BlackBerry Enterprise Server (BES) v5.0 Maintenance Release 2 for Microsoft Exchange and IBM Lotus Domino have been officially  released by RIM.

BES v5.0 info pages:

• Microsoft Exchange
• Lotus Domino

BES v5.0 Maintenance Release 2 Release Notes:

• Microsoft Exchange
• Lotus Domino

You can get a 60-day trial, upgrade or purchase BES 5.0 from the main info page, or go directly to each download below:

• BES v5.0 Maintenance Release 2 for Microsoft Exchange
• BES v5.0 Maintenance Release 2 for IBM Lotus Domino

via Port3101

Hdawg over at Port3101 found out that RIM has updated the documentation for the upcoming BlackBerry Enterprise Server v5.0 Maintenance Release 2, and thanks to Bla1ze we also have the documentation for Service Pack 1.

• BES v5.0 Service Pack 1 Release Notes
  • Microsoft Exchange
    
  • Lotus Domino
    
• BES v5.0 Maintenance Release 2 Release Notes
  • Microsoft Exchange
    
  • Lotus Domino
    

We’ve already seen a full list of features for OS 5.0, the new BBM 5.0, a video of OS 5.0 running on the Curve 8900 and a Storm, but it’s always good to hear what others have to say about it. Zack Whittaker of ZDNet did a nice writeup with screenshots of OS 5.0.

News is spreading quickly within the underground BlackBerry community of a leak within Research in Motion, the company that makes the phone, of the latest BlackBerry operating system. Designed for the Curve, the new OS (which has been rumored for some time) could easily be the upcoming release for other models such as the popular Bold.

Intrepid student that I am, I downloaded it and installed it on my Curve 8900, and through the perfectly seamless upgrade transition, I have discovered a bunch of new features which not only progresses what these devices can do on a software level, but also show a little more about where RIM is going and the connections it is making with other companies – Google, for example.

To be honest, it’s not easy seeing what’s new in the settings unless I constantly switch back and forth between the latest released BlackBerry OS and the leaked one. I can’t be bothered with that, so some of what you see below may already be old-hat (and evidently, I haven’t noticed since owning my phone).

Check out the gallery here or head on over to ZDNet for the full article and Zack’s breakdown of features.

My buddies over at Themes4BB got some insider info that the BlackBerry Tour will be coming to Sprint some time in November or December of this year, with the model number 9650!

Here are the known specs (so far):

• Wifi
• Optical Trackball
• 3G where available
• 3.2-MP auto-focus camera with geo-tagging functionality – easily identify where you took your pics.
• MicroSD™ card slot supports up to 16 GB 32GB (thanks @n8d!) – images, MP3s and apps are always at hand
• 5.0 OS

Not sure if this is meant to be a replacement or in addition to the Tour 9630 yet…

Any Sprint subscribers excited?

One of BGR’s ninjas sent them the specifications for an upcoming BlackBerry, model number 9700.

• Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE
• UMTS/HSDPA
• 480×360 resolution display
• Wi-Fi a,b,g
• OS 5.0
• QWERTY keyboard
• 3.2 megapixel AF camera
• Bluetooth

Still no codename or pictures of this BlackBerry, but this is definitely a start. Hopefully we’ll see some more details about this device soon.

If you have more information about the BlackBerry 9700 be sure to send me a message!

UPDATE BlackBerry Messenger 5.0 was officially released! Click here for all the details. *

If you missed out on the BlackBerry Messenger 5.0 download links from last week…you’re in luck! Here are some fresh links for both ZIP and OTA downloads.

THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

• This is leaked software that is not guaranteed to be stable. Install at your own risk!
• ZIP downloads are meant to be downloaded, unzipped and installed with BlackBerry Desktop Manager. If you need an unzipping program check out 7-zip.org.
• OTA downloads are meant to be downloaded directly through your BlackBerry Browser.
• Info: Features And Screenshots Of The Leaked BlackBerry Messenger 5.0
• How To:
  • Backup And Restore Your BlackBerry
  • Install Applications and Themes via Desktop Manager
  • Install applications and themes via OTA with or without using data

It is very important that you make a backup before attempting to install BBM 5.0!

Here are the download links:

• Desktop Download:
  • BBM 5.0 – Desktop Installer .ZIP (For All OS’s)
• OTA Downloads:
  • BBM 5.0 (For 4.7/Storm) – English Only Only
  • BBM 5.0 (For 4.7.1/Tour) – English Only
  • BBM 5.0 (For 4.5/Curve) – English Only
  • BBM 5.0 (For 4.6/Bold) – English Only
  • BBM 5.0 (For 4.6.1/Javelin) – English Only
  • BBM 5.0 (For 5.0/All) – English Only
  • BBM 5.0 (For 5.1/Storm2) – English Only
  • BBM 5.0 (For 4.7/Storm) – All Languages
  • BBM 5.0 (For 4.7.1/Tour) – All Languages
  • BBM 5.0 (For 4.5/Curve) – All Languages
  • BBM 5.0 (For 4.6/Bold) – All Languages
  • BBM 5.0 (For 4.6.1/Javelin) – All Languages
  • BBM 5.0 (For 5.0/All) – All Languages
  • BBM 5.0 (For 5.1/Storm2) – All Languages

The 4.5/Curve version also appears to work for the Pearl 8100 and 8800 series, so if you own one of these BlackBerry devices and want to try BBM 5.0 make sure this is the one you download and not any other version. It is also important to remember that you need a minimum OS of 4.5.0.131, but having the latest OS definitely helps. You can find the latest OS for your Blackberry here.

You can send me a message if you have any questions, or send a tweet to @BlackBerryRocks

It’s been about a month since any BlackBerry OS was leaked, and even then OS 5.0 had not been leaked for the Storm 9530 yet. That’s not the case anymore…

If you are asked for a password when extracting the file, use “raysource”.

• Download via MegaUpload: OS 5.0.0.140 for the Storm 9530
• How To: Upgrade your BlackBerry Operating System (OS)

Don’t forget to leave some feedback comments if you decide to install this OS!

Remove the “BlackBerry Internal Apps for RIM Version 5.0.0″ before installing this OS on your device. This can be found in your PC at Control Panel > Add or Remove Programs.

DISCLAIMER: Install at your own risk. This is Leaked/Beta software that is not guaranteed to be stable, and therefore will not be supported by RIM or your wireless carrier should you run into some problems. As a precaution, if you decide to upgrade, it is highly recommended that you make a backup before using this software. If you are not comfortable using Leaked/Beta software you should probably wait for the next official release. *

via CrackBerry

CrackBerry Kevin was able to get his hands on the BlackBerry Storm 9550 and made a great preview video!

Here is what Kevin mentioned in the video about this Storm 9550:

• It has early software, will improve for final release
• The screen doesn’t really click when it is off, but when it is on it does seem to click
• Storm 9550 codename is the Odin
• It is running on the Rogers network with 3G and CDMA
• It is running OS v5.1.0.9
• 256MB of device memory, media card used in video is 16GB
• FINAL STORM 9550 WILL DEFINITELY HAVE WIFI
• Sleeker design with the battery door being much more integrated with the design
• Typing on the Storm 9550 seems to be better than typing on the Storm 9530
• New BlackBerry Messenger Included
• Nice hardware improvement, especially over the first Storm
• Mentions the Odin being released as the 9520/9550 which will hopefully launch sometime in October or November

That’s pretty much it but you can watch the video for yourself just in case I missed something. I have to say, the Odin definitely looks a lot better than the original Storm. I’ve always been a big fan of the physical BlackBerry QWERTY keypad but the Odin looks like it will work nicely without one.

If you already have a Storm 9530, will you drop it to get the Odin? Let me know what you think!

* UPDATE Found out that re-installing BBM 5.0 syncs avatars a lot faster than just waiting. Not all, but most of them did. If you’re not able to see avatars you may want to try re-installing BBM 5.0 if the steps below don’t work. Don’t forget to make a backup! *

Just thought I’d share with everyone that it seems as if RIM has decided to allow avatar usage within BlackBerry Messenger 5.0!

If you missed it, last Friday BBM 5.0 was leaked for many BlackBerry devices and is still available for download both through desktop installation with ZIP files and OTA installation right through your BlackBerry Browser.

I also did a roundup of new features with screenshots of the new BBM 5.0. At the time, though, BBM 5.0 did not allow syncing of your contacts’ avatars directly from them. You had to add them as a contact to your address book with a caller ID picture in order for their avatar to work. That’s not the case anymore as RIM is now allowing avatar usage for everyone! (I think)

So far many have been able to change their avatar photo, but some many not know how to. Using the photos above as a visual aid, follow these instructions if you need help changing/updating yours:

1. Open BlackBerry Messenger (5.0).
2. Open the menu, scroll to “Edit My Info” and click.
3. Once you’re in “Edit My Info” scroll up to the box displaying the silhouette of a person to the left of “Display Name” (see where the green arrow is pointing above) and click it.
4. In the next window you will be taken to the photos located in your BlackBerry device memory or media card. Once you find the photo you want to use select and click it.
5. Next you will have to correctly size the image for it to be displayed as your avatar. You are given the option to crop your image, or you can simply open the menu and zoom out enough to be able to use the entire image instead of cropping it. Once you have done what you want to do, open the menu and select “Crop and Save”.
6. Your avatar will now load and sync to your BBM contacts (if they have 5.0).

If you already have an avatar selected for yourself you may need to re-load it using the steps above. It may take a minute or two depending on your network connection, so no need to worry if your BBM contacts aren’t seeing your image right away. Some of my own contacts were able to update their avatar and I am now able to see them in my BBM contact list.

Hope this was useful. Let me know how it works out for you in the comments!

* UPDATE Added some features and screenshots. *

Here are some features and a few screenshots of the leaked BlackBerry Messenger 5.0.

• Avatars for contacts and yourself as well as syncing them to your address book
• Crop and save images for sending or using as your avatar
• Set conversation subjects
• Your own BBM barcode
• Location and timezone options
• Backup/restore contacts to your media card or device
• Save message history on your media card or device (none, 25, 50 or 100 updates)
• Different chat styles
  • standard
  • chat bubbles
  • stripes
• New and more smileys
• New options to add a contact (via PIN, barcode sharing/scanning)
• Better “send file” options

I was able to install it on my Curve 8900 running the official OS 4.6.1.250 and haven’t had any problems yet. If you decide to try BBM 5.0 make sure you MAKE A BACKUP. A few people have been saying they lost contacts and they didn’t make a backup, so it’s important that you do so. If you want to try BBM 5.0 click here.

Overall I am very pleased with it and can’t wait to see what other new and cool things BlackBerry OS 5.0 will have.

If you notice any additional features or options feel free to share them in the comments. Check out the rest of the screenshots after the jump.

CONTINUE READING »