The folks over at Hedone Design let us know that their first application for the BlackBerry PlayBook under the name i-Mentlist, called VCMS (Vehicle Counters and Monitoring System) has been updated to v2.0. This new version not only adds some interesting new features but also brings support for BlackBerry 7 devices as well.

For those unfamiliar with VCMS, this is a GPS based application that displays all the information you'll ever need on the road, water, or in the sky all with its elegant design and eye-catching dials. While it already features a compass, speed meter, two trip counters, location and time, just to name a few, it now includes the following updates:

• Lap timer
• Social networks (including BBM on BB7 devices)
• Statistics (you can export it and import them to Google maps, or similar and check your routes)
• Maximum speed
• Average speed
• Speed alarms (yes, not alarm but alarms)

VCMS is compatible with BlackBerry 9220, 9350/60/70/80/90, 9790, 9810/50/60, 9900/30/81 and the BlackBerry PlayBook running OS 1.0 and higher. You can find it at the link below for $2.99 in BlackBerry App World.

More information/screenshots and to purchase VCMS
Discuss VCMS for BlackBerry 7 devices in the forums
Discuss VCMS updated to 2.0 in the forums

We have reviewed a lot of BerrySet apps here on the CrackBerry blogs the past year, occasionally teaming up with them to give our readers the opportunity to win some of their awesome apps. This month marks BerrySet's 1st birthday and to celebrate they are holding a discount on all their premium apps by putting them into one box and giving it to you at a low, low price.

All seven of BerrySet's premium app can be yours for a package deal of $4.99. That's right! As opposed to $16.93 when bought individually. The package deal includes:

• SuperWallpaperChanger - rotating wallpaper
• XWeatherPro - DIY homescreen weather widget
• XAppLock - password protect specific apps on your BlackBerry
• CallAssistant - send custom SMS and ignore messages automatically
• MP3CutterPro - create ringtone spinnets out of your songs
• MP3Knife -ability to edit the ID3 tags of your MP3s
• SuperPuzzlePro - a huge collection of puzzle for your BlackBerry

The offer ends at the end of the month, so get these apps now before it ends.

For more information and to purchase the package

Just last week I took the time to review a new application for the BlackBerry PlayBook called ReadOnTouch Pro. Now at the time the application had a few missing features like landscape view and the ability to view images in the articles you’ve saved. But do not fret, ReadOnTouch Pro has been updated to version 2.0. The developer of ReadOnTouch Pro reached out to me and let me know a few things about the app and working with the BlackBerry platform. One was that he had had more downloads since it was featured on CrackBerry then its entire time on the WebOS platform, and second that the latest update is available and fixes a lot of the issues I pointed out in the review.

V2.0 Change log

• Added: finally Images are available in article view!
• added: special fullscreen mode: tap twice on the article-view to hide/unhide the toolbars!
• added: portrait mode
• added: scrollbar for article-view
• added: new serif font: bbalpha sans
• added: highlighting of search results in article list
• added: ability to logout from current account
• added: create new account from within the app changed: searchbox borders, now integrates seamlessly in article list
• bugfix: no more accidently selecting article during scroll in article-list
• and some other bugfixes

If you haven't tried ReadOnTouch Pro it is an application that allows you to save online articles for reading offline later. The application uses the Pocket service to give you the ability to click a bookmark on your computer browser and to immediately have that article sent to your BlackBerry PlayBook.

Sometimes I’m just amazed at the CrackBerry community. We are all downloading apps that are useful to us, and at the same time helping developers reach their goals and realize that the BlackBerry platform is where the potential is. If you haven’t had a chance to read the full review of ReadOnTouch Pro, you can do so here. ReadOnTouch Pro is available in BlackBerry App World and is currently priced at $1.99.

Purchase ReadOnTouch Pro for the BlackBerry Playbook

With portability at the heart of the BlackBerry PlayBook it’s easy to forget that the device we hold today isn’t connected 24/7. So staying up-to-date with articles here on CrackBerry and other news sites may be a little difficult while on the go. Surely there has to be a fix while we wait for the notorious 4G LTE PlayBook we’ve heard so much about, and well, there is. ReadOnTouch Pro has officially made its way into BlackBerry App World. ReadOnTouch Pro allows you to save sites on your desktop for later viewing on the PlayBook, which is insanely handy. Continue reading for the full review of ReadOnTouch Pro.

ReadOnTouch Pro allows you to use the Pocket service (formally known as Read It Later) to “save” webpages and articles for later viewing on the PlayBook, making everything quite seamless. While you’re reading webpages like CrackBerry on your computer all you do is click on the bookmarked link for Read It Later and it gets pushed down to your tablet so you can read it while on a train, plane or automobile.

Read Full Review

After using MorphWiz-Play I seem to be in a music mode, always on the hunt for the latest and greatest music apps. Heck, maybe I’ll even start a band or become a DJ! Okay, probably not, but why not have fun with creating crazy tunes? Maybe someday I’ll get better at it. Today a new music app has been approved for the BlackBerry PlayBook called NodeBeat. I must say that this app has an interesting take on music creation. Essentially what you are doing is placing little nodes on the screen with some creating the beat and others create the tone. But put them together and you can have some sweet sounding music.

Features

• Friendly, Intuitive and Easy to Use
• Record and Save Creations
• Drum and Octave Generators
• Preset Layouts to Help Get You Started
• Sleep Timer for Falling Asleep to NodeBeat

Audio and Rhythm

• 20 Musical Scales
• All 12 Musical Keys Signatures
• 7 Octave Range
• Multitouch Background Keyboard/Piano
• Audio Waveform Adjustment (Sine, Triangle, Sawtooth, Square)
• Creative Sound Sculpting (Echo, Attack, Decay, Release)
• Adjustable Tempo (BPM) and Note Beat

NodeBeat can be found in BlackBerry App World and is currently set at a nice low price of 99 cents. If a DJ career is in your future, or you're like me and just enjoy seeing what you can create, you'll want to check out NodeBeat for the BlackBerry PlayBook.

Purchase NodeBeat for the BlackBerry PlayBook

Uber Iris on the BlackBerry PlayBook lets you edit photos right from your tablet.

While we're still waiting for Instagram to be developed for the BlackBerry platform, other developers are pushing through and creating their own variations to help fill the void. Today I wanted to share with the CrackBerry nation Uber Iris from Xlabz. Now, the Xlabz team isn't new to the BlackBerry platform and have a few productivity applications available on the BlackBerry PlayBook (like GroovyNotes, StockPulse, and Vault) but they’re no stranger to consumer-orientated apps like Sketch W Friends and now Uber Iris. Follow me after the break to see how this photo-editing app stacks up to the rest.

Read Full Review

BeWeather HD for the BlackBerry PlayBook is a feature-rich weather app that really stands out in both looks and functionality!

If waking up in the morning and checking the weather is something you've become addicted to you, will definitely want to check out a new PlayBook application called BeWeather from Bellshare. BeWeather is an all-in-one weather app that not only gives you the current and future weather forecasts, it does so in a visually appealing way. You’ll want to follow me after the break to read the full review on one of the best weather apps currently available for the BlackBerry PlayBook.

Read Full Review

If you're looking for some fresh ideas for the bedroom you're going to want to check out GetSome Positions by CoinFlip Apps. Now, we're not talking about interior design ideas here; this app provides you with over 70 positions to use with a partner to spice up your love life. You can browse through the 8 categories and pick out what you want to try, or walk on the wild side and go for the random option and let the app choose for you. Simple illustrations and humorous text will help guide you, and while some of the positions are probably familiar, you're likely to find plenty of ideas to keep you busy.

GetSome Positions is an adult app, obviously, so you're not going to want to let the kids play around with it. Available for most BlackBerry devices, you can grab the app for just $1.99 in BlackBerry App World. So, next time you're in a tight spot and need some inspiration, just whip out your BlackBerry and give GetSome Positions a go!

Contest: CoinFlip Apps has given us 25 copies of GetSome Positions to pass on to you guys, so if you'd like to try your hand at winning a free copy, leave a comment below! Contest ends Sunday at midnight PST. Good luck!

For more information and to purchase GetSome Positions for BlackBerry

If the absence of a note taking application on your BlackBerry PlayBook has you searching though App World for an alternative, you may want to take a look at Many Notes from developer willw.net. Many Notes combines your typical note taking application with the organization of a bulletin board, allowing you to create notes and move them around on the screen and put them into groups, or just go all crazy and scatter them every which way. It’s truly up to you.

Features:

• Auto-save & Fast Entry
• Drag & Drop organization
• Copy & Paste  
• Predictive-text & Spellcheck  
• Portait & Landscape  
• Expansive canvas  
• Add & Delete notes  
• Make notes wider and longer  
• No titles, tagging, manual saving, or anything else to slow you down!

One of the cool features of Many Notes is that you never need to save a note; it’s all done in the background automatically. Many Notes is available in BlackBerry App World and retails for $2.99. It's a great alternative to the Bridge note taking application that requires you to have a BlackBerry connected.

For more information / download Many Notes

If you are a fashion professional, you may have heard of Trendstop at some point in your career. They provide access to seasonal trend reports, trend forecasts and which key items you need to have. Through an online subscription, you can enjoy trend theme layouts, trend innovator analysis and much more. There is a free BlackBerry smartphone application already live in BlackBerry App World that provides fashion news on the go called Trendstop Fashion TrendTracker. Whether it’s hi-res videos, image or news feeds on fashion trends, or sharing trends through your Facebook, Twitter or email account, you’ll easily stay on track with what’s hot now, and what you should expect to be hot in the future. Recently, Trendstop and their mobile app developer partner Amoja Limited, have introduced a premium version of their mobile offering.

“From the wonderful feedback we have received from our most active Blackberry users, we have discovered there is an appetite for more fashion coverage, more galleries, and more looks. By offering a Premium version of our Fashion TrendTracker for Blackberry users, Trendstop.com is connecting Blackberry users from around the world with the most up-to-date fashion forecasts and trends for a price that is right,” says Jaana Jatyri, Trendstop.com’s Founder.

The premium version is available and builds upon what their free app has already done. The free application will still be available if it suits you. Premium subscribers will enjoy:

• Complete access to Trendstop.com’s most exclusive features.
• 20+ premium trends throughout the month.
• 10+ exclusive premium news stories throughout the month.
• All looks from Fall/Winter 2012-2013 designer shows.
• Trend-worthy influential Editor’s picks.
• Full screen image showing more views of each featured news items and trend.

The premium app is said to be aimed at trend-conscious consumers and professionals. You can grab the Trendstop Fashion TrendTracker application for free from BlackBerry App World. Read the official press release after the jump.

More information/Download Trendstop Fashion TrendTracker for BlackBerry smartphones

Continue reading article

If you were a fan of Sketch w Friends before, prepare yourself to be blow away by version 2.0. Early this morning the developer took to the forums to let us know that they have made version 2.0 available to the masses and wow, have they changed the game with this. The developers have added a number of new features to enhace the game play, along with adding even more rooms for the free users. Included in the new update is -

• Friends & Family: Private Rooms where you can invite your Facebook friends to play, with a maximum limit of 8 people per room. This feature is available only for paid users.
• Artistry: A special drawing zone where you can draw at length and share your sketches on Facebook and Twitter. We are planning on hosting some contests around this feature on our Facebook page so start sharpening your drawing skills right away and make sure you are connected to us on Facebook
• Me vs Bot: Not in a mood to draw? No worries; brush up your gaming skills against our friendly robot and have fun!
• Moderation System: Users will now be allowed to ban other players only when they unlock the Moderator or the Super Moderator levels. These are special privileges awarded to fair players based on several parameters. Oh and did we say, if you don’t play fair your level keeps downgrading automatically
• Clues for guessing the word.
• Color Palette: An all new color palette with a whole range of colors including the color brown.

If you currently have Sketch w Friends installed be sure to grab the update, and if you have yet to try it out, you will definitely want to do so today!

For more information and to download Sketch with Friends
For more information and to purchase Sketch with Friends

Many of us love the speed that our BlackBerry brings along with it, you can easily pick up your device, get to what you need and get it done quickly. Over the years developers have worked on solutions to make things even easier, one of the popular ones being ShortcutMe. For those unfamiliar with ShortcutMe it is an application that allows you to gain quick and easy access to various applications on your BlackBerry device without needing to leave the home screen. They have been hard at work behind the scenes to bring new features to the table, and they have done just that with the latest release. Version 6 offers the same great functionality we have previously seen, but also adds:

• Accepts plug-in functions
• Added safe-mode for running macros
• Fully customizable home screen with icon, weather, and battery shortcuts
• Added free plug-in to automatically launch shortcut based on events 

If you are a current ShortcutMe user you will want to hop into App World and grab the paid update ($1.99), and if you have yet to make the purchase use the link below to grab it on sale.

For more information and to purchase ShortcutMe

If you own a BlackBerry PlayBook and use Twitter on it, odds are that you have already heard of, if not already own Blaq. For those unfamiliar with Blaq it is a feature loaded, and beautifully designed Twitter application for the PlayBook that offers a great experience. While the application was built in only 30 days originally, a lot of time and effort has gone into it, and they are back again with another update, bumping it up to version 1.7.1. In this release they have:

• Timeline position is held if new tweets are loaded while scrolled (instead of jumping to top)
• Reduced application size
• Reduced memory footprint
• Big performance improvements
• Improved scrolling
• New splash screen
• E-mail Tweet
• Font appearance preview 

In addition they have implimented a fix for the streaming issues Twitter caused on Monday, long URL's no longer flow into the tweet beneath them, and a few other fixes as well. If you haven't already done so be sure to hop into App World and update today, and if you have been waiting to purchase, there is no better time than now!

For more information and to purchase Blaq for PlayBook 

puZZed is the ultimate rebuttal to “just five more minutes mom!”. I’ve mentioned before, in the original puZZed review, that I am completely guilty of hitting snooze, or resetting the alarm numerous, numerous times. I’ve gotten better as of late; making sure I go to bed at a decent time, so that I can get out of bed after my alarm goes off the first time….okay, maybe the second time. What puZZed does is force you to wake up and use your ‘thinker’ to turn off the alarm. Various tasks are available that must be solved before the alarm stops sounding, including; memory puzzles, typing phrases, matching signs and math puzzles. Recently, puZZed was updated to version 1.6.2, check out what’s new!

Features:

• ew puzzle! Color Mess - Select the color of the text, not the color it tells you
• Set difficulty for each puzzle
• Try out puzzle before downloading!
• User interface modification
• User experience improvement
• Various bug fixes

If you’re the kind that abuses the snooze button to the point of smashing your alarm flat, you need puZZed for BlackBerry smartphones. You can get it from BlackBerry App World for free from BlackBerry App World.

More information/Download puZZed for BlackBerry

As we acquire gadgets and devices in our lives, we seem to end up with a ton of remote controls. TVs, DVD players, stereos… everything has one, and if you're like me you can probably never find the right one when you need it. I was super excited when I found out that I can now eliminate the search for at least one remote, the one that goes to my Roku player. Five Seasons Computer has developed apps for both BlackBerry 7 smartphones and the BlackBerry PlayBook which allow you to control your Roku player over wifi! Every feature you can access from the remote, you can now access on your BlackBerry device using Remoku. Not only can you do basic things like change the channel, you can also enable the developer screen, reboot your Roku, and more!

Features:

• All the same buttons from the standard Roku remote including Instant Replay!
• Automatically locates Roku devices!
• Save more than one Roku configuration to the app!
• Easy to use channel list & navigation of your Roku!
• Use the onscreen keyboard to type!
• Toolbox feature allows easy access to bitrate override, remote reboot, secret screen, developer screen & bug report!

At this time, Remoku is available for BlackBerry 7 devices and the PlayBook, and either version can be purchased from BlackBerry App World for $2.99 at the links below. I have both versions, and I have to say that since installing them I've found myself using my Roku more often, maybe just because it's more fun to use my BlackBerry to control it!

For more information and to purchase Remoku for BlackBerry 7 smartphones
For more information and to purchase Remoku for the BlackBerry PlayBook