BlackBerry 8520 - Is yours up to date?

Most of the major handset manufacturers have now made this a thing of the past by allowing you to update the software on their phones yourself, when and where you want.

Why should I update my phone?

You may not be experiencing any problems or software issues with your phone, so you may not think you need to update it, but some of the updates released can improve features such as battery life, photo quality and improve support for other devices such as Bluetooth Headsets. BlackBerry have recently released several completely new features onto some of their handsets through the Software Device Update. To see what’s been added recently, take a look at the features chart on the BlackBerry Website.

How do I update my BlackBerry?

If you already have BlackBerry Desktop Manager installed, you’ll need to use the Application Loader to upload the new firmware to your handset. If you haven’t installed it already you can download it free of charge from the BlackBerry Website. You’ll also need to check for the latest version of available firmware and download it from BlackBerry. You can find the latest version on the BlackBerry Device Software site.

Before you start though I’d recommend that you check the following:

• The battery in your BlackBerry handset is fully charged
• You have downloaded and installed the latest version of BlackBerry Desktop Manager
• You have downloaded the latest version of the BlackBerry firmware - Download now from the BlackBerry Website*
• If you’re working off a laptop, make sure you’re connected to a power supply
• You have the correct data cable for your phone

*Internet Explorer is needed to download latest version of BlackBerry Firmware. BlackBerry Desktop Manager isn’t an essential part of the process, but it will make managing your device a lot easier.

Once you’ve downloaded and installed the latest versions, it’s time to start updating your phone. You’ll need to be patient though as this isn’t the fastest process in the world and it will take some time to erase everything and then reinstall the software. When I ran through it for this post it took around 45 minutes on a BlackBerry Curve 8310 upgrading to 4.5.0.163 on a PC running Windows XP SP3.

To be on the safe side, I’d close any other applications on your computer and go make yourself a coffee while you wait for the update to finish.

It’s extremely important that once you start this process you don’t disconnect your BlackBerry from your computer or switch your computer off until the update has completed and you’re told it is safe to do so by the update application.

1. Connect your BlackBerry handset to your computer.
2. Launch BlackBerry Desktop Manager.
3. Double-click Application Loader. The Application Loader Wizard appears. You might need to unplug and re-attach the USB cable to your BlackBerry in order for it to be recognised.
4. Click Next.
5. Choose the software that you want to install and click Next.

   

   Update BlackBerry Firmware – Select Software Version to Install

6. If you’re asked for a password, type in your BlackBerry password and click Next.
7. The Device Application Selection screen appears. Select the applications to be loaded onto your BlackBerry smartphone.

   

   Update BlackBerry Firmware – Select Applications to Install

8. If the Device Backup screen appears, choose whether or not to automatically back up the BlackBerry smartphone. Click Next.
9. Click Next. The ‘Completing the Application Wizard’ screen will appear and display all the software that will be loaded to your BlackBerry smartphone.
10. Click the Advanced button and make sure that Erase all application data and Erase all currently installed applications are both selected. Note: If the Application Loader is not able to access all of the BlackBerry smartphone data, then both Erase all application data and Erase all currently installed applications will be grayed out.

    

    Update BlackBerry Firmware – Check ‘Erase all’ boxes

11. Click Next, You’ll be asked if you want to be notified of future updates, enter your email address and then clickNext again.
12. Click Finish. The BlackBerry firmware will now be updated on your BlackBerry. You’ll need to be patient though as this will take around 45 minutes to complete – maybe longer.

    

    Update BlackBerry Firmware – Software will take around 45 minutes to udpate

13. That’s it – All done. Once you see the update successful screen it is safe to disconnect your phone from your computer.

    

    Update BlackBerry Firmware – Update Complete

If you get any error messages at any point, you may need to start the process again. If you try 3 times and it still won’t work, you’ll need to take your handset to your nearest repair centre or contact BlackBerry for help.

Nokia have just released a software update for the 5800 XpressMusic.

As well as fixing a few bugs, the software will add new features to your 5800 and is available to download now from the Nokia software update website.

Improvements in the new software version include faster data downloads from the Internet, an improved e-mail interface, and improvements to the built in search.

In order to keep their products up to date, Parrot have developed a Software Update Tool, a quick and easy way to update your Parrot product with all the latest software updates.

NB: The Parrot Software Update Tool is currently only available for Microsoft Windows .

Before starting your upgrade, please read the following guides:

	Download PC drivers for Parrot Bluetooth Dongle and Windows XP (.Zip, 85Mb) Download PC drivers for Parrot Dongle and Windows Vista (.Zip, 75Mb)
	Parrot Photo Viewer flash procedure (PDF)
	Parrot Sound System flash procedure (PDF) Download the Parrot Audio Configuration Tool ver 1.3.1.6 (.ZIP 3,6MB) Using the Parrot SOUND SYSTEM with Mac OSX Leopard
	Parrot Party flash procedure (PDF) Download the Parrot Audio Configuration Tool ver 1.3.1.6 (.ZIP 3,6MB) Using the Parrot PARTY with Mac OSX Leopard
	Minikit flash procedure (PDF)
	MK6000 flash procedure (PDF)
	MK6100 flash procedure (PDF)
	3200 LS-COLOR flash procedure (PDF) 3200 LS-COLOR sending photos to synchronized contacts (PDF) 3200 LS-COLOR wall-paper upgrade procedure (PDF)
	CK3100/CK3300/CK3500 (PDF)
	CK3000 Evolution (PDF)
	Rhythm n’Blue (PDF)
	Easydrive by Bluetooth® (PDF) Easydrive using a serial cable (PDF)

Change Your Language
Parrot hands-free car kits softwares are available in 19 languages.

Before starting the update, you can select your preferred language in the configuration menu of the Parrot Software Update Tool.

You can change the language on the following Parrot Kits:

• Minikit
• Photo Viewer ( available in 16 languages )
• 3200 LS-COLOR
• 3400 LS-GPS
• CK3100 LCD
• CK3000 Evolution
• Easydrive

Latest available versions
Check the software version currently installed in your kit (“Preferences” menu, “Information” sub-menu) and compare it with this list:

(Correct as of 11/02/2008)

To know the specifications, read the “release notes.”

• MK6100 : Version 1.03 (release notes)
• MK6000 : Version 1.03 (release notes)
• SOUND SYSTEM: Version 2.10 (release notes)
• BOOMBOX: Version 2.02
• Minikit : Version 1.03 (release notes)
• Photo Viewer : Version 1.03.00.C (release notes).
• Photo Viewer 7” : Version 1.03.00 (release notes).
• RHYTHM N’BLUE : version 6.03 (release notes).
• 3200/3200+ LS-COLOR : version 2.11 (release notes)/ version 2.11a (release notes).
• 3400 LS-GPS : version 2.03e (release notes).
• CK3100 : version 4.17 (release notes).
• CK3300 : version 4.15b (release notes).
• CK3500 : version 4.50c (release notes).
• CK3000 EVOLUTION : version 5.10c (release notes).
• EASY-DRIVE : version 1.05 (release notes).
• DRIVEBLUE+ : version 3.18
• CK3000 : version 3.18
• Software Update Tool : version 3.4.0.1

Sony Ericsson have made all this a thing of the past by launching a software update service that you can do yourself wherever and whenever you want.

There are two ways to update the software on your phone – Sony Ericsson Update Service (referred to as SEUS) and Over-the-Air (referred to as FOTA).

Both methods are simple and straight forward, but the FOTA service is only available on handsets made in the last few years, whereas SEUS is available to pretty much all Sony Ericsson handsets.

Why should I update my phone?
You may not be experiencing any problems or software issues with your phone, so you may not think you need to update it, but some of the updates released can improve features such as battery life, photo quality and improve support for other devices such as Bluetooth Headsets. On some occasions manufacturers may release a completely new feature onto a handset through the software update service.

So what’s the difference?

SEUS is a PC based application that you can download and install from the Sony Ericsson web site. Once installed, the program will ask you which phone you want to update, and then download the necessary updates. In order to use SEUS you will need a PC, a broadband connection and the correct data cable for your phone. Using the SEUS protects your user data and doesn’t delete any of your text messages, photos, videos or contacts. Before you start the update you need to make sure that your battery is fully charged, and ideally should have backed up your data using the Sony Ericsson PC Suite just incase something doesn’t go to plan. You cannot run the update service over a bluetooth connection. SEUS normally takes around 10 minutes to complete.

Click here to go to the SEUS download page

It is very important that you do not disconnect or turn off your phone or computer during the update process as this can cause extreme damage to your handset.

FOTA is a remote update service. Your phone will connect to the Internet and check with Sony Ericsson for any updates to the software already running. If it finds an update, it will download and install it straight to your phone without having to connect to a PC. Software updates are quite large in size, so this method is only recommended if you have an unlimited data plan. A typical update is between 4 and 5 MB, which although is not a lot of data, at up to £2.50 per MB (depending on your service provider) it can prove to be quite expensive.
Using the FOTA option protects your user data and doesn’t delete any of your text messages, photos, videos or contacts. Before you start the update you need to make sure that your battery is fully charged, and ideally should have backed up your data to your PC using the Sony Ericsson PC Suite just in case something doesn’t go to plan. FOTA normally takes 4 minutes to complete in 3G broadband coverage areas, it may take longer if you are not in a 3G signal area.

To check if your phone supports FOTA, go to the Settings Menu, If Update Service is listed you can use the FOTA service. Select Check for Update to start the process.

It is very important that you do not turn your phone off or remove the battery during the update process as this can cause extreme damage to your handset.