We first heard about BIS 2.8 launch last week, and now RIM has released official details about it’s launch. BlackBerry Internet Service (BIS) version 2.8 will launch early to mid September, and will feature Google contacts synchronization, and will also no longer require Hotmail/Windows Live users to re-validate their passwords every 90 days. So keep checking in with us and we will let you know when it launches!

Google Contact Synchronization: If subscribers integrate a Google Mail™ account with their BlackBerry® Internet Service account, they can synchronize contacts between the account and the contacts application on their BlackBerry device. Subscribers can add, change, and delete Google Mail contacts from their device or from their Google Mail account and the BlackBerry Internet Service synchronizes the changes.

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 smartphone, 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 smartphone users accessing Windows Live Hotmail using Microsoft® MSP will still be required to revalidate their Windows Live Hotmail account every 90 days.

[via BerryReview]

RIM and Microsoft has signed an agreement to bring Microsoft's Live Hotmail and Messengers services to BlackBerry. This agreement will allow BlackBerry users to have access to push Hotmail email and actual a Live messenger application by entering their username and password once (similar to how Windows Mobile works).

"The BlackBerry platform is respected around the world for providing optimized messaging capabilities and RIM continues to look for ways to provide customers with a wide range of communications options and the best possible mobile experience," said Mark Guibert, Vice President, Corporate Marketing at Research In Motion. "Our relationship with Microsoft and the addition of Windows Live services to BlackBerry smartphones helps us build on that strategy for our customers."

Microsoft and RIM to Bring Windows Live Services to BlackBerry Smartphone Customers

Agreement will enhance the communications experience on BlackBerry smartphones through popular Windows Live Hotmail and Windows Live Messenger services

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON and WATERLOO, ONTARIO–(Marketwire – May 12, 2008) – Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ:MSFT) and Research In Motion (RIM) (NASDAQ:RIMM)(TSX:RIM) today announced an agreement to provide Microsoft Windows Live services on BlackBerry(R) smartphones. As a result of this collaboration, BlackBerry smartphone customers will enjoy easy mobile access to Windows Live Messenger and an enhanced level of integration between Windows Live Hotmail and the BlackBerry platform.

The integration of Windows Live services into the BlackBerry platform will allow customers who use Windows Live Hotmail and Windows Live Messenger on their BlackBerry smartphone to benefit from the BlackBerry platform architecture with the ability to communicate in real-time using push technology, and offering an exceptional mobile communications experience. Customers will also be able to seamlessly access their Windows Live Hotmail and Windows Live Messenger account from their BlackBerry smartphone by simply entering their Windows Live e-mail address and password once.

"The BlackBerry platform is respected around the world for providing optimized messaging capabilities and RIM continues to look for ways to provide customers with a wide range of communications options and the best possible mobile experience," said Mark Guibert, Vice President, Corporate Marketing at Research In Motion. "Our relationship with Microsoft and the addition of Windows Live services to BlackBerry smartphones helps us build on that strategy for our customers."

Among other features:

Windows Live Hotmail for BlackBerry will allow customers to:

– Use BlackBerry 'push' technology for automatic message delivery and message synchronization so the customers' online account is up-to-date with actions taken on their BlackBerry smartphone

– Use a dedicated inbox for Windows Live Hotmail messages, which are automatically delivered to the smartphone. Customers can also choose to receive their Windows Live Hotmail messages, along with messages from other e-mail accounts, within a single inbox on their BlackBerry smartphone

– Display HTML e-mail with the ability to view graphics, Web links, and contact photos in emails

Windows Live Messenger for BlackBerry will allow customers to:

– Send instant messages and join group chats

– Set status and see the presence of friends and colleagues within Windows Live Messenger or their contact cards

– Customize status messages

– Save conversations

– Showcase their Display Picture (Avatar)

– Send and receive pictures and files

– Use more than 60 emoticons

"Over 430 million people around the world rely on Windows Live to stay in touch," said Brian Arbogast, Vice President of the Mobile Services organization at Microsoft. "Our collaboration with RIM will enable BlackBerry smartphone customers to take full advantage of Windows Live, whether at work or on the go."

Windows Live services for BlackBerry smartphones are expected to be available beginning this summer with support for multiple languages.