Blackberry 8800 Users...upgrade to 4.5 if you haven't already
 

Since I don't use my Blackberry for work anymore, I stopped leashing it to my PC on a daily basis and using the Desktop Manager, but I recently plugged it in to sync my calender. In the process I upgraded the firmware, and it's been great! I was ready to buy a new phone too.

The browser seems to be much faster even though I'm on EDGE, not 3G. The browser display is much better too. And navigating is much easier with the added arrow versus the highlighted links when scrolling.

I also installed the latest BB Maps, and it's much better too. I travel for work a lot, and I rarely need a paper map or a Nav system to get around. I go to some far out places too. The GPS with BB Maps works like a charm. It now allows you to scroll around while it halts the GPS tracking so you can look ahead of your position. When done, you just hit escape and it resumes GPS tracking.

The nice thing about BB Maps is it will allow you to select a destination from your contacts and with just a couple of clicks you have directions!

And it still works with Google Maps...for unfamiliar destinations.

The bad part....while playing with it last night on the drive home...I found my BMW is a bit optimistic on speed. It thinks it's 5 MPH faster than actual speed...which skews my mileage...but it does fool me into driving a little slower.

Download Opera for Blackberry. It works with any site. I had too many issues with the regular BB browser on my 8310.

Cool. I'll try it.

Just installed it and I'm posting from Opera right now. It is a much better browser. Thanks for the tip!

Opera is awesome. When you're on Pelican, go to the bottom and select the "Optimized for iPhone" in the drop-down box. It makes the forums really easy to navigate. When I had my 8100 (Pearl) upgrading to 8.5 made a HUGE difference. Now I have a Bold, which is just awesome.

Also try downloading flycast (flycast.fm). It's free streaming radio organized by genre.

Optimized for iPhone - will also benefit an BB 8800?

Also, Flycast doesn't appear to be 8800 compatable :(

I believe "Optimized for iPhone" will benefit anything that has a small screen. It has the page organized in a way that you can see more relevant info in a smaller space. It is much better on my G1.

Here's a screen shot.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1234559267.jpg

Just did it, and it is basically a "mobile" version. Works well.

How did you get a screen shot?

I upgraded to 4.2 a few months ago & it fixed a low signal dropout issue. I just updated with 4.5. Thanks for the heads up.

And I have been using Opera for several months. It works very well since you retain the normal look of a webpage. The zoom is great for a small screen & old eyes. I just can't understand people whose life revolves around their phone.

Ian

Would have been cool if it came from my phone, but it's just a screen shot from my PC with the window made really small and the mobile version enabled.

I'll try this on Tuesday when I get to the office.

The iPhone optimized site is more work friendly...

I agree! I'm thinking of leaving it in that mode for good. Thanks for the tip.

Visit flycast.fm using your BB browser. If you use Opera, it doesn't auto-detect settings and the software won't load correctly. I know because I tried.

Mobile view:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1234565371.jpg

Normal view - with the box zoomed:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1234565408.jpg

Normal view again - zoomed:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1234565437.jpg

I prefer normal view rather than mobile.

Ian

I love the "NEW" box on the iPhone optimized version. I wish my PC version had that.

Just installed Flycast and I'm listening to CNN news on my Bluetooth earpiece while I'm sitting at my desk.

Thanks guys....after almost 2 yrs of 8800 ownership, I'm finally getting starting to optimize it.

Now I wish there were more Chicago radio stations on Flycast.

Will these programs work for the 8320 and how do you get them

Marty