Rabu, 29 Juni 2011

BerryReview.com Giving Back to the BlackBerry Community

BerryReview.com Giving Back to the BlackBerry Community

Virgin Mobile BlackBerry Curve 8530 & Broadband2Go Coming to OfficeMax

Posted: 29 Jun 2011 03:17 AM PDT

Virgin BlackBerry

I have been keeping an eye out on Virgin Mobile since they started offering prepaid BlackBerrys and prepaid broadband cards. Ashley let me know about Virgin Mobiles announcement that select OfficeMax stores nationwide will be carrying the BlackBerry Curve 8530 along with the MiFi 2200 mobile hotspot and Ovation MC760 USB modem.

I always thought it was a shame that Virgin Mobile is only offering the older BlackBerry Curve 8530 but that is probably to keep costs  down to $129.99 though it is missing the WebKit browser. Still they have a very sweet BlackBerry Beyond Talk Plan starting at $35/month with unlimited SMS, email, data, and web along with 300 minutes. Their Broadband2Go prepaid plans are also decent with:

  • $10/ 100 MB (10 day expiration)
  • $20/month 500 MB
  • $50/month Unlimited Data (3G speeds up to 2.5GB)

Let us know if you have one of these devices. I have a friend who keeps one as a BlackBerry device when he travels to the US. I am curious what others use them for.

If you liked this article, you might find these interesting:

Posted by Ronen Halevy for ©BerryReview, June 29, 2011, 6:17 am. | Virgin Mobile BlackBerry Curve 8530 & Broadband2Go Coming to OfficeMax | Leave a comment |


Verizon Ups Fee by 3 Cents – Might Get You Out of Your Contract Without an ETF

Posted: 28 Jun 2011 02:41 PM PDT

verizon regulatory change fee2

I always love when carriers do things like this. Verizon Wireless put a "Notice of Change to Regulatory Charge" in this months bill saying they plan on upping the charge to $0.16 from $0.13 per line each month. The Consumerist is always first to jump on these "Material Changes" to your contract as an opportunity to get out of your cellphone contract without paying an Early Termination Fee. When I first heard about this with text messaging charge increases I didn't believe it but since then I have seen quite a few people get away with it.

In short you need to stick to your guns when calling Verizon and stating that this extra 3 cents is a "Materially Adverse" change to your contract. If you want to give it a shot you can read up more about the method and details on the Consumerist. A few of the people I know who did this managed to also keep their number by going through this process and not actually cancelling the line but rather having the retention department note their account that the ETF was waived. Then then ported their number off. No promises but you can try to pull that off and port your number to Google Voice…

PS: The thing that really pisses me off about all these fees from wireless carriers is they try to make it sound like it is some sort of government imposed fee or tax when it really is just the carrier trying to squeeze everybody for more money. Tack that on top of Verizon's horrible new data plan tiers and the world starts looking a bit scary with an AT&T/T-Mobile merger allowing AT&T and Verizon to screw customers left and right.

If you liked this article, you might find these interesting:

Posted by the BerryReview Team for ©BerryReview, June 28, 2011, 5:41 pm. | Verizon Ups Fee by 3 Cents – Might Get You Out of Your Contract Without an ETF | 4 comments |


BlackBerry DevCon Europe & Asia – Cities & Dates Announced

Posted: 28 Jun 2011 02:06 PM PDT

Devcon Asia 2011

RIM held their first DevCon in Asia at the beginning of this year which was successful from what I hear. They announced the new DevCon Europe and the second DevCon Asia at BlackBerry World this year but did not offer dates and locations at that time. They have now followed through with some of those details.

  • DevCon Europe will be held on February 7th & 8th 2012 in Amsterdam at the RAI Convention Centre
  • DevCon Asia will be held in December in Bangkok Thailand with specific dates "coming shortly"

I am guessing by December they mean December 2011 which is just shy of a year from the beginning of this year. They have also moved DevCon Asia from Bali, Indonesia last year which makes me wonder if these will be traveling conferences… Either way RIM has extended their call for papers for both conferences to:

  • Friday July 15th for BlackBerry DEVCON Asia
  • Friday September 16th for DevCon Europe

Registration and pricing details are coming soon so keep an eye out on blackberrydevcon.com

If you liked this article, you might find these interesting:

Posted by the BerryReview Team for ©BerryReview, June 28, 2011, 5:06 pm. | BlackBerry DevCon Europe & Asia – Cities & Dates Announced | One comment |


BlackBerry Torch 2 9810 Simulator Found Online – Newer Than Official Version

Posted: 28 Jun 2011 01:51 PM PDT

blackberry-lineup-review-Torch-2-9810

The march goes on for the upcoming BlackBerry smartphone lineup. The latest glimpse we have is a simulator for the unannounced BlackBerry Torch 9810 AKA the Torch 2. This device fits in the same form factor and the current Torch with some added goodness and a blazing fast 1.2Ghz CPU.

RIM did previously release a simulator for the BlackBerry 9810 but has not confirmed what the model name is. The version they released is running OS 7.0.0.103 while this leak is running 7.0.0.181. If you need to test out apps or want to see features this will probably give you a better baseline to compare to.

Download @ Freakshare

Kudos to CrackBerry and their anonymous source for snagging this updated version.

If you liked this article, you might find these interesting:

Posted by the BerryReview Team for ©BerryReview, June 28, 2011, 4:51 pm. | BlackBerry Torch 2 9810 Simulator Found Online – Newer Than Official Version | One comment |


Unannounced BlackBerry Curve 9360 Lands Leaked OS 7.0.0.182

Posted: 28 Jun 2011 11:53 AM PDT

imageWhile most readers will have no use for it we now have OS 7.0.0.182 for the unannounced BlackBerry Curve 9360 floating about thanks to CrackBerry. Those who do have the device probably already have the OS but its nice to see that RIM is making some serious headway with OS updates. In the past we have seen most RIM devices start launching in the late .100s early .200s with AT&T usually waiting for the late .200s OS builds.

Download @ Freakshare

Warning: This OS will not install on any other BlackBerry besides the one mentioned above and is not an official release.If you do not know how to upgrade your BlackBerry OS please start by reading this step by step guide.Don't forget to delete the vendor.xml file located in c:program files>common files>research in motion>apploader to install it on a different carriers device. Don't forget our usual warnings: do not download and install these updates if you don't know what you're doing. Incorrect procedure or just bad luck could render your BlackBerry inoperative or unstable.

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Posted by the BerryReview Team for ©BerryReview, June 28, 2011, 2:53 pm. | Unannounced BlackBerry Curve 9360 Lands Leaked OS 7.0.0.182 | 2 comments |


Rumor: 10” PlayBook Canceled to Focus on QNX Superphones (SuperBerrys)

Posted: 28 Jun 2011 11:42 AM PDT

Circle of BlackBerry bridgePair

You should take this with a huge grain of salt but if true I am all for RIM making this decision. N4BB is reporting that one of their sources told them the vaguely rumored 10 inch BlackBerry PlayBook prototype project was scrapped for now. That same source said the reasoning for it was to focus on the upcoming BlackBerry QNX powered superphones which will include specs like:

  • Single-core 1.2GHz processor (same as Bold 9900), word has it that the same dual-core processor in PlayBook is a huge battery killer, but a dual-core processor is still a possibility
  • 900+ screen resolution
  • 4.3″ touchscreen

I think the single core processor for these super phones is a possibility but QNX truly shines with multiple cores due to its messaging subsystem for multitasking but who knows. We do know that the current TI 4430 processor in the PlayBook would never work on a phone which is why no other manufacturer has tried. Also the source said the LTE 4G PlayBook is scheduled for October 2011 which is about the same time we are hearing the WiMax Sprint version is scheduled for. While this is a rumor about a rumor I still think RIM should be doing all they can to get these next generation QNX powered phones out the door. They are making great strides with the PlayBook but they have tens of millions of customers waiting to be wowed by the next phone from Waterloo.

RIM's strategy for the upcoming next generation SuperBerrys is starting to all come together with a Java Player to allow for all core BlackBerry Java apps to run on QNX. The native SDK is also coming and RIM is fleshing out the API's for the AIR/Flash and WebWorks SDKs. I can't say much more but obviously QNX has a limited time to spend and as such they should be focusing on getting these SuperBerrys out this year if possible. There was no huge demand for a 10" PlayBook especially since RIM has more critical areas to focus on. I don't recommend they cancel the project but rather wait until the next generation to add more sizes.

If you liked this article, you might find these interesting:

Posted by the BerryReview Team for ©BerryReview, June 28, 2011, 2:42 pm. | Rumor: 10” PlayBook Canceled to Focus on QNX Superphones (SuperBerrys) | 24 comments |


BlackBerry Messenger Social Platform SDK Quietly Updated – Adds WebWorks Support

Posted: 28 Jun 2011 09:51 AM PDT

BBM social SDK

I am sure an announcement is coming shortly but RIM has updated their BlackBerry Messenger Social Platform SDK beta today. This new update also adds support for WebWorks developers which is VERY nice to see. So far the release notes are available in 7 different languages (no English version yet) so let me know if you can translate them. On the other hand they do have the BBM Social Platform guide for WebWorks developers in English.

You can download both from BlackBerry. Let me know if you see it officially drop!

If you liked this article, you might find these interesting:

Posted by the BerryReview Team for ©BerryReview, June 28, 2011, 12:51 pm. | BlackBerry Messenger Social Platform SDK Quietly Updated – Adds WebWorks Support | 3 comments |


ePub Reader for the PlayBook Updated to v1.0.9 With Better Calibre eBook Support

Posted: 28 Jun 2011 08:59 AM PDT

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We mentioned VOS IT Solutions EPUB Reader for the PlayBook earlier this month and we are happy to say it got an update to v1.0.9. Users were complaining about issues with ePub ebook format compatibility and VOS has taken some steps to correct that. The new version 1.0.9 adds better support for Calibre, a free ebook management app, to address some of those concerns.

The change log for v1.0.9 includes:

  • Added Next, Prev and Jump buttons for easier navigation.
  • Added Bookmarks.
  • Better compatibility with Calibre converted books.

You can pick up the update for the $1.99 EPUB Reader for the PlayBook in App World

Thanks toherselfwpg for pointing the update out!

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Posted by Ronen Halevy for ©BerryReview, June 28, 2011, 11:59 am. | ePub Reader for the PlayBook Updated to v1.0.9 With Better Calibre eBook Support | 3 comments |


Facebook for BlackBerry v2.0 Beta 4 Released in Beta Zone

Posted: 28 Jun 2011 08:05 AM PDT

facebook-beta-4-5 facebook-beta-4-1

RIM is continuing with their rapid release schedule for their social app portfolio today. The latest out the door is a new beta for Facebook for BlackBerry Smartphones which is now available in the Beta Zone. This new version contains some very nice refinements including integration with BBM and other apps.

facebook-beta-4-2 facebook-beta-4-4

Here is the change log provided by RIM:

  • Enhanced Notifications – users will now be notified of polled items, such as 'Likes' and Event Wall posts.
  • Cross-Channel Messaging – Deep integration of Facebook with core BlackBerry applications allows users to share Facebook Content across BlackBerry Messaging Applications. An example includes sending News Feed items to other messaging applications, like email, SMS, BBM, Twitter and more.
  • Enhanced Integration with BlackBerry Native Apps – Building on enhanced integration with BlackBerry Native Apps, Facebook v2.0 now includes additional messaging options from the 'More' button within a Profile and from the Friends list.
  • In-App Error Reporting – Users can install the BlackBerry Feedback Tool through the Menu in the Facebook for BlackBerry smartphones app. The BlackBerry Feedback Tool can be used to send feedback on BlackBerry features, functions, and applications at any time and is currently available in English only.
  • Touch Toolbar – BlackBerry smartphone users with a touch screen device will now have Compose, Reply, and Delete icons located along the bottom of the device screen in the Facebook Inbox for quick and easy access to these popular features.

You can pick up this latest release in the Beta Zone at blackberry.com/betazone. You just need to be in one of the allowed Beta Zone countries and be registered. Hopefully RIM will simply release it publicly soon. You can also read more about the features of this release on the RIM Inside BlackBerry Blog.

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Posted by the BerryReview Team for ©BerryReview, June 28, 2011, 11:05 am. | Facebook for BlackBerry v2.0 Beta 4 Released in Beta Zone | 10 comments |


Hangman BlackBerry PlayBook Game

Posted: 28 Jun 2011 08:04 AM PDT

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I have always been a fan of Hangman games since they pass the time quickly and don't demand your full attention. A friend pointed out a new BlackBerry PlayBook game by Dmytro Klyman which brings Hangman to your favorite tablet. The game comes in both regular and "Cemetery" edition but they seem to be the same.

311739 311740

You can pick up Hangman for the BlackBerry PlayBook in App World for $0.99 (alternate Cemetery version)

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Posted by Ronen Halevy for ©BerryReview, June 28, 2011, 11:04 am. | Hangman BlackBerry PlayBook Game | 2 comments |


Telus Adopting More Sensible Early Cancelation Fees – Others to Follow?

Posted: 28 Jun 2011 06:58 AM PDT

ETF Verizon

One of the things that always bothered me about early cancellation fees is that carriers use them as punitive fines though they claim they are to "subsidize phones." Carriers in the US have gotten a bit better at lowering the ETF every month after they got slammed by class action lawsuits. Carriers still claim they need these ETFs to recover the subsidies for devices but they refuse to base the ETF on those devices.

Electronista noticed that Telus up in Canada has changed their ETF policy to follow their sub brand Koodo. From now on you don't pay the flat rate ETF but instead pay off the "device balance." In other words if you bought a $500 device the contract ETF should go down in fractions based on the contract length. While I think carriers will still game the system by claiming the device cost is based on MSRP even if it launched 12 months ago but its still a start.

In my dream world you would have the option of a cheaper monthly plan that does not subsidize devices or a more expensive monthly plan where a portion of it every month would go to paying for the device cost unless you wanted to pay for it fully up front. Something makes me think that dream is a long way off though it might be coming faster with Tablets and LTE/WiMax connected devices. What do you think?

Img Credit: TecheBlog

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Posted by Ronen Halevy for ©BerryReview, June 28, 2011, 9:58 am. | Telus Adopting More Sensible Early Cancelation Fees – Others to Follow? | 5 comments |


AT&T Store Employees 5 Key Behaviors – Good Customer Service?

Posted: 28 Jun 2011 05:58 AM PDT

5keybehaviors    att_cust_rules

I walked into an AT&T store this past weekend to add a new test line and had an interesting experience. I have never really had anything bad to say about AT&T store employees except for a little incompetence but something new happened this time. When I left the store the helpful employee walked me to the door and insisted to open the door for me. He then kindly asked me to submit a 10/10 rating for him on an email survey I would receive shortly and told me "a 10 was the only passing score." (Which I was glad to do)

At first I thought it was a one off thing and maybe this guy was just trying to be smooth. I then happened to read on Business Insider that this was a larger change where "AT&T phone stores the sales people were walking their customers to the front door and thanking them for their purchase." While looking into that I found AT&T employees discussing the new policy where employees are written up by their manager if they don't walk customers to the door. They also mentioned "5 Key Behaviors" which was something I had never heard of before so I did some more digging…

Turns out that AT&T has been kind enough to share their "Our Retail Promise" with the world. Their whole retail employees strategy is available for everybody at ourretailpromise.com/mobi/. The irony is that they put a disclaimer on the bottom saying it is proprietary and for internal use only.

AT&T store 2 AT&T Store

In the spirit of including everybody in the AT&T family here are the 5 Key Behaviors they emphasize:

5keybehaviors The 5 Key Behaviors

All retail employees can make customer interactions personal and memorable by delivering an extraordinary experience to every customer, every time.

  1. Welcome customers to the store with a warm, friendly and genuine greeting.
  2. Use the customer’s name whenever possible.
  3. Give customers your undivided attention.
  4. Maintain a positive attitude with every customer.
  5. Walk customers toward the door, thank them, and give a warm, friendly goodbye.

This is all nice and dandy though AT&T is kind enough to go into further detail on these in their Retail Experience guidelines:

Retail Experience

We follow The AT&T Retail Experience which details the six simple steps of our sales and service process – and throughout the process we apply the 5 Key Behaviors to deliver an extraordinary customer experience that’s smart, friendly and fast.

Greet and Approach

  • Provide a warm, friendly and genuine greeting within seconds of the customer’s arrival.
  • Introduce yourself with a smile and learn the customer’s name.
  • Ask the purpose of the customer’s visit to ensure we provide fast, efficient service.
  • Assure the customer we can assist with their needs and encourage them to interact with our products.

Build Value

  • Connect with the customer by using their name and giving your undivided attention.
  • Be enthusiastic and demonstrate a positive "I can help" attitude.
  • Ask qualifying questions and listen carefully to understand the customer’s needs.
  • If the customer asks for a specific product, find out why and ensure it meets their needs.
  • Maintain eye contact, avoid distractions and confirm understanding of the customer’s needs.

Offer Solutions

  • Offer personalized solutions based on the customer’s needs.
  • Match the right product to each customer, not the product you personally prefer.
  • Adjust your pace and style to the customer’s mood, tone and technical knowledge.
  • Don’t focus only on our products, leverage The AT&T Advantages.
  • If the customer comes in with a problem, own it and do all you can to solve it during their visit.

Gain Agreement

  • Recap the solution you have proposed.
  • Listen and respond clearly to questions and objections.
  • Inform your customer about what you are doing when using tools or when you need to step away.
  • As you complete the transaction, ensure you’ve provided a complete solution.
  • When assisting with a service issue, let the customer know what was done to fix it.

Educate

  • Set up and demonstrate the device so the customer is confident and ready to go.
  • Be sure to set up email, voicemail, social networks and transfer contacts.
  • Show the customer how to navigate their device, access applications and use preferred features.
  • Direct customers to online tutorials for more information.
  • Review the Customer Service Summary to set expectations and avoid unpleasant surprises.
  • Confirm the customer understands and is satisfied with the transaction.

Thank & Depart

  • Verify the customer’s needs were met: "Is there anything else I can help you with today?"
  • Present your business card, invite the customer to call with questions and ask the customer for referrals.
  • Walk the customer toward the door, thank them and give a warm, friendly goodbye.
  • Take advantage of this final opportunity to use the customer’s name – and to make a lasting impression of courtesy and caring.

On the other hand I kind of like AT&T's Retail Promise:

I promise to deliver an extraordinary customer experience by consistently following the steps of The AT&T Retail Experience and applying the 5 Key Behaviors to every customer, every time.

Or better yet the Vision, Brand, & Rules that state the AT&T customer rules:

Our Company Vision – To connect people with their world everywhere they live and work and do it better than anyone else.

Our Brand – Rethink Possible® drives our curious, open, inventive and purposeful brand. It’s an invitation to customers, urging them to rethink their own perceptions of what’s possible.

att_cust_rules The AT&T Customer Rules!

These guiding principles place the customer at the center of all that we do. We make the Rules! real with every customer, every time.

  • Take Ownership and Show We Care – We value our customers, and we let them know it by all we do.
  • Be Responsive and Deliver – We listen to customers and deliver with speed.
  • Do It Right – We deliver with quality the first time, every time.
  • Make It Seamless – AT&T has many parts, but to our customers we are one team.
  • Meet Our Commitments – We communicate, follow through, and work hard to keep our promises.

Check out the full Our Retail Promise site including the videos (use the Android video option) at ourretailpromise.com/mobi/. The first welcome video is one of the creepiest things I have ever seen in awhile but they might be on to something with these five key behaviors. Wireless carriers are starting to loose many of their differentiators and something like solid customer service could help AT&T stick out in the crowd. Something that T-Mobile has been doing for years and will hopefully continue doing if acquired by AT&T.

PS: I found the whole site very enlightening but was annoyed to learn that they support iOS and Android for video but not BlackBerrys for their employees. The irony is that the Android video works just fine on a BlackBerry. I guess RIM should be thinking twice about "protecting their carrier relationship" when the carrier clearly could give a hoot.

If you liked this article, you might find these interesting:

Posted by Ronen Halevy for ©BerryReview, June 28, 2011, 8:58 am. | AT&T Store Employees 5 Key Behaviors – Good Customer Service? | 6 comments |


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