BlackBerry Bold Gets Software Update

Good news everyone, AT&T is rolling out an over-the-air software update for the BlackBerry Bold today. The latest firmware will add a few nifty features to Ari Gold's favorite phone, including the much-needed visual voicemail.According to an e-mail from RIM, the update will include general handset optimization, the ability to manually switch between 2G and 3G networks, and the option to download visual voicemail. Apple iPhone owners will tell you that visual voicemail is a really good way to manage annoying voice messages. The firmware update will also give Bold owners the ability to download mobile banking apps, Tetris, Scrabble, MobTV and other things.

Hard to believe, but it's been almost a year since the Bold was first released. In my review, I said it was the best BlackBerry yet and it is good to see it getting some additional upgrades. Users can get the new additions by clicking Options > Advanced Options > Wireless Update on the handset.

I find it pretty odd that the Bold is still selling for $299, although I'm sure corporate customers are getting it for cheaper. But I have to imagine that price will be dipping in the next couple months, as the successor can't be far away.

The good guys at Crackberry had their mitts all over the next-generation Bold, and it sure does look pretty. This is the device that finally brings all the features you want - Wi-Fi, 3G, A-GPS, good camera - into one BlackBerry with no compromise. It'll also have the optical track pad found on the BlackBerry Curve 8520, and this is so much better than navigating with the track ball. This one should be coming to AT&T, and a slightly altered version may be coming to T-Mobile as well.

How have you liked your Bold so far? What do you want in the next generation? Feel free to leave a comment here, shoot me an e-mail at [email protected], or tweet me @marinperez (when it's working).