I have been lucky enough to be using the BlackBerry Enterprise Server 5.0 software for the past few months. It introduces several new improvements to the architecture of the BlackBerry domain, the most sought after being support for out of the box high availability. It was code named Argon, a stable gas, due to its promised reliability and solid performance. Below are some thoughts and findings that I made during my use of the software within my test environment. Screenshots are available towards the bottom.
A big thanks to Lee Williams from Gen-i for giving me the time and resources to familiarize myself with BES 5.0, enabling me to complete this article.
If you have any questions please let me know in the comments and I will get back to you promptly.
1. New Improvements and Features
The first change you will notice is the introduction BlackBerry Administration service. It replaces BlackBerry manager and is completely web based. It takes a while to get used to for every day tasks. It can feel a little cramped when attempting to select multiple users who don’t share the same group, IT policy, software configuration or otherwise. Yet after working with the interface for some time you do get used to it.
There is an API available for developers to write plugins for the BlackBerry Administration Service, so it will be relatively easy to introduce new functionality into the environment. Continue reading regarding impressions of BES 5 features
Who doesn’t like pink? It doesn’t matter if your a boy or girl, this pink Bubble theme is for those who want functionality but also want everyone to know their favorite color. This cute theme has customizable icons, placed in a circle with white icons embedded on a pink bubble. Go ahead, try it!
LiveTracker, a free GPS app for BlackBerry which is still in Beta, now supports Twitter. Users can share their GPS location with their Twitter friends, a function that is available already with many Twitter clients. This would be great for someone who is just looking to share their location, without any other information.
* Free: No registration, no hidden fees for personal use.
* Background Tracking: GPS location data is sent in background 24/7.
* Easy Sharing: Send tracking links via EMail, PIN, SMS, MMS.
* Live Web Tracking: View location on the web on maps.
* Live Desktop Tracking: 3D world tracking.
Zenprise is announcing the launch of Device Manager, a new module for Zenprise MobileManager that enables organizations to remotely manage BlackBerry devices. The system will pinpoint the exact location of a missing BlackBerry, while also enabling remote management of BlackBerry devices.
This announcement from Zenprise represents a significant jump in empowering enterprise to mobilize their business. MobileManager will help desk personnel and BlackBerry administrators to find lost or stolen devices, proactively monitor and diagnose device issues and audit devices for third party applications – all leading to significant cost savings, improved service levels and corporate compliance. Click through to see a full breakdown of new admin and location services from Zenprise
It seems the keys on either side of the trackball are cracking under stress. The above picture was sent in by a friend who uses his BlackBerry in a pro-user fashion, but not in any unusually abusive manner.
The crack seemed to be a manufacturing default and therefore Rogers would be under contract to replace the device. My friend took it the Rogers store where it was purchased, and they agreed that it was a problem, but said that I’d have to call tech support to get it fixed. After said person called tech support and after being asked several questions over and over again (asked for the BlackBerry model 3 times), he was told they had to check with another department and would call me back.
Tech support has said that the only way it was possible that the buttons broke, was if he pushed down hard on both at once. He explained that there are several 8900s around that all show the same stress, and there are many reports online as well. Despite this, he was told that if RIM does not tell them it is an issue, they cannot help.
So if this is the case, we would love to see some official word from RIM to Rogers. I can understand that RIM would avoid something like this because it could lead to a recall, but let’s at least let people who have cracked devices return them. It couldn’t be that many that it is worth avoiding. If anything, it will help people like my friend stay with the carrier as a loyal customer (which he has been for 6 years).
Are you experiencing similar cracks on your BlackBerry Curve 8900?
Viigo has launched a new golf service, do these guys ever slow down? Viigo now offers live leaderboards, upcoming event schedules, results from previous tournaments as well as statistics for each of the PGA, LPGA, European Tour, Champions Tour and Nationwide Tour.
