"Ryan, it's your mother. You were supposed to call this weekend. Did you forget your own mother? Oh where did I go wrong....?"
Hmm, it seems as though I'm in a bit of hot water, it's a good thing that she's on the other side of the country. I kid, I kid. I have to admit that there's been a few times where I've forgotten to make an important call. While I feel terrible about the missed call, I also feel terrible for not utilizing my loyal BlackBerry to help remind me in the first place.
While I could use the native Calendar or Task applications, I decided to try out the newest release from SimpleLeap Software LLC. The application is TalkLater, its mission is to set reminders for calls and help eliminate a few steps in the process. While it shows promise, I really wanted to determine if the low cost was still worth the install. Let's see how it sizes up.
About SimpleLeap Software
The name SimpleLeap may sound familiar to some of you, as I have reviewed their study buddy Cram < link http://crackberry.com/review-cram-blackberry-smartphones > application and the pallet pleasing Appetite < link http://crackberry.com/new-application-appetite > solution. I was quite impressed by both applications and I'm hoping that TalkLater will follow in their footsteps. Being version 1.0, there's always room for growth.
Talk the Talk
The idea behind the application is simple; create quick reminders for future calls and reduce the clicks needed to do so. This reminder will appear as a popup, similar to a Calendar reminder. The application allows you to add the contact name, number, notes and the alert time to this popup. TalkLater gives you three options to enter a reminder with their contact number.
- Access your address book, or choose Add Alert from Contact, which is in the Talk Later menu. Highlight the desired contact and press the menu button. Select TalkLater, which appears at the top of the menu. The contact name and number is then automatically entered into the appropriate field. You then will have to set the alert time and add any notes.
- Access your call log and highlight the contact number in question. Follow the steps laid out in option 1. No name is generated so you will have to add that.
- Open up TalkLater and select Add Alert. Add the desired fields.
TalkLater allows you to create an unlimited number of alerts and choose the alert method, adding or removing tones and/or vibrations to the pop-up.

choose how you want to create reminders

creating reminders is a snap
Walk the Walk
Being the diligent son that I am, I made sure to add many, many, much needed call reminders. TalkLater does eliminate a couple of the steps needed to create a reminder in your Calendar or Task applications. TalkLater continuously nailed reminder after reminder. When creating a reminder, the application automatically detects contacts with multiple contact numbers and asks you which number you want to use. What is the best part of the reminder? In the popup you are given the option to "Call Now", rather than entering the calendar entry to obtain the number or dismissing the popup and hitting speed dial.

hey! Thanks for reminding me!
The only gripe I have is the lack of alert tone selection. I'm only able use the TalkLater Chime or DRM-fee MP3 files found on my media card. The native alert tones cannot be chosen for your alert tone.
Conclusion
TalkLater does a decent job of reminding me to call those who are important. Being able to add quick notes to the popup, as well as dialing directly from the popup, is great. Give me the ability to select from more alert tones, and I will be a happy man. Your alerts can be created to remind you in as little as a minute or three years from now. I should let you know of a known issue regarding the storm;
BlackBerry Storm OS version 4.7.0.75 contains a bug that prevents many third party applications from playing audio including TalkLater's alert tone. The bug has been acknowledged and should be resolved in the upcoming OS release(s).
TalkLater, which has a free trial, is available for $7.99 at the CrackBerry Store. Now if you will excuse me, I have to call my Mommy...I mean Mother!
For more information on TalkLater, click here.
Summary: TalkLate v1.0 for BlackBerry Smartphones
Pros
-
seconds to create a reminder
- add contact info from your address book or call log
- dial straight from the popup
Cons
-
Cannot access all MP3 Files
Download
serrano_yejo Jan 27, 2009 at 9:41 am
because it takes 27 minutes to create a calendar entry!!!! PLEASE
pratik.patel Jan 27, 2009 at 9:43 am
Come on...the reason you dont take/make the call in the first place is you are probably procrastinating. Definitely needs a snooze feature if it doesn't already have one.
simpleleap Jan 27, 2009 at 9:51 am
We have just updated the application(v 1.1.0) to include a snooze feature. If you have already downloaded the application, you can simply select "Check For Updates" From the menu on the main TalkLater screen to download the latest version.
bbunderground Jan 27, 2009 at 9:45 am
Great review Ryan thanks
Gonna check this bad boy out, ...one of my biggest challenges, are with remembering calls
gschoelles Jan 27, 2009 at 10:09 am
Sorry, it just ate up system resources on my 8830 and slowed the heck out of it. Fix this and I'll be back because it looks great!
johnnymac Jan 27, 2009 at 10:21 am
Maybe I missed something in my limited trial test, but shouldn't the app pop up on its on a missed or ignored call, and then offer the reminder setup actions?
Surely it's not incumbent on the user to manually generate the action? (doesn't that kind of defeat the purpose).
Again, if I've missed something, smack me.
simpleleap Jan 27, 2009 at 10:28 am
The application displays a popup when an alert goes off that the user set from their address book or call log.
korp#IM Jan 27, 2009 at 11:38 am
I'm sorry but for $7.99 that is just not worth it. I can create a calendar event in 2 seconds that does the same thing except I'd have to go to my contacts to call. If it were like .99 or 1.99 I might be more inclined but with the basic function it carries out ... just not worth the price tag.
Anonymous1 Jan 27, 2009 at 11:45 am
It's only 1.0 so I'm assuming more features are coming soon. All the other software that Simpleleap releases gets quick feature updates (based on personal experience) and what I read in the forums. They already updated it to have snooze.
I don't know, it works for me! Maybe you should look at it again later down the line.
Robert Calhoun Jan 27, 2009 at 7:41 pm
I'll just use tasks or the calender... Not worth $8 to me... I know some people don't like the calander but I do...
stormtrooper254 Jan 27, 2009 at 8:57 pm
Great Review of the Talklater app