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.

Joe let me know that he has updated his VyMail application to version 0.8.3.5.

Check out the changes:

• Added: Multi-selection in the voice mail list view
• Added: Home screen icon changes on new messages
• Added: Alerts on new messages (manage them under your standard ringer profiles)
• Added: Headset and bluetooth support
• Added: Ability to change audio output directly from the message detail screen
• Added: Player progress bar
• Added: Key shortcuts to message detail screen:
  • space – play/pause
  • shift+space – restart playback
  • f – flag/unfloag
  • r – mark read
  • delete – delete the messge
  • c – call the number that left the message
• Changed: The color and padding values of the second line in the list display (hopefully this improves readability with pearls, et al)
• Fixed: PIN field only allows numeric input now
• Fixed: Changing connection type did not take affect until device reset
• Fixed: Ribbon icon only displays if VyMail is currently active, and will now activate the application.

Current Limitations:

• The Verizon Storm 9530 OS version 4.7.0.75 and 4.7.0.76 currently have a major flaw that doesn’t allow the phone to play through the speakerphone. If you are running this OS you’ll want to make sure that the default audio output is through the handset (Options->Play audio through, select ‘Handset’).
• There is no way to mark a message as “unread”. This is a limitation of YouMail itself.

Awesome! VyMail is a must have application for every BlackBerry YouMail user.

• Download OTA: http://www.joekrill.com/vymail/ota/
• Download ZIP: http://www.joekrill.com/vymail/0.8.3.4/vymail-0.8.3.5.zip
• Info: http://www.joekrill.com/vymail/
• How to: Install Applications via Desktop Manager

Joe let me know that he has updated his awesome VyMail application from version 0.8.2.18 to 0.8.3.4.

What is VyMail?

VyMail is a Blackberry application that provides a Visual Voicemail interface to the third-party voicemail service YouMail. You will need to sign up there first before this application will be useful.

…

Changelog:

• Added: Multi-selection in the voice mail list view
• Added: Home screen icon changes on new messages
• Added: Alerts on new messages (manage them under your standard ringer profiles)
• Added: Headset and bluetooth support
• Added: Ability to change audio output directly from the message detail screen
• Added: Player progress bar
• Added: Key shortcuts to message detail screen:
  • space – play/pause
  • shift+space – restart playback
  • f – flag/unfloag
  • r – mark read
  • delete – delete the messge
  • c – call the number that left the message
• Changed: The color and padding values of the second line in the list display (hopefully this improves readability with pearls, et al)
• Fixed: PIN field only allows numeric input now
• Fixed: Changing connection type did not take affect until device reset
• Fixed: Ribbon icon only displays if VyMail is currently active, and will now activate the application.

Looks like YouMail has even more catching up to do with their YouMail Voicemail Plus application .

• Download: http://www.joekrill.com/vymail/ota/ [OTA]
• Download: http://www.joekrill.com/vymail/0.8.3.4/vymail-0.8.3.4.zip [ZIP]
• Info: http://www.joekrill.com/vymail/

My buddy Troy over at BlackBerry News is reporting that he is having issues with the YouMail Visual Voicemail Plus application for BlackBerry that was released yesterday.

Check out what he had to say:

We reported yesterday about YouMail launching their visual voicemail application. After 24 hours it is safe to say a lot work still needs to go into the application before it is ready for prime time much like the transcription service they charge for now. Many users including myself have experienced nothing but problems with the application.

If you want a great Visual Voicemail solution I still recommend the third party application VyMail that we previously reported on.

As for YouMail maybe with all the ad revenue from placing ads on every aspect of your messages they can now put a little more money into their projects and refine their service. Time will tell.

Looks like VyMail has more loyal users .

I don’t get too many voicemails but it seems to work fine except for uploading contacts, which freezes after the first few. Is anyone else experiencing problems with their YouMail Visual Voicemail Plus application?

• Download: http://m.youmail.com/ota [OTA]
  
• Info: http://m.youmail.com/ymmobile/

Some highlights from the press release:

• YouMail, Inc. (http://www.youmail.com), the mobile industry’s premier consumer voicemail service, today announced the availability of Visual Voicemail Plus, its free, visual voicemail application for BlackBerry phones including the Pearl, Curve, Bold and Storm.
• “YouMail’s Visual Voicemail Plus allows BlackBerry users to enjoy the speed and convenience of visual voicemail, for free, in addition to having access to all of the other voicemail enhancements in YouMail’s award winning voicemail service.”
• YouMail’s time-saving Visual Voicemail Plus, gives BlackBerry clients access to a voicemail inbox right on their mobile phone.
• In addition, customers that currently use YouMail’s free and premium transcription services will also be able to read their voicemails directly from the new application, saving even more time.
• YouMail’s BlackBerry application was built entirely on top of its open API. The API allows developers to write their own applications that extend YouMail’s offerings to handset applications, browser plug ins, widgets, and more.

Read the whole press release after the jump.

CONTINUE READING »

Just got an email from Joe letting me know that he has updated his VyMail application from version 0.8.2.17 to 0.8.2.18. In his email he stressed that you should update to 0.8.2.18 immediately and that you should not be running version 0.8.2.17 anymore.

Changelog:

• Fixed: Excessive network problem
• Fixed: No application instance error
• Added: Support for trackwheel devices (87xx)
• Added: Delete/Backspace shortcut key will delete the current message
• Added: u shortcut key will mark a message read

Previous changes and fixes:

• Changed: Removed the “1″ prepending phone numbers when the phone number field is automatically populated on the options screen.
• Fixed: Some logic that determined whether a sign-in failed.
• Fixed: Sync interval changes may not have been realized until reboot
• Added: Some diagnostic info to the About page
• Added: Ability to specify the connection type.
• Added: Volume keys change the volume when playing a message
• Added: Shortcut keys similar to email list:* space – page down
  * shift + space – page up
  * t – move to the top of the message list
  * b – move to the bottom of the message list

Download:

• http://www.joekrill.com/vymail/ota/ [OTA]
• http://www.joekrill.com/vymail/0.8.2.18/vymail-0.8.2.18.zip [Desktop]

More info: http://www.joekrill.com/vymail/

Joe let me know that he has released a minor update to VyMail that should fix some of the problems that Bold and Curve users have been having with some minor additions.

Here are the major changes that were made:

• Changed: Removed the “1″ prepending phone numbers when the phone number field is automatically populated on the options screen.
• Added: Some diagnostic info to the About page
• Added: Ability to specify the connection type under options.
• Added: Volume keys change the volume when playing a message
• Added: Shortcut keys similar to email list:
  * space – page down
  * shift + space – page up
  * t – move to the top of the message list
  * b – move to the bottom of the message list

Note: You may have to re-enter your PIN number in the options screen. Be sure to check this if no messages are showing.

Download: http://www.joekrill.com/vymail/ota/

More info: http://www.joekrill.com/vymail/

Just found out about a new and free application called VyMail (visual youmail) that allows you to sync your YouMail voicemails to listen right from your BlackBerry without having to make a phone call or log into the online service.

I just tried it out and it works great! One thing though, you need to format your number like this for it to work: XXX XXX-XXXX. No big deal, this is probably because of how you log into YouMail’s site, not because of the application’s formatting.

If you don’t know what YouMail is check out my review or visit YouMail.com for more info and to sign up. YouMail’s basic service is free with other premium services starting at $3.99 a month.

More about VyMail…

Current Limitations:

• The Verizon Storm 9530 OS version 4.7.0.75 and 4.7.0.76 currently have a major flaw that doesn’t allow the phone to play through the speakerphone. If you are running this OS you’ll want to make sure that the default audio output is through the handset (Options->Play audio through, select ‘Handset’).
• There is no way to mark a message as “unread”. This is a limitation of YouMail itself.
• There are no notifications when you receive a new message. I am actively working on adding this feature, and it has top priority. In the meantime, you can setup YouMail to send you emails or text messages when you receive a voicemail, or check the application manually — it will still automatically sync — it just won’t send an active notification.

Planned features:

• Notification support and integration with message list (4.6+ OS version will be required for this because of API limitations. I’ll have to provide two separate versions once support for this is added)
• Integration with blackberry contacts
• Message grouping by date
• Callback menu options/buttons
• Ability to view other folders (Trash, Saved, Flagged, etc)
• More control over deletion (currently moves to your trash)
• Ability to move messages to other folders
• Localization support

Download: http://www.joekrill.com/vymail/ota/ (OTA)

More info: http://www.joekrill.com/vymail/

|source|

Just got this email from YouMail:

YouMail Continues to Innovate and Lead the Market

Fast Company’s ‘Fast 50 Reader Favorites of 2008’ have been announced and YouMail has been ranked as the 5th most innovative company. You can find the entire list of finalists here: http://www.fastcompany.com/articles/2008/07/fast-50-reader-favorites.html

Here are just some of our latest new features…

Importing Contacts

This long-awaited feature has arrived! Now you’ll be able to save time by importing contacts straight from your webmail account or use a CSV export from Outlook, LinkedIn, Plaxo, Thunderbird, etc., making the process of assigning greetings MUCH easier. Because we are releasing this feature to a limited number of users, you are amongst the first set of users to trial this feature. CLICK HERE to try out the feature and send us your feedback.

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Inbox Folders

Saving voicemail just got more organized! Create your own individual Saved folders to permanently keep and store communications on your most important projects or from your VIP clients or special friends. By creating individual folders for each unique caller, you’ll be better organized and have quicker access to those calls you want to save for future reference.

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Voicemail Spam

Feeling harassed by repeat phone calls from certain telemarketers? Now you can put a stop to it and help other YouMailers do the same. The voice mail SPAM button in your YouMail online inbox now has increased functionality that leverages the power of the YouMail community.

When multiple users begin identifying a single number as Spam, YouMail will mark it as such when it’s delivered to your inbox, hopefully saving you time and potential hassle as you review your messages.

Finally, a solution to help identify those pesky callers!

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YouMail Mobile

Since launching this feature two months ago, we have introduced several improvements to make the service easier to use. Links are now provided inside each of our text message notifications that bring you directly to YouMail Mobile. Not only is the new mobile webite running dramatically faster, but now you can also download a YouMail shortcut to your smart phone home screen to save time accessing YouMail’s visual voicemail.

Click here to download the shortcut.

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New Look for YouMail

By the way, if it’s been awhile since you’ve checked out our website then stop by and take a look. We’ve updated the site with a new look and feel and included a demo.

Tell your friends!

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We hope you enjoy YouMail—and keep the feedback coming!

Sincerely,
The YouMail Team

Looks very promising! Read my YouMail Review for more info.

This service is free and compatible with most service providers.

You can easily check and listen to your voice mail with an online “in box.” It even has a “trash” box in case you delete something by accident.

Tired of those unknown or blocked callers? With this you can have your voice mail let them know “This caller does not accept calls from blocked numbers, please unblock your number and try again,” and then it will hang up on them before they can leave a message.

This system has “smart greetings” which address your caller by name like this “Hello John, Mauricio isn’t available right now. Please leave a message.”

You can even make personal greetings for each and every contact in your phone book!!!

Have an annoying ex? You can select/make a greeting saying “This number is no longer in service” so they think you changed it!

YouMail also has premium greetings done by celebrity impersonators…some are really funny!

The premium greetings start off at $2 a month for any one greeting set to any contact. For more info on the other plans visit the website.

YouMail also walks you through EVERYTHING you have to do and know when it comes to setting up your phone with this new voice mail service with tutorials and pictures. Its really user friendly.

Get SMS or email notice of new voice mails with the info and phone number of the person that called!

You can easily change back to your normal voice mail if you don’t like it, they even help with that too!

Don’t forget…FREE OF CHARGE SERVICE!

Once again…definitely a 10/10 for me and I highly recommend it to everyone.

• Download/Info: YouMail Visual Voicemail Plus
• Mobile site: m.youmail.com
• More info: Youmail.com

Funny YouMail Videos:

Introduction
“Greetings”
“Ditchmail”
“Yadda Yadda”

YouMail FAQ:

How does YouMail work?
Is YouMail really free?
Is YouMail easy to use?
Why should I switch to YouMail?
YouMail can’t be this great!
Can I get messages by phone?
Anything else I should know?
What’s DitchMail?
What if I don’t like YouMail?