QuickLaunch 1.0 Released for the BlackBerry Storm!

on 25 Jan 2009 08:15 PM

* Update: 0mie put together a hands-on video of QuickLaunch. Check it out after the jump!!! *

After a lot of community development, beta testing and excitement, the folks at NikkiSoft have now released QuickLaunch 1.0 for the BlackBerry Storm.

QuickLaunch is a must have application for every Blackberry Storm owner . With an interface that is seamlessly integrated with the look of the Storm OS (Operating System), QuickLaunch will create shortcuts to most any application on your Storm with ease and style.

Designed specifically for the Storm, QuickLaunch allows you to setup shortcuts to various functions such as Websites, Email and SMS addresses, Phone numbers, 3rd Party Apps, Videos, Images, Audio files, Device Info, Bluetooth Configuration and other functions. Configure a convenience key to activate BB Quick Launch and when pushed a menu will popup showing a scrollable list of your configured actions. The menu can be shown on any screen so you can perform any action without backing up and navigating through your homescreen and folders. Quick easy access to what you want to do wherever you are!

Features:

Website Launcher

Speed Dialer

Email & SMS address shortcuts

Device Info (PIN, OS Version, Battery Status, Free Memory etc)

Launches 3rd Party Apps

Camera

Video Camera

Images

Videos

Music

Delete your Call Logs

BlackBerry Maps

BlackBerry Options

Calendar

Calculator

Bluetooth Configuration

Event Log

and more!

QuickLaunch sells for $4.99. A free trial is not available, but if you jump over to the official QuickLaunch forum thread you'll find no shortage of good people to help you out with any inquiries you may have.

More Info and Purchase QuickLaunch for the BlackBerry Storm >>

Hands on with QuickLaunch for the BlackBerry Storm

Filed Under: BlackBerry Apps;

74 Comments

Posted by 0mie Sunday, Jan 25, 2009 1112 days ago

I have been beta testing it for a while and now we have official launch. It's a MUST have app. :D

Go CBT and CheetahAce!!!

Posted by Supercoolmax21 Sunday, Jan 25, 2009 1112 days ago

NICE WORK CHEETAHACE!!!!!!!!!!!! I'LL BE PURCHASING SOON!!!

Posted by Karwin Sunday, Jan 25, 2009 1112 days ago

That's a nice app, although I've never used. xD

Posted by Hawse771 Sunday, Jan 25, 2009 1112 days ago

This looks to be one of the most useful apps for the storm so far. Kudos. Wish I would have jumped in early enough to get a beta version for free. I think this should be crackberry's next contest..maybe 5 lucky winners get free copies :) If not i'll buy it soon anyways!

Posted by headshrink Sunday, Jan 25, 2009 1112 days ago

Great App, I was priviledged to beta test. My fellow Storm owners check it out, you wont be disappointed.

Posted by Pelvir Sunday, Jan 25, 2009 1112 days ago

Tested the beta and agree that it is a MUST HAVE. Very useful app. Conrats to Cheetah for getting it done!

Posted by noonan211 Sunday, Jan 25, 2009 1112 days ago

Looks pretty sweet!

And the flood gates start to open! I'm diggin it...

Posted by drdave00 Sunday, Jan 25, 2009 1112 days ago

I just purchased am waiting for email,seems to be slow.How long did it take for others to receive it?

Posted by CrackberryMike Sunday, Jan 25, 2009 1112 days ago

Are you still waiting, or are you good to go now?

Posted by drdave00 Monday, Jan 26, 2009 1111 days ago

Link was in my email this morning,am setting up now.Good so far!

Posted by ddarvish Sunday, Jan 25, 2009 1112 days ago

looks cool, but 4.99 is too steep imho. this should be 1.99 tops! for the time being ill be okay with just the icons on my home screen

Posted by ryatrick8999 Sunday, Jan 25, 2009 1112 days ago

... for a "simple" shortcut. If level pro is being priced at 4.99, which provides a usable tool, and this is utilized as a shortcut, i just can't see the comparison in price. I have to agree with darvish!

Posted by phillypharm Sunday, Jan 25, 2009 1112 days ago

if it can only launch programs already running, is that gonna have some crazy slowdown?

Posted by FinallyHere Sunday, Jan 25, 2009 1112 days ago

It can launch programs that are not running. You have to run the 3rd party app one time for QL to "grab" it and then you can close the 3rd party app out. Apparently RIM makes it difficult for developers to access all of the BB. By launching the 3rd party app, it provides data on how/where the app is run from. It is not necessary to keep any apps running once you have it stored in QL
After this you would use QL to launch that 3rd party app. It just saves you time from having to look around on your home screen to execute an application.

Posted by Xopher Monday, Jan 26, 2009 1111 days ago

This is actually a pretty decent way to get the apps in the list.

With Quicklaunch on my 8830, I had to go into Status - Advanced Options - Applications just to get the actual module name, then remember the name and enter it into QL (as an example, to get the Garmin app in QL, I would have to enter "gmbb8830", or for Facebook, "net_rim_bb_facebook").

So, you would have to know the exact name of the module to add to QL. With the ability to "grab" an open application, you don't have to worry about the module name.

Posted by korp Sunday, Jan 25, 2009 1112 days ago

This app is hands down the most useful for the Storm in my opinion.

Posted by jesserscott Sunday, Jan 25, 2009 1112 days ago

now don't get me wrong...i am all about the new/new and improved apps for the storm...anything to enhance the phone is good in my book. but...why does there seem to be a charge for every app for the storm? even the small somewhat insignificant ones are sometimes $5...just seems wrong to me..and i understand, people gotta make their money,just seems like you're paying for it more for the sheer fact that it's something different on your phone...like i said, maybe it's just me...

Posted by morganm00 Monday, Jan 26, 2009 1112 days ago

Probably would have a lite version free if it was an iPhone/iPod Touch application ... but wait, Blackberry folks are happy to pay for everything ... might as well here too, right?

Posted by NFLBlitze1 Monday, Jan 26, 2009 1112 days ago

most of your applications out like VibAndRing and LED Status all cost around 5 bucks and more...this application is well worth the price of 5 dollars just like Aerize Alerts. it has a lot of functionality unlike some of the other apps that cost more then 5 dollars

Posted by Donkey_Berry Monday, Jan 26, 2009 1112 days ago

I wonder if this is because BBs are targeted at the "professional" who may be more willing to pay for an app as opposed to "MacNation" which is comprised of members of a community willing to share

Posted by mike240se Monday, Jan 26, 2009 1111 days ago

I think free is a little too low :) But i agree $5 is def. too high for such a simple app. i was going to buy it anyways, but the developer is saying he will charge for major upgrades. i am a big fan of free upgrades for life for mobile apps for many reasons. i am waiting for the free trial because of those 2 issues. i am hoping once i try it, it will justify $5 in these tough times.

Posted by Estrouse Monday, Jan 26, 2009 1112 days ago

seems like a good concept, but only if you didn't have to open the program first then close it out just for it to be recognized and to save memory. The great thing about the Storm OS is you can put just about anything you'd launch most often on your home screen... the only thing that might be convenient about this program is the web pages or the SMS/MMS/Email functions. But at the same time, is that even speedier than clicking a button to your email/sms/messaging and hitting the compose message button? It eliminates maybe one step that is all of what, 5 seconds long? I dunno... the developers had a great idea, but I guess because the way the BB OS works, this program isn't as useful as it may seem. Kinda sucks for the developer, although I still think people will use it and say that it's useful for them.

Posted by louiedawg Monday, Jan 26, 2009 1112 days ago

Cmon now sending a text message or making a phone call is not a 1 step process. Sending out a simple text on the storm can take up to 4-5 clicks. Lets see here.

Step 1 compose(or click contacts)
Step 2 type in name to contact
Step 3 bb button to decide how to contact them
Step 4 choosing what number to contact.

I don't like spending extra money on apps anymore then the next person, but i did for this. What it came down to was is it worth $5 to eliminate those steps 5-10 times a day for the next two years? For me the answer was definitely!!

Not to mention clearing up my home screen and making websites easier to get to.

Posted by Donkey_Berry Monday, Jan 26, 2009 1112 days ago

One of the things I hate doing the most on the Storm is all of the clicking I need to do to send a text message to my wifes cell phone. This is the process: click SMS on home screen, click compose, click SMS Text, type B (for her name), select Mobile, click in text input portion of screen and type.I HATE IT!! This process makes me want my Moto Q back where i just held down a speed dial number of two digits ( i could assign 99 shortcut numbers to ANYTHING) and started typing. does anyone know if i can make this shortcut with QL?

Posted by FinallyHere Monday, Jan 26, 2009 1112 days ago

If I understand what you are asking, then yes you can. You can set up different shortcuts for various contacts. You can set up SMS/Email/Phone shortcuts for any of your contacts. I have heard that some people have up to 50 items in their list - without on any effect on performance. Once you set it up, all you do is click on the convenience key and then select the contact you have saved to QL and BAM it takes you right to the SMS screen with that person's number in the field. Just type and away and send!

Posted by Donkey_Berry Monday, Jan 26, 2009 1112 days ago

downloading it now! thanks

Posted by john_ecko Monday, Jan 26, 2009 1112 days ago

sounds like the perfect app for you

Posted by john_ecko Monday, Jan 26, 2009 1112 days ago

http://software.crackberry.com/product.asp?id=20551&n=QuickText

free trial is available

Posted by Donkey_Berry Monday, Jan 26, 2009 1112 days ago

anything to make this phone faster

Posted by louiedawg Monday, Jan 26, 2009 1112 days ago

Not to get into a pissing contest, but why would i spend $7.50 on an app that QL does for $5? Not to mention the fact that you can open up applications, websites, etc. with the cheaper program? Quicktext seems like a great app for those that aren't storm users and can take advantage of the keypad shortcuts. For the Storm though it seems like QL has you beat in function and price.

Posted by jazzy55 Monday, Jan 26, 2009 1111 days ago

I don't know about QL but I started using Phoneface and it's makes it a lot easier and quicker to make calls, send texts, email, mms etc...

http://phoneface.com from your phone....

Posted by Vegas863 Monday, Jan 26, 2009 1112 days ago

I think once a demo version of this app becomes available a lot of users who question the apps usefulness will be quick to sing a different tune. Just like many other great apps, it requires a bit of initial configuration, but once that is done it really shines. It amazes me how some will pass judgment before even giving it a fair shake.

Posted by shaneatlanta Monday, Jan 26, 2009 1112 days ago

Ok guess I don't get some of the comments on cost of this app. hmmm $5 for an app I will use every time I pick up my phone? 2 touches and I am doing what I want, hmm seems like a no brainer to me... Worth $5 all day...

Posted by xxfire Monday, Jan 26, 2009 1112 days ago

So ALL the applications you have in the Quick Launch Program have to be running all the time??? I thought this was a "bad" thing to have a bunch of apps. running.... Am I wrong???

Posted by FinallyHere Monday, Jan 26, 2009 1112 days ago

"X" application only has to be opened once to allow QL to access "X". Once that happens, you are able to set up "X" application in QL. Then you can use QL to execute "X". When you are finished with "X" you just close it like you would any other program. It is not necessary to have any/all applications running once you have added them to QL. PM me if you have any questions, I will help/explain so you are comfortable with your purchase.

I apologize in advance for the number of quotes - just trying to illustrate a point. Thanks =)

Posted by ddarvish Monday, Jan 26, 2009 1112 days ago

well like some people said here, if there was a trial or something maybe i would be more open to paying for it. like i said its not that i dont think it is worth some $, just not 5$. how about .99 or 1.99....

and just because other developers charge 5+$ for crappy programs doesnt mean that this developer has to charge that much. have you stopped to think that maybe those other developers dont sell their software because of their high price? also you could still make up the difference in cost or even make more if you lowered the price and make it a price point at which it is more enticing for people to buy

Posted by Sykes the Shredder Monday, Jan 26, 2009 1111 days ago

Dude, it's 5 bucks. You can't even eat at Burger King for 5 bucks. And you've left like, 14 comments about the price. If you don't have 5 bucks, or don't like the app, then don't get it. Pretty simple. B*tching all day ain't gonna change anything. Whoever made this app is entitled to making a PROFIT, not doing you a charity, cheapskate.

Posted by Sykes the Shredder Monday, Jan 26, 2009 1111 days ago

Posted by artie Monday, Jan 26, 2009 1112 days ago

Get in, get out, nobody gets hurt.

Posted by simmo77 Monday, Jan 26, 2009 1112 days ago

sounds like its worth the five bucks

Posted by Sosai X Monday, Jan 26, 2009 1111 days ago

...because while the other apps may not need to constantly run in the background, QL DOES. And that makes me wonder if it'll slow the Storm down.

I hesitate to add constant-run apps, which is why WeatherBug was quickly deleted from my Storm. Is QL another resource hog, or does it tread lightly from a memory standpoint?

Posted by ErikCheetahAce Monday, Jan 26, 2009 1111 days ago

QL does not run in the background. You open the app via convenience key or icon, make your selection, it opens the app or performs the shortcut and then QL exits so there is no resource hogging. When you add a 3rd party app you open the app then open QL, add the app in QL, close QL and close the 3rd party app. Then whenever you want to run the app just start QL and click the selection. Again, QL is not running in the background ever.

Posted by bearkat38 Monday, Jan 26, 2009 1111 days ago

This is a great app! I downloaded it last night. Well worth the price, if you ask me!

Posted by AJAceJack Monday, Jan 26, 2009 1111 days ago

Yo Kev, any idea or ballpark on when themes will start to appear on the storm??? ohh yea and ive been getting JVM errors on my storm i got 529 and app error 522 so verizon is sending me a new phone, they said it may be because of 3rd party apps, but i was wondering if anyone knew what this happens....thanks guys

keep up the crack!
AJ

Posted by pilotnh Monday, Jan 26, 2009 1111 days ago

Once the app store opens, simple stuff like this will be 99 cents or free. I know you folks hate hearing the word iPhone but they set the standard for what this is worth. For $4.99, I say no without the chance to at least try it out for free.