Top 5 Themes to Refresh Your BlackBerry

With all the news about the new 9700 or 8530, some BlackBerry users out there might feel a little discouraged because you’ve still got another year or two left on your contract before you can take advantage of the full subsidized pricing. Not to worry, we’ve got you covered. You can easily freshen up any older BlackBerry with a new paintjob courtesy of the theme settings on your phone!

If you need some help downloading and installing themes, I recommend you check out the tutorial on SimpleHelp.net as it’s pretty simple and comprehensive or you can check out the video below and learn from an eight-year-old. Once you’ve got the theme on the device, just go to" Options" on the Applications page and choose “Themes.” One thing to note: Any applications you may have moved to different folders or hidden in the Applications page will automatically move out of the folders when you choose a new theme and default back to the Applications page. While it can be a pain to have to redo everything, you can make it work to your benefit by creating custom button layouts or separate themes for business and personal use.

HTC Dash 3G and Touch Pro 2 to get Windows Mobile 6.5

Good news for all of you T-Mobile customers totin’ an HTC Dash 3G or Touch Pro 2. Phone Arena got a tip from a reliable source that T-Mobile will release a Windows Mobile 6.5 update for the two devices on Jan. 6. The reliable source was pretty skimpy with the details, so we aren’t clear on how the carrier will go about getting the update to its customers - but we say it’s better late than never! Everyone can appreciate an upgrade.

Sprint Android devices to get Android 2.0 in first half of 2010

We all know HTC has stated that it is preparing its Sense UI for Android 2.0, and naturally we’re all crossing our fingers for a January update. Well, Sprint let us know via Twitter that Android 2.0 will come to its HTC Hero and Samsung Moment devices in the first half of 2010. Geez, you really narrowed it down for us there guys! Samsung hasn’t laid any user interface over its Android platforms, so we’re not quite sure what the hold up is. Although Android 2.0 is a relatively minor update, it offers a handful of aesthetic and performance changes. Let’s hope the update comes out before June before we die of DROID envy.

T-Mobile's Android Market Billing Support Rollling Out

Back in November T-Mobile confirmed that Android market carrier billing support would be available “soon.” Today T-Mobile announced that its Android users should notice their Android Market application update itself with the new “Bill My T-Mobile Account” payment option. Word has it T-Mobile will take until Dec. 30 to roll out the update to all of its Android users, so some of you might have to wait a couple weeks to charge your T-Mobile account. Another great aspect of this update is that if a user decides they don’t like an application, there is a 24-hour window from the time purchased in which they may uninstall the application without being charged. Let’s all lift our egg-nog’s for a great big cheers! Don’t forget, Privus Mobile’s wonderful Mobile Caller ID application is also available in the Android Market. If you’re not familiar with Privus Mobile then take a gander!

Nokia will close Flagship U.S. stores in early 2010

Today, Nokia confirmed reports stating it will close its New York and Chicago stores, in addition to the manufacturer’s UK store in London. This may come as upsetting news to some Nokia fans, especially those who frequent or even had a chance to see either U.S. stores. Nokia opened its U.S. flagship locations in 2006 to in an effort to expose U.S. consumers to the Nokia brand with an innovative concept store. The manufacturer went on to say, “The decision to close the two Nokia Flagship Stores in the U.S. was made to create clear alignment with our local market strategy and in addition, as part of a global realignment of Nokia’s retail strategy.”

I hope this realignment of its retail strategy includes aggressively targeting U.S. carriers. Since Nokia lacks carrier support for the majority of its smartphone handsets, U.S. customers are left to pay an arm-and-a-leg to get the devices. With the relative stateside success of the manufacturer’s E71, and recent claims of a revamped Symbian S60 OS and movement towards Maemo, it sounds like Nokia has a lot of potential to gain some ground in the U.S. market in 2010. Let’s hope the closing of these stores is a step towards that, instead of a sign of Nokia’s dwindling market share. Check out the full statement below:

The Flagship stores, opened in 2006 in the U.S., were conceived to inspire and educate consumers to the benefits of mobility through an innovative retail experience, and broaden the appeal of the Nokia brand.

The decision to close the two Nokia Flagship Stores in the U.S., located in New York City and Chicago, was made to create clear alignment with our local market strategy and in addition, as part of a global realignment of Nokia’s retail strategy.

Nokia remains committed to providing the best consumer and retail experience around the world – the Flagship Stores are only part of Nokia’s retail experience and marketplace strategy. Nokia’s retail strategy includes retail and operator partners and their more than 600,000 retail outlets globally. All of these customer outlets will remain essential to Nokia’s ongoing success and continue to be a primary sales channels in the future.

[Source: Engadget, Nokia Experts]

HTC Bravo and HTC Passion/Dragon news

Every time a new roadmap leaks we know it’s time to play the “name game” by cross referencing already rumored devices with those listed on the manufacturer’s roadmap – a feat that can prove quite confusing. The 2010 HTC product map leaked yesterday, and today some pretty crisp images of the Android-running, Snapdragon-powered HTC Bravo spread through the blogosphere like wild fire. Many have speculated the HTC Bravo is the European GSM version of the already-leaked HTC Dragon/Passion which was expected to hit Verizon sometime this month. According to Boy Genius, the HTC Passion is now slated to hit the Verizon in Jan. 2010, while Europeans will enjoy a GSM version in the form of Bravo in April on T-Mobile Europe.

In addition to the lust-worthy 1GHz Snapdragon processor, the Bravo is speculated to have 720p recording capabilities with a 5 megapixel autoflash camera, DivX support and a oh-so-beautiful 3.7 inch AMOLED (my favorite six letters for any screen) capacitive touchscreen. You can check out scans of the roadmap details including performance and designs on Engadget.

Of course, this T-Mobile speculation is based on the wording on the original 2010 leak made famous by Engadget a couple days ago so whether or not we’ll actually see the carrier getting the Bravo is still a little questionable. What will happen next in the tale that is the HTC roadmap? Only time will tell! Stay tuned to find out!

HP iPAQ Glisten available online at AT&T

If you’re a business professional looking for a new smartphone device that will make on-the-go emailing and messaging a breeze, the new HP iPAQ Glisten should make your ears perk up. This Windows Mobile 6.5 device is now available via AT&T’s online store, and comes equipped with a 2.5-inch AMOLED touchscreen as well as a solid QWERTY keyboard. The Glisten is a pretty bare bones device -- nothing fancy or flashy but solid nonetheless. Plus, if you install Privus Mobile you can screen any unsolicited phone calls, which is always a plus! The device can be yours for $179.99 with standard 2-year contract and mail-in-rebate. Check out the unboxing video below for more details.

Verizon Android devices going BOGO

The rocky economic climate has caused retailers to launch some pretty sweet holiday specials, and it looks as if mobile retailers are not different. Starting tomorrow, Verizon will launch one of its famous BOGO sales - but this time the offer will involve the carrier's latest Android offering, the HTC's Droid Eris. If you buy one Motorola DROID or HTC Droid Eris, you'll get an HTC Droid Eris free. This offer will run until Monday, Dec. 8. What couple wouldn't want complimenting Androids for Christmas?

[source: Boy Genius Report]

Samsung Omnia II now available at Verizon Wireless

Calling all Windows Mobile lovers! As previously reported, the Samsung Omnia II and its purdy, view-me-from-all-sides AMOLED touchscreen hit Verizon Wireless stores today. The Windows Mobile 6.5 device is pretty solid, running with 8GB of internal memory, a 5-megapixel camera, TouchWiz UI, WiFi and widgets galore. The Omnia II also sports the new text entry method dubbed Swype – you can watch a video of Swype in action here. No more tippy-tapping away on that resistive touchscreen! With Swype you can essentially play connect the dots (or letters in this case) to enter words into a text box. You’ve also got access to Samsung’s all new Widget store just in case the included widgets aren’t doing it for you. Has anyone had the chance to play around with this yet? Let us know your thoughts!

Rumor Mill: Verizon to snag yet another Android device, the Samsung Behold II

The Bold II was made available Nov. 15 on the nation’s fourth largest network, T-Mobile. If you’ve had your eye on this device but aren’t crazy about the idea of switching over to T-Mobile, you might just be in luck. It looks as if Samsung accidentally announced the device’s arrival on the “nation’s largest 3G network”, Verizon Wireless, via its own product Web site. Take a look for yourself below! The TouchWiz UI running device it pretty standard as far as Android devices go, but solid none-the-less. Since Samsung let the cat out of the bag it’s only a matter of time before Verizon comes forward with an official statement. T-Mobile is currently offering the device for $229, but hopefully Verizon would price the device at $199 if not lower.