hi sorry i think this question has been posted over and over again.
i have gone through all the other posts but i still can figure out.( sorry i am such a newbie)

i hold a 7290, how can i start input/read chinese characters?

i went to the csl site, they have chinese software only for 7730... is it compatible with 7290 or where else can i look for it?

any pros can advice me on this?

there is chinese software out there but it isn't from RIM

The chinese 7730 software is compatible with 7730/7780
The chinese 7230 software is compatible with 7210/7220/7230/7280
(Make sure to delete VENDOR.XML when installing)

Within the same 62XX/67XX/72XX/77XX series, the -10 / -20 / -30 / -80 suffixed software have been made to "work" interchangeably within the same 2-digit prefix (i.e. 7230 Handheld OS software works on 7280 and vice-versa), but will not work on the -50 and -90 suffixed devices or on different 2-digit prefix.

However, if you do find 7290 software from a Hong Kong carrier, it *may* work on a North American 7290 but no guarantees.

Has anyone tried the 7290 v4 handheld software from csl? I downloaded a copy but don't have the guts to try it out yet?

No, but it worked like a charm on my 7780 and my wife's 7280 at the time when our carrier had not released 4.0 Same as any other OS install just added functions for it origins. Eg. I currently have TMo 4.0.2.32 lodaed on my Rogers BB.

According to the filename, the OS is v4.0.0.185
I am concerned that my TMO 7290 came with v4.0.0.198, which means I will be downgrading the OS.

I tried upgrading a 7230 from v3.7 to v4.0x with great success but not sure about downgrading OS.

im also lookin for an application to support "korean" text is there such app?

If you know of a provider in Korea that sells the 7290, they probably will have the Korean version of V4.x firmware.

Anyone knows what I will be lacking or losing on using the CSL V4.0.0.185 firmware vs. the most updated TMobile V4.0.2.32 on a TMobile 7290 unit?

I downloaded the 7290 Chinese version from CSL, and it worked fine on my BlackBerry 7290. CSL provides 4.0.2.35, which is a later version than T-Mobile's version. See my post in another forum about Chinese character transmission through T-Mobile. The short story: T-Mobile blocks Chinese characters. Idiots.

You can use iCJKMail to view English, Chinese, Japanese, Korean emails on BlackBerry. It is 100% truly embedded software which does not require support from the OS or wireless carrier/operator/BES. You can setup multiple POP3 or IMAP account including SSL connection support. http://www.icjk.com.

Smartone-vodafone and Three HK providing the latest OS 4.0.2 for 7230 and 7290. When you are installing them, you may custom select the addtional module supporting Chinese and 2 input method.
Hope this help

Hi Joseph,

Thanks for sharing. I am also a TMO user. After you downloaded the 7290 Chinese Version from CSL, can you do the following?

1. Read Email in Chinese?
2. Receive and Read the SMS message in Chinese?

Thanks!