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Tashanna let me know that Hutchison has released OS 4.5.0.161 for practically every GSM variant of the Pearl, Curve, & 8800. This is not as new as .163 for the 8310 but its the latest for all the rest.

Download @ BlackBerry.com

BlackBerry Handheld Software v4.5.0.254 (EastAsia)

Package Version: 4.5.0.254
Consisting of:

• Applications: 4.5.0.161
• Software Platform: 2.7.0.105

NOTE: Don’t forget to delete the vendor.xml file located in c:program files>common files>research in motion>apploader to install it on a different carriers device.

via BlackBerry Rocks

With all the BlackBerry Tour mania on CrackBerry this week, it's almost easy to forget about the next new device lined up to hit the market in the weeks/months ahead, the BlackBerry Curve 8520 (aka Gemini). The 8520 has been in full-production for weeks already and with FCC approval now behind it it's now just a matter of when. With time we should see the Curve 85xx series roll out to many carriers (1 of the 3 devices in the photo above is actually a CDMA-friendly Curve 8530... can you guess which one?!) but it's looking like T-Mobile will get the honor in the USA of pushing this optical trackpad equipped, rubbercoated Curve first. Anybody out there planning to pick this one up when it hits??

• Check out the BlackBerry Curve 8520 FCC documents >> 

CrackBerry.com's feed sponsored by ShopCrackBerry.com. BlackBerry Curve 8520 Gets FCC Approved

Since Sprint released the Curve 8350i, a whole new set of users has come from the new device (as well as some converts) along with a new set of issues. Made Simple Learning has added the 8350i Training Center to tackle all of the issues that popped up from this Curve to the "i". The Training Center allows users to quickly learn the ins and outs of the device, both with a 420 page electonic book and a collection of videos can be watched on a PC or Mac. You can also use the Videos To Go option and load the videos striaght to your memory card for on the go learning.

Some of the highlights include:

• Dozens of hidden or little-known time-saving tips and tricks.
• Using the Wi-Fi and GPS Features of the Curve 8350i
• Using "Direct Connect" or "MIKE" walkie-talkie feature
• Synchronizing your BlackBerry with your Windows or Mac computer.
• How to squeeze every ounce of power from the Address Book, Calendar, Tasks and MemoPad.
• How to become "Master of Your BlackBerry Email"
• How to use Google Sync for true "Wireless Sync" without an Enterprise Server
  Support for both BlackBerry Internet Service and Corporate BlackBerry Enterprise Server users.
• Tips and tricks to unlock the rich Media Features of the BlackBerry 8350i.
  How to turn your 8350i into something that could replace a video and audio "iPod"
• How to use your 8350i for Mapping (including Google Maps.)
  Learn how to go Online as well as update your Facebook and Myspace pages - right from your BlackBerry

The complete Training Center is available for $29.95, while the book alone is $14.95, and the videos $19.95. All can be purchased directly from Made Simple Learning.  

CrackBerry.com's feed sponsored by ShopCrackBerry.com. BlackBerry Made Simple 8350i Training Center Now Live

While at a press event (Pepcom) last week I ran into Wi-Ex and was just dumbfounded by their upcoming device. I have terrible reception in my Manhattan apartment and have tried 3 different repeaters to solve the problem. The problem is that all of them required an external antenna and the antenna had to be over 40 feet away from the base station. My apartment is not even 40 feet  wide or long so this was impossible and rendered these repeaters useless.

Wi-Ex just announced a new product called zBoost ONE that will remove the need for an external antenna. When this device is launched on Amazon soon it will be super simple to setup. You just put the device by a window and it will strengthen your 1900Mhz regular PCS signal and supposedly also works with 3G and will cover a 1200 sq foot area. They claim it will work on all carriers except for Nextel but I think that is dependant on if your carrier is using 1900Mhz in your neighborhood. I will DEFINITELY be trying this out when it is released.

Wi-Ex also has three products that are already released that require much shorter distances from their antennas than other solutions I have tried in the past. They have their flagship zBoost YX510 which does both 800Mhz and 1900Mhz and covers 2500 sq ft area. Also available is the zBoost YX500 which only does 800Mhz. They also have the zBoost YX230 for your car which does 800Mhz and 1900Mhz along with a device for your dorm room called the zBoost YX300 which also works on the same bands and covers 6 feet. You can find them at the links below:

• zBoost YX510 Home & Office Repeater (Dual band 800Mhz & 1900Mhz)
• zBoost YX500 Home & Office Repeater (800Mhz only)
• zBoost YX230 Car Repeater
• zBoost YX300 Dorm room repeater

All of these are available from Amazon which has a pretty liberal return policy in case they do not work along with free shipping. Personally I am waiting for the zBoost ONE.

Luis (aka PooterMobile) over at PimpMyBerry sent me a few themes of his to have a look at but actually the one I felt was kind of interesting is called, Metal Slug. OK, once again I admit I am not much of a gaming freak but I like the character illustrations on the home screen and the way everything is nicely balanced. More information, as well as a link to the theme can be accessed at the link below.

Metal Slug is available as a free OTA at PimpMyBerry.Com. (registration to the site is required) Thanks Luis!

I know this is a very basic tip but I cannot count how many times I have seen people stand glued to the window (or even hanging out of it) while they make a call… I think this situation is one of the main selling points for Bluetooth. That is if you cannot justify a Xlink or wireless repeater.

At my farm, way out in the country, the AT&T signal is extremely weak. It never gets above two bars; usually it only has one bar. When you find a place where you can make a phone call, you must stand there, motionless, until the call is over. Yes, really!

When I am working in a certain room for a while, like cooking dinner in the kitchen, watching TV or working on the computer, I stick my BlackBerry up in the window sill, and put my Bluetooth earpiece on. That way, the BlackBerry can still get a constant signal, but I can roam around the room. I have a range of about 10-15 feet that I can roam in, while talking.

Don’t forget to turn your BlackBerry setting to Loud – that way, you will hear it ringing, in the house, even if you are not close enough for the Bluetooth to let you answer it. You just have to run, run, run through the house, until you are within ten feet of that window, and answer it. Even if you are on the floor above or below the BlackBerry, if you are within ten feet, you can still answer it!

You can find quite a few cheap Bluetooth headsets available at Amazon.

I just got word of a cool new app called WiFi Disabler. The premise is simple - when a WiFi connection to your router is lost, WiFi Disabler will turn off WiFi radio on your device to help save battery life. You can set a specified time-out to give your device a chance to reconnect, and after the allotted time WiFi radio will shut off and alert you. If you are a power user and leave WiFi on when you leave the house or office, this may come in handy. However I suppose the big drawback for most will be that the application only disables WiFi, and it doesn't appear to turn on again when a valid network is found. WiFi Disabler works with and WiFi enabled device running OS 4.5+.  You can grab it for $3.95 from ShopCrackBerry.com.

CrackBerry.com's feed sponsored by ShopCrackBerry.com. New Application WiFi Disabler: Turn Off WiFi Radio When Your Router Is Out Of Range

Mike from Nickel Buddy just sent over an email letting us know that Solitaire Buddy Gold had just been updated with great new features.  There have been numerous bug fixes from the original release, larger cards for newer devices as well as 1, 2 and 4 suit Spider.  Solitaire Buddy Gold lets you play over a dozen solitaire games like Klondike, Freecell, Spider, Golf, Pyramid Golf, 3-Peaks, Black Widow, Beetle, Spiderette, Will o Wisp, Poker, Canfield, and Pyramid.  You can grab it at a huge discount (over 70%) from the CrackBerry App Store through July 2nd for only $1.99. 

• Purchase Solitaire Buddy Gold from the CrackBerry App Store >>

CrackBerry.com's feed sponsored by ShopCrackBerry.com. Solitaire Buddy Gold On Sale For Only $1.99 Until July 2nd

TuneWiki let me know that their free version of the paid app we mentioned yesterday is now available.  This free version is advertising supported so you will see ads on the bottom of the screen while you are playing music. Not sure if that is worth the $4.95 if you use the app regularly but some people hate paying for apps. Once again this is one of those apps only available in the App World so I cannot link to it… (I hate that!)

To find it in the App World just search for TuneWiki and select the free version.

As a reminder TuneWiki lets you listen to your music using their application and it will show you the lyrics for your songs. It can also post the song you are currently playing to your Facebook and Twitter accounts. On top of that it also uses your GPS to show you a map of other users near you and what they are listening to.

PatternLock for the BlackBerry Storm has been one of our best selling apps since it's release a few months back. Tafasa has taken notice and released PatternLock Lite. The lite version is available free and works in the same manner, but only contains the bare bones application features.  PatternLock Lite gives Storm users a 3x3 grid of dots which are connected in a specific pattern to unlock the device. The full verison gives users the option of custom wallpaper, password protection, location based locking and more. I'm glad Tafasa has gone this route and has both a premium and free version of the app and can only hope more developers follow in their footsteps.  In conjunction with the release, Tafasa is offering $1.00 off the full version of PatternLock. Head over to CrackBerryAppStore.com (or use our mobile client) from your device, and enter the coupon code patternlock1off to purchase PatternLock for only $1.99.  This coupon code will only work from your device at CrackBerryAppStore.com.

• Download PatternLock Lite for BlackBerry Storm >>
• Purchase PatternLock Full Verison for BlackBerry Storm >>

CrackBerry.com's feed sponsored by ShopCrackBerry.com. PatternLock Lite Now Available Free For Storm Users