BlackBerry Internet Service 2.6 Update Official, Featuring GMail IMAP Integration

RIM’s knowledge base recenetly published features of the upcoming version 2.6 of BlackBerry (NSDQ: RIMM) Internet Service, most predominately highlighting integrated IMAP support for Gmail, so reading Gmail messages on your smartphone will show the same read status from the web browser. Unfortuantely, this sync is only one way, so reading messages from the browser won’t push that status to your phone. After seeing some upcoming changes on the enterprise side, I’m hoping that flags and categories (stars and tags in Gmail’s case), will see the jump to BIS as well. A few other tweaks, like Dutch language support and improved password display during setup, will also come in the update. We’re still holding our breath for that super-cheap @ BlackBerry e-mail program that will supposedly be launching with this update. As for release window, odds are carriers are putting the gears in motion to roll this out now and will likely have everything set in the coming weeks – keep your eyes on your inboxes, Gmailers.

Full feature list and screenshots of BIS 2.6 behind the jump!

Display of password characters

BlackBerry smartphone users have the option to display password characters when configuring email addresses with the BlackBerry Internet Service. This feature makes it easier

for BlackBerry smartphone users to integrate third-party email addresses, especially when using a BlackBerry smartphone with the SureType® input method. For more information,

see KB17411.

Improved descriptive support and error messages

BlackBerry smartphone users that have integrated a third-party email account using Post Office Protocol (POP) receive a personal indentification number (PIN) message that

includes instructions on how to leave email messages on the messaging server for successful delivery to the BlackBerry smartphone. For more information, see KB17404.

Option to change signatures from the BlackBerry smartphone

BlackBerry smartphone users that use Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) automatic login can change the signatures for email messages using the BlackBerry smartphone. For more

information, see KB17414.

Improved language support

Dutch is now an available language for the BlackBerry Internet Service 2.6. For a list of all supported languages, see KB12859.

Gmail integration using IMAP

BlackBerry Internet Service 2.6 uses Internet Message Access Protocol (IMAP) to integrate Gmail® webmail accounts. This integration protocol introduces the following benefits:

* Elimination of sent email messages appearing as received email messages in the message list on the BlackBerry smartphone
* One-way synchronization of read status, sent items, and deleted items