Must-Have Free and Paid BlackBerry Apps for the New BlackBerry Tour Owner

on 21 Jul 2009 12:05 PM

Things are always a little frantic around CrackBerry.com and with the recent release of the BlackBerry Tour the site is busier than ever. When an overdue, highly-anticipated device like the Tour finally hits the market it means a big group of experienced BlackBerry users quickly make the upgrade and it also means a whole new contigent of smartphones owners are discovering the world of BlackBerry and visiting CrackBerry.com for the first time. That said, we've been taking the launch of the Tour as an opportunity to revisit some BlackBerry basics.

Shortly after the Tour launched, a great thread popped up in the forums called Name the First Five Apps You Will Put On Your Tour. It's definitely one you'll want to check out for a lot of great ideas for which software applications to install on your device. After covering on the blogs How to Get Apps On Your BlackBerry, I thought it would be fun to poll some of our CrackBerry contributors and moderators to find out their first five must-have apps. Keep in mind that while we've geared this article towards the Tour, these software suggestions are valid for pretty much all models, including the Curve, Bold, Pearl and Storm (though you may need to find Storm-specific versions). Read on for Lots of apps!

The First Five Apps I installed on my BlackBerry Tour

So I asked each person to return their first-five installed apps. Of course, we have a few addicts on the team who don't follow directions well, so in a few cases we have the first ten. We've hyperlinked the titles to download locations for each app, listed a brief description and listed the app's price or that it is free. Keep in mind that sometimes apps are free to download, but then you may be enticed to pay for an upgrade to unlock more features or get premium services (sometimes these change - the developer launches with a free app then down the road introduces the pay side of the equation, so always check the details before downloading). For each person we've shown one screen capture - that the title that belongs to that screen cap is listed in bold. Be sure to list your first five apps in the comments to this post!

CrackBerry.com Editorial Contributors

Kevin Michaluk, Founder and Fearless Leader of CrackBerry Nation

1. CrackBerry Launcher - CrackBerry Mobile Site Launcher - Free
2. CrackBerry App Store Client - CrackBerry App Store Mobile Client - Free
3. CrackBerry Viigo - RSS News Reader - Free
4. Bolt Browser - 3rd Party Web Browser - Free
5. BlackBerry App World -BlackBerry App World - Free

Adam Zeis, Editor & Forums Manager

1. SocialScope (or any Twitter client) - Free
2. Berry Buzz - Custom LED alerts - $5.95
3. Berry Weather - Weather App - $9.95
4. SmrtGuard - OTA Data Backup - $3.99/month
5. Bolt Browser - 3rd Party Web Browser - Free

Bla1ze, Editor & Forums Manager

that's 16 days worth of Bla1ze's use on this screencap

1. I Love BlackBerry - Track your BlackBerry use - Free
2. Evernote -Free
3. SocialScope - Twitter client - Free
4. BBFileScout - File manager - Free
5. QuickPull Pro - Simulate battery pull -$2.95
6. QuickLaunch - Application launcher - $4.99
7. FlyCast - Internet radio - Free
8. CrackBerry Viigo - RSS news reader - Free
9. Poynt - Local search - Free
10. Berry Buzz - Custom LED alerts - $5.95

Craig Johnston, Podcast Co-Host and Enterprise Expert

1. Nobex Radio Companion - Internet radio - Free or $3.99/month
2. WorldMate - Travel app - Free or $99.95/year
3. BlackBerry Wallet - Store shopping information - Free
4. QIK - Mobile video sharing - Free
5. Podtrapper - Podcast manager - $9.99
6. SlingPlayer - Control home TV & DVR - requires SlingBox
7. SmrtGuard - OTA data backup - $3.99/month
8. Vlingo - Speech recognition - Free or $17.99
9. Audible - Audible.com App - Free

Ryan Blundell, Apps Reviewer

1. Berry Buzz - Custom LED alerts - $5.95
2. BerryPopup - Preview Email/SMS - $6.95
3. Wifi file transfer - File Transfer - $9.99
4. Bartender Pro - Drink Catalog - $2.99
5. Bubble Defense - Tower Defense Game - $4.99

James Falconer, App Round-Ups

1. Trapster - Speed Trap Database - Free
2. Texas Hold'em King 3 - Poker Game - $6.99
3. Facebook - Social Networking - Free
4. CrackBerry Viigo - RSS news reader - Free
5. Scoremobile - Sports Scores - Free
6. WeatherBug - Weather App - Free
7. Shazam - Identify Music Tracks - Free (paid upgrade for more features)

Gary Mazo, BlackBerrius Maximus

1. Slacker - Internet Radio - Free (paid upgrade for more features)

2. Pandora - Internet Radio - Free
3. Poynt - Local search - Free
4. Google Lattitude - Mapping - Free
5. CrackBerry Viigo - RSS news reader - Free
6. AP Mobile News - News App - Free
7. Redsox.com Shortcut - MLB Shortcut - Free
8. BlackBerry App World -BlackBerry App World - Free
9. You Mail Visual Voicemail Plus - Visual Voicemail - Free
10. Nintaii -Game - $6.99

Al Sacco, Contributor

1. CrackBerry Viigo - RSS news reader - Free
2. Pandora - Internet Radio - Free
3. TeleNav Navigator - GPS - $9.99/month
4. Facebook - Social Networking - Free
5. Poynt - Local search - Free
6. Flixster - Social Network (Movies) - Free
7. Redsox.com Shortcut - MLB Shortcut - Free
8. Google Voice for BlackBerry - Google Voice Mobile App - Free
9. Movela Netflix Queue Manage - Netflix Movie Manager - $2.99
10. Capture It (OTA) -On Device Screen Capture - Free

CrackBerry Forums Moderators

Chrisy

1. Amazon App - Amazon.com Mobile App - Free
2. Spider Solitaire - Solitaire Game - $3.99

3. Bank of America - Mobile Banking - Free
4. Mara Tick - Shopping List App - Free
5. VZ Navigator - Installed on VZW Devices - $9.99/month

Duvi

1. BeeJive IM - IM App - $19.95
2. Gmail App - Gmail Mobile App - Free
3. UberTwitter - Twitter Client - Free
4. BB Tetris - Tetris - Free
5. VibAndRing - Ring and Vibrate - $2.95

Naviwilliams

1. SocialScope - Twitter Client - Free
2. MIU Tunes - MP3 Player - $19.95
3. QSMS - Quickly Compose SMS - Free
4. GoogleTalk - IM Client - Free
5. Shrink It (OTA) - Shrink Images - Free

Yester18

1. Berry Scanner - Police Scanner - Free
2. Berry Weather - Weather App - $9.95
3. Capture It (OTA) -On Device Screen Capture - Free
4. Google Maps - Maps - Free
5. Google Sync - Sync Google Calendar - Free

Let the Downloading Begin!!

There you have it. If your new BlackBerry is lacking in apps, you have plenty of suggestions to help get you started. Keep in mind you can always find more free and paid apps in our CrackBerry App Store and in our BlackBerry Apps forum.

Filed Under: BlackBerry Apps;

80 Comments

Posted by my01hx Tuesday, Jul 21, 2009 932 days ago

I sure would like one!

Posted by ChadFarr Tuesday, Jul 21, 2009 932 days ago

1. Blackberry App World
2. Facebook
3. 123 Spoof
4. Google Maps
5. Pandora

Posted by WishinItWas Tuesday, Jul 21, 2009 932 days ago

1. BB App World
2. Score Mobile
3. Facebook
4. Viigo
5. Poynt

Im a new BB user so these have been changing by the hour

Posted by jcm265 Tuesday, Jul 21, 2009 932 days ago

Weatherbug, Facebook, Pandora, Flickr, crackberry, viigo, phillies.com, and Twibble (Twitter client) are some of my faves. Working well on the Tour and all are free!

Want the slingbox for my Tour but in typical Verizon fashion....it's not allowed.

Posted by bruski85 Tuesday, Jul 21, 2009 932 days ago

On Adam's Top 5 picture there is an icon that is a yellow conversation bubble that I have seen it on multiple screen shots. What app is that?

Posted by jcgsl Tuesday, Jul 21, 2009 932 days ago

Its Bolt

Posted by bruski85 Tuesday, Jul 21, 2009 932 days ago

Not the main picture. The one that is directly above his top 5 pics. It looks like a conversation bubble for some type of twitter or messenger app

Posted by LouisCameron Tuesday, Jul 21, 2009 932 days ago

It's the icon for socialscope.

Posted by jcgsl Tuesday, Jul 21, 2009 932 days ago

Empower BES
Berry Buzz
Berry Pop Up
Quick Launch
You Version Bible (free)
Bonus App
Google Maps (Free)

Posted by stilltruth Tuesday, Jul 21, 2009 932 days ago

1. Google Mobile App
2. Olive Tree Bible Reader
3. Google Maps
4. Ubertwitter
5. WeatherBug

Posted by joeyjoejoejr05 Tuesday, Jul 21, 2009 932 days ago

Everytime I go to download the app it says my device isn't supported. I'm using a Tour from VZ. Any help?

Posted by graymulligan Tuesday, Jul 21, 2009 932 days ago

Gotta love that one. I got all excited because I thought it had launched in tour form, but no, it didn't.

Posted by bruski85 Tuesday, Jul 21, 2009 932 days ago

Posted by atakin77 Tuesday, Jul 21, 2009 932 days ago

Bolt
Berry Weather
BB App World
Where
Aces Solitaire

Posted by DrewDT Tuesday, Jul 21, 2009 932 days ago

Chrisy, you listed the amazon.com app but when I tried to download it I got an error message saying the app is not compatible with my Tour yet :(

Posted by Rob128 Tuesday, Jul 21, 2009 932 days ago

1. Pandora
2. Google Maps
3. Facebook
4. Ubertwitter
5. Weatherbug

I have more...
Viigo
Berryscanner
TuneWiki
ESPN
Google Mobile App
Gmail
Texas Hold Em 3
Google Talk
AIM

Posted by goddessnyki Tuesday, Jul 21, 2009 932 days ago

I guess I'd have to say (in no particular order):
Berry Weather
AutoStandby
Pocketday Lists
Crackberry Viigo
BBSmart Alarms Pro

Some other awesome ones are:
Nav4All (FREE gps. DL @ Nav4All.com)
Shazam
File Manager Pro
UberTwitter (best twitter client IMHO)

Posted by wojtas25 Tuesday, Jul 21, 2009 932 days ago

1. GTalk msg'r
2. Viigo (with Twitter)
3. ZonaSnap
4. BBFileScout
5. AccesMahjongg :)
6. e-mobile weather
7. SMS Sheduler

Posted by ixl333 Tuesday, Jul 21, 2009 932 days ago

1. PodTrapper
2. Google Maps
3. QuickLaunch
4. Ascendo Money
5. ShopMagic

Posted by mixtape86 Tuesday, Jul 21, 2009 932 days ago

I feel honored :)

Posted by LouisCameron Tuesday, Jul 21, 2009 932 days ago

Some great list guys, checking out apps that I didn't even know about!!

Posted by Bruce Tuesday, Jul 21, 2009 932 days ago

Antair Spam Filter
Worldmate Live
e-Mobile Planner
BerryWeather

Posted by smurray Tuesday, Jul 21, 2009 932 days ago

As far as I can tell QuickPull isn't needed on the Tour as the Ctrl+Shift+Del command actually does a full reset of the device as opposed to what it did on previous devices. I also find it funny that Qik was on some of the lists, as according to their own website the Tour isn't supported yet.

Posted by otaku2 Friday, Oct 02, 2009 859 days ago

I have been looking for something like QuickPull for my Pearl, so I am very glad that he mentioned it.

Posted by dwtechnology Tuesday, Jul 21, 2009 932 days ago

Why use Wifi Transfer? The Tour doesn't have WiFi!

Posted by pmich Tuesday, Jul 21, 2009 932 days ago

TweetGenius
Facebook
QuickLaunch
Bloomberg
Slingplayer
Bolt

still soo many more

Posted by spartan905 Tuesday, Jul 21, 2009 932 days ago

why would ryan blundell tell us to download WIFI file transfer? the tour has no wifi. uh oh, did ryan get caught copying and pasting his list?!?!

Posted by skynny70 Tuesday, Jul 21, 2009 932 days ago

1. Quick Launch
2. myFunambol Sync - syncs BB and Outlook wirelessly, love it!
3. Berry Weather
4. BBSmart Alarms Pro
5. UberTwitter

Posted by maroot Tuesday, Jul 21, 2009 932 days ago

Just want to comment that all the Crackberry Experts/Gurus above except for Yester18 (the last one) failed to mention google maps as one of their top 5-10 apps. Intresting.

And all us crackberry posters (6 including myself) have google maps on our BB. We probably move around and find the real time traffic updates and street view useful and a must have for being so mobile (and the Experts do not???)

I just thought it was interesting to see the Experts maybe push their agenda/applications.

Posted by joeyjoejoejr05 Tuesday, Jul 21, 2009 932 days ago

totally agree with you. its by far the most useful app i use

Posted by Gary Mazo Tuesday, Jul 21, 2009 932 days ago

If you look at my list I have Google Latitude listed. For me, Google Maps is implied in that - but I chose Latitude specifically because that is how my wife and I keep track of our kids!

Posted by Al Sacco Tuesday, Jul 21, 2009 932 days ago

Hi maroot,

I did not "fail to mention Google Maps" as one of my top five to ten Tour apps. Google Maps is NOT one of the top five to ten apps on my Tour. In fact, I haven't installed Google Maps on my Tour at all, though it's been on my Bold for quite some time....

Posted by helmdawg Tuesday, Jul 21, 2009 932 days ago

1. Quick Launch
2. Berry Buzz
3. Berry Weather
4. BBSmart Alarms Pro
5. Beejive IM

Posted by graymulligan Tuesday, Jul 21, 2009 932 days ago

2 different experts posted apps that aren't available/aren't compatible with the tour. Was this list just tossed together, or are they pushing the apps they want to see do well? Something's amiss. And no one runs google maps?

Posted by dervack Tuesday, Jul 21, 2009 932 days ago

How about someone point me to where this "flixster" app is? Besides on the iphone?

Posted by poshgirl Tuesday, Jul 21, 2009 932 days ago

Google Chat
Facebook
Weather berry
Google maps
Pandora

Whoo Hoo! Love my Tour!

Posted by Jimbro727 Tuesday, Jul 21, 2009 932 days ago

Trapster looks cool, but ShopCrackberry says it's not supported by the Tour..

Posted by graymulligan Tuesday, Jul 21, 2009 932 days ago

thanks Irie...appreciate the link.

Works great on the tour.

Posted by irie Tuesday, Jul 21, 2009 932 days ago

Amazon app does work on Tour. Follow link below.

*https://mad.amazon.com/download/qohdNC.KMhCkEq7RIKGWG7TVAwDzzrtp0Z1iq9Cdk9iQOkh1gcbo2xyJHrRkKSqp/Amazon.com/BlackBerry/1.0.14/mshop-blackberry-amazon-us-20/Pearl_Curve_8800_4.3.0/dist/Amazon.jad*

Posted by joeyjoejoejr05 Tuesday, Jul 21, 2009 932 days ago

thanks for the link!

Posted by camarojones Tuesday, Jul 21, 2009 932 days ago

2 weeks in and I'm loving the app love. Although I've found a few that didn't like my curve. Those that did are:

UberTwitter
Berry Weather
QuickLaunch
BuzzMe
GPSed
BlackStar

Posted by QUIK LS1 Wednesday, Jul 22, 2009 932 days ago

A few of these apps listed are not compatible with the Tour. Kinda disappointed since the blog is for the Tour.

Posted by asdfjkandreax Wednesday, Jul 22, 2009 931 days ago

yeah that's what i thought...i looked at berry weather and there's no listing no listing for tour compatibility?

Posted by Nipper618 Wednesday, Jul 22, 2009 932 days ago

I tried the link, and it works!!!! Thanks for the info Irie!!!

Posted by cornbread16 Wednesday, Jul 22, 2009 932 days ago

I saw that someone posted that they put Flycast on their Tour

i tried to do an OTA download to no avail

I then tried to download the file to my pc and then sync it

it downloaded as a .jad file

This is my first blackberry and im kinda learning as i go

when i tired to sync via the desktop the Desktop told me that the file was incompatible with my device

Can someone shed some light on what files can i sync and is there a way to convert that .jad file so i can listen to Flycast

Sorry for the long post

thanks in advance

Posted by BB1337 Wednesday, Jul 22, 2009 931 days ago

Nobody mentioned Yacta and IM+ ?! WTF

Posted by ctonemusik Wednesday, Jul 22, 2009 931 days ago

These are the first 5 apps that I got for my 8900

1. Pageonce Personal Assistant (free)
2. Ubertwitter (free)
3. Pandora (free)
4. Google Maps
5. Google Sync

Those set me up nicely!

Posted by august829 Wednesday, Jul 22, 2009 931 days ago

1. Pageonce Personal Assistant
2. Uber Twitter
3. Quick Launch
4. Smrt Guard
5. Berry Scanner
(write in: Slacker)

Posted by FunkyDog Wednesday, Jul 22, 2009 931 days ago

1. Berrybuzz
2. IM+ For Skype
3. Google Maps
4. HNH English to Chinese dictionary
5. Facebook

Posted by bryan.anderson Wednesday, Jul 22, 2009 931 days ago

Amazed that no-one mentioned Funambol (www.funambol.com). Free, over the air, syncing on Contacts, Diary and Notes from my desktop Outlook to my Blackberry (just like the Jesus phone's MobileMe service).

Works a treat.