• Download via RapidShare: OS 5.0.0.344 for the Bold 9700
• How To:
  • Backup And Restore Your BlackBerry
  • Upgrade your BlackBerry Operating System (OS)

Please report any feedback/findings in the comments.

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. *

My buddy Thomas (@aka_thewarrior) and his buddy BES let me know that BlackBerry Bold 9700 dummy units are arriving at T-Mobile USA stores!

As a reminder, RIM announced that the Bold 9700 would be launching worldwide in November and T-Mobile is having a Go Bolder Event tomorrow so I’m sure we’ll be seeing an official announcement real soon. The Bold 9700 has already launched on a few carriers so it looks like the worldwide launch is right on schedule.

While you wait be sure to check out the Bold 9700 features and specifications to become familiar with this device if you haven’t already. Any T-Mobile customers excited about getting this awesome BlackBerry?

• Download via MegaUpload: OS 5.0.0.321 for the Bold 9700
• How To:
  • Backup And Restore Your BlackBerry
  • Upgrade your BlackBerry Operating System (OS)

Please report any feedback/findings in the comments.

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. *

A few days ago I told you about the free Vodafone Update client for BlackBerry that allows you to update your Twitter and Facebook statuses. Widgetlabs left a comment letting me know that they have released Vodafone Update v2.0.1 with the following features:

• Copy&Paste
• AutoText
• BIS Connections

Vodafone Update is currently available for the BlackBerry Curve 8900 and Bold 9000. Visit vodafone.de/update from your BlackBerry Browser to download this app OTA.

Yesterday Rogers updated their website to show the BlackBerry Bold 9700, today Bell has thrown their hat into the ring with their own website update!

The Bold 9700 is available from Bell with the following pricing options:

• 3 year contract – $229.95
• 2 year contract – $449.95
• 1 year contract – $549.95
• No contract – $599.95

On a 3 year term when activating a minimum voice and data plan combination or combo plan of $45 per month or greater.

@cellguru also found out that Bell already has them in stock! For more info visit the Bell website.

A few weeks ago Canadian service provider Rogers announced via this press release that it would soon be offering the BlackBerry Bold 9700. @BRSDiddy let me know that Rogers has just updated their website and now has the Bold 9700 available for purchase!

Pricing:

• 3 year contract – $299.99
• 2 year contract – $499.99
• 1 year contract – $549.99
• Monthly contract – $549.99
• No contract – $599.99

If you absolutely can’t wait for your own service provider to get the Bold 9700 and don’t mind spending $600 to get it early then here’s your chance. Other than that if you’re a Rogers customer or plan on becoming one you can choose from a few contract options to get a certain amount off a new Bold 9700.

Check it out on Rogers and let me know if you pick one of these up in the comments!

While you wait for your new Bold 9700 (if you get one) you may want to read up on its features and specifications if you haven’t already.

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. *

Vodafone has released Vodafone Update, a social network BlackBerry application that allows you to update your Twitter and Facebook profiles.

Features:

• See status updates from your Twitter and Facebook contacts at a glance
• What are you doing right now? Post tweets to one or both of your social networks
• Reply to your friends’ messages directly from your BlackBerry
• Search for real-time news in Twitter
• Share what you see with others instantly! Take photos with your BlackBerry and send them to one or both of your networks with just one click
• Easy to use – just download, start and you’re done

Vodafone Update is currently available for the BlackBerry Curve 8900 and Bold 9000. Visit vodafone.de/update from your BlackBerry Browser to download this app OTA.

If you check it out let me know what you think in the comments, especially if you’ve used other BlackBerry Twitter apps.

Thanks @TorontoWireless!

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. *

Yesterday I mentioned that the Verizon BlackBerry Storm 9530 might be getting OS 5.0.0.328 tomorrow. Since that post I’ve received a bunch of emails asking whether a certain BlackBerry model will get OS 5.0.

Up till now I could only base my answers on leaked information, but  thanks to a new knowledge base article posted by RIM we now know exactly which BlackBerry devices will get it!

List of the supported devices:

• BlackBerry® Pearl™ Flip 8200 series smartphones
• BlackBerry® Curve™ 8330 smartphones
• BlackBerry® Curve™ 8350i smartphones
• BlackBerry® Curve™ 8900 smartphones
• BlackBerry® Bold™ 9000 smartphones
• BlackBerry® Storm™ 9500 series smartphones
• BlackBerry® Tour™ 9630 smartphones

Your BlackBerry must have at least 64MB of available memory in order to upgrade to OS 5.0 once it’s available.

According to the knowledge base article not all wireless service providers will support BlackBerry OS 5.0 for the devices listed above, meaning you might have to get it from another service provider. This isn’t a problem for those that don’t mind using an OS not issued by their carrier.

Here’s to hoping an OS 5.0 launch for all devices is just around the corner!

via KB17984