Turning back the clock a few years to the first mobile conference I ever attended (WES 2007), one of the first people I met at the show who welcomed me with open arms was Rob Kao. Over the years we've kept up with Rob through his various endeavors in the BlackBerry space, including the launch of SmrtGuard, which was a big hit with the CrackBerry community. With CES 2012 in full swing, I caught up with Rob who brought us up to speed with the status of where things are at. As it turns out, SmrtGuard has actually been sold and is now Snap Secure. Keep reading for the full Q&A!

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SmrtGuard is a popular BlackBerry application for wireless backup and data restore, device tracking and wiping, call and message blocking, privacy, identity management and more. They have recently announced new plans for SmrtGuard Pro, offering consumer, family and small business plans. You can now subscribe to a single-license plan for $2.49/month or $17.99/year, a family plan for up to three devices for $29.99/year, or a small business license for up to 20 devices for $199/year. And since SmrtGuard is available for BlackBerry, iPhone, and Android, everyone is covered. You can download the app for free in BlackBerry App World, and check out the full press release after the break.

More information/download SmrtGuard

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Awhile back we told you about Personal Guardian a one-push panic button for your BlackBerry smartphone. If you ever find yourself in an uncomfortable or emergency situation quickly send out a silent distress call by pressing the convenience key. Messages are immediately sent via the various communication methods you preconfigured on your device or the online portal. These include sending an email, SMS text, phone call to an emergency center, or a Twitter message with your GPS location.

While also packaged with SmrtGuard Pro, many of you voiced concern over the hefty one time fee of $19.99. Well fret no more as it is now free to download in BlackBerry App World. As someone who's usually in the city late at night for work I feel secure knowing I have a quick way to reach out for help. Personal Guardian is compatible with most BlackBerry Smarphones running OS 4.5 and higher including the newer OS 7 devices.

Personal Safety Features:

• Dial 911 (or configure a number of your choice)
• Send out a Twitter Message with your location information
• Send out a Email with your location information
• Send out a SMS with your location information

More information / download Personal Guardian from BlackBerry App World

It's been a while since we've seen a major update to the popular mobile security application. The folks over at SmrtGuard recently rolled out version 5.25 of their free and pro version for BlackBerry users. This new version comes with GUI enhancements, bug fixes, and some new features as well. If you're still deciding between SmrtGuard and BlackBerry Protect as a mobile backup and security solution then check out this post on the differences between the two.

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The guys at SmrtGuard are celebrating their 2 year anniversay in style. To help spread the love, they're running a contest where you could win a 16GB BlackBerry Playbook, a lifetime license to SmrtGuard Pro or a 1-year SmrtGuard Pro subscription. What do you have to do to enter? If you're an existing SmrtGuard subscriber then you're already entered and good to go. If you haven't tried using the app yet, just do the following to enter the contest:

1. Head to BlackBerry App World or visit smrtguard.com to download the FREE version of SmrtGurad and sign up.
2. Activate your account and you're done.
   

That's all there is to it! Just be sure to activate your account between now and June 3rd 2011 - winners will be picked by July 1st 2011.

New users can also grab SmrtGuard 1 Year at a huge 60% off. Just head to the link below and use the code SGCB2BDAY. Good luck! Please note the coupon code will only work in our mobile app store or mobile app store client. If you want to learn more about SmrtGuard check out the link below, and to see how it compares to BlackBerry Protect visit this link.

More information/download of SmrtGuard

Going back to March 2009 when CrackBerry first announced the public beta, SmrtGuard immediately become a popular choice among BlackBerry BIS users for its ability to backup device data remotely, and via a web dashboard, allow users to login and execute a number of actions, such as locating a lost BlackBerry. Since its launch, SmrtGuard has continued to roll out a number of new value-added features, offering the basics for free and premium features for a price.

Just last month, RIM released their own app along the same premise, called BlackBerry Protect, which at a glance looks a lot like SmrtGuard and appears to offer a similar feature set. Of course, BlackBerry Protect is built by RIM and is offered as a free app/service, which immediately makes for a compelling download choice.

Since BlackBerry Protect hit the scene, I've received quite a few emails from readers asking us to compare the two services. Does it make sense to pay for the full version of SmrtGuard? Or is the free version of BlackBerry Protect good enough? Not wanting to delay any longer and being swamped at the moment with all the BlackBerry PlayBook craziness, I decided to take a different approach on answering this one and reached out to Rob Kao, SmrtGuard's Founder, to walk us through the comparison. I figured he's more hands-on than anybody with these apps, so would be able to provide us with an accurate tale of the tape and further insight on the comparison. Keep reading to see what he has to say, and if you've used both SmrtGuard and BlackBerry Protect in the past, be sure to chime in on the comments with your personal findings.  

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Like SmrtGuard? Want to win a BlackBerry Torch? The guys at SmrtGuard are offering up a free Torch during their Refer a Friend contest. To get in on the fun you simply need to get friends to install SmrtGuard (following the instructions below). A daily scoreboard will keep track of the leaders so you can keep up with your status. Whoever refers the most people will win a BlackBerry Torch, and the top ten will get a lifetime subscription to SmrtGuard. To get started:

1. Download SmrtGuard app (if they have not done so already)
2. Launch SmrtGuard application on your smartphone.
3. Click on your smartphone menu key and select 'Suggest to friends'.
4. Enter the email of the person you wish to refer SmrtGuard to and click 'OK'.
   

That's all there is to it! So spread the word and get your friends to try SmrtGuard. Good luck!

More information/download of SmrtGuard 

Did you get a new BlackBerry for the holidays?  Not sure just where to start? Not to worry we're here to help.

On behalf of the CrackBerry community, we freely admit we're addicted to our BlackBerry smartphones. We stand by our faithful Berry's for what they do best, and simply there is no better way to communicate and keep up-to-date with the world at-large.

Similarly, there is no better resource than CrackBerry.com for new applications, devices, accessories, and how-to guides about our favorite smartphone. Beginning in early 2011, we'll also have loads of information on the all-new BlackBerry PlayBook tablet. It's going to be an exciting year for both you and CrackBerry.com.

You're already familiar with BlackBerry's unsurpassed ability to communicate - Research In Motion mastered mobile email and security a decade ago - but what else can your BlackBerry do for you? We've put together our best app recommendations, how-to guides and all around BlackBerry goodness for your viewing pleasure.

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SmrtGuard is offering their followers a chance to win a brand new BlackBerry Torch and a lifetime subscription to SmrtGuard (a $599 value). All you need to do is write why you like their application and how it helps protect your device as your status on Facebook and Twitter. You can double your chances of winning by posting to both sites.

SmrtGuard offers data, spyware, and spam protection for your smartphone and has the ability to remote wipe and backup/restore personal data. They were an editors choice winner at the 2010 CrackBerry App Awards and have a designed a great app for mobile security. Keep reading for details on how to enter.

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If you've ever been worried about your safety when walking alone at night, or while in unfamiliar territory, then you know how valuable a peace of mind knowing help is at the push of a button can be. Personal Guardian is a one-push panic button that when activated will silently trigger a call to an emergency (or pre-configured) number as well as an email, SMS message, and Tweet with location information. In an emergency situation, it is a fast and easy way to alert your loved ones and 911 that you need assistance. After setting up, Personal Guardian also alerts you when an unauthorized SIMCard is used on your BlackBerry. With the alerts, it will also turn on real time tracking. You can manage your account and track your phone via web.

Personal Guardian is available now in BlackBerry App World for the one time fee of $19.99.

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Review of SmrtGuard for BlackBerry Smartphones

Have you ever misplaced your Blackberry? You start back-tracking in your mind, thinking to yourself, "Where do I last remember using it," while the sweat starts to form on your skin. The next thought on your mind might be, "When did I last back up my data, and why did I keep putting off adding password protection to it?"

I had an experience with one of my first cell phones where I lost it in a snow bank and ended up finding it a week later. Fortunately all I really had lost were the contacts on it, and there weren't that many on there at the time. Now with my Blackberry, I know how much information I have on it, and how much I'd hate to lose it. Fortunately for cases like these, SmrtGuard brings us some assurance.

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Wow, it's really been one full year since SmrtGuard was released? Seems not all that long ago it was just rolling out of beta status. But as the saying goes, time flies when you are having fun. To kick off the celebrations of the one year birthday of SmrtGuard the latest release which is at version 2.52 is now available for download. Read on after the break to check out the new features and see how you can win some great prizes.

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The good folks at SmrtGuard have rolled out the latest version of their wireless backup and device security application. With the release of version 2.27 we see some bug fixes taken care of as well as some new features added. Considering the package that SmrtGuard offers, the new additions to the service fit in quite nicely here.

New Features:

• Anti-SPAM - With SmrtGuard Pro, you can now block unwanted calls (event private and unknown callers) and unwanted emails. SmrtGuard will also backup the list of blocked phone numbers and emails so when you switch device, you don't have to reenter again.
• Anti-Virus/Anti-Spyware - Afraid of someone installing spyware and malware on your smartphone? We got you covered. Setup scheduled scan and you will known when SmrtGuard finds a potential malware on your Smartphone. 

With the new features in place, SmrtGuard has also worked on previous issues noted in the "Where Have I been" portion of the application. The bug fixes in place now display the coordinates correctly. If you're a SmrtGuard user be sure to grab the update. If you are new to SmrtGuard, check it out and see what you think. The basic features of SmrtGuard are available for free, the pro version is available as a  free trial for 30 days. After the trial, you can choose from monthly, semi annual or yearly purchasing options for Pro versions.

• Download SmrtGuard From BlackBerry App World Today>>

If you've been thinking about picking up SmrtGuard, or you are a current customer, you can pick up an unlimited license today only. To celebrate (or not) April Fools Day, you can pickup SmrtGuard Pro Unlimited Edition for $99.99. This is a one-time fee for today only, and you'll never have to pay again. The offer includes lifetime upgrades and includes all of the features of SmrtGuard including remote wipe, backup, device tracking, location and more. Hit the link below for more information.

• More information and download of SmrtGuard Pro Unlimited >>

SmrtGuard is one of those apps that just works. It gives you peace of mind that your device is safe and can be remotely wiped of all data should it ever be lost or stolen. You can backup/restore data, remotely wipe and locate the device, protect your SIM from being swapped out and more. I love having it installed as it can be used both as a backup tool and has loads of security features. Everything can be managed from an easy web-interface (check out what it looks like after the jump) and it just does what it does. Hit the video above for a quick look. SmrtGuard is available in the CrackBerry App Store for monthly, semi-annual and annual subscriptions. A free version is available in BlackBerry App World that gives you the remote tracking, remote wipe, personal guardian and SIM guardian all for free (so you have no reason not to try it). Check the links below for more info.

• More information on SmrtGuard in the CrackBerry App Store >>
• More information on SmrtGuard Free in BlackBerry App World >>

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