BlackBerry Apps that make you go Hmmmm
Posted in BlackBerry Apps on 23 Nov 2009 01:58 by Ryan Blundell | 2 comments

Yes, the title almost sounds like a song by C & C Music Factory. I had to put a twist on the title though, as this is about applications that you wouldn’t think were out there. If I could have borrowed another quote, I would have said “There’s an app for that? Are you freaking kidding me?!†Check out BlackBerry App World, CrackBerry App Store and others and you will find the most obscure applications. For some, I could see them as being handy or for a good laugh. Others were simply too odd, too annoying, or just too ridiculous. There’s a lot more out there that I thought there would be. I put together a list of those that had caught my eye; some good, some not so good. Take a look and see if there are others you would add.

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Review: Urbanspoon for BlackBerry Smartphones
Posted in Software Reviews on 17 Nov 2009 08:40 by Ryan Blundell | 31 comments

Where I used to live, the choices for dining were slim. It’s not always a bad thing; every Monday night was wing night at our favourite hang out. Since I moved to the West Coast, there’s almost too many to choose from!  Part of me wants to stick to familiar places, another part says to venture out and see what else is out there, still another part says to stop going out so much and save the money for a new BlackBerry. After trying to figure out what everyone feels like having to eat, there’s still the decision between the usual place or a new one. At this point, someone may get fed up and decide to order a pizza. Before you surrender to the salivating scent of pepperoni and cheese, grab a spoon…Urbanspoon that is.

At the BlackBerry Developer Conference 2009, Kevin gave us the heads up on Urbanspoon. The application helps you decide where to dine, based on the neighbourhood, cuisine and your budget. We’ve seen it in commercials featuring the †SighPhoneâ€, but now we users and abusers have the opportunity to search for places to stuff our faces. Grab a napkin and read on!

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Entertaining with your BlackBerry Smartphone
Posted in BlackBerry Apps on 13 Nov 2009 11:36 by Ryan Blundell | 9 comments

Is there such thing as a bad excuse for a party? Birthday, Anniversary, a new BlackBerry Smartphone launched; these are all good reasons to throw a shindig. Though get togethers happen all year ‘round, it seems as though they are bigger and more elaborate around this particular time. Though they are an absolutely fantastic source of fun, family and friends, they can add stress to the slowly increasing hustle and bustle.

Your BlackBerry is to the rescue and it’s bringing a legion of applications to support you. Spend less time stressing and more time creating a party that will be talked about for years to come. Have a look at the list of applications after the jump and see if they will help you sharpen your planning prowess.

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Updated: ShortcutMe for BlackBerry Smartphones; Contest: Win a Free Copy
Posted in Contests on 12 Nov 2009 11:12 by Ryan Blundell | 528 comments


Someone’s in a giving mood! Sam from Fonware contacted me to let me know that their ShortcutMe application has been updated. To recap, ShortcutMe is an application that allows you to create multiple shortcuts on each convenience key. So click once for one app, click twice for another, click three times…you get the idea. If you want more info you can check out our full ShortCutMe Review here. Here’s what you can find in version 3.6.8.1:

  • Support for Storm 2, Bold 9700 and generally OS 5.0
  • New Bluetooth toggling feature that is faster and doesn’t require parameter settings
  • Toggle Bedside Mode using shortcuts. Set "BedsideModeToggle" to one of your multiple click shortcuts (i.e. click left conv. key 3 times before you sleep to save battery and stop messages from waking you up. Click conv. key 3 times again when you wake up), or set it as one of your main shortcuts (launch by for example clicking conv key + T B)
  • Toggle application using shortcuts. Set "ApplicationToggle" to one of your multiple click shortcuts (i..e. double click left conv key to toggle between last 2 apps you have been using), or set it as one of your main shortcuts
  • Faster response time

CONTEST: We have 10 free copies as well as 40 50% off copies to give away. To enter, please leave a comment on this post. Contest ends this Sunday at Midnight PST. Please only leave one comment - multiple submissions won't count.

ShortCutMe sells for $4.99. You can learn more about ShortCutMe and purchase it here.

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Review: Woomby for BlackBerry
Posted in Software Reviews on 10 Nov 2009 04:57 by Ryan Blundell | 17 comments

woomby

Babies and BlackBerrys: two of the most precious things in the world. We joke about our addiction to our BlackBerrys; I can admit that changing batteries is far less hazardous than changing diapers. Hopefully we all know what is truly important (for those still contemplating, the answer is children). If you think about it, there are a few similarities between babies and BlackBerrys. Both are carried with caution, both are adorned with accessories, both draw attention and both consistently amaze you in new ways. If something doesn’t agree with them, you do everything in your power to console them. But what if you could use one to help the other?

 

I’m not talking about having your baby fix your BlackBerry. You’ll probably just end up with physical and drool/liquid damage. I’m talking about an application called Woomby. Your BlackBerry is turned into the ultimate baby buddy. From entertaining music and videos to soothing lights, your bundle of joy will get some much needed TLC from your BlackBerry. So instead of vying for your attention, you’ll be vying to capture the attention of both your baby and your BlackBerry. We cannot be held responsible for the impending “Mine! Mine!†argument you will have. Read on for more.

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ActionPad for BlackBerry
Posted in Software Reviews on 03 Nov 2009 09:57 by Ryan Blundell | 17 comments

actionpad

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to rely on my BlackBerrys memo pad application. Well maybe I could, but that’s beside the point. It’s always there to help you jot quick, yet important, information down and offers easy accessibility. It sure beats scrounging for scraps of paper, or even an actual memo pad to write on. I also pity the person who has to decipher my handwriting (I’m sure my signature has been mistaken for a prescription on many occasions). Despite it’s usefulness for capturing info on the go, its functionality is somewhat limited. As much as we love our BlackBerrys, we may find ourselves saying “Wouldn’t it be great if *insert application name* could do…†at times.

ActionPad is a beefier, meatier version of your native MemoPad. In other words, it serves up the functionality of MemoPad, with a side dish of features. These features include: hot keys, categories, desktop synchronization and memo encryption. Let’s see you do that with a pad of yellow sticky paper. Read on for more.

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Business Trip or Backpacking, Bring your BlackBerry
Posted in BlackBerry Apps on 30 Oct 2009 10:11 by Ryan Blundell | 22 comments

After writing the review for GPSed, I had the urge to go on another trip. During the summer, we took an amazing family trip to Gibsons, British Columbia. I did promise not to touch my BlackBerry during that week, and I did surprisingly well (I only twitched a little). A promise is a promise, but I didn’t even think to argue its usefulness; even on vacation! It only makes sense to do anything possible to make your trip (business or personal) productive, stress-free and exciting…or relaxing. The last thing you want to do is become stressed with planning your vacation and even more stressed during it.

So, without jumping off the travel train, I’ve compiled a list of applications you may want to look at before your next trip. Have to check your flight? Need to choose a hotel?
Where are you going to eat? How do I say this? With so many applications available to you, it’s hard to decide which ones you actually need. I’m pretty sure you don’t want to juggle through applications that aren’t required, and miss enjoying your trip. Before you pack your bags, pack your BlackBerry with much needed travel apps!

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GPSed: Map your impressions
Posted in Software Reviews on 27 Oct 2009 14:16 by Ryan Blundell | 11 comments

GPSed

Oh look, another postcard. It’s a cheesy, yet thoughtful way to share your global adventure with your friends or family. I don’t see them that often anymore, but they are fun to receive, aren’t they? There’s always a friend or relative out there, exploring the globe and discovering new places. These postcards are a window into their world, but they don’t truly capture it. The picture rarely gives a personal vision of their adventure. It’s one thing to read their stories and imagine. It’s another thing to see it. Perhaps you want to follow in their foot steps. Perhaps you want to strike out on your own voyage. Whether it be across the ocean or across town, why not blaze a trail for everyone to see?

Though it’s been out for a while, I turned to GPSed to mark my path. GPSed helps you record and archive your potentially world spanning treks with your BlackBerry smartphone. Along the way, you can capture and share images you’ve taken to enhance your tales of travel (I told you the fish was that big!). You’ll spend less time picking and filling out postcards and more time making tracks. Is GPSed your next travel companion? Read on to decide.

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Berry on Board. Helpful BlackBerry Apps for Parents.
Posted in BlackBerry Apps on 23 Oct 2009 08:13 by Ryan Blundell | 14 comments

Though my wife and I have only been in the game for just over two and a half years, parenting is a wonderful, amazing (sometimes stressful) time. He’s had plenty of milestones already; he can differentiate a cellphone from a BlackBerry and can even tell you some of the BlackBerry models. Okay, okay so there are obviously more important milestones that have been reached, but the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree (or is it BlackBerry doesn’t fall far from the bush?). They say that BlackBerry is a lifestyle. So since you can incorporate your BlackBerry into everything that you do, why not incorporate applications too?

I’m not saying to use it to look up a baby sitter. There are quite a few applications out there that may help you boost your already powerful parenting prowess. How many times have you quickly scribbled down the dates your child said his or her first words or took their first walk? How often do you try to get your child interested in studying? How frequently do you juggle children with a shopping cart and a missing grocery list? If they haven’t bugged you for a snack, or got into anything yet, why not take a few minutes to check out some useful apps?

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buzzd, a social city guide on your BlackBerry
Posted in Software Reviews on 21 Oct 2009 14:24 by Ryan Blundell | 13 comments

buzzd

Ah, Friday night…okay so it’s not actually Friday night, but work with me. You’ve had a tiring week, you’ve put in long hours and your diligence has paid off. You leave work quickly before you’re dragged back in. The city is hustling and bustling with newly freed life, desperate to get home. You finally flop on your couch and put your feet up, when your BlackBerry rings. Your best friend is calling, wanting to shake off the week with you; they ask the all important question you’ve been waiting to hear: “What do you want to do?†The elation from your face quickly disappears, as your puzzled sounding response is delivered.

“I dunno, what do you want to do?â€

It’s funny that, with all of the numerous bars, restaurants and other events happening around you, you seem to draw a blank. In the midst of the erupting city life, you wonder if you actually do have a life. As buzzd promises to be your social city guide, I thought it was worth a look at. If your new in town, newly on the scene or just looking for something new to do, check out the buzzd mobile app. Your City. Real Time.

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ScanLife: the 2D Barcode Reader
Posted in Software Reviews on 13 Oct 2009 10:22 by Ryan Blundell | 28 comments

ScanLife

On October 7th, 1952, the first patent for a “Classifying Apparatus and Method†was issued. This eventually developed into the barcodes we know today. I mostly associated barcodes with the UPC barcodes found typically on price tags. I never thought too much about what was beyond those boops and beeps. I was surprised to learn the large number of Linear and 2D barcodes that are used for various reasons. Beyond sales, inventory tracking and shipping/receiving, you can utilize codes to encode URLs, characters, images, emails and more.

A few weeks ago, while reading the Metro News (yes I still read actual newspapers), I came across the 2D barcode called EZcode, found within one of their sections. The EZcode links readers to their mobile site and updated editorials. This review isn’t about them, it’s about the free barcode reader I picked up from the BlackBerry App World. It’s about ScanLife. This application is able to read an EZcode, QR Code and Datamatrix / Semacode. ScanLife may not be the life you want to live, so have a read and see if it’s for you.

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DUB, your mobile business card (for BlackBerry)
Posted in Software Reviews on 06 Oct 2009 12:39 by Ryan Blundell | 38 comments

It may be an exaggeration, but sometimes it feels like my wallet won’t stay folded. It’s not only because of membership, credit and debit cards; it’s all of the business cards I seem to accumulate. I’m not sure how they all get there. Maybe it’s a case of the right hand not knowing what the left hand is doing. In this case, the hand is nabbing every card in sight. I also know that I’ve lost access to some extremely important contacts, all because of a misplaced card. Besides your wallet, your corkboard or cubicle wall could contain enough business cards to make it look like a shingled roof. A cleaner, greener approach is to use your address book (duh!), but this can be time consuming. For some, vCards could also be an issue. “Here’s your card?†Here’s MY card, compliments of DUB.

By using DUB, you can easily send and receive detailed contact information right from your BlackBerry smartphone. Your risk of outdated contact information is greatly reduced thanks to DUB’s ability to automatically maintain an up to date contact list. So, leave your George Constanza sized wallet at the door and check out DUB.

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Review: Plantronics Discovery 975 Bluetooth Headset
Posted in Bluetooth Headsets on 01 Oct 2009 09:26 by Ryan Blundell | 1686 comments

You could win a Plantronics Discovery 975 BT Headset. Details @ end of this post!

More and more, we hear about talking on cellphones (and smartphones) while driving becoming a big no no. I have to say that I agree with that decision. I’ve had more than enough near misses that I would have liked to experience. Mostly because someone is on their phone, rather than having two hands on the wheel. There are obviously two decisions to consider; don’t use your cellphone/smartphone or use a headset. There are more Bluetooth headsets around than you can shake a smartphone at. Some look sleek and elegant, but have poor audio quality, while others look clunky, but sound great. A few lucky headsets benefit from the best of both worlds. I’ve had my fair share of Bluetooth headsets over the years. Perhaps I’m being picky, but a small part of me always wonders if there is a better sounding device out there. I want crisp clean sound! I want an ear drum delicacy! I want power and pizzazz without being pretentious!

Ingeniously Simple. That’s what Plantronics is calling their new Discovery 975 Bluetooth Headset. Within its elegantly minimal design, sound is mastered using Audio IQ and WindSmart Technologies. Like the sound of it so far?

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LaterDude Pro updated once again! Hello, version 2.2.51
Posted in BlackBerry Apps on 30 Sep 2009 13:26 by Ryan Blundell | 10 comments

LaterDude Pro

I think somebody needs a hobby. Just as I was getting used to the last update of LaterDude Pro, I get an email from Fabian. He let me know that he’s added a doozie of an update to this callback reminder solution. The LaterDude Pro name has been seen in the blogs in recent months; in both a review and in update notifications. I’ve said before, that LaterDude Pro enables you to create reminders to Email, call or send a text message to contacts that are important to you. These reminders are found in the BlackBerry Calendar or Task application. Check out what Fabian has added:

Update to version 2.2.51?

  • English, Dutch, German, Italian, Spanish, Romanian and French Translation
  • Option if the Menu should be displayed in the whole system or only in the specific apps
  • Free Trial available
  • Select if you want to save the new event as Calendar, Task or be prompted
  • Option to set as what you want to preselect the new entry (Call, Contact, Meet, SMS or eMail)
  • Time and Date can be set from the pre-set buttons and also manually
  • Free upgrade for previous users
  • Many bugs fixed

He’s also added an icon (yay) for easier access to the options menu. For previous users, this is a warm welcome. If these updates aren’t reason enough for you to buy, how about a 50% discount?! Until October 1st, pick up LaterDude Pro for only $1.47 (for the math wiz in you, that’s actually 50.17% off).

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BugMe! for BlackBerry
Posted in Software Reviews on 29 Sep 2009 13:06 by Ryan Blundell | 26 comments

DulyNoted

Oh precious notepad, what would I ever do without you? Well, I’d probably forget a substantial amount more than I already do. Some people are blessed with a sponge for a brain; they’re able to absorb and retain information quickly and easily. Then there are others like myself, who wish they could wring out those gifted sponges in order to mop up the knowledge and keep it in a bucket for future reference. This method is not only inefficient, but it’s also gruesome. Your BlackBerry smartphone, as you already know, has a note pad and task application under its hood. Keeping this in mind, there are also a number of applications you can download to help keep you on top of important dates, projects or whatever you struggle with. One of these applications you can turn to is BugMe!

BugMe! is part notepad, part task manager, part alarm and part nag. Together, these many parts make up an application that allows you to create reminder notes in a cinch. With BugMe!, you will find that you will be creating note and reminders more quickly and easily. Now instead of making a note to check out the review, why not just read it now?

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