LEAKED: BLACKBERRY STORM2 REFRESH CANCELLED

According to sources for BBLeaks RIM has killed the refresh of the 3.7-inch Storm2 refresh.

Thank you for your hard work and diligence in preparing your application to support the upcoming hardware refresh of the BlackBerry Storm2 smartphone (model number 9570, codename R027). Regrettably, RIM has decided not to pursue this device further and has ended the program.
However, rest assured that you will have the opportunity to leverage the work you've put in thus far in preparing for the new OS, as BlackBerry 6 will be making its way to more Verizon products in the near future, including the BlackBerry Bold 9650 and the BlackBerry Curve 9330.


This may actually be good news.  The original Storm and Storm2 are both lousy devices.  Maybe RIM will go back to drawing board and do a total redesign of both hardware and software, possibly using the OS in the upcoming Playbook. [Gizmodo]

RUMOR: NEW BLACKBERRY STORM 3

A new photo has cropped up that is being identified as the Blackberry Storm 3.  It appears to have a 3.7 inch screen and is doing away with touchscreen only.  In the photo there is a track pad, much like what RIM has been equipping their latest Blackberries with.  It is rumored to have 8GB of internal memory and WiFi.  No word on any other details such as processor. [Gizmodo]

VERIZON ANNOUNCES PREPAID DATA PLANS

Verizon Wireless has finally hopped on the bandwagon and has officially announced prepaid data plans.  Verizon  announced it is "expanding its portfolio of prepaid offerings to include a new 3G Prepaid data package that lets customers access unlimited data on select 3G Smartphones and Multimedia phones for $30 monthly access.”

The official list of smartphones Verizon's new prepaid plans will be available for are:

• Blackberry 
• Curve 8330 & 8530
• Storm 9530
• Storm2 9550
• Tour 9630
• Bold 9650
• Palm
• Pre Plus
• Pixi Plus
• Motorola
• DROID
• DEVOUR
• DROID X
• DROID 2
• HTC
• DROID Eris
• DROID Incredible
• LG Ally

The prepaid service will be available online and in stores beginning September 28th