subscribe to the service, visit www.alltelsolutions.com or consult with an Alltel Business Representative by calling 888-4AT-BIZZ.
On alltelsolutions.com, business customers can find an array of solutions to fit every business need. Alltel recently launched several products to assist its customers in their daily tasks, including Alltel WiFi, an easy-to-use solution that instantly provides customers with laptop access to thousands of hotspots, and TimecardGPS, an application that enables users to track employee locations, record shift time and capture job or work order information.
Alltel also offers its business customers with smartphone devices “smart choice packs” a special rate plan, which provides national voice minutes with an unlimited data plan and features such as “My Circle,” an industry-defining feature giving customers on varying calling plans the freedom of unlimited calling to and from five, 10 or 20 numbers on any network for free.
Social bookmarking has become a very popular, and powerful tool, on the Web in the last year. Nearly every blog, ours included, contain easy to use links to add a story or clip to your favorite bookmarking site. But what to do while on your mobile device such as your Blackberry, Treo, or iPhone? No worries, mate, that guy who brought you PalmInfoCenter now is bringing you PhoneFavs.
MobileInfocenter’s PhoneFavs works with any device, mobile or desktop, from smartphones to iPhones, to PDAs, to tablets to those new micro-computers to your big ‘ol PC. Heck, you can even access it at pfavs.com (I love short lazy URLs!) to help on finger fatigue. With this new site, you can, “store, organize and share bookmarks and access them on their mobile phone, anywhere,” as told to SvenOnTech. Organized into three categories (Bookmarks or Favs, handpicked mobile link directory, and a “mobilizer” that automatically adjust web pages for your device), PhoneFav’s makes it easy to navigate right from the main page. PhoneFav will help keep your favorites organized while on the go.
“PhoneFavs is a portable tool-chest for enriching your browsing experience on a mobile device,” said Ryan Kairer, founder of MobileInfocenter and principle architect of PhoneFavs. “With PhoneFavs at your disposal, you can save cool sites and longer articles to read on your phone in a mobile friendly format at your leisure. It also serves as a gateway to discover new sites and services designed especially for the mobile web.”
Bookmark PhoneFav on your mobile device today.
Proporta’s essential protection for your BlackBerry Curve…
The Blackberry Curve, also known as the Blackberry 8300, is the smallest and lightest full QWERTY Blackberry device released to date. Like the previous Blackberry Pearl, the Curve falls more into the category of mobile phones than the standard Blackberry device with its business user functionality and compact dimensions. The Blackberry Curve also has the advantage of a full keyboard for easy messaging and boasts an upgrade to other Blackberry models, with a 2 megapixel camera. With such a delicate device which can be so easily stored when on the move, it is important to keep the Blackberry Curve and all its features fully protected from keys, loose change and other dangers lurking at the bottom of your pocket – Proporta has come up with a number of protective solutions.
Cases…
The trademark Proporta Alu-Leather Case BlackBerry 8300/Curve Series is custom made to fit the exact specifications of your BlackBerry 8300/Curve. A layer of rigid, yet light, aircraft grade aluminium is built into the leather which covers the screen to subtly protect it against crushing and impact shocks.
Proporta realise the importance of having ultimate view of the screen so the case uses a C-clip to hold the device in place. There is also no need for the device to be removed from the case as all the necessary cut aways allow access to all ports and controls.
In addition, secure internal MMC/SD memory card storage is included in the case and a removable belt-clip is also available on request for quick and easy access to your mobile device.
The Proporta Silicone Case (BlackBerry 8300/Curve Series) gives your BlackBerry 8300/Curve a tough, protective skin, giving you access to all ports and controls, whilst protecting it from scratching and impact damage.
The Silicone case adds little more than a millimetre to the device enabling you to carry it around comfortably in your pocket.
Screen Protection…
For even more protection for your BlackBerry 8300/Curve use the Proporta Advanced Screen Protector to protect your BlackBerry from scratches, scrapes and dust evasion. It incorporates an improved thickness, made from a new ultra high-clarity plastic, without impairing screen brightness and clarity. This protector is also fully washable and replaceable.
For these great products and more visit www.proporta.com .
P.S. If you’d like to have easy access to a number of your devices but don’t have the belt space to carry them, check out Proporta’s Universal Cordura Belt Holster for a secure attachment to your belt
Tekkeon announces myCharger™, a portable USB power adapter with retractable prongs and several adapters, for charging iPhone, iPod and many popular mobile phones at home or while traveling.
myCharger can be used with the USB power cord from any small mobile device, or with any of the included adapter tips that enable connection to most models of:
- iPhone (uses iPhone/iPod USB cable)
- iPod (uses iPhone/iPod USB cable)
- Blackberry
- LG mobile phones
- Motorola mobile phones
- Nokia mobile phones
- Samsung mobile phones
- Sony Ericsson mobile phones
Optional adapter tips are available for other 5V devices including Bluetooth headsets, digital cameras, other mobile phones, MP3 players, PDAs, portable games, and portable media players. An optional travel pack includes interchangeable international plugs for use abroad. Tekkeon provides a list of compatible devices on its web site at www.tekkeon.com.