Gizmodo: Blackberry Connect

AT&T and HTC Update the 8525 (Sorry, Not WM6)

Jason Chen — Wed, 02 May 2007 17:00:06 EDT

We were pretty bummed to see that AT&T and HTC America released an update for the Cingular 8525 that wasn't a Windows Mobile 6 ROM. But if you've been waiting for bug fixes (like Daylight Saving Time) along with Cingular Video, AT&T Music, Push-to-Talk and BlackBerry Connect support, this is the update for you.

Oh, and now you can even choose between minimizing or closing an app when you hit the X button on the top right. At least you get that feature now without having to wait till WM6. – Jason Chen

Download Page [HTC America via Mobile Burn - Thanks Keebles]

RIM to Bring More BlackBerry Apps to Windows Mobile 6

Jason Chen — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 16:20:42 EDT

Windows Mobile users who are already on the BlackBerry network thanks to the latter's BlackBerry Connect service will be happy to hear that RIM's bringing even more BB apps to your phone. Running only on Windows Mobile 6 devices, the app will add support for "email, phone, calendar, address book, tasks, memos, browser, instant messaging and other applications developed for the BlackBerry platform."

So essentially, now you can take part in all that BlackBerry workplace fun your company's IT department mandates, yet still be able to use all your favorite Windows Mobile apps.
– Jason Chen

Press Release [RIM]

Upcoming HTC Phones Get BlackBerry Connect Data Suite

Jason Chen — Tue, 13 Feb 2007 18:00:10 EST

Great news for business users as HTC's just announced that they're going to have BlackBerry Connect available on all five of their new phones being launched at 3GSM. For the unfamiliar, BB Connect lets non BlackBerry phones support BlackBerry-ish email and data, which include:

Enhanced attachment handling capabilities, enabling users to view images, footnotes and tracked changes;

Remote look-up of corporate email address directory;

Triple DES or AES wireless encryption;

Internet and corporate intranet access via the BlackBerry Mobile Data System;

Wireless device provisioning to allow devices to be activated wirelessly;

Remote control of email settings to allow users to wirelessly configure out-of-office replies, email filters, and auto-signatures directly from their device; and

Wireless IT policy enforcement and commands.

Now you can finally convince your IT guy to let you use HTC Windows Mobile phones instead of the old BlackBerries they've had since 2003. – Jason Chen

Press Release [RIM via Solsie]

Samsung t719 With BlackBerry Connect Coming Soon to T-Mobile

Jason Chen — Wed, 06 Sep 2006 20:30:32 EDT

Just like the Samsung Trace t519, the Samsung t719 has a coming soon page up on T-Mobile today. The flip-phone t719 has some interesting features, like the BlackBerry Connect software inside to enable this phone to use BlackBerry's push email. This means you don't need a bulky BlackBerry if all you're doing is shooting off an email once in a while.

Other features: quad-band GSM, 3 hours talk time, 1.3 megapixel camera, Bluetooth, voice dialing, mini-qwerty keypad, and PC syncing. The most interesting part would be that BlackBerry-style qwerty, which may be hard to use on a phone of this size. – Jason Chen

Product Page [T-Mobile]

Nokia E62 at WES

Jason Chen — Tue, 16 May 2006 18:06:59 EDT

The specifications of the Nokia E62 are pretty much still the same save for added WiFi and USB support, but now Blackberry Cool has found out the smartphone will be released this summer through Cingular. It will also be compatible with BlackBerry through the "BlackBerry Connect" software for non BlackBerry devices.

Canadian readers can note there are rumors that Nokia's been talking to Rogers about launching it through their channels. What's with Canada anyway? We name our wireless companies something cool like "Sprint" or "Cingular", you guys name yours after dumpy, balding middle managers.

Live from WES: Update on the Nokia E62 [Blackberry Cool - Thanks Douglas!]