According to comments on various messageboards, BlackBerry data is either out or patchy at least in the States and Canada, with users unable to access BlackBerry services—but not necessarily third-party software like Opera Mini or Google Maps, although some, like Facebook, use BIS and are thus having problems. It's not carrier-specific, with problems being reported on Verizon, T-Mobile, Telus and Rogers, but it's also not universally down like the Great Sidekick Outage of 2009—some users are reporting no problems at all, while others are completely unable to access data. We'll keep you updated, but in turn, why don't you keep us updated: Any BlackBerry users out there having data problems? [Boy Genius Report]

On Tuesday, some T-Mobile customers may have experienced service disruptions impacting voice and messaging services. We restored full service to all affected customers later in the day. After investigating the cause, we have determined that a backend system software error had generated abnormal congestion on the network. T-Mobile has since implemented additional measures to help prevent this from happening in the future. We again apologize to those customers who were affected and may have been inconvenienced.

Basically, everything should be back to normal, but if you're still experiencing service issues outside of the ordinary, please let us know in the comments.

As Twitter and forums are filled with annoyance over the issue, T-Mobile is assuring us that they are aware of the problem and working on it:

T-Mobile customers may be experiencing service disruptions impacting voice and data. Our rapid response teams have been mobilized to restore service as quickly as possible. We will provide updates as more information is available.

We're waiting on further information from T-Mobile and will update as we learn more.

Update 1: Several commenters are reporting that both incoming and outgoing calls are working if routed through Google Voice.

Update 2: Many reports that T-Mobile @Home is out as well.

Update 3: We got a note from a T-Mobile spokesperson:

We're making good progress restoring voice and messaging service to affected customers. At this time, approximately 5 percent of T-Mobile customers are experiencing service disruptions. Issues began at approximately 5:30 p.m. Eastern time. Our rapid response team is working continuously to fully resolve this disruption. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience that this has caused our customers

Update 4: The latest word from T-Mobile:

We continue to work on restoring full services for the small percentage of affected Customers. Please stay tuned for the latest updates. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience that this has caused our customers.

Update 5: T-Mobile says the fix is in, but the cause is still a mystery:

T-Mobile confirms it has fully restored voice and text/picture messaging services for customers affected by intermittent service disruptions on Tuesday. About five percent of our customers across various geographies were affected for much of Tuesday evening, and by late Tuesday PST their service was restored. Our sole focus has been restoring full services for all customers; we are now investigating the root cause of the incident. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience that this has caused our customers.

An apologetic Press Secretary Robert Gibbs told reporters at 1:30 pm press briefing that the server meltdown was responsible for the delay in responding to their e-mailed questions. But late Monday, nearly six hours since the server first went haywire, staffers still can’t use their official e-mail addresses — and a press aide could not tell CNN when the press office might be able to start sending and receiving messages again.

Looks like the first thing the President's office should do is to upgrade all the White House computer systems so at least they don't have to depend on the telegraph or, God forbid, the fax. [Political]

Xbox Live will be offline, and you won't even be able to bitch about it because the official Xbox forums will be down as well. Be-masked Xbox spokesperson Major Nelson confirms that there will be no updates whatsoever to the service, especially not the Xbox Experience update due this fall, so quit bugging him about it. Zune, for its part, will lose Zune Social, the Zune Marketplace and the Zune.net forums, again with absolutely no new features when the service is back up and running. So, commenters, how are you going to deal with what I've just decided to name the Great Microsoft Service Outage of 2008? Read a book? Go to work? Not care because you've never even seen a Zune in real life? [Xbox Live's Major Nelson and Zune Insider]

At the hacking convention DefCon, security firm Tipping Point gave a presentation outlining various SCADA vulnerabilities, and others in the know are claiming that these vulnerabilities are leading to major electronic extortion of utility companies, to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars.

Meanwhile, the CIA is questioning whether or not SCADA is the vulnerability in question.

I'm just hoping that said hackers live next door to me, and that therefore my power is safe and sound. [forbes]

Update: Looks like customers in the Northeast had "difficulty accessing and using the EDGE network" starting around 4:30 a.m.. The problem was due to one of AT&T's vendor's routers, and seems to be fixed now. It had nothing to do with the iPhone, so everyone can relax.

R.I.M. Offers a Reason for BlackBerry Failure [NYTimes]

Image courtesy Abovethelaw

So expect delays as RIM sends out your messages in batches so the whole system doesn't collapse again. Which means you should probably get on GMail or something else to get your emailing done. Fun. – Jason Chen

Exclusive: Massive System Failure Affects Blackberry Users [WNBC]