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There's no doubt that a BlackBerry isa powerful device, offering the chance to do plenty of different tasks on the
go. There are also a huge number of third-party applications available that can
make the device even more useful.
Adding apps to your BlackBerry is
easy too, because they can all be installed 'over the air', either by visiting
the app's site with your BlackBerry's built-in browser and downloading the file
directly, or by having an email sent to your BlackBerry with a direct download
link.
Even better, I have found 10 really
useful apps that are free. So read on for some brilliant ways to improve the
functionality of your Blackberry without spending a penny.
1. Google Mobile
Google Mobile provides easy access
to Gmail, Picasa,
Google Maps,
Google Sync and more. A single interface will gives you one-stop access to
Google's Gmail and Maps applications (the latter of which can integrate with
your built-in GPS tool, if your BlackBerry has one).
It also includes links to web
services including search, Google News, Google Reader, Google Docs (which is
read-only on mobile devices), Picasa photos, and your Google Notebook, all of
which open in your BlackBerry's built-in web browser. Google Mobile also
includes the Google Sync service, which allows two-way synchronisation between
your BlackBerry's built-in calendar and the web-based Google Calendar.
2. XPRSS
If you regularly read RSS feed updates every day with
your morning coffee or during the peculiar hold-up when going to work, then
you’ll love XPRSS, the best free RSS feed reader
available for the Blackberry. This app comes preloaded with a list of the most
popular news feeds, and of course you can add as many of your own as you want.
Aside from reading articles that other people write,
you may produce your own. If you do have your own WordPress blog, then you’ll
want to install the WordPress client. This client lets you do
almost everything from managing comments to reviewing and writing posts.
3. LifeInPocket GPS
If you regularly find yourself on the road and you do
have a GPS-enabled phone, then the LifeInPocket GPS app is an all-in-one app
that you’ll never be able to live without once you start using it. Based on
your location, it’ll show you navigation routes, your nearby friends, nearby
businesses including cheap gas or towing services, current traffic levels,
current news for your area and much more.
4. BeamExplorer
Just having this one app on your phone would let you
uninstall dozens of other apps.
Aside from the fact that BeamExplorer
is one of the easiest file explorers to use, and integrates very nicely with
the Bold’s rollover pad, it also lets you create MS Office files on-the-fly.
That’s a very rare feature to find for free in a Blackberry app.
5. Vlingo
One of my absolute favorite apps that I could never
really find in the Android Market, is Vlingo.
This is one of those rare apps that seem ahead of the curve technologically. It
is perfect for in the car, because you can launch applications, update your
Facebook or Twitter accounts.
Best of all, when you enable it, Vlingo will read all incoming text messages and emails (up to 50
words) to you so that you don’t have to fumble with your phone while you’re
driving.
6. Victir
Vectir is a remote control app that is available as
either a Bluetooth or Wi-Fi install. It’s ideal for those of us that run
servers or monitor-less desktops as home and you want to remote-control the PC.
Blackberry doesn’t offer any free VNC-type apps, but
if you install the Vectir server on the PC, you can control the Desktop with
your Blackberry just like you would with a VNC connection.
As you can see, even the Blackberry offers a decent
collection of free apps to get you started with enjoying your new Blackberry
experience.
7. UPS Moblie for BlackBerry
This free mobile app for BlackBerry lets you track
packages sent via UPS and enter shipping information for parcels, as well as
locate the closest UPS stores. Packages can be tracked without logging into an
account, but more advanced functionality is available after login, including
the ability to create new shipments using the "My UPS" address book
and determine specific shipping rates and durations. The application also
displays your history of tracked shipments, automatically refreshing whenever
you reopen the app
8. Navita Translator for Blackberry
If you've ever found yourself in need of a quick
translation and you own a BlackBerry smartphone, Navita Translator is for you.
The app's basic interface makes it simple to translate words or phrases that
you type into its text field. And Navita integrates with the core BlackBerry
messaging, SMS and browser apps, so you can translate text directly from these
sources, as well. Its conversion isn't always perfect, but it's still a valuable
tool. Navita supports English, Portuguese and Spanish, and it translates into
52 additional languages.
9. Speedtest for Blackberry
Ever wondered just how fast your BlackBerry's 3Gconnection is at home compared to its speed in the office? Or wanted to
determine whether you get faster speed from your home Wi-Fi network or 3G?
Speedtest for BlackBerry gauges wireless download and upload speeds for RIM
smartphones on GSM 3G, EDGE and Wi-Fi. I wouldn't get too worked up about the
specific numbers Speedtest provides, but it works wells for comparing
connectivity speeds, since any inaccuracy in readings presumably affects all
measurements equally.
10. BlackBerry
Protect
Your BlackBerry is a valuable tool, so you want to
protect it. BlackBerry Protect gives you peace of mind
that should you ever lose your device, you can attempt to locate it or even
wipe all the data. BlackBerry Protect runs in the background so you won't even
know it's there, all while backing up your important data and keeping track of
your device. Log into the full-featured web portal to track or lock your device
should it be lost or stolen.
The BlackBerry App World, the official BlackBerry app
store, remains awkward and difficult to use, two and a half years after launch,
and even in version 3.0 guise. Popular apps often don't pop up in searches
because they haven't been certified for a certain model of BlackBerry—even
though they may work fine. If you have an AT&T or T-Mobile BlackBerry, you
can buy apps and apply the charge to your phone bill, but devices on other
carriers still require a separate PayPal account, which has its own issues.
Fortunately, App World isn't the only place to get
BlackBerry apps. The independent store GetJar does a brisk business, and so
does Handmark. Besides some apps are only available through their companies'
own Web sites.
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