Now, this has been around for a while, but to my surprise there was no news on it! That’s right ladies and gents, the best public Twitter application has graduated from the 0.xxx’s to the 1.xxx’s! This may not seem like a huge step, but this really shows how much the team over at Übertwitter is dedicated to the best possible community experience.
Let us know if you’re an Übertwitter acolyte, like myself! Also, let us know of your own personal story of watching this application grow!
Not many BlackBerry applications give you up to the minute stock information and breaking news while it happens. CNBC aims to change that with their news CNBC Pro application. This application delivers a laundry list of features for the business minded BlackBerry user, providing you with all the stock market’s ups and downs and the news that you want to see.
We all know BlackBerry to desktop synchronization has always been shoddy at best. However, the new CNBC Pro application allows you to sync the setting from desktop to BlackBerry and vice versa. CNBC Pro will allow you to sync only the information you want (or need to those of you who work in investments) and keep the other crap off of you phone. Of course, you can expect nothing but the best with the $269.99 a year price tag (or $24.99 a month, if you so choose).
For the low-down on the CNBC Pro application, visit here.
Well folks, it doesn’t look like the Kik storm is about to die down. This morning, RIM filed a lawsuit against Kik, the popular cross-platform Instant Messaging client, for patent infringement. RIM pulling an application from App World doesn’t happen everyday. The first time I used Kik, I was using an Android device, and my first thought was, “This feels like BBM, a lot like BBM.”
I have no doubt in my mind that Kik’s ideas were inspired by RIM’s native messaging client, but whether it infringes on any patents will have to be determined by the courts. According to BerryReview, Ted Livingston, CEO of Kik, is a former RIM employee. This gives Livingston ample opportunity to have used RIM’s own technology to power what users have wanted for well over a year now, BBM for all. If he did in fact use RIM’s patented technology, Livingston will get more than a slap on the wrist. The current lawsuit was filed in Canada, but I’m sure we can expect on here in the States in a few days too. You can view the court filing here.
via: BerryReview
Not everybody uses a BlackBerry 6 device or runs a leak on his device, so not everyone’s using the WebKit browser which brings along tabbed browsing. We got lucky and Fabian Heuwieser released a free and useful app that helps us out a bit – SecondTab. SecondTab enables you to open a second browser window on your OS 5.0 device. To use the app you simply have to activate it from the menu while being in the browser, then you’ll be able to to swap using the application switcher (hold down the menu key). It’s not exactly opening up a second browser, more like opening up a seperate app, allowing you to enter a URL and browse the web.
Actually it’s pretty useful, especially for those who are stuck with OS 5.0 and desperately waiting for a useable BlackBerry 6 leak for their device. It’s free and pretty neat, so feel free to give it a try. Make sure to share your thoughts in the comments.
via: CrackBerry
Shazam is by and large one of the coolest applications currently available on the BlackBerry smartphone platform. Have you ever heard a song on the radio, fallen in love with it, and not known what it is (or not been able to remember)? Shazam allows you to place your microphone next to the speaker for approximately 5 seconds, after which it will make the sound to a song and tell you exactly what that song is (and tag it so you can have it later).
The user interface is very simple. All black, white lettering, blue highlighting. Not much can be said about the UI, as it is very bland. However, it is still aesthetically pleasing, and the text (despite being rather small) is very easy to read.
Accuracy was that which I was most skeptic of. How in the world could a sound byte of my music direct this application to a song? To my surprise, even some of my more obscure music or less well known music was immediately picked up. The only thing that confused Shazam was certain remixes (particularly dubstep remixes). All the songs that you identify (or tag as Shazam calls it) are put in a list in which the most recent tag is at the top. You can then go through your various tags.
The nice thing about Shazam is all the extra features it gives you after a song has been tagged. It allows you to look up the lyrics, gives you extra information, and even recommends song that you may like (some of which were other songs that I already listened to). While those who aren’t hardcore music buffs (like myself) might not find this app particularly useful, it is more centered around those who like their music and like it a lot.
Shazam is offered in the Encore version ($4.99 in App World), which allows recommendations, unlimited tagging, and a laundry list of Shazam’s best features. It also comes in the free version, which is limited to 5 tags a month. You get a week long trial of the Encore edition when you download the free version. If you’re currently a Shazam user, or you’ve decided to try it out for the first time, please let us know!
QNX is a name that all of you BlackBerry fanatics are probably familiar with. If you need to refresh your memory, check it out here. Regardless, this new development in the world of BlackBerry is borderline outstanding. In the video below, you will see seamless integration between a BlackBerry and a car, using Nokia’s Terminal Mode. It goes without saying that this is the coolest and most functional team since Shawn Spencer and Burton Guster, or Taylor and chopsticks.
via: CrackBerry
Some of you may know that the BlackBerry PlayBook SDK wasn’t quite full of content as some have hoped. There were no apps preloaded and not even a web browser built in. Good for us, there’s always someone that doesn’t like things the way they are and decides to make something better – or in this case: just make something. Jerome from BBerryGo took a look at the SDK and pretty much decided if there’s no web browser, he should make one.
Watch the video below to get an idea of what a developers can do with the PlayBook SDK in only two and a half hours of work. Of course the PlayBook itself will include a browser, yet this is a good example of how fast apps can be developed with the given SDK.
What do you guys think? Watch the video and leave us a comment.
via: CrackBerry
Since the BlackBerry Playbook was first leaked, websites have been a-buzz about it (not without reason, mind you). Well, if you have any development experience with Adobe Air, you can get one for free! That right, if you create an Adobe Air application for the Playbook and it gets accepted to BlackBerry App World, you will get a BlackBerry Playbook free-of-charge.
If you’re planning on making an application, make sure to let us know in the comments. Also, if you’re stuck on what to make, just remember your good friends at BBerryDog!
via: CrackBerry
Last Friday, Google released an update to everyone’s favorite, free, navigation app. Google Maps version 4.5.1 was released with no changlog, so we suspect that it’s just an update to fix minor bugs and improve overall performance and speed. In any event, update as you will and if you spot any changes, be sure to let us know in the comments below. Enjoy the workweek, and hit the link below for the update.
via: CrackBerry
Socialscope is so much more than just another Twitter app for BlackBerry. The words that really come to mind when thinking about Socialscope are “social media hub.” Now, you may have noticed I didn’t say social-network hub, and that is no mistake. Socialscope not only allows access to Facebook and Twitter, but also FourSquare and Flickr. But this is NOT about all of those. This is purely a review of the Twitter app portion of Socialscope.
The first thing that I noticed about Socialscope was how simple it is. The colors are simple, not over the top, and one can access everything in Socialscope from the BlackBerry menu key and the [+] sign in the top bar of the UI. Simplicity of use is a big plus with Socialscope, and definitely one of the better points
The is most definitely the most aesthetically pure Twitter application I’ve ever seen. The UI is based on a white background, black text, and blue for highlighting. The @-mentions (as it is with most Twitter apps) are highlighted in yellow and DM’s are blue. The yellow highlighting is, sadly, sometimes very difficult to see. If you turn your BlackBerry and look at the screen at an angle, you can see the yellow very well, however when you stare straight at your device, it is very difficult to see.
If you’ve not used Socialscope, I would strongly recommend that you get over to the site and sign yourself up for an invite. Also, make sure to let us know in the comments below if you’re already a Socialscope user and if you like it! Tell us what your favorite part about it is! And, if you would like, feel free to follow the BBerryDog team on Twitter:
Taylor – @PDCasper
Alex – @dqmhose
Me – @lovexxreverie
Kyle – @FoodNoLiquor
Jamie – @Mr_Jivy
Josh – @thejoshseawell
Jon – @Stromson
Jon Jaffe – @JJaffy