Tutorial: Viewing Chinese with T-Mobile’s RIM Blackberry 8xxx Series

[smartads]

The current T-Mobile BlackBerry 8100 (Pearl) can only view English. The Chinese version has not been released yet so there is no Chinese ROM update for it. It’s very inconvienent for me since I receive a lot of Chinese email everyday. Plus, I read lots of Chinese blogs as well.

After search the web for awhile, I have found out a way to install Simplified Chinese into the 8100. However, I really want to view Traditional Chinese as well. Finally, I have found the solution.

Goto my iDisk Public Folder or the direct download link on the right hand side of my blog. Download all the 4 files. Using the BlackBerry Application Loader in Windows to load in the two ALX files. After installed these files, the 8100 should be reboot by itself. It will take about 3-5 minutes. Once it comes back again, try to send yourself some Chinese emails and you should be able to see them all without problem.

(Update: Many readers had sent me email and complained they cannot find the files in my iDisk. I have tried and found out Firefox 2.0 has problem with Apple’s DotMac. Please use older version of Firefox (1.5), IE5/6/7, or Safari to my iDisk.)

(07/26/2007 Update: Someone had successfully installed the files into his/her AT&T Curve – Blackberry 8800. I only have the 8100 so I NEVER try to do this and confirm if it works or not on any other model of Blackberry phones. So please perform the hack on your own risk.)

(11/29/2007 Update: Someone commented only 1 file can be downloaded but not all 4 of them. I just tried today and I can get all the 4 files. Try to use a different browser because Apple’s .Mac sometimes behave very strange.)

(07/14/2008 Update: Thanks for everyone comes to try to use my method to install Chinese fonts into your Blackberries. Unfortunately, I have fully switched to iPhone (for personal) and Windows Mobile (for work). As a result, I really don’t have any way to have a Blackberry to troubleshoot your problems. Very sorry about that.)

(07/24/2008 Update: I try to summaries of what the other readers experience on installing the font files into their Blackberry here. Hope it helps.)

(09/10/2008 Update: According to a reader, he has no problem to install Chinese using my method with his 8130. For details, please check here.)