Yellow" adds White pages to popular iPhone app

iPhone users can now search for both business and residential listings from a single source with the second release of Yellow’s popular iPhone app.The key improvement in version 1.1 is that White pages® residential information is now also available, which means iPhone users can find friends and family, as well as businesses.Yellow’s new Digital Media Director Peter Crowe says the addition of White pages residential listings was the logical next step in the ongoing development of the app.“The White pages website is consistently one of the country’s most popular, so adding residential search to the app is a priority for us.“iPhones and other smart phones provide the ideal platform for Yellow because they can present our content at the touch of a button and overlay location details, no matter where you happen to be.”Mr Crowe says Yellow is increasingly looking to the online and mobile spaces as part of its digital growth strategy.“The way people are consuming media is changing rapidly. We’re very much living in a digital world and our aim is to ensure our key asset - our content - is available to people where they want it, when they want it and how they want it.”The Yellow iPhone app provides location awareness via the iPhone’s built in GPS, mapping and directions capability, and the ability to save businesses and people to your contacts and email search results to others.Features of the new release include:· Free to download· Search both business and residential listings· Set your own search radius when finding a business – as refined or broad as you want· Maps with normal and satellite view· Simple click to call· Driving and walking directions· Choose the number of business search results per page· Save your favourite business searches - and see the most popular ones· Save businesses and friends / family to your iPhone contacts· Share listings via emailExisting Yellow iPhone app users will be automatically prompted to download the new release from iTunes.EndsAbout YellowYellow was formed in 1988 and publishes the print, online and mobile directories for Yellow, as well as the White pages® and the Yellow Local™. Formerly part of Telecom New Zealand, Yellow owns the 018® directory assistance service, a majority stake in 50s-plus website grownups.co.nz, and publishes the Retirement guide™, Yellow frontdoor™ and New Zealand Tourism Guide™, an award-winning online tourism directory. Yellow aims to help New Zealanders complete their missions and get the job done™.For more information please visit http://www.yellow.co.nz/

Rumored Lavender Verizon BlackBerry 8530 Spotted in Light Purple Garb

It was, gosh, way back in August when Simon reported on this one. He spotted the BlackBerry 8530 in Verizon (NYSE: VZ)’s internal systems, and noted that it looked like a Lavender color option was in the works.

Today, while doing my usual morning rounds, I noticed a pic of said device, and I’ve included it for you above. Nothing game changing here, but it is at the very least good to see the Verizon branding at the bottom… Rumor has it the 8530 (in black and lavender, aka ‘violet’) is going live on Verizon November 20th… Wait… that’s tomorrow! Hold on tight and let’s see what we get!

Verizon BlackBerry Curve 8530 Now Available in Black and ‘Smoky Violet’

Verizon (NYSE: VZ) customers, the BlackBerry Curve 8530 is now available for your consumption. Available in both Black and ‘Smoky Violet‘ (ooooh, sounds so sultry), the Curve 8530 will set you back $99.99 on a 2-year contract after a $100 online discount. This CDMA Curve packs WiFi, Bluetooth, OpenGL ES support (3D gaming here we come..), VZ Navigator, a 2MP camera, music player and more… If your previous gen Berry has had enough, this one could be worth a look.

For more information hit up VerizonWireless.com, or head on over to your local store for the skinny.

OtterBox Launches New Lineup of Cases for the BlackBerry Storm2

Are you the proud owner of a new BlackBerry Storm2, and are looking for a way to protect your investment? OtterBox to the rescue! The good folks at OtterBox have just released 3 new cases for the Storm2, and each provides the level of protection you’ve come to expect from the ruggedized case company.

The first option is the BlackBerry Storm2 Impact Case. Available for $19.95, consider this the ‘entry level’ OtterBox case for the Storm2, although…. there’s nothing really entry level about it! Official description:

The OtterBox Impact Series for BlackBerry (NSDQ: RIMM) Storm2 is a skin that truly protects. Two separate thicknesses of silicone and inner coring on the corners provide a skin that is thin, yet protective in the spots your need it. All buttons, ports and functions are accessible right through the case, and the inner coring on the corners are designed to dissipate impact AWAY from your device. This case also has an ergonomic design that your hands will love to be wrapped around!

Next we move on to the BlackBerry Storm2 Commuter Case. This one combines the best of the Impact case, with the best of the Defender case (which I’ll tell you about shortly). Running a little more expensive at $34.95, here are the details:

The OtterBox Commuter Series case for the BlackBerry Storm2 offers the best of both worlds; incorporating elements from the rugged Defender Series line with the silicone, skin-like Impact Series line to create a slick case designed with your style in mind. It’s protection without the bulk. The exposed silicone corners dissipate impact away from the device for additional bump and shock protection and the smooth outer layer allows the case to easily slide into your pocket or purse. All buttons are fully functional through the case and the audio jack and USB port are accessible through silicone plugs.

Finally, the BlackBerry Storm2 Defender Case is the ultimate in protection. If you’re looking for the ‘biggest and baddest’, this is the case for you. It’ll set you back $49.95, but if you’re prone to dropping, kicking, or button-hook passing your Storm2 throughout the day, this could be your saviour. The sweet low-down:

The OtterBox Defender Series case for the BlackBerry Storm2 smartphone provides the ideal solution for those looking for just the right amount of protection. With three layers of protection you can rest assured that your smartphone will be safe. All features, keys and ports are accessible through the case, providing you with a unique, interactive safeguard. Included with this case is a holster style ratcheting belt clip.

Kudos to OtterBox on their new Storm2 lineup. True, they ARE a little bulky… But if you need that extra level of protection, there’s no other place to turn than OtterBox.

BlackBerry Pearl2 9100 (Striker/Stratus) Makes First Appearance

There have been rumblings for the last couple of months about a next generation BlackBerry (NSDQ: RIMM) Pearl code-named Striker, but in the way of details, we only knew it would have 3G. Well, today the veil has been lifted, and there’s a batch of pictures and a short clip giving us a full hardware tour. In terms of styling, there’s a lot borrowed from the latest BlackBerrys, like the Storm2-style battery door and chrome-finished siding, and the optical trackpad and sharp beveled edge of the Bold 9700, but anyone who used the original 8100 series phones will recognize the similarities immediately. The SureType keys have changed little, except for maybe a little extra rounding, but notably absent is any influence from the Pearl Flip, which featured a completely flush keypad with frets between the rows. Maybe RIM would just like to forget that one, and go with what works, eh? Hardware aside, OS 5.0 is purring like a kitten on there, and Wi-Fi and 3G are both confirmed. Since the home screen is asking for a SIM card, we can only say it’ll be coming to GSM carriers for now. I’m curious what kind of screen resolution it’s packing, but it’s expected to be in the same ballpark as the Bold (HVGA). More specifics are likely on the way, so stick around!

Rogers Drops HTC Dream to $49.99 on 3-Year Contract

Hey all of you Canadian Android-lovers, looking for a good price on a first-gen Android device? How about the Rogers HTC Dream? Sound good? The folks at Canada’s ‘Big Red’ have dropped the price on the HTC Dream (about time) to $49.99 on a 3-year contract. If you don’t mind being locked-in to a device that is already passé, then throw down your Mackenzie King (Canadians will get the reference) and pick one up.

The Rogers (NYSE: RCI) HTC Dream features a 3.2″ touchscreen (320×480), built-in accelerometer, full slide-out QWERTY keyboard, WiFi, GPS, 3.2MP camera with auto focus and video… and much more.

Chinese iPhone users embrace the AppStore

iPhone just recently made its debut in China. Thanks to a three-year deal with China Unicom, Apple (NSDQ: AAPL) has finally managed to bring the iPhone to the world’s largest pool of mobile phone users. With hundreds of millions of wireless subscribers in China, Apple’s got to be raking in iPhone sales, right? Well, yes and no. Yes, the introduction of the iPhone is bringing in some serious revenue, but that money isn’t necessarily coming from iPhone sales. Turns out, the iPhone AppStore is a huge hit in China.

China Unicom reportedly sold just 5,000 iPhones during its first week of sales. China Unicom Chairman Chang Xiobing says he’s satisfied with that number, but in a country that boasts more wireless users than there are people in the US, 5,000 units is a really small number. The silver lining, though, is that the introduction of the Chinese iPhone opened the doors to the AppStore. iPhone users in China have so far generated $1 million in legit iPhone app revenue from the AppStore.

It all makes sense. China Unicom’s iPhone is currently crippled. Apple disabled the WiFi radio on Chinese iPhones to comply with China’s Golden Shield Project. Considering that gray-market iPhones with fully functional WiFi radios are readily available in China, it’s not surprising to hear that China Unicom’s iPhones aren’t blockbuster hits. The flip-side is that there are an estimated 2 million iPhones roaming across China, most of them coming through unofficial channels. All those iPhones are likely driving users to embrace the AppStore. China Unicom also hopes to have a WiFi-capable iPhone available by the end of the year, which could boost AppStore revenue even further.

Still, things may not be all rainbows and happy faces for Apple’s Chinese AppStore revenue. iPhone app piracy is a significant threat to Apple’s bottom line, and could come back to bite Apple. It’s unclear just how much of the $1 million in iPhone app sales came from users looking to download an app with the intention of pirating the software, but it would be interesting to see how China’s pirated app ecosystem compares to the legit AppStore market.