We've known for quite some time now that during RIM's initial testing of OS 6.1 which, later turned into OS 7 that the wireless HotSpot feature was something they were hoping to include. As we know it, BlackBerry 7 was released on various devices and that feature was nowhere to be found. Carrier information has shown on more then one occasion it will be included with later OS updates but RIM will neither confirm nor deny that it even exists.

That leads us to BlackBerry 7.1, the update purported to have the HotSpot feature built-in. It's been in testing for quite a while now and while and while we've heard plenty about it -- we've not seen anything from it until now. Over at bjxiaoc they've managed to post up some purported images of a BlackBerry Torch 9810 running OS 7.1.0.58 that shows HotSpot baked into the OS.

When will it roll out? We don't know. Taking these images under consideration OS 7.1 is still fairly young and if RIM follows their normal release patterns a consumer release won't make its way to carriers until they are in - at the very least - .100 revisions but no telling how old these images are nor the OS itself. Either way, take a look -- and let's hope RIM knocks this out to at least a few BlackBerry 7 devices soon enough. Since the OS is out there, maybe it will leak.

Continue reading article

One of the features that has gone missing in all versions of BlackBerry 7 is that elusive Wifi Hot Spot capability. We saw it, then we didn't, then we saw it, now its gone. Word on the street is that the feature will be made available for devices (most like on a per carrier basis) down the road in an official software update. Well it looks like someone at Sprint didn't get that memo as loads of BlackBerry Torch 9850 units shipped with packaging that states Hot Spot Capable right on the box. While this is somewhat true given it will be capable with the update, it's not totally accurate. Sprint employees received the notice above so they can be sure to inform buyers that the feature is not yet available, however it is said to be arriving in the fourth quarter (aka the next few months). So hopefully this highly sought after feature will indeed pop up courtesy of an official update fairly soon.

Much to the dismay of many BlackBerry users, it looks as though the new BlackBerry 7 line up is not going to be launching with WiFi hotspot capability built into the OS. Now, that's not to say it isn't coming ever. In fact, some new documentation from Bell Mobility shows that is part of the ultimate plan for WiFi hotspot. As noted in the image above you can see not only the release date for the BlackBerry Torch 9860 (August 22nd) but at the bottom you see "WiFi Hotspot functionality will be available via Software update post launch". Accurate? Will it be all devices or just the Torch 9860? Time will tell. Truth be told, the capability was baked into earlier OS' and that's a fact but somewhere along the line RIM decided to take it out.

Source: Mobile Syrup