If you’re here, you likely have heard, RIM has rolled out BlackBerry Internet Service aka BIS 2.8. One of the features that has been added to this release is the ability to synchronize Gmail contacts to your device. Unfortunately, providers oftentimes don’t give you any notice that they’ve updated and finding the version of the BIS that you’re on can be a pain. Fortunately, I’ve dug up a way for you to be able to tell whether it’s been updated to BIS 2.8. Thanks to RIM’s help section, it explains where you can turn the contact synchronization on and off, via the menu system.
1. On the BlackBerry® Internet Service web site, in the left pane, click Email Accounts.
2. Click the Edit icon beside your Google Mail™ email address.
3. Select the Contacts check box.
4. Click Save.
After you finish: To stop synchronizing your contacts, clear the Contacts check box.
So if you don’t see this option, you’re not on BIS 2.8 yet. If you do see this option, you’re all set! Remember, you have to be running OS 5.0 to use this feature. Let us know if this feature is available from your provider in the comments.
Although it seems like an eternity, the BlackBerry Storm has only been for sale for almost a year. RIM went back and reworked with mechanics of their touch screen and cooked up a new(er) operating system.
Now, we at BlackBerryCool.com have gotten our hands on a pre-released 9550. Yes, the screen rebound is much better, thanks to the shortened travel distance, and we’re enjoying the more responsive keyboard. Both of these aspects have been significantly improved.
Instead of writing a review of a pre-release device, we’d like to know what burning questions you have about the device. We’ll work to answer them. Again, considering that this is a pre-release device, there are still bugs, quirks and gremlins clearly running wild.
So drop us a line on what you’d like to know and we’ll do our best to answer your questions!
Slacker has updated their software for the rest of the BlackBerry users to match the goodies seen on the Storm! One of the best features included in this latest update is that the battery life has been greatly improved while streaming music.
Here is a breakdown of the features you’ll find in the latest update:
Improved battery life up to 2x (over previous versions) while streaming
Improved usability enhancements to the interface, including a “Home” button to quickly access the station list
Added ability to toggle the explicit content filter (on/off) from the main menu
Addressed an issue where pausing a song for an extended period of time did not properly resume playback
Addressed an issue where phone calls or message alerts would prevent playback from resuming properly for some listeners
Those crazy kids at Slacker are at it, again! This time we have five 3-month subscriptions to the awesome Slacker Radio Plus service to give away. Slacker Radio Plus features:
* Unlimited Skips
* Unlimited Song Requests
* No Audio or Banner Ads
* Complete Lyrics
* Over 2 Million Songs
Also, Slacker features real live DJ’s who program the stations to ensure you get the most rockin’ music possible.
Interested in winning? Slap those keys and let us know about it in the comments. The contest ends on Monday at noon CDT. Good Luck!
Note: The winners will need to register with Slacker.com, if you aren’t already registered, to get the upgrade to Radio Plus. Good luck!
Today I received my Sprint BlackBerry Tour and it’s amazing. But, you’re not here for a review, you’re here because you want to unlock your Sprint BlackBerry Tour. Here’s what you do. Thanks to my friend at CIO.com, Al Sacco, I knew the steps to unlocking it. Fortunately, the good folks at Sprint will walk you through the process as well. Here’s what I did to unlock the SIM slot on the Sprint BlackBerry Tour.
1. Call Sprint International Support – (817) 698-4199, prompt #2
2. Ask them if they’d kindly unlock your SIM slot on your BlackBerry Tour
3. Turn off your wireless network connection on the Tour (yes, you’ll have to call from another phone)
4. Click on Options > Advanced Options > SIM Card
5. Type MEPD
6. Type MEP2
7. The representative should give you a 16-digit code
8. Thank the representative for their help
9. Reboot your phone and you’re ready to go
There you have it! It took me about 5 minutes to get my phone unlocked. I tested my Sprint BlackBerry Tour with a T-Mobile SIM card and was able to access the web, use BlackBerry Messenger and send and receive messages.
The BlackBerry Curve 8520 is a turning point for RIM. They have clearly realized that they have parts on their devices that can still remain perfectly functional while reducing their replacement and repair costs, as well as those of their customers. The 8520 is also a lower end device as noted by the cheap battery panel that pulls off without requiring a slider or a button. Since you’ve likely experienced the Curve 8900 at some point, I’ll use it as a point of reference.
Pandora has launched version 1.1.0 today. In previous versions, you could only get mono AAC via your mobile connection. Now, stereo AAC+ is available just like you find on your wi-fi connection! You can download Pandora for free via your BlackBerry Browser at http://www.pandora.com. Check out all the new features and bug fixes after the jump.
Not one to wait around, TeleNav has notified us that they have their TeleNav GPS Navigator version 5.5 program ready to roll for the BlackBerry Tour at launch. As you’d expect, you can get turn-by-turn navigation, lowest gas prices, real time traffic and future trip planning. You can pick up the application from TeleNav’s store. If you do, the first 30 days are free.
Sure, everyone is excited about the BlackBerry Tour’s launch this weekend. Even the GSM folks. Sprint wants you to not forget the BlackBerry Curve 8330 and 8350i, though, by launching new colors. Soon you’ll be able to pick up an 8330 in Inferno and an 8350i in Red. Anyone excited about these new hues?
The BlackBerry Instant Messaging & Social Network clients have been updated. Some of the updates include Facebook up to 1.6.0.21, Windows Live Messenger, Google Talk and others were bumped up to 2.1.48. As usual, there’s no documentation detailing the updates, so please let us know if you notice any changes in the comments. You can get the updates on your BlackBerry via http://www.blackberry.com/instantmessaging Thanks to Dave Peckens for the heads up!
