The 3G Erdos has a 2.4-inch OLED 320 x 240 display that remains invisible under mirrored glass until you turn it on. It also has Wi-Fi, GPS, stereo Bluetooth, 8GB of internal memory, and a 5 megapixel autofocus camera with Carl Zeiss lens, dual LED flash, and video recording capability.

Too bad it is still a glorified dumb phone. [Cellpassion via Luxury Launches]

LAS VEGAS, April 1, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — CTIA Booth #4544 —
XM (Nasdaq: XMSR), the nation's leading provider of satellite radio with
more than 9 million subscribers, and QuickPlay Media, the leader in mobile
TV and video solutions, today announced that XM Radio Mobile has selected
QuickPlay's OpenVideo(TM) as the first media management platform to make XM
Radio Mobile universally available on select BlackBerry(R) smartphones from
Research In Motion (RIM). The service, which can run across major U.S.
mobile service providers' networks, enables consumers to get 20 exclusive
XM channels of commercial-free music and 24-hour comedy programming for
just $7.99 per month with an option for a complimentary 24-hour trial.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070313/XMLOGO )

The XM Radio Mobile offering provides BlackBerry smartphone users with
unlimited access to a wide selection of the most popular commercial-free
music channels, including XM's 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s decade channels,
20on20 (Top 20 Hits), Ethel (New Alternative Rock), The City (Hip-Hop/R&B
Hits), XMU (Indie Rock), Watercolors (Easy Jazz) and Highway 16 (New
Country Hits). Customers can also listen to XM comedy channels, The Virus
(outrageous uncensored talk) and XM Comedy (uncensored comedy).

"Together with QuickPlay, XM Radio Mobile will provide BlackBerry users
with access to a compelling selection of XM's acclaimed music and comedy
programming virtually anywhere they go," said Vernon Irvin, EVP and Chief
Marketing Officer, XM Satellite Radio. "Today's announcement reinforces
XM's commitment to making our industry-leading content available to
consumers in ways that fit their lifestyles."

All XM channels are easily accessed via a simple user interface with
graphical icons for content genres and channels. While listening to one XM
Radio Mobile channel, users can see the song title, artist and album, as
well as what's currently playing on other XM Radio Mobile channels.
Subscribers can also multi-task as XM Radio Mobile can run in the
background while the user accesses other data applications on their
BlackBerry smartphone.

BlackBerry smartphones supported by the XM Mobile Radio service require
BlackBerry Device Software 4.2 or higher and include the BlackBerry(R) 8800
Series, BlackBerry(R) 8700 Series, BlackBerry(R) Pearl(TM) Series and
BlackBerry(R) Curve(TM) Series smartphones with a BlackBerry data plan on
major U.S. mobile carrier networks. The service, and a complimentary
24-hour trial, is available via a downloadable application that can be
easily accessed by visiting http://www.xmradio.com/bb from the BlackBerry
smartphone's browser, or by texting "XM" to 47201 and clicking on the
download link provided. Subscribers can opt to have their purchase charged
to their credit card or where available billed directly to their service
provider.

"QuickPlay Media is thrilled to partner with XM, the leader in audio
entertainment, to offer BlackBerry smartphone users the ability to easily
discover and enjoy music and comedy from XM Radio Mobile, regardless of
which U.S. service provider they subscribe to," said Wayne Purboo,
president and CEO, QuickPlay Media. "Additionally, we are proud to continue
to expand our portfolio of services for the BlackBerry platform, including
the first audio streaming service for BlackBerry, called QuickPlayer; and
the first free video streaming service for BlackBerry, called
VideoStreams."

[PRNewswire]

The Catch: Expect the 9800 GX2's 1GB frame buffer, two 65nm GPUs and 256 Stream processors to make this one seriously expensive graphics card. [[H] Enthusiast]

First Wi-Fi-Enabled BlackBerry Cleared By The FCC [Information Week]

Google's just added GPS capability to its Google Maps, which uses the GPS receiver in your phone to plot where you are now. Very useful when you're on a business trip in the bell-end of Florida and can't figure out where the hell you're going. – Jason Chen

Google Maps Mobile [Google via Uneasy Silence]

However, and despite the fact that Verizon's flavor of 3G doesn't work in Europe, Research In Motion's international agent of mail love managed to impress me in almost every test. Discover the adventures of a pseudo-American CrackBerry-addict werewolf in Madrid (gallery and video included) after the jump.

Verizon shipped the BlackBerry 8830 World Edition and the SIM card separately to Gizmodo's Madrid lair. The test phone came without manuals, so all the setup was done using just my gadget-o-powers and generous amounts of margarita cocktails. The slot for the SIM card is not marked in any way, so after I opened the battery compartment I spent a long time with Ad trying to realize where to slide in the SIM, which was marked "Verizon Wireless" with a small Vodafone band at the bottom. We figured out that it fitted in one of the sides of the phone after almost breaking the internal microSD slot, which is plainly visible next to its right. The SIM fits perfectly, but it just feels like if you are sliding it in a random empty location between the main circuitry and the exterior plastic case.

And that was the only problem. Starting up the phone worked like any other BlackBerry: It recognized the Vodafone Spain GPRS network instantly (unfortunately, 3G access was disabled) and, after setting up mail access to my Gizmodo account, I was sending mail to unsuspecting women in Sweden friends all over the world and receiving replies back with no delays whatsoever.

Access to the Web worked equally well using the built-in browser. Even while it's nothing to write home about, I was able to get into all kinds of pages, including Gizmodo's own Movable Type publishing system. In fact, this post was started using the BlackBerry (it was originally titled "OMG thos wrksd graaat! Myt finghrs are tooi bnig!", but that's another story and too much tequila in the cocktail shaker). The speed was a little better than my old BlackBerry, but rather this wasn't caused by the network speed (which is exactly the same) but because of the better processor in this unit.

After trying data access I called some people both locally in Madrid, in other countries (UK and Sweden) and in the US (New York, Virginia, Los Angeles and San Francisco). All calls worked great, with clear sound every time, no delays and no problems connecting to anyone, independently of the network they were in. And while this is more a sign of good coverage and good network interconnection systems rather than of the 8830's abilities, it's good to be see that things are working so well after past years of echoes, sudden disconnections and problems.

Two of those problems used to be short messaging systems and voicemail. Again, both of them worked great. I sent short messages to our features editor Wilson Rothman in New York, who uses Verizon, and my friend Zac, who uses T-Mobile, and both of them received them in no time. We timed our SMS: To receive messages in my end it took about 3 to 4 seconds, while in theirs it took about 5 to 10 seconds, counting the time it took to the phone to connect to transmit to the network. Multimedia Messaging, however, didn't seem to work at all but I am not surprised about it. Even using two other Vodafone phones between the UK and Spain, MMS will never work for me either. This is a negative point because it means no sex-phone with visual aids not a quick way to send pictures, but then again, you can still get your images and videos using normal email (which is free).

Voicemail worked without a hitch. After setting up the voicemail for the first time. I accessed like usual: just calling my own number, hitting # to access the login, my password and then # again to enter. I got into it in no time and listened to two messages: Wilson saying hi and someone called Sharon telling me that her oven was broken and I had to go and fix it. (Sharon, whoever you are, I don't want anything to do with your oven. OK, so maybe I am curious about it, but a) you are not Swedish and b) you are not my wife).

One important thing to remember about voicemail: When calling the US you must add the + sign (for international calls) and the number 1 (US' international calling prefix) before your number (i.e. +1 ### ### ## ##). This applies to your voicemail as well. Therefore, if you are traveling my advice is for you it to change your voicemail speed dial temporarily adding that prefix.

Clearly, the RIM BlackBerry 8830 World Edition and the Verizon Wireless/Vodafone partnership works great. Extremely easy setup, even doing it abroad, clear calls, access to email, the Web and voicemail, and almost instant short messaging makes the 8830 a winner for anyone who needs the features of a BlackBerry and travels outside the US. The only thing will be the cost: Let's just say that I am oh-just-so-glad that I am not paying the bill for this test. – Jesus Diaz

Our Original 8830 Story with Plan Pricing [Gizmodo]

So today we're giving you a cheat sheet for the updated BlackBerry line. Once upon a time, you just owned one kind of BlackBerry. And so you'd say things like, "I own a BlackBerry," and it was more than enough explanation. But now, their lineup has grown to three models with confusing, overlapping functionality. So what's the deal?

BlackBerry Pearl (8100)
Good For: Push email in your pocket
Bad For: QWERTY lovers
Retail: $499

The BlackBerry Pearl was the first "new" BlackBerry. Shrunk from the holster-sized units of the past, the Pearl can fit in your pocket. And because it's a BlackBerry, you still get full-featured push email. However, due to its smaller form, the QWERTY keys have been shrunk to a double letter SureType format—which is a topic of contention among Pearl users.

The Pearl also introduced the "pearl"—or trackball (see: Centipede) interface to replace the trackwheel. Since its Pearl debut, the trackball has been incorporated into all new units. The Pearl also features a 1.3MP camera and MicroSD for MP3/MP4 etc. media playback (also BlackBerry firsts).

Many of the Pearl's features have since been incorporated into the entire new line, like the trackball and MicroSD media playback. But if you can handle the lack of QWERTY, the Pearl's smaller form is the way to go.

BlackBerry (8800)
Alias: 8830 on Sprint & Verizon
Good For: Straight upgrade of old BlackBerry
Bad For: Those who really want a less business-streamlined product
Retail: $299

The BlackBerry 8800 is the new traditional-style BlackBerry (translation: full QWERTY). Despite the slimmed form factor, the 8800 still wide enough for awkward-pocket land. And just as with the Pearl, the trackball has replaced the scrollwheel and we have MicroSD media playback.

Many users will take advantage of the built-in GPS, which trumps a lot of its smartphone peers and reportedly functions very well. Also, push-to-talk walkie talkie style communication has been added, which is a bonus for those post-meeting sleepovers.

At its simplest definition, the 8800 is the "new BlackBerry". The lack of camera won't bother most businessmen (or women), though the lack of Wi-Fi could be a dealbreaker when coupled with no 3G support. But that's the price of owning any BlackBerry for the time being.

BlackBerry Curve (8300)
Good For: BlackBerry users who want a camera
Bad For: The 8800. Non-AT&T users.
Price: TBA

So if the 8800 is the daddy, and the Pearl is his scrawnier teenage son, what does that make the Curve? Maybe it's the trophy wife who both men find kinda hot. Or maybe it's the dad post-midlife crisis.

The BlackBerry Curve is a sexier version of the 8800. It's the thinnest QWERTY BlackBerry ever, measuring almost an ounce lighter than the 8800 (or nearly 20%). The keyboard is considered more comfortable than the 8800, and a full-sized headphone jack is a nice addition to round it out the experience (no pun intended).

Plus, the Curve features a 2MP camera, which is the most powerful in RIM's lineup even though it still cannot record video. So why would anyone buy the 8800 when the Curve is basically a nicer 8800? GPS. That's it. And for a little more bulk, using the Curve's Bluetooth could remedy the GPS situation. The only catch is that the Curve is only available on AT&T at the moment...well...when it's actually released any day now.

Now go ace the test. – Mark Wilson

Discover Blackberry [Blackberry]

We already told you that the smartphone formerly known as Daytona won't have Wi-Fi, nor any kind of 3G. As a GSM handset, it looks like it's having the same basic troubles that Nokia and others are having trying to build a world phone that runs on US HSDPA. (The 8830, a CDMA phone, had no trouble conforming to EVDO standards.) Give it a year perhaps?

Now we have new facts, or at least new educated guesses, along with some tantalizing rumors.

No Wi-Fi, sure, but now we're hearing that there will be a 2-megapixel camera, unlike the all-business 8800 and 8830. The Curve will also be slimmer than the 8800 series, but will still most likely pack built-in GPS.

As for the name, the reason MobileWhack suggests that the 8300 will be called the Curve is that both blackberry8300.com and blackberrycurve.com are owned by the same entity. MobileWhack said that the two sites were also linked, but when we visited, all we got were white screens of possibility.

Will T-Mobile introduce it on May 7, RIM's Capital Markets Day down in O-Town? Or will Cingular AT&T ship it sometime this "summer"? We don't know. There is also speculation that a Verizon/Sprint Pearl handset may appear on the 7th, but judging from our recent conversation with Verizon Wireless, and the fact that both carriers are really pushing the 8830s, that seems a bit far-fetched. All we can do is wait and wonder and maybe make some calls. – Wilson Rothman

Blackberry 8300 is the Blackberry Curve [MobileWhack]
BlackBerry 8300: What to Expect from RIM's Uber Smartphone [SmartPhoneToday]

Product Page [Via Bargainist]

Unboxing: Cingular BlackBerry 8800 [The Boy Genius Report]

The 9xxx however, will have Cingular's HSDPA 3G, a microSD card slot for backup and restore, a new processor, improved UI, and is scheduled for a Q4 release. Nothing revolutionary that we can see, but should be worth the upgrade if you're a business user and your company's spotting the bill anyway. – Jason Chen

BlackBerry 8800 & 9xxx Series [Boy Genius Report]

Nokia and Lamborghini limited edition 8800 Sirocco phone [newlaunches]

I'm disappointed that BFG didn't crank up the clock speeds to take advantage of the enhanced cooling, but any serious water-cooler is probably capable of doing that on their own. Even at stock speeds, this beast is outperforming every other card on the market, including some dual-card setups from both NVIDIA and rival ATI. – Karson Thompson

BFG 8800GTX WC [Via I4U News]

Available in silver and black, the phone should delight heiresses and people with way too much money everywhere. – Jason Chen

8800 Sirocco Edition [Mobile Burn via Tech Ticker Blog]

Gold Nokia 8800 Available Now [Techeblog]