A few days ago I mentioned that the BeejiveIM Beta would be getting updated to support OS 5.0. Jim over at Beejive posted in their forums that beta version 1.9.7 is now available with some new features from the current production version:

• support for 5.0 OS
• file transfers via link, you can now transfer files to buddies on all IM accounts.
• email push when app running in background (see preferences in app).
• send voice notes
• send GPS location (if supported by phone)
• new chat styles & background images
• new buddy list layouts
• improved battery life
• overall UI redesign
• facebook IM
• various other bug fixes & enhancements

This beta version is only for BlackBerry devices running OS 4.2.1 and higher. As always, since this is a beta and not guaranteed to be stable, install at your own risk and make sure you backup your data first.

• Over the air (direct download to BB via web browser):
  • http://www.beejive.com/otabeta5.0storm (5.0 OS Storm & Storm 2 ONLY)
  • http://www.beejive.com/otabeta4.7storm (4.7 OS Storm ONLY)
  • http://www.beejive.com/otabeta5.(5.0 OS Tour, 9700 Bold)
  • http://www.beejive.com/otabeta4.6_vga (4.6 OS and higher, VGA screen: 9000 Bold, Tour, 8900 Curve)
  • http://www.beejive.com/otabeta4.6 (4.6 OS and higher, NON-VGA screen: 8220 Pearl Flip, 8350 Curve)
  • http://www.beejive.com/otabeta4.3 (4.3 OS and higher)
  • http://www.beejive.com/otabeta4.2.1 (4.2.1 OS and higher)
• Desktop Install:
  • http://www.beejive.com/beta5.0storm (5.0 OS Storm & Storm 2 ONLY)
  • http://www.beejive.com/beta4.7storm (4.7 OS Storm ONLY)
  • http://www.beejive.com/beta5.0 (5.0 OS Tour, 9700 Bold)
  • http://www.beejive.com/beta4.6_vga (4.6 OS and higher, VGA screen: 9000 Bold, Tour, 8900 Curve)
  • http://www.beejive.com/beta4.6 (4.6 OS and higher, NON-VGA screen: 8220 Pearl Flip, 8350 Curve)
  • http://www.beejive.com/beta4.3 (4.3 OS and higher)
  • http://www.beejive.com/beta4.2.1(4.2.1 OS and higher)
• How To:
  • Install applications and themes via OTA with or without using data
  • Install Applications and Themes via Desktop Manager

Thanks @sgtd!

The Facebook application for BlackBerry smartphones has been updated to version 1.7.0.22. There’s no changelog and I haven’t noticed anything new or different yet so if you find something let me know in the comments!

Go to blackberry.com/facebook from your BlackBerry Browser to download the updated version or check for the new version from within the Facebook application options.

It’s been a while since I’ve mentioned Phrehnck here on BBRocks! but he’s back and has released shaqBerry, a free little app that’s good for killing time when you’re extremely bored.

Phrehnk was quick to jump on the idea after an episode of The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien last week where they featured a new skit called “New Trends.” I was able to find a video clip and thanks to Hulu, was able to cut it down to just when the New Trends skit is beginning and ending right after the shaqBerry part. No thanks to Hulu, there is a quick ad in the beginning of the video that is unavoidable.

I’m not sure why I found this app so amusing, but I did. Best of all…it’s free! Check out the video clip above to get an idea of what shaqBerry does or download it now from the BBRocks! store.

FileScout, a file management application for BlackBerry, has been updated to version 1.5.0.0 with a bunch of new features as well as some bug fixes.

What’s new?

• Display of thumbnails in search result (if thumbnail display is enabled and images are in the ‘FileScout Image Cache’)
• Thumbnail-Options: New Button to generate all all thumbnails for all images on your device (incl. the SDCard) – this operation can take a while till it’s completed – please be patient!
• When resizing images to device resolution size you can now select to keep the aspect ratio of the original image. If this option is selected, then FileScout will cut (left & right or top & bottom) of the image so that it will fit to your device screen resolution.
• UserDefined resolution (image resizing) can be now be max 9999 pixel [but it's recommended not use more then 1200px]
• Support for DesktopManager Backup & Restore (FileScout settings)
• A ” in the Screen Title indicating that the background threads (required for Search and other extended features) are still running (after FileScout is started) – once the threads are completed the ” will disappear.
• Integration in the RIMs FileExplorer Application: a ‘Explore with FileScout’ MenuItem is added

What’s fixed?

• Search files in the current Directory only function fixed to be usable multiple times
• Potential OutOfMemeory Error during start of FileScout (when the thumbnail store is getting too large)
• Accessing OS5 System Folder for Bold, Bold2, Storm and Storm2

To download FileScout OTA click here or visit the emacberry.com page for more info and a desktop download. This software is available as donationware and without limitations so if you find it useful consider sending a donation to the developer, Matthias.

Joe from BBSites sent me a tweet letting me know that all BlackBerry instant messaging clients have been updated to v2.5.30.

The BlackBerry IM clients include AIM, Yahoo! Messenger, MSN Messenger, Google Talk and ICQ. No info is available about what /changed in this new version so if you notice anything different be sure to leave it in the comments. You can find and download all of the BlackBerry IM clients from mobile.blackberry.com.

The last time TwitterBerry was updated was back in August and it looks like Orangatame is trying to stay in the game with the re-release of their client as OpenBeak.

Even though more updated Twitter clients like SocialScope, ÜberTwitter and TweetGenius are around, believe it or not, TwitterBerry continues to hold its position as second most used BlackBerry Twitter app. I’m not sure if the ranking system is by Twitter name or some sort of client ID, so I’m wondering if the name change will affect their stats or their following.

New client description:

OpenBeak is mobile client for posting updates to Twitter. It works over the data network, so you don’t need to use SMS. OpenBeak is the evolution of TwitterBerry, and gives a name that allows the app to grow beyond both the Twitter platform and BlackBerry smartphones.

OpenBeak is available for all BlackBerry devices running OS 4.2.1 and higher. To download OpenBeak directly to your device visit m.openbeak.com from your BlackBerry Browser or visit the product page from your desktop for more info.

@FabianMH is having a sale on his LaterDude Pro BlackBerry application where you can get 50% off today only!

For those who aren’t familiar with LaterDude Pro, here is the app’s description:

LaterDude Pro is an application that reminds you to call, SMS or email someone. The efficiency of it is that it interacts with the system and creates a new event into the internal calendar or task application.

LaterDude Pro is available in the store for $1.47 until 12AM CST tonight, after that it goes up to $2.95. This app will work on devices running OS 4.5 and higher including OS 5.0. Let me know if you get a copy and if it increased your day-to-day productivity in the comments!

S4BB Limited is currently having a sale on their NextAction! Standard Edition productivity application for BlackBerry where you can save 50% today only! Here are the features:

• One click context (category) change
  You do not have to configure Filter anymore!
• 100% compatible with internal Blackberry Task Application
  You can use “NextAction for Blackberry” and the internal application simultaniuosly if you want
• Synchronizes with your standard desktop- and corporate environments
  Works with Microsoft Outlook, Lotus Notes, ACT!, Novell Groupwise, etc. (any software which synchronizes your tasks will work).
• Quick add “next actions”
  “NextAction for Blackberry” uses the clean and simple approach to GTD: no priorisation, only one context per action, easy and quick input
• Hide categories that are not task/next action related
  You can select categories that should not appear in NextAction!, e.g. the categories of your Contacts, Notes, Calendar
• Contexts are sorted alphabetically
  Contexts beginning with “@” appear on top of the list
• Projects
  Project support allows an additional dimension in categorization
• Someday / Maybe
  Someday / Maybe list support provides the possibility to set up low priority actions
• Customizable user interface
  Additional list info line for contexts or projects

NextAction! Standard Edition is normally $49.99 but for today only (until 12AM CST) you can pick it up  at half-price for $24.99. This app will work on all BlackBerry devices running Os 4.2 and higher. A trial is available but if you decide you want to purchase NextAction! make sure you do so before the end of the day!

Check out the video above for a slideshow demonstration of the app.

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
• Indonesian language support updated thanks to Kate of Pixel Insert
• Improved French language support thanks to Yann Nave of blog.onbebop.net

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!

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.