When I’m on BlackBerry Messenger or AIM sometimes I’ll see people put “Driving” as their status. Depending on what app they’re using it may take a few steps to change their status before they can begin to drive, or they update their status while driving (illegal in some areas). This is where ZoomSafer comes in and makes it easy to notify people that you are driving.

ZoomSafer is currently in public beta and initially only available for BlackBerry smartphones. Current features for the first phase of the beta include:

• Auto speed detection – ZoomSafer detects when you start to drive and automatically activates.
• Safety Announcements – A recorded message plays when ZoomSafer activates reminding you to drive safely. We’ve pre-recorded several announcements for the Beta, but in phase 2 of the beta you’ll be able to record your own custom announcements as well as choose from several Celebrity Safety Announcements.
• Auto-Toots – These are messages sent on your behalf to friends, families, and social networks to tell them when you’ve started and stopped driving. These updates can be sent via SMS or E-mail to up to 3 contacts as well as to Facebook or Twitter.
• Keyboard Locking – Your keypad will be locked when ZoomSafer is activated except for:
  • Soft-key to exit the app when you have stopped driving or if you are a passenger.
  • Dialing 9-1-1
• Three Priority Contacts – You can enter up to three Priority Contacts who will be able to call and interrupt you while you are driving. Inbound calls from priority contacts will be announced via a generic audio-alert. In phase 2 of the beta you will be able to create custom ZoomRingers for each of your priority contacts.
• Inbound phone call management – While you are driving, we will suppress ringer/notification of all inbound callers who are not listed as Priority Contacts.
• Inbound email/text message management – While you are driving, we will suppress all messaging-related inbound alerts.
• Auto-Responses – While you are driving, if people try and contact you via phone or text – they will receive an auto-response notifying them that you are focused on the road and that you will respond once you’ve reached your destination safely.

If you would like to participate in the beta you can register at www.zoomsafer.com. More info in the full press release after the jump, or watch to video above to see how it works. Looks useful!

CONTINUE READING »

YouMail let me know that they have updated their Visual Voicemail Plus app for BlackBerry to version 0.96.1, which is unfortunately only available in the BB App World.

This version should be much faster to use, works much better on phones with limited available memory, and is even more reliable – the top issues that our users have asked us to address!

It’s faster because now you can do key functions simply using shortcut keys, letting you fly through your voicemail.

The application is also now much more “memory aware”. Many of you have said that you’re running out of memory on your phones, given all your pictures, music, and other content. Now YouMail behaves much more intelligently when your phone or external memory reaches capacity, by doing things like on-demand downloading when memory gets full and removing the audio for your oldest messages from the phone – while keeping them stored safely and securely and accessible online at YouMail.

Inbox Shortcut Keys

• Alt-Del : Delete Message
• F : Forward Message
• S : Save Message
• X: Move to Spam Folder
• T: Scroll to the top of the list
• B : Scroll to the bottom of the list
• Space : Open message

Message Playback Shortcut Keys

• Alt-Del : Delete Message
• F : Forward Message
• S : Save Message
• X: Move to Spam Folder
• N : Next Message
• P : Previous Message
• Space : Play/Pause
• Send Key: Switch to Speaker/Headset

I’ve been using YouMail for over a year and a half now and am very pleased with it considering that their basic services are available for free.

Head on over to YouMail.com to sign up for an account and check out their online site or grab the latest version of the BlackBerry app in the BB App World.

Last night T-Mobile released OS 4.6.1.231 for the BlackBerry Curve 8900. OS 4.6.1.250 is actually the latest official OS for the 8900, but I figured I’d post this for those that only like using their own carrier’s OS.

• Device Fixes
  • Improved battery life
  • Improved software performance and stability
  • Improved UMA and data performance
  • Enhancements to audio and speakerphone
• Resolved Known Issues
  • Message icon and myFaves interface disappear after Enterprise Activation
  • myFaves contacts display an hourglass after a software upgrade
  • Missing myFaves user interface missing after a SIM swap
  • myFaves user interface missing after a SIM swap
  • Error: ‘Uncaught Exception’

You can find and download this OS at tmobile.com/bbupgrade. You need to have a T-Mobile number in order to access the downloads. If you need help upgrading your OS click here.

via T-Mobile Forums

Ozzy Productions, the same developer who created the Wifi Disabler app (currently on sale till July 15th), has released their latest application called SIM Detective.

Losing your BlackBerry is never fun, even if you just misplaced it and you find it later on. For those times that you don’t find it and you suspect that you lost it or it was stolen, the chances of finding out who took it are slim-to-none especially if that person changed the SIM card for their own use.

SIM Detective checks to see if the correct SIM card is inserted into your BlackBerry. If the SIM card detected is not yours it’ll send a text or email to a pre-chosen friend with all the information you need to contact the authorities and get your phone back.

Features:

• SIM Detective is password protected, so only you can Enable/Disable this emails and texts
• Change the pre-chosen friend at will
• Have peace of mind knowing that your phone is safe

SIM Detective is available for $5.99 in the store and will work with any BlackBerry running OS 4.5 and higher. Unfortunately there is no free trial available so if you decide to get this app be sure to leave some feedback comments.

* UPDATE A few have mentioned to me on Twitter that this doesn’t seem to be a true Push-To-Talk application so try it before you buy it! *

Just came across a new Push-To-Talk application for BlackBerry by Backroom Software LLC called Berry2Berry.

Berry2Berry is a simple Push-To-Talk application that allows you to quickly send a message or voicemail to another BlackBerry user.

Features:

• One touch recording and message playback
• Audible and vibration alerts to new and waiting messages
• Voicemail feature
• Allows to save incoming messages to the phone for playback later
• Away feature to notify sender you are not available

In order for Berry2Berry to work both the sender and the recipient must have it installed. In addition, you will need to download the CM Library from the Backroom Software LLC mobile site, which you can download directly from here OTA. This application will work on any BlackBerry running OS 4.2 and higher.

Berry2Berry is currently available for $5 until July 9th, after that it will go all the way up to $24.99. Sounds like a great deal! If you’re unsure about this application there is a free trial available.

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