The latest version of the Blackberry 7520 OS is out. check the forums for more info as I have yet to upgrade it. Bear in mind that upgrading an OS will wipe all your programs (If you use ShopMagic and have customized your shopping list, you are screwed). updated info...
What is affected on your Blackberry 7520:
Blackberry 4.0.2 System Software
Blackberry 4.0.2 Core Applications
Blackberry API Library
Blackberry Attachemnt Service
Blackberry Certificate Key Store Browser Library
Blackberry Crypto 1 Library
Blackberry Crypto 2 Library
Blackberry Crypto 3 Library
Blackberry ECMAScript Library
Blackberry Key Store Library
BrickBreaker
Browser
Crypto Applications API Library
French Language Support
Help
Memopad
Password Keeper
Spanish Language Support
Tasks
What you will see immediately different:
BB Messenger (can be DL'ed as a spearate app)
BrickBreaker
Calculator
Some have claimed that they have seen an increase in battery life and an increase in processing/data speeds with this new upgrade. I have just successfully installed the OS just now and have yet to validate this info. Installation, thankfully, was very smooth (took me 30-45 minutes).
I don't use Brickbreaker but I have found BB Messenger and the Calculator nice.
BB Messenger:
At first, I thought this was an IM program but it turns out that it is an IM program except that it uses RIM's PIN messaging feature. In the past, PIN messaging (search my post on PIN messaging) was the only method of sending another BB user text messages. Then along came IM software which allowed BB users to IM on AIM, Yahoo, ICQ, MSN, Jabber......and now BB Messenger.
With PIN messaging, each PIN is treated like a text message. In your Messages log, you can see each PIN message logged as a separate entry much like each phone call you make. BB Messenger consolidates PIN messages and organizes it in a fashion where you can have a true chat session much like that of Instant Messaging except that the PINs should no longer be stored in your 'Messages' log as separate entries. I say 'should' since I do not use PIN's and don't have much buddies on a Blackberry.
Ever since this upgrade, I have noticed a drop in battery life which I would assume to be BBMessenger. My data up/down traffic flow icon is constantly on all the time and I have yet to find a way to turn off BBMessenger without deleting it.
Here's the user manual.
Calculator:
The Calculator is now actually useful. Previously, you use the calulator like any other calculator equipped cell phone. Since there are no dedicated calculator keys, you have to improvise by using the '/' as divide, '*' as multiply, etc.
The Calculator is now shown larger and is situated in a way that each key, as it appears on the screen, corresponds to the keypad below making faster calculations. Very clever and very productive.
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There are also talk about the OS improving Bluetooth support and usage. I've been having issues with my Jabra BT250 after a few months of near flawless usage; it seems to lose pairing often now and in order to absolve this, I have to delete and reenter a profile. annoying. Hopefully with the OS upgrade, I can have better BT usage.
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