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The $500 Desktop Clock App for BlackBerry that I was dumb enough to buy...

By Kevin Michaluk on 13 Jan 2012 01:53 pm
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Everybody knows money goes fast in Vegas. Between the gambling, food, shopping, shows, clubs and more, Vegas will happily take whatever money you have and send you home with empty pockets. But with $500 in your pocket, you can still have a pretty good time in Vegas... or you can be dumb like me and blow that same money with the click of a trackpad by buying a $500 BlackBerry app. And for $500 you'd think this app might come with a happy ending, but trust me, it does not.

When the Crack Team goes to shows like CES, beyond blogging one of Adam's duties is to act as my official handler, making sure I stay on task and don't do anything too stupid (I get easily excited and distracted when there are so many people and so much tech excitement in one place). Unfortunately for CES 2012 this week, Adam flew home a day before me, which inevitably turned into me doing something stupid. So I blame Adam for this purchase.

Enter the Cesar HQ Limited Edition Desktop Clock App by St. Berlin. I'll save the back story of how I decided I needed to buy the app for our next CrackBerry Podcast (for now let's just say I was triple dog dared into it), but buy it I did. And you know what they say, What happens in Vegas ends up on Youtube, so check out the video above to see this Limited Edition desktop clock app get purchased and installed onto my BlackBerry Bold 9900. While at the time of purchase I thought this was the most expensive app in App World, turns out there are quite a few overpriced clock apps in there. And while I'm pretty sure I'm the only person in the world to have bought the Cesar HQ app, looking at the other clock apps I discovered one review by another person on another $600 clock app, so it looks like there is at least one other sucker out there.

So check out the video above and feel free to make fun of my stupidity in the comments. I fully deserve it. In the meantime, I'm going to brush up on my BlackBerry development skills. If there's going to be a bunch of overpriced clock apps in BlackBerry App World, we might as well get some in there made by me :)

Check out the $500 Cesar HQ Desktop Clock App in App World
See More Ridiculously Overpriced Clock Apps in App World 

Topics: CES2012 News & Rumors BlackBerry Apps

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Kevin Michaluk Kevin Michaluk 3681 (articles) 3021 (forum posts)
116 comments

kingbernie06511

gosh I hate the black hourglass when installing apps or when CPU is having a hard time.

its so win95-ish. main reason why i dont have a BB7 device.

ignites

kevin i triple dog dare you give me $1000! or i'll make an app thats called 'licensed to be rich' and sell it to u for 999.99 on app world? :P deal?

Shao128

I think this reverses all the good Adam did in inventing the Kickstand.

Adam Zeis

Pretty sure it kills all the good I've done, period.

feldmen01

At least he didn't buy the $599.99 ROYAL HQ desktop clock... that would have been stupid!

voltaire

As PT Barnum said "There's a sucker born every minute".

Wmorrison01

and with a $500 clock...you can watch the minutes and suckers go by in style. 8)

Maiev

Wow lolz... I actually looked up the review while watching this haha...

500 bucks for an app... damn rofl

Kevin Michaluk

Q: Hey Kevin, What time is it??

A: It's 500 O Clock!

Seriously, I bet that developer was doing the Happy Dance when he saw the sale come through yesterday. Need to interview this St. Berlin guy now and see what he did with the money. Hopefully he's giving it to a good cause, or at least buying RIMM shares with it so he has more votes to get me on the Board :)

nofixedpath

A beautiful display of why America is bankrupt and in pointless dept.
Made my day thanks.

Wisdom Like Silence

1canuck2

1. Kevin is a Canadian
2. I think you mean "debt", unless there is a Pointless Department in the good ole US of A (which wouldn't surprise me).

mssca

Actually I agree with you. American economy driven by capitalist terrorists are out for money and making money is what matter. CEOs will kill their own mothers if the company gain on their profit margin. Services will be over charged to earn money too!

scottae316

Well, there is a genius comment, NOT!!!

slagman5

I'm part of the 100%! :-D

olblueyez

The clock is cool, not, and I appreciate you taking one for the team.

Next time, find a homeless person and hand that person 5 Benji's.

yenyob

I like that instead of giving it to a homeless person he gave it to someone that used their talent to create something, even though it's very overpriced. But what isn't?

slagman5

Woot, $500 worth of drugs! All week party for that bum!

fernando629

Kevin, I triple dog dare you to send me an unlocked BB9900

Thanks!

bladerunner6821

i don't get it. i went to the app store to see the rest of these over priced app's that are all clocks btw and i just DON'T GET IT. why the hell are these apps so expensive? it's just a clock which is already pre-installed on every BB.

slagman5

Because unlike other apps, they don't need to sell a bunch of them, they just need to sell to one idiot and they've made tons of profit...

Navidb

Looks good. I'd buy it for $1.99 :)!

galleon

Quite honestly, I wouldn't even download it if is was free. Must be nice to have that much money to throw around. The more money you have, the more expensive your mistakes are.

ehard24

Baaaaahahahhaaahaha! I would too!

edwinsberry

Kevin, loved the bit but have to ask, was there any drinking involved? Didn't look like it but if not maybe there should have been. I've enjoyed living at the CES vicariously. Thanks for the chuckle.

MB_JohnPeters

NOT even the most expensive app........or CLOCK. There's $599.99 clock apps listed in app world as well.

lengend

I would of donated that money to a charity or like you said yourself Kevin, buy RIMM shares?

always3rd

I see Crackberry is doing very well for you indeed!! So.....how bout spreading the wealth daddy warbucks?? lol

bgriff25

Wow! I'm speechless.....triple dog dare?........Really?

curvezzz

There is a $599.99 clock app in AW :-/

dphillippi

Your review posted - good way to point bb user to crackberry if not already addicted.

blueyestm

can I haz your white 9900? :)

smartbuddy

Looks like lot of money to put into trash for an App that costs almost that of a new phone...

I thought Kevin the smartest person @Crackberry but...this is craziness...

waker

oh kevin come over to android central ffs. :/

Smiley88

YOU IDIOT!!! Hehe... If you read the reviews the same developer buys his own app and adds a 5 star review.

There is no way in HELL anybody would buy a $500 app especially a stupid clock app. The only person is you. I hope your boss will cover your daring.

The developer must be laughing all the way to the bank.

Alphax45

RIM should be ashamed that this is in app world.

willtothewong

Just read the review on App World while Kevin was typing it. Kind of cool and weird at the same time hehe

vx1

aaaaaaaahahhaha ROFL kevin you a wild boy :)

XPEH

I'm getting one for sure.

JAGWIRE

your the only comment on this APP CBK way to go LOL

AidenSurvival

Why would you waste that much money on an app like that?!

Jesus, Kevin!

diego.roscetti

Hey Kevin,

You need to update your BBM. 6.1 is awesome and worth the upgrade!!!

rinkashimi

i could get 500 apps or more

bldshd

If ya lookin to buy somethin really cool. I can sell you the Brooklyn bridge in NYC! Good price too.

bldshd

I quadruple dog dare you, CrackBerry Kevin to get me a white bold 9900/9930. Better not chicken out

naturalblue

i can't believe you just blew $500 like that!

mhart343

hey kevin, I need a loan for a house....you could have brought another member of crackberry.com to ces for that price lol

PeteIN

Kevin, I hope you have an expense account for silliness like this. Or you get a bonus for page views for doing dumb things. Or at least a tax deduction.

Oh, and update your (free) apps already!

editionfws

Everyone is calling you stupid, I'm glad you did it. I think its cool that you had it in you to download it!
But you better ALWAYS have that app on. And it better be transferable to your new porche phone!

So when I was watching the video-on my torch-when you were downloading it, the screen dimmed like they do after a little bit. I tapped MY screen to make it come back on haha. Just a habit! I can't be the only one who did that!

BBPandy

depends on if it's BBX compatible lol

editionfws

And I have to add a stupid comment like everyone else...
Hey kevin, I have ocean front property in arizona if your interested! I can make you a good deal!

grapenuts

Holy Cow! The true definition of "tech geek"...buys a useless $500 app on a triple dare...from a GIRL!!! Hahaha. I swear I just watched the shortest episode of "The Big Bang Theory". I think you were supposed to gift HER the app...BAZINGA!!!!

bbdodgersdude

Next week this will be on the tonight show, Conan, late shows. Free PR for crackberry.com lol

sirk25

Way to go Kevin! You aren't the #1 BB fanboy for nothing! I'm proud of you. What a great way to BeBold. LoL.

decypher44

Been complaining about these for months now.

Many of them are by Ali Koc and his brother (I believe). If you buy, then you're a sucker. Rather, a KOC-SUCKER!

emacf1

next time you want to waste some money - just pay me the hotel for DevCon Europe Kevin! - Cheers Matthias

RocPlayr

For the same $500 dollars you could have gifted 100 PlayBook owners with an Angry Birds game.

undone

Next time just paypal me the 500 beans (USD please). I have a bridge to sell...cheeeaaappp

9of13

Oh fearless leader,
really?
really.
if you ever come here to NYC, a got a bridge to sell you for less than that clock.

JJisGoofy

The messed up thing is that there is 6 of these insane clock apps!

ilikebacon

I've always wondered about these stupid overpriced clock apps. I think it seriously epic that you took one for the team and actually bought one. Nice!!! Bravo!!!
No nonsense like this when you are on the board though. :)

blackhawksfan75

FYI I checked out the Android Market and the most expensive HQ clock from the same developer was $13.00.

xKristenElyse

Total fail...but must be nice to be able to throw away $500

green_ember

Sounds to me like a good way to launder money. Make an overpriced BS app and have people purchase it in a legit storefront while exchanging the real goods or services elsewhere. So Kevin, what did you REALLY just buy?

jeffreyhamby

Campari... is that what you kids are calling it these days?

TexasJeff

NFLPLAYBOOK

I think you need a leason in self discipline. Lol. So to learn your lesson you should sign the back of your white 9900 and give it away to one lucky winner.

esqlaw

I triple dog dare you to send me $500 and I'll send you a high def picture of a clock

goku_vegeta

That review got approved :D I was just reading using App World on my BlackBerry :D

simonfa

I always assumed that these over priced clock apps were a money laundering scam.

jacknewp

A $500 clock app???? The damn thing better have rotating live Vegas showgirls appear when the alarm goes off to passionately wake me in the morning.......heehee.......

jebulls

All I got out of the video was the entire time I wondered why kevin doesn't use the touchscreen! When I had a 9930 I barely ever used the track pad!!!!

BGK

Kevin is a Millionaire ..... Maybe ?

crua9

http://techreviewsandhelp.com/2012/01/13/crackberry-kevin-buys-a-500-bla...

I triple dog dare everyone to give me $200

dopalicious

I thought $500 mistakes in Vegas involved strippers and blow?

bitek

do you get actual physical hand watch with this perhaps ? I can see why they would have these apps 'cause many celebrities own bb and to them $500 is like 99c to us

oldtimeBBaddict

So you want the Porsche BB to load this on? Seems perfect to me. An overpriced app on an overpriced and (FUGLY) phone. LOL

Darlaten

I gues my perspective is coloured by the type of work I do. But to be honest, I find the fact that a $500.00 app was purchased because of a "dare" to be incredibly offensive, absurd, and with all due respect to Kevin and Crackberry at large, downright stupid.

To put it in perspective, you just spent enough to feed, easily, a family of 15 - 20 people for one month in Indonesia. The money could have purchased 80 blankets in Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, and Seattle. It could have supplied an entire day of soup delivery to the poor, infirmed, disabled, and otherwise mentally challenged in the City of Victoria.

I get that it's your money and, of course, you can do with it what you want. I'm certainly not saying that you should have given it to charity. But what I find offensive is that Crackberry actually had the gull to post this as a "news article" on the front page of this website without, I suspect, giving any thought as to the optics of what this would look like - and that is what I truly find repugnant.

KRol

Why don't we count all the useless inexpensive stuff you buy throughout a year? Its definitely gonna be above $500

I really don't think its the best way to see it... anything could look bad if you use this comparison.

When you have $500 do you send it to Indonesia? I doubt it. You probably use it to buy something that is useful to you... but useful to you is relative and probably a luxury compared to food for 15-20 people.

But Crackberry is a blog, which means we will see opinionated articles... There are always gonna be subjects to disagree on.

jfs101

Kevin, you could had sponsored a couple of save the world children for a whole year instead of pulling of a moronic stunt like that! Triple dog dare my a$$! That is on par with David Hasselholff eating that burguer from the floor!!!

jpencarnacion

just check app world after watching this...and unfortunately...its now $375

takeo

@Kevin

good job! Do you remember the 999$ App for iPhone that doesn't do anything but showing a jewel? It even got sold some times ;)

and btw the reviewer for most of those watches is either really rich or hired: "dedyp79" is his username ... maybe he didn't actually notice its not cents but dollars?...

crackbb178

Can anyone know where I get wallpaper on kevin's bold 9900 ? Plz tks

ljfong

People have done "dares" for far far sillier things...As long as you are using your own money and it doesn't hurt anyone else, who cares...it's all for the fun of it. Way to go :)

wiggy1

Another illustration of the old adage, "a fool and his money are soon parted."

bbdodgersdude

I would like to win one. Come on Kevin give 25 away to people who comment here. lol

the_sleuth

Kevin is allowing Vegas' allure of frivolous spending environment get the better of him. Shame on you Kevin. You're smarter than this stunt. Donate $500 to a Winnipeg shelter next time!

pgerhard

it's cheaper now, it says 375 dollars from app world

bluesjr01

I am at a loss for words.

mughni

USD 500 on a stupid watch :-p this guy is lame.

b3548840

well, I always thought this guy an idiot but this time...
at least the US economy is not in recession anymore!

Wolfroid

You are definitely the king of all CrackHeads! Wow
Silly move but all in the name of reviewing...;);)

ViralTrojan

It's now a $375.00 app... oh well ....

FlightsimGuy

I guess now we know how the delevoper gets the capital to make these overpriced clock apps. It onlu takes one. . . Seriously, Kevin, that's two ans a half Playbooks at Chistamas! When you were being dared, all you had to do was say, "Nah, I don't need it.", and show off the nice watch that your friend gave you for Christmas! Lesson learned, I hope.

stitch69

wtf?? i shud double dare you to send me something :p haha

deswayze

Kevin, as a fellow watch nut, my advice is next time put the $500 towards some hardware, not software. Nonetheless, I enjoyed the video. I was a little surprised you actually went through with it so I hope you really grow to love that clock.

Alex_Hong

if kevin can spend that kind of money on a clock app, why wouldn't he just buy the porsche design p'9981 himself??? it only X4 of the price of the app.

SEAWARRIOR

$20.83/HR FOR A 24 HR CLOCK,,, GOOD MOVE EINSTIEN...

THE GUY YOUR MOTHER WARNED YOU ABOUT

msrb21

its now $375 in AppWorld!! I hate those St. Berlin apps. MAKES NO SENSE to pay those apps that they make

emjunkie

I think kevin tried to impress the girl thats all nice way to do it.. -_-

SFWriter

Now how long before your battery runs into the red with this 'app' running in the background?
For shame.... what were you thinking?!?!?!?
William DeSouza
www.williamdesouza.ca

im_piejot

kind of sad that i'm actually a blackberrian.. :-(

scottybonus7

So I get a Torch stolen 6 months after upgrading and I'm stuck with my old 8330 curve because a new phone is too much and you drop $500 on a clock app. Very discouraged with Crackberry right now!

CrackBerryDoctor

Or you can buy the clocks for 3 euros if you have an Android device.... http://www.androidzoom.com/android_developer/saintberlin_bfyzh.html

530XI

Some people might think you have more money than brains.