You are correct...on the release dates I was just referring to supposed "people in the know" but was just referencing that there was in fact substantial info released regardiing what it is...

But you are right, I dont know when it will be released, nor do the people that claim that they know, know. This type of marketing is used to generate hype for their product and as I stated before...to attempt to keep those that were about to jump ship from doing so

just my 2 cents

RIM has done press releases about upcoming software updates whenever there is a major one. They release info about BIS, BES, and device OS updates and it has been going for years. Doubt it has much to do with worrying about jumping ship, seems more to want to keep customers informed of actual updates rather than rumors and speculation.

I am sad... :(

I fully agree with Sith. RIM's stance on the OS is that the carriers own it and the release schedule behind it. RIM develops these OS's internally for quite a while (like my knowledge of OS 5.0.0 prior to it even being in carrier certification) and then releases them to the carriers to test. The carriers will send back information to RIM and bug fixes are made and this is rinsed and repeated over and over until they have some kind of common ground for a greenlight release, at the carrier's leisure (afterall, they're the ones who will have to support these OS upgrades, the availaibility, the training of their reps, etc).

But I can assure you that this information leaked about the BlackBerry is not released in an underground grassroots marketing movement by the RIM marketing geniuses. This may have been something done by other companies involved with BlackBerry, such as the carriers, but it's not coming from the mothership in this case.

Actually when I had an issue with my BB 8820 I called AT&T support and they put me in touch with RIM support at no charge, to be clear AT&T support could not and did not provide the support RIM did and I was told RIM would do the support.

Whatever the case may be...it would just be nice if it was released already so people like me can stop complaining

Agreed! I just want to be able to edit docs and view emails without spending $200 extra bucks on software! This will be a HUGH upgrade!

E-office software is $100, and there is a coupon floating around for 15% off i believe.

Yeah ok lets say i get the best discounts, you still need something like BBSmart Viewer ($25 bucks) so you still looking at around $110 bucks. I'd much rather save my money and get it for free... wouldn't you?

Depends on the need. If you need it now, free wont help you at all. BBSmart does alot more than just HTML email. Keep in mind the software you speak of, latest information states, that you need a BIS/BES update in addition to the OS software. Its another thing to wait for, more uncertainty. Currently I have both pieces of software you mentioned.

Also, for what it's worth, only Word To Go and Slideshow To Go are included in the latest versions of OS 4.3.1/4.5.0. I'm sure Sheet To Go will be added before the release, but we're getting pretty close to the end of the rope.

Ok this comes from the rim site on the 22nd of Jan.

I sure this has been circulating but this makes me happy and answers the above post.

(i know its for BES but still promising infor)

"Press Release

January 22, 2008
RIM Showcases BlackBerry Platform Enhancements at Lotusphere 2008

Orlando, FL (Lotusphere 2008, Booth 516) - Research In Motion (RIM) (Nasdaq: RIMM; TSX: RIM) today announced a series of updates for its market-leading BlackBerry® platform that include enhanced messaging and collaboration, simpler management, enhanced security and expanded application development support. These updates will benefit users, IT groups and developers and will enable organizations to increase mobility, productivity and return on investment.

"RIM continues to expand the capabilities of the multifaceted BlackBerry platform to allow an increasingly rich and productive mobile experience for our customers," said Mike Lazaridis, President and Co-CEO at RIM. "The software enhancements demonstrated today will make BlackBerry smartphones more powerful than ever and even easier to manage."

Enhanced Messaging and Collaboration
The BlackBerry Enterprise Solution is a complete, end-to-end wireless platform that extends the benefits of an organization's messaging and collaboration environment to mobile users. Updates to the BlackBerry Enterprise Server and BlackBerry device software1 will enable customers to further enhance usability and increase end-user productivity.

* Document Downloading and Editing – As a result of the integration of the ‘Documents To Go® by DataViz®’ software with the BlackBerry platform, users will be able to edit Microsoft® Office Word, PowerPoint® and Excel® files2 directly on their BlackBerry smartphone.
* Remote Search for Messages – Users will be able to search for and retrieve email messages from their email server even if the message is no longer stored on their BlackBerry smartphone.
* Free-Busy Calendar Lookup – Users on the go will be able to check the availability of colleagues before sending a meeting request.
* HTML and Rich Text Email Rendering – BlackBerry smartphone users will be able to view HTML and rich text email messages with original formatting preserved including font colors and styles, embedded images, hyperlinks, tables, bullets and other formatting.
* Advanced Enterprise Instant Messaging and Presence – New features for users running IBM Lotus Sametime® and Microsoft Live Communications Server will include improved address book integration, IM contact “click to call”, IM session “convert to call” and advanced emoticon support, allowing co-workers to collaborate and communicate more effectively using their BlackBerry smartphones.

Simpler Management and Support
BlackBerry Enterprise Server provides IT groups with industry-leading management and support capabilities. New features will further improve and simplify the administration of BlackBerry deployments.

* BlackBerry Monitoring Service – A new software component of the BlackBerry Enterprise Server will help organizations maintain high availability and high performance of their BlackBerry infrastructure by providing administrators with enhanced monitoring, alerting, troubleshooting and reporting capabilities. BlackBerry Monitoring Service will be included in the next release of BlackBerry Enterprise Server3.
* BlackBerry Web Desktop Manager – A web-based device management console has been designed to increase deployment flexibility and simplify software upgrades by reducing the number of BlackBerry software components installed on end-user workstations. BlackBerry Web Desktop Manager enables users to install software and manage their BlackBerry smartphone from any browser-enabled computer. The software is available now as a free download from: BlackBerry - BlackBerry | BlackBerry Web Desktop Manager.
* Over-the-Air Device Software Upgrades4– Organizations will be able to update a user's BlackBerry device software wirelessly, delivering a fast, cost-effective method for remotely supporting users and managing BlackBerry device software lifecycles.
* Expanded Systems Compatibility – BlackBerry Enterprise Server v4.1.5 is certified with Microsoft® Exchange 2007 SP1 and supports IBM® Lotus® Domino® versions 7.03 and 8.0.

Enhanced Security
Security is a cornerstone of the BlackBerry Enterprise Solution and today there are over 400 IT policy settings and controls that an administrator can set to centrally manage and enforce security policies. Newly introduced IT policies further enhance the security and control of a BlackBerry deployment5.

* Encrypted Attachment Viewing – Users will be able view attachments within encrypted PGP and S/MIME messages.
* Increased Control over GPS – Administrators will have the ability to control which applications access GPS functionality on BlackBerry smartphones.
* Increased Bluetooth® Controls – Administrators will have the ability to enable or disable certain Bluetooth profiles as well as set the allowable 'discoverable time'.

Expanded Application Development Support
RIM continues to expand the opportunities for software developers to create innovative and powerful wireless applications that leverage the inherent security, network efficiency, reliability and push capabilities of the BlackBerry platform and take advantage of new BlackBerry smartphone features. With the recent release of the BlackBerry Java Development Environment (JDE) v4.3.0, new Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) have been added to the thousands previously available, enabling developers to offer even more robust and exciting business and lifestyle applications to the more than 12 million BlackBerry subscribers around the world. In addition, support for the following Java Micro Edition APIs is also now available:

* JSR 205: Wireless Messaging 2.0 (MMS Support) – provides the ability to send and receive messages that include images, sound and video via Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS).
* JSR 211: Content Handler API (CHAPI) – allows applications to invoke other applications, including native BlackBerry applications, to handle specific content types.
* JSR 238: Internationalization – allows developers to easily create a single application for multiple languages and regions across the globe with proper location-specific language, time conventions, currencies, and number formats.
* JSR 172: Web Services – enables developers to quickly develop and deploy applications that act as web services clients.

These new BlackBerry platform enhancements are scheduled to be phased in to new software releases during the first half of 2008 and will be showcased at Lotusphere this week. For more information please visit BlackBerry - What's New with BlackBerry Enterprise Solution v4.1 Updated with Service Pack 5.

1) Requires BlackBerry Enterprise Server v4.1.5 and BlackBerry device software v4.5 or above.
2) Microsoft Office Word and PowerPoint files will be supported in conjunction with BlackBerry device software v4.5 and Microsoft Excel files will be supported in conjunction with a subsequent software release expected later in the year.
3) Included in BlackBerry Enterprise Server v4.1.5 for Microsoft Exchange and IBM Lotus Domino, and included in BlackBerry Enterprise Server v4.1.4 for GroupWise.
4) Requires BlackBerry Enterprise Server v4.1.4 and BlackBerry device software v4.5 or above.
5) Requires BlackBerry Enterprise Server v4.1.5 and BlackBerry device software v4.5 or above."

They also have Over-The-Air Software Upgrades (wireless OS upgrades), but it's not currently in the BES 4.1 SP5 that's available. If it's not included in next week's release, I think there's going to be more than a few people mad. As for DTG, Word To Go was the only one that was available until these last couple beta releases of the OS, at which point Slideshow To Go was added. Sheet To Go is the last of the bunch that's pending.

Free isnt always best look at Ramble its free but it doesnt work. and again there ios no telling when the free stuff will roll out.

Hey Jibi so you can for sure tell they are going to upgrade the 8300 as I know they are replacing the 8310 or 8320 with it.

from everything posted on here, the oldest device to get the upgrade will be the 8700 series.

Web Desktop Manager looks good, but how secured is it?
I just want OS 4.5 out!!! I want to stop complaining too!!!

I asked my RIM rep this and he said every 8xxx device would have a 4.5 code update.

http://www.blackberryforums.com/rumo...-releases.html

It runs over HTTPS, so take that for what it's worth. RIM focuses on security in all aspects most of the time, so I think this one should be sufficient.

Hey folks,

I was in a training class yesterday for BES and MDS, the trainer mentioned that the 4.5 or 4.1 SP5 for server, however you want to call it this week, is slated for release the week of Feb 25th, 2008.

Now granted, take this with a grain of salt, but they were very confident in that announcement. Just a headsup.

B

I check here everyday to see if the new OS has been released... sick.

There are many like you, my friend....

That is great news, i will take it with a salt shaker!

4.1 SP5 went RTM last Friday (15th), will be released to partners this Friday (22nd), and released for general availability next Friday (29th).

I am waiting with baited breath for 4.5

I feel very much ashamed of my habit.... I cant stop checking BGR and BB Forums.

I'm with you.....

I need some lemon and tequila to go with that salt. Next Friday would be fine but I won't have my 8820 back yet, this really sucks.

<--- Daily checker.

Any idea if this will be released by CDMA and GSM carriers around the same time?

I'm wondering if the BES v4.1.5 will allow Admins to import an OS, set properties of what is included or not then allow them to push it out (manually, and on a timed setting: via groups, or even with a selected listing of PIN's) directly to the end user devices (thinking of our disabling collaboration & or remote wiping of devices works)??

I'm aware if this was possible it would already be mentioned and the Jib man would know about it long ago. Its just a thought I had.

There must be an echo in here

I'll bring the chips and salsa

i not only check this site daily, but i check blackberry.com hourly for both bes 4.1 sp5 and os 4.5 for sprint and at&T devices

Any guess as to what this will mean to the memory on an 8310?

well if the rumors are true and it adds fuctionality and applications, the free memory will go down if thats what you mean.

From the O2 UK BlackBerry support page:

"Curve 8310 (4.2.2.181) - Future software expected April 08
Pearl 8120 (4.3.0.67) - Future software expected March 08
Curve 8300 (4.2.2.181) - Further software expected April 08
8800 (4.2.1.101) - Future software update expected April 08
Pearl 8100 (4.2.1.93) - Future software update expected April/May 08"

That changed yesterday from Jan-Mar for the 8100.

BlackBerry from O2 - Help and support

the unfortunate thing about that, is it may or may not be 4.5 they are talking about. could just be another version of the current OS that should pass carrier certification at that point.

Seems to be flooded... i have been on there for the last hour. As soon as the webcast was available to launch.......down it went!!

Im in Australia

Can anyone get on ? or is anyone in ?