We may earn a commission for purchases using our links. Learn more.

SHAPE Services has an impressive list of applications to stand behind. In the past, we’ve looked at Mobiola xPlayer, IM+: All-in-One Messenger and Business Card Reader; just to name a few. Recently, SHAPE Services contacted us to extend an invitation to the CrackBerry nation to join in on the beta testing for their newest creation called Photo Translator. Currently in version 0.9, Photo Translator helps break down language barrier by allowing you to capture a picture of text and then it translates it for you! The app uses Google OCR Engine and Google Translator. This is by far much easier than referring to a translation book or an actual translator (those guys are pretty heavy to carry around all of the time). Here’s a snapshot of the features available with Photo Translator:
- Accurate Text Recognition - Reliable OCR (optical character recognition) technology allows grabbing the text from images in a few seconds.
- Translation Management - Translated text can be saved to Memo, sent by email, or used in other apps.
- Translations Gallery and Search - Save results for later reference and quickly search through them.
- Multilingual Support - Photo Translator supports English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Czech, Dutch, Greek, Chinese, Japanese, Korean and many other languages.
While you’re at it, you should also check out the latest updates to their IM+ Talk and IM+ Messenger applications. In the newest beta of IM+ Talk, VoIP over 3G/EDGE is currently being tested; where in IM+ Messenger, they have added multichats to AIM and ICQ (previously, multichats could only be found for Skype and MSN). I, for one, have never been less than impressed with the applications that SHAPE Services have brought to the table, thus far. If you have a BlackBerry, with an autofocus camera (89xx, 95xx, 96xx, 97xx or 9800), I strongly suggest you try out Photo Translator. In fact, I think I’m going to give this one a thorough review in the near future.
For more information on Photo Translator, visit SHAPE ServicesCheck out other apps from SHAPE Services available from the CrackBerry App Store
Read more

IM+ adds its own in-app messenger called Beep
Over the years, the IM+ cross platform messaging app, as well as its developer SHAPE Services, has been looked at many times on the CrackBerry blogs. If you haven’t heard about it yet, picture all of your instant messaging accounts poured into a blender and blended into one smooth application, from which you can chat with anyone. In other words, you can chat with friends and family no...

IM+ for BlackBerry updated to v9.2 bringing push notifications and more
SHAPE Services has just released an update for their popular instant messaging service IM+, bringing it up to v9.2. This is a pretty cool update, as they have now added in support for native BlackBerry OS Push service and inbox integration. Other changes include: Mail.Ru Agent instant messaging service Translator+ service is no longer supported Bug fixes While IM+ isn't a cheap...

RDM+ from Shape Services gets approved for the BlackBerry PlayBook, Available now
As we know Shape Services has had quite a run around going on with IM+ for the BlackBerry PlayBook, but that has not stopped them from continuing their development for other applications. Another of their popular applications, RDM+ has just been approved for sales through AppWorld. RDM+ is a remote desktop application which has been available for BlackBerry devices for quite some time...

A status update from SHAPE services regarding IM+ for the BlackBerry PlayBook
The other day when we wrote about IM+ Plus for PlayBook having issues getting approved into BlackBerry App World we did so in an effort to help improve the overall situation for not only SHAPE services but also for BlackBerry developers out there who may be facing similar challenges. As expected, we didn't recieve any updates from RIM but SHAPE services did. As they wrote on their blog...