* New BlackBerry Messenger 5.0 ZIP And OTA Download Links! *

* UPDATE Follow @BlackBerryRocks on Twitter for updates or send me a tweet for help. If you send me an email for help please include your BlackBerry model and OS version.

It has come to my attention that the Curve 8300 series OTA link may work for the Pearl 8100 and 8800 series. Install at your own risk. MAKE BACKUPS! *

BlackBerry Messenger 5.0 was first revealed to use about a month ago and then again yesterday with some new features. It looks like the guys over at BBOS were lucky enough to get their hands on BBM 5.0 for a few BlackBerry devices and were nice enough to share it with everyone.

Info: Features And Screenshots Of The Leaked BlackBerry Messenger 5.0

CONTINUE READING »

* UPDATE Mark Freeze let me now that Pandora is no longer available outside the US. *

The free streaming radio application known as Pandora has been updated to version 1.1 for BlackBerry with some nice new features and bug fixes.

New Features

• Significantly better audio quality over mobile network – now using stereo AAC+ (HE-AAC) for both Wi-Fi and mobile connections
• Listener preference option to select “High” quality stream over mobile network or “Normal” for slower connections. Both are stereo.
• Create Station screen now has auto-complete functionality as you type
• Added user preference option to enable or disable station auto-start
• Moved “Log Out” from main menu into Options screen, it now shows the currently logged-in username
• Visual overlay when changing volume; easier to see actual volume level
• Application will check for correct application permissions on startup, and offer to set them to appropriate values if required
• You can now get to the “Options” screen from the menus of both the Station List screen and the
  Now Playing screen
• Reduced download size of app by about 30-40%

Bug Fixes:

• Fixed stream resume problem on some Storm devices after being interrupted by a system alert (phone call, SMS, email, etc)
• Fixed bug where Wi-Fi capable devices without a SIM card or data plan were not able to use Pandora over Wi-Fi
• Fixed reports of “low volume” settings not being low enough – the lower volume settings now go as quiet as possible before being muted
• Fixed bug where album art may not have been displayed for some tracks
• Mute button should now properly sleep the device when holding it down

Pandora will work on the BlackBerry Pearl 8100 series, Pearl Flip 8200 series, Curve 8300 and 8900 series, 8800 series, Bold 9000, Storm 9530 and now the Tour 9630!

Download it now by visiting Pandora.com from your BlackBerry Browser, or visit the Pandora for BlackBerry page for more info.

QuickLaunch has been updated to version 2.10 for all currently supported BlackBerry devices!

New features in v2.10:

• Option to display Time in 12 or 24 hour format
• Option to change Titlebar Color
• Option to display Date in titlebar
• Supports Shazam app
• Supports BBTran app
• Activation code displayed in QL Options
• QL App Switcher added – displays currently running apps in the QL Menu and allows you to switch to them like bb’s app switcher
• “Now Playing…” added

I’ve had QuickLaunch since it’s early testing for the Curve 8900 and it’s definitely one of my most used applications.

Right now it’s only available for the Pearl 8100 series, Curve 8300 and 8900 series, Bold 9000 and Storm 9500 series, but NikkiSoft plans to make it available to the 8800 series and the Tour 9630!

QuickLaunch is available in the store for $4.99.

The File name is different according to the BlackBerry model you choose, just in case. Not sure how different this is from OS 4.5.0.161, so if you notice any differences let me know in the comments!

BlackBerry Handheld Software v4.5.0.255 (EastAsia)

Package Version: 4.5.0.255
Consisting of:

• Applications: 4.5.0.162
• Software Platform: 2.7.0.103
• File name: 8100EastAsia_PBr4.5.0_rel255_PL2.7.0.103_A4.5.0.162_Vodafone_Essar_Limited.exe
• File size: 89.67MB

Note: The Software Platform and Applications version numbers can be found under Options-About screen on the handheld.

• Download: OS 4.5.0.162 for the BlackBerry Pearl (8100,8110,8120), Curve (8300,8310,8320) and 8700 from Vodafone Essar Limited
  
• How To: Upgrade your BlackBerry Operating System (OS)

REMEMBER: Install at your own risk. Always make backups before making major changes/upgrades/downgrades to your BlackBerry.

QuickLaunch has been updated to version 2.09 for the BlackBerry Pearl 8100 series running OS 4.5!

Here are the features in version 2.0:

• Backup / Restore to .txt fil
• Built-in Screen Capture function
• Launch Media Explorer
• Integrated Google, Wikipedia and Dictionary dot com search
• Create Custom Submenus
• More apps and functions to Add
• Display Current Temperature
• Add Items Alphabetically
• Easier Setup with Installed Applications List
• Volume Button Scrolling
• 3 Font sizes – Small, medium and large
• System Menu Integration
• Improved Performance

Users who purchased QuickLaunch after April 1st will be eligible for a free upgrade, those who purchased it before that date can upgrade for $1.99.

QuickLaunch is available for $4.99 in the store and in the on-device Mobile App Store.

This application makes accessing things on your BlackBerry super easy so trust me when I say it is well worth the $5 (or the upgrade fee) if you’re looking to get the most out of your BlackBerry’s convenience keys.

Just came across another streaming radio application for BlackBerry called Live365, currently in open Beta.

Live 365 allows you to listen to thousands of commercial-free stations on your BlackBerry and includes a free VIP trial.

• Listen to Live365 in your car
• Connects with your cell data plan or wi-fi
• Artist and track info with album artwork
• Unlimited presets synced to the website
• Multiple skins/themes

Live365 Radio should work on the following devices running OS 4.5 and higher with at least 1mb of free memory in either the device or media card:

• Bold 9000
• Pearl 8703, 8700, 8120, 8130, 8100, 7130a
• Curve 8330, 8320, 8310, 8300
• 8800, 8820, 8830
• Does not currently work on the Verizon Storm. Touch screen version in development.

Although the Curve 8900 is not listed I was able to successfully install and use it without a problem (so far).

Download it now OTA by visiting live365.com/mobile from your BlackBerry Browser (must have JavaScript enabled) or visit the Live365 BlackBerry page for more info.

A few weeks ago I posted about a World of Warcraft Horde theme for the BlackBerry Pearl 8100 series. Today I found another WoW theme for the Pearl 8100 series, this time an Alliance version!

• Download: OTA
• Info: World Of Warcraft Alliance Theme Page
• How To: Install applications and themes via OTA with or without using data

The File name is different according to the BlackBerry model you choose, just in case.

BlackBerry Handheld Software v4.5.0.254 (EastAsia)

Package Version: 4.5.0.254
Consisting of:

• Applications: 4.5.0.161
• Software Platform: 2.7.0.105
• File name: 8100EastAsia_PBr4.5.0_rel254_PL2.7.0.105_A4.5.0.161_Hutchison.exe
• File size: 90.04MB

Note: The Software Platform and Applications version numbers can be found under Options-About screen on the handheld.

• Download: OS 4.5.0.161 for the BlackBerry Pearl (8100,8110,8120), Curve (8300,8310,8320), 8800 and 8820 From Hutchison
• How To: Upgrade your BlackBerry Operating System (OS)

REMEMBER: Install at your own risk. Always make backups before making major changes/upgrades/downgrades to your BlackBerry.

Here’s a great looking World Of Warcraft Horde theme for the BlackBerry Pearl 8100 series  (OS 4.2 and higher) by T4BB member flagirljams.

• Download OTA: World of Warcraft Horde for the Pearl 8100 series
• Info: World of Warcraft Horde theme page
• How To: Install applications and themes via OTA with or without using data

* UPDATE Comments submitted after 12AM EST on June 18th will not count. *

BAK2u let me know that PhoneBAKup has been officially released for BlackBerry and have given me 20 free copies to give away!

PhoneBAKup allows you to backup and restore your BlackBerry entirely Over-The-Air with a daily, weekly or monthly schedule. Easily backup all your device’s Address Book, Task, Calendar and MemoList to any predefined email address, all automatically.

Features:

• Backup: Just schedule the time ONCE to backup and it will run on the background, sending all the important data hassle free, daily, weekly or monthly. Backup to the storage card or Backup and Email directly to selected email address
• Restore: Simply download the backup files from the email to the device’s storage card and with a click, restore back all the vital information easily.
• Information can be restored to other devices as long as there is PhoneBAKup program running.

PhoneBAKup is available in the store for a one-time cost of $19.90 with a free trial available, no subscriptions or annual fees. You can also find it in the Mobile App Store soon.

This application is compatible with the BlackBerry Pearl (8100,8110,8120), Pearl Flip (8200,8220), Curve (8300,8310,8320), 8700 C/G/R, 8707 G/V,  8800, 8820, 8830, Curve 8900, Bold 9000 and the Storm 9500.

* The Giveaway Thanks to BAK2u I have 20 free copies of PhoneBAKup to give away. All you have to do to be considered is leave a comment on this post saying how useful you’d find this application! It doesn’t have to be an elaborate explanation, either.

This will end June 18th at 12AM EST and winners will be selected and announced later that day. Please use a valid email when leaving a comment so I can contact you if you are chosen. Good luck! *