RIM completed their upgrades to BIS 2.5 in North America this weekend. If you're not running OS 4.5 on your BlackBerry much of this won't benefit you just yet (have patience, the widespread 4.5 rollout is coming!), but for those of you that are, a whole bunch of new features have just come your way, including HTML Email Viewing!
The image above tells the tale. On your left you have the latest CrackBerry.com Newsletter when viewed on a non-4.5 equipped BlackBerry (keep in mind we've always had designed it for full html viewing from your PC - full newsletter archive here). On the right we have the newsletter when viewed on a BlackBerry equipped with OS4.5 (beta) now that BIS 2.5 is turned on. As you can see, it's a LOT better. A hugely welcome change and big improvement. Although it does still irk me that the CrackBerry Newsletter looks better when viewed on an iPhone over a BlackBerry (see image). More pixels should solve a lot of this problem... I can't wait for the BlackBerry Bold!
Other BIS 2.5 feature improvements include the ability to download and save audio and video attachments and a whole bunch of other file types as well: .doc, .xls, .ppt, .wpd, .pdf, .zip, .txt, .html. Push email for Hotmail/MSN and AOL accounts is also included in the upgrade. Overall, it's darn sweet. As Bla1ze just mentioned to me in an email, overall email is a lot smoother and it's REALLY nice to be able to receive a video attachment in an email, save it and view it right on the BlackBerry.
Eddyj90 Jun 29, 2008 at 1:19 pm
I have 4.5 but its not working.....
Anonymous Jun 29, 2008 at 1:38 pm
resend your service books and do a battery pull for good measure
timatl Jun 29, 2008 at 8:38 pm
i am enjoying 4.5.46 on my tmobile curve 8320 but i am not getting the html email as of now. i am using uma at home, this could be the problem. it does seem to be a little faster on the uma for web surfing. i can finally get hotmail on my blackberry. just need my html email.
artie Jun 29, 2008 at 1:23 pm
When I finally have OS 4.5 on my 8130 will not need BBSmart email viewer?
ngshcd Jun 29, 2008 at 1:39 pm
I am on AT&T where can i find a beta copy of 4.5?
Captain_Zero Jun 30, 2008 at 1:54 am
What model do you have? I can send you links.
Anonymous Jul 11, 2008 at 12:57 pm
Hey I got a 8310 and was wondering if you can send me the link as well?
MrPeaceMR2 Jul 26, 2008 at 12:03 am
Can you send me the link(s) to the 4.5 OS for AT&T, too?
Thanks!
Aug 11, 2008 at 3:51 pm
I would love to get the link for the software update. I have an AT&T Curve 8310.
Thanks
evrydayzawrkday Jun 29, 2008 at 1:49 pm
Is there an AntiVirus software available for the BB? With the ability to download these attachments I can see a lot of problems brewing in the future (especially with JDE 4.5 being out)...
spasell#cb Jun 29, 2008 at 2:01 pm
I have ATT, 8310, and OS 4.5.0.37. I have pulled battery, resent service books, etc. Not only does it NOT display HTML but I cannot even download and attachments at ALL NOW!! No Word Docs, not PPT, no XLS, no nothing, and it was working fine yesterday.
I am now getting a message that says "Password not supported for this format. Resend?" I resend and says the same thing.
Looks like it not only didn't work properly, but anyone that did in fact download the beta copies of 4.5 might find it will not work at all. That was my fear and it looks like that is now coming true.
safri Jun 29, 2008 at 2:08 pm
Will Empower PRO be useless if BIS 2.5 is FULLY operational?
Angie D300 Jun 29, 2008 at 7:16 pm
I have Empower using OS 4.5. I can read HTML with the BIS 2.5 update, but i noticed that there are still some parts of an email that are not readable w/out Empower. For example, i recvd an email that i could read just fine, except for one image part. i hit the menu button, "toggled" to Empower & was able to read it perfectly. BUT, i recvd an email from eBay that looked much better w/out the Empower. So,personally, i like having Empower Pro installed. Either way, if you have OS 4.5 & BIS 2.5, then you will always be able to view HTML email. hopes this helps.
dmd1272 Jun 29, 2008 at 2:38 pm
I have an unlocked 8310 from ATT now on Tmobile and I have nothing either, I was just able to setup my hotmail email.
AZBear#CB Jun 29, 2008 at 6:56 pm
I have 4.5.42 and have resent service books and done a battery pull but still no HTML email.
EDIT - Got it to work. discovered the email i sent as a test was sent as plain text.
SOUJAH345 Jun 29, 2008 at 8:32 pm
how do i resend service books?
matt.weum Jun 29, 2008 at 3:01 pm
Has anybody had any luck receiving their hotmail email yet?
SteveO86 Jun 29, 2008 at 3:27 pm
Man I wish they official release 4.5 already.... This update will forever change BlackBerry!
SteveO86 Jun 29, 2008 at 3:27 pm
Man I wish they official release 4.5 already.... This update will forever change BlackBerry!
mscooley Jun 29, 2008 at 3:28 pm
Yes. It works flawlessly. I even created a new Live account just to be sure.
Re: Empower - yes, if you're running 4.5, with the BIS upgrade, you won't need it. Now, you do have to manually get images, which is something Empower does for you. So if you don't mind that, and you don't use any of the other Pro features, then HTML email works just fine without Empower. I'm in limbo because I liked the "add to calendar" option for emails that I get with Empower, so I'm, personally in limbo.
brothamoveson Jun 29, 2008 at 3:43 pm
It works for me I resent the service books, pulled the battery and bingo.
Anonymous Jun 29, 2008 at 3:54 pm
What device and OS build are you running?
inc188 Jun 29, 2008 at 5:17 pm
any one from canada got this to work? specifically Bell?
thanks
Stomp-It Jun 29, 2008 at 5:20 pm
Yey, i noticed this option earlier today after id been fiddeling around removing/altering o2's default policy they ship on BIS based devices (the thing about no split network pipes).
Fully working html email makes such a difference to the few i get sent to bb, god knows when the eu servers changed over the last few days tho as it only showed after my fiddeling forced me to resend the service books.
dlgus Jun 29, 2008 at 7:33 pm
I was starting to think I was the only one who got the update-lol
PhxBlue Jun 29, 2008 at 7:42 pm
Its not working for me. Tried all the metioned tricks.
For reference sake:
T-mobile
8320
o.s 2.5.0.46
using Gmail
zinadork Jun 29, 2008 at 8:03 pm
It is not working for Verizon. I am running 4.5.
yaya1223 Jun 29, 2008 at 8:38 pm
how do you get 4.5??
TheNoZone Jun 30, 2008 at 1:44 pm
Can you tell me where to get OS 4.5 for Verizon? I didn't know CDMA had OS 4.5 out yet.
Thanks!
kuppyr Jun 30, 2008 at 5:09 pm
Hi I'm new with the BB and site.
I wanted to know if you got it working on your phone, I'm with Verizon Curve (8330).
If you did get it to work could you let me know where I could get the downlaod, or if you could send it to me.
Thank you for your time
K
Raptor007 Jun 29, 2008 at 9:18 pm
I'm not promoting it and I have NOT used any beta's my hope is that OS4.5 hits in the next couple of weeks and/or the BB Bold hits right after that.
Wusty Jul 4, 2008 at 12:40 pm
Thanks for posting! We're so glad to hear that! Oh wait....why did you post that?? Durrrrrrrrr
evrydayzawrkday Jun 29, 2008 at 11:26 pm
Worked for me... sent all my service books once, did a battery pull and voila! As noted above, old emails do not render email, but the new incoming ones do (including pictures)...
BUT (always a but when its beta)
I cant download attachments :(
TMobile 8320
OS 4.5.46
ryrycalguy Jun 29, 2008 at 11:35 pm
I got it to work! However, I already had a hotmail account that worked with my bb so I didn't really care about that upgrade all too much.
I have:
T-Mo
8320
OS 4.5.0.10
I resent service books then did a battery pull.....worked like a charm!
cyph3r Jun 30, 2008 at 12:04 am
worked for me... resend books and pull and all is good
jtriplett1080 Jun 30, 2008 at 12:10 am
How can I download thhe OS 4.5 Beta? I've got the 2.5 BIS and still have the standard 4.2 on my AT&T 8300. Someone please point me in the right direction.
briennedugas Jun 30, 2008 at 12:21 am
Know how I can pm you? Newbie here, but have something you want......
juanjo Jun 30, 2008 at 11:10 am
Hi Brien,
I'm a newbie here too and saw your post. I can not get the OS4.5 nowhere..can you help.
Much appreciated!
Juan
briennedugas Jun 30, 2008 at 12:17 am
First post on here...updated to os 4.5.0.46 for 8100 last night, and updated bis just now. AWESOME to have free html email viewing...finally...i was running out of free trials! =)
Anonymous Jun 30, 2008 at 1:24 am
I just got it to work on AT&T. OS 4.5, resend service books, device reset and you are good to go.
LegendKBizz Jun 30, 2008 at 5:33 am
I havent received the update. My 8330 is still 4.3
Anonymous Jun 30, 2008 at 6:53 am
is very funny how this feature is here now and i do not feel like a kid with a new toy, i guess having empower for so long took that away, oh well at least i can see videos in my emails.
killingwthasmile Jun 30, 2008 at 7:29 am
I just set up my hotmail account on my 8300. I sent myself a testing email, received it almost instantly, read it, and only deleted from the hand held. Checked online and when i logged into my hotmail the email was shown as read. Gmail needs to follow suit on this one.
asadun Jun 30, 2008 at 9:11 am
Ecuador reporting here.
BIS 2.5 working perfectly.
Running BB OS 4.5.0.46 Blackberry Pearl 8100
Uninstall BB Smart view. HTML email looking good with BIS 2.5
Louis Russell Jun 30, 2008 at 9:37 am
Anyone tried it in the UK and found it to work?
I have a 8800 and am contemplating updating to OS 4.5 Beta.
Just wondered if anyone has had any problems or found that this works on UK Networks. I'm on Orange.
Cheers!
TDowdy Jun 30, 2008 at 9:59 am
I am running 4.5 but don't know where to get BIS 2.5.
Can someone add a link (Curve 8320, T-Mobile)
Thanks
cvaria Jun 30, 2008 at 10:14 am
I have 4.5 on my 8830 and i've seeen no html email. help
jeremydazzo2004 Jun 30, 2008 at 10:45 am
hey does any one know where i cant get the os 4.5 for att or beta pm me
jeremydazzo2004 Jun 30, 2008 at 10:45 am
hey does any one know where i cant get the os 4.5 for att or beta pm me
jeremydazzo2004 Jun 30, 2008 at 10:46 am
hey does any one know where i cant get the os 4.5 for att or beta pm me
ricky_ifa Jun 30, 2008 at 11:04 am
just to let every one know, I updated my curve 8310 to OS4.5 from the link on crackberry a few weeks ago, and I am now receving HTML emails for free instead of buying Empower or BBsmart. I also now have video camera function!! I dont mean to show off, but I thought some of you might wanna know
ricky_ifa Jun 30, 2008 at 11:05 am
Sorry, an Im in England, on vodafone contract
Xxw0lfxX Jun 30, 2008 at 11:52 am
How do I get this to work on my Curve?
rayrpm00 Jun 30, 2008 at 12:32 pm
Can someone send the link for at&t 8310 OS 4.5. Much appreciated.
PanaSama Jun 30, 2008 at 12:45 pm
Reporting from México, everything is OK, HTML email, Hotmail account, downloading attachments, but anyone knows where i can get Live MSN? i go to blackberry.com/livemessenger but it says my device is not supported.
bazz#cb Jul 1, 2008 at 8:48 pm
Hi im from sinaloa, can you help me with the html mail? i can`t see images but i can see the links in html format.
maccman Jun 30, 2008 at 1:11 pm
Hello I have a tmobile 8800 running OS 4.2.1.74.does any one have feed back on 4.5 working for them? Frankly I'd rather not waste my time or deal with any problems if there are issues and the real version is comming soon...let's me know thanks
randall2580 Jun 30, 2008 at 2:37 pm
As suggested, resent service books, pulled the battery and voila - HTML mail!
Me so happy!
Louis Russell Jun 30, 2008 at 2:54 pm
Hi Guys,
Dunno if anyone can help me out.
I have updated my 8800 to 4.5 but it keeps crashing my phone when I lock it or leave it alone for too long.
Anyone got any suggestions before I try to rollback to my previous OS?
gladymcfly Jun 30, 2008 at 3:24 pm
How do i resend the service books?
fathi_abuayyash Jun 30, 2008 at 4:21 pm
login to ur service provider, go to email settings and then click on send service books.
fathi_abuayyash Jun 30, 2008 at 3:43 pm
How do i resend the service books?
gladymcfly Jun 30, 2008 at 10:19 pm
Thanks for the info fathi
Anonymous Jul 1, 2008 at 2:39 am
Just tested out 2.5 with OS 4.5 and I am receiving HTML emails just fine. Resend the service books and do a reset :)
jchien#cb Jul 1, 2008 at 9:58 am
Does anyone know how to make it default to download all images?
Louis Russell Jul 1, 2008 at 3:36 pm
In Messages, Select Options, Select E-mail Settings, there is an option for "Downloading Images Automatically"
This should do it..
Floridadomer#CB Jul 1, 2008 at 10:16 am
Running BB OS 4.5.0.33 Alltel Blackberry 8830
How do I turn on BIS 2.5?
I have Empower Pro but can not find it after installing 4.5.
It says it is loaded in the apps loader and in my Applications list but when I have an email open and go to the menu, Empower options is no longer listed.
I have an email from Direct tv that is nothing but links
veldacy1 Jul 1, 2008 at 12:54 pm
so my Hotmail used to take 5-20 or more minutes to arrive, but I just sent myself one from my work address and it showed up in about 20 seconds. Awesome!!
Louis Russell Jul 1, 2008 at 3:41 pm
Didn't get any help here so I thought I would help anyone who still needs help with this.
If your Blackberry (mine is an 8800) keeps freezing after installing OS 4.5 then the problem will be with your Media Card.
You will need to back up your media card, remove everything from it, insert it into your blackberry, format it from the Advanced options/Media Card/Format Media Card menu option. then copy everything back across to the media card using Blackberry desktop manager.
Hope this helps you All!
P.S. I am using a Blackberry 8800 on Orange in the UK and it is working wonderfully!
bfriskey Oct 16, 2009 at 12:36 pm
I have seen many posts requesting links to the download s although I have not seen the link yet...Anyone going to share ??????
bfriskey Oct 16, 2009 at 12:53 pm
Ooooops I meant BIS 2.5...Want image automatic download on a 9530 w/verizon...Service petty much sucks..Do we REALLY need all the HELP these companies force on us like when using GPS we need to agree to 3 items before we get to use it?? I , for one, am pretty fed up with all the improvements which have actually REMOVED functionality we used to have w/o hassle..PLEASE ,,,NO MORE HELP...Just give us what you promised!!!Stop saying " it's for your own good" sickening...