Telstra releases BlackBerry Bold software not invented by John McCain

by David M Williams

Wednesday, 17 September 2008

BlackBerry Bold customers on Telstra's network can now upgrade to the anticipated final version of the handheld software, in time for its public release. This software was produced by Research in Motion, despite any statements to the contrary by policy advisors.

Telstra will be making the BlackBerry Bold handset available to the general public this coming week. Over the last month select business customers were able to order up to 10 units of the long-anticipated 3G/NextG e-mail wonder.

Despite the slick new interface and faux leather stylings, the handheld has not been without problem. Telstra had advised the pre-release firmware would deliver jerky streaming video because the code had not yet been optimised.

Meanwhile, my own experiences and that of colleagues have been that the device periodically loses its connection to the BlackBerry Enterprise Server (BES). Rebooting by removing and re-inserting the battery got its ticker pumping again.

The software download is now available at Telstra's BlackBerry download site. Select the BlackBerry Bold 9000 model and then choose BlackBerry Handheld Software v4.6.0.263 (EastAsia.)

Users of earlier models can also find the latest versions of the system software for their devices too; while not up to the Bold's 4.6 release, Pearl and 8800 owners will find version 4.5 has been available for over a month which, among other features, offers HTML e-mail if your BES has been similarly upgraded.

Updating your handheld is not a difficult matter. Download the upgrade to your computer. Make sure the BlackBerry Desktop Manager is installed (which is available on the software CD accompanying your handheld or by download from the same site above.)

Connect your BlackBerry, fire up the upgrade and follow the prompts. The upgrade process wipes your BlackBerry during its work but first backs up your data and restores it on completion so there is no loss.

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