BBM for The Rest Of Us

Before switching to my iPhone 4 a couple months ago, I was a long time BlackBerry user. I briefly switched to Android, but returned to BlackBerry in a matter of months. Why? I missed BBMing. Now that many people are switching to Android and iPhone from BlackBerry there are a number of cross platform applications that try to imitate that beautiful BBM experience. Today we will be looking at the two most used: PingChat! and Kik Messenger. They are both available on BlackBerry, iOS and Android. Note: This is from an iOS point of view. Feel free to shoot off in the comments on how these apps work for your platform.

Screenshot 2.1 Now Available For BlackBerry by S4BB

Got an email yesterday from S4BB letting me know about one of their newest apps for BlackBerry devices….. Screenshot 2.1. Pretty self explanatory, this one. Want to get a screenshot of something on your BlackBerry? This is the app for you! Good news, you can pick up this app for FREE if you want to, but there is also a premium version for just $0.99!! Yes, 99 cents! Not bad for a premium version of a very handy app.

Let’s break down each version:

Screenshot 2.1 – FREE version

The free version provides you a fully working screen shot application
	1-click screenshot		Queued up – NO
	Camera shutter sound		No branding – NO
	Send by email		File name conventions – NO
	No time limitation		Storage setting – NO
	5 languages supported		Image format settings – NO

 

How to use ScreenShot 2.1

• Click the ScreenShot icon.
• ScreenShot will now take a screen shot of your current BlackBerry screen.
• Screen shot image is stored in “Pictures” directory on your sd card (or internal BlackBerryR memory if the sd card is not available, i.e. device is connected to computer or there is not sd card installed).
• The BlackBerryR phone will give you feedback once saving is completed.

 

 

Screenshot 2.1 – FULL version

The full version provides you timesaving additional features
	1-click screenshot		Queued up – YES
	Camera shutter sound		No branding – YES
	Send by email		File name conventions – YES
	No time limitation		Storage setting – YES
	5 languages supported		Image format settings – YES

 

How to use ScreenShot 2.1

• Click the ScreenShot icon.
• ScreenShot will now take a screen shot of your current BlackBerry screen.
• Screen shot image is stored in “Pictures” directory on your sd card (or internal BlackBerryR memory if the sd card is not available, i.e. device is connected to computer or there is not sd card installed).
• The BlackBerryR phone will give you feedback once saving is completed.

 

Has anyone picked up this new screenshot app? If so let us know what you think of it!!

TSR Theme Spotlight – HEDONEDESIGN V2.0 – FREE

 

What….??? A FREE theme? Unheard of! However…. to honor HedoneDesign’s 2nd birthday, they’re offering TSR readers their newest theme: HedoneDesign V2.0 ABSOLUTELY FREE!

DESCRIPTION: Whew! What a busy year we’ve had this last year! Before you know it, it’s time for our new FREE V2.0 theme in honour of another birthday here at HedoneDesign.

Much like, and, in the same breath, absolutely nothing like, the original V1.0 theme, V2.0 uses our now-famous “Scalpel” icon-set (having earned that name from it’s obvious sharpness). The home-screen layout, this year however, looks like something straight out of a Stanisaw Lem (Solaris) novel, replete with cream-white plasticine walls, touch-panels and questionable robots named “Maximillian.”

Here are some more screenshots of this great theme, which I will be running today on my BlackBerry:

 

 

So, what do you think? Going to jump in and pick up this great theme? Head on over HERE to grab a copy! Big thanks to HedoneDesign and a BIG Happy 2nd Birthday from all of us here at TSR!!!

 

Kindle for Android released

Amazon announced today the official release of the Kindle for Android app, and Kindle owners around the world silently cheered with excitement! I am both a Kindle and Android owner, and although I probably won’t make it a habit to read books on my Android device, it’s great for times when I’m standing in line or stuck somewhere waiting and I don’t have my Kindle with me.

Here are some of the features you can expect with this app:

• Get the best reading experience available on your Android phone. No Kindle required
• Access your Kindle books even if you don’t have your Kindle with you
• Automatically synchronizes your last page read and annotations between devices with Whispersync
• Adjust the text size, add bookmarks, and view the annotations you created on your Kindle, computer, or other Kindle-compatible device
• Read in portrait or landscape mode
• Tap on either side of the screen or flick to turn pages

Information regarding purchasing books for your Android app:

• Buy a book from the Kindle Store optimized for your Android phone and get it auto-delivered wirelessly
• Search and browse more than 600,000 books, including 109 of 110 New York Times bestsellers. If you are a non-U.S. customer, book availability may vary
• Find New York Times® Best Sellers and new releases from $9.99
• Get free book samples. Read the beginning of books for free before you decide to buy
• Books you purchase can also be read on a Kindle, computer, or other Kindle-compatible mobile devices
• Kindle newspapers, magazines and blogs are currently not available on Kindle for Android
• Kindle for Android is currently available for customers in Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, United Kingdom, United States

Head on over to the Android Market to pick up the Kindle app for FREE, or simply scan this barcode (using a barcode scanner app) with your device, to download!

Let us know what you think of this app after you give it a go!

via – Amazon

TripIt For BlackBerry

Here’s a useful app for your BlackBerry, especially if you are an avid traveler. TripIt for BlackBerry lists all of your travel plans on your device no matter how it was booked. Here’s how it works:

- Forward travel confirmation emails to plans@tripit.com to build a trip itinerary

- Access your travel info from your BlackBerry any time with our free app

- Sync your travel plans with your BlackBerry calendar

- Supports both Google Maps and BlackBerry maps

All BlackBerry devices are compatible with this service, and it can be used in any country, with any carrier!

You can pick up TripIt in BlackBerry App World. It is a free app, but they do offer a pro version which offers mobile travel alerts, alternate flight suggestions, frequent flyer point tracking and more. Learn more about TripIt Pro at www.tripit.com/pro. Looks like the pro version has a free 30 day trial, but will run you $69/year after that. Seems AWFUL steep to me, I’ll stick to the free version, thanks!

Version:	1.0.12046
Release:	11.03.2010
File Size:	358 KB

Contest: Win A FREE Copy of Calendar Pro For BlackBerry

As you may remember, about a week ago, we posted some information on the Calendar Pro app for BlackBerry devices by SBSH Software. You can read the write-up here.

Well, I received some great news! The folks over at SBSH have been gracious enough to offer up a FREE copy to one of the Sauce Report readers! That’s right! One of you lucky readers can win a free copy of Calendar Pro! This is a $14.95 value, so thank you VERY much SBSH!

Here’s some info about the app:

Turn your BlackBerry into a powerful time management system. Enjoy innovative and compelling tools far beyond the default BlackBerry tools that will help you manage your busy schedule. Advanced calendar views, dedicated tasks manager, powerful recurring items engine, category coloring and icons and much more!

Who doesn’t need to stay organized? I know I do!

So, how do you win? Well, it’s pretty easy! Just let us know in the comments below why you think YOU should win this app and we’ll pick a random name at the end of the contest.

The contest will run for one week starting today and a winner will be picked on Sunday, June 13th.

Good luck, everyone!!!

Contest: Win a FREE Copy of ZenMinder for BlackBerry

A few weeks ago, we posted a review of ZenMinder for BlackBerry, and now we’re offering up a FREE copy of ZenMinder to our readers.

Head on over to the link above to read the review and if you think this app is for you, leave a comment here on why you think YOU should win a copy of this app, and you will be automatically entered into the contest!

Winner to be picked soon!

Good luck everyone!

Contest: Win a FREE Copy of ASAP For BlackBerry

Michael over at The Jared Company emailed me about their NEWEST app that has JUST hit Mobihand, called ASAP. Here’s some information on this app from Michael:

ASAP, a simple to use auto-responder to missed or ignored calls from any of your contacts that call from their mobile number.

ASAP’s manual operation allows you to choose one of four customized responses that is sent by text message for calls you “ignore”. ASAP’s automatic operation automatically sends your choice of any one of your four customized responses for any missed calls. Please see below for the full ASAP Sales Copy.

You’re enjoying a night out. You’re in the middle of an important business presentation, or you’re with your family when your Blackberry rings Now what?

Used to be you had two choices: take the call or ignore it. With Blackberry ASAP from JaredCo, you now have more options. No more leaving an important client hanging on the line. No more hurt feelings of “being ignored.”

• With ASAP, respond to an incoming call using a return SMS, with a single click.

• Customize your texts and send them. No thumbing during that big meeting.

• Create special text messages: “I’m at the concert .” “I’m in a meeting.” “I’ll get back to you ASAP!” No more “I am busy.”

• With ASAP the pressure is off. With a simple click let callers know they got through. Let them know why you’re tied up. Let them know you’ll get back to them ASAP.

• No need to stop what you’re doing. You’ll get back ASAP.

• ASAP is a breeze to configure, a snap to personalize and a pleasure to deploy.

• And ASAP comes with JaredCo’s 100% money-back guarantee. If you don’t think it’s the best responder app out there, ASAP doesn’t cost you a penny.

With JaredCo’s ASAP, you’re in touch with a click.

Features:

Manual operation allows you to choose 1 of 4 customized auto responses that will be sent by SMS to any call you choose to ignore from any caller in your contacts that calls from their mobile number.

Automatic operation allows you select 1 customized auto response that will be sent by SMS to any missed call from any caller in your contacts that calls from their mobile number.

All Upgrades will be free.

100% money back Guarantee if not fully satisfied.

Compatible Devices:

For ASAP – For Non-Storm
BlackBerry: 8100 (Pearl), 8110 (Pearl), 8120 (Pearl), 8130 (Pearl), 8220 (Pearl Flip), 8230 (Pearl Flip), 8300 (Curve), 8310 (Curve), 8320 (Curve), 8330 (Curve), 8350i (Curve), 8520 (Curve), 8530 (Curve), 8700, 8700c, 8700f, 8700g, 8700r, 8700v, 8703e, 8705g, 8707g, 8707h, 8707v, 8800, 8820, 8830, 8900 (Curve), 8930 (Curve), 9000 (Bold), 9100 (Pearl), 9630/9650 (Tour), 9700 (Bold)

For ASAP – For Storm
BlackBerry: 9500 (Storm), 9530/9530T (Storm), 9550/9520 (Storm2)

Right now you can get this app in MobiHand for $4.99

So……what do you think? Would this be an app that would appeal to you? Would this be something that you would need? If so, tell us why – for your chance to win a FREE copy of ASAP!

S4BB releases LearnSpanish for BlackBerry

Looking to learn to speak Spanish? Heading to Spain for vacation and want to communicate with the locals? S4BB has just released an app for your BlackBerry device that will help you in your journey. It’s called LearnSpanish…. and you will do just that!

This app is available on all BlackBerry devices, and for all learning levels:

* Newbie

* Elementary

* Intermediate

* Upper Intermediate

* Advanced

You have access to this app 24/7 and can learn Spanish at your own pace – on the train, at work, at home, while waiting in line!  Jam packed with 295 audio lessons, tailored to fit anyone, no matter the interest level.

Head on over to BlackBerry App World to pick up this app. I’m happy to pass along the great news that this app is FREE!

Version: 1.1.3

Size: 414 KB

Cost: FREE

cnected for Multiple Platforms

I just got word last night of this new app available for iPhone, BlackBerry, Android, and Symbian devices. What’s it all about? Well, are you an ex-BlackBerry user who has jumped ship for another platform? If so, you most likely miss your BlackBerry Messenger the most out of all the features on your BlackBerry. This app brings you closer to getting BBM back on your device, so you can keep in touch with all of your friends!

cnected works across many platforms, not only can you IM friends one on one, but you can also create groups, just like on BBM. This is great news for folks who had to give up all of their groups when changing platforms.

It works pretty much like BBM, but I wouldn’t go so far as to call it a replacement for BBM.

Once you go into the app, you have four categories:

* Notifications

* Contacts

* Groups

* Profile

You can find users based on a few different criteria – based on your location, manually putting in their user ID, searching through your Facebook friends, and also by searching profiles that have recently been updated. The only problem with the first and last types of searches is that you end up getting friend requests from people you have never met before. For people who value their privacy, this may not be the app for you.

Another feature that may make some folks cringe…..broadcast messages. Yes, cnected has implemented this feature into their app. HOWEVER, you CAN pick and choose who to send broadcast messages to, simply by checking or unchecking the users name(s). One thumb up for allowing that.

The app was somewhat slow on my HTC Incredible, but while I was talking to a friend who was using this on a BlackBerry, he noted that it moved pretty fast on his device. So, I would say that different platforms are going to react differently, and hopefully they’ll work out some of the speed issues in future builds.

You can pick up cnected by going HERE from your device.

I cannot say that this app is one of my favorites, but I will certainly try it out again when updates are released. Have you used it? Let us know what you think by commenting below!