The BlackBerry Torch 9800 is the first RIM Smartphone to feature the latest version of the BlackBerry Operating System, version 6, with upgrades for certain existing devices also on the roadmap. So what can you expect from this new release?

The next version of the BlackBerry Desktop Manager software, version 6.0, announced alongside BlackBerry OS 6 and the new Torch 9800 Smartphone (http://na.blackberry.com/eng/devices/blackberrytorch/), boasts a completely revised interface, new features and streamlined setup wizards.

The home screen displays information about your connected device and functionality is accessed by selecting one of the left-hand menu items or from the drop-down menus arranged at the top of the window. The software displays those options that are available for your device, so a new OS6 device will have more features available than an older OS5 device.

Over on the Inside BlackBerry web site they have posted an article introducing the new BlackBerry Protect service - http://blogs.blackberry.com/2010/07/introducing-blackberry-protect

Still only available in beta, the new service will provide consumers with the ability to backup their device data to a cloud-based storage area, remotely lock and change the password on their device, remotely wipe their device, or cause the device to ring if they have misplaced it by logging into their account via a web browser.

You can also track your device via your web browser by using the device's in-built GPS capability, and can also create a message to be displayed on the device screen in the event that it is found.

Read more on the BlackBerry Blog site.

RIM have released SP2 for BES 5 for both Microsoft Exchange and Lotus Domino flavours. Weighing in at 668MB (for Exchange) and 678MB (for Domino), the update is a complete copy of the BES software.

Both updates can be downloaded free of charge from the BlackBerry web site - http://blackberry.com/go/serverdownloads

New features for Microsoft Exchange deployments include:

Stay connected to everything that’s important to you on eBay from almost anywhere with the eBay® application for BlackBerry® smartphones. Search, watch, bid or buy. Get reminders in your BlackBerry calendar when a listing is about to end, enjoy near real-time alerts when there’s another bid or you’ve won or lost an item, and pay for an item using your BlackBerry smartphone. As a seller, you can watch and review your sale items and enjoy communications made easy with the ability to respond to a buyer’s questions. The eBay application for BlackBerry smartphones makes it easier than ever to follow the action and close a sale – even when you’re away from your computer.

Ebay for BlackBerry is available for download from AppWorld now - http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/4557

Enjoy all the action of World Cup Football in South Africa, right on your BlackBerry with the "South Africa for BlackBerry" app.

Football fans will love the rich features of the app including:

• Delivering real-time access to scores, breaking news and event coverage
• Push notifications of alerts that you can set for each match - Goals, Half/Full score, dismissals & more
• Share alert/news feature with Facebook, Twitter and Email
• Alerts sent right to your Inbox
• Add any of the World cup games to your calendar based on your time zone setting
• Share all the excitement of the World Cup along with your friends using BlackBerry Messenger (BBM)
• Great videos of Daily News, Players to watch, Teams progression to World Cup and more
• Supports English, Portuguese and Spanish languages

And best of all, it is all FREE!

The must have app for every World Cup Soccer fan!

Download the app here - http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/10624?2

RIM have published two maintenance releases for the BES 5 software for download on the BlackBerry web site:

• BlackBerry Enterprise Server v5.0 Service Pack 1 Maintenance Release 3 for Microsoft Exchange
  
• BlackBerry Enterprise Server v5.0 Service Pack 1 Maintenance Release 2 for IBM Lotus Domino

The packages are available for download from http://www.blackberry.com/go/serverdownloads

These updates include bug fixes rather than any new functionality.

Over on the Inside BlackBerry Blog a video has been posted giving an overview of the updated BlackBerry MVS solution announced at WES this year.