AT&T Bold Device Software Updated
Posted in News & Rumors on 13 May 2009 14:08 by Adam Zeis | 75 comments

Bold Software Update

Okay, so it may not be a huge update, but it's an "official" update at the least. It looks like AT&T users are receiving emails that the device software for the BlackBerry Bold has been updated. The apps are at version 4.6.0.167 (up from .162) and the platform has been updated from .157 to .217. If you're a Bold user you can grab the software from http://na.blackberry.com/eng/update/ (you'll need to use Internet Explorer). If you "upgrade" leave us a comment below with your findings. 

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Comments
By: ldawgy | Date: Wed, 05/13/2009 - 13:49

From the new update, I havent really noticed anything quite different except that sometimes it will switch to the edge network other than 3G network.. I'm not exactly sure if it did that before but thats what I noticed. I went to check if you would be able to have the option now to change manually from 3G to edge to save battery and such, but still can't sadly =( Good thing tho I have noticed is that signal has improved and is pretty obvious

By: quailallstar | Date: Wed, 05/13/2009 - 13:36

How is this different from the 4.6.0.162 I'm running on my unlocked Rogers Bold? Thanks! :)

By: espaviv (not verified) | Date: Wed, 05/13/2009 - 13:39

Updated with no issues. Only difference is that I now have better signal quality in my office as compared to before and I tend to stay in 3G mode more often.

By: darkhonda02 | Date: Wed, 05/13/2009 - 13:55

visual vmail which is still a no go on the features page, come on att get with it!!!!!!

By: captaincaa | Date: Wed, 05/13/2009 - 14:06

Don't see anything...

By: pilotnh | Date: Wed, 05/13/2009 - 14:03

Let me be the first Storm owner to comment by complaining that we still don't have a new official.

By: miller7796 | Date: Wed, 05/13/2009 - 17:09

Go complain to VZW since they denied the most recent one.

By: naviwilliams | Date: Wed, 05/13/2009 - 14:04

...This explains why earlier this morning I was having issues trying to update to .234

It kept telling me that it was updated to 217.

When they officially release .266, can someone please let me know?

kplsthx

By: fabuloso | Date: Thu, 05/14/2009 - 10:26

.266 was already officially released by Vodafone early this month! You should check the Bold Forums.

By: jhpope | Date: Wed, 05/13/2009 - 14:06

I've updated to some versions from other carriers. I never understood the version numbers. Can someone explain?

When I goto options about in my phone it says:
v4.6.0.244 (Platform 4.0.0.203)

Is this version older or newer? I think I might up/downgrade either way since I get some crashes and want something stable.

By: badonkadonk (not verified) | Date: Wed, 05/13/2009 - 18:37

RIM releases "bundles" that consist of the Applications and OS. The first number (4.6.0.244) is the bundle, and the second number (4.0.0.203) is the OS version. This release is newer than what you have.

By: rk1991 | Date: Wed, 05/13/2009 - 19:00

the first number .244 is the os version and the second number .203 is the platform. So the os he has is newer than the att release but the platform is older. I have no idea what the platform is for but the latest official rim os is 4.6.0.266 and the platform for that one is 4.0.0.233 its a pretty stable os although i find my batter life worst not that great of a diff but a little worst but the memory management is good.

By: yankle | Date: Wed, 05/13/2009 - 14:19

How do i get the update if im on Rogers in canada? i go to the link , plug in the bb and it wont give me the update - i guess it checks your carrier and since im not with at&t, it wont give it to me?

By: baseballkyle | Date: Wed, 05/13/2009 - 14:37

wake up people. there is zero need to wait for AT&T to release an official update. just grab a beta - 4.6.0.266 is a great OS for the Bold. otherwise you will be waiting for a long, long time for something older and not as good to get tagged "official" by AT&T. the official OS' are no different - at all than the beta versions.

if you want to be able to select 3G or 2G or 3G/2G - debrand or use the other method to change (but it only works for 30 days, then you have to do it again). search the forums for this info.

By: ExiledTexan | Date: Wed, 05/13/2009 - 14:53

....in a related story, AT&T announces a new dial-up service for accessing the Internet. A company spokesman was quoted as saying "We think this Internet thing might just catch on and we want to lead they way in technology for it".

By: benzworm | Date: Wed, 05/13/2009 - 14:57

not even gonna waste my time with this one

By: Valace2 | Date: Wed, 05/13/2009 - 15:03

Hahahaha!!!!!! At least you can say you have a new "official" update! An I don't have to hear about the poor AT&T bold users. As a disgruntled Storm owner I find this to be hysterical! Hahaha!

By: cellinator | Date: Wed, 05/13/2009 - 15:05

Is there any way to find out what this release updates? Is there any new functionality or enhancements? I couldn't find a "what's new" page about this release.

By: Working Class Hero | Date: Wed, 05/13/2009 - 15:48

Just got done doing the update. I had to do a battery pull though because I was getting the java.exception error, but after the battery pull, everything is back in line. Seems like it connects to EDGE first but then within 4-5 seconds 3G and BIS symbol comes up. I will report back with any difference in calls & 3G tower connections. The HUGE DIFFERENCE SO FAR: APP MEMORY! I don't have too many apps and with the oldert ATT software I was always running @ 20-15 MB (I installed quickpull to reset my bold everyday because of this!!) but now I'm running @ 40.2MB!! HUGE, HUGE difference!

By: captaincaa | Date: Wed, 05/13/2009 - 15:59

Are all of your apps there? I noticed more memory as well but then realized that even after backing up and reinstalling they weren't all there.

By: riz125 (not verified) | Date: Thu, 05/14/2009 - 09:30

I too have noticed a huge improvement with my app memory. Running with at least 30% more now!!!

By: Anonymou (not verified) | Date: Wed, 05/13/2009 - 16:02

wonder if VZW has seen this. sorry (*^&ers!!!

By: eroccia | Date: Wed, 05/13/2009 - 16:02

Besides it being "official" what advantages does this offer over 4.6.0.266??

By: *jeremyblaze (not verified) | Date: Wed, 05/13/2009 - 16:31

such an incremental upgrade must have been done just to thumb their nose at VZW.

"Come to AT&T, where you get official updates, no matter how trivial!"

By: Anonymous1234543 (not verified) | Date: Wed, 05/13/2009 - 17:47

HAHA - I can just imagin the guys at At&t

Rep1- Hey guys, Verizon just bent over storm owners and they are taking it like champs... how about we release an update....

Rep2- Well what update do we give them?

Rep1- what update do you have on that flash drive around your neck

Rep2- not sure but lets just give it to them... HAHA

By: @aarnink (not verified) | Date: Wed, 05/13/2009 - 16:40

after an update to this version 438 my bold appears to react sluggish in the main menu. Besides that my favorite app won't work anymore and gets a network error...both on wifi and 3g

By: @aarnink (not verified) | Date: Wed, 05/13/2009 - 16:51

In the previous post I reportet a network failure on ubertwitter. I tried tinytwitter instead and it reported a network failure too, but this time in included a referral to APN settings. After adding APN name 'internet' on my tmobile bold everything is ok with ubertwitter&tinytwitter

By: aanzola33 | Date: Wed, 05/13/2009 - 17:39

...Whether if I should downgrade because I am using the beta .266 (platform .223). After reading some opinions, it seems that with this version you get better reception and 3G coverage which is great because the reception in my home room is a little groggy. Even though I have a beta, .266 is very stable. But official updates like these are never bad. What do you guys think should I downgrade or keep the .266 and wait it out for 5.0?

By: JordanMan009 | Date: Wed, 05/13/2009 - 17:44

Im with t-mobile but i am using an unlocked at&t blackberry bold. does anyone know if this will mess up my phone in any way?

By: chiper532 | Date: Wed, 05/13/2009 - 18:54

i bought my bold back in January it came with .167 os software already wheres the offical 5.0 os software

By: colecar | Date: Wed, 05/13/2009 - 19:53

I just completed my update flawlessly. I did a battery pull after it had completed for good measure. I notice a CONSIDERABLE difference in signal reception. I live in a 3G area and have been disappointed that my Bold could not seem to hang on to 3G for more than 5 mins or so at a time. Before the majority of the time I was picking up the EDGE network with 3-4 bars sometimes fluctuating down to 2 bars and up to 5. NOW since I did the battery pull after the update my Bold has been glued to 3G and has not fluctuated for one second below full 5 bar service. Update is well worth it to me.

By: missleboy15 | Date: Wed, 05/13/2009 - 20:05

i downloaded the applocation loader on my computer and it doesnt seeem to be working right. it doesnt work when i try to put in my devise. is there something i can do?

By: nanaki2 | Date: Wed, 05/13/2009 - 21:20

Completed the upgrade today. No problems with the upgrade, all applications restored. Only difference that I see is that it handles memory better now. Before after a battery pull or quick pull v2 I would have 20/21MB of memory now I hover around 30MB of memory (give or take).

I've been running MSN messenger, yahoo, facebook, myspace and it has actually stayed around 28MB all day today since the upgrade. Haven't noticed any other changes or differences.

By: Alfonso Faustino (not verified) | Date: Wed, 05/13/2009 - 22:56

Concur with nanki2.

I completed my upgrade today, 13-May-2009, and I noticed that the application memory is much better.

Here are the applications on my Bold:
- Stock Manager For BlackBerry
- ExtraLight
- iCall Manager
- Google Maps Latitude
- RDM+
- BBSmart Alarms Pro
- PeeKaWho
- MemoryUp Pro
- Google Talk
- Pandora
- FaceBook
- TetherBerry
- JNetX - Call Reminder
- Quick Pull
- CrackBerry App Store
- Ascendo Data Vault

Before the official OS upgrade, my application memory hovered between 7-12 MB. After executing a daily battery pull or QuickPull or alt+shift+delete, my memory would increase to 23 MB and drop down to 7-12 MB.

Presently, after the official OS upgrade today, 13-May-2009, I'm hovering between 23 MB - 29 MB without a battery pull or QuickPull or alt+shift+delete -- the official OS upgrade has been holding this MB range for almost six hours.

I am anxiously waiting, like y'all, for the Official 5.0 OS release.

/s/ Alfonso Faustino

By: grumpysob | Date: Wed, 05/13/2009 - 21:29

Did the update with no problems. Anybody find anything new and improved with this update?

By: BlackHawkA4 | Date: Wed, 05/13/2009 - 21:29

Looks like I'm getting better service. I have full bars right now in my room. Usually it's 3-2 bouncing to 1 with edge or grps.

By: Perry Birman (not verified) | Date: Wed, 05/13/2009 - 21:51

Mine was updated today. I don't know what the difference is but it blew my calendar (8700 entries). I restored it on sync.

By: TrkStr | Date: Wed, 05/13/2009 - 22:16

I just did the software update and I gotta say works perfectly fine and I seem to have a lot more memory available.

By: Uriel Goldberg (not verified) | Date: Wed, 05/13/2009 - 23:38

I followed the instructions to download the Version 4.6.0.438 firmware upgrade but the BB App Loader mentions nothing of the sort; 4.6.0.167 is the only version offered...

By: dwaynewilliams | Date: Thu, 05/14/2009 - 01:49

I had the same experience. I received two choices .167 (preferred) or .167. I chose the preferred, but almost nothing seemed to change with the exception of wireless updates

By: Yelmi (not verified) | Date: Wed, 05/13/2009 - 23:57

Just upgraded. My Bold works as before, but it reset the ringtones to the lousy AT&T ones. Lost all my bongo drums and guitars.

By: AnonymousVUITTON (not verified) | Date: Thu, 05/14/2009 - 00:23

i dont see a change

By: MusicLaw | Date: Thu, 05/14/2009 - 00:34

Upgraded this evening and all went well. Installed the software on the PC. After rebooting the PC as prompted, the BlackBerry PC App Loader software correctly recognized the device once plugged in. Curiously the App Mgr software prompted for three mutually exclusive versions of the upgrade. The first was indicated "Preferred", the 2nd was indicated "Common" and the third was indicated as for the Bold 9000. I went with item #1.

All Apps were present after doing a few dual reboots via Alt+Shft+Del. Yes there were Java exception errors encountered but they cleared after another pair of dual reboots. I maintain my multiple (nine) e-mail addresses all in a common e-mail folder. Five of them appeared on their own out of the common folder and had to be moved back to the common folder.

My custom Profile was not present after the new software install and had to be re-created :((.

Another casualty was that DocsToGo was downgraded by the installation of the upgrade OS package and had to be reinstalled to the freely available upgrade.

Aside from that all is good. Free memory is now 34MB when it typically had been around 23MB after a dbl reboot.

By: MusicLaw | Date: Thu, 05/14/2009 - 09:34

As a follow-up to last night's post, be aware that if you have multiple e-mail accounts on your Device, you should check your Message Options > E-mail Reconciliation > Delete On settings.

Of the Nine (9) e-mail accounts configured on my device, all had all been configured to Prompt on Delete. This method permitted optimal management flexibility of messages on the Handheld as well as the server Mailbox(es). Following installation of the update, most of the e-mail accounts' settings had changed to "Handheld" rather than "Prompt".

By: VZWRocka | Date: Thu, 05/14/2009 - 01:08

I would say that this has to be an April Fools joke, except that was over 6 weeks ago. Is there anyone left still using the original AT&T OS with it's mediocre battery life and reception? Seriously, AT&T, release .247; this update is an EPIC FAIL!

By: Crunch | Date: Thu, 05/14/2009 - 02:11

Hah. I just upgraded to .93. No, I'm not behind. I mean 5.0.0.93. How long would it take...ah never mind. If you want to stick with 4.6 for now, go with .266, .247, .237, .219, or .210.

These are the most stable ones and they all work well. Just get .266 if you want to stay with 4.6 for now. ;)

By: Tact1 (not verified) | Date: Thu, 05/14/2009 - 02:53

I've loaded the update, but I really could not tell what the differences are. To me, everything looked the same.

By: angio10sin | Date: Thu, 05/14/2009 - 03:01

where should i search to find out my version?

By: wcihlu | Date: Thu, 05/14/2009 - 04:25

I didn't get an email from ATT... Is that bad? I'm running OS 5.0.93.

By: Teddyp6 | Date: Thu, 05/14/2009 - 06:36

I couldn't find this software update on the site and it wasn't available when I checked "wireless updates" on my phone. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

 
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