Posted on August 5, 2008, at 8:17 am .
While Chile and Hong Kong might be rip-rearing to go with the BlackBerry Bold, it looks like Australia isn’t too far behind. Handheld software version 4.6 is now available for the Optus BlackBerrry Bold, which is a bit of a shocker considering the only BlackBerry Optus is packing right now is the BlackBerry 8100. Combined with version 4.6 of the Java Desktop Environment and Desktop Manager, and the iTunes Media Sync release, it looks like all of the software bases are covered for the Bold. We’re still frothing at the bit for the BlackBerry 9000, and are more than a little disappointed that Rogers didn’t get it nearly as early as we were hoping.
(via BerryReview)
Posted on July 28, 2008, at 9:40 am .
Both Telstra and Vodafone will be offering the BlackBerry Bold to Australian enterprise customers for $0 up front. That in and of itself is a bold statement, and definitely a bargain for enterprises still packing older models. It’ll be hard for CIOs to turn down a deal like that, regardless of any growing enterprise interest in the iPhone. Maybe companies here in North America and elsewhere can look forward to equally aggressive moves from carriers, especially if they think they can coast on plans alone.
(via Australian IT)
Posted on July 18, 2008, at 1:26 pm .
Nipping at the heels of the Canadian release on the 25th., Australian carriers Telstra, Optus, Vodafone and 3 Mobile will be offering the BlackBerry 9000 as of July 29th. RIM execs have gone so far to say that Australian BlackBerry growth will nearly double, which will undoubtedly be helped out by a speedy BlackBerry Bold release.
(Australian IT via Pinstack)
Posted on July 10, 2008, at 8:04 am .
If there are any Windows Mobile lovers out there outside of that one cricket in the corner, you’ll be happy to hear that BlackBerry Connect will be supporting the Motorola Q9h in Asia-Pacific. The Windows Mobile 6 device has enjoyed BlackBerry services abroad since December, but clearly there were some localization issues to iron out. With BlackBerry Connect, WinMo users can get their push e-mail fix, and access a lot of the standard BlackBerry features – it even plugs into the BES and has all the usual IT policies and security standards in place. Interested? Head on over to the Motorola BlackBerry Connect site for your download.
Posted on June 27, 2008, at 8:09 am .
Vodafone, Cisco and RIM are partnering up to bring a unified communications solution called Vodafone Business One for small and medium businesses sometime later this year. In short, this service will allow your your mobile and landline to share a number and voicemail box, as well as enabling enterprise UMA calling for Wi-Fi calls while you’re in the office area. Solutions like this already exist, but it’s cool to see RIM getting directly involved with one. Who knows? In the long run, maybe fixed-mobile convergence will be just another one of RIM’s base services. I guess that would be their Mobile Voice System. For more info, and one helluva flash site, head on over to Vodafone Business One.
Posted on March 12, 2008, at 1:12 pm .
Australia’s Department of Defence has put BlackBerry and Windows Mobile through the hoops, and they’ve both made it through the common criteria accreditation process faster than any others on record. The key? Working closely with government IT to fix flaws, and undergo rigorous testing before applying.
“Security flaws slow down evaluation because the product solutions have to be sent back to be fixed,” [Defence Signals Directorate assistant secretary for information security Robert Campbell] said. “[Vendors] should work as closely as possible with the DSD and the laboratories assessing the product to get accreditation as soon as possible.”
Getting cleared with the government has proven to be a hassle pretty much everywhere else for BlackBerry, so getting through quickly is a welcome change of pace. As for Australia’s Common Criteria security standards, they’re working on nailing down biometrics, another element which we’re already seeing glimpses of in BlackBerry land.
Posted on December 13, 2007, at 3:12 pm .
The BlackBerry work/life balance debate rages on in Australian Parliament as 40 handhelds due for top executives get stalled due to concerns about squeezing in on staff’s personal time. There’s been an ongoing effort to promote telecommuting by the Australian Telework Advisory Committee, but apparently there’s still some resistance to adopting BlackBerry – and living in a city full of federal employees grumbling about their little digital ball and chains, I can see why.
Posted on November 21, 2007, at 8:59 am .
Optus will be carrying the BlackBerry 8120 as of the first week of December, just in time for Christmas. The Wi-Fi Pearl packing a 2 megapixel video-capturing camera and externally-acessible microSD slot is set for a $659 recommended retail price. Pacific VP Norm Lo is understandably excited about the 8120 coming out.
“BlackBerry Smartphones are well received in Australia and we are pleased to be working with Optus to introduce another RIM innovation,” said RIM President of Asia Pacific, Norm Lo. “The new BlackBerry Pearl 8120, with its elegant design, advanced multimedia features and Wi-Fi capabilities, is perfect for both personal and professional use.”
Posted on November 12, 2007, at 3:24 pm .
Australia is facing a BlackBerry boom, according to RIM’s Asia-Pacific regional manager Paul Osmond.
“We’re expecting to see growth well over 100 per cent in the Australian market over the next 12 months,” Mr Osmond said. “Three years ago, I remember being in one of the Qantas lounges seeing one or two BlackBerrys and I had one of them. Two months ago, myself and one of my sales representatives counted 53 BlackBerrys in the Qantas lounge in Melbourne.”
Service bumps aside, Australia has a really impressive wireless landscape, what with 3G making such headway. Good stuff, Aussies!
Posted on November 6, 2007, at 11:57 am .
Optus customers down under might be having some connectivity issues today. An official statement has confirmed the issue:
“I can confirm that some Optus customers have today been experiencing disruption to their BlackBerry data services,” an Optus spokeswoman said. “Technicians have now resolved the issue and we have been progressively restoring customers to normal service from approximately 1pm (AEDT) this afternoon. Optus apologises for any inconvenience caused to its customers by this disruption.”
Any of our readers still having problems?
