Video for BlackBerry Curve 8310 on ATT
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he only thing missing from my BlackBerry Curve 8310 (service with AT&T) has been video. It did not make much sense since there is a 2MP camera on the device. Posts on the CrackBerry forums pointed to availability of this feature in v4.3.1 of the device OS (now called v4.5.0). Here is a list of all the new features in BB OS 4.5.
Since AT&T takes an ungodly amount of time to release new software through its site, and I wanted the video feature, I decided to find the software and do the upgrade without AT&T’s blessing. My upgrade went smoothly and my BlackBerry now has some shiny new features. I have documented the procedure here. It worked for me but may not work for you. In fact the likelihood is high that you will have a BlackBrick on your hands when you are done. Proceed with caution. Think carefully before doing this. Did I mention you could brick your BlackBerry? You have been warned.
IMPORTANT NOTE: If you are reading this after Sept. 2008, there is a good chance that the software is now supported and available with U.S. carriers. Check your carrier’s site and if they have the update, ignore these instructions.
The upgrade process itself is very simple:
1) Make a complete backup of your BlackBerry with the existing version of your BlackBerry Desktop software.
2) Download and install the latest version of the BlackBerry Desktop which is Version 4.6
Download the software here: BlackBerry Desktop v4.6 (from BlackBerry site)
Quit the BlackBerry desktop software if it is running on your PC and untether your phone if it is connected to your PC. Install the software.
3) Download and install the BlackBerry OS v4.5 to your PC
Download the software here: BlackBerry OS v4.5 (from Vodafone Germany site)
Note the difference — step 2 is to install the “Desktop” software to the PC. This step is to install the “OS” software to your PC. When you perform this install, you will not find any new app icons.
REBOOT the PC.
4) Remove Vendor.xml
If the file C:\Program Files\Common Files\Research In Motion\AppLoader\Vendor.xml is present, move it to some other folder. I did not perform this step because I got distracted in the middle of the upgrade but there seem to be no harmful consequences. Your mileage may vary.
5) Perform the upgrade
Turn off the Radio and Bluetooth on your BlackBerry Curve 8310. Tether the phone to the PC with USB and start the BlackBerry Desktop software. The software will recognize that the phone needs to be upgraded and will start the process. Some things to remember:
– Choose Advanced… so you can customize what gets installed. I de-selected all the languages and added “Documents to Go”
– The process can take from 30-60 mins and there is no progress indicator
– When the upgrade is done you will have to go through the Setup Wizard, but all your settings, apps and data will be preserved.
Overall, I am very happy with this upgrade. I now have video (albeit at a maximum resolution of 240 x 180), a much snappier photo app with geo-tagging and enhanced browser navigation. I am sure there are other things which I will discover as I use the phone and I’ll update if there’s anything interesting.
