BlackBerry Tour 9630 & "Reload Software: 552"

The BlackBerry Tour 9630 has generally been working very well, and I've been adding useful apps. Today the dreaded "Reload Software: 552" occurred after a device reboot. Visions of reloading the OS and all the apps started dancing before me... ): ): ):

Googling the error produced a number of suggestions of things to try. I installed the latest BlackBerry OS on my desktop so the BlackBerry Desktop Manager could locate it. Then I started the BlackBerry Desktop Manager, went into the Application Loader, then to Add/Remove Applications. I then unchecked two applications that had caused some Java errors earlier in the day. The 9630 then did a successful reboot! (: (: (:

BlackBerry Tour 9630

I've placed an order for a new BlackBerry Tour 9630 from Verizon, it will replace the 8830 WE.

It has shipped.

It has arrived.

I have it.

It is activated. I'm in the process of configuring it and support software/hardware. (I've had a big problem getting it to connect via USB on one computer, but no problems getting it to connect via USB on two other computer.)

So far I'm liking the Tour a lot, a very nice upgrade over the 8830!

Next up, BlackBerry Tour?

The BlackBerry 8830 WE has worked very well for the past year or so, but a lack of built-in memory is becoming more and more of an issue. The BlackBerry Tour 9630 is looking great based on pre-production reviews. If reviews of the production units are the same, it will be replacing my 8830 in a couple of weeks.

I'll pass on the Palm Pre.

Evernote

I've been using Evernote for over four years now, it is an alternative to Microsoft OneNote. I had been using Evernote 2 for both personal and business notes, including reference material from the web and other sources. Recently I upgraded to Evernote 3, and I've found that I use it even more due to the synchronization between multiple computers, and the web interface which I can even access on my BlackBerry 8830 WE. Highly recommended!

Where is Matt now?

Some time ago I followed a link stating that YouTube was going to start hosting HD videos, which led me to the Where the Hell is Matt? website. Matt's 2008 video is entertaining and the music is very good. The video is available for download in HD video. Certainly worth watching! The earlier videos are good too, and his story is an interesting read.

Palm Pre

So the Palm Pre was announced at CES yesterday. It looks interesting, and the specs look pretty good.

The big questions are: will it deliver the goods as promised, will it be stable, will there be a Verizon version, will the developers support it, and will it support existing PalmOS applications in some fashion.

Time will tell. I'll wait at least four months after it comes out before considering going back to a Palm smartphone. For now I'll stick with my BlackBerry 8830 WE, which is working fine.