BlackBerry: Z10 Launch was best BlackBerry smartphone launch ever

BlackBerry just sent out a release offering the following statement, "In Canada, yesterday was the best day ever for the first day of a launch of a new BlackBerry smartphone. In fact, it was more than 50% better than any other launch day in our history in Canada,” said Thorsten Heins, President & CEO of BlackBerry. “In the UK, we have seen close to three times our best performance ever for the first week of sales for a BlackBerry smartphone.” No actual figures or numbers were released but this indicates a fresh start for the new BlackBerry 10 OS.

We're still waiting for factual sales and activation figures from BlackBerry and their carriers.

Update on Wednesday, February 6, 2013 at 5:25PM by Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

Additonal information from Rogers below

•                    We have sold more BlackBerry smartphones on February 5th 2013 than any other day in Rogers history (Rogers was the first carrier to launch BlackBerry services in 1999).

•                    Rogers BlackBerry experts activated thousands of BlackBerry Z10 smartphones yesterday, and provided customers with in depth training and support. 

•                    Some stores have temporarily sold out of the BlackBerry Z10 and additional inventory has been shipped to Rogers retail locations across Canada.

Belkin launching its own iPad mini keyboard case

Let the iPad mini slim keyboard-case wars begin! After Logitech announced a mini version of its Ultrathin bluetooth keyboard, rival Belkin has dropped its own take at this growing niche in the accessory market. As Belkin's website explains, "the FastFit Keyboard Case for iPad mini is the lightest and thinnest enhancement to your iPad mini experience! It's a case for your iPad mini and it's a comfortable, long-lasting wireless keyboard, allowing for easy typing to update social media, a blog or even texting!. The keyboard's TruType keys are larger than most 7" keyboards, and perform like laptop-type keys, allowing for fast typing with fewer errors than other small keyboards." Pre-orders for the FastFit keyboard case are now open. Pricing is expected to be $79.99.

SlideShow: North American BlackBerry Z10 launch in Toronto

Photos by Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

BlackBerry CEO Thorsten Heins was in Toronto to launch the new BlackBerry Z10 in North America at a Rogers store in downtown Toronto. 20 Rogers customers who pre-ordered the BlackBerry Z10 (even before knowing anything about the new BB10 device) were on hand to be the first customers to sign up for their new devices. Other highlights include the appearance of the white BlackBerry Z10, spotting a BlackBerry 10 van with RIM rims and some of the $35 accessory cases for the Z10.

BlackBerry 10 officially launched in Canada by Thorsten Heins and Rogers' Nadir Mohamed

Text and photos by Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

Rogers and BlackBerry hosted an event on this morning for select Rogers customers that reserved a BlackBerry Z10 on the Rogers Reservation System. February 5^th marks the first day that BlackBerry Z10 devices go on sale in North America.

Click to read more ...