BlackBerry OS 4.2 Ready for 8700, 7310

Research In Motion's (RIM) newest BlackBerry devices, the Pearl and 8800, run on BlackBerry OS 4.2. An upgrade to this platform from version 4.1 is ready to go for the older 8700 and 7310 models, according to an unnamed RIM executive who leaked this and some additional information The Boy Genius.

Now it is up to the mobile operators as to when they'll make the platform update available to customers.

BlackBerry OS 4.2 will add a number of new features to the 8700 and 7310, including support for push-to-talk (for Cingular/AT&T), GPS, Bluetooth file transfers, an MP3 player, a file explorer, voice notes, a mapping application, a Media folder to hold music and pictures, the ability to play .WAV files, etc.

The RIM insider also said BlackBerry OS 5.0 should ship later this year or early next and BlackBerry Enterprise Server Service Pack 4 will arrive this June, along with new devices (the BlackBerry 9xxx series).

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Tip: Access Downloads, Tools, & More Right from Your BlackBerry

In the latest edition of the BlackBerry Connection newsletter, RIM encourages BlackBerry users to check out the BlackBerry Help section of its mobile site directly from their device. Users will find information about downloads, wireless Web sites, push services, what’s New, in addition to some tips, FAQs and More

There's a couple of ways to get to BlackBerry Help: Select the BlackBerry Help of mobile.blackberry.com or simply select the BlackBerry HELP! icon from your home screen. For smartphones without home screen icons, select 'Browser' then the BlackBerry Help! Bookmark.

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Tip: How to Configure Third-party Apps for Wireless Deployment

The following tasks, for IT Administrators, describe how to specify the necessary parameters for the wireless deployment of third-party applications to BlackBerry devices. We were lead to it from RIM's BlackBerry Connection newsletter.

Task 1 - Create and Share the Research In Motion Folder

Complete the following steps:

Note: Perform these steps on a computer or shared drive that the BlackBerry Enterprise Server can access.

1. Install the latest available version of BlackBerry Device Software, then verify that the <drive>:Program FilesCommon FilesResearch In Motion directory exists.
2. Right-click the Research In Motion folder and select Properties.
3. Click the Sharing tab.
4. Select the Share this folder radial button.
5. Click Permissions.
6. Clear all the selections except Allow for Read, then close the Permissions window.

Task 2 - Index the Third-Party Application

Complete the following steps:

1. Create an Applications folder in <drive>:Program FilesCommon FilesResearch in MotionShared.
2. In the Applications folder, create a folder for the third-party application you want to deploy to BlackBerry device users.
3. Copy the third-party application files (such as ALX and COD files) into the folder you created in step 2.
4. Open a command prompt and browse to <drive>:Program FilesCommon FilesResearch in MotionApploader.
5. Run the command loader /index
6. Navigate to the Applications folder created in step 2 and confirm that the pkgdbcache.xml and specification.pkg files exist.

Task 3 - Create a Software Configuration

Complete the following steps:

1. Open BlackBerry Manager.
2. Select BlackBerry Domain on the left.
3. Click the Software Configuration tab.
4. Click New Configuration.
5. Type a name for the software configuration.
6. Click the Change button next to Device Software Location.
7. Type <Server_name>Research in Motion. The BlackBerry Device Software and the Applications folder should appear in the list below.

Task 4 - Create a Software Policy

In the Applications folder, select the software configuration you created in Task 3, then click the Policy button.

OR

Complete the following steps:

1. On the Software Configuration tab, select New Policy.
2. Type a name for the policy.
3. Select Required next to Disposition for wireless push.
4. Apply the policy to the software configuration.
5. On the software configuration, expand Application Software.
6. Select the software policy from the drop-down menu next to the third-party application.

Task 5 - Deploy the Application

Complete the following steps:

1. Open BlackBerry Manager.
2. Select BlackBerry Domain on the left.
3. Click the All Users or Groups tab.
4. Select a User or Group from the list that appears.
5. From Task on the bottom right, expand Device Management.
6. Select Assign Software Configuration.
7. Select the software configuration from the list.

Note: The application will be wirelessly pushed to BlackBerry devices within four hours.

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Tip: The Missing Sync Plays Matchmaker Between BlackBerry, Mac

Mark/Space today rolled out the BlackBerry edition of its Mac-to-handheld synchronization software, following a month-long preview edition. The Missing Sync, also available for Palm OS and Windows Mobile devices, is known for delivering a level of compatibility between handhelds and Macs not delivered by mobile device and desktop platforms or the device vendors themselves.

Click here for full story.

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Tip: How to Upload Midlets (3rd Party Java Apps) to Your Blackberry

A member of our forum community recently posted detailed instructions on how to upload third party software or midlets, which are Java applications written for phones under the MDIP specification, to a BlackBerry. The procedures outline in this post, which started an extensive discussion that includes another member writing and posting a batch file to automate much of what's outline in the original message, has the potential to make hundreds of additional applications available to BlackBerry users.

Click here to read the thread.

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New BlackBerry Tips

Research In Motion (RIM) has posted a few new BlackBerry tips. One explains how to associate a ringtone with a contact, while another shows you how to use Bluetooth wireless technology to transfer a file between two BlackBerrys. But first, here's how to obtain RIM's free BlackBerry Maps application for your BlackBerry.

BlackBerry Maps

BlackBerry Maps first appeared when RIM released the Tele Atlas-run BlackBerry Pearl back in September. It directs users and works together with other BlackBerry applications to enable users to send maps via e-mail and launch the application from within address book contacts, for example.

BlackBerry Maps is now a standard part of the BlackBerry OS, starting with the latest version - 4.2 - which is available on the BlackBerry Pearl and BlackBerry 8800.

If you are running BlackBerry OS 4.1, you must download the software here. Those with devices running on a BlackBerry OS earlier than 4.1 must upgrade their software before loading BlackBerry Maps.

Here's how RIM explains how to find out what version of the BlackBerry OS your device is running:

From the main menu, open “Settings” -> "Options" -> "About" and see the third line in the information screen, which will look similar to this: v4.1.0.21 (Platform 2.0.0.40).

Click here to learn more about BlackBerry Maps.

Associate Contact with a Ringtone

Here are the steps to take:

1- In the Address Book, select a contact.
2- Press the Menu key and select Edit.
3- Press the trackball and select Add Custom Phone Tune.
4- Press the Menu key and select Change Option.
5- Select the desired ring tone.
6- Press the trackball.
7- Press the Menu key and select Save.

Wirelessly Link Up Two BlackBerrys

Another tip explains how to use Bluetooth wireless technology to transfer a file between two BlackBerrys. This tip, in five steps, is also for the Pearl and 8800.

Transfer a File using Bluetooth between Two BlackBerry Smartphones

This tip works for BlackBerry Pearl 8100 and BlackBerry 8800 smartphones.

You can send and receive files, using Bluetooth wireless technology, between BlackBerry smartphones by following steps 1 – 5 below.

1. Enable Bluetooth on your BlackBerry smartphone:

• In the smartphone options, click Bluetooth.
• Press the key.
• Click Enable Bluetooth.

(Note: You can turn off Bluetooth technology, by pressing the Menu key, then clicking Disable Bluetooth.)

2. Make the sending and receiving BlackBerry Pearl discoverable:

• In the smartphone options, click Bluetooth.
• Press the Menu key.
• Click Options.
• Set the Discoverable field to Yes.
• Press the Menu key.
• Click Save.

3. Pair the two BlackBerry smartphones:

Note: Some Bluetooth enabled devices have passkeys that you must type before you can pair with them.

• In the Bluetooth setup application, click OK.
• Click a Bluetooth enabled device.
• If required, type the passkey for the Bluetooth enabled device on your BlackBerry smartphone.
• If required, type the passkey for the Bluetooth enabled device on the Bluetooth enabled device.

4. Set the Trusted field to Yes on both BlackBerry smartphones:

• In the Bluetooth application, highlight the BlackBerry smartphone and press the Menu button.
• Select Device Properties.
• Set the Trusted field to Yes.
• Press the Menu button and select Save.

5. Send and receive the transferred file.

On the recipient's BlackBerry smartphone:

• On the Home screen, click Media.
• Click a media type (Music, Video, Ring Tones, Pictures).
• Press the Menu button and select Receive using Bluetooth. The File Transfer dialog box appears, followed by a prompt to Save or Cancel the file.
• Click Save to save the file to the current location, or click the folder icon to save the file in a different location.

On the sender's BlackBerry smartphone:

• On the Home screen, click Media.
• Click the same media type selected on the recipient's BlackBerry smartphone.
• Press the Menu button and select Send Using Bluetooth.
• When prompted to select a smartphone, click the recipient's BlackBerry smartphone.

Note: Transferring files to or from other Bluetooth phones is presently not supported.

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Alert: BlackBerry, Windows Mobile Patches Address Time Changes

Changes to the dates when Daylight Saving Time (DST) starts and ends could cause problems for your Windows Mobile Pocket PC and Smartphone or BlackBerry, causing these devices to display incorrect times from when DST begins to when it ends. Both Research In Motion (RIM) and Microsoft address this with downloads and instructions on their respective Web sites.

From 2007 onward, DST will start three weeks earlier (2:00 a.m. on the second Sunday in March, the 11th this year) and ends one week later (2:00 a.m. on the first Sunday in November, the 4th this year) than in the past. Previously, it began the first Sunday in April, which happens to be the 1st this year (no joke to those whose appointments become mixed up, however) and ended on the last Sunday in October.

Microsoft and RIM have posted patches and instructions to address this situation; so when DST comes around your handheld or smartphone will alter the time correctly on the proper dates. That when you set an appointment, for example, it will reflect the correct hour you set it to occur.

Here you will find RIM's BlackBerry DST patch and instructions on how to implement it. DST patches are available for all BlackBerry devices running version 4.0.0 or newer device software. IT administrator's can push the patch to their BlackBerry users.

Click here for Microsoft's DST patches and directions.

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Tip: BlackBerry OS 4.1 Enhances Compose Screen

We've always had an appreciation for the way Research in Motion (RIM) sneaks new features into the BlackBerry OS under the radar. There's rarely any big announcement or hoopla for the numerous bug fixes and enhancements that are added to the point releases. Yet if you look hard enough, you'll see evidence of RIM's motivation to quietly improve on its award winning mobile experience.

Here's a feature you may not have noticed if you've recently upgraded to BlackBerry OS 4.1 or higher or gotten a newer device with the more recent platform revisions already loaded: The compose screen is noticeably more convenient.

The first image shows the compose screen on a BlackBerry 7290 with pre-4.1 hardware.

While the image below shows the compose screen of BlackBerry 7130e, which has the 4.1 system software loaded.

The BlackBerry 7290 with pre-4.1 system software gives you little or no context for your messages. If you get distracted and then return to your BlackBerry in the middle of composing, it's difficult to tell exactly what you were in the middle of doing. Were you composing an e-mail? Sending an SMS message? A PIN to PIN message? You can't be sure.

BlackBerry OS 4.1 software found in the 7130e leaves the message in the background as you write. If you were replying to a message, you'd see the quoted text of the message you're replying to at the bottom of the screen. This enables you to easily see the context in which you were composing your message.

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Tip: Berry 411 - Mobile Search For BlackBerry

Berry 411 is perhaps the best piece of free software available for the BlackBerry, and for good reason. It boasts phone book lookups, sports scores, movie times, and more. Phil Bogle, the author of Berry 411, keeps piling on the features all the time.

The most recent version (3.30) adds phone numbers that you've input to your address book from within the program to the Berry 411 history for easy retrieval the next time you need to use it. Previous versions added autocomplete for searches, more plugins, and integration with the BlackBerry Address Book.

You launch the app from a purple "411" icon after installation, upon which you setup your home, work, and “other” addresses to customize your search results.

With Berry 411, you can perform Yellow Page, White Page, Google, Movie, Weather and Shopping (Froogle) searches. The plugins add a great deal more to the application’s search capabilities, including reverse phone lookup, driving directions, sports, stocks, flight tracking, and the Internet Movie Database. And that's only the tip of the iceberg.

The latest version of Berry 411 can be downloaded over the air (OTA) here or to the desktop here from SmartPhoneToday's Free Download's section.