Infographic: BlackBerry PlayBook vs. Dell Streak 7 vs. Apple iPad vs. Motorola Xoom

After our in-depth Droid Bionic vs. iPhone 4 vs. Thunderbolt infographic that made its way across the web, we could not resist making another. Tablets absolutely stole the spotlight at CES 2011, making it an undoubtedly perfect time to compare the latest offerings. After some debate, we settled on these three upcoming tablets: the BlackBerry PlayBook, the Dell Streak 7, and the Motorola Xoom. For some perspective with a familiar face, we threw in the Apple iPad for reference. Even though the hardware is nearly a year old, it has butchered competition selling over 7.33 million units in just Q4 of 2010 making it the best-selling tablet on the market.

The picture is quite long and in depth.  Click on it to see full image.

[via SkatterTech]

Used BlackBerrys sold for $20 at McCain-Palin blowout, contacts and emails included

It's pretty much common sense that when you're ditching your old cell phone you want to erase your personal data, contacts and emails -- or at least try to. Oh sure, there are plenty of examples of failing to do so, but this one's rather... shall we say, "special." Some operatives at Fox 5 in Washington, D.C. booked over to the McCain-Palin campaign headquarters' yard sale yesterday, and they saw some ultra cheap Blackberrys -- just $20 a pop, probably an inventor's discount -- so they picked up a few, undoubtedly thinking they'd make nice holiday gifts. They were kind of surprised to find that, after giving the 'Berrys some juice, one of them had 50 contacts for "campaign leaders, politicians, lobbyists and journalists" as well as hundreds of emails.

And these chuckleheads wanted to be leaders of the free world.  Yikes.

[MyFox, Washington D.C. via Engadget]

The Blackberry Storm: Reviewed

With all the hype that’s surrounding the Storm, Blackberry’s new flagship touchscreen. I have to admit that I want to get my hands on one just to test drive the device. Without checking it out, I’m still sure that it doesn’t measure up to the iPhone and its overall appeal, but I know that Blackberry put together a pretty solid handheld. Well the guys at Gizmodo did get a chance to fondle one, and the results might surprise you about this smartphone. Some of the strongest features of the Storm that Blackberry talks about might actually be its weakest points.

For me, no Wi-Fi in the device is a deal breaker, but there are other quirks that might bother you.

It’s a good read, check it out.

[Gizmodo]

Blackberry Bold UI Video

One thing that I like about Blackberry is that they understand just because you need a mobile device for business, it doesn’t mean that it has to suck. Over the past few years, they’ve worked on the design on their phones (Pearl, Curve, ect.). Now the UI gets a new look and feel with the intro of the Blackberry Bold, and it looks very cool. The only problem is that it’s been delayed until August, clearing a path for the new 3G iphone. Oh well, we can at least look at it.

Check it out.

[Crunchgear]

Blackberry Bold To Launch With iTunes Syncing Ability

The new Blackberry Bold (formally the 9000) will cater to more than just the business suits, as it will ship with RIM's yet to be released Blackberry Media Sync. This software will allow you to sync your new Blackberry with your iTunes. This should make this one of the most popular Blackberry on the market.

[Crunchgear]

Blackberry 9000 In Action

If you've been wondering what the Blackberry 9000 is bringing to the table, just check the video out. It's the smoothest Blackberry that I've ever seen, and the guys at crackberry.com have got their hands on one.

Nice upgrade on the OS!!!

Continental offers in-air Wi-Fi for e-mail, IM

Service includes 36 channels of live television programming provided by DIRECTV(R) and onboard Wi-Fi services including inflight wireless connectivity for e-mail and instant messaging
HOUSTON, Jan. 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAL) today announced that it has entered into an agreement with LiveTV, L.L.C. (LiveTV) that will allow Continental to offer 36 channels of live, inflight satellite-based television programming provided by DIRECTV(R), the nation's leading satellite television provider, at every seat on Continental's new generation aircraft. The service is expected to be available to customers on flights operating within the continental United States beginning in January 2009.
In addition, Continental will be introducing onboard Wi-Fi services including e-mail and instant messaging connectivity offered by LiveTV.
"Our customers want more inflight entertainment and communication options," said Larry Kellner, Continental's chairman and chief executive officer. "We have been closely watching technology developments and are delighted to have teamed up with LiveTV to offer live television programming and communication to our customers."
Customers will be able to choose from a variety of quality programming from DIRECTV(R) including sports, news, weather, children's programming and general entertainment. The initial channel programming lineup offered through the inflight entertainment system is expected to include CBS, NBC, FOX News, CNN Headline News, ESPN, Animal Planet, The History Channel, Food Network, Nickelodeon, MTV and other popular channels. The inflight entertainment system will also offer a moving map and other stored informational and entertainment content. Continental will offer complimentary access to the system to all first-class customers. Economy-class customers will be able to access the system by paying a $6 access fee.
In addition, Continental will offer complimentary Wi-Fi connectivity services allowing customers to access e-mail and instant messaging subject to LiveTV being able to offer the service, which is still in the testing phase. Customers will be able to use the service with Wi-Fi enabled smartphones, BlackBerries and laptops to connect to work, friends and family via Yahoo!(R) Mail, Yahoo!(R) Messenger and BlackBerry e-mail and BlackBerry(R) Messenger services.
The new services will be installed on Continental's fleet of Boeing 737 New Generation aircraft, including the 737-700, -800, -900 and -900ER aircraft, and the Boeing 757-300.
Continental Airlines is the world's fifth largest airline. Continental, together with Continental Express and Continental Connection, has more than 2,900 daily departures throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia, serving 144 domestic and 139 international destinations. More than 580 additional points are served via SkyTeam alliance airlines. With more than 45,000 employees, Continental has hubs serving New York, Houston, Cleveland and Guam, and together with Continental Express, carries approximately 69 million passengers per year. Continental consistently earns awards and critical acclaim for both its operation and its corporate culture. For more company information, visit continental.com.
LiveTV is the world's leading provider of live inflight entertainment and connectivity systems for commercial airlines, and a wholly-owned subsidiary of JetBlue. LiveTV is the provider of JetBlue's inflight entertainment service - - which was recently recognized by the World Airline Entertainment Association as the Best Overall inflight entertainment experience in the Americas. LiveTV's customers also include some of the most successful low-cost, low-fare airlines in the world including WestJet, Frontier, Virgin Blue and AirTran. Headquartered in Florida, LiveTV has installation and maintenance locations around the world to support the more than 500 aircraft currently equipped with its products. For a full listing of products, services and partners, or for more information, please visit www.livetv.net.
SOURCEContinental Airlines

[Thanks Electronista]

RIM Files For Patent On New Blackberry Keyboard

If you've been blowing your friends away with how fast you can text on a Blackberry, you're about to take it up a notch. RIM has filed for a patent on the newest angular style keyboard that is said to improve accuracy and speed with a more natural feel. The design is similar to the ergonomic keyboards that most desktop users are working with.

No word on when (or if) this design might make it to the streets, but RIM wanted to make sure that no one else takes the idea.

[ Mobilewhack via Engadget]

BlackBerry 9000: iphone Killer?

In what seems to be the next generation of phones, BlackBerry has decided to join the touch screen madness. BoyGeinus has uncovered the BlackBerry 9000, their newest smartphone entry with touch screen. The new BlackBerry will have Wi-Fi, 1GB of on-board memory, an Intel XScale PXA270 processor at 624MHz, which clocks in a little faster than the iphones 620MHz ARM 1173 processor. But this baby comes with two things that the iphone doesn't, GPS and 3G. The screen is 420×380 and there is a possibility of a 3.2 megapixel camera. No telling what's going to happen to our favorite full keyboard that BlackBerry is known for, but you have to give a little to get this kind of hotness in a phone.

With this having sync ability and business applications, this could seriously be the iphone killer that people have talked about.

Of course there's no word on pricing or availability but speculation is Q-1 or Q-2 of 2008

BlackBerry 9000 specs revealed [Boy Genius Report via Crunchgear]

Microsoft disses iphone, challenged to fight after school

Microsoft's Asia-Pacific head of smartphone strategy Chris Sorenson states that the iphone isn't that big of deal.

"It's a great music phone, and I'm sure it will be fantastic and have an interesting user interface, however, it's a closed device that you cannot install applications on, and there's no support for Office documents. If you're an enterprise and want to roll out line of business applications, it's just not an option. Even using it as a heavy messaging device will be a challenge,"

Read the entire article here.

While I think the iphone is gorgeous, I think the Microsoft representative brings up some good points. I think Apple needs to decide what market they're after, the Blackberry/smartphones or the Music lifestyle phones. If they are interested in the Blackberry market, they must give the user the option to sync 'Outlook' and other third party applications with the iphone. Or stay the course and go after the music lifestyle phones.

Either way, they must get 3G integrated into the iphone by the next release of the model. No one wants to surf the net at dial up speeds anymore. Come on Apple, let's get this done!!!