RIM blames massive service outage on newer Messenger versions

Diehard BlackBerry users often compare BlackBerry Messenger to a potent drug. And just like a drug, coming down from a BBM high can be rough -- so rough, in fact, that RIM's claiming that a couple recent releases are responsible for "an unanticipated database issue" that stone-cold knocked out data service for many of the world's subscribers yesterday. Folks using versions 5.0.0.55 and .56 are being strongly advised to upgrade to 5.0.0.57 immediately, but in the meantime, Waterloo says its systems are back to normal while apologizing "for any inconvenience to customers." With three major outages now under BlackBerry's belt in the past month, faith in the rock-solid stability of its infrastructure is fading rapidly -- but then again, it gives you a great excuse to be off IM for a few hours and talk to live humans, doesn't it?

[harabai Posted Dec 23rd 2009 3:08PM]

exactly. can u imagine if us ppl in the workplace caused this kind of outage, and told users. we found the problem, and doesn't talk about what they learned form it to prevent it from happening again? i wish i worked for a company with a culture like that. For a company that works in communication, they sure do a poor job of implementing that! haha

[NYTechie Posted Dec 23rd 2009 4:31PM]

AND this is why I'm getting rid of my Blackberry next month and getting, well, ANYTHING else. I have the oldest version of BBM, and it still didn't work. 3 strikes, and YER OUT, Blackberry!

[guigsy Posted Dec 23rd 2009 4:53PM]

70% of my users were unaffected by this fiasco. You know why? Because they use activesync!! NO Brainer!!! The other 30% are just living in the past!

[shawn123 Posted Dec 23rd 2009 5:27PM]

Blackberry messenger (and RIM), you never fail to disappoint! People are clearly still traumatized by the epic failure:
http://reallychill.org/updates/news-update-blackberry-data-restored-hardship-still-widespread/