Thanks to CellUnlock.net I have 100 BlackBerry unlock codes to give away!

Benefits of unlocking your BlackBerry include:

• No need to roam with your current sim when you travel. Purchase pre-paid sim cards when traveling. Many operators allow free incoming calls.
• Switch freely between service providers.
• Increase the resale value of your phone.
• 100% safe unlocking that does not interfere with the operation of your phone or warranty
• Absolutely no technical knowledge is required.

BlackBerry models this contest applies to: Pearl (8100/8110/8120), Pearl Flip (8220), Curve (8300/8310/8320/8520/8900), 8800, 8810, 8820, Bold (9000/9700), Storm (9500/9530/9550), Tour (9630). For more info visit CellUnlock.net.

CONTEST: For a chance to win 1 of 100 free BlackBerry unlock codes leave a comment on this post using a valid email address. Only leave one comment, duplicates will be ignored and will not increase your chances of winning. This contest will end at 11:59PM EST on Saturday, November 7th. Comments left after this time will not be considered. *

UPDATE This contest has been extended till tomorrow night, November 1st at 11:59PM. *

The extremely generous folks over at Powermat have provided me with a bunch of their products which I’ve put together as bundles to be part of the BBRocks! birthday celebration!

With the Powermat system, you choose a mat and then choose the receivers to match the devices you want to charge. Every mat comes with a Universal Powercube receiver with 8 tips to allow you to charge hundreds of devices, but we also offer slim Powermat receivers that are custom designed to fit on your devices and you don’t need to remove them to use your device.

The two bundles I am giving away each include the following:

• 1 Home & Office Mat
• 1 BlackBerry Curve (8300/8310/8320/8330/8350i) Receiver
• 1 BlackBerry Curve 8900 Receiver
• 1 BlackBerry Bold 9000 Receiver

Each bundle is valued at almost $200! You can expect a review of the Powermat and BlackBerry Curve 8900 Receiver from me soon. I’ve played with my Powermat a few times already and I am very impressed.

CONTEST: For a chance to win 1 of 2 of these Powermat bundles leave a comment on this post using a valid email address. Only leave one comment, duplicates will be ignored and will not increase your chances of winning. This contest will end at 12AM EST on Sunday, November 1st. Comments left after this time will not be considered. *

These software versions contain a fix for the BlackBerry Browser bug I mentioned a few weeks ago. For more info about this bug click here.

Software For BlackBerry® Curve (TM) 8310 smartphone
BlackBerry Handheld Software v4.5.0.294 (Multilanguage)

Package Version: 4.5.0.294
Consisting of:

• Applications: 4.5.0.174
• Software Platform: 2.7.0.105
• File name: 8310M_PBr4.5.0_rel294_PL2.7.0.105_A4.5.0.174_Vodafone_DE.exe
• File size: 90.92MB

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

• Download: OS 4.5.0.174 for the Curve 8310 from Vodafone DE
• How To:
  • Backup And Restore Your BlackBerry
  • Upgrade your BlackBerry Operating System (OS)

Please report any feedback/findings in the comments.

REMEMBER: It is recommended that you make a backup before attempting to upgrade your BlackBerry just in case something goes wrong during the upgrade process. *

Morrison (aka @moestepp) let me know that he has put together a video guide with instructions on how to install hybrid or beta OS versions using BlackBerry Desktop Software for Mac.

I’ve transcribed the steps (below) for those that prefer text, but the video is better since it offers visual aide. The BlackBerry used for this tutorial is a Curve 8310 on AT&T. Do this at your own risk and only if you are comfortable with using beta/leaked software.

Morrison has also provided links to beta OS files in DMG format for use with a Mac computer. This method is mainly used for a hybrid OS upgrade. If you are using a beta “you would typically include the radio file in the same folder” (according to Morrison).

• 8330 5.0.0.230 http://www.megaupload.com/?d=G4VGQBM9
  
• 8900 5.0.0.238 http://www.megaupload.com/?d=V0IQRULX
  
• 9000 5.0.0.238 http://www.megaupload.com/?d=S3CMOBM2
  
• 9530 5.0.0.230 http://www.megaupload.com/?d=PL31VO1W
  
• 9630 5.0.0.230 http://www.megaupload.com/?d=G1PURKUJ

Here are the steps for use with a hybrid:

1. Plug your BlackBerry into your MacBook with BlackBerry Desktop Manager running
2. Install the carrier recommended OS (in this case AT&T OS 4.5.0.110)
3. Reload the OS that the carrier recommended for the phone. This will download all the appropriate files that are required.
4. Have the hybrid OS handy (in this case 8330 OS 5.0.0.238)
5. Go to Hard Drive > Username > Library > Application Support > BlackBerry Desktop Manager > Device Applications > Folder with numbers and letters
6. Open the Java file containing the hybrid OS files
7. Select all the files in the hybrid OS folder
8. Drag and drop these files into the folder with numbers and letters found in step 5
9. When prompted to replace files, click on apply to all and then replace
10. Go to BlackBerry Desktop Manager (should be running in background) and click on Applications and click Check for Updates
11. It will say there are no new updates in the next screen. Click on Show Other Versions in this screen.
12. You will now find the carrier recommended OS that was installed in steps 2 and 3. Click on the radio button to the left so it is “selected” and then click on Select.
13. Click on Reload
14. You’re done!

The Desktop Manager for Mac will think it’s just reloading the current OS to the BlackBerry but since you copied over the files from the hybrid OS it will actually be loading a different OS. As always please make backups before attempting to install or upgrade anything.

If you decide to try this out let me know how it works for you in the comments!

YouTuber phillipe80 accidentally dropped his BlackBerry into a lake, but it survived so he decided to test out exactly how long it would last underwater.

My BlackBerry felt into the lake and I thought it was broken. I called T-Mobile and the would pick it up the next day. However when I turned it on the next day it was alive and kickin! So I tried it again and after 2 minutes I gave up. The BlackBerry just didn’t wanna leave me…

Warning: This stunt was performed by someone who had a new BlackBerry already on the way. Don’t try this at home!

It would have been funny if he called it with another phone while it was underwater and it rang . (Not that I’m suggesting someone try it)

via BerryReview

Free BlackBerry Curve 8300 series themes aren’t being created as much as those for newer devices, so I had to post this theme when I saw it. This theme is called Steampunk and was made by CB member curve1967. Steampunk is available in two versions:

Today + Bottom Dock

• Custom L Dock
• 7 Customizable Icons on the Homescreen
• Homescreen Icons BOUNCE on select
• Profile Button on Homescreen
• Calendar has 3 Entries
• Messages has 2 Entries

Custom L Dock

• Custom L Dock
• 10 Customizable Icons on the Homescreen
• Homescreen Icons BOUNCE on select
• Profile Button on Homescreen

You have to have at least OS 4.5 on your Curve 83XX before installing this theme. If you need to upgrade check out the BlackBerry OS page to find it for your device.

• Download Steampunk OTA:
  • Today + Bottom Dock
  • Custom L Dock
• Info/feedback pages:
  • Today + Bottom Dock
  • Custom L Dock
• How To: Install applications and themes via OTA with or without using data

Here’s a great theme available for a few BlackBerry devices by CB Forums member redzapper. Redzapper’s 3G theme is based on the iPhone 3G theme by Jonathan Lundström.

The features for each version vary based on the device so be sure to visit the theme page for more info or to leave some feedback.

3G theme for the Curve 8300 series

• Download: OTA
• Info: 3G Theme Page (8300 series)

3G theme for the Curve 8900

• Download
  • OTA
  • OTA (with QuickLaunch)
• Info: 3G Theme Page (8900)

3G theme for the Bold 9000

• Download OTA:
  • No weather text
  • No weather text with QuickLaunch
  • With weather text
  • With weather text and QuickLaunch
• Info: 3G Theme Page (Bold)

3G theme for the Storm

• Download OTA:
  • 3G STORM This version uses the blue wallpaper shown on the home screen above throughout the theme.
  • 3G STORM BLACK This version uses the black grille wallpaper shown on the call screen above throughout the theme.
  • 3G STORM WHITE By popular demand! This version uses the white grille wallpaper shown above throughout the theme. Note White edition is NOT compatible with 151.
• Info: 3G Theme Page (Storm)

3G theme for the Tour

• Download: OTA
• Info: 3G Theme Page (Tour)

Get your BlackBerry Curves from the BBRocks! Smartphone Store! Get ‘em while they’re hot!

For 48 hours (35 hours left) current or new customers can get the following BlackBerry Curves FOR FREE:

• AT&T
  • 8900 (Silver)
  • 8310 (Red, Titanium)
• Sprint
  • 8330 (Titanium, Red, Inferno)
• T-Mobile
  • 8900 (Titanium)
  • 8320 (Sunset Red, Titanium)
  • NEW 8520! (Black, Frost Blue)
• Verizon
  • 8330 (Silver, Pink)

You will also get free FedEx shipping!

Head on over to the FREE! Curve Sale page in the BBRocks! Smartphone Store for more details and to grab one before the time runs out!

Pandora for BlackBerry has been updated to version 1.1.1 with a few bug fixes:

• Fixed HTTP 502 issue (and other networking-related issues such as the “connection closed” problem on the 8350i)
• Fixed volume going to “full” after an audio system alert (phone, email, IM) on Storm
• For listeners who use the low end of the volume scale, the jump from 3 bars to 4 bars isn’t as jarring anymore

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 the Tour 9630.

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

via CB Forums

WhatsApp has been released for BlackBerry!

• What is WhatsApp?
  WhatsApp is a status indicator for your iPhone and BlackBerry phones. This application allows users to share their availability status with each other. WhatsApp revolutionizes the way we communicate by eliminating poorly timed calls.

WhatsApp is available for all BlackBerry devices with a data connection running OS 4.2.1 and higher. In order for WhatsApp to work both parties must have it installed on their BlackBerry.

You can download it by visiting whatsapp.com/bb from your BlackBerry Browser, or visit whatsapp.com for more info.