Posted on August 5, 2009, at 12:04 PM .
By Josh A.
If you frequent any gadget forums, you’ve probably heard the stories of executives and teenagers alike racking up tens of thousands of dollars worth of dollars worth of roaming and data charges while traveling.
The most recent high-profile example of this was when Mythbuster Adam Savage was charged $11,000 for using mobile data while in Canada.
These insane charges aren’t reserved only for the rich and famous, however. There are countless stories of average people like you and me.
It’s a shame that so many people get hit with these incredible charges when they’re so easy to avoid without giving up the use of your phone.
Unlocking services such as UniquePhones allow you to switch out a prepaid SIM card for the country or countries you’re visiting.
In the spirit of helping our readers rid themselves of these fees forever, UniquePhones is offering an exclusive coupon to BlackBerry Cool users: simply enter the coupon BBCROAM at checkout for a 30% savings on your unlock.
If you ever use your phone in another country, it’s insanity not to do it on an unlocked phone with a local SIM.
We hope that our readers never see these ridiculous roaming charges again, but we’d love to hear your horror stories about surprise cell phone charges.
Posted on August 5, 2009, at 11:44 AM .
Griffin Technology and BlackBerry Cool are giving away some great accessories each week. For 6 weeks, we’ll be giving away prize packages and all you have to do is comment. Each week’s prize package will be different and on the 6th week we’re giving away a grand prize.
For the first week, we’ll be giving away a great package for all you BlackBerry Storm users.
Griffin is giving away 3 BlackBerry Storm prize packages which include:
Elan Form for BlackBerry Storm
BlackBerry Screen Care Kit (for Storm)
To be one of the three winners of this prize package, just comment what you like about your BlackBerry Storm.
Feel free to participate on Twitter too. Just ReTweet this story and add the hashtag #BlackBerryStorm
Meet Griffin Technology on Twitter too.
Next week, we’ll announce the winners and present that week’s prize package. Next week is for BlackBerry Bold users.
Posted on August 5, 2009, at 10:51 AM .
BBSAK (BlackBerry Swiss Army Knife) has gone version 1.3. BB SAK was built as a JL_Cmdr replacement tool with a more friendly GUI and the latest updates really improve the application.
Version 1.3 lets you backup and restore 3rd party apps from your BlackBerry. You can also save or remove an individual COD file. The app can remove IT policies and take screenshots as well.
New to v1.3
* New way to detect device implemented MUCH MORE efficient and accurate
* Radio is now temporarily disabled while backing up devices (turns back on when backup completed)
* Backup now creates .alx file (allows you to install from loader.exe/desktop manager) and wont give you trouble when using desktop manager
* Restore 3rd Party apps removed – with alx install in 1 step with loader.exe
* Ability to Read all Apps on the Blackberry (3rd party and stock)
* Ability to Save individual COD files (C:\Program Files\BBSAK\CODs\(App name)\cod file)
* Ability to Remove individual COD files (permanently!)
* Ability to Load individual COD files (some require phone restarting others do not depends if app is running in background)
* Donate button! please donate if you appreciate our hard work!
Main Features
* Wipe Blackberry leaving a 507 error
* Reset Blackberry to factory state removing any IT Policy
* Take Screenshots of your Blackberry (Screenshots stored in My Pictures\BBScreenies now)
* Auto-Detects if phone is plugged in first.
* Displays PIN so you know your connected.
* Will not let you do any actions until phone detected.
* Load OS will auto delete Vendor.xml and start Loader.exe. (BBDM is needed for this)
* Backup 3rd Party Apps*
* Restore 3rd Party Apps**
* Save to Program Files\BBSAK\Backup (only 1 backup at a time) Will prompt to make rename if backup already exits (click ok to see folder for name change)
**Restore within Loader.exe
Download BBSAK (BlackBerry Swiss Army Knife) version 1.3.
[Via]
Posted on August 5, 2009, at 10:41 AM .
The T-Mobile BlackBerry Curve 8520 is incredibly cheap at Wal-Mart. For only $48.88, on a two year, you get a high-powered smartphone that looks really slick. The device is also available in the T-Mobile Store for $129.99, but I can’t imagine why someone wouldn’t just go to Wal-Mart.
Now, a lot of you are probably saying “but it doesn’t come with GPS.” Well this goes back to something we’ve said several times on BlackBerry Cool: you may not love every device from RIM, but there is always a device for you.
The demographic that will be picking up a Curve 8520, is likely someone new to the smartphone market, and not quite used to email on a phone, but loves to text message. This phone will be perfect for this individual.
Check out our review of the prerelease device, and we’ll have the official review up shortly.
Posted on August 5, 2009, at 10:34 AM .
The official word is that BlackBerry Desktop Manager for Mac will be coming in September. Don’t worry about downloading the software on that day because you will automatically get notified that an update is available and get a download link, if you’ve already downloaded RIM’s current Mac solution.
One of the great things about Desktop Manager for Mac is that it is an application built for Mac users. The software has a clean user interface and a simple navigation system. Sync’ing individual files is only one click away, whereas it is a few navigation clicks away in the PC version.
The software comes with integrated Media Sync for iTunes, and sync support for multiple iCal calendars and Entourage. You can also sync multiple devices at once.
Another great feature, especially for Storm users, is that it will automatically notify you of official carrier OS updates.
Again, the software is coming in September but we’ll have our full review for you before launch.
Posted on August 4, 2009, at 12:35 PM .
The BlackBerry Partners Fund have announced the next four finalists in the 2009 BlackBerry Developer Challenge.
The next four finalists are:
- David by Turner Technologies
- Sid Meier’s Pirates by Concrete Software Inc
- CBS News by Handmark
- Market Simplified by Market Simplified Inc.
This brings the total finalists to 8. The previous four finalists were:
- Fierce Towers by Nickel Buddy
- Astraware Solitare by Handmark
- Expense Manager by Total Wireless Solutions
- Vision for YouTube by Metova
So far, of the 8 finalists, 3 are games. This is interesting considering games make up a small percentage of total BlackBerry content sales. Finalists were selected by a panel of judges based on the following criteria: compelling product or service; clearly defined value proposition, and; technical execution. Personally, I would like to see more utilities in the finalists. These apps are constantly improving the functionality of the device and need more recognition.
My next four choices are:
- gwabbit
- vPost (their latest version includes screenshot functionality and a scribble feature)
- LaterDude Pro
- Poynt (with their new features, are they eligible to reapply?)
Who would you nominate for the Developer Challenge?
