North American BlackBerry users can rejoice because RIM has upgraded BIS to 2.6. Although BIS is obviously not the enterprise powerhouse that BES provides, it will give you a quick look at what life is like on the other side. Something to note about the information regarding Gmail and BIS: if you’re going to take advantage of IMAP Gmail, you have to delete your account and re-add it from within your BIS admin.
With the new updates, you can expect the following:
Display of password characters
o BlackBerry smartphone users have the option to display password characters when configuring email addresses with the BlackBerry Internet Service. This feature makes it easier for BlackBerry smartphone users to integrate third-party email addresses, especially when using a BlackBerry smartphone with the SureType® input method.
Improved descriptive support and error messages
o BlackBerry smartphone users that have integrated a third-party email account using Post Office Protocol (POP) receive a personal identification number (PIN) message that includes instructions on how to leave email messages on the messaging server for successful delivery to the BlackBerry smartphone.
Option to change signatures from the BlackBerry smartphone
o BlackBerry smartphone users that use Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) automatic login can change the signatures for email messages using the BlackBerry smartphone.
Improved language support
o Dutch is now an available language for the BlackBerry Internet Service 2.6.
Gmail integration using IMAP
o BlackBerry Internet Service 2.6 uses Internet Message Access Protocol (IMAP) to integrate Gmail® webmail accounts.
This integration protocol introduces the following benefits:
o To use these improvements, BlackBerry smartphone users must remove and reintegrate their Gmail webmail accounts.