We may earn a commission for purchases using our links. Learn more.
Howdy CrackBerry nation! Another week has flown by and it sure has been a busy one on the blogs. If you haven't already, be sure to enter to win some back-to-school accessories from ShopCrackBerry in the form of a $50 gift certificate. Nothing wrong with gearing up for the new year and that is the perfect way to get you started. Also this week it was announced that BlackBerry and 7digital came to terms on a new music arrangement for their users. Last, but certainly not least, the Mobile Nations Community Update for August was posted and I just have to give a congratulatory shout-out to our own pkcable as being volunteer of the month! As Mod Team Leader and Ambassador extraordinaire he gives his all each and every day to help everyone.
Now it is time to bring you this week's picks for all your passionate BlackBerry addicts out there. You can find each app and game by clicking through the gallery below. If your favorite did not make the cut this week, remember you can help by offering your suggestions at the end.
Cam for Retrica by Radek Busa
Retrica is a popular selfie application currently available on Android and iOS. However, that hasn't stopped a talented BlackBerry developer from creating his own native version for BlackBerry 10. While it currently supports only the Z10, Z30, Z3 (keyboard coming soon) it offers 40 unique filters, 16 stylish frames, customizable self-timer, swap between front and back camera, quick pick filter choice, multiple output resolutions, and the ability to mute the shutter and self-timer sound signals. The application is quite simple easy to navigate due to the flat design interface. For trying to replicate that experience on BlackBerry I think the developer has done a great job. Though not as feature rich as other photo editing apps, meaning I would like to see more borders, frames, and effects, it does have potential. Cam for Retrica is $1.99 and compatible with the devices listed above.
More information/Purchase Cam for Retrica
Moon Music Player Pro by BK Soft
As someone who listens to music constantly, I tend to be quite picky when to how an audio file sounds on playback. On legacy devices I used to adjust the equalizer so as to have a better experience. Recently, this android port made its way into BlackBerry World. It is a feature rich music and video player that does more than act as an equalizer for your library. The list is too long to discuss here but the most important ones include changing the interface of the player by installing one of the 20+ Skins included, automatically downloading missing album artwork, download, search and save lyrics to your music files using ID3 tags, and a 10 band graphic equalizer with 15 default/customizable presets, pre-amp control, bass boost control, and stereo widening control, left-right volume control. There is also the option of having smart playlists and a shake it feature to play the next/previous song. Audiophiles will enjoy the options available in this application for $.99.
More information/Purchase Moon Music Player
Stopwatch by DevPDA.net
Before you comment that there is already a Stopwatch feature in the Clock application, be sure to take a look at this app first. The one included on BlackBerry 10 allows you to start/stop and add a new lap. With this application, however, you have the ability to create multiple stopwatches and identify each one with different colors. It also offers lap statistics, editable lap with recalculating total time, export to email (simple text), and active frame support with battery status and active stopwatch. Those of you who would like additional functionality when recording their times will certainly appreciate the features supported here. For keyboard devices, stopwatch also supports keyboard shortcuts. Available for all BlackBerry 10 handhelds you can purchase this application for $1.99. As this is an initial release if you experience any bugs or issues please contact the developer. They also plan on including additional functions in future versions.
More information/Purchase Stopwatch
Word Snake by Swiss Codemonkeys
As a child my parents would always buy me a book of word search puzzles varying in complexity. For hours I would try to discover all of the hidden words that appeared horizontally, vertically, diagonally, or backwards. Going through the Amazon store this week I came upon World Snake which is very similar though the letters twist in the form of a snake as it were to form the words. There are several categories or themes with which to choose from and each are comprised of over 20 puzzles. In addition to selecting the level of difficulty (i.e. Easy, Medium, and Hard), there is a quick mode where puzzles are randomly generated, and an adventure mode of puzzles with increasing difficulty. Swiping across the screen to select the appropriate letters is easy to work on my Z30 and Q10 and there were no issues that I experienced to speak of. The game is free to download and, though it comes with advertisements, is quite fun to pass the time with.
How to install Android apps from the Amazon Appstore
Companion (with NFC) by Tony Cresswell
For those of you who were interested in the features Smart Watch companion offered BlackBerry 10 users but didn't own a Pebble, the developer has optimized the application to work as a standalone application via the Hub. All of the functionality is there including being a headless application. Companion offers an authenticator code generator for Last Pass and Google, stock/bitcoin/litecoin quotes, weather reports, London UnderGround Tube alerts, Plex Media System Remote Control, location tool, NFC triggers, Minecraft chat and server admin utilities, customizable alarms, and geolocational based reminders. As it has earned the Built for BlackBerry designation you know it is a solid application. You can find it for $2.99 in BlackBerry World.
More information/Purchase Companion (with NFC)
What You Might Have Missed
Tresorit by Tresorit
For those seeking an alternative to Dropbox and Box that offers more security, the encrypted cloud storage service Tresorit released their BlackBerry application this past week. As an Android port, it does not integrate into the OS as the other available cloud sharing apps. However, unlike those other services, Tresorit keeps your data encrypted in the cloud to ensure privacy and security with your confidential information. The application is free to download and they offer 5GB free for signing up.
More information/Download Tresorit
Until next week...
That's it for this week folks. For more apps and games be sure to head on over to the CrackBerry Forums where you will find even more hidden gems to choose from whether it be for BlackBerry 10, BBOS or the BlackBerry PlayBook. Of course, you can always find the latest and greatest top editor's picks in the CrackBerry App Gallery. Are there any apps or games you would like to see? Feel free to leave your suggestions in the comments.
Read more
BlackBerry App Roundup for 3/18/16
A weekly look at new, exciting, and cool apps to try. If your favorite did not make the cut this week, remember you can help by offering your suggestions at the end.
BlackBerry App Roundup for 3/11/16
A weekly look at new, exciting, and cool apps to try. If your favorite did not make the cut this week, remember you can help by offering your suggestions at the end.
BlackBerry App Roundup for 3/4/16
A weekly look at new, exciting, and cool apps to try. If your favorite did not make the cut this week, remember you can help by offering your suggestions at the end.
BlackBerry App Roundup for 2/26/16
A weekly look at new, exciting, and cool apps to try. If your favorite did not make the cut this week, remember you can help by offering your suggestions at the end.