New BlackBerry Smartphone Simulators have been made available by RIM. The Simulators are necessary for developers to test how their software would run on a BlackBerry device.

Use BlackBerry® Smartphone Simulators to view and test how BlackBerry® Device Software and the screen, keyboard and trackwheel/trackball will work with your application. With a BlackBerry Smartphone Simulator, you can run and debug applications as if they were on an actual BlackBerry smartphone.

I’ve included a list of the BlackBerry Smartphone Simulators after the jump. For more info visit blackberry.com/simulators.

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Software For BlackBerry® 8700 smartphone
BlackBerry Handheld Software v4.5.0.304 (Multilanguage)

Package Version: 4.5.0.304
Consisting of:

• Applications: 4.5.0.181
• Software Platform: 2.7.0.108
• File name: 8700M_PBr4.5.0_rel304_PL2.7.0.108_A4.5.0.181_MobiTel_Bulgaria.exe
• File size: 79.01MB

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

• Download: OS 4.5.0.181 for the BlackBerry 8700 from MobiTel Bulgaria
• 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. *

UPDATE This OS is also available for the BlackBerry 8700. *

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® Pearl (TM) 8100/8120, Curve (TM) 8320, 8800 and 8820 smartphones
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
• 8100
  • File name: 8100M_PBr4.5.0_rel294_PL2.7.0.105_A4.5.0.174_AVEA.exe
  • File size: 93.58MB
• 8120
  • File name: 8120M_PBr4.5.0_rel294_PL2.7.0.105_A4.5.0.174_AVEA.exe
  • File size: 97.96MB
• 8320
  • File name: 8320M_PBr4.5.0_rel294_PL2.7.0.105_A4.5.0.174_.exe
  • File size: 92.43MB
• 8800
  • File name: 8800M_PBr4.5.0_rel294_PL2.7.0.105_A4.5.0.174_AVEA.exe
  • File size: 90.31MB
• 8820
  • File name: 8820M_PBr4.5.0_rel294_PL2.7.0.105_A4.5.0.174_AVEA.exe
  • File size: 92.47MB
• 8700
  • File name: 8700M_PBr4.5.0_rel294_PL2.7.0.105_A4.5.0.174_AVEA.exe
  • File size: 78.92MB

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 your BlackBerry from AVEA
• 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. *

My buddy @Ninja_Says (aka NinjaThemes) has released a FREE BlackBerry theme for Twitter addicts called Tweme.

Features:

• Twitter-inspired wallpapers and fonts
• Playful icons
• Bottom dock is user-customizable
• Hidden Today (on 9000 version ONLY)
• Special icon slot for your favourite Twitter app (or “weather” icon, whatever)
• ***
• ***NOTE*** a battery pull is STRONGLY recommended after every theme install!
• ***
• NOTE TO ALL 83xx/88xx/87xx USERS: THIS THEME WILL ONLY WORK FOR OS 4.5! PLEASE DO NOT INSTALL UNLESS YOU KNOW YOUR BLACKBERRY OS VERSION!!!

Ninja also has other free and premium themes available in the store.

• Download: Tweme – The Twitter Theme for Blackberry!
• How To:
  • Install applications and themes via OTA with or without using data
  • Install Applications and Themes via Desktop Manager

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.

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.

Made Simple Learning let me know that they have just launched their BlackBerry Curve 8350i Training Center!

If you have a Curve 8350i (or any BlackBerry for that matter) and have been looking for a way to learn all there is about it, Made Simple Learning is the way to go.

Here are some highlights of what the Made Simple Learning Training Center offers for the Curve 8350i:

• Dozens of hidden or little-known time-saving tips and tricks.
• Using the Wi-Fi and GPS Features of the Curve ™ 8350i
• Using “Direct Connect” or “MIKE” walkie-talkie feature
• Synchronizing your BlackBerry with your Windows™ or Mac™ computer.
• How to squeeze every ounce of power from the Address Book, Calendar, Tasks and MemoPad.
• How to become “Master of Your BlackBerry Email”
• How to use Google Sync for true “Wireless Sync” without an Enterprise Server
• Support for both BlackBerry Internet Service and Corporate BlackBerry Enterprise Server users.
• Tips and tricks to unlock the rich Media Features of the BlackBerry 8350i.
• How to  turn your 8350i  into something that could replace a video and audio “iPod™”
• How to use your 8350i for Mapping (including Google Maps.)
• Learn how to go Online as well as update your Facebook and Myspace pages – right from your BlackBerry

The Complete Training Center is available for $29.95.  The Videos can be purchased separately for $19.95 and the EBook can also be purchased separately for $14.95 until July 30th, after that it goes up to $20.99.

In the store, Made Simple Learning offers Ebooks and training for various BlackBerry devices on sending email and typing basics, learning about your BlackBerry’s camera, tips for watching videos and much more. Ebooks and training from Made Simple Learning will soon be available for the Tour 9630.

Visit the Made Simple Learning BlackBerry Curve 8350i Training Center for more info, or check out the full press release after the jump.

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Z Man Designs has decided to do another 50% off sale on his extremely popular iVista 2 BlackBerry theme!

iVista 2 continues to be one of the best selling BlackBerry themes because of its overall quality, and because it’s available for ALL BlackBerry devices OS 4.5 and higher. iVista 2 combines the best of the iPhone icons and the clean, professional build of Windows Vista.

Features:

• ALL — Easy to read fonts!
• ALL — A minimum of 5 customizable home screen icons
• ALL — A completely custom homescreen
• ALL — Visually stunning
• ALL — The HIGHEST quality theme sold on MobiHand!
• Bold / 8900 — versions feature NINE (9) customizeable home screen icons
• Storm — version features ELEVEN (11) customizeable home screen icons
• Storm / Bold / 8900 — versions feature “widgetesque” desktop
• Storm / Bold / 8900 — versions have a Today area

There are multiple screenshots available so you can get a preview of what iVista 2 would look like on your specific BlackBerry model.

Grab yourself a copy for only $3 in the store until June 30th, after that it will go up to $6.

* 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! *

The guys over at BerryWalls let me know that they have officially launched their new beta site. BerryWalls is basically a free BlackBerry wallpaper search with wallpaper sizes available for the following BlackBerry models:

• Pearl 8100 series
• Curve 8300 series
• 8700 series
• 8800 series
• Curve 8900 series
• Bold 9000 series
• Storm 9500 series

The above screenshot is of a space wallpaper found through BerryWalls by typing in “space” as the wallpaper search term. A mobile version of the site is expected to be available some time in May 2009.

Go check it out at BerryWalls.com and let me know what you think!