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.

CONTINUE READING »

It’s been over a year since we last heard about a possible TiVo BlackBerry client. I have some good news for all you BlackBerry owning TiVo addicts…RIM has just officially announced its availability!

With the TiVo BlackBerry client users will be able to wirelessly control a TiVo DVR and browse and record television shows.

Features:

• Browse television shows available on TiVo® service
• Configure TiVo for BlackBerry smartphones to select from a list of available TiVo Digital Video Recorders (DVRs) wirelessly using the BlackBerry smartphone
• Record television shows to be viewed at a later time
• Set 1-Click recording options
• Get a Seasons Pass™ to a television show
• Search the programming guide based on show title, actor, director, keywords, and category
• View recommended television shows based on current searches

The client is currently available in English for BlackBerry users in the US and Canada running OS 4.2 and higher. Here are some RIM knowledge base articles with more details:

• How to install TiVo for BlackBerry smartphones
• General information on TiVo for BlackBerry smartphones
• Minimum requirements for TiVo for BlackBerry smartphones
• How to record a television show using TiVo for BlackBerry smartphones
• How to search for television shows using TiVo for BlackBerry smartphones
• IT policy rules for TiVo for BlackBerry smartphones

To download the Tivo BlackBerry client visit blackberry.com/tivo from your BlackBerry Browser. Let me know how this app works for you in the comments, especially if you’re a big TiVo fan!

mSpot has launched a new Mobile Movies site where users will be able to buy and stream movies directly to their BlackBerry (and other smartphones).

mSpot Mobile Movies lets you watch a movie on your cell phone instantly when you want, where you want! We partner with major Hollywood studios to bring movie hits to your phone for a premium, on-demand mobile experience.

• Mobile Movies works on 30+ different phones (incl. iPhone, Blackberry, Android and more)
• Watch movie trailers for free
• Rent single full-length movies for only $4.99
• Up to 4 movies for $9.99 when you join the Movie Club
• Not all movies are available in the Movie Club.

To watch mSpot Mobile Movies on your BlackBerry visit m.mspot.com through your BlackBerry Browser. Once there you can use a credit card to watch individual movies or join the Movie Club for their subscription service. Rental time ranges from 24 hours to 5 days depending on the movie, which is pretty standard for movie rentals. For more info visit mSpot.com.

If you try this out let me know what you think about the overall quality of the movies and service in the comments!

via TechCrunch

The free WHERE application has been launched for the BlackBerry Tour 9630!

WHERE on the BlackBerry Tour functions very similarly to our versions for the BlackBerry Storm & BlackBerry Bold. WHERE on the Tour features an at-a-glance homescreen layout, for easy access to your favorite local information. WHERE comes pre-packed with some of our most popular GPS based widgets including, News, Weather, Gas Station Locator, Yelp & Eventful, plus many more. WHERE’s newest social networking venue, the WHERE Wall is also available on the BlackBerry Tour.

I just want to point out that WHERE’s Gas Prices has helped me find cheap gas on more than one occasion. This and the other features are very useful.

To download it visit WHERE.com from your BlackBerry Browser or from your desktop computer for more info.

WHERE has been updated to v1.3.0.1 for the BlackBerry Curve 8900, Bold and Storm!

Not sure what WHERE is?

WHERE is a mobile app that provides you with information about the people, places and things around you. Local content available through WHERE includes everything from the weather, news, and restaurant reviews, to the cheapest gas, movie show times, and the ability to connect with other users through Buddy Beacon™ and the WHERE Wall™. WHERE also helps you reach your destination with easy to use maps and directions.

Not to mention it’s FREE! Check out the updates and enhancements in the new version:

• New Gas Features – The WHERE Gas widget got a total redesign in this update. All gas grade prices are now available on main screen. Gas station amenities are now also included on the station detail page.
• Improvements to WHERE Wall – In this latest update you will notice larger gravatar images, auto re-fresh mechanism, the ability to add links into posts, and a new Sports wall.
• Changes to the way location is handled
• Other minor bug fixes.

You can download WHERE by going to where.com from your BlackBerry Browser, or from your desktop computer to have the download link sent to you via SMS.

Poynt let me know that their free BlackBerry application is now available to the United Kingdom.

Poynt is available for users in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales with the following features:

• GPS – the GPS functionality has been optimized to provide faster accurate locates.
• Cell-site locates – Cell-site locates allow Poynt to quickly access a user’s general location while awaiting a GPS lock.
• Enhanced User Interface – Poynt’s UI was developed specifically for BlackBerry smartphones to provide users with an immersive, easy-to-use and visually appealing experience.
• Mapping Integration – Poynt is fully integrated with both BlackBerry® Maps and Google Maps.
• Map Route – Poynt integrates with Gokivo™ Navigator to provide turn-by-turn voice navigation.
• Address Book Integration – Users can add frequently accessed listings to their BlackBerry® Contact List, providing convenience for future lookups.
• Share Search Results – Integration with BlackBerry® Email allows users to easily share listings with friends and colleagues.
• Movie Module – Users can plan their night at the movies by seeing what is playing near them, watching trailers, viewing showtimes and reading reviews, cast and synopsis details.
• Movie Theater Details – Users can get information on seating layouts, wheelchair accessibility and number of screens.
• Add to Calendar Option – Users have the ability to add movie search results to their BlackBerry® Calendar by date and showtime, as well as invite friends to join them.

Poynt is compatible with the BlackBerry Pearl series, Curve series, Bold and Storm series.

You can download it OTA by visiting m.mypoynt.com from your BlackBerry Browser, or check out the full press release after the jump for more info.

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In March I posted about the SuperPages application for the Storm being available. SuperPages let me know  that version was just a beta release, and the official version is now available with some cool new features.

The new version includes the SuperGuarantee program where services provided by select advertisers on SuperPages.com and the Verizon Yellow Pages are guaranteed. The new version also allows you to review businesses directly from the application with a fun thumbs up/thumbs down scale.

Some other features:

• Add Photos: Did your food taste as good as it looked? Take a snap shot before you chow down and upload it when you rate your experience.
• Find Movies Fast: Search by movie or theater and see show times, read reviews, watch trailers or browse movie posters.
• Get Directions: Get step-by-step interactive driving directions with an option to have multiple stops on the way to your destination.
• Locate Local WiFi Hotspots: Find free and pay-for-use WiFi hotspots near you.
• See your local five-day forecast with current conditions, conduct a reverse lookup of people or businesses and access your My Superpages account to easily see your previous searches.

With SuperPages Mobile you have access to more than 17 million U.S. businesses right on your BlackBerry Storm.

You can download the new version of SuperPages Mobile for your Storm through the BlackBerry App World or visit SuperPages.com. A version for the BlackBerry Pearl and Bold will be available soon.

Full press release after the jump.

CONTINUE READING »

Where released version 1.2 for the BlackBerry Bold with some bug fixes as well as adding a lot of new user functionality similar to the BlackBerry Storm version.

Some of the changes:

• Movies
• YellowBrix news
• Where Wall gravatar and weather
• Registration menu option from the home screen
• Better track ball navigation on the home screen.
• BlackBerry BISB network integration to improve network availability
• GPS criteria modification to speed up GPS location fixes.
• Minor bug fixes.

You can download Where from the BlackBerry App World or by visiting Where.com from your BlackBerry Browser.

The Superpages BlackBerry application is now available for the Storm!

From the description:

Only the downloadable version of Superpages harnesses the power of the leading Internet Yellow Pages in a format that lives up to the quality of the BlackBerry.

• Locate a Business With millions of businesses available from the Superpages.com database, you’re sure to find what you need, when you need it. Get extended business information such as business profile, hours, parking, customer reviews, photos and more.
• Get Movie Info Fast Search by movie, theatre or genre. See show times, read reviews and connect directly to driving directions from wherever you are.
• Map Your Way With interactive maps and turn by turn directions, you can get where you’re going quickly, easily and without the frustration of having to find that piece of paper on which you wrote directions.
• Find a Person The People Finder function allows you to find a friend, old neighbor or coworker across town, or across the country.
• Plus More! Get a local 5-day forecast with current conditions, reverse lookup of people or businesses, access your My Superpages account and easily see your previous searches.

The Superpages application is also available for many other BlackBerry models.

• Download OTA: Superpages
• Info: Superpages Mobile for BlackBerry

Source: CrackBerry

Viigo just keeps getting better and better.

You can now check local movie listings for North American and UK cities. North American users can also purchase tickets via Fandango all from within Viigo!

To check your local movie listings go to the Entertainment Folder and click on “Add Channel” … Once there, select “Movie Showtimes“. There you can select your city, and if you want listings By Movie and/or By Theatre.

• Download: getviigo.com