Have you ever watch the Travel Channel? They’ve got an impressive lineup of shows, and have no doubt provided plenty of great insights on international locales through their programming. Well, they’ve just recently launched a mobile application for BlackBerry powered by Earthcomber which not only lets you tap into spots covered by their programs, but find slightly less exotic destinations, like, say, the 7/11. Not only good for directions and maps, you can also keep track of friends, and discover new places in your area that fit with your interests. Looks like a handy little app, and worth a shot.
Monthly Archive for June, 2008Page 5 of 18
If the WES keynote video of the BlackBerry Bold wasn’t enough for you, maybe you’re looking for something a little more high fidelity… Check out this new trailer that shows off all of the BlackBerry 9000′s prominent features. One of the big things they’re pushing is simultaneous voice and data transmission, allowing you to talk to coworkers about files as they’re being sent. Of course if you’re in the U.S., don’t salivate too much – you’ve got to wait until at least mid-August before it comes your way. Rogers customers can keep an eye out for it in early July.
You’ve seen some of their fine white label work with Yahoo!, but Vlingo’s going it alone with their new application which promises to control pretty much everything on your BlackBerry through voice. All BlackBerrys come built in with a voice dialling app, but Vlingo is going to do a lot more than just that… You’ll be able to text and e-mail by dictation, open applications like Calendar and Maps, search your address book, and make web searches using Vlingo. One very cool feature Vlingo’s packing is Note2Self, where you can pull the classic “Note to self: Pick up laundry. Groom cat. Begin plans for global domination”, which then get tacked onto your tasks, or sent to yourself as an e-mail or text. Super-awesome. I’m really excited about the possibility of third-party apps plugging into Vlingo, too. Tune in to our next podcast to get the full down-low on the new software.
Click this link to download Vlingo for free or head to m.vlingo.com on your BlackBerry.
Part of me is sad for our southerly neighbours who apparently won’t get the BlackBerry Bold until mid-August or later, part of me is smug that everything looks like a go for the Rogers release. Supposedly there have been some approval issues between RIM and AT&T over the BlackBerry 9000′s battery which are slowing down the rollout. To be fair, this is why firm dates aren’t nailed down at launch, but it must be a bit disheartening seeing Canadians get this fine device first. Who’s disappointed? If you were already sold on the Bold, surely you could wait another couple of weeks, eh?
Just when we thought the workplace was getting more progressive about these sort of things, ABC has gone and forced its writers to sign a waiver that they won’t charge overtime for BlackBerry usage. The Writers Union has stepped in, advising members not to sign the waiver, forcing ABC to begin recalling some of the devices. This is a hot-button topic for those who live and die by the thumb… few want to be at work 24 hours a day, but it has become the standard in many workplaces and raised expectations to inhumane levels. How are things set up in your office? Is it frowned upon if you don’t check your BlackBerry at 10 PM?
A few more pictures of the Kickstart have come out of the woodwork, showing off a nice comparison versus the BlackBerry Bold. That should give us a reasonable indicator of size… the main body looks just about as thick as the BlackBerry 9000, so maybe tack on another third when the flip is shut. The BlackBerry Kickstart will be RIM’s first flip device, featuring an external LCD display, Wi-Fi, a 2 megapixel camera and SureType keypad. Dig the new look? Our sources are saying the Kickstart will be hitting up T-Mobile come September, just in time for the school year.
(via BerryShack)
