Posted by Mauricio on Nov 12, 2009 at 12:20 PM | Comments
Loopt let me know that they have just released a major update for their BlackBerry client that adds a bunch of new features. Loopt mobile updates your location in real-time while it runs in the background so you can meet up with nearby friends, explore new places to grab food, and find local events wherever you are.
Here are some of the features:
Discover the best places and events, including those rated highly by your friends on Pulse
See where your friends are on maps – view their latest updates listed in real-time and comment on them
Check-in to instantly share your updates with friends – easily update Facebook and Twitter with your photos and places in one Loopt check-in
Browse and rate local places and events – peruse detailed information from Zagat, Citysearch, and the Loopt community
Save money through special offers from nearby retailers with local coupons
I’m not sure how this application will affect battery life since it constantly updates in the background so if you try it out be sure to let me know how it worked for you in the comments.
Loopt is currently available in the BlackBerry App World as a free download for the BlackBerry Curve 8900 (T-Mobile, AT&T), BlackBerry Tour 9630 (Sprint, Verizon) and BlackBerry Bold 9000 (AT&T). For more info about this update check out the press release after the jump.
Posted by Mauricio on Nov 12, 2009 at 9:31 AM | Comments
@themes4bb let me know that Cellcrypt has expanded their support for BlackBerry smartphones to include the Bold 9700, Pearl and Curve series! For those that aren’t familiar with it, Cellcrypt allows you to make encrypted voice calls to make sure those important phone calls are kept confidential.
“Cellcrypt has seen incredible interest from the global BlackBerry community since we announced its availability on the BlackBerry Bold 9000 smartphone in May,” said Simon Bransfield-Garth, CEO of Cellcrypt. “Now, not only are we supporting the latest devices such as the BlackBerry Bold 9700, but the application is also available on a wide range of BlackBerry smartphones found in the market, allowing more users to secure their sensitive voice calls.”
Cellcrypt uses the latest Internet technology to provide unmatched voice call quality, international calling capability, high reliability across wireless networks and real-time encryption. The Cellcrypt Mobile for Blackberry application uses Government-grade encryption certified to the FIPS 140-2 standard approved by the US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), and is presently undergoing certification with a number of Governments world-wide. The product operates on all major wireless networks including 2G and 3G cellular, Wi-Fi® and satellite networks.
If you’re in a business where phone conversations are about sensitive subjects that you want to protect, then you might want to look into Cellcrypt Mobile for BlackBerry. For more info visit cellcrypt.com, check them out in the BlackBerry Solutions Catalog or view the press release after the jump.
Urbanspoon’s Blackberry app is a kind of restaurant slot machine. Just hit the space bar (or shake the phone if you have a Storm) and the wheels will spin, until they settle on a good nearby restaurant for you. You can also lock down the neighborhood, cuisine and price you are interested in. Keep spinning until you get a restaurant you want to try.
Urbanspoon on Blackberry also lets you search and browse restaurants, and uses your current location to identify the nearest restaurants to you.
The Urbanspoon app is currently available for the Curve 8300 series on OS 4.2 or 4.3, Curve 8900, Bold, Storm and Tour. Support for older devices is not available but you can still use the mobile site at urbanspoon.com/m. To download the Urbanspoon app visit urbanspoon.com/bb from your BlackBerry Browser.
Posted by Mauricio on Nov 11, 2009 at 8:18 PM | Comments
The development of the WordPress Beta app for BlackBerry is definitely coming along nicely. WordPress has just released an updated version of the BlackBerry client that refreshes the user interface and adds some much needed features.
New in v0.9.0.169:
Based on all the great feedback, we reworked much of the 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
Download the latest version by going to blackberry.wordpress.org/install from your BlackBerry Browser or visit the main site for more info. If you already have this application installed it should automatically prompt you to update. Let me know how you like this new version in the comments!
Posted by Mauricio on Nov 11, 2009 at 6:47 PM | Comments
Rory from Twinkler Software let me know that they are having a Veterans Day sale on all of their BlackBerry apps through tomorrow night in honor of the Veterans.
AddOnis – The All-In-One Super Utility – $7.00 (normally $9.95)
SendX – Easily Send Information Between Phone Applications – $2.00 (normally $2.99)
AddContactX – Selectively Add Numbers to New or Existing Contacts – $2.00 (normally $2.99)
This sale will end tomorrow night so make sure you get them before then to take advantage of the discounted prices! If you decide to pick one of these up be sure to let me know what you think of it in the comments.
Posted by Mauricio on Nov 9, 2009 at 9:58 AM | Comments
Originally only available for the Storm, @FabianMH has made his Whippoh BlackBerry app compatible with the new Storm2.
As seen in the video above, Whippoh is a free app that allows you to simulate a whip by performing a whipping movement with your Storm. The sound will only simulate if you make a correct whipping motion with your Storm…practice makes perfect!
Posted by Mauricio on Nov 9, 2009 at 8:51 AM | Comments
I’m always on the lookout for useful BlackBerry apps. One thing I use constantly on my PC is the Windows Task Manager to view running applications and processes so I could know how they are affecting performance. Ajani InfoTech Private Limited has released a free and premium Windows-like Task Manager application for BlackBerry smartphones that offers similar features.
Processes: View all Hidden Apps and Running Processes in Background which cannot be detected otherwise.
Detail View: Drill down into each app to reveal its size, download date-time etc.
Both Task Manager apps will work on BlackBerry devices running OS 4.2 and higher. Task Manager is available as a free download and Task Manager Process Viewer is available for $1.99 in the store. If you like knowing what’s going on with your BlackBerry I definitely recommend at least downloading the free version, or you can download the premium version to take advantage of the additional features.
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.
…
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.
Subscribe to the BBRocks! Store Feeds to stay up-to-date on the latest BlackBerry software, accessories, special offers, best sellers and the deal of the day!
Rory from 
