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 »

This OS was already released a few weeks back by Bluegrass Cellular but here it is for Verizon customers.

Note: You can still access the download even if you don’t have a Verizon number by entering a random number and then clicking on the “Download Now” button.

• Download: OS 4.7.1.61 for the BlackBerry Tour 9630 from Verizon
• 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. *

Here’s a great looking theme by CB member VinceThePrice called ONYXia v1.4, available for the BlackBerry Curve 8900, Tour 9630, Bold 9000 and 9700.

Features:

• simple, yet professional-looking design
• 12 main icons + 6 side icons for folders / option-related apps (look at the screenshot example to get an idea)
• theme studio 5.0 transitions
• hidden today
• dedicated weather icon (place weather app in the first column of row four in the app screen aka. 19th slot)
• launch QuickLaunch with the space key, and launch SMS And MMS with the dollar sign key
• homescreen is wallpaper-friendly

While these theme may not be fully skinned it definitely offers some great features and will give your compatible BlackBerry a good look. Download ONYXia v1.4:

• Bold 9700/Tour 9630/Curve 8900:
  • OS 5.0 OTA: Click here
  • OS 4.7 OTA: Click here
    
• Bold 9000:
  • OS 5.0 OTA: Click here
  • OS 4.6 OTA: Click here
• Info: ONYXia v1.4 Theme Page
• How To: Install applications and themes via OTA with or without using data

Loopt let me know that they have just released a major update for their BlackBerry client that adds a bunch of new features. Loopt mobile updates your location in real-time while it runs in the background so you can meet up with nearby friends, explore new places to grab food, and find local events wherever you are.

Here are some of the features:

• Discover the best places and events, including those rated highly by your friends on Pulse
• See where your friends are on maps – view their latest updates listed in real-time and comment on them
• Check-in to instantly share your updates with friends – easily update Facebook and Twitter with your photos and places in one Loopt check-in
• Browse and rate local places and events – peruse detailed information from Zagat, Citysearch, and the Loopt community
• Save money through special offers from nearby retailers with local coupons

I’m not sure how this application will affect battery life since it constantly updates in the background so if you try it out be sure to let me know how it worked for you in the comments.

Loopt is currently available in the BlackBerry App World as a free download for the BlackBerry Curve 8900 (T-Mobile, AT&T), BlackBerry Tour 9630 (Sprint, Verizon) and BlackBerry Bold 9000 (AT&T). For more info about this update check out the press release after the jump.

CONTINUE READING »

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.

A little late in the game but better late than never, US Cellular now has the BlackBerry Tour 9630 available for purchase.

Pricing with 2 year service agreement:

• Price Before Mail-In Rebate:
  • $499.95 – Original Price
  • $269.95 – Best Price (With $230.00 discount for 2 year agreement)
• Price After Mail-In Rebate:
  • $269.95 – Before Rebate
  • $199,95 – After $70 Mail-in Rebate

The Tour 9630 from US Cellular is not available on prepaid plans. The $70 rebate is only available if you sign up for a 2-year service agreement on a calling plan at $39.99 or higher with a BlackBerry E-Mail & Web plan at $24.95.

For more info visit US Cellular.

Thanks to CellUnlock.net I have 100 BlackBerry unlock codes to give away!

Benefits of unlocking your BlackBerry include:

• No need to roam with your current sim when you travel. Purchase pre-paid sim cards when traveling. Many operators allow free incoming calls.
• Switch freely between service providers.
• Increase the resale value of your phone.
• 100% safe unlocking that does not interfere with the operation of your phone or warranty
• Absolutely no technical knowledge is required.

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). For more info visit CellUnlock.net.

CONTEST: For a chance to win 1 of 100 free BlackBerry unlock codes leave a comment on this post using a valid email address. Only leave one comment, duplicates will be ignored and will not increase your chances of winning. This contest will end at 11:59PM EST on Saturday, November 7th. Comments left after this time will not be considered. *

Software For BlackBerry® Tour (TM) 9630 smartphone
BlackBerry Handheld Software v4.7.1.117 (Multilanguage)

Package Version: 4.7.1.117
Consisting of:

• Applications: 4.7.1.61
• Software Platform: 4.1.0.75
• File name: 9630AMEA_PBr4.7.1_rel117_PL4.1.0.75_A4.7.1.61_Bluegrass_Cellular.exe
• File size: 102.16MB

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

• Download: OS 4.7.1.61 for the Tour 9630 from Bluegrass Cellular
• 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. *

Yesterday I mentioned that the Verizon BlackBerry Storm 9530 might be getting OS 5.0.0.328 tomorrow. Since that post I’ve received a bunch of emails asking whether a certain BlackBerry model will get OS 5.0.

Up till now I could only base my answers on leaked information, but  thanks to a new knowledge base article posted by RIM we now know exactly which BlackBerry devices will get it!

List of the supported devices:

• BlackBerry® Pearl™ Flip 8200 series smartphones
• BlackBerry® Curve™ 8330 smartphones
• BlackBerry® Curve™ 8350i smartphones
• BlackBerry® Curve™ 8900 smartphones
• BlackBerry® Bold™ 9000 smartphones
• BlackBerry® Storm™ 9500 series smartphones
• BlackBerry® Tour™ 9630 smartphones

Your BlackBerry must have at least 64MB of available memory in order to upgrade to OS 5.0 once it’s available.

According to the knowledge base article not all wireless service providers will support BlackBerry OS 5.0 for the devices listed above, meaning you might have to get it from another service provider. This isn’t a problem for those that don’t mind using an OS not issued by their carrier.

Here’s to hoping an OS 5.0 launch for all devices is just around the corner!

via KB17984