BlackBerry Curve 8530 Smartphone
BlackBerry Handheld Software v5.0.0.626 (Multilanguage)

Package Version: 5.0.0.626
Consisting of:

• Applications: 5.0.0.395
• Software Platform: 4.2.0.167
• File name: 8530AMEA_PBr5.0.0_rel626_PL4.2.0.167_A5.0.0.395_Sprint.exe
• File size: 96.67 MB

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

Download Official Release OS 5.0.0.395

We haven't seen a leak for the 9520 in quite some time and it only seems right that one would show up eventually with all the news of the other devices getting official updates.  BBLeaks have now given to us all OS 5.0.0.428. 

As with any leaked OS, take care in installing it at your own risk. The BlackBerry Zone are not responsible if you choose to install and use this OS on your device.

• Download BlackBerry Storm2 9520 OS 5.0.0.428

BlackBerry Bold 9700 Smartphone
BlackBerry Handheld Software v5.0.0.680 (EastAsia)

Package Version: 5.0.0.680
Consisting of:

• Applications: 5.0.0.423
• Software Platform: 5.1.0.116
• File name: 9700EastAsia_PBr5.0.0_rel680_PL5.1.0.116_A5.0.0.423_Bel_Mobility_Inc.exe
• File size: 124.82 MB

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

Download Official Release OS 5.0.0.423

Pandora for BlackBerry has been updated to version 1.1.3. This current version contains a lot of fixes and a few new features.

New Features:

• Support for account upgrades to Pandora one via the mobile device.
• Faster statup time, expecially for listeners with lots of stations. One test with 100 stations showed startup time going from 14.25 seconds down to 8.2 seconds.
• Stations list sort order is now saved.

Bug Fixes:

• Fixed volume-change issues triggered by some third-party apps, such as Vlingo.
• No more 8-hour session limit.
• Tour popup menus sometimes would act strangely.
• Various other minor fixes

Download Pandora 1.1.3 from the Pandora Website

I'm sure by now you either heard the news or experienced first hand the outage that causes all BlackBerry data services to cease working midday yesterday. Earlier today, RIM released an official statement concering the outage and what they think may have been the cause of the problem. Even though they still aren't 100% sure, RIM thinks the problem may have been from a flaw in two of the recently released versions (5.0.0.55 and 5.0.0.56) of BlackBerry Messenger.

RIM Official Statement - December 23rd

A service interruption occurred Tuesday that affected BlackBerry customers in the Americas. Message delivery was delayed or intermittent during the service interruption. Phone service and SMS services on BlackBerry smartphones were unaffected. Root cause is currently under review, but based on preliminary analysis, it currently appears that the issue stemmed from a flaw in two recently released versions of BlackBerry Messenger (versions 5.0.0.55 and 5.0.0.56) that caused an unanticipated database issue within the BlackBerry infrastructure. RIM has taken corrective action to restore service.

RIM has also provided a new version of BlackBerry Messenger (version 5.0.0.57) and is encouraging anyone who downloaded or upgraded BlackBerry Messenger since December 14th to upgrade to this latest version which resolves the issue. RIM continues to monitor its systems to maintain normal service levels and apologizes for any inconvenience to customers.

Make sure you upgrade now to the latest version of BlackBerry Messenger to help avoid another outage.

• Official OTA Link for BlackBerry Messenger 5.0.0.57

Only a few days after BlackBerry Messenger 5.0.0.55 was officially released, RIM released BlackBerry Messenger 5.0.0.56. Now another official update brings BlackBerry Messenger to build 5.0.0.57. RIM has really been on the ball with these updates recently. What changes have you guys seen so far from using it and what problems still or now exist? Leave a comment and let us know.

• Official OTA Link for BlackBerry Messenger 5.0.0.57

The popular BeeJive IM has now been updated to version 2.0.1. BeeJive IM 2.0 was only released a short time ago but some users were still having problems with it.  This build fixes many of those problems and adds some new features at the same time.

Change Log:

• Fixed notifications bug where alert would not occur if the phone went into standy while in the chat screen.
• Fixed bug where Preferences screen would not render when using larger font sizes.
• Fixed bug with buddy add requests.
• Fixed bug were service icons would not render in some cases.
• Fixed bug where status messages would show up in chat messages when the preference was turned off.
• Fixed emoticon pop-up which would show up blank sometimes.
• Fixed MSN chatroom issue.
• Fixed bug on Storm where chat input bubble would collapse when space bar was hit while auto-text box was shown.
• On the Storm, moved new message notifications to overlap the title bar and not text input bubble on chat screen.
• Added drop-down for push emails in preferences.
• Account bar updated to show multiple icons of the same service.
• Added counter to homescreen icon to show new message count (up to 9).

As a reminder, BeeJive IM 2.0.1 is on sale through January 1 for $9.95 for a Device License and $14.95 for a User License. That's half off of the original price! This is a great last minute gift to pick for the BB users in your family or friends.

• Purchase BeeJive IM 2.0.1
• Download BeeJive IM 2.0.1 Trial

We previously reported that Fandango was desigining an app for BlackBerry Smartphones. Well today is the day that it's finally available for download. The app is currently only available for download off of their site but will eventually be available in BlackBerry App World.

Some of the features include:

Browse Movies:

• Find movies playing in your local theaters – use our search function, alphabetically browse movies showing nearby, or view "Opening This Week" and "Top Box Office" lists
• Discover movies 'Coming Soon'– check out our "In the Spotlight" titles or view upcoming movie scheduled to play near you
• Tap a movie poster to watch high-quality trailers (available on most devices)
• View the most accurate showtimes; read fan ratings and reviews, genres, synopses, run times and director and cast lists

Find Theaters:

• Find theaters closest to you using your device’s GPS feature
• Add theaters to a “Favorites” list for faster searching
• Discover theater amenities such as stadium seating and wheelchair accessibility
• Connect to your device’s map feature for driving directions

Purchase Tickets:

Many rumors were going around in the last few days that a new 5.0 OS would be officially coming to the BlackBerry Storm 9530. Those rumors turned out to be true since MTS Mobility has officially released OS 5.0.0.419.

BlackBerry Storm 9530 Smartphone
BlackBerry Handheld Software v5.0.0.674 (Multilanguage)

Package Version: 5.0.0.674
Consisting of:

• Applications: 5.0.0.419
• Software Platform: 4.2.0.179
• File name: 9530AMEA_PBr5.0.0_rel674_PL4.2.0.179_A5.0.0.419_MTS_Mobility.exe
• File size: 111.61 MB

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

Download Official Release OS 5.0.0.419

Leetcom has now updated their popular SimpleWeather app to version 3.0. This app has gone a long way since only displaying the current weather as an icon on your homescreen. The current version of the app features an all new UI and some great new features. The app now quickly updates and displays more accurate forecasts and readings (wind, humidity, visibility, etc) to the user.

On the homescreen, the users has many options of displaying the weather. Carrying over from the original SimpleWeather is the homescreen icon with the current weather status. For the icon, the user has the ability to display the current weather and or temperature on the icon. Also in the name spot, the app can display any combination of the High/Low, Current Temperature and Current Conditions.

New in 3.0 is the ability to show the current weather (conditions, temperature, hi/low) as your homescreen wallpaper. The app will use the custom wallpaper that you set from the apps options screen as the background for your homescreen. The icon on the homescreen can be moved to just about anywhere. You can place the icon either to the left, right or center of the screen and move it up or down the screen by adjusting the pixel spacing.

It seems that the BlackBerry Bold 9700 now has another official update to add to the extensive amount of OS made available for it in recent weeks. This may be the highest official build but it still isn't the highest build currently available.

BlackBerry Bold 9700 Smartphone
BlackBerry Handheld Software v5.0.0.645 (Multilanguage)

Package Version: 5.0.0.645
Consisting of:

• Applications: 5.0.0.405
• Software Platform: 5.1.0.112
• File name: 9700M_PBr5.0.0_rel645_PL5.1.0.112_A5.0.0.405_AT_amp_T.exe
• File size: 136.52 MB

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

Download Official Release OS 5.0.0.405 from AT&T

Only a few days after BlackBerry Messenger 5.0.0.55 was officially released, RIM has released another official update bringing BlackBerry Messenger to build 5.0.0.56. What changes have you guys seen so far from using it and what problems still or now exist? Leave a comment and let us know.

• Official OTA Link for BlackBerry Messenger 5.0.0.56

BlackBerry Pearl 8110, BlackBerry Curve 8310 and 8320 and BlackBerry 8820 owners, we have some good news for you. It's still not a 5.0 OS but AT&T has released OS 4.5.0.182 for those devices.

BlackBerry Pearl 8110 Smartphone
BlackBerry Handheld Software v4.5.0.306 (Multilanguage)

Package Version: 4.5.0.306
Consisting of:

• Applications: 4.5.0.182
• Software Platform: 2.7.0.106
• File name: 8110M_PBr4.5.0_rel306_PL2.7.0.106_A4.5.0.182_AT_amp_T.exe
• File size: 97.68 MB

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

Download BlackBerry Pearl 8110 Official Release OS 4.5.0.182

BlackBerry Curve 8310 Smartphone
BlackBerry Handheld Software v4.5.0.306 (Multilanguage)

Package Version: 4.5.0.306
Consisting of:

• Applications: 4.5.0.182
• Software Platform: 2.7.0.106
• File name: 8310M_PBr4.5.0_rel306_PL2.7.0.106_A4.5.0.182_AT_amp_T.exe
• File size: 90.76 MB

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

Following the announcement that PayPal made early this morning, a PayPal "Send Money" application is now available in BlackBerry App World. The best part is that the app is free to download and use. Simpily log into your PayPal account, enter the amount you want to send, followed by the recipient's email address or phone number (can select the recipient straight from your contacts), a short message and hit send. Need to send money to a receipient in another country? Not a problem. The app is able to send money in 23 different currencies. The last two features provided by the app are the ability to see your remaining account balance and view your account history of all payments received and sent.

• Get the PayPal "Send Money" App via BlackBerry App World

The popular BeeJive IM has now been updated to version 2.0. If you previously used any of the betas or the RC1 that was released only a few weeks ago then you already know what 2.0 can do.  But, for those out there that may have missed the trying it out, here are some of the new features: