Posted by Mauricio on Nov 6, 2009 at 2:26 PM | Comments
iblipped.com has released an application that aims to provide accurate service provider coverage data with the help of GPS enabled BlackBerry users who install the iblipped app.
If you’ve ever wonder exactly how accurate your service provider coverage maps were and even doubted them at times, by installing the iblipped BlackBerry app you will be able to provide cell coverage in your area to iblipped, which they then use to update their coverage map (like the one seen above).
The app doesn’t actually have a coverage map since it’s just meant to gather data, and because of this may use up your battery more quickly since it uses GPS and data to connect to the iblipped servers. Of course you don’t always have to have the app turned on, and having a carcharger may help if you have it on while traveling.
Features:
Works for both CDMA and UMTS carriers
Signal Strength mapping using GPS
Time or Distance based based recording
Ability to halt/resume gathering
Displays cell site information
Upload signal strength to a website for analysis
Uploading data through email.
iblipped is available as a a free download in the store. If you try it out let me know how it affected your battery and if you benefited from the coverage maps available at iblipped.com.
Posted by Mauricio on Nov 6, 2009 at 10:58 AM | Comments
Back in September I told you about the Blurts Beta application which allows you to send alerts from your BlackBerry to your PC over a Bluetooth connection. MLH Software let me know that Blurts is out of beta and available as a free and premium version.
Blurts Features:
Display Caller ID Alert
Display Email Alert
Bluetooth auto connect
Upgrade to Blurts Pro for even more features:
Display Caller ID Alert
Display Email Alerts for all email accounts
Bluetooth auto connect
Display SMS/Text Alert
Send SMS/Text from your computer
Answer call from your computer
Ignore call from your computer
Activate Speaker phone from your computer
Control call volume from your computer
Place/Dial call from your computer
Disconnect call from your computer
Blurts will auto start on device reset
Options to control alerts
Blurts and Blurts Pro will work on any BlackBerry running OS 4.2.1 and higher with Bluetooth support. Blurts is available as a free download and Blurts Pro is available for $4.99until November 15th, after that it goes up to $5.99. Check it out and let me know what you think in the comments!
Posted by Mauricio on Nov 5, 2009 at 12:47 PM | Comments
Blackboard is something I use on a day-to-day basis as a university student so I was excited to find out that they are rolling out support for BlackBerry devices with Blackboard Mobile.
The online Blackboard Academic Suite allows university faculty and students to connect and share course schedules, assignments, links, videos, contact information, grades, rosters, university updates and more. According to Blackboard’s press release, the BlackBerry client will offer similar functions:
The BlackBerry smartphone application enables many more users to enjoy an enhanced experience while navigating course catalogs and campus maps, e-mailing professors and classmates and receiving real time updates on course schedules, campus events, news and sports with Mobile Central (formerly MobilEdu((TM))), Blackboard Mobile’s flagship suite of applications.
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With Mobile Central, users have access to course catalogs, directories and maps, they can identify exact campus locations with GPS and they can check campus news, schedules, and real-time scores for athletic teams. In addition, open APIs for Blackboard Mobile enable institutions to extend the platform’s offerings to fully customize and personalize the school’s iPhone, BlackBerry and mobile Web interfaces.
There is no public download and according to a rep I spoke with the Blackboard Mobile client will be made available through individual service providers. I checked the T-Mobile mobile website for the client and could not find it there (or anywhere) so if anyone happens to find it please let me know in the comments. Chances are the client will be made available through individual Blackboard sites if there is no public download.
For more info about Blackboard Mobile visit blackboard.com/mobile or check out the press release after the jump.
Posted by Mauricio on Nov 5, 2009 at 11:42 AM | Comments
Google Maps for BlackBerry has been updated to version 3.2.1.
No official changelog from Google but you can bet that there are some bug fixes and other tweaks. I played around with this new version for a while but did not notice any differences so if you find any changes be sure to let me know in the comments.
For more info or to download Google Maps visit m.google.com/maps from your BlackBerry Browser.
Posted by Mauricio on Nov 5, 2009 at 11:26 AM | Comments
Sergey Demyanov has released a new application for the BlackBerry Storm called Fancy Shake. This app takes advantage of the Storm’s accelerometer so that you can interact with incoming phone calls by simply shaking or flipping it.
Features:
Answer incoming call by shaking your BlackBerry
Reject incoming call by flipping your BlackBerry
Reject all incoming calls while flipped
Adjust shake sensivity
6 days trial!
Free upgrades
Fancy Shake will work on the Storm and Storm2 and is available in the store for $1.99 until November 8th, after that it goes up to $2.99.
CONTEST: For a chance to win 1 of 100 free copies of Fancy Shake for your BlackBerry Storm or Storm2, leave a comment on this post using a valid email address before 11:59PM EST on Wednesday, November 11th. Only leave one comment, duplicates will be ignored and will not increase your chances of winning. *
Posted by Mauricio on Nov 4, 2009 at 12:59 PM | Comments
MMMOOO let me know that they have released Super QWERTY, an application that allows you to create one key shortcuts for all applications on your BlackBerry.
Features:
The fastest way to access your applications at present.
Quick start with the key “q” in main screen.
You can start Super QWERTY in the system menu, launch from anywhere.
Up to 80 shortcuts, you can set as much as your favorite applications.
Friendly design, attention to the used shortcuts, never mess up.
You can enter the applications in Super QWERTY simply by clicking your trackball/trackpad/enter.
Easily to compose a SMS/PIN/Email text to your contacts.
Your settings will be saved even your reinstall Super QWERTY.
Super QWERTY is available in the store for $3.99 and will work with all BlackBerry devices running OS 4.2 and higher except for the Storm series.
CONTEST: MMMOOO has provided me with 15 free copies of Super QWERTY to give away. For a chance to win a free copy leave a comment on this post using a valid email address by 11:59PM EST on Tuesday, November 10th. Only leave one comment, duplicates will be ignored and will not increase your chances of winning. *
Posted by Mauricio on Nov 4, 2009 at 11:00 AM | Comments
A few days ago I told you about the free Vodafone Update client for BlackBerry that allows you to update your Twitter and Facebook statuses. Widgetlabs left a comment letting me know that they have released Vodafone Update v2.0.1 with the following features:
Copy&Paste
AutoText
BIS Connections
Vodafone Update is currently available for the BlackBerry Curve 8900 and Bold 9000. Visit vodafone.de/update from your BlackBerry Browser to download this app OTA.
Posted by Mauricio on Nov 3, 2009 at 9:50 AM | Comments
The guys over at BBOS found out that Pandora for BlackBerry has been updated with support for the recently released OS 5.0.
“Good news – we just put up the new Pandora 1.1.2 update for 5.0 operating systems including Storm 9530 on 5.0 and the new Storm 9550. Other non-5.0 devices will have to wait a few days before it will be available while we finish testing, however most of the changes in 1.1.2 are to support the 5.0 OS.”
As a reminder, Pandora Radio is a free personalized radio app that allows you to stream music right to your BlackBerry. For more info or to download Pandora visit pandora.com from your BlackBerry Browser.
Let me know how the updated version works for you in the comments!
Posted by Mauricio on Nov 3, 2009 at 9:26 AM | Comments
BGR and Beejive (makers of BeejiveIM) have teamed up in the latest release of TweetGenius, the first premium Twitter client for BlackBerry. Currently available for $7.99, TweetGenius v1.1.1 offers the following features:
Send tweets
Automatically fetch new tweets in the background
Save tweets as favorites
Delete tweets
Send your GPS location
Send photos to numerous online photo services
Shorten URLs with bit.ly
View trends
Search in real time
Mark messages as read when you’re done reading them
Customize themes and fonts
View photos
View user profiles and timelines
View users by both username and real name
While TweetGenius is definitely a great looking Twitter client and does offer some great features, will you dish out the $8 to use it? Let me know in the comments if you plan on buying it or already have.
For more info or to buy the new version of TweetGenius for BlackBerry visit tg2.beejive.com.
By the way…if you haven’t already followed me on Twitter you can do so at twitter.com/BlackBerryRocks. This is a great way to communicate with me if you need help, want to chat, get the latest news from BBRocks! or want to take advantage of the random giveaways I run just for my Tweeps .
Posted by Mauricio on Nov 2, 2009 at 4:23 PM | Comments
SmrtGuard has updated their BlackBerry application to version 2.01 with a bunch of new features, most notably a new “Where I’ve Been” feature. Here’s whats new in v2.01:
Added New ‘Where I’ve Been’ Feature on BlackBerry
Personal Guardian Updated! Now using Left Convenience Key with configurable trigger time.
SIM Guardian now can configure Email and SMS Alert Receipients
New and Improved Your Data Count Screen
SmrtGuard Web Dashboard improved sorting and export to CSV
In addition to this update, SmrtGuard and Indonesian service provider Indosat have partnered up and released i-Guard, a white-label version of SmrtGuard.
For those that aren’t familiar with it, SmrtGuard is a premium app/service that allows you to secure your BlackBerry and data with OTA backup/restore, remote tracking, remote data wiping and more. If you’re looking for a way to protect your BlackBerry and data from loss or theft this is definitely an option you should look into.
SmrtGuard will work on BlackBerry devices running OS 4.2 or higher and is available in the store as three subscription services: monthly, yearly and semi-annual. Check it out and let me know how secure you feel in the comments!
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