I’ve been a big fan of Seesmic Desktop for quite some time now and have been wondering when and if they planned on releasing a Seesmic application for BlackBerry smartphones. @BRSDiddy just brought it to my attention that they have just released one!

Features:

• All your timelines
  Seesmic for BlackBerry groups all your Twitter timelines into one simple application. Whether you want to scroll through your friends timeline, check on a saved search, view a list or want to find a private conversation with a friend, everything is one click away from the main menu.
• Saved search and list support
  Searches and lists saved on your Twitter account are automatically imported and made available inside the BlackBerry application – a first for a Twitter application the BlackBerry.
• URL Shortening
  We integrated the same URL shortening capability than in our popular Desktop client. Just type a URL, press the shortening button and we’ll transform your long URL into a really small one so you have more space for your tweets.
• Background Notifications
  While it is running in the background, Seesmic for BlackBerry will alert you to received Direct Messages and @Replies that require your attention. This is done using the familiar system-wide icon notification bar that alerts you to new mail, sms messages and voicemails.

According to the Seesmic download page there are two versions available. A beta v1.0 for BlackBerry devices running OS 4.6 and higher, and an alpha v1.0b for the Tour 9630 and Storm 9500/9530/9520/9550. Right now there is no support for devices running OS 4.5 and lower.

To download Seesmic head to seesmic.com from your BlackBerry Browser or check out the product page here for more info. Since these applications are beta and alpha I would recommend first making a backup before installing them.  Also keep in mind that since these are beta and alpha versions they might not be perfect just yet so if you have feedback or need help email Seesmic at support@seesmic.com.

I’ve included some of the demonstration videos after the jump. Let me know how you like the Seesmic Twitter app in the comments!

CONTINUE READING »

If you decided not to upgrade your BlackBerry Storm 9530 to Verizon’s OS 5.0.0.328, here is the latest OS 4.7 for your device.

Software For BlackBerry® Storm (TM) 9530 smartphone
BlackBerry Handheld Software v4.7.0.244 (Multilanguage)

Package Version: 4.7.0.244
Consisting of:

• Applications: 4.7.0.179
• Software Platform: 4.0.0.181
• File name: 9530AMEA_PBr4.7.0_rel244_PL4.0.0.181_A4.7.0.179_SaskTel.exe
• File size: 104.51MB

Note: The Software Platform and Applications version numbers can be found under Options-About screen on the handheld.

• Download: OS 4.7.0.179 for the Storm 9530 from SaskTel
• How To:
  • Backup And Restore Your BlackBerry
  • Upgrade your BlackBerry Operating System (OS)

Please report any feedback/findings in the comments.

REMEMBER: It is recommended that you make a backup before attempting to upgrade your BlackBerry just in case something goes wrong during the upgrade process. *

I’m a big fan of BeejiveIM so I was happy to find out that they would be pushing out a beta update that will support OS 5.0, especially since my BlackBerry Bold 9700 should be coming in today .

Here’s the forum post from Jim over at Beejive (keep in mind that this was posted last week):

Quick update, we’re planning on getting a new beta for BlackBerry out next week including support for the 5.0 OS. Sorry all for the delay on this!

An earlier forum post by Jim says that they are working on version 1.9.7 which will be the version that supports OS 5.0. This update will be available for all BlackBerry devices running OS 4.2.1 to 5.0 including the Storm! Storm users should definitely be excited since their last beta update was back in July.

Big thanks to sgt-d from mcpfx for letting me know!

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 »

• Download via
  • MegaUpload: OS 5.0.0.328 for the Storm 9500
  • RapidShare: OS 5.0.0.328 for the Storm 9500
• 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. *

Thanks @ghozali!

This software version contain a fix for the BlackBerry Browser bug I mentioned in September. For more info about this bug click here.

Software For BlackBerry® Storm(TM) smartphone
BlackBerry Handheld Software v4.7.0.252 (All Languages)

Package Version: 4.7.0.252
Consisting of:

• Applications: 4.7.0.186
• Software Platform: 4.0.0.222
• File name: 9500_omadrmjAllLang_PBr4.7.0_rel252_PL4.0.0.222_A4.7.0.186_Taiwan_Mobile.exe
• File size: 145.36MB

Note: The Software Platform and Applications version numbers can be found under Options-About screen on the handheld

• Download: OS 4.7.0.186 for the Storm 9500 from Taiwan Mobile
• How To:
  • Backup And Restore Your BlackBerry
  • Upgrade your BlackBerry Operating System (OS)

Please report any feedback/findings in the comments.

REMEMBER: It is recommended that you make a backup before attempting to upgrade your BlackBerry just in case something goes wrong during the upgrade process. *

Urbanspoon let me know that their mobile application is now available for BlackBerry.

Urbanspoon’s Blackberry app is a kind of restaurant slot machine. Just hit the space bar (or shake the phone if you have a Storm) and the wheels will spin, until they settle on a good nearby restaurant for you. You can also lock down the neighborhood, cuisine and price you are interested in. Keep spinning until you get a restaurant you want to try.

Urbanspoon on Blackberry also lets you search and browse restaurants, and uses your current location to identify the nearest restaurants to you.

The Urbanspoon app is currently available for the Curve 8300 series on OS 4.2 or 4.3, Curve 8900, Bold, Storm and Tour. Support for older devices is not available but you can still use the mobile site at urbanspoon.com/m. To download the Urbanspoon app visit  urbanspoon.com/bb from your BlackBerry Browser.

Early last week I started a contest where readers could win 1 of 100 free BlackBerry unlock codes from CellUnlock.net. Since then many of you have left comments but it looks like the limit wasn’t hit, so everyone who left a comment before 11:59PM EST on November 7th wins a free unlock code for their BlackBerry!

BlackBerry models this contest applies to: Pearl (8100/8110/8120), Pearl Flip (8220), Curve (8300/8310/8320/8520/8900), 8800, 8810, 8820, Bold (9000/9700), Storm (9500/9530/9550), Tour (9630).

Winners can expect and email from me or CellUnlock.net soon to get their info and process their code.

Originally only available for the Storm, @FabianMH has made his Whippoh BlackBerry app compatible with the new Storm2.

As seen in the video above, Whippoh is a free app that allows you to simulate a whip by performing a whipping movement with your Storm. The sound will only simulate if you make a correct whipping motion with your Storm…practice makes perfect!

Download Whippoh for free in the store and be sure to check out the rest of Fabian Heuwieser’s apps.

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. *