Monthly Archive for August, 2009Page 11 of 25

Interview with a first time BlackBerry user and 8520 owner

Posted
by
BlackBerry Cool
on August 19, 2009, at 9:09 AM
in Editorials
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9 Comments

photos-blackberry-curve-8520-handset-1

Recently, we posted an article about the “The BlackBerry Curve 8520 setup guide and tips and tricks”. One user responded saying:

“I’m the target audience for this post, never having used a Blackberry or any sort of smartphone, so this has all been very helpful. I’ve been really impressed with the Curve so far; despite this being unfamiliar territory for me, everything has been intuitive and easy to use.” (Head over to the article to read the full comment.)

We decided to follow up with this user and interview them about their first BlackBerry.
Click through for the interview with a first time BlackBerry user who bought a Curve 8520

Conquest theme for the BlackBerry Tour, Bold, Curve and more

Posted
by
BlackBerry Cool
on August 18, 2009, at 12:50 PM
in News
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9 Comments

conquest theme

Conquest is a theme for the Tour, Bold, Curve, 8800 and 8700 model BlackBerry devices. It was originally designed for the Storm, and it has been ported over for trackball devices. Currently, the theme is on sale and will continue to be 50% off through Friday, August 21st.

The Conquest theme features:

  • An edgy, progressive design.
  • Original visuals, icons, and buttons.
  • Hidden homepage menu that fades in and out.
  • Vivid colors
  • Hotspots for Application Menu, Clock Profiles, and Messages (Storm only)

Purchase the Conquest theme on sale for $2.48 (regularly $4.95).
Click through for video of the theme in action

Cool app! Mobile Speech to Speech Arabic Translator for BlackBerry

Posted
by
Kyle McInnes
on August 18, 2009, at 12:12 PM
in News
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22 Comments

This might be one of the most incredible applications I have seen to date for BlackBerry. Sakhr Software have created an application called Mobile Speech to Speech Arabic Translator for BlackBerry, that does exactly what the name says. Check out the above YouTube clip for a demonstration.

The Spoken Translator makes communication between English and Arabic speakers easy with the following features:

1. Users freely speak English or Arabic sentences into their BlackBerry.
2. Users see the translation displayed in Arabic and English script.
3. Users can hear the translation played out loud.

The application uses a technology developed by Sakhr called natural language processing (NLP) technology. The app has far-reaching implications for business as well as consumers. Enterprise users will be able to communicate with employees in the field who don’t speak English and tourists will be able to navigate Arab countries much more easily.

Sakhr Software has announced it will showcase its Mobile Speech to Speech Arabic Translator for BlackBerry at the LandWarNet Conference in Fort Lauderdale, August 18–20, 2009.

BlackBerry App World catalog now online with purchasing to follow

Posted
by
Kyle McInnes
on August 18, 2009, at 11:06 AM
in News and Spotlight
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11 Comments

blackberry_app_world_web

The BlackBerry App World catalog is now available online. You can browse all the applications available to download online and while you can’t purchase anything from the web, this feature is just around the corner.

The online catalog lets you browse by featured items, top downloads, categories or subcategories, as well as search for applications by name, “free,” “paid,” or “new.”

Each application page features a description, pricing, size of download, screenshots and reviews. Users can also see which BlackBerry smartphone, language and carrier the application is available for.

To download an application, you currently select “Get it Today” which allows you to enter an email address where a link to App World is embedded. From there, you pay for the app like any other from App World. This feature is going to get a major overhaul in the coming months.

Eventually, you’ll have an online version of App World that has all the functionality of the on-device App World. You’ll be able to purchase applications and keep an inventory of what apps you have downloaded in the past.

Personally, I would also like to see RIM implement much of the functionality you see in the Mobihand stores such as affiliate programs and potentially, the ability to push the app to your device from the web, thus circumventing the email portion of the process.

Check out the BlackBerry App World online catalog.

App World arrives in Latin America – expect more to come

Posted
by
Kyle McInnes
on August 18, 2009, at 10:16 AM
in News
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2 Comments

blackberry-app-world

App World has arrived in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico and Venezuela. It’s not clear whether this will be the same App World that we see here in North America, but chances are that the same applications will be distributed.

The only major difference is that users can choose to download BlackBerry App World in English or Spanish. A Portuguese version of the client interface is expected to be available later in 2009

Not only is this good for Latin America, but it should prove fruitful for the entire BlackBerry nation. App World does a great job of spreading smartphone application awareness, and teaching users that everyday tasks can be made much simpler with the use of a BlackBerry app. This smartphone lifestyle will promote more young Latin Americans to take up development as a career, and hopefully bring more bright minds to the BlackBerry platform.

This also reflects RIM’s strategy of making a tremendous push into Latin America as an emerging market. According to a recent interview with Jim Balsillie and Mike Lazaridis, the region could prove very profitable for RIM. “The thought that Latin America and Western Europe could someday be like North America in terms of market penetration gets us very, very excited,” says Balsillie. Let’s hope he’s right!

Cool deal: Beyond160 lets you send texts with 160+ characters

Posted
by
BlackBerry Cool
on August 18, 2009, at 9:54 AM
in News
.
6 Comments

beyond160

Beyond160 lets you send an SMS with more than 160 characters, the limit CDMA users have on a text message. With this app, users can type unlimited text messages on their Verizon, Sprint, Alltel, U.S. Cellular, etc. BlackBerry devices.

Purchase Beyond160 for $3.50 (normally $6.99).

UPDATE: This deal is no longer available and Beyond160 has returned to the normal price.

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