Many people have sent me messages and tweets about not being able to see their contacts’ avatar in the new BlackBerry Messenger 5.0. I would usually recommend the standard battery pull, having that contact re-load their photo, re-download BBM 5.0 or re-add the contact. In some cases these methods would work but in others they would not, and at the time I would usually recommend re-adding via PIN.

RIM has published a knowledge base article with a workaround to this issue since there is no resolution (right now).

This is a previously reported issue that has been escalated internally to our development team. No resolution time frame is currently available.

Here’s the workaround provided by RIM:

1. On the Home screen or in the Instant Messaging folder, click the BlackBerry Messenger icon.
2. Highlight the affected user.
3. On the contact list screen, press the Menu key.
4. Select Delete Contact.
5. To add the contact again, invite them by using scan a barcode or by email.

Once you re-invite the contact they will need to re-accept. Once the contact accepts you should both be able to see each others’ avatars. Keep in mind that both parties must be running BBM 5.0. You can download it OTA from blackberry.com/messenger.

If you’ve had issues where you can’t see your contacts’ avatars be sure to try this workaround and let me know how it works for you in the comments!

UPDATE To download BBM 5.0 directly to your BlackBerry without BB App World visit blackberry.com/messenger from your BlackBerry Browser! *

RIM  has finally released BlackBerry Messenger 5.0.0.33 in the BlackBerry App World!!!

• Enhanced SMS
  • Allows for a conversational chat-like user experience with a single contact list for the most personal mobile-to-mobile communications
  • Note: BlackBerry® Device Software 5.0 and later is required for the SMS functionality.
• Avatars
  • Users can choose a picture from the BlackBerry smartphone gallery and save it as their personal avatar, which will be seen by their contacts. They can also view other avatars in the contact list and zoom in on the avatars of contacts participating in a conversation by selecting “View participants.”
• Large Media File Transfer
  • Users can send/receive large file transfers up to 6 megabytes for pictures, files and audio.
  • Note: BlackBerry Device Software 5.0 is required to receive large media files.
• Enhanced Group Functionality
  • Allows for the ability to update, share & communicate with a subset community
• Bar-code Identity
  • A user can add a contact to the BlackBerry Messenger contact list by displaying a 2-dimensional bar code that invitees can capture with their device cameras.
• Reliable Contact Backup and Restore
  • Contacts are backed-up on a server and do not require the need for BlackBerry® Desktop Manager.

Some helpful Knowledge Base Articles:

• Bar code feature of BlackBerry Messenger 5.0
• How to integrate SMS conversations with BlackBerry Messenger 5.0
• How to navigate groups within BlackBerry Messenger 5.0
• Email confirmation message of BlackBerry Messenger 5.0

Your BlackBerry must be running at least OS 4.5 before installing BBM 5.0! You can find all the latest OS versions here. For more info and to download the new BlackBerry Messenger check it out in the BlackBerry App World.  Let me know how you like the new version in the comments!

This one definitely caught me by surprise. According to a tip sent to CrackBerry Kevin the new BlackBerry Messenger will be released globally on October 7th, less than two days away!

BlackBerry® Messenger 5.0

Launch Date: Global – October 7, 2009

BlackBerry® Messenger is an instant messaging application that allows BlackBerry Smartphone users to send and receive instant messages with other BlackBerry Smartphone users.

BlackBerry Messenger 5.0 is the latest release.

Features:

• Enhanced SMS -Allows for a conversational chat-like user experience with a single contact list for the most personal mobile-to-mobile communications
  • Note: BlackBerry® Device Software 5.0 and later is required for the SMS functionality.
• Avatars - Users can choose a picture from the BlackBerry Smartphone gallery and save it as their personal avatar, which will be seen by their contacts. They can also view other avatars in the contact list and zoom in on the avatars of contacts participating in a conversation by selecting “View participants.”
• Large Media File Transfer - Users can send/receive large file transfers up to 6 megabytes for pictures, files and audio.
  • Note: BlackBerry Device Software 5.0 is required to receive large media files.
• Enhanced Group Functionality - Allows for the ability to update, share & communicate with a subset community.
• Bar-code Identity - A user can add a contact to the BlackBerry Messenger contact list by displaying a 2-dimensional bar code that invitees can capture with their device cameras.
• Reliable Contact Backup and Restore - Contacts are backed-up on a server and do not require the need for BlackBerry® Desktop Manager.

Many of us have been using the leaked version of BBM 5.0 but it’s not perfect and is most likely an early release compared to what is internally available today. According to the leaked tip the “Enhanced SMS” feature of BBM 5.0 is only available to BlackBerry users who are running OS 5.0 or later. I wonder if this means an OS 5.0 launch is also around the corner? That would definitely be a nice surprise!

UPDATE Verizon and RIM have pulled OS 4.7.1.53 after releasing it for only a few hours. Apparently this OS was bad and really messed up some Tours. If you attempted to upgrade to this OS let me know if you were successful in the comments. *

BlackBerry OS 4.7.1.53 for the Tour 9630 was just leaked a few days ago but it looks like Verizon has decided to make it official and is pushing it out through BlackBerry Desktop Manager.

Here is a changelog put together by BGR:

• Improved MMS notifications
• Improved Visual Voice Mail app
• Improved sound quality for Bluetooth headsets and voice calls
• Fixed geo-tagging error in the camera application
• Fixed an error with DRM music skipping
• Improved video player
• Added BlackBerry Messenger update notifications — check for new BBM updates automatically or manually.
• Fixed an issue with device restarting after activating morning alarm
• Fixed an issue with memory cleaning and sluggishness
• The first character is no longer duplicated when dialing from the
  home screen.
• Your smartphone may not have detected headset removal, causing it to remain connected to a disabled headset.
• When prompted to add an email account in the Setup Wizard, your smartphone may have jumped to “Bluetooth® Setup,” leaving you unable to navigate back to email setup.
• If you tried to save changes to a contact that only contained a company name, you may have received the error message “Contact updated externally. Changes will be lost and the view closed.”

This update is only available through BlackBerry Desktop Manager and not through Verizon’s BlackBerry Downloads site (at least right now). To get this update load BlackBerry Desktop Manager and plug in your Tour 9630. Everything should be automatic from there.

Even though this is an official update you should always backup beforehand in case something goes wrong. Let me know how you like the update in the comments!

UPDATE Someone just pointed out that BeBeMe is both free and premium.

According to the image above yearly is free but they seem to be offering premium plans for longer periods of time. Is anyone else getting something similar when they check? If you find a free one then good, if not I don’t recommend paying for it. *

BeBeMe has launched their new social networking site for BlackBerry users allowing you to conveniently create a single “PIN alias” that would stick with you for life (should you choose), versus  the BlackBerry PIN being unique to each device.

What is BeBeMe?

BeBeMe is a social network and a new global identification system for BlackBerry users. It’s a global address book where the BlackBerry users can be reached easily by converting PIN and Emails to an easy to remember Number or Name and makes it easy to add friends to their BlackBerry Messenger and contact list.

BeBeMe simplifies sharing a handset’s Personal Identification Number (PIN), enabling everyone to communicate more conveniently with friends, with communities, anywhere in the world.

BeBeMe offers many value added services, including storing all contacts online, interacting via personal profile pages on www.bebeme.com, and maintaining the same BeBeMe account regardless of whether a handset is broken, lost or upgraded.

With the way everyone communicates continuing to evolve, BeBeMe helps everyone to connect.

It’s free. It’s instant. It’s fun. And it has no boundaries.

The idea of one BeBeMe for all your BlackBerry devices (new and old) is something I’m sure many of you would appreciate. The downside is that BeBeMe is only available for devices running OS 4.6 and higher with support for the Storm on OS 5.0 coming soon.

For more info and to download the app head on over to BeBeMe.com or check out the full press release after the jump.

CONTINUE READING »

@Salomondrin has put together another video of the BlackBerry Bold 9700 (aka Onyx), this time going over a few different things about it. Here’s what Sal goes over:

• “Bold” branding across the back
• Exterior features and buttons
• Side-by-side comparison of the with the Bold 9000
• Media card location
• Trackpad is “heavenly” compared to Trackball
• It’s really fast, running on one of the latest versions of OS 5.0
• Browser is especially fast (video coming soon)
• BlackBerry Messenger is still version 4.7
• Media playback (audio and video)
• Ringtones (the usual)
• Pictures
• Applications
• Downloads comes pre-loaded with with apps and games like Tetris and PacMan
• Profiles (new layout)
• Make-UR-Tones (make your own ringtones?!)
• 130MB of free app memory

AWESOME. So it looks like the Onyx will definitely be launching soon, hopefully in November, but definitely before the end of the year.

Today is day 3 of BlackBerry Tour Week! The Deal-of-the-Day today is for BerryBuzz, an application that allows you to customize your BlackBerry’s LED color and create repeating audible reminders for many alert types.

Main features:

• Customizable LED color and set an individual repeating alert for
  • E-Mails (individual for each account or one for all)
  • PIN Messages
  • BlackBerry Messenger
  • Facebook
  • SMS/MMS
  • Calendar
  • Tasks
  • Missed phone calls
• Customizable LED color for
  • Incoming Call
  • Coverage Indicator
• When multiple alerts are active at the same time, every color will flash in a repeating pattern.
• Customizable rapid flashing LED for incoming phone calls
• Customizable vibrate for incoming calls. Vibrates while ringing.
• Customizable coverage indicator will flash when radio/data is/is not available
• Optional slow down or stop of LED flashing after specified time to save battery life
• Create your own customized LED colors
• Define a schedule with hours of day and days of week when all LED flashing and reminders will automatically be muted
• Optimized for minimum battery and memory usage

BerryBuzz is compatible with any BlackBerry running OS 4.2 and higher. Until 12AM CST tonight you can get it for 50% off at $2.97, normally priced at $5.95. A free trial is available for anyone that wants to try it before they buy it.

You can also find these great deals in the BBRocks! Mobile AppStore!

New in the store today is bChat, a threaded text messaging application for BlackBerry by ALL KAPPS Software.

It’s already known that threaded SMS is supposed to be available with OS 5.0, but many of you may not be able to wait for this feature. If you can’t wait and don’t mind spending $0.99, then bChat is definitely a good alternative.

Features:

• Texts organized by conversation/contact
• Allows texts longer than the standard 160 characters
• Customize the UI colors
• Integration into your profiles
• Save your chats to the device or memory card for your records
• Follow links and emails directly from the conversation, no need to copy and paste the link
• Send texts with just a press of the enter key, just like BlackBerry Messenger
• Track how many texts you send and receive

For only $0.99 this app offers some great, useful features that I’m sure many of you will appreciate.

This app is currently compatible with all BlackBerry devices running OS 4.5 and higher except for the Storm. Check it out in the store or in the on-device Mobile App Store and let me know what you think!

Last night @arukaen uploaded a video review of the BlackBerry Storm 2, codenamed the Odin.

This video is not @arukaen’s, he just uploaded it. Here is what is covered in the video:

• Touchscreen (one piece)
• Battery door made of metal
• Button placement on top and side
• Side keys are made of plastic/rubber
• Same battery as the Tour
• SIM card and media card location
• Lighting for bottom buttons, no leaked light
• Storm 2, Onyx and Tour side-by-side comparison
• Screen can’t be pressed unless the Storm 2 is on
• Memory screen
  • Applications, Device (1.8 GB total), Media Card
• Comes with new BlackBerry Messenger and threaded SMS
• Media folders
• Loud speakers (really loud)
• Composing a SMS message
• This Storm 2 is running on AT&T with EDGE,
• Mobile Network connections
  • Switching between GSM/UMTS, 1XEV and Global

Let me know what you think in the comments!

Yet another great and helpful article by @ASacco!

Experiencing problems with that new BlackBerry Tour? Is your tried-and-true Curve 8300 acting up on ya? Have no fear; you don’t necessarily have a “lemon” on your hands.

BlackBerry devices, and smartphones in general, can be a “finicky” bunch of gadgets. But thankfully, there are some quick fixes for common problems, many of which I’ve covered on CIO.com before in my BlackBerry Bible.

However, BlackBerry-maker Research In Motion (RIM) was kind enough to post its own set of 10 BlackBerry smartphone troubleshooting tips and tricks earlier this month. While there’s nothing groundbreaking–like I said, I’ve covered most of the material before–any and all CrackBerry addicts will benefit from a quick refresher of the basics

What follows is RIM’s recent list of BlackBerry troubleshooting tips, along with comments of my own, where necessary or relevant.

Overview of the steps:

1. Check Wireless Signal Strength
2. Pull Your Battery or “Hard Reset”
3. Check Wireless Network Settings
4. Register Your BlackBerry the Wireless Network
5. Check your BlackBerry’s Connection to a Computer
6. Confirm BlackBerry Can Receive E-Mail
7. Confirm BlackBerry Can Send E-Mail, PIN Messages (BlackBerry Messenger)
8. Resend BlackBerry Service Books
9. Launch the BlackBerry “Help” App
10. Visit BlackBerry Technical Solutions Center

READ MORE @ CIO