BlackBerry OS is the proprietary software platform made by Research
In Motion for their BlackBerry line of
handhelds. It provides multi-tasking, and makes heavy use of the
device's specialized input devices, particularly the thumbwheel. The OS
provides support for MIDP 1.0 and WAP 1.2. Previous versions allowed
wireless synchronization with Microsoft Exchange Server's e-mail and
calendar, as well as with Lotus Domino's e-mail. The current OS 4
provides a subset of MIDP 2.0, and allows complete wireless activation
and synchronization with Exchange's e-mail, calendar, tasks, notes and
contacts, and adds support for Novell GroupWise and Lotus Notes.
Newest OS Versions
Version
Release date
Features/details
4.2.1.114
(Presumed) March 18, 2008
Latest for 8700 series
4.2.2.194
(Presumed) March 18, 2008
Latest stable release, ships with new 8300 series and 8800 series phones
4.5.0.42 Release 58
June 8, 2008
4.5.0.37
June 12, 2008
Released by Vodafone Germany. Major changes: Video camera, Youtube support, HTML Emails, Voice recording, Improved UI for media player
4.5.0.44
June 22, 2008
4.5.0.46
June 29, 2008
slightly faster web browsing, slightly faster boot up time (by a few seconds), a bit improved camera quality
4.5.0.72
July 22, 2008
Released by Orange Romania, posted through www.blackberry.com though its actually beta OS version 4.5.0.52 repackaged
4.5.0.108
September 25, 2008
Released by Vodafone Fiji, posted through www.blackberry.com though it is actually just beta OS version 4.5.0.81 repackaged