A multitude of BlackBerry users rely on Research In Motion's BlackBerry Internet Services rather than the BlackBerry Enterprise Server to get their fix of push email and data services. BIS version 2.8 is on the horizon, and with it, a number of new features.According to the folks over at BerryReview, the changelog for BIS 2.8 has some nice surprises. The software may become available as soon as September 10, which is just a few short weeks away. Here's a list of what's new:

Two-way wireless synchronization with Google Mail Contacts and the Address Book on the BlackBerry smart phone:

• Synchronize Google Mail contacts quickly and easily to the BlackBerry smart phone
• Add or edit Contacts and the Contacts are automatically updated, whether they are updated on the computer or BlackBerry smart phone
• Note: Two-way wireless Contact synchronization with Google Mail Contacts requires BlackBerry Device Software 5.0 and configuration through email settings on the BlackBerry smart phone. Additional requirements and constraints may be found within the BlackBerry Internet Service 2.8 Documentation Kit. This feature is not supported on BlackBerry smart phones with BlackBerry Connect software.

Enhancements to email setup and settings:

• Automatic Login now supports most billing identifiers, which allows new subscribers with wireless service providers that use PIN, IMEI, or ESN as a billing identifier to create BlackBerry Internet Service accounts from the BlackBerry smart phone, without having to create a login user name and password
• Note: This feature will be available approximately one week after the BlackBerry Internet Service upgrade.

Windows Live Hotmail revalidation:

• With BlackBerry Internet Service 2.8, new Windows Live Hotmail mail integrations will be defaulted to a protocol that is designed so as not to require 90 day reauthorization.
• Note: Existing BlackBerry smart phone users accessing Windows Live Hotmail using Microsoft MSP will still be required to revalidate their Windows Live Hotmail account every 90 days.

A few things to note about these new features. Some of them require BlackBerry OS 5.0 and up. Not all BlackBerries can run that OS yet. Another thing worth mentioning is that Gmail contact sync is not constantly pushed out, but instead is set to sync once every four hours.

In all, however, not a bad list of upgrades at all. BIS users, set your clocks for September 10.