using gmail and BB messenger on your PDA (blackberry/nokia e61)

[nyana]

Is it possible to install and run BB messenger on the symbian OS? I tried grabbing it from here http://www.blackberry.com/messenger/entry.do but no luck with the website. (i think i need XP installed) I just picked up an e61 and am liking it so far. The wifi option is great, but not sure if I will keep it as I'm waiting for the bb 8800 to come out in canada.

Also, anyone recommend any good apps for the symbian OS ?

I haven't setup the blackberry push email quite yet, as I really love my gmail. Ideally I could have push gmail, is there anyway to combine the two? I'll probably just forward my gmail to my push email account, or maybe setup gmail to auto check every minute.

What personal setup do you use? I can't figure out what setup is best for me here ...

Thanks!

[SMachiz]

To my knowledge, Blackberry Messenger does not work on anything other than Blackberries (unlike the BB Connect service which lets you use other devices with BES/BIS for email + groupware).

This is really a shame as Blackberry Messenger is definitely one of the "Killer Apps" - it's really the most compelling reason for me not to switch off of the Blackberry platform.

Sam

[SMachiz]

Oh - missed the GMail part. Assuming you're using Blackberry Connect on the E61 and still have a BIS (Blackberry Internet Service) account from your provider, you can have the BIS server use POP to connect to GMail. It's not quite instant as I believe BIS only POPs the server once every 15 minutes, but it works.

Or you can certainly do what you mentioned and have GMail forward to your BIS address.

Sam

[tedwinters]

8800 is sort of out in Canada... all the stores now have demo models..

[nyana]

SMachiz,

Thanks for the informative post! I am on a provider that only has blackberry connect, and doesnt currently offer any blackberries. My plan is to bring an unlocked one too it but now I am wondering if the BB Messenger will be locked out at the server level rather than the actual phone ?

I'm fairly concerned about losing my phone and somebody having access to my main gmail account so I think forwarding might work better for me than giving my PDA direct POP3 access. I'm sure there are others that share my same concern, and this is the best solution I can think of. (I guess I could also forward my gmails to another gmail and POP3 connect to that. )

Thanks!

[ungratefulninja]

You can log into your BIS account and stop the e-mail going to your phone, or more directly you can just obviously have your cellphone provider suspend your account if it's stolen.

I had a bitch of a time getting blackberry connect to actually work on the Nokia e62. Not sure if the e61 is much different.

[SMachiz]

Originally Posted by nyana

SMachiz,

Thanks for the informative post! I am on a provider that only has blackberry connect, and doesnt currently offer any blackberries. My plan is to bring an unlocked one too it but now I am wondering if the BB Messenger will be locked out at the server level rather than the actual phone ?

To use Blackberry messenger you should just need a blackberry and a BIS account.

Originally Posted by nyana

I'm fairly concerned about losing my phone and somebody having access to my main gmail account so I think forwarding might work better for me than giving my PDA direct POP3 access. I'm sure there are others that share my same concern, and this is the best solution I can think of. (I guess I could also forward my gmails to another gmail and POP3 connect to that. )

Thanks!

This information is stored in the BIS account on your wireless providers' servers, not in the phone itself. If you change the PIN/EMEI registered in the BIS system, your email will stop being delivered to the old handset (though they'll still have any email stored on it).

Best,
Sam