Even during an outage RIM has found the time to release yet another version of BlackBerry Messenger. With all the recent releases, it doesn’t look like they are going to stop anytime soon.
5.0.0.57 is now available on the BlackBerry download site and I imagine it won’t be too long before it is available in App World. I have not had the chance to download the newest version due to the outage. From what I have been told this is just another service update. Not too sure what issues it addresses at this point, but my understanding is not too much has changed.
If you were one of the lucky ones that managed to grab it before the outage, leave us a comment and let us know whats new in the update if anything. If you had to wait to grab your copy get it HERE.
As you probably already know, RIM is experiencing another outage. I have heard that the outage is affecting most all U.S. carriers. I am unsure at this point if it is affecting Canadian carriers, From what I have read on the very few Twitter updates I received, they have been affected as well.
When I called Verizon Wireless to report the outage I received the standard recording saying that “They are aware of an issue in your service area, in regards to email and the BlackBerry server. RIM is working on the issue.”
So as it seems this is an issue that has been going on most of the day, as I am unaware of exactly what time I lost my data connection to the server. Hopefully RIM will have us back up and running soon. If you have service or any info in regards to the outage. Please leave us a comment here with carrier and region. Thank You and Happy Holidays
It seems as though Christmas has come early for all of us Storm owners and users. With all the recently released devices it seems Storm owners have been swept under the rug so to speak when it came to OS leaks.
MTS Mobility (Manitoba Telecom Services) formerly Manitoba Telephone Service has made OS 5.0.0.419 an official release. I myself have not played with this OS release, so I am not entirely sure what the changes are. I can only say for certain that it is running a higher platform version.
This brings a lot of excitement to Storm owners worldwide. This has been the only release or leak that I have heard about since Verizon Wireless released 5.0.0.328. We can only hope that with all the leaks and releases in the last two weeks, that there is some more love headed our way.
Download your nice new OS HERE and remember to drop by our forums and let us know your findings. Remember to follow install directions when installing.
�
*Winner Announced*
It has been what seems like a long time since we started our Berry Merry Christmas Giveaway but we now have an official winner. We here at tBBF would like to offer congrats to tcu16. An email has been sent to tcu16 with instructions on how to redeem the coveted 8520 gift pack. We would like to give a big THANKS to all who entered. Keep checking back often and tell everyone you know, there will be a lot more giveaways. Again congrats to tcu16 for winning our Berry Merry Christmas Giveaway, we hope you enjoy your new BlackBerry!
*UPDATE*
So there is only one day left until the big giveaway. If you haven’t yet then you need to get entered in order to win. It’s going to be a great start to a new year! Good luck to all who enter!
Tis the season of giving, lets ring in the holidays with a bang! It is our first Christmas here at tBBF and we thought whats better then to give?
Do you want or need a new sleek trackpad equipped device? I know I do but this ones for you, our readers. We are are going to give all of you the chance to get your hands on a nice new BlackBerry 8520 package for the holidays. Included in the package is a Blackberry Curve 8520, a bluetooth headset and a car charger. Or the winner may choose our other package which includes a nice new 8520, a bluetooth headset and a gel skin for your Berry.
Sounds too good to be true I know…but it is. here are some very important rules that you will need to follow.
1) You will need to follow @theBBfactory and @mdorrett on Twitter. * if you don’t have a Twitter account sign up HERE*
2) You will need to add this pin to you BBM list with “8520 giveaway” in the invitation 306413F2 for those of you that do not have a BlackBerry yet you may use “GTalk” mdorrett@gmail.com
3) You will need to go to our 8520 Giveaway Forum and tell us why you deserve a new Berry. Please include your BBM and Twitter name so we can verify.
The winner will be chosen at random on New years eve and will be contacted via email shortly after with instructions on how to choose package and claim your prize.
We here at theBlackBerryfactory wish you and your families all the best during this holiday season. We enjoy having you our readers in our lives and hope that you keep us in yours. Many will enter and only one will win! Good luck to all of you!
*UPDATE*
We here at theBlackBerryFactory would like to congratulate our winners of our Google Wave invite giveaway cbeslash and maccapple. Both our lucky winners will be contacted by email with an invite to Google Wave. Please enjoy the invite. Please contact us if you have any issues. Once again congrats and enjoy!
As you may well remember just a couple of months ago, we at tBBf gave away a copy of Google Voice to one lucky winner. Well a big thank you goes out to @Sloth26 ! A very generous friend of ours. In honor of the holidays’ and Christmas being just around the corner, he has donated not one…but five coveted invites to Google Wave. That means that five lucky readers will get an invite.
For those of you who may not be familiar with Google Wave, although it may not be specifically for the BlackBerry it is a very cool new tool. Google Wave allows multiple users to share files in single conversation or “wave”. It also allows you to update Twitter from your wave. Google is adding a lot of cool tools as they progress with development, allowing users to share maps, media files and so on. Google wave is perfect for website owners and operators who may have to share files with people across the country in real time. Google Wave is only available by invitation at the moment. This is why it has been hard for some of us to get our hands on it.
So as I said before five…count em’ five lucky winners will have the chance to secure an invite for Google Wave. All you have to do is leave a comment in this post for your chance to win. Please remember that multiple entries will be disqualified, so only one post please. The winners will be chosen at random from all entries on December 18th 2009. The winners will be notified via email after the drawing. Make sure to tell all your friends and family. We at tBBF say GOOD LUCK! and HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
While checking Twitter updates on my break. I came across a tweet from our friends at www.BBHybrids.net with a link to BBM 5.0.0.52. I have installed this version which has been pulled from the newly leaked 9700 OS.
Although I haven’t had much time to tinker with it, I have noticed that the fonts have been changed and avatars seem crisper.
Here is the link for OTA. If you find any issues please let us know. Enjoy!
*UPDATE*
I have recently found out that this version has been released to carriers for testing so please use it and let us know what you think.
Some of you probably have been using this new Twitter client for a few days, but I had to showcase Seesmic.
For those of us that have been using Seesmic are used to seeing the cute little raccoon on our home screen that lets us know there is an update, but for some it may seem a little strange. Keep in mind that Seesmic is still in “alpha testing” but they have released it to all of us to get a little taste of whats to come.
Of course there are some improvements that could be made in my opinion. For example a different color in the time line to represent @replies and @DM messages. Theses are however listed in the menu screen, it would be nice to see them in the main time line. Also I would like to see a Friends/Followers in the menu that way people can be added or taken away with ease.
For the most part Seesmic Inc. has hit the nail right on the head with this one. I have been using Seesmic since it’s availability date and I am hooked. It is very clean and easy to use. While sending a new Tweet it allows you to shrink your tweet as well as add pictures from whichever service you choose during setup. Another great feature is that as you get closer to the dreaded 140 character limit the text window starts to change different shades of red. The redder the text window the closer you are. If you go over the allotted amount then it turns a very deep crimson color.
The look and feel of this Twitter client are great. It’s functionality is almost perfect. If Seesmic Inc. makes the right changes to this Twitter client I can see it becoming used more than Ubertwitter. If you are interested in giving this application a try just point you mobile browser HERE or your PC browser HERE. Give it a try I am sure that you won’t be disappointed.
Our very own Macapple has alerted me to this very important news from Wirefly. By now most of us know that Wirefly usually has great deals on cell phones for all major carriers, but these ones are going to take the cake.
With the recent release of the Storm 2 for Verizon and today’s release of the 9700 for AT&T. Black Friday and Cyber Monday are going to be very good days for new and existing customers.
The Storm 2 for Verizon will be just $.99 cents for new customers (9.99 Saturday through Monday) and just $29.99 for existing customers wishing to upgrade. The 9700 or Bold 2 for AT&T will be FREE for new customers and just $29.99 for existing customers wishing to upgrade ( 11/27 through 11/30 ). Both Verizon and AT&T will be waiving the activation fee for this sale.
Now for those of you that may be skeptical you may want to check for your self HERE. So for us who have been waiting or just don’t want to spend a bunch of dough on BlackBerrys’ latest and greatest devices, now is your chance to get your hands on them for a fraction of the cost.
It seems as though Verizon is pulling out all the stops this week. Just got another update about a great deal.
Right now on VZW with a 2 year agreement you can get a BlackBerry Pearl flip for just $9.99. Combine that with the current BOGA offer and you get two pearl flips for less than $20.00.
Now I know the Pearl flip is not the hottest BlackBerry on the market right now, but if your looking for a work phone or perhaps a first BlackBerry for your kids. Now is the perfect opportunity.
While at work on my break I was checking Twitter updates and came across a little something from our friends at Verizon Wireless. I had to double check just to make sure what I was reading was true. As it turns out it was completely correct.
Verizon has decided that after many suggestions that the Storm2 shou
ld be a BOGA item, they have granted this request. I was just checking their website and the Storm2 is definitely BOGA ( buy one get another ) This means that if you purchase a Storm2 you will get another device of equal or lesser value at no cost. Provided both devices are activated with a two year contract.
For those of you thinking you will rush out and buy both, cancel one and sell on eBay. Just remember the ETF has been raised. In other news Verizon has also granted for a very limited time an upgrade to Storm2 or the Droid for a selection of storm owners. This upgrade is at the upgraded price also. So you can pick up the Storm2 for just 179.00 after 100 dollar mail in rebate.
So remeber if you have been waiting to upgrade you can now do it for a pretty sweet deal. I am unsure if you can combine both offers…but here’s to hoping.
