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PSA: BlackBerry 10 doesn't need a special data plan
With BlackBerry 10 devices wending their way into the hands of patient fans, there's been some uncertainty as to just what service plans customers need to reach the new platform's full potential. The short answer, after confirmations at CrackBerry: just about any of them. Unlike older BlackBerrys, the Z10 and future models don't require tiers with BlackBerry Internet Service or BlackBerry Enterprise Server support in order to work their push messaging magic. Those migrating from a regular BlackBerry plan won't have to worry about switching, though. The lone exceptions are subscribers who have barebones, social-only plans where BIS serves as the filter. While the switch could lead to price hikes for those cost-conscious users, it's otherwise good news for BlackBerry devotees who've wanted the same choice in service as the rest of their smartphone-owning peers.
Indonesian government threatens to ban BlackBerry services if it can't spy on users
It's not the first time that RIM's security measures have caused a bit of an inferiority complex, but the Indonesian government now is threatening to ban BIS and BBM services within the nation if it doesn't get its way. Partially, it seems that Indonesian officials are upset that Research in Motion will be building its new data centers in Singapore, rather than in the homeland. Additionally, as is, the government is unable to monitor these communications, which it sees as a security risk. As you likely know, all data is currently processed in RIM's Canadian facilities. Heru Sutadi, a member of the Indonesian Telecommunication Regulation Body, had the following to say: "With the condition as it is now, we warn that the country's users to be cautious about using BlackBerry because the data exchanged is not safe or cannot be guaranteed of its safety." Sounds creepy, right? We always feel safer when knowing the government is monitoring our messages, too.
PlayBook OS version 2.0 leaked: is RIM really sacking BES?
This one comes with a health warning: even if the leaked screenshot above is legit, it's easy to over-interpret. Nevertheless, it purports to show the account setup page from BlackBerry Tablet OS 2.0 and it distinctly lacks any option to sync with BlackBerry Enterprise Server or Internet Service. Instead, you're able to configure Exchange/Active Sync, IMAP, POP, CalDAV and CardDAV accounts, which suggests that RIM is switching to the same integrated email, contacts and calendar solutions as everyone else. Of course, it could be that the BES/BIS simply isn't enabled on this particular device, or that it'll be added in a later version of the OS. Then again, we can't help but recall those Colt rumors which also hinted that RIM's in-house service would be incompatible with QNX. Another juicy tidbit: a second screen shot after the break reveals a green robot icon in the far left. So, even if its Android integration has been delayed, at least it hasn't been forgotten.
BlackBerry Internet Service 4.1 coming October 8th, priming inboxes for the greater good?
To some it's just a point release, but to others it's much, much more. If the leaked documentation gathered by N4BB.com is correct, the 4.1 release of BlackBerry Internet Service is coming down the pike, due abroad on September 10th and in the US October 8th. As any BB aficionado would expect it brings a suite of improvements, bumping the maximum attachment size to eight megabytes, enhancing some security measures, and adding a delicious-sounding new feature called inbox priming. With this, the first 20 messages of a newly added account will be downloaded immediately, "instantly providing users with the reassurance that their email is setup and working." Suffering a bit of additional hypertension while waiting to see if those first few missives sync correctly? Your diuretic might just be inbound.
Confirmed: BlackBerry two-way sync for Gmail is now live
We've just heard from the boys and girls at RIM that the company did, in fact, deploy the long-awaited two-way Gmail synchronization capability to North American BIS users this week. What does that mean, exactly? Well, it means that if you've got a BlackBerry on any North American carrier that isn't going through BES, Gmail should behave more like it should -- deleted items will disappear from your phone, emails read elsewhere will show up as read on the device, and you'll have access to all of your sent items. Oh, and you can create and delete labels from the comfort of your QWERTY thumb board, too, which is a sweet deal. Sure, the feature might be literally years late as far as we're concerned -- but hey, better late than never.
BIS 3.0 coming to North American BlackBerry users next weekend?
It seems almost too good to be true, but it looks like the era of usable Gmail integration on BlackBerry might finally be upon us. CrackBerry is citing information that BIS 3.0 will be rolled out to North American customers in the wee hours of Sunday, March 28, when most of us are in a peaceful slumber (a good thing, considering that data services will be mostly down during the four-hour window). Out of the gate, 3.0 will offer Gmail label creation and deletion when using the plug-in along with support for OpenDocument file types and WMA audio, but the real meat should come shortly thereafter as two-way synchronization of read status and sent messages "will be added throughout the Spring 2010 by region." Technically, Spring starts today, so this could show up the moment BIS 3.0 goes live -- but given that we've waited literally years for this to happen, we're not getting our hopes up prematurely.
RIM's BIS 3.0 email features apparently leaked, finally does Gmail justice
For a platform billing itself as the business user's best friend, BlackBerry's list of unsupported protocols that have achieved ubiquity is actually astonishing: you can't do two-way read status sync with an IMAP email account, for example, and amazingly, you can't natively connect to an Exchange ActiveSync service without being routed through RIM's back-end software. In a shocking move that's straight out of 2002, it seems at least one of those niggles is going to get patched up soon thanks to a leaked list of email features in BlackBerry Internet Service 3.0, the software carriers deploy to marshal all data connectivity on the handsets they've deployed to customers. Yes, that's right: you'll be able to synchronize read status and sent items with your Gmail account, just as if you were using virtually any other phone produced in the last several years! It's hard to fathom that it's taken this long, but hey, we'll take it -- unfortunately, it's up to each carrier to decide when they're going to deploy BIS upgrades, so your mileage may vary on the wait time. Of course, RIM could just add IMAP support directly to its phones so that this whiz-bang tech would work with any third-party email service and wouldn't have to go through BIS in the process, but that would be crazy talk, right? [Thanks, Jeff] Update: Unfortunately, we've had to remove the image on our legal team's advice. Sorry!
BlackBerry services down in North America yet again?
Look, BlackBerrys are always supposed to do a few things well: 1) grab your email in real time off an Exchange server; 2) make you look important; and 3) work. It seems, though, that we're working on our third major North American outage here in less than a month, with reports flowing in that users connected to BIS are having trouble with Messenger, web browsing, and apps that consume data (though email is inexplicably unaffected). Anyone out there seeing problems? [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
BlackBerry email down / delayed in North America (update)
Gonna be a long day for BlackBerry users: RIM's confirmed to multiple outlets that its BIS servers are acting up and that email services are being delayed -- and we're actually hearing that they're just down, period. BlackBerry Messenger still works, though, so you can still BBM your BFF or whatever the kids do nowadays. No word on service restoration, but we'll update you when we find out. P.S.- That's two months in a row with significant BIS problems -- what's up with that, RIM? Update: ... and we're back! [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
BlackBerry Internet Service stricken with global outages?
Looks like BlackBerry Internet Services is having a rough night, with a number of sites reporting it being down not just in North America, but also elsewhere around the world. A handful of tipsters have expressed similar issues, and though we've had some weirdness with our service tonight, it seems to be working well enough. So tell us, how's BIS doing for you tonight?
BlackBerry BIS drama today?
We've been getting tipped left and right that BIS outages are affecting BlackBerry customers on many carriers today, meaning your hands have probably become progressively twitchier over the last couple hours as they've become further and further removed from up-to-date email access. Horrifying, isn't it? Our own Jacob tells us service has already been restored for him, so hopefully everyone out there in RIM land is in good shape; of course, if you're still having issues, drop a line in comments.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Viettel, Alcatel-Lucent and RIM bring BlackBerry solution to Vietnam
It's a good week internationally for BlackBerry lovers. First we hear that South Korea finally has unbridled access and its own Bold to toy with, and now we're hearing a similar story for the people of Vietnam. Viettel (a mobile operator in the country), Alcatel-Lucent and RIM have all joined hands to make it happen, with "it" being the launch of BlackBerry wireless service. Speaking of launch, prospective buyers can look forward to wrapping their palms around the Pearl 8100, BlackBerry 8700 or the Curve 8320 initially, though we wouldn't be surprised to see even more flavors roll out soon. There's no talk of price just yet, but feel free to phone up your nearest Viettel shop and see what's up.[Image courtesy of thugian]
Indosat launches BlackBerry On Demand prepaid option
Indosat customers (or folks traveling through Indonesia) may be interested to know that the carrier has teamed with RIM to launch "BlackBerry On Demand," a prepaid option for fetching BlackBerry Internet Service in the country without a multi-year contract. Available in 7-day and 30-day packages, the on demand service is available to customers with prepaid and postpaid voice plans, though there's no word on pricing just yet.
NTT DoCoMo launching BlackBerry Internet Service
A full 25 months after we first heard that NTT DoCoMo was bringing BlackBerry to Japan, the carrier is just now getting around to announcing the launch of BlackBerry Internet Service. Of note, the provider still expects you folks over there to use that trusty (and rusty) 8707h to keep tabs with your corporate email, but at least you'll have bona fide BIS! Anywho, the service will run users ¥3,045 ($29) per month on top of the standard FOMA charges, and in case you're hungry for more, a BlackBerry Data Transmission Package will see the light in September and enable subscribers to "transmit up to 80,000 packets of data per month for a flat charge of ¥1,680 ($16). For those curious, extra data beyond that will run your bill up at the rate of ¥0.0525 ($.00049) per packet.
North American BIS customers get upgraded
Over this past weekend, BlackBerry customers received a little treat if they're using Gmail or Yahoo! Mail accounts. RIM updated their BlackBerry Internet Service (BIS) for what should be all service providers in North America from 2.1 to 2.3. With RIM's latest endeavor to reach a common ground for BES (BlackBerry Enterprise Service) functionality for the BIS subscriber, customers should now be rocking two-way wireless synchronization of deleted emails, auto forwarding from BIS email addresses, as well as read / unread message counts. From what we can tell, the upgrade went smooth with no issues -- which is exactly how BlackBerry users like it.
