TK-421 abandons his post, brings us this flip-out QWERTY case for iPhone

By Ray Nicolini

Nuu Mini Key didn't satisfy your desire for a physical keyboard on your iPhone? Try this TK-421 QWERTY case instead, which sexes up the formula with a swiveling package that hearkens back to the T-Mobile Sidekick.  There's still no extra battery life to be had here, and yes, the keypad connects via Bluetooth, but we're willing to sacrifice a good bit for a totally awesome hinge and a dedicated number row. Invented, designed and sold by ThinkGeek, gadget stocking stuffer seller extraordinaire, the unit's priced at a very reasonable $50. Shame it's not slated to ship till "mid-November" and only then in limited quantities, else we'd snap up two right now. Watch that screen spin right round after the break.

ThinkGeek

Rogers BlackBerry Torch 9800 dummy units have started to arrive

By Ray Nicolini

If you're Canadian and awaiting the Rogers release of the BlackBerry Torch 9800 this should come as some good news for you all. Rogers dummy units have started to arrive at Rogers locations which, has always been a clear sign that the devices will soon go on sale. The reported ones have been showing up in the GTA area but, I'm assuming most locations will see them in store by launch. The launch date was rumored to of have been pushed back but it appears thus far that Rogers is still on time for their September 24th release date. Upon release, you can pick up the BlackBerry Torch from Rogers for $199.99 with a new 3yr contract.

• Click Here To Learn More About The BlackBerry Torch On The Rogers Website>>

Source: TheCellularGuru

Review: Skype Mobile On Your BlackBerry

By Ray Nicolini
via www.Blackberrysync.com 

At this time, the Skype application is available in the U.S., so Canada is still in waiting. But we tried the Skype app out to see how well it would work and what the sound quality sounds like. We gave you a highlight of Skype when it was released to the Verizon BlackBerry handsets, now we can give you a dual review.

Scott used his mac and I have the app installed on a BlackBerry Bold 9650. The app is simple to install. For Verizon, it’s accessible through the VCAST Apps, or the Verizon homepage in the browser. The app installs easily. Setting it up is even easier. First you can use your current Skype acct. Don’t have Skype? It’s free and all you do is open an acct. Skype is used for communication overseas, video chats, phone calls from the pc. You sign into your Skype Mobile app and then you can start using it.

This time we’re changing things up a bit. Because the app requires someone to have a pc to use Skype to Skype, we’re making this a dual review. I’m going to go over the app and show you some screenshots, and Scott is going to include his review of the call in being on the other side of the BlackBerry application.

Adding contacts is so extremely easy. When you open your Skype Mobile, you’ll see six icons at the top. Your Contacts, Messages, Phone, Add a Contact, Status, and My Information. If you click on the Menu button you will see the following: Help, Skype Credit, Options, About Skype Mobile, Sign Out, and Close. You can add a contact from your BlackBerry Contacts, Search The Skype Directory, or add a number.

Scott phoned my Skype from the Mac, and it rang to my phone as a Skype call. The call comes through with crystal clarity. For me it sounded like we were in the same room talking. The call barely used any bars, and we spoke for an hour and a half. The call was never lost, never dropped, and never heard any interference. My phone didn’t get hot, according to Fixmo, there was no hard memory usage whatsoever.

I was really surprised with how easy it is to use along with the quality. The app also allows you to IM with a contact. You can’t do the video chat of course, but you can talk and IM on it. Skype is currently running at v1.3.0.12. If you are a Verizon customer, you can download it from the following link. If you’re Skype app isn’t the current version, you can upgrade it as well.

Grab your free Skype v1.30.12 mobile for BlackBerry here 

RIM prepping a new OS for Tablets and Smartphones? Tablet next week?

By Ray Nicolini

There’s an interesting rumor floating around the internet that RIM is getting ready to launch their tablet, possibly as early as next week at their Developer Conference in San Francisco. Apparently the BlackBerry Tablet which could be called BlackPad or SurfBoard, will operate on an operating system developed by QNX, which RIM acquired last year. The real kicker of this rumor is that RIM might be developing future smartphones with a QNX based operating system. It’s a great rumor, but I guess we will have to wait until next week (Sept 27-30) to find out if RIM actually launches their tablet.

What are your thoughts? Do you want a BlackBerry tablet with a 7″ display?

[via BGR]

Meebo for BlackBerry beta launching today

Via www.bberrydog.com

By Ray Nicolini

Good news for all instant messaging freaks out there. Meebojust launched their Meebo app for BlackBerry in beta today. Advertised as “the app that keeps you connected” it really keeps you connected to a lot of communication networks, including AIM, Yahoo!, Google, even Facebook and more.

Within the app you get two tabs – Buddies and Chats – to get easy and simple access to everything you need. You can manage your accounts while mobile and if you’re already using the desktop version, it will automatically adapt to all your settings and transition active conversations to your Mobile device.

Sounds really great and there’s even more. The app looks really good and well-designed. It supports the BlackBerry Torch 9800 and, best of all, it’s free. You’ll need a Meebo account to use the app but you can register straight from the app.

Feel free to try here and make sure to leave us comment on wether you like or dislike the app.

MacSpeech get upgraded to Dragon Dictate 2

Via www.9to5mac.com Ray Nicolini

Wow.  So MacSpeech is no more.  First MacSpeech ditched their own speech recognition engine for the market and technology leader Nuance in 2008.  Then, Nuance bought the Macintosh speech recognition program earlier this year, and the ‘MacSpeech’ brand was up in the air.  Now it is officially  Dragon Dictate 2 for Mac. (MacSpeech Scribe still exists)

Nevermind the name.  The product is solid.  I’ve been playing with the new Nuance Dragon Dictate 2 for Mac which uses the same best-in-class speech recognition engine as Dictate 11 for PC, and have to say this is a more than worthy upgrade.

The biggest difference for me, straight out of the box, is that you don’t have to use a USB/Bluetooth microphone.  I was able to set the program up to use my MacBook Pro’s built in mic.  At a normal distance it is able to recognize my voice in a quiet room.  If there is any kind of noise in your work environment or you need better accuracy, use a USB or Bluetooth headset.  A cheap but functional USB headset is supplied with the boxed version but you’ll be much happier with a $20 Plantronics from Amazon.

The accuracy with a headset seems at least as good as the previous version and probably better.  I usually go a few paragraphs between missed words, and that is often the result of my mumbling or using a word that no dictionary would recognize.  There is a 20 minute training program at the beginning but you’ll be impressed at the results even if you don’t spend the time training (I imported my profile from a previous version).

Another nice thing about this version is that it allows multiple microphone profiles per user.  I use the built in Mac mic in my office but a Logitech headset when I’m out and about.  I could add one of those in ear Bluetooth headsets if I wanted to look like a douche…but I’ll pass.

One other interesting new feature I’ve been playing with is the ‘mouse movements’ via speech.  You can actually move your mouse around the screen with voice commands (see directions below).

Overall, a great product gets even better.  Let’s hope they get to name parity with the PC version next time around.

Dragon Dictate 2 for Mac is available for $199 retail package or $179 for software download onlyand $49 for an upgrade from MacSpeech 1.x.

Dragon also has a very popular free iPhone app if you want to take their product for a spin on a mobile device.

What’s new in Dragon Dictate 2 for Mac:

Powered By The Latest Dragon
Dragon Dictate’s remarkable accuracy is powered by the latest version of the state-of-the-art Dragon speech recognition engine. This is the same state-of-the-art technology used by Dragon NaturallySpeaking 11 for the PC.

Easier Editing
New commands are easy to say, easy to remember, and designed to simplify and speed up editing by voice. These commands include:

• “Select ”, “Select Next/Previous”
• “Delete” , “Delete Next/Previous”
• “Train ” or “Correct ”
• “Insert Before/After ”
• “Capitalize” , “Capitalize Next/Previous”
• “Lowercase” , “Lowercase Next/Previous”
• “Uppercase” , “Uppercase Next/Previous”
• And more!

Proofreading
The new Proofreading commands in Dragon Dictate 2.0 take advantage of the powerful Text-to-Speech capabilities built into Mac OS X. Use these commands to have dictated text read back to you:

• “Read/Proofread ”
• “Read/Proofread The Selection”
• “Read/Proofread Document”

Surrounding Punctuation
These commands allow you to put punctuation around certain words, using a single command. Some examples are:

• “Put Quotes Around  ”
• “Put Parentheses Around  ”
• “Put Brackets Around  ”
• And more!

Voice Shortcuts for Search
Dragon Dictate’s voice shortcuts offer an easy way to search the web for information, or search your Mac for content. Speak a dynamic command, such as “Search Google for ‘Italian restaurant’”, or “Search Mac for ‘history term paper’”, and Dragon Dictate helps you find what you’re looking for.

Flexible Microphones
Switching between microphones is easier to manage with Dragon Dictate 2.0. A new “Audio Sources” setting lets you specify which microphones to use with a given Profile. You can even designate multiple microphones for a single Profile — for example, if you use both a wired headset microphone and a wireless microphone.

MouseGrid
Placement of the cursor can be accomplished with MouseGrid commands. Using numbered 3×3 grid sections onscreen, you can narrow down the placement of the mouse pointer, and then use a Mouse Click command. Some of the MouseGrid commands are:

• “Open MouseGrid” or “MouseGrid”
• “Small MouseGrid” (directly around mouse pointer)
• “1″ through “9″, to narrow down placement
• “Close MouseGrid”, or “Cancel”

Mouse Click
To click the mouse, you simply speak a command, with optional   that designate one or more keys such as Command, Option, Shift or Caps Lock. Choose from these new commands:

• “  Mouse Click”
• “  Mouse Double Click”
• “  Mouse Triple Click”
• “  Press Mouse, or Hold Mouse”
• “Release Mouse”

Mouse Movement
New commands let you move the mouse pointer, just by using your voice. You designate the direction (left, right, up, down, or any combination), and optionally the distance (points, centimeters or inches). These new commands are available in Dragon Dictate 2.0:

• “Move Mouse ”
• “Stop, or Slower, or Faster”
• “Move Mouse  1-100 Points/Centimeters/Inches”

Introduction to HTC Desire HD, Desire Z and new Sense Experience

First Picture of the BlackBerry Storm 3?

by www.BerryReview.com 

Ray Nicolini

We were just sent a picture of what is supposedly the BlackBerry Storm 3. Our tipster wishes to remain anonymous but it looks legit. According to the tipster the Storm 3 will have a 3.7 inch display and 8GB of internal memory. This device is also rumored to have mobile Wi-Fi hotspot connectivity.

They also have a nice shot of the BlackBerry Torch 9800 in red.

System charges phones and laptops wirelessly - Fujitsu

By Ray Nicolini

 

 

Fujitsu, the Japanese technology company, has created a system capable of simultaneously charging multiple portable electronic devices such as mobile phones, digital cameras and laptop computers, without the need for cable connections.

Photograph by: Albert Gea, Reuters

Mobile-phone users will be able to charge their devices wirelessly for the first time in 2012.

Unlike the current generation of charging "mats," the new technology works at a distance and raises the possibility of a city network quietly charging any cellphone within range.

Fujitsu, the Japanese technology company, has created a system capable of simultaneously charging multiple portable electronic devices such as mobile phones, digital cameras and laptop computers, without the need for cable connections.

Eventually, electric car drivers may also be able to charge their vehicles wirelessly using the same technology, according to Fujitsu, which unveiled a prototype at a conference at Osaka Prefecture University.

The technology works through transmission of electricity using magnetic fields between the charger and the device.

The system enables wireless charging at distances of several metres -- meaning a single charger could serve a home, much as a home Wi-Fi device does -- with the ultimate aim of public "charging spots" on the streets for easy charging round the clock.

Scientists at Fujitsu Laboratories are planning to sell products incorporating the new wireless charging system as early as 2012, but it has not been disclosed how much they would cost.

"This technology paves the way to integrating compact wireless charging functions into mobile phones and enabling multiple portable devices to be charged simultaneously without any restrictions on their position with respect to the charger," the company said in a statement.

The soaring popularity of portable electronic devices, from iPads to e-readers, is expected to spark a boom in wireless recharging technology developments over the coming decade.

© Copyright (c) The Daily Telegraph

iGrip Cradle for the BlackBerry Torch 9800

Via CrackBerry 

This is probably one of the coolest BlackBerry accessories I've tested out so far. The iGrip car charging dock for the Torch 9800 mounts to the windshield or dash in your car and lets you easily drop in your Torch so you can use a navigation app on the go. I fired up AT&T Navigator while my Torch was in the dock and I have to say its just as good (if not better) than having a separate GPS unit. The dock is totally solid and stays secure so you don't have to worry about it dropping off the window. I really like the latch that secures down over the Torch once inserted - it ensures the phone is held secure whether used in landscape or portrait mode. When you get to wherever you're going, just pull your device out and take it with you. The video below is a bit of hand-on with the dock as well as a bit of in-car action to see just how it works. As of right now the iGrip BlackBerry Torch charging dock is only available via Smartphone Experts.

Contest: CrackBerry is Giving Away 1 iGrip Torch Cradle a Day for 30 Days! So the good greatcompletely awesome folks at iGrip have hooked up a wicked contest for CrackBerry Nation. If you're a BlackBerry Torch owner living in the USA and want a chance at winning an iGrip Cradle for the Torch along with a BlackBerry Car Charger, then all you need to do is leave a comment to their blog post (drop in some nice comments about why you want this bad boy while you're at it!). They will update their post every day for the next 30 days.

iGrip Car Charging Dock for the BlackBerry Torch 9800 Photos

Buy Now	Learn More about this Cradle @ ShopCrackBerry
iGrip Charging Dock Buy Now $37.95