Ewan's Corner

Archive for the ‘me’ Category

Finally – an official version of BlackBerry OS v6 has been released for the BlackBerry Bold 9700 (v6 has so far only been available for / shipped with the new Torch, Bold 9780 and Style 9670). Several cracked/leaked versions of v6 have been circulating for awhile, but they’re dodgy and unreliable by all accounts. Official is the way to go – and you don’t need to wait for your local provider to offer the update, you can easily upgrade using the upgrade from *any* BlackBerry provider as long as you get the right version for your device.

Thanks to Indian cellular provider Vodafone Essar (others will follow), you can now download OS 6 and upgrade your Bold. OS 6 is a huge leap forward, even for non-touchscreen devices – the WebKit default browser alone is worth the upgrade.

Package Version: 6.0.0.1478
Applications: 6.0.0.380

Software Platform: 6.6.0.86

File name: 9700jAsia_PBr6.0.0_rel1478_PL6.6.0.86_A6.0.0.380_Vodafone_Essar_Limited.exe

File size: 150.12MB

Download URL: https://www.blackberry.com/Downloads/entry.do?code=15CF76466B97264765356FCC56D801D1

The procedure remains the same as for any OS update:

1. If you’re a corporate / BES user, I recommend doing this from your work desktop if possible. Makes re-activation automatic and painless.
2. Make sure you have the latest version of BlackBerry Desktop Manager installed
3. Do a *full* backup of your device using Desktop Manager
4. I recommend you then delete all 3rd party applications to simplify the upgrade (you can re-install them afterwards), especially those which automatically start at boot. Desktop Manager makes this quick and easy, with only one device restart required.
5. Download and install the OS 6 install (on your PC/Mac) – be sure to get the correct installer for your device model (e.g. the Essar URL above is https://www.blackberry.com/Downloads/entry.do?code=15CF76466B97264765356FCC56D801D1)
6. If you are installing an update from a different cellular provider (e.g. you downloaded from Essar above, but they’re not your local provider) then delete the “vendor.xml” file (on Win7, located in “Program Files –> Common Files –> Research in Motion –> AppLoader”)
7. Run “loader.exe” in the same AppLoader directory and follow the prompts
8. Voila!

If you get stuck with BES / Enterprise activation, this may help.

General comments on OS 6 on my Bold 9700 so far:

• Snappy performance – no noticeable lag
• The new WebKit based browser rocks. Finally, a decent default fast browser with tabbing, proper rendering, decent zooming etc. I’ll still likely use Opera Mini in parallel though.
• Reboots down from 7 minutes (!) to under 2
• Taking photos is faster – and browsing images is *much* faster, especially for large collections
• I’m not sure how I survived without universal search / search from the home screen rocks
• Setup / config menus are far more intuitive and usable
• Social feeds – we’ll see.
• “Application Management” has been hugely improved – finally you can see what apps are running, which are chewing up CPU cycles (now and by day) and memory usage. Excellent.

When I was One,
I had just begun.
When I was Two,
I was nearly new.
When I was Three
I was hardly me.
When I was Four,
I was not much more.
When I was Five,
I was just alive.
But now I am Six,
I’m as clever as clever,
So I think I’ll be six now for ever and ever.

— Now We Are Six, A. A. Milne

In appreciation of my crazy curious bright amazing wonderful soft-hearted 6 year old little thinker & dreamer, who is counting down the sleeps to his 6th Christmas and preparing for the big leap to grade 1. I love you my biggest little guy.