Daniel Garcia is a web developer/software architect by day, rebellious tech-punk twenty-something by night. He is a contributing writer to BlackBerry Rocks! who reviews applications for BlackBerry devices, as well as shares the occasional tip for fellow Rockers. He has a BlackBerry Storm 9530, soon to be 9550. If you would like to know more about him, you can follow his Twitter account: @buzzedword.

Earlier this month, Verizon pushed out Bing for Mobile to all Storm handsets, as well as preloaded the software onto all new Storm 2 units. If you haven’t already heard, Bing is the new kid on the block to the search market, going toe to toe with the big dog: Google. Why should you be using Bing, instead of Google? Can’t say. I’m here to rock the BlackBerry, not worry about petty search wars.

Read the full review after the break.

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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.

The Google Voice App for BlackBerry has been updated to version 0.1.6 with no changelog, but the update could be related to Google now allowing its users to use their existing number with their Google Voice account.

By allowing users to use their own number with their Google Voice account, users will be able to take advantage of Google Voice’s features without having to change their number or use a different one.

Up until now, if you wanted to use Google Voice, you needed to choose a new number (a “Google number”). Taking calls through your Google number allows us to offer features like call recording, call screening and getting text messages via email. But we know not everyone wants to switch to a new phone number, so it made sense for us to create a lighter version of Google Voice for people who are willing to trade some features for the ability to use their existing numbers.

We’re excited to announce that you now have the choice to get Google Voice with your existing mobile number OR with a Google number.

One of the features you get if you use your own number with your Google Voice account is the functionality of Google voicemail instead of your default carrier voicemail which, I’m being a bit blunt here, sucks.

Google has a guide for how to set up your existing number with your Google Voice account along with a comparison chart of what you get if you use your own number or a Google number. For more info about Google Voice visit google.com/voice or to download the updated BlackBerry application visit m.google.com/voice from your BlackBerry Browser.

via Google Blog

GVdialer has announced that it is no longer available for download but it will still offer support for current customers who paid for the full version. This  shouldn’t come as a surprise since Google has their own Google Voice App that is available free and better integrated with Google Voice accounts.

GVdialer is not publicly available anymore and is limited to our business partners only.

We apologize for the inconvenience.

We will keep on providing support for paid versions only at support@gvdialer.com.

All trial and purchase pages have been disabled on the GVdialer site. For more info and support check out the GVdialer FAQ.

Google Maps for BlackBerry has been updated to version 3.2 with some new features including “layers” integration, an awesome feature  that allows you to get the most out of mapping and navigating the area you’re in.

Layers make it easy to view various types of information on your map and are especially helpful in situations when you’re traveling somewhere new. For example, you can turn on the Wikipedia layer to read entries about nearby places, then use the transit lines layer to help map out a route. Or you can use the My Maps feature of Google Maps to create a collection of places you’re planning to visit on your trip and then use Google Maps for mobile to access it from the road. You can also turn on the Google Latitude layer to see your friends’ locations.

To download the new version OTA visit m.google.com/maps from your BlackBerry Browser, or visit the same link from your desktop browser for more info.

via Google Mobile Blog

Google has announced via their official Google Voice Blog that they have started to allow current users to invite up to three friends to use the (mostly) free  service.

Starting today, we’re beginning to give out invitations to Google Voice users.  If you currently use Google Voice, over the next few weeks, you’ll see an “Invite a friend” link appear on the left-hand side of your inbox.

We’ll be rolling out these invitations gradually, so don’t worry if you don’t see your invitations immediately. We’re initially giving out three invites to each account, but we’re planning to provide more invitations in the future.

I’ve been using Google Voice for a while now and I am very pleased with it. One of the pros of owning a BlackBerry and being a user is the Google Voice for BlackBerry application, which makes it easier to call, SMS, view history (and more) while you’re on the run.

If you don’t have a Google Voice account yet you can sign up for one at google.com/voiceinvite, wait for a friend to invite you, or wait for me to give some away through the @BlackBerryRocks Twitter account .

@acnst pointed out that the Vodafone Germany OnlineShop has the BlackBerry Storm 9520 listed as coming soon!

Here is a rough translation (courtesy of Google) of the text next to the Storm 9520:

The BlackBerry Storm 9520 is a phone as you want it to. The smartphone is equipped with the latest generation of a new type of touch screen (about 8 cm diagonal) to make easy text entry. For entertainment on the go is also provided. Photos come out with the 3.2 MP camera, you can surf the Internet via WiFi and you can navigate with the A-GPS receiver.

Earlier today I mentioned that Vodafone UK might be launching the Storm 2 this week. The Storm 9520 being listed as coming soon on the Vodafone Germany site could mean a network-wide launch.

If you find the Storm 2 listed on any other carrier sites let me know in the comments!

The Google Voice BlackBerry application has been updated to version 0.1.5. There is no official changelog but here are some of the differences I noticed:

• In the options menu
  • Preload voicemails
  • Backround refresh with update interval options
• UI and app icon look slightly different (?)

Not sure why but manually refreshing the history seems to fail a lot for me. Anyone else having this problem?

Feature recap:

You can grab the update by going to m.google.com/voice from your BlackBerry Browser. If you notice any other differences leave them in the comments!

NikkiSoft is having a 50% off sale on their popular QuickLaunch application for BlackBerry today only!

QuickLaunch has come a long way with its development and it only gets better with each update. In my opinion this is an application no BlackBerry user should be without, especially if you want to get the most out of your convenience keys.

QuickLaunch is a must have application for every BlackBerry owner. With an interface that is seamlessly integrated with the look of the BlackBerry OS, QuickLaunch will create shortcuts to most any application on your device with ease and style. In addition the added functions included with QuickLaunch will enable you to delete several other apps on your device saving memory making QuickLaunch the ‘Swiss Army Knife’ of your Blackberry.

QuickLaunch allows you to setup shortcuts to various functions such as Websites, Email, SMS and PIN addresses, Phone numbers, 3rd Party Apps, Videos, Images, Audio files, Device Info, Bluetooth Configuration, Camera, Video Camera, Delete your Call Logs, Manage Connections, Device Reset, Google and Wikipedia Search and other functions such as Blackberry Options, Calculator, Calendar, Event Log, Tasks, WiFi On/Off Toggle (Bold and Curve Versions) and more! Configure a convenience key to activate QuickLaunch and when pushed a menu will popup showing a scrollable list of your configured actions. The menu can be set to appear on the Right or Left side and can be shown on virtually any screen so you can perform any action without backing up and navigating through your homescreen and folders saving you time. Quick easy access to what you want to do wherever you are!

Check out QuickLaunch in the store and get it for only $2.49 until 12AM CT tonight, after that it goes up to $4.99.

RIM has announced via their BlackBerry Support Forums that the Enhanced Google Mail Plug-in for BlackBerry is now available!

The Enhanced Google Mail™ plug-in for BlackBerry® smartphones introduces an advanced level of email service integration for BlackBerry smartphones. It supports additional Google Mail™ features that provide BlackBerry® Internet Service subscribers with broader access to their Google Mail accounts while on the go.  The Enhanced Google Mail plug-in is optional. Existing and new Google Mail integrations will continue to function without it.

Features:

• Add and remove labels and stars on email messages
• Report spam email messages
• Perform local and remote searches
• Archive email messages
• View related email messages as a single conversation (threaded view)

Synchronization only happens from your BlackBerry to your Google Mail account, meaning some changes made through your Google Mail account won’t sync to your BlackBerry. Your BlackBerry must be running at least OS 4.5 (get your latest OS here) in order to download the Enhanced Google Mail plug-in, and your Google Mail account must be associated with BlackBerry Internet Service (BIS) through your carrier.

Once you associate your Google Mail account you will receive a PIN with instructions on how to download the plug-in. If you already have your Google Mail accounts associated with your BIS you will need to re-associate them. In addition, your Google Mail account must have IMAP enabled, not POP. Detailed info available in the following RIM Knowledge Base articles:

• System requirements and installation of the Enhanced Google Mail plug-in
• Features of the Enhanced Google Mail plug-in
• Limitations of the Enhanced Google Mail plug-in
• How to associate email accounts with the BlackBerry Internet Service
• How to remove an integrated email address from the BlackBerry Internet Service

Let me know how this works for you in the comments!