T-Mobile has surpassed the 25 million customer mark.
And it is due in part to the release of the BlackBerry Pearl.
The article says at the end of 2006 T-Mobile had almost 1.6 million BlackBerry and Sidekick subscribers. Both require a special data package to fully use the device.
This is a big increase over the previous quarter, an increase of almost 211,000 users in the fourth quarter of 2006 vs only 172,000 in the third quarter 2006.
As one of my friends recently discovered T-Mobile has made themselves very friend to those of us who like text messaging and data packages. Generally the monthly cost is less, which can entice customers away from the other providers.
One school district is looking to set up rules around using BlackBerrys and other electronic devices.
The concern is not just annoying ring tones and distracted officials when loved ones send messages.
There is a worry that officials could avoid the public forum to make decisions and simply text or email one another on an issue. And in California that does break the law.
It doesn't appear this has actually happened, but as officials can be, they want to set up rules to prevent the appearance of keeping things out of the public limelight.
Of course my vote would not be for the member who refused to put the BlackBerry on vibrate. That is just common courtesy.
Can you believe that Opera Mini browser has only been around for a year?
Of course Opera Mini has gone through some changes over the past year. Google is no longer the default search engine, Yahoo is. We have even had a beta, and a new version with bells and whistles.
According to Opera Mini's birthday site over 10 million people have tried it. I know I am one of them.
As a BlackBerry user Opera Mini is best at loading the websites that the BlackBerry browser can't, like My Space.
If you have an idea for an original birthday card send it in to Opera. Opera will post the top 5 and the first 1000 entered will get an Opera wrist wrap.
Click on the Read link to check out Opera Mini's birthday page.
I have been asked a few times and come across questions about Slingbox support on BlackBerrys on Pinstack. I just came across a blog that mentions asking about BlackBerry support at CES.
Slingbox advised they are aware of consumer interest, but the blogger could not determine if there was something being tested or not.
What is known is Slingbox is beta testing Palm and Symbian versions. What is up with the lack of BlackBerry love?
Slingbox gives you control of your TV using the internet, either a PC or a mobile phone with its software on it. As it has never supported BlackBerrys I have never tried it.
I came across an article online mentioning that some analysts think the iPhone is not a smartphone.
Instead they call the iPhone a very high end feature phone. This is based mainly on the idea that the iPhone will not support third party applications as the BlackBerry does.
Someone will probably find a way to get some applications on the iPhone regardless, but analysts think the lack of third party applications might hinder the phones sales.
I had a Sidekick with T-Mobile once upon a time, and one of the main reasons I gave it up for a BlackBerry was the lack of third party applications. I love being able to try out games and applications that do a multitude of things, as many others do.
Looks like Verizon subscribers who do not have a text package are going to see text message costs increase.
Starting March 1st a pay as you go text will cost 15 cents, a 5 cent increase.
Cingular, now AT&T, and Sprint have also increased their text message rates from 10 to 15 cents. T-Mobile has left their text message costs alone, still at 10 cents a message.
The idea is to get customers to sign up for a monthly plan of text messages instead of the pay as you go method. Hopefully you already have the message bundle, and have nothing to worry about.
I was finishing out a little web surfing for anything BlackBerry when an usually News story popped up on my radar.
A CBS 2 News story from New York about a gun that looks like a knife. The website has a little video showing the gun. The new woman says they are not aware of the knife gun being used locally.
However at the very end she says authorities are also very worried about a gun disguised as a BlackBerry. Click Read to see the full story.
The only picture I found online was a Stun Gun designed to look like a BlackBerry which was available for sale online.
We might need to think twice next time a stranger pulls out their BlackBerry.
I checked RIM's BlackBerry Help website, mobile.blackberry.com, last night, even browsed over the tunes selection a little. I decided to check it out again this morning and noticed the main page changed.
Basically they updated the main page to warn everyone that due to the change in Daylight Savings Time this year if a patch is not applied to BlackBerry software and third party software, like Windows, the time might be off.
It send you to a page that is meant to be viewed on a PC.
The time is set to change in March instead of April.
Remember my friend who was getting a Pearl? Well he got it Tuesday night.
Having been around me and my BlackBerry madness for a long time he actually drove about half an hour away after getting off work at 10pm to go and pick it up.
So Wednesday he brings it in. He had already downloaded Google Maps, set up profiles, and put pictures of his MyFaves on his Pearl from his PC.
He was asking me how to lock the keys and what memory card I thought he should get.
He is already an admitted BlackBerry addict and he hasn't even had the phone a week. Apparently I know how to pick friends. Or maybe RIM knows how to make an addicting phone.
QuickPlayer for BlackBerry was announced as being available worldwide on Tuesday.
A new update is that QuickPlayer does work on the 8703e now and it did not before.
QuickPlayer is still free to download and try, but it is $7.95 a month to have the full service. It is billed to a credit card, not to your phone bill.
If you haven't checked it out yet, as most 8703e owners probably haven't, check it out. I certainly will be.
BoxWave posted their new Pearl Desktop Charger on Pinstack for everyone to see.
It supports the high speed USB 2.0 for data transfers. The cradle also comes with an AC adapter for another charging option. It also makes it useful when you don't have your PC or laptop with you.
The cradle without the spare battery charger is $32.95 with a $7.00 web special discount.
The cradle with the spare battery charger will set you back $52.95, also with a $7.00 web special savings.
Remember a few weeks back when Pinstacker Ms. Brenda first interviewed a new BlackBerry owner?
Well as it turned out it only took a month to convert a non-BlackBerry user to a BlackBerry addict, or CrackBerry addict to some.
The new BlackBerry addict is looking forward to the upcoming BlackBerry 8800, as so many of us are.
The new user even ordered accessories for the BlackBerry. The list is clear proof of addict status. A car charger, a leather case, LCD screen cleaning kit and a travel charger.
Add to that downloading of themes, tunes, and wallpaper we can be sure there is a CrackBerry addict.
As if all that isn't enough, the new user ran the battery down low and was without a usb cable. Panic attack, like any good BlackBerry owner.
This time it is New York City that will have parking help online, however in New York it is not coming from the city.
Instead of the city telling you what spots are open there is a database of parking garages and which streets are legal to park on during various times. If you know you need to be near a certain place at a certain time you can take a look to see which streets will be safe to park on and start there.
The website also recommends calling ahead to reserve a spot in a close by parking garage.
The service costs about $30 a year and there are about 100 people signed up at www.wheretoparkmanhattan.com. You can access the website from your PC or on you BlackBerry's browser.
Pinstacker N8DBB is reporting massive T-Mobile outages. He says the outages are due to the storm hitting the central US now.
Just for the record, I rarely have had problems with my T-Mobile service and I love them as a provider. Of course I am also located in Florida, so I am very far from the central US and never have to worry about winter storms.
Surfing the web this afternoon and I found the AskMen.com BlackBerry Etiquette. What do they have to say about the subject?
Use an email filter to only get the emails you need to.
Say no to a Bluetooth headset.
Leave the BlackBerry behind, or hide it well when going out.
Don't show it off.
No texts during dinner or anytime you are out with others.
Subtle ringers.
I think I have broken every single rule they have. I use my Bluetooth all the time, I hate getting the screen dirty by holding it up to my face. I am always showing off my BlackBerry, and sending texts any time I can.
What does BlackBerry etiquette say about using the BlackBerry in the bathroom?
T-Mobile has surpassed the 25 million customer mark.
One school district is looking to set up rules around using BlackBerrys and other electronic devices. 
Can you believe that Opera Mini browser has only been around for a year?
I have been asked a few times and come across questions about Slingbox support on BlackBerrys on Pinstack. I just came across a blog that mentions asking about BlackBerry support at CES. 
I came across an article online mentioning that some analysts think the iPhone is not a smartphone.
Looks like Verizon subscribers who do not have a text package are going to see text message costs increase.
I was finishing out a little web surfing for anything BlackBerry when an usually News story popped up on my radar.
I checked RIM's BlackBerry Help website, 
Remember my friend who was getting a Pearl? Well he got it Tuesday night. 
QuickPlayer for BlackBerry was announced as being available worldwide on Tuesday.
Remember a few weeks back when Pinstacker Ms. Brenda first interviewed a new BlackBerry owner?
