Overheard on CNN.com: 'CrackBerry,' Jelly Bean, Apple get just desserts
Some BlackBerry fans still love them, but recent years have been tough for the once-dominant device.
June 29th, 2012
07:05 PM ET
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Overheard on CNN.com: 'CrackBerry,' Jelly Bean, Apple get just desserts

Editor's note: This post is part of the Overheard on CNN.com series, a regular feature that examines interesting comments and thought-provoking conversations posted by the community.

"Today Blackberry changed its name to Blackbury"
–QthePower 

As readers discussed three popular and whimsically named mobile platforms, their commentary turned mouth-watering. Readers were reacting to a story about decline of the BlackBerry mobile device in a world of iPhones, Androids and Windows 8 phones.

"A blackberry was squished by an apple," said RKW29.

"Apples suck. Jelly Beans Rule," said Another_Fine_Mess, referring to the latest dessert-themed Android update.

From 'CrackBerry' to depressing: The BlackBerry's 5-year fall

One reader noted that the BlackBerry is popular in business settings.

jimbo0117: "People need to keep these kinds of headlines in perspective. The VAST majority of BB's users have always been business users. And for the most part, they still use the BB. BB tried, but never really got a large consumer base. Mainly because their products weren't tailored to the average teen/early 20's user – and they were/are expensive. So it isn't like BB has lost as much, but more like it never gained – just basically stagnated. And for most business watchers, they equate that with decline."

On the other hand, plenty of readers say businesses are warming up to other devices and adding support for people to "BYOD," as in "bring your own device." FULL POST

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Filed under: Android • Apple • Overheard on CNN.com • Technology
June 29th, 2012
07:48 AM ET
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Friday's live events

The candidates for the 2012 presidential election appear to be set in stone.  Watch CNN.com Live for continuing coverage of all the news and views from the campaign trail.

Today's programming highlights...

9:30 am ET - George Zimmerman bond hearing - The Florida man accused of fatally shooting unarmed teen Trayvon Martin is back in court this morning.  He will again ask for bond in his case.

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Filed under: Crime • Elections • On CNN.com today • Politics
June 29th, 2012
05:01 AM ET
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European leaders reach key deal on banks

European leaders reached a "breakthrough" deal early Friday to ease the recapitalization of struggling banks that should help draw the eurozone back from the brink of a gathering crisis.

Under the deal, European leaders agreed to create a single supervisory body to oversee the eurozone's banks which could use the single currency area's rescue funds, the European Financial Stability Facility or European Stability Mechanism, to aid banks directly without adding to governments' debt.

European Union leaders are hoping for implementation of the agreement by July 9, an EU statement said.

The deal means Spain's formal request this week for eurozone bailout funds to recapitalize its troubled banking sector will not add to its sovereign debt. Madrid had feared the increased debt load would send its borrowing costs even higher.

Ireland, which hopes to rework the terms of its bailout deal, and Italy, which like Spain is battling with spiraling government borrowing costs, could also benefit from the new deal.

FULL STORY

Filed under: Economy • World
June 29th, 2012
04:19 AM ET
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Clinton, Russian foreign minister to meet on Syrian crisis

Explosions rocked the Syrian capital Friday morning, opposition activists said, hours before U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton meets her Russian counterpart to raise pressure on the crisis in the Middle East nation.

Clinton meets Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in St. Petersburg amid their nations' deep divisions over Syria.

The meeting is expected to include talks on Russian arm sales to Syria, the State Department said.

U.S. officials have advocated a political transition plan in Syria, but Russia opposes the idea of foreign intervention in the violence-hit nation.

After the meeting, Clinton will attend an emergency gathering led by international envoy to Syria, Kofi Annan, in Geneva on Saturday. U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said he hopes the meeting marks a "turning point" in diplomatic efforts.

FULL STORY

Filed under: World
June 29th, 2012
03:26 AM ET
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Colorado fire toll: 1 dead, at least 1 missing, 346 homes destroyed

Rebekah and Bryan Largent clung to one another as their worst fears were confirmed: Their home was among the 346 destroyed in a wildfire ravaging the outskirts of Colorado Springs, Colorado.

"We're not sure what we are going to do next," Rebekah Largent told CNN affiliate KKTV late Thursday just minutes after the couple learned their rented home was among those turned to a pile of smoldering ash and rubble.

The wildfire has wreaked havoc since it began over the weekend on the western outskirts of Colorado Springs, forcing more than 36,000 to flee their homes as it hop-scotched through heavily populated neighborhoods and threatened the Air Force Academy.

By early Friday morning, the fire had scorched more than 16,700 acres and killed at least one person, authorities said.

More than 20,000 homes and 160 businesses were under threat from the Waldo Canyon Fire, which was 15% contained by early Friday, according to InciWeb, a U.S. multi-agency fire response website.

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Filed under: Barack Obama • U.S. • Weather
June 29th, 2012
02:16 AM ET
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Zimmerman to seek second bond

George Zimmerman and his attorney will be back before a Florida judge Friday to argue Zimmerman should be allowed bond a second time despite misrepresenting his finances.

Zimmerman, charged with second-degree murder in the February shooting death of Trayvon Martin, will attend the morning hearing unshackled and in civilian clothing.

Video and photos of Zimmerman wearing jail garb could prejudice prospective jurors, defense attorney Mark O'Mara argued in a motion.

Zimmerman was released on a $150,000 bond after his arrest. But he was ordered back to jail early this month after the judge revoked his bail, citing about $150,000 in donations in an account controlled by Zimmerman that he had not disclosed at the first bond hearing in April.

O'Mara is asking Seminole County Circuit Judge Kenneth Lester Jr. to set a similar bond.

FULL STORY

Filed under: Crime • U.S.
June 29th, 2012
01:10 AM ET
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Blistering, potentially deadly heat forecast for much of U.S.

Much of the Central and Eastern United States will bake under intense heat Friday, prompting warnings about air quality and fears about the health of those unable to find refuge in cooler confines.

The blistering conditions won't be fleeting: High temperatures not only are expected to be around or above 100 degrees Fahrenheit in locales from Topeka, Kansas, to Washington, DC, on Friday, but they're expected to stay at about that level in many places through next week if not longer.

"Heat-related illness such as heat exhaustion or heat stroke are a real threat, dehydration can occur quickly," the National Weather Service's bureau in Indianapolis, where highs should hit 101 on Friday, noted in issuing an excessive heat warning. "The extended period of heat also will cause drought conditions to worsen and raise the concern for wildfire development."

The thermostat in St. Louis, Missouri, is forecast to hit 108 degrees and remain above 100 through next Thursday, at least, according to the weather service.

That's prompted the city health department to remind residents to limit outdoor activities, not to leave children or pets in vehicles and to watch out for signs of heat exhaustion.

FULL STORY

Filed under: U.S. • Weather