I’ve been running a  beta version of the Blackberry OS on my device for a few months and it has been quite impressive so far. But things just got better when RIM updated their BIS (Blackberry Internet Service) servers over the weekend; I can now receive and view HTML emails.

This finally puts an end to emails telling me to visit their site to view the message, and it adds some color and images to my emails.

To get the feature you’ll need to find a beta version of the "4.5 firmware" for your device, and you’ll need to login to your control panel and resend your "servicebooks".

Of course, none of this applies to users on a corporate (BES) Blackberry server and if messing around with your device isn’t something you fancy, then be patient, because RIM have announced that everyone should be able to get an official version of the newest software by September.

The press have been covering in-flight broadband trials by Aircell for some time now. They even managed to get Walt Mossberg on a flight to test the service. But in-flight broadband is not new, and the service being offered here is (on paper) quite similar to something that was launched back in 2004; Boeing Connexion.

The Boeing system was first put into service on a Lufthansa flight on May 17th 2004. Services included Wi-Fi Internet access, streaming video to the in-flight entertainment system as well as streaming video to laptops.

Connexion ceased operation In August 2006 due to a lack of commitments from major US operators. The Connexion network still exists, but is only being offered to the US government and has been renamed the “Boeing Broadband Satellite Network”.

So, why could Aircell succeed where Connexion failed?

Read More…

Amazingly, the hottest upcoming phone this summer is not the 3G iPhone. It is the Blackberry Bold (in my humble opinion of course)

RIM’s latest was planned for a July release, but according to BGR, issues with heat and battery life have pushed things back to mid August.

I’d be lying if I said this doesn’t make me a little sad. The Blackberry Bold is the only phone I *really* want at the moment. Fingers crossed that this delay will be the only one. Of course, a delay on AT&T means the release on T-mobile will also be pushed back, since AT&T usually get a 3 month head start with new devices.

Weatherbug has always been my first choice for weather information on my desktop and Windows device, so when I ran into a free version of Weatherbug Direct for my Blackberry, I just had to take it for a spin.

Weatherbug Direct places 2 icons on your application list, and shows the current temperature as an icon. It’s similar to the existing Blackberry push weather application, but gives you direct access to the Weatherbug site, as well as showing your local forecast (including hi/low temperatures) in a second icon.

Weatherbug Direct for the Blackberry is free, and can be found here. A direct "over the air" download link is here.

If you thought the summer of 2008 was going to be all about the iPhone 3G, then think again.

RIM has so many goodies in store that I’m actually more excited about their new stuff than I am about the new iPhone.

The best part about most of these new developments is that they will be absolutely free for all current users (except for the new devices of course!

Here are a couple of the upcoming new features and applications:

• Blackberry Media Sync – full media syncing with iTunes for your Blackberry.
• OS version 4.5 – adds loads of new features including better fonts, a much better browser, better multimedia features (including stereo Bluetooth support for all devices).
• HTML email support for Blackberry Internet Service customers.
• The new Blackberry Bold and Thunder smartphones.

Several of these new things can actually be found right now, if you know how to use Google…

WiMax has long been seen as a potential competitor to cellular-based data networks, allowing a combination of high speeds and reasonable range.  Plus roaming between access points is supposed to be way easier to manage than normal WiFi connections.  Of course, it also requires a whole new infrastructure to be built out and it isn’t backwards compatible with other technologies such as WiFi, so it is a bit of a hard sell to drive adoption.  Still, companies are developing solutions.  Sprint has been working on their XOHM network for a while now, with a launch expected any day now or in several months, depending on who is giving statements to the press on any given day.

Things like this seem to take off more quickly in Europe, with more densely populated cities and a populace generally more willing to adopt the new technologies.  And so it is that Amsterdam was the target of a WiMax network launch this week.  With access priced at 20 Euro per month and unlimited download capacity the offering is priced lower than most other broadband options, so they’ve got a chance to take over a decent market share.  At the same time, however, the company’s management acknowledges that unless they are able to expand their coverage area and their subscriber base pretty significantly that they won’t be able to stick around too long.

In the same week that United Airlines announced that they’d start charging $15 for every piece of checked luggage, they began rolling out their newest in-flight entertainment system.

United guests may now reach cruising altitude with a new, personalized in-flight entertainment system. United is the first U.S. carrier to offer iPod and iPhone connectivity to its in-flight entertainment system, enabling customers to enjoy their individual content on a 15.4-inch personal television, all while the iPod or iPhone charges.

The first aircraft with iPod and iPhone connectivity is scheduled to depart at 5:40 p.m. from Washington, D.C. to Zurich as United #936, and it will fly primarily on trans-Atlantic routes. United’s entire fleet of international, widebody aircraft are being reconfigured over the next two years with lie-flat seats, on-demand entertainment, and iPod and iPhone connectivity in first and business class.

“Our guests may now watch or listen to what they want, when they want with programming they choose,” says Graham Atkinson, United Airlines – executive vice president and Chief Customer Officer. “United will continue to provide services and technology that makes our customers’ travel experiences more relaxed and enjoyable."

I love the last part of the press release. I guess adding an iPod charging port makes up for all the other stuff they took away from us. Of course, knowing United, the chances of this new entertainment system making its way to domestic flights is next to nothing.

Source: United Airlines press release

One thing all these newfangled notebooks have in common is their insane heat. It’s enough to be far too uncomfortable to want anywhere near your unmentionables.

This pocket fan from cooler maker Cradia might be just what the doctor ordered.

It’s made for machines 10 inches and up, and unfolds from a small box into what can only be described as a guy lying on his back. It even has a built in USB hub. The bad news? It looks like it’s only going to be available in Korea.

Source: Aving.net

If you took my advice, and downloaded Firefox 3.0 this afternoon, then my blog hero Gina Trapani over at Lifehacker.com has 10 awesome tips on making it even better.

They vary from simple little things like making icons smaller, to some pretty nifty tips like a quick way to remove individual URL’s from the address bar. Oh, and don’t forget the best one; the robot easter egg.

Lifehacker.com

I was going to post this sooner, but Mozilla had some minor issues with their servers (they were down). But now everything is back to normal, so it’s time to help them get the world record for most downloads in a day.

You’ll find the download links here. Best of luck to Mozilla in breaking this record!