Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Monday, November 7, 2011
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Tank Recon 3D now available for BlackBerry Bold 9900/9930 and Torch 9810/9850/9860
Tank Recon 3D first popped up over a year ago for the BlackBerry Storm2 and after a long overdue update is now available for the BlackBerry Bold 9900/9930, Torch 9810 and Torch 9850/9860. This first person tank shooter features real-time 3D graphics that make it one of the most fun games on the platform.
Piloting your new advanced tank, code named Alpha, you will be shooting it out with various units such as tanks, planes, AT guns and more. Fire your main cannon and watch as the enemy explodes into pieces. Use your guided missiles to bring down enemy planes or anything else that needs blowing up!
Tank Recon 3D allows you to choose between Mission and Survival mode. Jump right into the action with Survival mode and see how long you can survive. The longer you last the harder the enemy units become. When you're done, submit your high score to the Internet for bragging rights.
Play Story Mode to go on various missions that will ultimately decide whether you defeat the Evil Hepion forces or explode trying. Playing through the missions takes time and is no easy task but fortunately the game supports saving your progress at any point. If you do manage to complete the missions, try them again but this time choose Hard or even Mental!
I've been rocking Tank Recon 3D on my Bold 9930 for a few days now and I absolutely love it. The touchscreen controls are easy and super responsive and the game features loads of replay value. A new version for the BlackBerry Playbook should be on the way very soon as well. Hit the link below for more info.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
AT&T BlackBerry Bold 9900 Accessory Roundup
The BlackBerry Bold 9900 has finally been announced on AT&T and surely many of you will be picking one up next week. You'll want to be sure you have all of your BlackBerry Bold 9900 accessories ready to go on launch day so you have one less thing to worry about, so don't fret because we have you covered. You can order now and have everything in your hands when you pickup your brand new Bold 9900 next week. Grab a BlackBerry Bold 9900 charging pod, BlackBerry Bold 9900 spare battery, BlackBerry Bold 9900 case or whatever else you will need. Keep reading for the newest and best-selling Bold 9900 accessories and details on how to win an accessory of your choice.
New Bold 9900 Cases
New Bold 9900 Batteries
New Bold 9900 Charging Solutions
New Bold 9900 Bluetooth
To enter to win a BlackBerry Bold 9900 accessory of your choice, simply leave a comment to this blog post telling us what you'd choose and why. Contest ends this Sunday night at Midnight PST. Please, just one entry per person.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Review: Case-Mate Barely There Brushed Aluminum Case for BlackBerry Bold 9930 and Bold 9900
There Barely There series from Case-Mate still stands as one of my favorite cases for all my devices, and the Case-Mate Barely There Brushed Aluminum Case for the Bold 9930 and 9900 is no different. The case snaps right on to the device, holding firm and giving you a good sense of security. It sports a pretty sweet look that definitely adds that bit of flash to your device as well. The ports are all open so you'll have no problem accessing them with the case on, and removing it should you choose to do so isn't hard at all. The only gripe I have is the way it sticks up a bit on the bottom and can cause problems for some people when typing. Check out the video above for more.
Los smartphones BlackBerry Bold 9900 y BlackBerry Curve 9360 son los primeros modelos con sim del mundo en recibir la certificación de dispositivos aprobados para PaypPass de MasterCard
Os adjunto nota de prensa recibida en relación a la utilización de la tecnología NFC en los dispositivos BlackBerry por MasterCard.
La certificación se otorgó en base a que los smartphones BlackBerry® cumplen los requisitos de MasterCard en cuanto a funcionalidad, interoperabilidad y seguridad. Con esta certificación, cualquier banco que emita MasterCard PayPass en todo el mundo podrá asignar cuentas habilitadas para MasterCard PayPass a la tarjeta SIM de estos smartphones.
El ecosistema para permitir que los clientes se aprovechen de los smartphones BlackBerry certificados para pagos a través de NFC está en pleno crecimiento. France Telecom–Orange cree que NFC móvil tiene el potencial de hacer posible una nueva revolución en el mundo móvil al aumentar la conexión entre el mundo digital móvil de las personas y el mundo físico a su alrededor. France Telecom–Orange es el primer operador del mundo en tener lanzamientos comerciales de NFC en dos países, el Reino Unido y Francia, con pruebas en varios mercados europeos.
“Estamos contentos de poder ofrecer los smartphones BlackBerry Bold 9900 y BlackBerry Curve 9360 como parte de la gama de Orange de dispositivos móviles con NFC. Estamos comprometidos con la comercialización activa de los dispositivos con NFC y estos nuevos smartphones acelerarán la adopción de servicios móviles NFC asegurados con una tarjeta SIM de Orange y que incluirán los pagos a través del móvil”, asegura Vincent Barnaud, Director of Contactless Services en France Telecom – Orange. “Tenemos una fuerte asociación con RIM y esperamos con entusiasmo poder trabajar juntos en más iniciativas NFC en el futuro”. Andrew Bocking, Vice President, Handheld Software Product Management en RIM afirma: “La tecnología NFC está haciendo que los smartphones sean aún más inteligentes y la certificación de parte de MasterCard es un paso importante para ayudar a transformar la manera en la que utilizamos los dispositivos móviles para hacer pagos. Estamos trabajando de forma proactiva con nuestros socios operadores, bancos, distribuidores y otros agentes del sector, y estamos emocionados de poder ampliar la manera en que NFC puede hacer posible nuevas experiencias móviles para los usuarios de los smartphones BlackBerry en todo el mundo”.
“MasterCard está orgulloso de ser el primero en certificar estos conocidos smartphones BlackBerry para pagos a través del móvil y ofrecer a los consumidores otra forma sencilla, fácil, segura y cómoda de realizar sus pagos. Dentro del sector de los pagos con tarjeta, MasterCard lleva tiempo siendo líder en las tareas de probar y certificar productos – para el beneficio de clientes, emisores y comerciantes. Estamos encantados de extender este papel de líder hacia el mundo de los pagos a través del móvil y aplaudimos los esfuerzos de RIM en marcar la llegada de la siguiente fase de la adopción de NFC, al proporcionar dispositivos compatibles con el mercado”, destaca Mung Ki Woo, Group Executive, Mobile en MasterCard Worldwide. “La disponibilidad de NFC en los conocidos smartphones BlackBerry es un hito importante para el negocio de los pagos a través del móvil sin contacto”.
Review: OtterBox Commuter Series Case for the BlackBerry Bold 9930 and 9900 - Leave a comment to win one!
Being a first responder I encounter some of the most intense environments on a daily basis. I always expect the most elite equipment to help perform my job while keeping me as safe as possible. I expect the same for my device, as it's a vital tool in my line of work. The OtterBox Commuter Series case for the BlackBerry Bold 9930 / 9900 provides three layers of protection. The first layer is an outer polycarbonate shell to protect the Bold from drops. The second layer is constructed of durable silicone adding bump and shock protection. Also an optional screen protector, add the third layer and the Bold is now encased in superior protection from anything it may encounter.
I have been carrying my Bold 9930 in this case for a little over a month and I must say it's awesome. I have dropped it countless times, tossed it in a gear bag for travel and it's even taken the trip inside some places where some phones should not be operational. Though the standard Commuter case does not come with a holster, (OtterBox, PLEASE make one!!!) we adapt and overcome. In the video you will see the device fits perfectly in a Bold 9000 holster -- the best combo! Now while keeping the sleekness of the Bold form factor, the Commuter adds no bulk at all, giving some of the best protection in cases out there. Though there are some minor drawbacks using the case, it should be sufficient for any consumer looking for ultimate protection. Be sure to watch the video above for a more in-depth look at this case.
Contest: To enter to win an OtterBox Commuter series case for your device, leave a single comment on this post. Contest ends this Sunday at midnight PST.
More information/Purchase of the OtterBox Commuter Case for the Bold 9900/9930
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Official OS 7.0.0.439 for the BlackBerry Bold 9900 from WIND
Heads up Bold 9900 users - WIND Canada has just released OS 7.0.0.439. This is the latest official OS for the Bold 9900, so if you are looking for an update this is your answer. There are some higher leaked versions, but many like to stick to official OS versions on their device, so if you haven't updated your OS on your 9900 yet you may want to give this one a shot. If you do update, be sure to hit the forums and post your findings. As always, use caution when installing any software on your device.
Download OS 7.0.0.439 for the Bold 9900
Discuss more in the forums
Friday, October 7, 2011
Leaked OS 7.0.0.440 for the BlackBerry Bold 9900
A happy Friday to all the BlackBerry Bold 9900 users! A fresh new leak has hit the interwebs in the form of OS 7.0.0.440 and is ready to roll. No word of the good, bad or ugly on this one just yet, so if you install be sure to drop a comment here or hit the forums letting us know your findings. As always, use caution when installing any software on your device.
Download OS 7.0.0.440 for the Bold 9900
Discuss more in the forums
Source: N4BB
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Orange and T-Mobile UK release the BlackBerry Bold 9900 and Torch 9860
As you may have noticed from my BlackBerry Buyer's Guide that T-Mobile and Orange had yet to release a BlackBerry 7 device, leaving our CrackBerry users on those networks out to dry. Today however, that has changed as both T-Mobile and Orange have pulled a double-whammy and released both the BlackBerry Bold 9900 and the Torch 9860.
On Orange the Bold 9900 is available free from £41 a month on a 24-month contract and T-Mobile has it free from £40.85 per month on a 24-month contract. With the Torch 9860 you can get the Bold 9900 free from £36 a month on a 24-month contract on Orange and £35.74 a month on a 24-month contract from T-Mobile.
T-Mobile and Orange can now rejoice that they can finally get their hands on some BlackBerry 7 devices. It's not surprising to see both networks release the devices at the same time since they merged a few years back, to create Everything Everywhere, but still trade under their own names. The merge means that customers on each network can roam on the other network without being charged.
More information/purchase from Orange
More information/purchase from T-Mobile
BlackBerry Bold 9900 now available from Three UK
The final network to release the BlackBerry Bold 9900 is Three UK. The network release their second BlackBerry 7 device to their list of BlackBerry devices and is available for free on all three of their tariffs. Three UK also have the Bold 9900 available on pay as you go for a low, low price of £399.99. The lowest price I've seen for the BlackBerry Bold 9900 so far. It's even cheaper than the Torch 9810!
If you're on the Three network, get moving now. Here's hoping there's no mistake on that pay as you go price.
BlackBerry Leather Pocket Pouch for the BlackBerry Bold 9930 / 9900 Review
Depending where you live and what carrier you're on, the case that ships with your Bold 9900/9930 varies. For example, on Rogers in Canada my Bold 9900 came with the BlackBerry Leather Holster. But what I would have preferred is the BlackBerry Leather Pocket Pouch. Over the pond, pouches are inluded with the phones from alot of carriers, though the design of those is a little differen than the pocket pouch I take a look at in this review.
The leather pocket pouch protects your Bold when the device is inserted. It's a carrying pouch. Once it's out of the pouch, the phone is naked. Some of you are fine with that -- I know I typically prefer the feel of a naked phone -- while some of you will prefer an always-on case. And if that's your taste, I suggest checking out the hard shell and soft shell cases for the 9900/9930.
The BlackBerry Bold 9930/9900 Leather Pocket Pouch case has a list price of $34.99, but you can get it for less at ShopCrackBerry.com. With such high demand for Bold 9930/9900 cases it's been hard to keep inventory in stock, but we finally got caught up on our backorders for this one and have more available now. Keep reading for a video, more photos and details surrounding this tasteful yet luxurious case.
Overall I'm really happy with the design and quality of all the new BlackBerry brand cases for the Bold 9930 and Bold 9900, and the Pocket Pouch is no exception. It's simple, but I think it looks nice. There is a nice to texture to the case, and the stitching seems like it should hold up to a decent amount of abuse. The Bold fits well within the case. Snug, but not too snug.
As it is an official BlackBerry case, there is a built-in sleeper magnet which triggers the phone into standby mode when placed into the pouch (helping to save battery and prevent any sort of accidental dialing). The magnet also enacts "in holster" profile settings on the phone, which is a great feature to have and take advantage of. It's a simple case, but you can tell a lot of design effort went into this case to make it both simple yet functional. If you're looking for a leather pocket pouch for your new Bold, this one should more than do the trick.
Learn More / Purchase the BlackBerry Leather Pocket Pouch for the Bold 9930 / 9900
Want a chance to win a Leather Pocket Pouch for your BlackBerry Bold 9900 or 9930? All you need to do is leave a comment to this blog post with your review feedback or letting us know why you want one. Contest entry closes Sunday, October 9th at midnight PT. Please leave only one comment.
Friday, September 30, 2011
Vodafone España y RIM lanzan el smartphone BlackBerry Bold 9900
Os lo comentábamos esta mañana vía Twitter, allí va la nota de prensa con los detalles de la llegada del BlackBerry Bold 9900 de mano de Vodafone en España y viene de manera exclusiva durante unos meses.
El nuevo smartphone BlackBerry Bold 9900 posee un diseño único fabricado con materiales de alta calidad que integra un teclado BlackBerry muy fácil de utilizar y una pantalla táctil de alta resolución además de tener integrado el nuevo sistema operativo BlackBerry® 7 que ofrece lo último en comunicaciones, multimedia y productividad para usuarios de todo el mundo.
El nuevo miembro de la familia de los smartphones BlackBerry® Bold™ se distingue por un bonito diseño, la efectividad de su teclado, una pantalla táctil brillante y un acabado con materiales Premium con una estructura de acero inoxidable cepillado que pone el toque final a este dispositivo.
Precios
Los nuevos clientes de empresa y autónomos podrán adquirir el smartphone BlackBerry Bold 9900 al contratar la Tarifa Plana 24 Horas1 y la Tarifa BlackBerry Profesional2 con portabilidad y permanencia de 18 meses en voz3 y 18 meses en la tarifa BlackBerry desde 114€ en el caso de empresas y desde 44€ en el caso de autónomos.
A través del Programa de Puntos los clientes de empresa podrán hacerse con el smartphone por 1.600 puntos y 282€. Por su parte, los clientes autónomos pueden adquirirlo por 1.800 puntos y 266€.
El smartphone BlackBerry Bold 9900 está disponible para clientes particulares de contrato desde 0€ con la tarifa @XL (99,9€/mes) o desde 79€ con la @L (59,9€/mes) con portabilidad desde contrato y 24 meses de permanencia. Los clientes particulares de contrato también podrán adquirir el dispositivo a través del Programa de Puntos por ejemplo con 2.500 puntos y 289€.
BlackBerry 7
El nuevo smartphone incluye este sistema operativo, que ofrece una experiencia más sencilla y rápida con una interfaz optimizada, búsquedas por voz, división del contenido personal y laboral y nuevas aplicaciones adicionales para mejorar su rendimiento.
El smartphone BlackBerry Bold 9900, el más fino de su familia hasta la fecha, es también compatible con NFC (Near Field Communication), una nueva tecnología que abre un interesante abanico de posibilidades como, por ejemplo, conectar nuevos accesorios o leer etiquetas RFID con un solo click.
El nuevo navegador de BlackBerry combina el motor de búsqueda WebKit con un hardware perfeccionado que permite búsquedas un 40% más rápidas que con el modelo anterior. Nuevas mejoras en HTML5 proporcionan además una experiencia increíble en video y juegos.
Además, el smartphone BlackBerry Bold 9900 incluye la tecnología Liquid Graphics™, que combina un procesador gráfico de alta calidad con una CPU rápida y una pantalla de alta resolución para ofrecer una interfaz sensible con unos gráficos increíblemente rápidos y fluidos.
Características principales del nuevo smartphone BlackBerry Bold 9900:
1- Tarifa Plana 24 Horas incluye 1000 min./mes a móviles de la empresa y fijos y 500 min./mes a móviles nacionales por 49€/mes
2- Tarifa BlackBerry Profesional (15€/mes)
3- Excepto autónomos con Tarifa Plana 24 Horas que incluye permanencia de 24 meses.
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Hey AT&T! Where is our BlackBerry Bold 9900?!
Soooo ... it's September 17th today, and if you remember from our 2nd to last podcast we declared today AT&T picket day if the BlackBerry Bold 9900 didn't show up. Following up on our petition to AT&T, I took matters into my own hands and blocked my day off to do my CrackBerry duty. With my Verizon Bold 9930 and Rogers Bold 9900 in hand and the power of the CrackBerry nation behind me, I set out for my local AT&T store to get my picket on. As you can see in the video above, the store was totally dead (because they don't have the Bold 9900 .. duh) and unfortunately they wouldn't let me film inside. I did do some solo picketing for as long as I could though. I don't know if it helped our cause or not, but regardless ... come on AT&T ... give us the BlackBerry Bold 9900!!!
Did you head out to your local store and picket today? Did you rally the troops? If not you still have time! Let us know in the comments -- and if you haven't signed our petition yet, what are you waiting for?!
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
BlackBerry J-Series Extra Battery Charger Bundle for Bold 9930 / 9900 and Torch 9850 / 9860
When I was using older devices I was always happy to have an extra battery at the ready thanks to my external charger. While the Bold 9780 didn't really need a spare battery given the great battery life, the BlackBerry Bold 9930 and Bold 9900 don't share the same luxury. There are plenty of ways to increase your battery life, but sometimes even that's not enough. Thankfully the BlackBerry J-Series Extra Battery Charger Bundle came to the rescue. This setup allows you to charge a spare battery at the same time you charge your device so you can always have a spare ready to go.
The BlackBerry J-Series Extra Battery Charger Bundle for the BlackBerry Bold 9930 / 9900 and Torch 9850 / 9860 comes with everything you need to get rolling. Included is the external charger, microUSB splitter and spare JM-1 battery. The spplitter plugs into your current wall charger that came with your device so you can charge both your phone and the battery at the same time. You won't have to fumble for an extra outlet to charge this guy up so you'll save both time and effort. Drop the battery in the charger, plug it in and wait for the green light -- that's it! The battery charges up in about the same time as your phone (unless you use the PlayBook charger) and when it's done, just pull it off, stick it in your pocket, purse or briefcase and you'll have a fully charged spare battery ready to go.
The BlackBerry J-Series Extra Battery Charger Bundle retails for $79.99 but you can get it for less at ShopCrackBerry.com. We're also giving away one battery charger bundle (details below). Keep reading for more images and info on this bundle.
To me this set is a must have if you are a power user on the go. While the battery life on the Bold 9930 / 9900 and Torch 9850 / 9860 doesn't quite stack up to previous devices, you don't have to be left in the dark. Add this charger to your daily routine and you'll always have a spare battery on the go. You can even grab an extra extra battery and stay up and running even longer.
To win a BlackBerry J-Series Extra Battery Charger Bundle of your own, just leave a single comment on this post letting us know how this bundle will help you day to day. Contest ends this Sunday at midnight PST.
Monday, September 12, 2011
OtterBox Defender Series Case for the BlackBerry Bold 9930 / 9900 Hands-On Video
When you think protection for your BlackBerry, you instantly think of OtterBox. Their cases are available for nearly all BlackBerry smartphones, and with plenty to choose from in their line of Impact, Commuter and Defender cases, there is something for everyone. The OtterBox Defender Case for the BlackBerry Bold 9930 and Bold 9900 is the latest for the new BlackBerry 7 device. The defender combines three layers of protection to keep your device save and sound from everything from daily bumps to drops on the pavement.
There are plenty of case options available for the BlackBerry Bold 9930 and Bold 9900, but if you want to get the most protection for your device, the OtterBox defender is really a no brainer. It fully surrounds your device leaving access to all ports, and the included clip-on holster makes carrying a breeze.
I have to say I'm a big fan of this case as I know my Bold 9900 won't get a scratch on it while I'm using it. The keyboard is left exposed, but the rest of the device is secured by multiple layers to give you peace of mind. If you work (or play) in a tough industry where you need to be sure your BlackBerry is protected, there is no better way to go than with the OtterBox Defender Series Case for the BlackBerry Bold 9930 / Bold 9900.
You can purchase the OtterBox Defender Series Case for just $47.95 at ShopCrackBerry.com. Be sure to watch the video above for a more in-depth look at this case.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
BlackBerry Bold 9900 lands in South Africa via Vodacom
The highly anticipated BlackBerry Bold 9900 was today launched by RIM and Vodacom in South Africa. The Bold 9900 with its slim design and smooth keyboard lands on Vodacom and their 43 million customer base. Zunaid Dinath, Vodacom's Managing Executive of Sales said:
"We are excited to bring the first BlackBerry 7-based smartphone to our customers in South Africa with the BlackBerry Bold 9900. We believe our customers will enjoy the smooth and integrated communications experience, responsive interface, stylish finish and blazingly quick performance found in this premium smartphone."
The Bold 9900 will be available on two tariffs starting from R449/month, includes BlackBerry 100 BIS and is a 24 month contract. If ordered online there are savings to be made too.
Read the full Press Release
For more information or to purchase the Bold 9900 on Vodacom
Replacement Battery for BlackBerry Bold 9930 / 9900 and Torch 9860 / 9850
Hopefully thanks to our Ten Tips and Tricks to Extend Your BlackBerry's Battery Life article you're finding yourself able to get through the day on your new BlackBerry Bold 9930/9900 or Torch 9850/9860 with juice to spare.
If you're not finding that to be doable, you basically have two alternatives: re-charge part way through the day, or swap in a spare replacement battery. And as you might guess from the topic of this article, here we're talking about the latter, which is necessary if you're an always on the go type person.
The BlackBerry J-M1 battery is the standard battery that ships in the new BlackBerry Bold 9930/9900 and Torch 9850/9860. It's a super slim battery, allowing the new Bold to acheive the status of thinnest BlackBerry to date. That thinness comes with a cost though. Compared to the 1500mAH battery in the previous generation BlackBerry Bold 9780/9700, this battery clocks in at 1230mAH, which immediately means that all things being equal, you have 18% less power to work with.
The BlackBerry JM-1 Battery has a list price of $49.99, but you can get it for less at ShopCrackBerry.com. We're even giving away a chance for you to win one for free JM-1 battery (details below). Keep reading for more photos and info on this battery.
I'm obviously a BlackBerry power user and need to stay up and running all day, every day. Having an extra battery with me, especially when I'm traveling and tend to use my phone even more, makes that much easier and I don't have to worry about my device dying when I need it most. For the price it's really worth it to me to be able to stay charged that much longer and not have to search for somewhere to plug my device in.
Want a chance to win a replacement battery for your BlackBerry Bold 9930/9900 or Torch 9850/9860? All you need to do is leave a comment to this blog post with your review feedback or letting us know how an extra battery would help you stay charged. Contest entry closes Sunday, September 11th at midnight PT. Please leave only one comment.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
BlackBerry Leather Holster for the BlackBerry Bold 9930 / 9900 Review
Depending where in the world you live and what carrier you're buying your new Bold from, the BlackBerry Bold 9930 / 9900 Leather Holster may come in the box along with your phone for free. That's not a bad deal, considering it has a list price of $39.99. And if you didn't get one in the box and want one, you can buy one separately.
In the year 2011 it seems people have pretty mixed feelings from a fashion standpoint about wearing your phone on your hip. I for one typically don't give a rats butt about what other people think, so if I'm looking for a carrying solution that provides the ultimate accessibility to my phone then the holster is the way to go. And as far as holsters go, this Leather Holster is well designed and well constructed.
There is a ton of attention to detail put into this holster. The LED notifier is still visible with a phone inserted, and the headset jack is also visible. The angular-styled flap flips down perfectly to magnetically latch the phone securely into the holster and the case (angle flaps are cooler than straigh cut flaps, don't you think?!). The holster includes a sleeper magnet to put your phone into standby mode automatically and trigger in-holster sound profile settings, and the stitching on this model seems better than on past BlackBerry holsters - it should stand up to some abuse. The fit of the phone is pretty snug, so if you want to use a skin on your Bold and holster it, you'll want to look into other solutions (see our tip about using a Hard Shell or Soft Shell case for the Bold 9930/9900 with a Bold 9000 holster). On the less positive side, we've been seeing many reports about faster battery drain when using this holster with the Bold 9930/9900, which is something to be aware of.
The BlackBerry Bold 9930/9900 Leather Holster has a list price of $39.99, but you can get it for less at ShopCrackBerry.com. We're even giving away a chance for you to win one for free (details below). Keep reading for a video, more photos and more important details surrounding this case.
I've always been a big fan of holsters - while I like to mix up the cases I use I always find that a holstered BlackBerry feels like returning home. Considering the BlackBerry OS was designed to work with a holster in that it has separate sound/notification profiles triggered by being put into the holster, you get the impression that this is the BlackBerry carrying experience as RIM intended it to be from the birth of BlackBerry.
A note about battery life reports with this holster: With a downsized battery and a bigger display and faster processor than previous generation Bold devices, depending on conditions and usage the Bold 9930/Bold 9900's battery can get eaten up pretty quick (see this post for tips on getting the most life out of your Bold 9930/9900's battery life). One oddity that has been reported enough times that it's worth mentioning here is that some users have noticed the battery can appear to drain quicker than normal while using this holster. It's an odd thing to hear, as these holsters, with their sleeper functionality, should help improve battery life, but it does seem to be a frequently reported issue so is something to consider. Whether it's a software bug that will be addressed in an OS update or a hardware thing or is just a non-related weird observation at this point, we're not quite sure. I do have my own theory on it. With the Bold 9930/9900 being the first BlackBerry to feature a stainless steel metal band around the phone, I have the feeling that all things equal the radios in the 9930/9900 have to work a little bit harder in order to maintain signal strength (as compared to a BlackBerry with an all-plastic casing). It could be that if you holster the phone in a leather case like this and are in a lower coverage area, that in order to maintain enough signal strength for adequate network connectivity that the radio REALLY has to crank up its power which eats through the battery. Again, it's a theory, and not reported by all users, but it's one to keep in mind. We'll report more on this as we learn more. Luckily, there are a ton of case options available for the new Bold if you want to avoid this holster.
Overall though, the BlackBerry Leather Holster for the Bold 9930/9900 itself really is a well built, good looking holster.
Learn More / Purchase the BlackBerry Leather Holster for the Bold 9930 / 9900
Want a chance to win a Leather Holster for your BlackBerry Bold 9930 or 9900? All you need to do is leave a comment to this blog post with your review feedback or letting us know what color you'd like and why you want one. Contest entry closes Sunday, September 11th at midnight PT. Please leave only one comment.
Saturday, September 3, 2011
BlackBerry Hard Shell Case for the BlackBerry Bold 9930 / 9900 Review
Following up my BlackBerry Soft Shell Case Review, I switched it up to the BlackBerry Hard Shell Case for the Bold 9930 / 9900. It's available in two color options - black or white. In this review I take a look at the black version, but I'll be sure to do up another photoshoot for the white one when I get my hands on it as it's looking pretty hawt!
Like the Soft Shell case, the Hard Shell case was designed with tight tolerances and fits the phone perfectly, making you almost forget that there's even a case on the phone. If not for the cut outs for the headset jack, microUSB port and camera, you might not even know there was a case on it. The Bold 9900/9930 is so thin to begin with, even with a case it doesn't feel big. On a few occassions now I've handed my 9900 over to friends to check out. After letting them play with it a for a few minutes with case on, they were actually shocked when I then grabbed the phone back, took the case off, and handed them the phone back naked. That says a lot.
Overall both the Hard Shell and Soft Shell cases deliver very similar experiences. The Hard Shell case features a hard plastic back, featuring a bit of a dotted grid pattern that looks nice, and it also gets the chromed BlackBerry logo like the actual phone has. It's definitely tougher than the Soft Shell case when protecting against bumps and drops. The soft touch rubber around the perimeter of the case is grippy and makes the buttons easy to use. Getting the phone in and out of the case isn't difficult, which is a good thing as if you also own a BlackBerry Charging Pod you'll have to remove the phone from the case. And if you're looking to use the incased Bold with a holster, while it will not fit the 9900 holster it will fit into the original leather holster from the Bold 9000 (see this post for more details).
The BlackBerry Bold 9930/9900 Hard Shell case has a list price of $29.99, but you can get it for less at ShopCrackBerry.com. With such high demand for Bold 9930/9900 cases it's been hard to keep inventory in stock, but you can still order now for first crack at the new shipments and we're even giving away a chance for you to win one for free (details below). Keep reading for a video, more photos and details surrounding this awesome case.
Overall I'm really happy with the design and quality of all the new BlackBerry brand cases for the Bold 9930 and Bold 9900, and the Hard Shell case is no exception. It looks good, it feels good, it protects the device. With my Bold 9900 in the Hard Shell case, I don't panic about scratches when putting the phone down on the table. And with the case on, the phone is still thin and comfortable for slding into my front jeans pocket. Overall, I give the BlackBerry Hard Shell case TWO CrackBerry Thumbs Up! As for which I prefer more between the Hard Shell and Soft Shell cases... honestly, I'm not sure. You can't go wrong with either.
Learn More / Purchase the BlackBerry Hard Shell Case for the Bold 9930 / 9900
Want a chance to win a Hard Shell Case for your BlackBerry Bold 9900? All you need to do is leave a comment to this blog post with your review feedback or letting us know what color you'd like and why you want one. Contest entry closes Sunday, September 11th at midnight PT. Please leave only one comment.