Over the weekend, BlackBerry Apps World updated to version 1.1. This new version of the store has several user-friendly enhancements. The biggest change is improved navigation around the store itself.
Users can easily sort through paid or free applications, as well as a number of new categories, including name, price, rating, date of release, and developer. Another nice feature is that applications can be downloaded and stored on external microSD cards, though they can't be opened and run from the memory cards. Apps will still need to be installed on the internal memory to work.
If you haven't already updated to this new version of Apps World, I highly recommend that you do.
Storm Release Dates
As more and more information leaks about the BlackBerry Storm 2 (9520/9550), one big piece of the puzzle is exactly when the touch-based device from RIM will hit the streets. A new report coming from The BlackBerry Zone suggests that the Storm 2 (9520) will be available from Vodafone in October, with the Storm 2 (9550) streeting with Verizon in November.
This makes sense. The Storm first went on sale just before the holiday sales cycle in 2008. It would be fitting for the sequel to become available at about the same time of year. Will it? RIM hasn't officially said.
User-Facing Camera
User-facing cameras are used for primarily one function on cell phones: video conferencing. This little-used application is certainly feasible, and many phones already come with multiple cameras. To-date, none have been BlackBerries, despite the obvious use for such a feature in the business world. That may change as early as next year.
During a Q&A session that took place with an "anonymous RIM executive," an intriguing answer was given. The exec said, "video conferencing is something that could completely change the mobile landscape and it is something we have been thinking about and working on for quite some time. You will start seeing something early next year."
Unfortunately, we don't know this exec's name, nor even his/her title. It could just be posturing, but given the current state of technology, it's certainly not out of the realm of possibility. This report definitely falls under the take-with-a-grain-of-salt category.
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