BB IT Policy 

Last week we reported that details of SP2 for BlackBerry Enterprise Server 5.0 leaked out. Well now we've found a RIM document with the full release notes on the upcoming BES Service Pack. What's interesting is the new IT policy rules in the release. Specifically at the number of policies that require a handheld to have OS 6 in order to enforce. Here's the quick list of policies that must have handheld OS 6:

  • Disable Feeds application 
  • Prevent BlackBerry Podcasts 
  • Prevent RSS Feeds 
  • Prevent uploading of videos to YouTube 
  • Content Protection Usage 
  • Disable Browsing of Remote Shared Folders 
  • Force IT Policy View Icon on Homescreen 

Many of these, for example "Prevent BlackBerry Podcasts", are to preserve wireless data usage which companies pay for and are concerned about. However this policy will only apply to the BlackBerry Podcast app which is currently in Beta. Apps such as PodTrapper will not be affected by this policy.

I'm intrigued by IT policies, they are a great look into the near future.  Whenever a new service pack for the BES rolls out a quick tour through IT Policies seem to be a crystal ball into the future of official BlackBerry apps. Back in the 4.0 days we saw ICQ, MSN & Yahoo! messenger IT controls show up long before RIM announced partnerships with these platforms. Currently there is no official RIM RSS program or YouTube app so it stands to reason that if there are new IT controls for these yet to exist products they are on the horizon.

If you're really in need of some good bedtime reading you can grab the full PDF of the release notes. It isn't for the faint of heart it's 66 pages long, don't forget your propeller hat.