Quick Preview of BlackBerry Desktop Manager for Mac

By Adam Zeis on 4 Aug 2009 03:13 pm

To say Kevin was "overjoyed" with the news of Desktop Manager finally coming to Mac would be an understatement. I ventured into New York today for a T-Mobile event to check out the Curve 8520, and I was excited to see an early version of Desktop Manager for Mac up and running. RIM Product Manager Andrey Feldman took some time to give me a quick look at the software, and I must say it is great to finally see it in action. There is no exact release date (none that I could get anyone to admit at least) but I was told it will be available in September. I was able to play around a bit and got a good look at some of the features.

The software for Mac is a "trimmed but functional" cousin to that of Desktop Manager for PC. It will operate in the same manner with some mild differences like the ability to sync with iCal calendars and easier OS updates. It has the "same functionality with a different interface", and has been designed to be as user friendly as possible as it is geared toward the consumer market. You will be able to easily sync with iTunes, even across multiple Macs, and install OS updates with a few clicks. The biggest note is that the software will supposedly not allow you to install a leaked operating system on your device, only those that have been officially released by a carrier. I'm not sure exactly how this could be achieved, but details were vague so we'll have to wait and see. Not many of the features are new, but overall just a quick look those included are as follows:

Integrated Media Sync for iTunes
Backup and Restore
Install/Remove 3rd party applications
Ability to automatically sync multiple iCal calendars
Ability to sync with Entourage
Ability to sync multiple devices on multiple Macs
Event settings for syncing (which device calendar to sync with, merge etc.)
Automatically detects new carrier released OS upgrades for devices
Ability to rename a device and view available free device memory

Topics: News & Rumors

Adam Zeis 3046 (articles) 2792 (forum posts)

65 comments

quailalstar Aug 4, 2009 at 3:35 pm

I'm Über excited on this one!

claxan Aug 4, 2009 at 3:42 pm

Oh man just let it be done already!!!! I cant wait to upgrade my phone! lol

jonnytbegood Aug 4, 2009 at 3:54 pm

guess i'm sticking with parallels for leaks on my storm huh?!?! lammeee...

At least we're getting something half worthwhile finally though!!

MDG1030 Aug 4, 2009 at 3:55 pm

MAC integration is too important to just forget about!!!

swarlos Aug 4, 2009 at 3:55 pm

Can't wait!!!!

alonfed Aug 4, 2009 at 3:58 pm

;:O)

Modelchick305 Aug 4, 2009 at 4:01 pm

i'm so excited for this. This maybe the thing that makes me stick with BB. Its about time RIM showed Macs some love!

kurrupt_1 Aug 4, 2009 at 4:14 pm

I'm sure there will be a trick to load a leaked OS with this sooner or later.

elmerlr Aug 4, 2009 at 4:29 pm

There's nothing about transferring photos from the BB to the Mac and vice versa!

fs9 Aug 4, 2009 at 4:38 pm

Well, I'm not exactly thrilled. "Trimmed but functional" seems like a bit of a placeholder software. I mean, it's there, we cannot complain no more mac users won't have their DM. Still, if it's not on par to its windows cousin, we have a crippled software, which is just no good. At least to me, methinks. See, that unclear software update issue: we're just too much restricted by our mobile operators, now RIM wants to leash us to them? Come on, fellas. I'll stick with my XP VM, which actually runs DM 5.0 just fine.

MDG1030 Aug 4, 2009 at 4:46 pm

^^^^^^^ im worried about security issues running windows on a mac

citi Aug 4, 2009 at 4:59 pm

It's just a file on your mac. It's probably safer and quicker than running bootcamp. I use it all the time...well not all the time, for leaks and blackberry apps that they won't make for mac like my password software and banking stuff.

MDG1030 Aug 4, 2009 at 10:19 pm

hey citi, if you can message me directly, i have a few questions for you, thanks!

element526 Aug 4, 2009 at 4:52 pm

I could really use the hell out of this.

ignites Aug 4, 2009 at 4:53 pm

than the windows version!

JerseyDevil980 Aug 4, 2009 at 4:58 pm

I am excited ... this is why I had to get rid of my Omnia no support for MAC and at least this is coming soon. For me just the ability to backup and sync is what I need and I don't need leaked OS functionality.

LDubs Aug 4, 2009 at 5:01 pm

about time. I don't see anything about device switch wizard though, hope that's included as well...

citi Aug 4, 2009 at 5:06 pm

no need for device switching...you just unmount one and plug in the other. Device switched.

skwij Aug 5, 2009 at 9:53 pm

It isn't about mounting different devices, it's about importing info from one device to another, in the case of getting a new phone, and wanting to transfer EVERYTHING over. If you've not used DM in Windows, and just the crippled lame software that's available for Macs at the moment, you're missing an important functionality that hopefully will be built into this version of DM.

citi Aug 4, 2009 at 5:05 pm

At this point, besides app installs and backups, they are nowhere close to doubletwist and their new version is coming out in a couple of weeks. I just keep fusion running for OS installs and continue using DT. www.doubletwist.com

serpico Aug 4, 2009 at 5:08 pm

If it is available out of the box for consumers right now buying this new devicem then why not release it to the rest of us? Do we need to find a leaked version torrent or something? I don't understand why there's a wait until next month supposedly since there is no set date yet???

AgentScribe Aug 4, 2009 at 5:11 pm

Can I use BBDM on my Mac at home and my PC at work without screwing with my BB's head? Pin me please: 31e686d7

Thanks!

kellidotca Aug 4, 2009 at 5:25 pm

I'll probably never need to use parallels again!

n8d Aug 4, 2009 at 5:27 pm

There's this AWESOME feature that comes on computers now-a-days which is called SPELL CHECK.
Abiltity
updgrades
Dekstop

saki75 Aug 4, 2009 at 5:38 pm

FINALLY, I CAN'T WAIT!!!

SilverLight98 Aug 4, 2009 at 6:00 pm

Can't install LEAKS??!!! But.... *Eyes tear up* ... I NEED them for my STORM!!!!

ehalperin Aug 4, 2009 at 6:00 pm

finally, i wont have to update and store my settings on my work computer

njamison Aug 4, 2009 at 6:32 pm

ABOUT EFFING TIME!

mbs Aug 4, 2009 at 6:45 pm

Should have happened long ago, RIM, but this is better than never.

Jerky223 Aug 4, 2009 at 6:48 pm

Will Apple kill iTunes support like they did the Palm Pre? or because it's on a MAC they will let RIM live happily?

citi Aug 4, 2009 at 7:22 pm

they are not hacking itunes. BBDM just pulls from the open api which is legal. It really just read only. Itunes does not see your BB ever. You still have to go in an make your playlists through Itunes. Doubletwist uses the same approach.

WhoolioPreludee Aug 4, 2009 at 7:52 pm

VERY uninteresting....

Mbellfire Aug 4, 2009 at 7:58 pm

Now how about for Linux???

brainZ Aug 5, 2009 at 12:50 am

I second your motion, Sir. RIM already has a starting point in Barry and OpenSync, I would like to see a nice GUI package on top of that, with extra functionality added. That would be welocmed by Red Hat/SuSe enterprise crowd and regular desktop distro users alike.

jeniferlynne Aug 4, 2009 at 8:02 pm

so excited for this!!!!

Moles Aug 4, 2009 at 8:04 pm

i just can't wait.... I can now justify sticking with my bb curve over an iPhone.

randall2580 Aug 4, 2009 at 8:22 pm

Have a PC at the office and had been using a PC at home - of course no trouble syncing with both. Now have a G5 at home and have only been using the office DM with my Bold as current Mac software for BB sounded disappointing.

When I saw the announcement the other day regarding new DM for Mac I admit I was very excited, but the comments "trimmed but usable" make me wonder if this is going to be trouble going back and forth now between PC and Mac.

Time will tell as I intend to try, thats for sure!

Jeenyus Aug 4, 2009 at 8:24 pm

FINALLY.

AMessy Aug 4, 2009 at 8:31 pm

Now I'll no reason to ever boot into windows. At long last.

bboy34 Aug 4, 2009 at 9:27 pm

i am very excited for this...pocketmac just doesn't do it...so it's much needed!

nottheblackknight Aug 4, 2009 at 9:39 pm

is there Bluetooth syncing?

MOESTEPP Aug 4, 2009 at 9:39 pm

anyone seen a beta release?

BDLIVE4463 Aug 4, 2009 at 10:12 pm

Does this mean we can't install OS updates from other carriers or just like 5.0 betas?

Marioarm2 Aug 4, 2009 at 10:12 pm

Thank god! I've been wanting to update my OS for awhile now and now I finally can!

Do you think they'll make this available as a free download or do you think those who already have blackberries will have to buy it?

davidnyc Aug 4, 2009 at 10:24 pm

I'm pretty sure it will be free to all... the point is to make BlackBerry an attractive platform.

cienfuegos1961 Aug 4, 2009 at 10:48 pm

Winning this awesome Blackberry will make me able to finally take and save pictures and video. I"m stuck with a 8703e< so there you go. Thank you for the chance to upgrade :)

rob7100g Aug 4, 2009 at 11:04 pm

Hi Adam,

Thanks for the update! As a Mac user I was going to switch to the iPhone 3Gs for better synching between a smartphone and a Mac. I assumed Apple would make their products sync but I was wrong! My BlackBerry syncs better to a Mac* !!!

With the new BlackBerry DM for Mac synching will be even easier, and hopefully better than Pocket Mac and Missing Sync. As RIM product they will need to ensure it works and provide support.

-- Robert.

* iPhone can't sync Tasks and without using Microsoft Exchange can't reliably sync Calendar or Address Book to Entourage.

Daddystarbucks Aug 5, 2009 at 12:46 am

Will this DM sync Apple Mail?

dbrits Aug 5, 2009 at 1:16 am

Bluetooth sync, bluetooth sync, bluetooth sync! Please!

GolfTraxx Aug 5, 2009 at 4:09 am

I'm on the "its about frigging time!" side. As both an iPhone and Curve owner I have to say that RIM pretty much handed Apple a huge chunk of the market when they didn't support the OSX community. (Tech savvy, with money)

I am stoked, because my curve has been without my own application for MONTHS, a casualty of attempting to use a 3rd party app loader for the Mac. Looks like there might be a second life for the 8310 after all.

sugoi6 Aug 5, 2009 at 4:26 am

I was just wondering since Desktop manager will be released the same month as Snow Leopard, will the Desktop Manager work under Snow Leopard operating system?

shabbasuraj Aug 5, 2009 at 3:44 pm

that version will be coming out in 2013

xDAKx Aug 6, 2009 at 9:41 am

Actually DM for Mac may support Snow Leopard, It will not be coming out in 2013, actually, it'll be released later this year. Probably around October or November.

makya53 Aug 5, 2009 at 6:56 am

I can't believe it took RIM this long to save the mac people from buying unlocked iphones.

The Gift Aug 5, 2009 at 7:35 am

and like previous poaster said, hopefully it be will be compatible with Snow Leopard.

jdmoore81 Aug 5, 2009 at 8:49 am

they need to make a windows version that looks like this

AndyPanerai Aug 5, 2009 at 9:02 am

Can't wait for this release. I'am mac and crackberry addicted :)

arkitek#cb Aug 5, 2009 at 2:26 pm

Makes me want to buy a Mac.... and a Blackberry

shabbasuraj Aug 5, 2009 at 3:22 pm

Wow what a fake news story.. DM OS X has been "COMING" for years now.

FAIL

DevilsLAXative Aug 5, 2009 at 5:19 pm

I wish I could just blackout for a month and awake when this things releases. I will never stray from a Mac nor will I stray from Blackberry. This is going to be as significant in history as women's right to vote

skwij Aug 5, 2009 at 9:50 pm

Oooo let's hope BT and proximity syncing works with this! No leaked OSes? Say what? hm. We'll just see about that ;)

If this really does sync seamlessly with iTunes, I'm gonna have to get a larger SD card :D

Jalfonso Aug 6, 2009 at 3:14 am

simply ILL

quiltdiva Aug 6, 2009 at 9:58 am

I am jumping for joy!