Office Mobility Blog

Who Has the BlackBerry Bold?

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 10:59:27 -0500

And when will others get it?!

In a bit of a surprise move, Movistar Chile has claimed the honor of being the first carrier in the world to make the BlackBerry Bold available to its customers.

Surely this has BlackBerry fans in the rest of the world asking "when can I get the BlackBerry Bold?". Much like our list of carriers who've released OS 4.5, we're going to try to keep an up to date list of carriers who have released the BlackBerry Bold. We'll also try to include expected launch dates for carriers/markets where a date has been 'announced'. Just remember, these are dates we've gathered from a variety of web sources, NOT from RIM or any carriers directly. So basically they are 'rumored' dates and could change at any time.

Here's the list we have so far. If you know of others, let us know!

Who Has BlackBerry Device Software 4.5?

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 17:34:24 -0500

Since Documents To Go for BlackBerry requires Device Software 4.5, we've been getting a lot of calls and emails asking "When and where can I get Device Software 4.5 for MY BlackBerry?!"

This is an update that will come from your wireless carrier. Most wireless carriers haven't made it available yet. However there are a few that have. We are going to try to keep an up to date list of all carriers that have released Device Software 4.5 (and the devices).

This isn't going to be easy because there are rumors all over the place about availability of this update. The best way to get information about avilability of Device Software 4.5 is to contact your wireless carrier.

Our understanding is that the following wireless carriers have made Device Software 4.5 available. If you know of additional wireless carriers who have released Device Software 4.5, please drop a comment here (please do not comment about places to get unauthorized copies of Device Software 4.5; those comments will be deleted)!

Samsung INNOV8 (i8510)

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 16:03:27 -0500

S60 slider with 8 megapixel camera!

Personally I've always been partial to sliders, and Samsung just announced one of the slickest looking sliders I've seen in a while! Welcome the INNOV8; a Symbian Series 60 (3rd Edition, Feature Pack 2) slider with a 2.8 inch screen, GPS, WiFi, and an 8 megapixel camera!

"Samsung INNOV8 is made for tech-savvy users who wants to enjoy the best possible multimedia entertainment with their mobile phone. With the 8-megapixel camera, pre-embedded 3D games, high speed data connections and much more other features will help users gain the true benefits of mobile entertainment. I expect Samsung INNOV8 to be a revolutionary milestone for Samsung for opening a new era of mobile multimedia.” - Geesung Choi, President, Samsung Telecommunication Business

The INNOV8 should be released in Europe this August. Even with the major multimedia focus on this device, we're sure there are plenty of you who are going to want your corporate email on this guy too. Sounds like a job for our Exchange ActiveSync push e-mail client, RoadSync! We'll see what we can do...

Orange UK Releases Device Software 4.5

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 11:28:47 -0500

Available for BlackBerry 8120 (Pearl) and 8320 (Curve)

According to the forums at Crackberry.com (and confirmed with a visit to BlackBerry's software download site list), the Device Software 4.5 update is now available from one of the most well known carriers in Europe, Orange UK. It appears the update is avaiable for the Curve 8320 and Pearl 8120.

For a full list of carriers who have released Device Software 4.5, which includes Documents To Go Standard Edition, check out our post "Who Has BlackBerry Device Software 4.5?"

Documents To Go v. 4 For UIQ Now Available!

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 13:28:21 -0500

Full support (view, edit and create) for Office 2007 files!

On Tuesday DataViz released version 4 of Documents To Go Premium Edition for UIQ 3.0 and 3.1 smartphones. Along with support for features like freeze/unfreeze panes, viewing charts and password protection, Documents To Go Premium Edition version 4 for UIQ will also add the ability to view, edit and create Microsoft Office 2007 files (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint)!

Documents To Go 4 for UIQ will support the world's most popular Symbian UIQ phones like the Sony Ericsson M600, P990 and P1i, the new G700 & G900, as well as the Motorola Z8 and Z10.

$49.99 for a new license or you can upgrade an older version for $29.99. There's also a 30 day free trial if you wanna test it out first!

The Symbian Foundation

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 10:20:49 -0500

Providing a royalty-free open mobile platform!

All signs seem to indicate that Google's Android endeavor via the Open Handset Alliance is poised to change the landscape in the mobile space by offering an open-source mobile OS. However, that's not to say they won't have some open-source competition from some major players.

Earlier this week, the creation of The Symbian Foundation was announced. Nokia, Sony Ericsson, Motorola, and NTT DOCOMO - each of whom currently develop and utilize an OS 'flavor' based on Symbian - will all contribute technology and resources with the intention of developming a full, royalty-free platform for all members of the Foundation to use.

In addition to those mentioned above, members include AT&T, Orange, Texas Instruments, T-Mobile and Vodafone and more.

Symbian OS-based devices are the clear leader worldwide in units with more than 200 million phones, across 235 models currently available.

“Nokia is a strong supporter of open platforms and technologies as they give the freedom to build, maintain and evolve applications and services across device segments and offer by far the largest ecosystem, enabling rapid innovation. Today’s announcement is a major milestone in our devices software strategy.” - Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo, CEO, Nokia

“Ten years ago, Symbian was established by far sighted players to offer an advanced open operating system and software skills to the whole mobile industry. Our vision is to become the most widely used software platform on the planet and indeed today Symbian OS leads its market by any measure. Today's announcement is a bold new step to achieve that vision by embracing a complete and proven platform, offered in an open way, designed to stimulate innovation which is at the heart of everything we do.” - Nigel Clifford, CEO, Symbian

The Symbian Foundation Press Release (PDF)

Video: Documents To Go on BlackBerry Bold!

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 08:34:42 -0500

Documents To Go BlackBerry & Device Software 4.5

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 15:12:53 -0500

The response to Monday's release of Documents To Go Premium for BlackBerry has been unbelievable but we've also noticed some confusion when it comes to system requirements that are necessary to use Documents To Go on your BlackBerry. We wanted to take a moment to explain what you need and if it is currently available. For starters:

*You MUST be running BlackBerry Device Software 4.5 or higher in order to use Documents To Go!*

You will not be able to use Documents To Go Standard Edition or install Documents To Go Premium Edition without Device Software 4.5 on your BlackBerry. This can be confusing to many users because Device Software 4.5 is only available in a few markets right now. As of June 25th, we have not heard that any of the major US carriers (Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile) have made Device Software 4.5 available. So in other words:

*If your wireless carrier is one of the big 4 carriers in the US, you have NOT been provided with the update you need for Documents To Go (as of June 25th, 2008)*

DataViz made the decision to release Documents To Go Premium now because there are some carriers who have released Device Software 4.5 in some parts of the world. We wanted to make sure that those customers have the ability to get the Premium features if they so choose. We have no information in regards to if or when carriers will be making Device Software 4.5 available as an update to their current BlackBerry customers.

For more information about the Device Software 4.5 update for your BlackBerry, we strongly recommend contacting your wireless carrier to ask when they plan to release this update. Here is RIM's list of wireless carriers with links to their websites. We will try to keep a running list in another post that contains all of the carriers that have made Device Software 4.5 available. Keep checking back for updates!

Documents To Go Premium for BlackBerry is here!

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 09:20:43 -0500

Well, its been a long time coming but we're proud to announce that Documents To Go Premium Edition is now available for BlackBerry smartphones!

As we've talked about before, the Standard Edition of Documents To Go will be included with BlackBerry Device Software 4.5. The Premium Edition will offer users loads of additional functionality for a onetime fee of $69.99. Be sure to review the system requirements before purchasing as you may need a Device Software update from your carrier to take advantage of all of the Documents To Go functionality.

If you're looking for a volume license you'll find a variety of perks including discounts (starting at 10 users). And, as always, if you want to try it out before you buy we're offing a fully functional 30 day trial for free!

Video: BlackBerry Bold

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 09:19:16 -0500

RIM has a pretty slick video/microsite showing off some of the features of the BlackBerry Bold, including Slideshow To Go (part of the Documents To Go office suite which is included with the Bold!) They also have a nice, up close 360 degree view of the Bold and a sign up list if you want to be notified of the latest info.

The BlackBerry Bold is due out later this year (timing and availability will depend on your wireless carrier). Depending on where you live you might be able to get your hands on one very soon!

BlackBerry Device Software 4.5 Available?

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 15:35:26 -0500

A few popular BlackBerry forums are buzzing this afternoon as it appears that Vodafone Germany has made the BlackBerry Software Update 4.5 available for the BlackBerry 8100 (Pearl) and possibly other devices as well. As we've mentioned before, this update includes DataViz Documents To Go Standard Edition and is required for full functionality of the Premium Edition which will be available for purchase later this month! Check out the forum links below for more details.

Pinstack Forum | CrackBerry Forum | BlackBerry Forums

Samsung L870 Slider

Thu, 29 May 2008 14:04:24 -0500

Samsung recently announce a slick new S60 device - L870 - that apparently comes complete with Apple's Safari web browser (or does it?). Looks like there are a few options for email access on this device, but it appears to be lacking Exchange ActiveSync. No need to worry, EAS fans, we can help you out with that.

Engadget - Samsung L870 S60 Slider...

Video: Documents To Go for BlackBerry in Action

Fri, 16 May 2008 14:52:42 -0500

Danny Tu, Product Manager for Documents To Go, presented Documents To Go for BlackBerry in the Demo Theater at WES this week. For those of you who couldn't make it, here's a clip of the demo. The rest of this presentation will be available next week.

DataViz, WES & The BlackBerry Bold

Fri, 16 May 2008 09:58:47 -0500

This was an exciting week for BlackBerry users and developers alike as WES 2008 was another huge success for the RIM world. Most of our WES team is at home recovering from a busy week today, but next week we'll hopefully be able to share some video clips, pictures and some thoughts/impressions from our WES folks.

The big announcement at WES was no doubt the BlackBerry Bold, RIM's latest and greatest BlackBerry device. There's been plenty of discussion about specs and first impressions of the device; I'll include a few links at the end of this post if you want some more info.

We're excited about the Bold too as it will be the first new BlackBerry to ship with Documents To Go included! From RIM's Bold press release:

With this powerful new smartphone, users can even talk on the phone while sending and receiving email or accessing the web, and download Word, Excel or PowerPoint files and edit them directly on the handset using the preloaded DataViz® Documents to Go® suite.

Danny Tu, Documents To Go Product Manager at DataViz, gave WES attendees a first look at Documents To Go in the Demo Theatre on Tuesday. If you couldn't make it to WES or if you missed the demo don't worry; we'll post the video early next week.

Want to be among the first to know when Documents To Go Premium Edition is available? Sign up for our BlackBerry Announcement List!

BlackBerry Bold Details:
CrackBerry.com - BlackBerry Bold Officially Announced!
Business Week - BlackBerry Bold: No Mere iClone
Boy Genius Report - BlackBerry Bold officially announced!

Documents To Go for BlackBerry: June 2008!

Mon, 12 May 2008 11:30:03 -0500

Some good news today for BlackBerry users who've been anxious for more information about our upcoming Documents To Go release: If you can attend the Wireless Enterprise Symposium (WES) in Orlando you'll learn everything you need to know, but for those of you who can't attend, the Documents To Go for BlackBerry web pages have been updated with new info including an FAQ.

Among the new things mentioned there, you find that the Documents To Go Premium Edition for BlackBerry will be available for purchase in June of 2008! Those who have signed up with our announcement list will be notified as soon as it is available. Be sure to check the FAQ to find out what devices are supported and what updates may be needed for your device, BES and/or BIS. And don't forget to sign up for the announcement list so you'll be the first to know when Documents To Go is available!