The Number 1 FREE Theme for BlackBerry Users & Abusers!

By Kevin Michaluk on 26 Feb 2008 10:37 am

Now this is what I call one Helluva Birthday Present...

In honor of CrackBerry.com's 1st Birthday, John from JC Designs / GadgetBean has custom built a Premium BlackBerry theme for the CrackBerry.com member community. And I do mean Premium - the bottom dock zen layout features animation (the shortcuts jump when they become active!) and the theme is packed with all the latest indicators (ie. WiFi). Static images don't do this theme justice - you need to see it in action to fully appreciate it. It's easily one of the nicest themes I have seen to date!

John even came up with two versions - the CrackBerry User version and the CrackBerry Abuser version (pictured) to give users two options of which shortcuts to have featured on the fixed bottom dock. Huge thanks to JC Designs for doing this up for the CrackBerry.com community. You can pick up other Premium Themes by JC Designs in our ShopCrackBerry.com store.

To rollout the free theme, the Crack Team pulled an all nighter and built the CrackBerry.com Free Theme Gallery (to go with the Wallpaper & Ringtone galleries). It's still in beta and we have some improvements planned, so thanks for the patience!

Login to the CrackBerry.com, head to the appropriate links below (more screenshots and info on theme download page), and be sure to let us know what you think! Downloads are available via OTA (an email will be sent to your device containing the download link) or .Zip download for .alx installation via Desktop Manager. Be sure to download the version that's compatible with your Device Model and Operating System version (downloading an incompatible theme will cause problems). We have also made the theme available for the BlackBerry 8700 series, and if you are a 8700 user, PLEASE verify you have at least OS4.2.1 installed before downloading the theme. If you install on an older OS you will likely "nuke" your BlackBerry (a few people didn't check their OS when downloading the CrackBerry Christmas theme - click here for the fix). I don't want to see anybody running into this problem, so CHECK. If you need help or support, visit the CrackBerry.com Theme thread in the forums.

Download the CrackBerry.com Theme

"User" Edition: Curve | 8800 OS4.2.2 / OS4.2.1 | Pearl OS4.2.2 / OS4.2.1
"Abuser" Edition: Curve | 8800 OS4.2.2 / OS4.2.1 | Pearl OS4.2.2 / OS4.2.1
8700 Series, OS 4.2.1 minimum: Abuser Theme | User Theme

* Be sure to check your Operating System version before downloading to ensure your device is compatible (8700, 8100 and 8800 users especially - if you are running OSv4.2.1 be sure to download that version of the theme and do not install if your theme is older).
** Pearl 8110/8120/8130 users with OSv4.3.1 - download the OS4.2.2 theme (that's the minimum OS requirement so you are good to go).

Topics: BlackBerry Media

Kevin Michaluk 3681 (articles) 3021 (forum posts)

50 comments

cinnamin Feb 26, 2008 at 11:26 am

awwww i can't get it i have an 8700g :(

tomdick Feb 26, 2008 at 12:04 pm

i like this. very clean

cinnamin-try the curve or the 8800 same screen size

Uber Undies Feb 26, 2008 at 3:27 pm

Would any of them work on the 7130e? It looks beautiful!

Mr Neiman Marcus Feb 26, 2008 at 3:27 pm

This theme is definitely hot.

Pros
- battery indicator
- nice crisp font
- great icons

only comlaint i have is that the font is WAaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyy to small... and i don't like that you can't make your other applications appear on the home screen besides the defaul applications.

sweetb Feb 26, 2008 at 5:24 pm

I have a Pearl 8100 and only have OS4.2.0. Can I still download the free theme? If not, how do I upgrade to OS4.2.1 or OS 4.2.2??

Thanks
SweetB

squash Feb 26, 2008 at 6:23 pm

Why bother wasting space with a phone shortcut, when we have a dedicated phone BUTTON that does the same thing? And for the abuser version, are people really going into their main options menu enough to need it on the HOME screen?!

That being said, as nice as the theme sounds, these useless shortcuts would annoy me too much. So since it's a 3rd party theme, is that why you don't have the option to switch icons on the home screen?

This is my home screen: messages, bbm, facebook, gmail, and address book. I realize not everyone uses these apps though.

If it was only OEM apps, I'd put: messages, bbm, address book, internet browser (or the CB shortcut) OR profiles.

Can I get an Amen?

Anonymous Feb 29, 2008 at 10:35 pm

If you don't like the theme don't use it. OK....there's your AMEN (~_*)

Anonymous Feb 26, 2008 at 6:30 pm

CrackBerry Abuser version (pictured) to give users two options of which shortcuts to have featured on the fixed bottom dock.

toggle between the two options?

biggappa03 Feb 26, 2008 at 8:08 pm

I just downloaded this theme and only 4 shortcuts show up on the bottom...is this right and can you change these?

squash Feb 26, 2008 at 8:40 pm

are you sure you downloaded the right one for your phone? The themes are very specific to the phone and even OS version. And no, you can't change the home shortcuts.

Anonymous Feb 26, 2008 at 8:41 pm

For some reason this guy thinks he can just break NDA agreements with Research in Motion and release and sell themes with unreleased beta tools.

If you guys were smart, you would remove this theme before RIM asks you to.

Anonymous Feb 26, 2008 at 9:28 pm

Oh NO - A warning from Anonymous, Oh wait I'm Anonymous. Even if he did break NDA that is his problem, he's releasing a theme, not Photoshop CS4.

Bla1ze Feb 27, 2008 at 9:59 am

The point of a beta is to test it out and see how it works anyways...consider us all BETA Testers lmao!!

Feb 26, 2008 at 8:42 pm

I like this BlackBerry theme a great deal. The only thing is that is makes some of thr fonts real small. Is there a way to make it bigger? Im a little new to the Curve so I dont know all the tricks yet.

biggappa03 Feb 26, 2008 at 9:01 pm

Yes....my OS is 4.3.0.81...so I D/L the Pearl 4.2.2...

Any ideas? I re-started my BB, took out battery...still 4 icons...the only one that doesnt show up is the Chat icon...

evilvix Feb 27, 2008 at 5:47 pm

That icon is missing on mine as well, but selecting the blank space still brings up contacts.

kegsofduff Feb 26, 2008 at 9:16 pm

I really like this theme. Unlike others I Love the font size. I would use this and be hard pressed to use another but for ONE thing, why can't I change the top shortcuts. Fix that and its perfect

Kevin Michaluk Feb 27, 2008 at 10:29 am

apparently it's a limitation within this particular theme build

biggappa03 Feb 26, 2008 at 9:18 pm

i agree...i think you should be able to change these..not all people are a like...some like a little variety....just my 2 cents...

I can't complain too much though...it is a free theme....

Kevin Michaluk Feb 26, 2008 at 9:33 pm

If you guys have support issues/questions on shortcuts/etc., head on over to the CrackBerry Theme Forum thread - a lot of it is being answered there.

The link to the thread is in the blog post above.

Thanks!

ReiG3 Feb 26, 2008 at 10:52 pm

Love the theme...but how do I make the font bigger on my email? I went under options and it didnt make a difference.

surfcitybum Feb 26, 2008 at 11:13 pm

Way COOL!!!!!!!!!!

JonV Feb 27, 2008 at 1:27 am

Ah, no love for us 8700 users. Jeeesh!

slines Feb 27, 2008 at 10:21 am

Thanks I really like it I only wished it would show what profile you have set. Like vibrate or loud etc

Kevin Michaluk Feb 27, 2008 at 10:28 am

download the Abuser version and the Profiles are the 5th shortcut in the dock..which will indicate which profile is set.

Charmaine Parrish Feb 27, 2008 at 2:20 pm

I like the theme but I, like most others, don't like the static apps...

Thanks to the developers any way.

timlutz Feb 27, 2008 at 4:10 pm

Eally cool theme,really like the Icons and brick looking shelf for the icons to float over!I too would like to change desktop icons,what about putting an CB(Crakberry)Icon on desktop,I mean click and your on way to the best BB info!
Thanks to John for designing this themes,Gadgetbean ROCKS!
Tim

Biomech Feb 27, 2008 at 6:47 pm

Was stuck on Black Diamond theme and have now been converted. This is nicely polished! Thanks!!

Anonymous Feb 27, 2008 at 7:57 pm

I L_O_V_E the ABUSER Theme!!!

Thanks!!!!

brojoesc Feb 29, 2008 at 1:19 am

Excellent Theme! Thanks you.

Anonymous Feb 29, 2008 at 1:25 am

Awwww, not avail for the BBerry 8700g, my BBerry will be saddened by this! :o(

bbsadaj Feb 29, 2008 at 7:36 am

sweetness

pathguider Feb 29, 2008 at 1:56 pm

Sweet! I love it! Happy Birthday and thanks for the cool theme.

anon Feb 29, 2008 at 10:09 pm

This is cool. CrackBerry.....always one step ahead:)

sdoyel Mar 1, 2008 at 1:42 pm

This is a great theme, but it would be significantly more useful if I could change the icons that are on the homescreen like I can in any other zen theme. I rarely use my music player or my options. I usually have Google Talk, Messages, Blackberry Messenger, and Telenav as my home screen icons.

4azeef Mar 19, 2008 at 3:56 pm

i dont have Data so i downloaded the desktop file. but it doesnt open. any other link i could dowload from? thanx in advance.

DFLMaye Mar 22, 2008 at 1:45 pm