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.
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my01hx Jul 21, 2009 at 12:20 pm
I sure would like one!
ChadFarr Jul 21, 2009 at 12:38 pm
1. Blackberry App World
2. Facebook
3. 123 Spoof
4. Google Maps
5. Pandora
wishinitwas Jul 21, 2009 at 12:42 pm
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
jcm265 Jul 21, 2009 at 12:45 pm
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.
bruski85 Jul 21, 2009 at 12:52 pm
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?
jcgsl Jul 21, 2009 at 1:00 pm
Its Bolt
bruski85 Jul 21, 2009 at 1:23 pm
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
LouisCameron Jul 21, 2009 at 2:42 pm
It's the icon for socialscope.
jcgsl Jul 21, 2009 at 12:54 pm
Empower BES
Berry Buzz
Berry Pop Up
Quick Launch
You Version Bible (free)
Bonus App
Google Maps (Free)
stilltruth Jul 21, 2009 at 12:55 pm
1. Google Mobile App
2. Olive Tree Bible Reader
3. Google Maps
4. Ubertwitter
5. WeatherBug
joeyjoejoejr05 Jul 21, 2009 at 1:09 pm
Everytime I go to download the app it says my device isn't supported. I'm using a Tour from VZ. Any help?
graymulligan Jul 21, 2009 at 2:19 pm
Gotta love that one. I got all excited because I thought it had launched in tour form, but no, it didn't.
bruski85 Jul 21, 2009 at 1:20 pm
atakin77 Jul 21, 2009 at 1:27 pm
Bolt
Berry Weather
BB App World
Where
Aces Solitaire
DrewDT Jul 21, 2009 at 1:46 pm
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 :(
rob128 Jul 21, 2009 at 1:47 pm
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
TheReclinerJockey Jul 21, 2009 at 1:56 pm
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)
wojtas25 Jul 21, 2009 at 2:03 pm
1. GTalk msg'r
2. Viigo (with Twitter)
3. ZonaSnap
4. BBFileScout
5. AccesMahjongg :)
6. e-mobile weather
7. SMS Sheduler
ixl333 Jul 21, 2009 at 2:05 pm
1. PodTrapper
2. Google Maps
3. QuickLaunch
4. Ascendo Money
5. ShopMagic
mixtape86 Jul 21, 2009 at 2:26 pm
I feel honored :)
LouisCameron Jul 21, 2009 at 2:27 pm
Some great list guys, checking out apps that I didn't even know about!!
bruce#cb Jul 21, 2009 at 2:53 pm
Antair Spam Filter
Worldmate Live
e-Mobile Planner
BerryWeather
smurray Jul 21, 2009 at 3:00 pm
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.
otaku2 Oct 2, 2009 at 4:21 pm
I have been looking for something like QuickPull for my Pearl, so I am very glad that he mentioned it.
dwtechnology Jul 21, 2009 at 3:04 pm
Why use Wifi Transfer? The Tour doesn't have WiFi!
pmich Jul 21, 2009 at 3:23 pm
TweetGenius
Facebook
QuickLaunch
Bloomberg
Slingplayer
Bolt
still soo many more
spartan905 Jul 21, 2009 at 3:28 pm
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?!?!
skynny70 Jul 21, 2009 at 3:39 pm
1. Quick Launch
2. myFunambol Sync - syncs BB and Outlook wirelessly, love it!
3. Berry Weather
4. BBSmart Alarms Pro
5. UberTwitter
c3PreO Jul 21, 2009 at 3:41 pm
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.
joeyjoejoejr05 Jul 21, 2009 at 4:00 pm
totally agree with you. its by far the most useful app i use
Gary Mazo Jul 21, 2009 at 4:22 pm
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!
Al Sacco Jul 21, 2009 at 5:45 pm
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....
AS
helmdawg Jul 21, 2009 at 4:08 pm
1. Quick Launch
2. Berry Buzz
3. Berry Weather
4. BBSmart Alarms Pro
5. Beejive IM
graymulligan Jul 21, 2009 at 4:14 pm
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?
dervack Jul 21, 2009 at 7:34 pm
How about someone point me to where this "flixster" app is? Besides on the iphone?
poshgirl Jul 21, 2009 at 7:45 pm
Google Chat
Facebook
Weather berry
Google maps
Pandora
Whoo Hoo! Love my Tour!
Jimbro727 Jul 21, 2009 at 7:49 pm
Trapster looks cool, but ShopCrackberry says it's not supported by the Tour..
graymulligan Jul 21, 2009 at 8:52 pm
thanks Irie...appreciate the link.
Works great on the tour.
irie Jul 21, 2009 at 8:32 pm
Amazon app does work on Tour. Follow link below.
*https://mad.amazon.com/download/qohdNC.KMhCkEq7RIKGWG7TVAwDzzrtp0Z1iq9Cd...
joeyjoejoejr05 Jul 21, 2009 at 11:26 pm
thanks for the link!
camarojones Jul 21, 2009 at 11:40 pm
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
QUIK_LS1 Jul 22, 2009 at 12:45 am
A few of these apps listed are not compatible with the Tour. Kinda disappointed since the blog is for the Tour.
asdfjkandreax Jul 22, 2009 at 8:20 pm
yeah that's what i thought...i looked at berry weather and there's no listing no listing for tour compatibility?
Nipper618 Jul 22, 2009 at 1:22 am
I tried the link, and it works!!!! Thanks for the info Irie!!!
cornbread16 Jul 22, 2009 at 1:47 am
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
BB1337 Jul 22, 2009 at 6:09 am
Nobody mentioned Yacta and IM+ ?! WTF
ctonemusik Jul 22, 2009 at 11:15 am
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!
august829#CB Jul 22, 2009 at 11:39 am
1. Pageonce Personal Assistant
2. Uber Twitter
3. Quick Launch
4. Smrt Guard
5. Berry Scanner
(write in: Slacker)
FunkyDog Jul 22, 2009 at 12:13 pm
1. Berrybuzz
2. IM+ For Skype
3. Google Maps
4. HNH English to Chinese dictionary
5. Facebook
bryan.anderson Jul 22, 2009 at 6:55 pm
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.
asdfjkandreax Jul 22, 2009 at 8:18 pm
five apps:
1. facebook
2. twitterberry
3. blackberry app world
4. aim
5. vzw song id
Stemkroywen Jul 23, 2009 at 12:03 am
1. Google Maps
2. BOLT Browser
3. CB Launcher
4. BB App World
5. NY Mets MLB Shortcut
Sorry, got fired up to post, then realized it's for the Tour. At any rate, I'm using the 8900.
raven45#cb Jul 23, 2009 at 3:34 am
im raven i have nothin no friends no anything this phone wold make my day ive neever had a phone
steedsteve420 Aug 13, 2009 at 7:45 am
I can tell....
Chrisy Jul 23, 2009 at 5:25 am
For those that had trouble downloading the Amazom.com app, try again. Just downloaded using the link on the blogs and it worked great! App looks good and runs smoothly!
tarek307 Jul 24, 2009 at 2:21 am
1-pandora
2-AP NEWS
3-Athan (islamic prayer time calender)
4-Quick Pull
5-Vision
smokin2thenub Jul 24, 2009 at 4:44 pm
Says that it is NOT compatible with the tour. Has the site not been updated?
jsager60 Jul 24, 2009 at 6:39 pm
I'm a new blackberry user and I think some of these apps will get me going in the right direction. Thanks.
CoffeeBerry Jul 25, 2009 at 10:52 am
How are you listing BerryBuzz, Berry Weather, and QuickLaunch when those pages in Apps Store all say, "This product is not compatible with 9630 (Tour)"?
I've written the support links and they say they are working on it, but that it's not yet compatible.
Jenathis Jul 26, 2009 at 11:51 pm
Socialscope
Pandora
Beejive
Live Search
Google
Jenathis Jul 26, 2009 at 11:52 pm
Socialscope
Pandora
Beejive
Live Search
Google
whozethere Aug 12, 2009 at 2:57 pm
1 eWallet (had been using on my WMD, so didn't want to re-enter data)
2 facebook (free)
3 QuickPull Pro
4 SplashShopper
5 Franklin Covey PlanPlus add ons (projects, memos, tasks)
The other 5
1 audible
2 Mobiola xPlayer
3 UberTwitter
4 File Manager Pro
5 WeatherBug
cowboys2000 Aug 12, 2009 at 3:35 pm
1. CrackBerry Launcher - CrackBerry Mobile Site Launcher - Free
2. Facebook Link
3. CrackBerry Viigo - RSS News Reader - Free
4. Opera Mini
5. BlackBerry App World -BlackBerry App World - Free
otaku2 Oct 2, 2009 at 4:31 pm
1. QuickPull (simulates battery pull)
2. Opera 4 (browser)
3. SureWipe (app eraser)
4. Call Later AutoSend (autoreply for missed calls)
5. Nintaii
These are all usable without a data plan.
Cruz372 Oct 16, 2009 at 11:28 pm
1.WeatherBug
2.BlackBerry App World
3.Crackberry App Client
4.QuickPull Lite
5.Ka-Glom
p.s.tried loading a game called GT Slots,wouldn't work on my Tour
samgbx Nov 3, 2009 at 4:20 pm
blackberry app world
facebook
twitterberry
myspace
and iv just downloaded crackberry launcher so that will be in there :)
mddolgow Nov 6, 2009 at 3:04 pm
1. Facebook
2. Google Maps
3. Google Sync
4. Viigo
5. ESPN Mobile
6. Beyond 411
7. Yellowpages.com
Jude526 Dec 7, 2009 at 11:05 pm
I have it and use it daily. Have it set to automatically every morning at 7 It is free I don't pay for it
baddbadd Dec 15, 2009 at 10:07 pm
1. pandora radio
2. mobile banking
3. daily horoscope
4. google synch
5. crackberry
esfandiary Dec 27, 2009 at 11:03 pm
1. Memory up
2. Ubertwitter
3. IM
4, google maps
5. quickpull
techman#WN Dec 28, 2009 at 3:51 pm
1. holy bible
2. telenav vs vzn navigator
3. trakster
4. pocket express
5. google maps
I've always researched what others have and what works with the greatest of efficiency, effectiveness and even fun!
3G.BoldBerry Jan 1, 2010 at 2:07 am
Quick launch.
Viigo.
Weatherberry.
WorldMate.
Beejive.
flashman03 Jan 1, 2010 at 10:41 am
Not sure if anyone paid attention but the people who make Mui Tunes are going out of business.
3G.BoldBerry Jan 1, 2010 at 6:39 pm
Quick launch.
BerryBuzz.
AutoStanby.
Viigo.
Weatherberry.
WorldMate.
Beejive.
Memory booster.
FlyCast2.0.
tetherberry.
jeen Mar 6, 2010 at 8:07 pm
I was restarting my BB 8900 and I did pull out the battery for cleaning, since then when the BB loads it shows JVM Error 102, reset, and I tried to push the reset so many times but still the same thing. Please help me...
fayskelley Feb 9, 2010 at 5:26 pm
1. Pandora - free and outstanding quality - awesome
2. Poynt
3. Viigo
that's as far as I have gotten !
IndePanda Apr 4, 2010 at 1:47 pm
In order of importance. All are Free.
1. BlackBerry App World (how else would I know about these great apps)
2. Pandora (I listen to it every day)
3. WeatherEye (awesome app)
4. Viigo for Blackberry (a well-presented one-stop for info & now owned by RIM)
5. Associated Press app (hard to beat AP for immediate, quality, unbiased news)
I also like the Google Search app (using this app makes searches much faster and more convenient than going directly to the browser, plus the font is much larger on the Google screen).
Not an app, but better than most apps, I have the mobile version of the New York Times web site as the home page of my web Browser, and it is incredibly well presented for BlackBerry use. Very easy on the eyes and you can set it to a large font, which makes it look awesome on your BB Tour. It's my first "go-to" place for news.
zzr4life Mar 15, 2010 at 5:50 pm
Thank you soooo much for this great info!!! I can now view my online classroom whereas I couldn't with the default browser on my BB 9700:-)
nkdwon Apr 6, 2010 at 2:25 pm
1. Google Maps
2. iSkoot (skype mobile software)
3. jmIrc (chat system)
4. Pandora (customizable radio station)
5. Opera Mini (3rd party browser)
6. Blackstar Nav (GPS software)
7. Blip by Blackline GPS (GPS Social Networking software)
8. MemoryBoost
9. Memory Cleaner
All free. MUST HAVES!!!
msellers007 Aug 10, 2010 at 12:39 pm
1. Trapster
2. WeatherBug
3. CrackBerry Viigo
4. Texas Hold'em King3
5. Pandora