If paying for a BES really isn't in your budget, then maybe Astrasync is a viable alternative for you. Astrasync has just rolled out their latest beta release to customers and it's bundled with a ton of new additions and features to make the services even more of a compelling offer. The following improvements have been made in AstraSync 4.2 Beta over AstraSync 4.1:

• Support for creation of meetings requests.
• Email content encryption.
• Kinetic scrolling of the message list on touch screen devices.
• Leaner, faster message store system.
• More performance settings for power users including control of Direct Push behavior, email truncation size, PIM status checks and Auto Discover.

We previously reviewed Astrasync and it has always been one of those offerings that we seen as a cost effective way to get BES like services at a lesser cost. Well worth a look into if you need what they offer.

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  Click Here To Learn More About Astrasync For BlackBerry Smartphones>>

Howdy folks, hope everyone out there has had another great week. As per usual, lots of great stuff to talk about in the BlackBerry App Roundup. This week we have another theme giveaway from HedoneDesign... Be sure to answer our contest question for your chance to win! Covered this week in the BlackBerry App Roundup are the following titles:

Giveaway of the Week: Quelos BlackBerry Theme

Freebies of the Week: crunchSMS, TradeFields, TextSearch

In Case You Missed It: AstraSync Updated to 4.1, Cnectd, ProOnGo Business Card Reader

New This Week: Stress Tank, Travel Assistant, Caipirinha Tip

Cool at BlackBerry App World: Solitaire Buddy Gold

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*Update: Sale extended through Thursday at Midnight PST*

In case you missed AstraSync in our last giveaway, you can grab it now for 50% off. Today only, the awesome "Activesync for BlackBerry" is on sale for new users. The application allows you to easily sync your email, calender and contacts from services like Exchange, FirstClass, and Google to your BlackBerry. It gives you loads of of BES functionality while being on a BIS. The full software retails for $49/year, but today you can grab if for 50% off. Just head over to the AstraSync portal and enter the code JanSale at checkout to receive the discount.

• Purchase AstraSync for 50% off >>

The holiday season has put Rockliffe Systems in a very giving mood. They have decided to give away 10 copies of their popular application/service AstraSync 4.0. If you don't already know about AstraSync, its a tool that synchronizes your email, calender, contacts from mail services such as Exchange, FirstClass, and Google to your BlackBerry. Essentially, the service gives you all the benefits of BES on your BIS service. Then contest is simple. Register with AstraSync, download the trial version (you will be provided with OTA download link), and send message to crackberry@astrasync.com from the refer a friend option in the main menu. Only one entry per person, multiple entries will be deleted. Contest ends December 24th and the winners will be notified by email in the new year. AstraSync is compatible with any BlackBerry running OS 4.2 or higher.

• Register and download for you chance to win>>

We all know that the BlackBerry Smartphone is the ultimate device for business use (well, any use to tell you the truth). Your BlackBerry is your most reliable personal assistant. Among its countless benefits, it keeps you in touch with your clients, informs you of important updates and reminds you of appointments. The only thing it can't do is bring you lunch - though you can actually order delivery using your BlackBerry. Overtime, your successful business grows and your team expands. As the BlackBerry users increase, communication and synchronization become critical. At some point, you may consider turning to a BES, but your budget may not be able to squeeze it in.

Before digging deep into your pocket, AstraSync should be considered as a cost-effective solution. This powerful synchronization application provides users with two-way syncing of your emails, calendar and contact information over-the-air. So, if you are using Gmail, Google Sync, Open-Exchange, Microsoft Exchange, or other Exchange ActiveSync servers that are compatible, this may be an excellent alternative to a BES. Read on for more information.

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