While browsing through the updated software page in the BBRocks! Store I came to an app called Unread that stuck out to me, particularly because I’ve been looking for an app with its features. Unread is an unofficial, premium Google Reader application for BlackBerry devices.

Unread is the first true Google Reader application for BlackBerry devices. Simply enter your Google Reader account details, login, and have access to all your feeds. With a simple and uncluttered design, checking your news has never been so easy. Simply load up your feeds and start browsing. Items are marked as read and statuses are changed in real time. Need more specific information? Choose to load the subscription list and go through your feeds one at a time. Never be without your articles and information again!

Features:

• Real-time status changes
• Subscription list support
• Full HTML Support
• Complete Google Reader Integration
• Refresh Feeds in the Background
• Change Font Size
• WiFi (Compatible Devices Only)

Indeed, this app is the first BlackBerry Google Reader app I’ve seen so far but I’d really like to see an official app from Google soon since it will probably have better integration than a third-party client. Not to mention it will most likely be free just like all their other mobile products. For those who can’t wait though, Unread is available for $4.99 with a free trial in the store and will work with BlackBerry devices running OS 5.0 and higher. Check it out and let me know what you think!

By the way, if you’re a Google Reader fan make sure you stop by their product ideas page and vote for a BlackBerry app to be made.

The guys over at Gym Technik let me know that they have updated their NextGen BlackBerry application with support for OS 5.0 as well as a few feature additions. The standard features of the NextGen app include:

• Visual and descriptive workout guidance
• Workout and body stats tracking
• Routine scheduling
• Before/After photo uploads
• Sync capabilities to safely back up your data online
• Offline access with or without cell coverage

New features in the updated version:

• Two Workout Preview Modes
  You can now view workouts online in the Expanded View. Toggle from the Concise View to the Expanded View to see the motions of the exercises in the workout without switching screens.
• Exercise library quick search
  Need to quickly find a certain exercise, or looking for any dumbbell exercises? Just switch the exercise search to By Name, and start typing. The Exercise Library will quickly pull up all matching exercises.
• Enhanced tracking sheet (Premium Feature)
  Don’t have a Smartphone? Premium members can now have more options to customize their print outs to include the instructions, exercises, descriptions, exercise images, or the tracking table. Don’t want to waste ink? Turn off images in the print out.
• Move workouts
  Missed a scheduled workout? Gym Technik now allows you to move this scheduled workout to another day on the calendar with just one click.

I’ve been waiting for this application to support OS 5.0 since I mentioned its initial release back in November so I can’t wait to try it out. The NextGen app is premium and available for $5/month for three months or $4/month for a year. The first 100 users to upgrade to a premium account can get 10% off by using the coupon code feb10upgrade until February 12th. For more info visit www.gymtechnik.com/blackberry.

Craigslist Mobile for BlackBerry is now available in the App World courtesy of Movela, a software developer powered by the Pyxis Mobile Application Studio. While the app has a $4.99 price tag, regular craigslist users would find it useful since it offers a faster and more efficient browsing experience.

craigslist mobile by Movela is a full featured client application for BlackBerry® devices that allows users to browse and search craigslist postings, bookmark and reply to posts, save searches and more. Supports all categories and all countries supported by the www.craigslist.org website. craigslist mobile by Movela is the official craigslist application for BlackBerry devices.

While I don’t agree with the price of this app I’m sure many of you hardcore craigslist users won’t mind, especially if you’re already profiting from your listings. For more info check out the craigslist app in the BlackBerry App World.

What appears to be a complete PDF with information about BlackBerry Internet Service 3.0 has leaked online and is available for download. This PDF includes a BIS 3.0 product overview, complete list of new features and details about training and support documentation.

Among the new features in BIS 3.0 are updates to the Google Mail plugin, additional language support, OpenOffice document support, Windows Media Audio (.wma) support and more. There is no mention of a release date but this info getting leaked can only mean a BIS update is most likely around the corner. For more info check out the PDF file.

• Download via MegaUpload: BlackBerry Internet Service 3.0 (PDF)

Software For BlackBerry® Curve(TM) 8530 smartphone
BlackBerry Handheld Software v5.0.0.756 (Multilanguage)

Package Version: 5.0.0.756
Consisting of:

• Applications: 5.0.0.459
• Software Platform: 4.2.0.201
• File name: 8530AMEA_PBr5.0.0_rel756_PL4.2.0.201_A5.0.0.459_Sprint_L.P.exe
• File size: 97.62MB

Note: The Software Platform and Applications version numbers can be found under Options-About screen on the handheld.

• Download: OS 5.0.0.459 for the BlackBerry Curve 8530 from Sprint
• How To:
  • Backup And Restore Your BlackBerry
  • Upgrade your BlackBerry Operating System (OS)

Please report any feedback/findings in the comments.

REMEMBER: It is recommended that you make a backup before attempting to upgrade your BlackBerry just in case something goes wrong during the upgrade process. *

Ever since Fandango released their BlackBerry app back in December I’ve used it to purchase every single movie ticket for me and entire groups friends. The advantage of using the application is speed and reserving the tickets asap when you want them. I especially like the app because I have my rewards accounts attached to my Fandango account, so when I make purchases through the app it counts and I get free stuff .

Among the updates in the new version of Fandango for BlackBerry are UI enhancements and bug fixes. To celebrate the release of this new version all ticket purchases made from within the app will not have a service fee. This offer will be in effect through March 7th.

For more info or to download the updated Fandango app go to fandango.com from either your BlackBerry or desktop browser. A FAQ is also available here.

Thanks Edwin!

Xobni has announced that they are now accepting users into the limited alpha version testing of Xobni for BlackBerry. Here is Xobni’s disclaimer about the alpha:

Disclaimer: IT IS an alpha. We’ve done a pretty good job buttoning up our product but we certainly expect some bumps in the road as we scale, so make sure you can tolerate some (hopefully small) hiccups if you want to participate. Thanks in advance for your help! We’re committed to reinventing the address book for smartphones and are one step closer today.

As always with any sort of app testing make sure you backup your device before installing it. Here are the app’s current features:

• Get all your Outlook contacts while composing messages
• Synchronize contacts automatically
• Get LinkedIn and Facebook information on your device

To sign up for the alpha testing send an email to xobnilabs@xobni.com with “BlackBerry Alpha” in the subject field, your BlackBerry model and whether or not you currently use Xobni with Outlook. You can also visit xobni.com/blackberry and input your email address there. If you get into the alpha be sure to let me know how you like the app in the comments!

WordPress has quietly updated their BlackBerry application and download page with version 1.0! Here’s the official description:

The all new WordPress for BlackBerry app allows you to write posts, upload photos and videos, edit pages, and manage comments. Both WordPress.com and self-hosted WordPress (2.7 or higher) sites are supported. Download the app and start blogging on the go in no time.

New in version 1.0:

• Reworked UI layout for the main view, blog view, and media view
• Ability to upload videos from your media library
• New option to set media file properties (filename, caption, title, and position)
• Created a new file browser that resembles the native BlackBerry file browser
• Big improvements in the speed at which you can view and manage comments
• Lots of optimizations for uploading photos and videos using base64 encoding
• Indonesian language support
• Improved French language support

For more info watch the video at the beginning of this post, visit blackberry.wordpress.org or go to blackberry.wordpress.org/install from your BlackBerry Browser to install the new version. The WordPress app is also available in the BlackBerry App World.

via Erictric

What a sad day for BlackBerry Curve 8900 owners on T-Mobile! It looks like the Curve 8900 was deemed obsolete and is no longer available from T-Mobile. The Curve 8900 is survived by its Curve 8520 and Bold 9700 counterparts, both sporting the new Trackpad and available at great prices. I would say the reason for this device being discontinued is the Trackball but older devices  like the 8820 are still listed, even though the Curve 8320 is also gone. Thoughts?

via MobileCrunch

A few weeks ago I mentioned a post by OrbitCast where they said a Sirius XM Radio application for BlackBerry smartphones would be made available in January. It’s not January any more but OrbitCast updated their release info and said the application would be available today and this time they were right.

The Sirius XM Radio app is now available for the BlackBerry Curve 8500 & 8900, Bold 9000 & 9700, Storm, Storm2 and the Tour series. The original XM Radio app (whose web page was replaced with the new app) only offered 25 channels where the Sirius XM Radio app offers over 120 channels, categories and favorites. You can find more info and a 7-day free trial at sirius.com/blackberry.

Thanks Steve!