New Mac BB User with a Question about Software Upgrades
 

I am a brand new Blackberry user. I signed up with Cingular because I want to be able to get my emails outside the United States when I travel. I switched from Verizon despite all the warnings I read about poor service from Cingular. Cingular has been great so far.

I got the 7290 after returning the 7100g. With the 7100g, I had a hard time reading the screen in the daylight. And the although suretype worked fine I prefer the QWERTY keyboard.

I am a Mac user so I had to buy PocketMac for Blackberry. It works well. I transferred 1000 names to my BB in a few minutes.

My one question is how will I download new software from RIM as it becomes available on my Mac? BB only seems to support Windows. Or will it be time for a new BB by the time I need to upgrade the software.

I like to stay current with digital devices.

I almost bought a Treo 650 but figured it would be more complicated.
The 7290 has 2 backlight intensities. This is a nice feature.

I'm excited! I am no longer bound to my desktop to read and send emails. World here I come!

As you guessed, you'll need a Windows based PC to upgrade the software...

How often does BB tend to upgrade? All my friends have Macs.

Need them? Upgrades come out a couple of times a year. It's not a monthly or even regular occurance.

Wirelessly posted (your electric?: BlackBerry7520/4.0.0 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 UP.Browser/5.0.3.3 UP.Link/5.1.2.12)

Couple options for you would be to spend about $150 on Virtual PC (sure you can find it cheaper) with this option you can use the BB destop software for apps, you can also go to a Cingular Corp where I am sure they can upgrade your device (don't know if they charge or if they actually do it).

pink

Virtual PC does not work. You can never make a connection to the Blackberry.

PocketMac will let you sync your Balckberry to your Mac ($30), but does not work for software installation.

Your only option for installing applications or upgrading the Blackberry's OS is a PC running Windows.

Joe

Thanks for your helpful responses. Maybe I'll go to a Kinkos.

I wish BlackBerry would support the Mac. They are missing some very dedicated computer folks.

It has been rumored that PocketMac will include an app loader in a future release.

An application loader would be a very useful addition! Thanks.

You have to keep in mind that the market for Blackberries is primarily in the government and business world.. where Mac's are seldom used. Sure they have their place for video production and graphic arts but no major company, that I'm aware of, is using Mac as their primary platform. That could change in the future with Apple moving to Intel chips but I'm sure it will be a while.

EDIT: Also I'm not sure that Kinko's will let you install software so you may have trouble getting the Desktop Manager installed to do your software upgrades.

God I hope so, then I can make the switch to a MAC.

pink