Chapter 6. Checking Out the Device Software 5.0 Features

In This Chapter

  • Exploring the new features in BlackBerry Handheld Firmware 5.0

  • Discovering enhancements to existing Firmware features

Cutting-edge technology is cutting edge specifically because it's always changing and evolving. Research In Motion (RIM) — the company that makes BlackBerry smartphones, firmware, and BlackBerry Enterprise Server software — is no exception to this rule. Its Device Software continues to evolve. (Firmware is the operating system and set of core applications that make your BlackBerry smartphone work and perform at its best.) Over the years, the firmware has incorporated wireless synchronization, spell checking, and HTML e-mail support.

In this chapter, we explore the new features and existing feature enhancements in BlackBerry Device Software 5.0.

New Features in Device Software 5.0

BlackBerry Device Software 5.0 includes a bunch of new features that are designed to give you a better experience than ever before. Here is a rundown of the new features — as well as what they can do for you:

  • Watch the progress of your BlackBerry startup. A new device startup screen (see Figure 6-1) shows the BlackBerry logo with a progress bar while the BlackBerry is starting up. This feature is great because you can gauge how long the system will take to boot up. It's certainly better than staring at the endlessly spinning hourglass.

    Figure 6.1. The new BlackBerry Startup screen added in Firmware 5.0.

  • Set your defaults with ...

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