Morrison (aka @moestepp) let me know that he has put together a video guide with instructions on how to install hybrid or beta OS versions using BlackBerry Desktop Software for Mac.

I’ve transcribed the steps (below) for those that prefer text, but the video is better since it offers visual aide. The BlackBerry used for this tutorial is a Curve 8310 on AT&T. Do this at your own risk and only if you are comfortable with using beta/leaked software.

Morrison has also provided links to beta OS files in DMG format for use with a Mac computer. This method is mainly used for a hybrid OS upgrade. If you are using a beta “you would typically include the radio file in the same folder” (according to Morrison).

• 8330 5.0.0.230 http://www.megaupload.com/?d=G4VGQBM9
  
• 8900 5.0.0.238 http://www.megaupload.com/?d=V0IQRULX
  
• 9000 5.0.0.238 http://www.megaupload.com/?d=S3CMOBM2
  
• 9530 5.0.0.230 http://www.megaupload.com/?d=PL31VO1W
  
• 9630 5.0.0.230 http://www.megaupload.com/?d=G1PURKUJ

Here are the steps for use with a hybrid:

1. Plug your BlackBerry into your MacBook with BlackBerry Desktop Manager running
2. Install the carrier recommended OS (in this case AT&T OS 4.5.0.110)
3. Reload the OS that the carrier recommended for the phone. This will download all the appropriate files that are required.
4. Have the hybrid OS handy (in this case 8330 OS 5.0.0.238)
5. Go to Hard Drive > Username > Library > Application Support > BlackBerry Desktop Manager > Device Applications > Folder with numbers and letters
6. Open the Java file containing the hybrid OS files
7. Select all the files in the hybrid OS folder
8. Drag and drop these files into the folder with numbers and letters found in step 5
9. When prompted to replace files, click on apply to all and then replace
10. Go to BlackBerry Desktop Manager (should be running in background) and click on Applications and click Check for Updates
11. It will say there are no new updates in the next screen. Click on Show Other Versions in this screen.
12. You will now find the carrier recommended OS that was installed in steps 2 and 3. Click on the radio button to the left so it is “selected” and then click on Select.
13. Click on Reload
14. You’re done!

The Desktop Manager for Mac will think it’s just reloading the current OS to the BlackBerry but since you copied over the files from the hybrid OS it will actually be loading a different OS. As always please make backups before attempting to install or upgrade anything.

If you decide to try this out let me know how it works for you in the comments!

Software For BlackBerry® Pearl (TM) 8130m, 8830m, 8830 World Edition smartphones
BlackBerry Handheld Software v4.5.0.281 (Multilanguage)

Package Version: 4.5.0.281
Consisting of:

• Applications: 4.5.0.169
• Software Platform: 3.4.0.51
• 8130m
  • File name: 8130mAMEA_PBr4.5.0_rel281_PL3.4.0.51_A4.5.0.169_U.S._Cellular_.exe
  • File size: 88.03MB
• 8830m
  • 8830mAMEA_PBr4.5.0_rel281_PL3.4.0.51_A4.5.0.169_U.S._Cellular_.exe
  • File size: 82.6MB
• 8830 World Edition
  • File name: 8830uAMEA_PBr4.5.0_rel281_PL3.4.0.51_A4.5.0.169_U.S._Cellular_.exe
  • File size: 82.6MB

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

• Download: OS 4.5.0.169 for the Pearl 8130m, 8830m and 8830 World Edition from U.S. Cellular
• 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. *

Software For BlackBerry® Pearl Flip (TM) 8230 smartphone
BlackBerry Handheld Software v4.6.1.446 (Multilanguage)

Package Version: 4.6.1.446
Consisting of:

• Applications: 4.6.1.302
• Software Platform: 3.3.0.95
• File name: 8230mAMEA_PBr4.6.1_rel446_PL3.3.0.95_A4.6.1.302_Cellular_South.exe
• File size: 90.59MB

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

• Download: OS 4.6.1.302 for the Pearl Flip 8230 from Cellular South
• 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. *

This software version contains a fix for the BlackBerry Browser bug I mentioned a few weeks ago. For more info about this bug click here.

Software For BlackBerry® Curve (TM) 8900 smartphone
BlackBerry Handheld Software v4.6.1.456 (Multilanguage)

Package Version: 4.6.1.456
Consisting of:

• Applications: 4.6.1.310
• Software Platform: 4.2.0.127
• File name: 8900M_PBr4.6.1_rel456_PL4.2.0.127_A4.6.1.310_AVEA.exe
• File size: 123.35MB

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

• Download: OS 4.6.1.310 for the Curve 8900 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. *

Thanks @ghozali!

Salomondrin has done it again with another great overview video, this time goingt over the Verizon BlackBerry Storm 2 9550. The Storm 2 in this video is a newer release, which includes the hardware and the software (OS 5.0.0.287).

The Hardware: The phone is great to look at, and specially with RIM fixing the previous battery door problems that older revisions had, the phone is ready for every day use. The screen’s response is perfect at all times (Even though this is OS dependent), and there is no more light leaking around the screen

The Software: The latest update I did to the phone made the phone a solid device. This is exactly what RIM had in mind when they decided to put out the phone. We are back to the screen becoming solid when its off, but now the buttons on the bottom of the phone (send, end, app, return) are able to bring the screen back to live  as well. I don’t know how that is possible since those buttons are integrated on the screen, but I’m loving it. Random reboots are a thing of the past. In fact, they got rid of those with builds over .19X. There is no random freezing on the screen anymore either, and every single click works this time. The OS also makes the phone very snappy (responds really fast) whether you are going in or out of a menu, making a call, or even texting, the lag is completely gone here. With this bad boy you can text as fast as you want, and not as fast as the phone allows you to, like with the first version of the Storm.

I definitely agree with Sal, the Storm 2 looks and sounds ready for an official launch. As of right now we’re looking at a launch sometime between October 25th and November 27th if things work out internally and nothing gets pushed back. For more about this device check out the Storm 2 Archives.

@ghozali let me know that Sprint is pushing out OS 4.7.1.57 for the BlackBerry Tour 9630 through the online BlackBerry Update Service.

Since this update is available through the online BlackBerry update service only current Sprint customers can update their Tour by visiting blackberry.com/update through Internet Explorer. Once this update is available on the Sprint software download site I’ll update this post so everyone else can download the update too.

• 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. *

• Download: OS 4.7.0.181 for the Storm 9500 from Vodafone D2 GmbH (Google Translated)
• 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. *

• Download via MegaUpload: OS 4.7.0.181 for the Storm 9500
• How To:
  • Backup And Restore Your BlackBerry
  • Upgrade your BlackBerry Operating System (OS)

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. *

Software For BlackBerry® Bold (TM) 9000 smartphone
BlackBerry Handheld Software v4.6.0.518 (Multilanguage)

Package Version: 4.6.0.518
Consisting of:

• Applications: 4.6.0.303
• Software Platform: 4.0.0.248
• File name: 9000M_PBr4.6.0_rel518_PL4.0.0.248_A4.6.0.303_MobiTel_Bulgaria.exe
• File size: 96.81MB

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

• Download: OS 4.6.0.303 for the Bold 9000 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. *

Thanks @AtilaUno!