The development of the WordPress Beta app for BlackBerry is definitely coming along nicely. WordPress has just released an updated version of the BlackBerry client that refreshes the user interface and adds some much needed features.

New in v0.9.0.169:

• Based on all the great feedback, we reworked much of the UI layout for the main view, blog view, and media view
• Ability to upload videos from your media library
• New option to set media file properties (filename, caption, title, and position)
• Created a new file browser that resembles the native BlackBerry file browser
• Big improvements in the speed at which you can view and manage comments
• Lots of optimizations for uploading photos and videos using base64 encoding
• Indonesian language support updated thanks to Kate of Pixel Insert
• Improved French language support thanks to Yann Nave of blog.onbebop.net

Download the latest version by going to blackberry.wordpress.org/install from your BlackBerry Browser or visit the main site for more info. If you already have this application installed it should automatically prompt you to update. Let me know how you like this new version in the comments!

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® Tour (TM) 9630 smartphone
BlackBerry Handheld Software v4.7.1.110 (Multilanguage)

Package Version: 4.7.1.110
Consisting of:

• Applications: 4.7.1.57
• Software Platform: 4.1.0.70
• File name: 9630AMEA_PBr4.7.1_rel110_PL4.1.0.70_A4.7.1.57_Sprint_L.P.exe
• File size: 102.16MB

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

• Download: OS 4.7.1.57 for the Tour 9630 from Sprint
• How To:
  • Backup And Restore Your BlackBerry
  • Upgrade your BlackBerry Operating System (OS)

Please report any feedback/findings in the comments. See a changelog after the jump.

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. *

CONTINUE READING »

Viigo has released a new version that I recommend everyone upgrade to. Version 3.1.489 brings with it some new features and improvements with performance, data usage, memory consumption and battery life.

The new version also allows you to see all the feeds you subscribed to across the Viigo app in the News & Module, meaning if you subscribed to a podcast in the audio section you will also see it in the News & RSS module separated with  titled heading like “Media”. If you open this feed item in the News & RSS module it will sync across your Viigo app so it shows up as read in the other modules as well.

The new version also adds some speed when it comes to accessing new and enhanced services such as the NFL, NHL and Soccer services within the Sports module.

To get the new version head to getviigo.com from your BlackBerry Browser. If you have a version installed from the BlackBerry App World you must uninstall it and reboot before installing the new version. Let me know how this version runs 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!

Elecite let me know that they have just released an awesome new HTC Sense UI Hero theme for BlackBerry!

Features:

• 5-6 customizable icons
• Profiles/manage connections buttons
• Today page with hidden today items for phone log, messages and calendar icons
• Media page with quick access buttons to music, media and pictures, and finally
• Dedicated menu for quick access to your options, contacts and more

For the majority of the past few months I’ve been using Elecite’s Noble theme but I think I’ve found a replacement .

The Hero theme is available for $6.99 at Elecite.com and will work on the BlackBerry Curve 8900, Bold, Storm and Tour. I’ve included a video that shows the Hero theme in action after the jump.

CONTINUE READING »

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!

Elecite never fails to impress when it comes to their BlackBerry themes. New from Elecite is Spear and Archaic, both great themes with unique features.

Spear is an ultra-detailed green and black theme, fully customized with 8 customizable icons and an over-sized  digital clock for your homescreen.

Archaic is an ultra-clean theme that looks great, is wallpaper friendly and slides horizontally between four pages giving you an app icon dock, calendar list, message list, and media page.

The Spear theme is available for the Curve 8350i, 8500 and 8900 series, Bold 9000 and Tour; the Archaic theme is available for the same models plus the Storm. Both themes go for $6.99.

For more info, to purchase or for additional screenshots, check out Spear and Archaic at Elecite.com.

Here are two great looking themes for the BlackBerry Storm called X1 and X1 zEdition, by CB members jaxjon and Zachriel respectively. The X1 themes are part of an open source project driven by various theme developers. Very cool.

X1 theme features:

• clean and easily readable home screen
• 10 icon scaling dock (use + or – to show/hide)
• 10 item hidden today (access by pressing calendar button)
• hidden buttons for profile, media, clock, mail, manage connections, apps screen, options, contacts, QuickLaunch (in addition to the calendar button)
• bouncing icons in dock
• fully skinned icons
• blue or white color background for messages, contacts, call log
• easily readable battery meter/custom fan signal meter
• all buttons on home screen light up on touch
• full dialpad
• custom focus/move icons
• enlarged text on menu selection
• good speed in transitions
• .151 compatible

X1 zEdition has a hidden dock accessible through the + button, bringing 8 other icons in, while the – button hides all the icons.

• Download OTA:
  • X1 – White
  • X1 – White WB
  • X1 – White WB & MB
  • X1 – Blue
  • X1 – Blue WB
  • X1 – Blue WB & MB
  • X1 zEdition
• Info/feedback pages:
  • X1
  • X1 zEdition
• How To: Install applications and themes via OTA with or without using data

EThemes is back with a new theme called HTC Hero for the BlackBerry Curve 8900, Bold and Tour available for FREE!

Hero to the left, Hero to the right everywhere you go there is a Hero around you. EThemes take on Hero UI. 5 user define icons, Calendar, Messages and SmsMms Preview Screens, Weather Slot Icon, QuickLaunch Icon, Media Icon and Network Icon, set it up right you would never have to leave the homescreen at all!!!!!

Weather App must be the first App on your App Screen

Apps 2-6 are the 5 user define icons on the dock

Calendar, Messages and Sms/Mms cannot be your 5 user define icons since they have there own screen. It would look odd since the today part will be covering the middle icons on the dock You wont be able to select the today part only preview the 4 entries

HTC Hero for the Curve 8900

• Download
  • Calendar, Messages, Sms/Mms Version: OTA
  • Calendar, Messages(Combine) Version: OTA
• Info/Feedback: HTC Hero Theme Page (8900)

HTC Hero for the Bold 9000

• Download
  • Calendar, Messages, Sms/Mms Version: OTA (set inbox to separate)
  • Calendar, Messages(Combine) Version: OTA (set inbox to combined)
• Info/Feedback: HTC Hero Theme Page (9000)

HTC Hero for the Tour 9630

• Download
  • Calendar, Messages, Sms/Mms Version: OTA
  • Calendar, Messages(Combine) Version: OTA
• Info/Feedback: HTC Hero Theme Page (9630)

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!