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Update: BlackBerry® Desktop Software for the Mac OS platform is now available!
BlackBerry® Desktop Software is now compatible with the Mac OS platform, and the upcoming release is just around the corner. We'd like to take this opportunity to share some details about the key features included in v1.0. We know many of you are waiting anxiously for the product to be released, and the wait is almost over! Before I dive into the details, I wanted to thank you all for the great comments and feedback you left on my initial post announcing this upcoming release of BlackBerry Desktop Software. Knowing how anticipated the product is was the best motivation the team could have. Read on for a detailed walk-through of the key product features.
The Welcome Sheet
Once BlackBerry Desktop Software is installed and connected to a BlackBerry® smartphone via USB, users will be presented with what we call the Welcome Sheet. The idea behind the Welcome Sheet is to ensure users can customize important settings defining their experience with the BlackBerry Desktop Software going forward. Anything defined here on the Welcome Sheet can of course be changed later on via various options (also covered in this post).
One important feature I'd like to spend some time talking about is the option to select whether a BlackBerry smartphone syncs with one or multiple computers, a new feature to BlackBerry Desktop Software. Want to sync with one computer at home and another at work? Change the setting to "Safer Sync" and you're all set. Your sync times will increase (how much depends on the amount of data stored on the smartphone), but this feature will help keep data on your Mac and BlackBerry smartphone in harmony.
BlackBerry Desktop Software will also tell users where their music will be synced to. If your BlackBerry smartphone has onboard memory (like the BlackBerry® Storm™ or BlackBerry® Bold™) you'll have the option to choose whether to sync music to the onboard memory or a microSD™ card. Reserving memory is also very helpful and a nice way to save some space for documents, movies or even apps with the new archiving feature introduced in BlackBerry App World™ 1.1.
Summary Screen and Device Options
The Summary Screen provides a quick overview of the information about the connected BlackBerry smartphone. The information provided about the last sync and backup will help users make sure their smartphone is backed up and synced regularly if they opt against using the automatic options. Speaking of which, to configure some of the more advanced settings in BlackBerry Desktop Software, the Device Options menu button is displayed prominently on the Summary Screen.
Two additional options in the Device Options menu over what is displayed on the Welcome Sheet are the ability to sync automatically when the BlackBerry smartphone is connected and to check for software updates.
Within the Device Options menu, users can choose whether their BlackBerry smartphone should be backed-up automatically and what data should be included in the backup file. Excluding messages or information data (that may be stored on the Mac already) can significantly decrease the time it takes to back up the BlackBerry smartphone.
The media options provided under the Device Options menu are mostly what is displayed on the Welcome Sheet, but the option to "Delete all music..." requires a bit of attention. We added this feature to provide users with an easy way to remove the tunes transferred using the BlackBerry Desktop Software; it's a great way to keep your music selection fresh day to day! Any music transferred manually to the smartphone will remain intact.
Synchronizing
Because synchronization is one of the most important features in this release of BlackBerry Desktop Software, our focus was on making it solid with an intuitive set up. We wanted to ensure users have all the key options and information when setting up their sync preferences, while at the same time keeping the interface clean and simple. For this reason, all information categories are listed on the left, and the right panel reflects the settings for each category. The alternative of having everything on the same page and listed sequentially seemed a bit cluttered to us.
Users can sync their BlackBerry smartphone with the iCal application, Address Book, Apple Mail (for notes) and any other software that can talk to Apple's Sync Services. For example, to sync with Microsoft® Entourage users simply need to check the option to sync with Sync Services in Entourage preferences.
Updating Device Software
As with Windows® BlackBerry Desktop Software v4.7+, users won't need to install anything on their computer to update their BlackBerry device software. Every time the BlackBerry smartphone is connected, BlackBerry Desktop Software will automatically check for updates. Users will see a notification when a new update is available:
We've learned a couple of lessons from the years of experience with our version of BlackBerry Desktop Software for Windows®, and as I mentioned previously, we focused on making the update experience as simple as possible. Keeping the update process lean on extraneous options and features also ensures we can focus on quality. All in all, BlackBerry smartphone users will still have an option to specify whether their data should be backed-up (including third-party applications) and encrypted, but that is as far as the options go. Once the update options are selected, it's simply a matter of hitting the "Start Update" button and grabbing a cup of coffee while the BlackBerry Desktop Software takes care of business.
Installing and Removing Applications
With the number of applications for BlackBerry smartphones growing by the day, it is important to ensure users can easily install or remove BlackBerry optional applications like support for other languages or any third-party applications they may have downloaded in the past and don't use anymore. Simply clear the check box to remove previously installed applications; the "+" sign is for adding new applications.
Back Up and Restore
When backing up data, users have the option for a full or a partial backup and also the ability to encrypt their backup file. An important item I'd like to mention for those who may be familiar with the Windows® BlackBerry Desktop Software is that backup files now have a new extension, .bbb, which stands for BlackBerry Backup file of course! The current version of BlackBerry Desktop Software stores BlackBerry data in an .ipd file and the contents of on-board memory in a .cab file; while there are benefits to this approach, our experience is showing that keeping all information in one place provides a more convenient overall experience.
While the new/upcoming version of BlackBerry Desktop Software will store backup files in the new format, users will still be able to restore any .ipd files made from previous backups using the current version of BlackBerry Desktop Software.
BlackBerry Desktop Software is very focused on providing the key functionality that we know Mac users have been waiting for. If you haven't yet, make sure you sign up to be notified when this product is released on www.blackberry.com/mac. Stay tuned for another overview on some other cool features I did not have a chance to touch on here shortly after we release.
Comment away and let me know what you think about what you've seen so far!
Mac and Mac OS are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.
When??? They keep saying 'September' on the site and it's now September 23rd!
The Pocket Mac is ok, just takes forever to sync. I've found I can sync one thing at a time and it works best that way!
Hurry!!
Gina,
At the beginning of his post, Andrey mentions that BlackBerry Desktop Software for your Mac is "just around the corner".
Since he made the product, I'd take him at his word. =D
So when are we going to get a Linux port of the desktop manager?
infekt,
Let's give Andrey a brief rest after the Mac version is released, and then we can start bugging him for a Linux version, ok? =D
Thanks for the info. Can we all know what version of the software this is? Have tried the "leaked" or beta version, which if I remember correctly is 1.0.0.75 (maybe?). Just wondering what build this was, because if you read the Crackberry Mac blogs, there are major issues for many people, while others have no issues. Thanks for any info.
I know this is "just around the corner" but could you please hurry!!! Thanks.
Is this compatible with both Mac OSX 10.5 (Leopard) as well as 10.6 (Snow Leopard)?
Hi Dameon,
Yep, it's compatible with both.
Very nice descriptions - two questions however.
Will in need to delete the "Beta" version I already have or will the full official one replace it?
And the most important is will this support "Categories"?
Those of us with contact heavy phones would appreciate the ability to see our categories - filter. The Beta doesn't support them as far as I can tell.
This looks great, when will the Windows version be updated to look this cool?
Where is the ability to sync with Yahoo! Calendar & Address book? Thanks.
Hi Allan,
Desktop Manager syncs with Apple's sync services and if Yahoo! supports integration with iCal and Address Book you'll be able to sync with Yahoo! (indirectly). Here's a link to Yahoo!'s website on how to configure iCal to sync with Yahoo!.
http://help.yahoo.com/l/us/yahoo/calendar/yahoocalendar/sync/sync-03.html
Hope this helps!
looks great. please tell me it will be usable on PPC mac as well as intel macs.
Hi Adam,
Yep, it will as long as you run OS 10.5.5 and above.
Very nice. I have two questions. With the ability to sync with more than 1 computer, can 1 be a PC and 1 a Mac? What happens since the PC version does not have this option? When will bluetooth be supported?
tick tock tick tock. Patiently waiting for this wunderkind! I have dumped pocket mac and markspace products off of my machines and hope this will finally help me sync everything relatively headache free.
So in Windows, the Desktop Manager is required to be running to allow a dial up connection to the Internet using the BB.
Does the Mac BB Desktop Manager allow basic tethering also? I'd love to give up the Mac > VMWare Fusion > Windows > Window BB Desktop Manager > Windows Dial Up Networking for a simple OSX connection via the new Desktop Software.
Thanks!
Hi Mark,
IP Modem drivers will be included with the product and if you have an IP Modem plan with your wireless service provider, you will be able to set-up your BlackBerry Smartphone as a modem via Network Preferences.
i'm new here, having just purchased my first BB (8330/Sprint).
I've been a user of Mark Space's Missing Sync to link up my Macs and PocketPCs in the past.
Anyone else here who has a Mac ever use Missing Sync?
I just downloaded yesterday the MS app for syncing the BB to Mac. As usual, what a pain!
I hope this new Mac app works as it appears here.
Maybe I can get my $$ back from Mark Space!
I have the same BB - Curve 8330 through Verizon -and tried Missing Sync. I got it to work sometimes - but inevitably had to contact their support group and go through a lot of reset steps... Just too frustrating, and so I gave up on it.
I tried the "beta" which BB support disclaims as their own - it sort of worked, but I have uninstalled it and am now anxiously awaiting this new release...
Andrey, great job!!! Just a quick question: For the example case in which I am using an unlocked curve 8310 (officially tagged to AT&T) on a T-mobile network, I suppose the DM will download the carrier-specific latest OS update. Like the earlier case for PCs where we had to delete the vendor.xml, is there a similar procedure in the DM?
Or does the "MAC" experience allows it to "just work" on T-mobile? :)
I feel like the kid on the commercial the night before the family is going to Disneyland. How much longer?
I read on various blogs that RIM is delaying the scheduled 9/25 release date until next Friday, 10/2. What is going on? Are there problems resolving the issues from the leaked Version 1.0.0 (build 75)?
I have been waiting for this software to arrive for a long time because of multiple sync failures with both Pocket Mac and Missing Sync. However, I downloaded the beta version and have had problems with the sync freezing, usually while syncing the calendar. I have even gone to the extent of clearing the calendar on the Blackberry (Storm) and one-way syncing from the Mac iCal to the empty Blackberry. When I do that, it still freezes, but if I stop the sync, I see that the calendar does write to the Blackberry, but reminder alarms do not copy. Any ideas what is going on here? Is it perhaps necessary to remove the other sync programs from my Mac? I have had problems with reminder alerts with the other sync programs too, and in particular, Missing Sync will take all-day events with a 15 minute reminder alert from the Mac and put them on the Blackberry with a 255 minute reminder if the clock is on Daylight Time and 315 minutes if the clock is on standard time. I am open for suggestions.
I have the same problem! Whenever I try to sync calendars it freezes, and even selecting to overwrite the device doesn't help.
Andrey,
In your initial article you mention that OS X v10.5.5 is supported? Does this include the PowerPC also?
The beta does not appear to handle sync with iPhoto... What is your plan for handling photos and movies?
One other comment - I have around 3000 contacts so this is much faster than Missing Sync - Thanks... But still could use a more descriptive status bar during sync - you wonder if it is crashed...
Dear BlackBerry:
Do I take from this that one will have to attach the BlackBerry via USB in order to sync?
I thought Pocket Mac allows you to set it up so that anytime it's within Bluetooth range it syncs automatically?
For those of us who are coming from corporate smartphones, it is a very rude awakening to realize that we must attach the BlackBerry in order to sync it.
Is there no way to have it sync automatically whenever it's within Bluetooth range - or whenever it's on the home network (oh, I guess my Tour doesn't have WiFi!) - or ideally even sync via Apple's MobileMe service (like the iPhone does)?
Please?
Thank you for your clarifications and consideration.
I can't wait for this app... I have tried two different versions of Mark/Space on two different recent bberries... the Bold and the Pearl... terrible experience, and support is pretty non existent. Can't give them any more money... BBerry should have done this a long time ago!
Monday September 28th and still no desktop for the Mac!?!?
What about sync with entourage? most of the people i know run entourage, i understand this doesn't support this application?
james
From my experience with the leaked beta it will sync with Entourage only if you enable Sync Services in Entourage. I'm guessing the same will hold true with the official release.
September 29th and still no mac desktop!?!?!? I guess there is one more day in September?!?!
I have been only occasionally successful at syncing my Storm to MAC. Right now.. no luck at all. Will this new software allow for blue tooth syncing Storm to Mac.
At 7am ET today RIM announced the release of Blackberry Desktop Manager for Mac will officially be released Oct 2 at 1pm ET. So much for a September release but at least we now have a date and time.
Below is the link to the PR release.
http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Research-In-Motion-NASDAQ-RIMM-1052396.html
See! We told you it was just around the corner. =D
Hang it tight, my fellow Mac using friends, Christmas comes early this Friday.
Hopefully this is the last event I have to put into iCal ANNNNND my storm. Thank you RIM!
What I would really like to know is "why the heck did you make it look so good for the MAC people?" I mean seriously are PC people just fluff that will take any software and be happy with it. I would hope in the next major release of the DM that the PC side also see some of the graphics and usability that this product has. either that tech your MAC programmers to do the PC side of the programming.
i finally downloaded the blackberry desktop manager for my mac. i tried to upgrade my blackberry curve 8300 os, but there weren't updates available. i'm working with os 4.2. isn't there a v4.5 already for the curve 8300? anyone have one with a .dmg extension that i can just download? thanks in advance!
Hi Jun.G,
The Device Software updates in Mac Desktop Software are automatic. If there's a SW update available for your BlackBerry Smartphone from your wireless service provider it will tell you right away. Make sure you're connected to the internet! ;)
re: automatic upgrades -- that's very nice, but newbies (like me) and worriers would be reassured if the DM had a "more details" button that would provide more information on the test. For example, just listing the local and remote versions would give the user confidence that s/he - and the software - are doing the proper actions.
I have a couple of issues after having updated my Bold's OS via the new Desktop for Mac...
I'm trying to sync my iTunes music to my BB but when I hit that "delete all music" button, it keeps giving me "unable to locate media card - ensure that media card is present and inserted correctly and that media card support is on (it is)"
Is there a number I can call to speak to someone from RIM or the Blackberry Blog or anyone..please? The Blog is nice but does RIM provide ANY kind of one on one Customer Support?
Hi Rick,
Sometimes following a SW update the easiest thing to do is close Desktop Software, ensure your Media Card is properly inserted and reconnect your Smartphone. If you tried calling your wireless service provider, you can also call BlackBerry Support at: 1-877-255-2377
When attempting to install or remove any applications using Desktop Manager for Mac, I get the following error:
"BlackBerry Desktop Manager failed to validate your BlackBerry device update.
Validation failed because a module marked for add (net_rim_platform_im_resource__tr) is not available on local disk"
There are quite a few threads in forums at Crackberry and the BlackBerry Support Community Forums indicating that this problem is quite common.
Hi Patrick, if you send an email to insideblackberry@blackberry.com we would like to put you in touch with someone who can troubleshoot your error.
PatrickH, I am getting the same error trying to upgrade to 5.0 on my 9530. Any help from the BB folks?
Hi Folks
Well after the long awaited arrival of BB Desktop for MAC, I excitedly downloaded it with the hope of syncing my BB Curve 8900 with ical.
No luck, it said to open a new calendar but after that nothing and I dont want to use a new calendar I want to sync my current calendar. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated and the hows would be also be helpful as Im at a complete blank on how to sync and to get the program to work on my BB.
Downloaded and installed 10/3/09. Had hoped to use "one-way" sync from device to Entourage (with overwite of Entourage contacts and calendar) to effect transfer of latest info in BB8830 to Entourage. Sadly, this feature seems to be missing. Any idea when this will be available?
"Categories" in Contacts does not sync to iMac. How can I get this done? I have over 3,000 contacts.
HELP!
Also, how can I ensure my field mapping is correct? Any way to do this (I do this when I sync with Outlook / XP);
Is there a 1-way sync option?
I just tried to do a restore and it will not let me restore my address book. It is dimmed and says readonly? What is that about? How do I change it.
I have a Bold, and am frustrated that there is no way for me to pull my photos off of my phone. There were several photos taken that I didn't realize weren't saving to my media card, and I want to clear them off my device memory to make room for the new update --- but it seems the only way to move them is to go one by one and for each, select to move it to the media card. I have at least a few hundred photos, this is going to take me absolutely forever.
When will there be an update allowing you to either access directories directly on the device, or else to be able to sync ALL data / content that is saved on the device?
Also after reading others comments, agreed that one-way sync is super important. Also in the past, I have had problems where sync created duplicate calendar entries and, that is also a mess.
Thanks.
One other comment. ALSO REALLY important -- when will we have iCal and Address Book sync?
Many of us Mac users DO NOT Entourage... it is a finicky program.
Looks like I still can't sync... at ALL now. :( May as well go back to PocketMac, as awful as that was.
Up to now it's (almost) all fine...Except that in the "Device Option" window, I get no "Media" button, and haven't found as yet the way to install the music presently stocked on Itunes in my Mac
help, any ideas....everytime i sync i get an error on the contacts, and they are not on my phone, i use address book, not entourage
Hello,
I really like the DM for Mac. I especially like that the DM will automatically download software (and I assume, OS) updates to be installed.
Question: how does one install OS updates that are manually downloaded from the web? Example: my carrier, Indosat, will place a new OS update online, and I would normally download it, run the .exe file, then kick off DM. So far, from what I've seen, all updates to be manually downloaded are .exe files (Windows executable files). How should Mac users manually download and process OS updates so the Mac DM will update our BlackBerries?
Thanks!
This would be great and man i wish i could use it, but only works on 10.5.5 and up? Come on! there are a lot of us still using 10.4.9 and down. We cant afford the newest mac every few years. Graphically it doesn't have to be advanced, can you please make a version for 10.4 users? Missing Sync sucks and is unreliable.
Since I started syncing my Mac Address Book contacts with my BlackBerry Bold I can no longer search my BB Address Book.
I can scroll through the whole contact list, but as soon as I enter a single letter as a search criteria my contact list is cleared.
I don't know where the bug is, but it is a major issue that has to be resolved ASAP please.
I can't scroll through 700+ contacts to call one of my friends whose name starts with a Z...
Best regards
Sean
"Categories" in Tasks does not sync from iCal 4.0 (1362) on SL 10.6.1 to my BB8800 4.5... any idea?
Please tell me where the one way sync is! Trying to sync to my Entourage and so far all this software has done is erase all of my personal settings on my blackberry. Am trying to restore, but that's not working either.
Pocketmac crashed my new imac, now this! What is the problem that Mac/Entourage users can't get a viable solution to syncing a blackberry curve???
I'm OPEN to suggestions here.
I sent in 2 comments on 6th October and hope to have some feedback after 11 days? Please? Thank You.
Can Anyone clear something up for me? Does ANY blackberry software either mac or windows back up the COMPLETE phone? Like any apps that I purchased? Im looking for an app or to make sure the download manager does in fact back up my apps as well as contacts etc etc. In other words if I lost my phone got a new Blackberry, restored it from my back up, would it be identical to my old phone? Pics,. Contacts and most important, MY APPS. Any help would be appreciated! Thanks!
Does BDM back up pictures at all? I was actually quite happy with Missing Sync except for software updates. I'm sorry to go downhill, which I will be doing if pictures and folders don't work.
At this point, I would like to use BDM for system updates and Missing Sync for everything else, since it does a more complete job. But it appears Rim's software disables Missing Sync. Maybe they could undo this until they have an adequate program to offer.
Hi,
I have been waiting a long time for this software but I am astonished that there is no way to import the photos you take on your phone to your computer. I simply cannot beleive how you can, in 2009, design such a program without considering this.
Truly hope an update will solve this soon. Rim is know for better than this.
It would be great if the Blackberry Desktop Manager had the ability to sync with iPhoto as well as a folder sync. These features are available in Mark/Space's Missing Sync for the Blackberry. Are these features planned for a future release? Also, photos in Address Book don't currently sync with contacts on the Blackberry device. Clean interface, but lacking some core features.