BlackBerry App Center - Where Is It Now?

BlackBerry App Center - Where Is It Now?



It really wasn't that long ago that RIM was hiding the BlackBerry App Center under a shroud of secrecy. Details were slim, facts were not clear and everyone was left wondering what exactly was going on. Well, the shroud of secrecy didn't last that long and RIM began explaining exactly what the application center was to be. We all know carriers love to push certain items to our devices, some are useful some are better off having never been pushed considering it's nothing more than carrier advertising. We all see it, until we hide the icons and forget about them till a later time.
BlackBerry application center was created to clean this up and give users the option of which "carrier related" items they wished to install on their devices as well serve as a repository for carrier approved applications. So..where is it? We have seen it on the Storm and more recently we know for a fact it is still being built into OS' considering all 5.0 leaks have it held in the install files.
It leaves the question will application center be used at some point in time further down the road more widely? A lot of developers ask questions about BlackBerry app world and why not all carriers are having it proloaded and RIM's response to that is that they are indeed working alongside carriers to make that happen, but all are not on board with the idea yet. But if application center was designed for this why does it remain unused? Do you want it or feel it's even needed? Sound off your thoughts in the comments.

Tweeteev (Alpha) Twitter Client For BlackBerry Leaked!

Tweeteev (Alpha) Twitter Client For BlackBerry Leaked!

It’s been quite some time since Tweeteev was last mentioned here on BBRocks! but it looks like they’re still in the Twitter app game!
Up till now not too many have been able to use Tweeteev but Diddy let me know that a copy of the Alpha version has been leaked online and is available for download, which can only mean that Tweeteev is still developing their BlackBerry Twitter client and has not just faded away (like some on Twitter are saying).
About Tweeteev:
Tweeteev is a disruptive Blackberry client for Twitter. The interface, features and experience that Tweeteev provides will totally change the way you use Twitter on your mobile phone. Stay tuned, coming soon on a Blackberry near you.
This is not an official version so install at your own risk and only if you are comfortable with using leaked software. Don’t expect this version to be without bugs, especially since it’s an Alpha version.
I was told that this version should be a “one-app-fits-all” but I’m not sure. If you decide to install this (after first making a backup) be sure to leave some feedback and your BlackBerry model in the comments.
Download OTA: Tweeteev for BlackBerry

Check out Tweeteev.com if you’d like to sign up to be notified when the application is officially released.

(Via BlackBerry Rocks)

iDrive Lite Online Backup for the iPhone and Blackberry Announced

Updated iDrive Lite Online Backup for the iPhone and Blackberry Announced

If there is one thing any mobile phone owner would dread is that of losing the stored contacts that are normally saved on their handset.
This could be attributed to a lot of issues like software problems or worst, handset breakdowns.
And while many do not really have a reliable way of backups for their valuable contacts and data, iDrive may have the answer for all these worries.
In fact, they have even updated their app solution, the iDrive Lite which allows anyone to save and restore their contacts from anywhere.
Among the new updates of the iDrive Lite include performance fixes for the iPhone and Blackberry versions.
With the iDrive Lite, you can even restore or transfer contacts on a different handset provided you are registered on the same account.
And best of all, the service is FREE!


You can check out the iDrive Lite at the iDrive website.

Rumor: BlackBerry 9700 Bold Release Date – More Prototype Pictures

Rumor: BlackBerry 9700 Bold Release Date

I would file this is the rumor column for now but the dates make sense. The BoyGenius got a tip that T-Mobile has a tentative launch date of November 11th for the BlackBerry 9700 Bold. He claims that AT&T will probably also be getting it around the same date with Rogers getting it in late October. Here is to hoping it comes sooner rather than later! Especially for those T-Mobile fanboys who have been missing 3G for all these years.

(Via www.berryreview.com)

App Review: GPush and PushMail

App Review: GPush and PushMail



Don’t want to pay for MobileMe and have to use a me.com email address? I’ve been using the latest apps that bring push email (sort of) to your iPhone.
GPush and Pushmail are currently racing up the App Store, so which would I recommend?


Forthcoming Updates to GPush
Premium version allowing multiple GMail accounts
Custom notification sounds
Tap on notification to launch the message in Gmail within Safari (not native Mail client)
Tap GPush icon to go to Gmail in Safari


Forthcoming Updates to PushMail
Badges and custom sounds
Tap on notification to launch the message in native Mail client
More display options, such as only showing “From” or “From” and “Subject”, not the start of the message
Quiet time – mute notifications for a set period (nice!)

Privacy concerns
Both developers seek to allay concerns about privacy. With GPush you’re giving up your GMail username and password. With PushMail, all your email will go to your @dopushmail.com address, but this isn’t a full email account though; all emails forwarded are only held long enough to sent you the push notification, then discarded. Neither approach is ideal, so if you want pushed email without forking out for MobileMe, then you’ll have to think about which approach you prefer.

The biggest benefit?
As well as getting quicker notice that you’ve received an email, saving battery life is the biggest benefit. Turning off Mail fetching your email every 15 minutes to an hour saves a lot of power. Push notification does maintain a persistent connection to Apple, but I’ve found the battery drain to be far less than frequently checking email through the Mail app.
You may also want to turn off the sound that Mail makes when it actually downloads the emails (that you’ve already been notified of).
If you don’t like to be disturbed you could set up GPush, for example, not to pop up a notification or play a sound, but just update its badge. Position the GPush app near Mail, and you’ve got a way of unobtrusively checking for new messages without overly draining the battery.

The verdict
Neither app actually brings push email – you only get a notification, and still have to download the actual email by launching Mail app. But it’s good enough and saves a fair bit of precious battery.
The downside is that there isn’t a way of stacking notifications on either app – so if you get two notifications come in, you’ll only see the second one displayed. This is a limitation of the SDK as far as I’m aware. The workaround is to badge the GPush or PushMail (when the latter is updated) icon with notification numbers.
My recommendation has to be PushMail. Even without the problems that GPush are having, PushMail is a service that you’ll unobtrusively use everyday, so it’s worth the extra money. It also allows for plenty of customisation, so long as you’re happy to set up filters to forward your email. If they can fix their problems, users who do not want to fiddle with filters or forwarding should probably go with GPush.

(Via allaboutiphone.net)

Don’t Text and Drive…Please!

Don’t Text and Drive…Please!

This video dramatization is a chilling reminder how serious a mistake we make when we allow our mobile phones to distract us while we’re driving.
Please leave a comment pledging that you will never again text and drive.

ZoomSafer Launches Public Beta To Prevent Distracted Driving

ZoomSafer Launches Public Beta To Prevent Distracted Driving

When I’m on BlackBerry Messenger or AIM sometimes I’ll see people put “Driving” as their status. Depending on what app they’re using it may take a few steps to change their status before they can begin to drive, or they update their status while driving (illegal in some areas). This is where ZoomSafer comes in and makes it easy to notify people that you are driving.

ZoomSafer is currently in public beta and initially only available for BlackBerry smartphones. Current features for the first phase of the beta include:
Auto speed detection – ZoomSafer detects when you start to drive and automatically activates.
Safety Announcements – A recorded message plays when ZoomSafer activates reminding you to drive safely. We’ve pre-recorded several announcements for the Beta, but in phase 2 of the beta you’ll be able to record your own custom announcements as well as choose from several Celebrity Safety Announcements.
Auto-Toots – These are messages sent on your behalf to friends, families, and social networks to tell them when you’ve started and stopped driving. These updates can be sent via SMS or E-mail to up to 3 contacts as well as to Facebook or Twitter.
Keyboard Locking – Your keypad will be locked when ZoomSafer is activated except for:
Soft-key to exit the app when you have stopped driving or if you are a passenger.
Dialing 9-1-1
Three Priority Contacts – You can enter up to three Priority Contacts who will be able to call and interrupt you while you are driving. Inbound calls from priority contacts will be announced via a generic audio-alert. In phase 2 of the beta you will be able to create custom ZoomRingers for each of your priority contacts.
Inbound phone call management – While you are driving, we will suppress ringer/notification of all inbound callers who are not listed as Priority Contacts.
Inbound email/text message management – While you are driving, we will suppress all messaging-related inbound alerts.
Auto-Responses – While you are driving, if people try and contact you via phone or text – they will receive an auto-response notifying them that you are focused on the road and that you will respond once you’ve reached your destination safely.
If you would like to participate in the beta you can register at http://www.zoomsafer.com/. More info in the full press release after the jump, or watch to video above to see how it works. Looks useful!

Press Release
RESTON, Va.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–ZoomSafer (http://www.zoomsafer.com/) launches today the public beta of its patented service to minimize motorist distractions stemming from the use of mobile phones while driving.
“We’ve developed an innovative, yet practical, safe driving solution to help mobile phone users focus on the road, not on their phones when driving,” said Mike Riemer, CEO and co-founder of ZoomSafer. “Distracted driving is a huge and growing problem, and we’re excited to share the beta version of our software with members of the public and incorporate people’s feedback so we can further refine the service and maximize adoption.”
“As a mobile-device addicted person who frequently drove distracted, Zoomsafer is helping me make better decisions everyday as a motorist” said Matt Howard, co-founder of ZoomSafer. “Having tested the beta extensively I can honestly say that I am less distracted and more focused when driving – and I am excited to see what ZoomSafer can do for others.”
The initial beta program is for Blackberry users only – with support for Windows Mobile and Google Android planned for year end.

Phase one of the beta includes the following core safety features:
Auto speed detection – ZoomSafer detects when you start to drive and automatically activates.
Safety Announcements – A recorded message plays when ZoomSafer activates reminding you to drive safely. We’ve pre-recorded several announcements for the Beta, but in phase 2 of the beta you’ll be able to record your own custom announcements as well as choose from several Celebrity Safety Announcements.
Auto-Toots – These are messages sent on your behalf to friends, families, and social networks to tell them when you’ve started and stopped driving. These updates can be sent via SMS or E-mail to up to 3 contacts as well as to Facebook or Twitter.
Keyboard Locking – Your keypad will be locked when ZoomSafer is activated except for:
Soft-key to exit the app when you have stopped driving or if you are a passenger.
Dialing 9-1-1
Three Priority Contacts – You can enter up to three Priority Contacts who will be able to call and interrupt you while you are driving. Inbound calls from priority contacts will be announced via a generic audio-alert. In phase 2 of the beta you will be able to create custom ZoomRingers for each of your priority contacts.
Inbound phone call management – While you are driving, we will suppress ringer/notification of all inbound callers who are not listed as Priority Contacts.
Inbound email/text message management – While you are driving, we will suppress all messaging-related inbound alerts.
Auto-Responses – While you are driving, if people try and contact you via phone or text – they will receive an auto-response notifying them that you are focused on the road and that you will respond once you’ve reached your destination safely.
Phase two of the beta will commence in November, is fully customizable, and will include the following hands-free productivity features:
ZoomSafer Voice Safety Portal – While driving with your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel you’ll be able to use your voice to create, listen to, and reply to e-mails and text messages. You’ll also be able to use your voice to update Twitter and Facebook as well as listen to additional content services such as new, weather, and sports feeds.
User defined inbound calling – You’ll have even more control to decide who can call you when you’re driving.
ZoomRingers – You’ll be able to have your personal contacts record a ZoomRinger that plays when they call you. You will no longer have to look at your phone to know who is calling. If a call does not have a ZoomRinger associated with it, ZoomSafer will read the phone number to you.
Priority Text Messages and Emails – When you receive a text message or e-mail from a Priority Contact, you will be told audibly about the message and asked whether you want to listen to it.
Individuals interested in participating in the beta can register at http://www.zoomsafer.com/.

About ZoomSafer Inc.
ZoomSafer is the safest way to use your mobile phone while driving. We provide innovative mobile software and services to prevent distracted driving for the 20 million smart phone users including prosumers, small business users, families and young drivers, enterprises, and government organizations. For more information, or to download our media kit, please visit us on the web http://www.zoomsafer.com/.