If you're a smartphone addict or just want to see CrackBerry get a little on-tv love, you'll want to set your PVRs or tune into CNBC tonight at 10pm ET for CrackBerry'd: The Truth About Information Overload. It's a documentary that explores how modern technology is rapidly changing the way we live.... sometimes for the better, and often for the worse. The documentary aired in Canada back in November under the name Are We Digital Dummies? (you can check out the promo video above and Canadians can watch it here) but I much prefer the way cooler CrackBerry'd name that CNBC is going with.  It will also re-run on Friday, January 7th at 1am and Saturday, January 8th at 11pm. Yours truly does make an appearance in this one... just keep in mind this was filmed in August so when you see CrackBerry get featured they're showing off the old site design, old CrackBerry book cover, and I'm about 15lbs heavier than I am now! lol. Enjoy the show!!

View the CrackBerry'd: The Truth About Information Overload Press Release
Buy CrackBerry: True Tales of BlackBerry Use & Abuse from Amazon

Sure, this one is a bit of a shameless plug, but it's pretty funny too so I think we can get away with it! Gary Mazo, co-author of CrackBerry: True Tales of BlackBerry Use & Abuse, had some fun in xtranormal putting this one together. Check out the video above. I think that's going to be my new pick up line... Show Me Your Barcode! But seriously, if watching this video is like looking in a mirror, or if you know somebody who acts like this all the time, it's time to pick up the CrackBerry book. You can grab it from amazon or a local bookstore near you!

On a related note, last weekend CBC in Canada ran a documentary called Are We Digital Dummies? that tackled the information overload we experience these days and our resulting behaviors. Yours truly popped up in the documentary a couple times, and both the CrackBerry site and the CrackBerry book got some nice plugs! If you're in Canada and missed the documentary, you can watch it online at the link below. It's a really well done and really interesting piece. Makes you think. 

Learn more/puchase CrackBerry: True Tales of BlackBerry Use & Abuse
Watch CBC Doc Zone's Are We Digital Dummies documentary

Buy the printed book from Amazon | Buy in electronic format

WooHoo! Back in May we announced that Apress picked up our CrackBerry book and that a new version was on its way and would be available in time for the holiday season. Today I'm happy to announce the re-release of CrackBerry: True Tales of BlackBerry Use and Abuse is now available online and this time around will be coming to a bookstore near you (most Barnes & Noble locations should already have them)! 

CrackBerry: True Tales of BlackBerry Use and Abuse, by Martin Trautschold, Kevin Michaluk, and Gary Mazo covers the phenomenon of "BlackBerry Addiction," offering true-life accounts of BlackBerry dependence and mishaps. You'll find comfort and humor in the unbelievable tales of BlackBerry abuse and also learn some valuable information along the way. It's a must have if you own a BlackBerry, and the perfect gift for a friend who is showing signs of a BlackBerry addiction. What you'll learn:

• "BlackBerry Confessions" from the authors and users from CrackBerry.com
• Dozens of user stories that are just too funny or too sad to believe
• A unique 12 Step approach to curb your BlackBerry dependence
• Work BlackBerry etiquette tips to live by
• The "BlackBerry Quiz" to test your level of addiction

Even though it's called CrackBerry and focuses mainly on BlackBerry, anybody who finds they are overusing their iPhone, iPad, Android phone or other mobile electronic gadget wlil be able to indentify and appreciate the stories and advice given in the book. With Christmas just around the corner, it definitely will be the perfect stocking stuffer this holiday season for the BlackBerry abuser in the family of office . Follow the links below to pick it up online, and you'll also be able to find CrackBerry: True Tales of BlackBerry Use and Abuse in most major bookstores soon! 

Purchase CrackBerry: True Tales of BlackBerry Use and Abuse

• Buy E-Book Format - Save 50% off the ebook with this coupon: CRACKBERRYKXQA
• Buy Printed Book - Buy from Amazon today! Look for in major bookstores soon!

I've got to do some cleaning this weekend and in looking around my mess of a home office I noticed I had a pile of BlackBerry-related books lying around. So I figured I'd kill two birds with one stone and while carrying them off to the bookshelf give them a few minutes of fame in youtube video primetime action. You can check out the video above for a quick look at BlackBerry books that will help you get BlackBerry smart. And for more info on each of the books mentioned in the video or to purchase, you can follow the links below:

• BlackBerry Storm for Dummies (2nd Edition) | All BlackBerry for Dummies Books
• My BlackBerry Curve
• BlackBerry Made Simple by Made Simple Learning
• Beginning BlackBerry Development | Advanced BlackBerry Development
• CrackBerry: True Tales of BlackBerry Use and Abuse | Kindle Version

Happy Reading! While you can usually find any answer you need for free in our CrackBerry articles or forums, books are always tend to be nice to have around and are especially good for those just getting their first device - step by step how tos and help make learning easy. And for BlackBerry Application development, the clear and precise instructions and theory are a big bonus. If you know of other good BlackBerry-related books out there you have read, you can make mention of them in the comments. Now go get BlackBerry smart! :)

* Update - to those in the comments asking for it, I posted the link to the straight .pdf version. *

Have a New Year's Resolution to get your BlackBerry use under control? Get an Amazon Kindle for Christmas? If so, then just type the word "crackberry" into your Kindle and you can pick-up CrackBerry: True Tales of BlackBerry Use and Abuse. This is not a BlackBerry how-to book, but rather a book full of real-life stories of BlackBerry use gone too far as well as lots of tips and tricks to get your smartphone use under control (even though it was written for BB, the strategies are good for anybody who can't put down their mobile device).

The paper back copy of this book came out in November 2008, and the Kindle version actually was released in May of 2009, but of course it was only since I personally picked up a Kindle this Christmas for myself (contributing to these sales stats I guess) that I even realized it was available in Kindle-format! The Kindle version actually sells for $6 less than the paperback.

All in all, if you're one of those hardcore BlackBerry users you should appreciate it - it's kinda funny, slightly disturbing and actually has some really helpful and useful information. Definitely take the BlackBerry Addiction quiz. And one of these days we'll have to follow up with an updated version - so if you have good stories to share jot them down and be ready to send them in for when we do a call for stories.

I guess now all we need is that Amazon Kindle for BlackBerry app to get released! :)

• CrackBerry: True Tales of BlackBerry Use and Abuse (Amazon Kindle) >>
• CrackBerry: True Tales of BlackBerry Use and Abuse (ShopCrackBerry - paperback) >> 
• CrackBerry: True Tales of BlackBerry Use and Abuse (Amazon - paperback) >>
• CrackBerry: True Tales of BlackBerry Use and Abuse (.pdf version for .pdf readers) >>