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Themes and Ringtones in BlackBerry App World

A couple of interesting additions popped up in BlackBerry App World this week: categories for Ringtones and BlackBerry 7 themes. While there has always been a theme section, and there have been several themes for BB7 devices found in App World, until now they were not recognized in their own category. Now when you open App World on your BB7 device, you can see the Theme section and presumably find all sorts of free and paid themes for your BlackBerry. Does this mean that we are one step closer to Theme Builder being updated for Blackberry 7 devices? As soon as we know, you'll know.

In the new Ringtone section of BlackBerry App World, you can find hundreds of ringtones in all sorts of genres, brought to App World by a company named Spintones. The majority of the ringtones are $2.99, with a few packs priced a bit higher. At this time, the ringtones are only available in Canada and the United States, but word has it that more countries will have access in the near future. The compatible device list seems to be pretty short, though the minimum OS is listed at 5.0, and there doesn't seem to be a way to preview the ringtone before purchasing. There are also specific rules stating that each ringtone can only be installed on one BlackBerry device, so if you switch devices you have to repurchase the ringtones. Also, you can only re-install the ringtones you purchase up to 2 times within 72 hours of the initial installation on the original device.

While the new ringtone gallery isn't going to interest everyone, I'm sure there is a market for it, and it does seem they have a pretty varied selection of ringtones available. No word on whether you will be able to upload your own ringtones at any time in the future, though I'm guessing it's not going to be an option as there would likely be a lot of legal/copyright issues to deal with at that point. Don't forget, if you're looking for free ringtones, CrackBerry has a huge free ringtone gallery that's just a click away. (If you've never downloaded ringtones from our gallery before, make sure you scroll down the page at the link below and read the instructions.)

Download free ringtones in the CrackBerry Ringtone Gallery

Super Bowl 46

Football fanatics! You know what’s on next weekend- Super Bowl XLVI (that’s 46 for you non-roman numeral reading folk)! By now, you should have made your plans already. Hopefully you’ve made friends with the guy at work with the 65 inch TV at home. Or maybe you’re the one with a big TV who is suddenly popular. It’s a day jam-packed with tailgate parties, unhealthy food eating, crazy commercials and an entertaining half time show. Okay, there’s a hopefully amazing football game in there, as well. Before you plaster on the face paint, set up your BlackBerry smartphone and PlayBook for game day. Regardless if you’re rooting for the New England Patriots or New York Giants, we’ve got you covered. After the jump you can get into the game with quick access to apps, themes and wallpapers.

 

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Let's Rock and Roll This

Want to get in on the fun and show your support for RIM and new CEO Thorsten Heins? Well now you can sport your own "Let's Rock and Roll This!" wallpaper on all your devices! In case you missed it, during his Part 1 of his Interview with Kevin this week, the BlackBerry Chief chimed in with the new unofficial RIM motto, "Let's Rock and Roll This!". A pretty good line if I do say so myself, and it's one that is sure to catch on. It's retro cool, funtastic and motivating all that at the same time. CrackBerry Fanboy Alexander came up with this sweet CB-themed Let's Rock and Roll This wallpaper to share, so check out the links below and grab it for one or all of your BlackBerry devices! Let's Rock and Roll This!! Thanks Alexander (be sure to check out Alex's new site FoodShootr.com!)

Download the "Let's Rock and Roll This" Wallpaper for your device:

1024x1024 (Tablet) | 640x480 (Bold 99xx) | 480x800 (Torch 9850/60) | 480x640 (Torch 9800/10)

Sound Blaster

Prepping my gear for CES today, I dropped a few movies from my Mac onto my BlackBerry PlayBook. Since I've made the mistake in the past, I decided to test them out before hitting the road. Sure enough, two of the videos I had imported had no sound -- thus I embarked on my quest to the CrackBerry forums for an easy solution. If you're having problems with no sound on your PlayBook videos, keep reading and we'll get you squared away in no time!

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BlackBerry Holiday Wallpaper

It's officially December and the holiday season is upon us. It's time (for most) to start their Christmas shopping and prepping for all that holiday goodness. While decorating your house is great, you don't want to forget about your BlackBerry. Personally, I love having holiday themed wallpapers on my device to get me in the Christmas spirit. For that, RIM has created some special Christmas wallpapers to get you started. There are four great ones to choose from (at mobile.blackberry.com), but if you want a bit more, be sure to check out all of the great holiday wallpapers in our Free Wallpaper Gallery. You can also submit your own if you have some special ones you want to share with the CrackBerry nation!

Check out holiday wallpapers in our free wallpaper gallery

Holiday Gift Guide 2011

Ah, the holidays, that joyous time of year where we strive to find the perfect gift for everyone on our list. Sometimes, we moms get forgotten in the hectic shopping rush and end up with last minute gifts like a toaster or a waffle iron. When buying for dear old mom, we forget that she is
more than a housekeeper, taxi service, day care provider, accountant, nurse and counselor. As an extremely busy mother of 3, I rely HEAVILY on my BlackBerry devices on a daily basis for just about everything (seriously, a day without one of my BlackBerry Smartphones is like a day in purgatory for me). I figure there are plenty of other BlackBerry moms like me out there that would absolutely love some cool apps or accessories for their devices this Christmas. Keep reading after the break for some great gift ideas for that wonderful mom in your life.

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CrackBerry Holiday Gift Guide 

Trying to figure out what to get your favorite boss for the Holiday's but having a hard time figuring out what to get for the person who has everything? We have all been there, and while many people tend to spoil themselves in various areas, their cellular needs are often left un-met whether it be due to time restrictions, or just not knowing what is out there. As you know by now we here at CrackBerry love to help you out, so let's hit the break together and take a look at some ideas of what to get your boss for their BlackBerry needs.

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[ youtube link for mobile viewing ]

Remember "Ping Me Baby! (One More Time)" by Riz? That video up there might help jog your memory. The very first sound you hear in the video is an old OS 5 ringtone called Lightspeed. As much as you might like to have it as your very own, Lightspeed and a number of other older BlackBerry ringtones just aren't preloaded on newer OS 6 and OS 7 devices. Good luck trying to find those older ‘tones on the internet; Research In Motion has been pretty diligent in keeping those sound files to themselves.

That's not to say that Lightspeed and the rest are gone forever. Thanks to a tip from CrackBerry reader Shane W, we now have a link to download them directly from BlackBerry App World. Previously, we've seen these sounds available as Over the Air (OTA) download from BlackBerry.com but getting them through App World makes things that much easier.

To me, more ringtones = more awesome. Each and every new message / phone call / Facebook notification can have its own sound on my phone. It takes a little getting used to - and occasionally my BlackBerry sounds like a Las Vegas slot machine - but it means I know exactly what kind of message I received just by listening. Add in a touch of OS 5 nostalgia, and you've got a recipe for greatness.

A quick note: once you've installed them using the App World application, the OS 5 ringtones will show up in your uninstalled applications. Whether that's a glitch or simply the result of installing an "app" that isn't an app, I don't know. Rest assured, Lightspeed and the rest will be in your ringtones folder, just waiting to tell you something new has happened on your BlackBerry.

Download OS 5 Ringtones from BlackBerry App World 

BlackBerry Halloween


Halloween
is right around the corner and we've been showing you some fun things you can do to get your BlackBerry in the spirit. From a photo app to transform your pictures into cool Halloween scenes, to incredible Halloween themes and a fun and spooky soundboard type app for the BlackBerry PlayBook. One of the easiest and probably most popular ways to personalize your BlackBerry is with a ringtone, and CrackBerry has tons of free ones you can choose from, for holidays or any day. Head over to the Ringtone Gallery or the Ringtone Forums at the links below, and head past the break to see a sample of what you can find. Thanks to everyone that contributes to the gallery and the forums!

Find free ringtones in the Ringtone Gallery
Find free ringtones in the CrackBerry forums

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Wallpaper Megaplex

Did you just get a shiny new BlackBerry Bold 9900, or looking to jazz up your current BlackBerry but not quite sure where to start? Check out Wallpaper Megaplex by Value Apps. Packed with 50 high quality wallpapers of all genres, you're sure to find some great new looks for your BlackBerry. No need to hunt around through websites and worry about resizing images, as the work has been done for you.

Wallpaper Megaplex is compatible with BlackBerry 85xx, 89xx, 9000, 93xx, 9630/50, 97xx, 98xx, and 99xx (OS5 and above). For a limited time, you can get Wallpaper Megaplex for just $.99 (reg. $5.99) when you visit the link below from your device and use coupon code CB99WP. (Please note the code only works when purchasing from your BlackBerry.) We also have 30 free copies to give away this weekend, courtesy of Value Apps! If you'd like to enter to win, leave a comment below. Contest ends Sunday at midnight PST. Good Luck!

More information/screenshots and to purchase Wallpaper Megaplex

CrackBerry Baseball Opening Day

The day that we look forward to all year is finally upon us. It's opening day of the Major League Baseball season, and fans all over the place are ready to cheer on their team for eight months. You have your jersey and cap ready to go, but is your BlackBerry ready to be your baseball companion? We've compiled a few of the best apps and media here to make sure you get up and running right for the entire season. Keep reading to check out all the baseball goodies you shouldn't be without!

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BlackBerry OS 5 Ringtones

Last night I was playing around with my Bold 9000 and noticed some ringtones I really missed. I started exploring options to get them installed on my 9780. I was open to just downloading a select few one by one, but I came across a much easier method that actually comes straight from RIM. There is an OTA link for the ringtone file from OS5 that easily installs the tones on your device. Just hit the link and you'll have a fresh set of OS5 ringtones on your OS6 device. The only catch is you'll have to install again should you reload your OS - small price to pay for having a huge bank of tones. To grab them for yourself just hit the link below from your device.

Download OS5 ringtones OTA 

Source: LaBlackBerry

Did you get a new BlackBerry for the holidays?  Not sure just where to start? Not to worry we're here to help.

CrackBerry BlackBerry Christmas Gift

On behalf of the CrackBerry community, we freely admit we're addicted to our BlackBerry smartphones. We stand by our faithful Berry's for what they do best, and simply there is no better way to communicate and keep up-to-date with the world at-large.

Similarly, there is no better resource than CrackBerry.com for new applications, devices, accessories, and how-to guides about our favorite smartphone. Beginning in early 2011, we'll also have loads of information on the all-new BlackBerry PlayBook tablet. It's going to be an exciting year for both you and CrackBerry.com.

You're already familiar with BlackBerry's unsurpassed ability to communicate - Research In Motion mastered mobile email and security a decade ago - but what else can your BlackBerry do for you? We've put together our best app recommendations, how-to guides and all around BlackBerry goodness for your viewing pleasure.

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BlackBerry Christmas

The holidays are officially upon us. The gifts are wrapped (or they should be), the plans have been made and the snow is falling (at least where I live it is). You've decorated your house, busted out the holiday music and tackled the mall, so the only thing left is to deck out your BlackBerry with some holiday media. We have wallpapers, ringtones and themes galore to get you flying into the holiday spirit. We have a fresh CrackBerry Holiday theme for 2010 and RIM has some BlackBerry Holiday themes of their own. We even have some spiked egg nog in the CrackBerry offices too, but we couldn't figure out how to make that available as a download on your BB. So check out the links below and grab up some holiday cheer so your Berry fits in with those pink bunny PJs grandma gave you.

Holiday Media:

Ringtones | Themes

Holiday Wallpapers:

Storm/Torch | 8900, 97xx & 96xx | Bold 9000 | 83xx & 85xx | Style/Pearl 3G | other BBs

Wallpaper Wizard

Epic Applications has developed a new tool for your BlackBerry that you're going to want to check out if you love having custom wallpapers on your device. Wallpaper Wizard allows you to create custom collages from your images, right on your device, and automatically set them as your new background. When making this application, the developers paid special attention to the way photos are chosen, displaying them as thumbnails instead of just file names, so you can always be certain that you are choosing the image you want. You can even set Wallpaper Wizard to generate new collages in the background, and set them to rotate at intervals you determine. And if you already have a wallpaper changing app installed that you love (for example the CrackBerry Wallpaper Changer *wink*wink*) you can use it in combination with Wallpaper Wizard. Simply generate the collages, then have your current wallpaper changer rotate them with your other images.

Features:

  • Generate dazzling collages from your images right on your phone!
  • High performance image chooser--the easiest way to select your images. No need to mess with folders or filenames!
  • Extremely intuitive and easy to use
  • 3 Distinct types of collages, with 3 photo size options for each as well as configurable background colors and opacity
  • Switch your wallpaper between images you select on a schedule you set

Unfortunately there is no free trial on Wallpaper Wizard, but you can catch it on sale right now for $2.99 (regularly $3.99) in the CrackBerry store.