Fictionwise, Inc., the eBook retailer which was recently acquired by Barnes & Noble, Inc. (NYSE: BKS), the world’s largest bookseller, today announced the beta test release of eReader for BlackBerry(r). For the first time, BlackBerry(r) smartphone users will enjoy the free, easy-to-use eBook reading application that is already popular on the iPhone and iPod touch. The eReader software enables BlackBerry users to download and read their eBooks anytime and anyplace, and offers an interactive over-the-air shopping experience via the BlackBerry built-in browser on the eReader mobile eBook store.
With over one million downloads, the eReader application has become one of the most popular ways to read books on mobile devices and smartphones. The new BlackBerry version of eReader features flexible controls that allow the user to adjust the application as they wish to ensure a heightened reading experience. The ability to change font sizes improves readability in any lighting condition, while navigation features such as bookmarks, linked Table of Contents, and text search simplify locating specific pages and chapters.
Using wireless access to the eReader.com catalog, users can easily browse titles, make purchases and download books directly to their BlackBerry smartphones. Users may access their own personal bookshelves directly from their devices, giving them the ability to pick and choose from their entire collection of eBook titles they have purchased from eReader.com or fictionwise.com.
“Book lovers everywhere enjoy the eReader application because it gives them access to their favorite best-selling authors as well as to tens of thousands of free classics,” said Scott Pendergrast, CEO of Fictionwise, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Barnes & Noble, Inc. “The BlackBerry platform is the most requested platform that we didn’t already support, and we’re thrilled to be able to introduce it to an entirely new segment of the mobile marketplace.”
The eReader application works on iPhones(tm) as well as Palm(r), Windows Mobile(r), Pocket PC and Symbian smartphones, and Windows(r) and Mac(r) laptops or full sized computers. It may be downloaded free of charge and is able to work immediately on any BlackBerry device released within the past few years.
The Missing Sync for BlackBerry is popular with BlackBerry-to-Mac users because of its reliability and range of sync features, and it is the only Mac synchronization software that works seamlessly with the BlackBerry Bold.
The Missing Sync allows for easy syncing of contacts, calendars, tasks, notes and more between the Bold – or any other BlackBerry handheld – and Mac OS X computers.
There is also added support for syncing with Entourage, iCal and Address Book, plus enhanced features for syncing media files, including iTunes playlists, iPhoto albums and various video formats. Mark/Space provides the reliability and flexibility that smartphone users expect from The Missing Sync for BlackBerry.
Pricing and Availability
The Missing Sync for BlackBerry is available as an electronic download from the Mark/Space online store for USD $39.95. For more details, go to http://www.markspace.com/blackberry
Designed to satisfy the needs of both consumers and business customers, the BlackBerry Storm smartphone combines the powerful communications features, global connectivity and personal productivity advantages of the BlackBerry® platform with a revolutionary touch-screen technology that dramatically enhances the touch interface and enables easy and precise typing. The world’s first “clickable” touch-screen responds much like a physical keyboard and also supports single-touch, multi-touch and gestures for intuitive and efficient application navigation.
In the U.S., Verizon Wireless customers will benefit from the nation’s most reliable wireless voice network and the pervasiveness of Verizon Wireless’ reliable high-speed 3G Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO) Revision A (Rev. A) network for rich Internet browsing and multimedia applications. In Europe, India, Australia and New Zealand, Vodafone will support customers with its high-speed 3G mobile broadband networks and the power and reach of the world’s leading international mobile communications group.
“We are proud to introduce the first touch-screen based BlackBerry smartphone together with Verizon Wireless and Vodafone,” said Mike Lazaridis, president and co-chief executive officer at RIM. “The BlackBerry Storm is a revolutionary touch-screen smartphone that meets both the communications and multimedia needs of customers and solves the longstanding problem associated with typing on traditional touch-screens. Consumers and business customers alike will appreciate this unique combination of a large and vibrant screen with a truly tactile touch interface.”
“The BlackBerry Storm offers our customers more ways to stay connected to both their personal and professional lives – whether in their communities or around the globe,” said Mike Lanman, vice president and chief marketing officer of Verizon Wireless. “The BlackBerry Storm combines the reliability of our 3G network with the dependability and network efficiency of the BlackBerry platform to deliver our customers the ultimate wireless experience – all in one of the coolest smartphones available on the market today.”
“We are delighted to bring the power of the purpose built BlackBerry Storm, directly into the hands of consumer and business customers,” said Frank H. Rovekamp, global chief marketing officer, Vodafone Group. “With its unique clickable touch-screen, giving access to all the desirable multimedia features and services such as browsing, music and video, turn-by-turn satellite navigation, messaging and social networking, and BlackBerry’s mobile heritage and strong business reputation, the BlackBerry Storm is being brought by Vodafone into the consumer world. With Vodafone’s ultra high-speed, reliable mobile network and this exclusive and exciting new smartphone, there has never been a better time to be with Vodafone.”
Touch and Feel
The BlackBerry Storm smartphone comes with an innovative touch-screen that actually depresses ever so slightly when the screen is pressed. The user distinctly feels the screen being pressed and released with a gentle “click,” similar to the feeling of a key on a physical keyboard or a button on a mouse. The “clickable” touch-screen gives the user positive confirmation that they have made a selection and the result is a dramatically enhanced touch interface and a highly-intuitive typing experience.
In addition to the familiar navigation keys (“phone,” “menu” and “escape”) that are common to other BlackBerry smartphones, the new BlackBerry Storm adds support for multi-touches, taps, slides and other touch-screen gestures, so customers can easily highlight, scroll, pan and zoom for smooth navigation.
The BlackBerry Storm smartphone also features a built-in accelerometer, allowing its touch-screen to automatically switch between landscape mode and portrait mode as the user rotates the handset – RIM’s SureType® keyboard layout is available in portrait mode and a full QWERTY* keyboard layout is available in landscape mode. Other relevant features, such as cut and paste, are only a touch away for the ultimate smartphone experience.
You rely on it everyday to stay connected and on schedule, but one unfortunate drop can spell disaster. Safeguard your BlackBerry® Bold™ smartphone from Research In Motion (RIM) (Nasdaq: RIMM) with the new semi-rugged, drop and scratch-proof OtterBox 1937 Defender™ Series case.
“The Defender™ Series line protects devices from everyday bumps and drops while still allowing complete user interaction,” said Curt Richardson, CEO of Otter Products, LLC. “BlackBerry Bold users are frequently on-the-go and the OtterBox provides technology protection for a variety of lifestyles.”
The OtterBox 1937 Defender™ Series case for the BlackBerry Bold smartphone provides several layers of protection:
* Layer one: safeguards from dust, dirt and scratches
o Keypad and screen: optional thermal formed protective clear membrane
o Camera: scratch-resistant lens protects camera, allowing optimal picture clarity
* Layer two: a hi-impact polycarbonate shell snaps together over the device
* Layer three: a silicone skin that wraps over device to absorb bump and shock*
The case features acoustical vents on speakerphone, headset speaker and microphone allowing clear sound transmission. Sync/charge jack is accessible through a silicone plug. Trackball, camera and flash remain functional. For convenient carrying, a holster style swivel belt clip is included.
“When comparing other wireless enclosures, nothing I have found in the market compares to OtterBox,” said Hector Serna, Communications Administrator, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, Ltd. “With the OtterBox cases deployed to our sales force, the largest wireless users in our company, we estimate saving 18 percent annually on replacement units.”
For those looking for less extreme protection, OtterBox will soon be offering a new line called the Impact™ Series. This interactive case will incorporate a silicone, skin-like design with impact absorbing features. Check www.otterbox.com in the coming weeks for details and availability.
OtterBox 1937 Defender™ Series:
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Want to listen to your iTunes music right on your wireless phone? No problem. Alltel Wireless, America’s largest network, today announced that it is the first wireless carrier to offer its customers access to nuTsie, a service that allows users to listen to playlists from their iTunes libraries on over 10 Alltel wireless handsets. In addition, nuTsie enables users to share those lists with friends across the Internet and on their mobile devices.
nuTsie, available for $4.99 a month or $19.99 for one year, can be accessed by visiting Alltel Shop located on the handset. In addition to being able to play music from their iTunes collections, customers can also listen to recommended music based on their playlists and explore hundreds of thousands of playlists from other users and nuTsie’s music experts, providing a new world of music right at their fingertips.
“Our customers are now relying on their wireless phones to provide entertainment as well as reliability,” said Kristi Crum, director of multimedia content for Alltel Wireless. “The launch of nuTsie will maximize the music capabilities on their phones so they can now easily listen to their favorite music from iTunes, no matter where they go.”
The nuTsie application, developed by Melodeo, a leader in mobile and online media, is available on a wide range of including the MOTORAZRTM V3m and V3c, the MOTOKRZR K1m, theäAlltel devices the MOTORAZR2 V9m and MOTOROKRTM Z6m. Additional handsets include the LG AX565, The Wave by LG, the LG AX8600, Samsung MuseTM, the Alltel HueTM by Samsung and The WaferTM by Samsung. More Alltel handsets supporting nuTsie will be announced in the coming months.
“nuTsie offers Alltel Wireless customers an easy, inexpensive way to access their iTunes libraries on the go and to hear new music from other users’ playlists and from our own programmed music,” added Dave Dederer, Vice President of Business Development at Melodeo and founding member of the GRAMMY-nominated, multi-platinum rock band The Presidents of the United States of America.
“We’re extremely pleased to be teaming with Alltel to bring nuTsie to a wider audience.”
Alltel Wireless continues to provide choice and flexibility to the customer’s wireless experience with its exclusive “My Circle” feature, giving customers unlimited calling to and from any five, 10 or 20 numbers on any network for free. Alltel Wireless was also the first to offer Anytime Plan Changes, giving customers the flexibility to change their calling plans at any time, without extending their current contract.
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.