RIM has introduced the BlackBerry Beta Zone, a site for invite-only beta programs that is now available to the general public. Currently, RIM has the App World test center available to the general public, but the number of applications is pretty sparse, and not exactly the most exciting apps. Also, the Beta Zone will solely feature RIM products such as upcoming versions of BBM and official apps such as the BlackBerry Twitter client.
Here are some beta programs that you can get access to via the Beta Zone:
BlackBerry Device Software 5.0 maintenance release for the BlackBerry® Curve™ 8520 and BlackBerry® Curve 8530 smartphones. This program will be open to members who live in Canada and will be capped at 1000 participants.
BlackBerry Messenger 5.0.1. This program will be open to all members.
BlackBerry Enterprise Server 5.0.2. This program will be limited to invited organizations only. Stay tuned for more information in future posts on recommending organizations for beta program invites.
BlackBerry Beta Zone. This program will be open to any members. This program will be about the BlackBerry Beta Zone itself. It will not include any product software.
Viira’s GTD (Get Things Done) app is based on the best selling New York Times book. The app works with your email, calendar and task apps, to best manage the tasks you need to “get done.” Recently, the app was updated to version 2.1, with project delegation and keypad shortcuts.
The GTD app works offline, which is helpful for adding tasks when in a basement or out of coverage. The app is also available with a free 21-day trial, so you can see how it affects your ability to get things done, before you purchase. Since this app is fairly pricey, I would definitely recommend the free trial first.
Vlingo have announced their version 4.5 offers a cool new hands-free feature called SafeReader, that allows the user to listen to incoming text and email messages. Vlingo found that a quarter of those surveyed admit to having read an email or text while driving. Considering, 66% of the survey respondents believe the practice presents one of the biggest distractions drivers face on the road, many aren’t taking their own advice. Hopefully this feature will help keep the roads a little safer, assuming listening to an email is safer than reading while driving.
Make and receive unlimited Skype-to-Skype voice calls to any Skype contact around the globe;
Send and receive unlimited instant messages with other Skype users;
Manage the Skype contact list directly from the mobile application; and
Call international phone numbers at competitive Skype calling rates.
To use Skype Mobile, you’ll need a data plan but you can save money in that Skype-to-Skype calls are not charged against your monthly minutes. The app will be available for the BlackBerry Storm 9530, Storm2 9550, Curve 8330, Curve 8530, 8830 World Edition, and Tour 9630.
Tim wrote in to say Google Voice has been updated to version 0.1.7 at m.google.com/voice. Google Voice is a useful app that allows you to make calls and send SMS using your Google Voice number. This is particularly helpful if you have multiple devices, or if you change carriers. Check out the latest version and let us know what you think.
Rogers have updated their tethering policy to allow tethering to be included at no additional charge for Rogers and Fido customers who subscribe to data plans of 1GB and above, with a few exceptions. The current tethering policy is set to expire on May 3rd. Rogers new tethering policy can’t be with the new 1 GB+ One Rate Roaming plans (except Rocket stick plans), Family Shared Data & Voice Plans and Smartphone & Rocket stick shared data plans.
