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.

Task Manager features:

• Application: View the list of all running apps on your device.
• Performance: View a performance graph of Battery over time.
• System Info: View important parameters about your BlackBerry like Free RAM, Free Flash Memory, Battery Temperature etc.

Task Manager Process Viewer (premium version) has the above features plus:

• 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.

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 car charger 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.

• Download via RapidShare: OS 5.0.0.344 for the Bold 9700
• How To:
  • Backup And Restore Your BlackBerry
  • Upgrade your BlackBerry Operating System (OS)

Please report any feedback/findings in the comments.

DISCLAIMER: Install at your own risk. This is Leaked/Beta software that is not guaranteed to be stable, and therefore will not be supported by RIM or your wireless carrier should you run into some problems. As a precaution, if you decide to upgrade, it is highly recommended that you make a backup before using this software. If you are not comfortable using Leaked/Beta software you should probably wait for the next official release. *

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 $4.99 until November 15th, after that it goes up to $5.99. Check it out and let me know what you think in the comments!

Earlier this morning Verizon announced the BlackBerry Curve 8530 and now Sprint has also announced it. While Verizon had pricing and date info but no web page, Sprint has a web page but no pricing or date info.

“BlackBerry Curve 8330 has been a tremendous success for Sprint. BlackBerry Curve 8530 continues that legacy with the addition of several important features that make it a winner for both entertainment and productivity,” said Kevin Packingham, Sprint Senior Vice President of Product Development. “This is one device that can really do it all with the email, calendar and contact synchronization BlackBerry is known for as well as the latest multimedia and social media features. We are anxious to bring it to our customers who also appreciate the strength of our network, the affordability of our rate plans and our Ready Now customer service experience.”

To pre-register for the BlackBerry Curve 8530 from Sprint visit sprint.com/blackberrycurve8530. More info in the press release after the jump.

CONTINUE READING »

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.

CONTINUE READING »

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.

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. *

Verizon has announced the BlackBerry Curve 8530 with an availability date of November 20th.

The BlackBerry Curve 8530 smartphone is expected to be available from Verizon Wireless beginning Nov. 20 for $99.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement on a voice plan with an Email and Web feature or an Email and Web for BlackBerry plan. Customers will receive the mail-in rebate in the form of a debit card; upon receipt, customers may use the card as cash anywhere debit cards are accepted. Data plans for the BlackBerry Curve 8530 smartphone begin at $29.99 when added to any Nationwide voice plan.

Among the features, the Curve 8530 will be 3G, WiFi and GPS enabled, will have 256 MB of memory and a 528 MHz processor, 2.0 megapixel camera, and Trackpad navigation. For more info check out the press release after the jump.

CONTINUE READING »

My buddy Thomas (@aka_thewarrior) and his buddy BES let me know that BlackBerry Bold 9700 dummy units are arriving at T-Mobile USA stores!

As a reminder, RIM announced that the Bold 9700 would be launching worldwide in November and T-Mobile is having a Go Bolder Event tomorrow so I’m sure we’ll be seeing an official announcement real soon. The Bold 9700 has already launched on a few carriers so it looks like the worldwide launch is right on schedule.

While you wait be sure to check out the Bold 9700 features and specifications to become familiar with this device if you haven’t already. Any T-Mobile customers excited about getting this awesome BlackBerry?