A few days ago I mentioned that the BeejiveIM Beta would be getting updated to support OS 5.0. Jim over at Beejive posted in their forums that beta version 1.9.7 is now available with some new features from the current production version:

• support for 5.0 OS
• file transfers via link, you can now transfer files to buddies on all IM accounts.
• email push when app running in background (see preferences in app).
• send voice notes
• send GPS location (if supported by phone)
• new chat styles & background images
• new buddy list layouts
• improved battery life
• overall UI redesign
• facebook IM
• various other bug fixes & enhancements

This beta version is only for BlackBerry devices running OS 4.2.1 and higher. As always, since this is a beta and not guaranteed to be stable, install at your own risk and make sure you backup your data first.

• Over the air (direct download to BB via web browser):
  • http://www.beejive.com/otabeta5.0storm (5.0 OS Storm & Storm 2 ONLY)
  • http://www.beejive.com/otabeta4.7storm (4.7 OS Storm ONLY)
  • http://www.beejive.com/otabeta5.(5.0 OS Tour, 9700 Bold)
  • http://www.beejive.com/otabeta4.6_vga (4.6 OS and higher, VGA screen: 9000 Bold, Tour, 8900 Curve)
  • http://www.beejive.com/otabeta4.6 (4.6 OS and higher, NON-VGA screen: 8220 Pearl Flip, 8350 Curve)
  • http://www.beejive.com/otabeta4.3 (4.3 OS and higher)
  • http://www.beejive.com/otabeta4.2.1 (4.2.1 OS and higher)
• Desktop Install:
  • http://www.beejive.com/beta5.0storm (5.0 OS Storm & Storm 2 ONLY)
  • http://www.beejive.com/beta4.7storm (4.7 OS Storm ONLY)
  • http://www.beejive.com/beta5.0 (5.0 OS Tour, 9700 Bold)
  • http://www.beejive.com/beta4.6_vga (4.6 OS and higher, VGA screen: 9000 Bold, Tour, 8900 Curve)
  • http://www.beejive.com/beta4.6 (4.6 OS and higher, NON-VGA screen: 8220 Pearl Flip, 8350 Curve)
  • http://www.beejive.com/beta4.3 (4.3 OS and higher)
  • http://www.beejive.com/beta4.2.1(4.2.1 OS and higher)
• How To:
  • Install applications and themes via OTA with or without using data
  • Install Applications and Themes via Desktop Manager

Thanks @sgtd!

Joe from BBSites sent me a tweet letting me know that all BlackBerry instant messaging clients have been updated to v2.5.30.

The BlackBerry IM clients include AIM, Yahoo! Messenger, MSN Messenger, Google Talk and ICQ. No info is available about what /changed in this new version so if you notice anything different be sure to leave it in the comments. You can find and download all of the BlackBerry IM clients from mobile.blackberry.com.

Before I get to the guide I just want to clarify that yes, I do realize the latest beta for BeejiveIM is v1.9.6 and v1.1.2 is an old beta. This guide is for those  BlackBerry users who prefer using BeejiveIM, don’t want to downgrade from OS 5.0 and don’t mind using an older beta version of BeejiveIM. Consider that you are already using leaked software (OS 5.0) so if you can’t IM with any apps other than BeejiveIM then this guide is for you.

@BRSDiddy sent me a some screenshots and details for how to get BeejiveIM Beta v1.1.2 to work with all OS 5.0 versions. He tried this method with the newer BeejiveIM betas, but it only worked with v1.1.2. If you’ve tried to open BeejiveIM with OS 5.0 you probably got a java language error and weren’t able to run it. This guide will help you get BeejiveIM beta to work on your BlackBerry running OS 5.0.

Since this guide is based on a beta BlackBerry application and leaked OS versions do this at your own risk and only if you’re comfortable with software that isn’t guaranteed to work. This is a temporary solution until RIM officially releases OS 5.0, followed by a compatible version of BeejiveIM from the guys over at Beejive.com.

CONTINUE READING »

Earlier this morning (practically yesterday) I mentioned the BlackBerry IM clients got updated to possibly work with OS 5.0, but at the time there was no official changelog or new feature list. Today RIM has officially announced the update with some details.

Here’s the product overview:

BlackBerry® Internet Service Instant Messaging applications are designed to provide BlackBerry smartphone users with access to existing instant messaging communities. The applications provide customers with the interface of their favourite instant messaging applications and the features of the BlackBerry smartphone. BlackBerry Internet Service Instant Messaging applications provide functionality for picture messaging, display pictures, and real-time conversations.

BlackBerry Internet Service Instant Messaging for BlackBerry smartphones version 2.5 is the latest application update. It encompasses some of the more popular instant messaging applications, such as Windows Live™ Messenger for BlackBerry® smartphones, Yahoo!® Messenger for BlackBerry® smartphones, ICQ® for BlackBerry® smartphones, Google Talk™ for BlackBerry® smartphones, and AOL® Instant Messenger™ service (AIM® service) for BlackBerry® smartphones.

Features:

• Add dedicated icons to the Home Screen for one-click access to conversation boxes of specific contacts. The icon appears as the contact’s display picture or avatar.
• Add contacts and display pictures or avatars to the address book to easily instant message, email, SMS, or call right from the address book or conversation box.
• Search through saved conversations
• Add dedicated emoticon icons in the conversation box

The specific version still seems to be 2.5.27. To grab these updates go to mobile.blackberry.com from your BlackBerry Browser, or click here to go directly to the IM client downloads.

Let me know how you like this update in the comments!

I’m being told that the Facebook and IM clients for BlackBerry have been updated to support OS 5.0!

The IM clients were updated to version 2.5.27 from 2.1.48  and the Facebook app was updated to version 1.6.0.22 from 1.6.0.21. Up till now none of these apps were working with OS 5.0. I checked to see if these updates were available to everyone and so far it looks like only the IM client update is. The Facebook update seems to only be available to those running OS 5.0 on their BlackBerry.

All these apps are available for download at mobile.blackberry.com, or if you’d prefer more direct links you can get the Facebook app at blackberry.com/facebook or click here for the IM clients from your BlackBerry Browser.

Let me know in the comments if you can update your Facebook or IM clients and whether you notice any changes besides OS 5.0 compatibility (features, bug fixes, etc). If you’d like to try OS 5.0 check the BlackBerry OS page to see if it’s available for your device.

Thanks @MADBRADNYC and @AtilaUno!

Fuze Box has just released a cool new app called Fuze Meeting, currently available for the BlackBerry Curve 8900, Bold and Storm.

Fuze Meeting for BlackBerry smartphones enables users to launch or participate in a web meeting from their mobile device – a must-have for salespeople, business owners, service providers and all mobile professionals. Fuze Meeting leverages the unique capabilities of the latest generation of BlackBerry smartphones, including 3G, Wi-Fi®, faster processors and elegant displays to allow users to view video content, images and documents. Fuze Meeting also lets users chat securely with co-workers and friends, send meeting invites, and even “fetch” participants from their BlackBerry contacts directly into a conference.

Features:

• Full-featured conference call management – start meetings, invite participants, fetch them into the session, mute and un-mute lines – all from a single interface.
• View meeting participants’ desktops, files and presentations on-the-go, in real-time, while synced with the meeting presenter.
• Watch and listen to high-quality video and audio – start, stop and pause as if you were in the room with the presenter.
• Consolidate multiple IM platforms into one application – login simultaneously to Yahoo, AOL, MSN, Jabber, Google Talk and others

Fuze Meeting is free with usage by up to 3 web users and/or 7 audio users. Just to clarify that, if 3 web users are in the meeting they also count as 3 audio users, leaving 4 audio spaces open, or just 7 audio users but the host has to be logged in through the web. For larger meetings you can check out Fuze Meeting’s pricing options, which include pay-as-you-go, monthly and annual plans.

I can see how this app would be useful with group projects and having small meetings. Even though the Fuze Meetings are limited to a certain number of attendees for the free version, the available features are great.

You can find this app in the BlackBerry App World or get it directly from FuzeMeeting.com. More info in the full press release after the jump.

CONTINUE READING »

Those of you that are running the leaked versions of OS 5.0 know that instant messaging applications aren’t working properly yet (or at all). My buddy @0mie was able to get his hands on leaked versions of BlackBerry instant messaging applications that should work with devices running OS 5.0.

A note from 0mie:

Sidenote: I was asked to make these OTA files, thus the vendor being 0mieTech; if you don’t like that…Plain and simple, don’t dL.

Also keep in mind that since these are leaked versions, you should make a backup and install these apps at your own risk and only if you are comfortable with using beta software.

• Download OTA:
  • AIM 5.0
  • Yahoo 5.0
  • GTalk 5.0
  • MSN 5.0
• How To:
  • Backup And Restore Your BlackBerry
  • Install applications and themes via OTA with or without using data

If not being able to use instant messaging apps was holding you back from trying OS 5.0 and now you want to, check out the BlackBerry OS page to see if OS 5.0 is available for your device.

via 0mieTech

Just got an email tip with information about the T-Mobile BlackBerry Curve 8520’s launch!

The Curve 8520 will be launched with an Optical Trackpad and is meant to replace the T-Mobile Curve 8320. It will launch August 5th for the following:

• Retail (stores)
• RPS
• Walmart
• Employees
• Upgrades (after 10 a.m. PT)

Top features:

• Full QWERTY keyboard
• Optical Trackpad Navigation
• Wi-Fi and Mobile Calling
• Personal and Work E-mail
• SMS, IM and Social Networking
• BlackBerry App World

Still no official pricing info yet but I’m working on that . Who plans on getting the Curve 8520, especially since it’s meant to replace the Curve 8320 for T-Mobile?

That Optical Trackpad sure does look nice.

The BeejiveIM Beta for the BlackBerry Storm has been updated to version 1.9.5. Version 1.9.4 was mostly a bug fix release with no new features added and version 1.9.5 comes with the following additions:

• file transfers via link, you can now transfer files to buddies on all IM accounts.
• updated push when idle settings, you can now choose an email to use for push notifications.
• clock fixed
• option to use color blind status icons
• various other bug fixes & enhancements

This is not a production release and may have bugs and defects. Install at your own risk! You must fully uninstall and restart your Storm before installing the new Beta. If you’re not sure how to uninstall the previous version click here.

You can download the latest BeejiveIM Beta for your Storm OTA at beejive.com/stormbeta. Be sure to report any issues and bugs to Beejive in their support forums. For help on how to install applications via OTA click here.

Found out about a new and free instant messaging application called Friendplay.

Friendplay is currently in Beta and is supposed to be compatible with Java enabled phones (including BlackBerry), but all my attempts to download it have failed. I figured I’d still let you all know in case you have better luck . Since it’s in Beta it may have bugs, so only download this application if you’re comfortable with testing Betas.

Friendplay allows you to connect to your Yahoo, MSN, Gtalk and AIM accounts over data or Wi-Fi. Besides one-on-one chat sessions users can create multiple chat rooms, add friends to frequently chat friend lists, and backup your contact list!

Friendplay also has non-chat features where you can “Send free SMS”, download ringtones, wallpapers or even videos via Friendplay Mobilefun.

You can download it now by visiting im.friendplay.com from your BlackBerry Browser, or visit Friendplay.com for more info. If you’re able to download it let me know what you think in the comments!

Full press release after the jump.

CONTINUE READING »