SmrtGuard has updated their BlackBerry application to version 2.01 with a bunch of new features, most notably a new “Where I’ve Been” feature. Here’s whats new in v2.01:

• Added New ‘Where I’ve Been’ Feature on BlackBerry
• Personal Guardian Updated! Now using Left Convenience Key with configurable trigger time.
• SIM Guardian now can configure Email and SMS Alert Receipients
• New and Improved Your Data Count Screen
• SmrtGuard Web Dashboard improved sorting and export to CSV

In addition to this update, SmrtGuard and Indonesian service provider Indosat have partnered up and released i-Guard, a white-label version of SmrtGuard.

For those that aren’t familiar with it, SmrtGuard is a premium app/service that allows you to secure your BlackBerry and data with OTA backup/restore, remote tracking, remote data wiping and more. If you’re looking for a way to protect your BlackBerry and data  from loss or theft this is definitely an option you should look into.

SmrtGuard will work on BlackBerry devices running OS 4.2 or higher and is available in the store as three subscription services:  monthly, yearly and semi-annual. Check it out and let me know how secure you feel in the comments!

The guys over at RIMGeeks have been hard at work improving their useful BlackBerry Swiss Army Knife (BBSAK) desktop application. Since their last release of v1.6 there has been a minor update with some fixes and a new version update to v1.7.0.

• New in v1.7.0
  • Auto Update Feature Now Included (upon load bbsak will check to verify you have the most current version install)
  • Compact view button now available in all expanded windows
  • Restore Apps completion popup now pops up at correct time
  • Some small speed tweaks also included with this version
• v1.6.3 Fixes
  • Some users experienced read system errors completely fixed with v1.6.3
  • Form can now be maximized (hope it helps with resolution issues)

BBSAK is a must have app for advanced BlackBerry users who want to get the most control over their device, or for the intermediate user who simply wipe their device or backup/restore their 3rd party applications.

For more info and to download BBSAK v1.7.0 visit the RIMGeeks project page.

RIMGeeks has released a new version of their handy BlackBerry Swiss Army Knife (BBSAK) Windows desktop application.

New in BBSAK v1.6:

• Brand New Tabbed Layout for better organization
• Animated app expansion
• Multiple COD install now available through the “Install COD(s)” button
• Multiple COD removal now available through the “Remove COD(s)” button (Read system required to remove cods)
• Install JAD files (ALL CODs referenced in JAD file must be in the SAME FOLDER as JAD)
• JAD Maker now included! (Box is drag and drop for windows xp and vista users only)
• New BB Screenshot Preview! – Preview your screenshot before you save it!
• RESTORE APPS BUTTON IS BACK!!! (NOTE** will install all files under “BBSAK BACKUP” in the applications section of your blackberry removing this app will remove ALL apps in the backup!!!!! THE ALX IS STILL CREATED!!! feel free to install that via loader.exe or blackberry desktop manager)

This desktop app has helped me out a few times where I bricked my BlackBerry (not on purpose of course). Luckily I had made a backup of my 3rd party apps with BBSAK so it was easy to install all of them at once instead of one-by-one. Backing up 3rd party apps is not all BBSAK can do and RIMGeeks is continuously working to improve it with new features and fixes.

For more info and to download BBSAK v1.6 visit the RIMGeeks project page.

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!

Andrey over at Inside BlackBerry posted up a great in-depth walkthrough of BlackBerry Desktop Software (BBDS) for Mac. According to the walkthrough, “Desktop Software” is what it will be known as and not “Desktop Manager”.

Here is what Andrey’s walkthrough covers:

• The Welcome Sheet
• Summary Screen and Device Options
• Synchronizing
• Updating Device Software
• Installing and Removing Applications
• Backup and Restore

According to Andrey the release of BBDS for Mac is “just around the corner”.

There are plenty of screenshots for visual aide so head on over to Inside BlackBerry and check out the detailed walkthrough. Don’t forget to sign up at blackberry.com/mac for more info and to be notified about its release, or just keep an eye on BBRocks! since I’ll be posting about it as soon as it’s available .

Last week the official BlackBerry Twitter account “accidentally” sent out a tweet saying that the BlackBerry Desktop Manager for Mac was available for download. Since then there hasn’t been much chatter about BBDM for Mac, but BGR has gotten a tip that it will be releasing on September 25th.

A recap of the key features:

• Sync your iTunes® playlists, calendars, contacts, notes and tasks
• Add/Remove applications
• Update your device when new software becomes available
• Backup and restore your device data with such features like automatically scheduled backups and optional encryption (security is #1 as always…)
• Manage multiple devices

If you absolutely can’t wait for it to be officially released, I hear the leaked version of BBDM for Mac works pretty well.

SmrtGuard for BlackBerry has been updated to version 1.98 with the following changes:

• More Robust Remote Wiping that wipes out Password Word Keeper, Facebook, Phone Application
• Backup and Restore secured by Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) encryption
• Easy and secured activation verification process with secure key exchange mechanism via HTTPS. For details on how to activate (new purchase ) and reactivate (after switch device), please see here.
• New “Smrt Backup” that only backs up if there have been changes in your personal data. It is a more efficient way to backup!
• Added support for User1, User2, User4, User4, Birthday, Anniversary fields in Contact backup and restore.
• Fixed a SMS restore and backup bug where outgoing SMS message greater than 160 characters were not being backed up properly and impacted the restore of SMS.

SmrtGuard allows you to backup and restore personal data OTA, track the location of your BlackBerry, and execute a remote wipe if it’s stolen or lost. This app is available for all BlackBerry devices running OS 4.2 and higher in three premium versions:

• SmrtGuard for BlackBerry – $3.99 Monthly Service
• SmrtGuard for BlackBerry – $22.99 Semi Annual Service
• SmrtGuard for BlackBerry – $44.99 Yearly Service

If you try these apps out don’t forget to leave some feedback in the comments!

RIMGeeks has released an update to their popular BlackBerry Swiss Army Knife (BBSAK) application for desktop computers.

New in BBSAK version 1.5:

• Kill Processes Button added (if your having trouble connecting click kill processes to close (BBdevmgr.exe and RimDevManager.exe both started by desktop manager)
• Full System Dump (Save ALL Cods on device) (Dump CODs)
• Save button added to Read System (saves all the file names to a SystemRead.txt)
• Save button added to Read Event Log (saves Event Log to EventLog.txt)
• ACCURATE Progress Bar added to 3rd Party Backup
• ACCURATE Progress Bar added to Full System Dump
• Files now displayed as they are being saved
• Can now Save Multiple CODs at one time
• Error handling added when Read and Save COD button is pushed with nothing selected

Overview of main features:

• Wipe Blackberry leaving a 507 error
• Reset Blackberry to factory state removing any IT Policy
• Take Screenshots of your Blackberry (Screenshots stored in My Pictures\BBScreenies now)
• Auto-Detects if phone is plugged in first.
• Displays PIN so you know your connected.
• Will not let you do any actions until phone detected.
• Load OS will auto delete Vendor.xml and start Loader.exe. (BBDM is needed for this)
• Backup 3rd Party Apps
  • Save to Program Files\BBSAK\Backup (only 1 backup at a time) Will prompt to make rename if backup already exits (click ok to see folder for name change)
• Restore 3rd Party Apps
  • Restore within Loader.exe

This is a great utility to have, especially since it allows you to easily backup your 3rd party apps. This application would have saved me a big headache the last time my BlackBerry died on me (risks of betas) and I had to re-download EVERY application one-by-one.

You can find more info and download links at the BBSAK RIMGeeks page.

Today is day 5 of BlackBerry Tour week and it’s Friday, which means a special Deal-of-the-Day for everyone!

Today’s Deal-of-the-Day is for the SmrtGuard (Yearly Service) application for BlackBerry, an app that allows you to protect your data by remotely backing up, restoring, wiping and more!

Here’s a full feature list:

• Remote OTA Backup (manual or scheduled) PIMs, Call logs, Emails
• Remote OTA Restore PIMs, Call logs, Emails
• Remote Data Wipe (including microSD)
• Remote Tracking (lowjack) and Locating – see it on our companion website that comes with the account
• Remote Listen – Listen to your thief or be a spy
• Remote Lock
• Remote Audio Ping (to help you find the device)
• Personal Guardian (send out distress call with push of a button)
• SIMCard Guardian – alert send out when unauthorized SIM is used (GSM based phone only)
• Loved-one Tracking – Great for couples and families with smartphones to track each other

If you’re looking for security for yourself or for your family, this is a great application to have. Cell phones get stolen every day, especially smartphones because of their known value. An app like this would give you options if your BlackBerry was stolen rather than just sitting around worrying about your private data being accessed by a stranger.

SmrtGuard is normally priced at $44.99 per year, but for today only you can get it at 50% off for $22.49 a year. This app will work on any BlackBerry running OS 4.2 and higher.

Don’t forget to download the on-device Mobile App Store to get these great deals right on your BlackBerry!