Posted on November 11, 2009, at 7:23 pm .
As the developer of one of the most popular business category apps on BlackBerry App World – “Call Time Tracker by momentem” – Terry has learned a lot about how to build a compelling app. In this article, he talks about how he spends his day, and there are some valuable lessons in this article for all app developers.
Terry writes:
After users download our app, they have to enter their email address to sign up for our free service. These days, most people are wary of doing that, so to overcome that our description on App World has to be sufficiently friendly and credible; the end result is that 70% of all downloads sign up for the service with a valid email address, which we believe is industry-leading.
Read more from the President of Widality and his experiences making a great app
Posted on November 5, 2009, at 11:25 am .
When we first posted impressions of the BlackBerry Curve 9700, we asked BlackBerry Cool readers what they would like to know about the device. We have taken some time to post more pictures of this device, and answer some of your questions.
Click through to read more about the BlackBerrry Bold 9700
Posted on October 30, 2009, at 6:24 pm .
Yes, the biggest improvement in the Storm 2 is the typing technology and the ease at which you can type on the touchscreen. Typing on the Storm 2 is a more reassuring feeling versus the 9530, and it is far easier than typing on other touchscreen devices such as the iPhone. Another huge improvement is the addition of WiFi.
But what about everything else? There are a host of small improvements on the Storm 2 that don’t get as much exposure but will provide you with a little added comfort.
Click through for our Top 5 small improvements to the Storm product line
Posted on October 28, 2009, at 6:36 am .
Today is the first day of owning a BlackBerry Storm 2 and as with every BlackBerry, you can get apps preloaded, from App World, and from third party stores such as ours.
In general, carriers do a fairly bad job at preloading your device with applications that are useful. Alternatively, there are a ton of great apps in App World and elsewhere that anyone can download. So let’s take a look at the state of the apps for the Storm2 at launch.
Click through to see what is available for the Storm2
Posted on October 16, 2009, at 1:19 pm .
I have been using BlackBerry Messenger for some time now to organize projects around the office, and I have to say, it is providing some serious competition to my previous solution, Basecamp by 37signals. With the latest updates to BBM, the BlackBerry is an even better tool for SMB (Small to Medium Business).
While BBM doesn’t have all the functionality that Basecamp provides, it does address some core features and it is a solid platform on which to collaborate. Here is a quick guide to using BlackBerry Messenger to run your small business:
Click through for a simple guide to using BlackBerry Messenger in your small business
Posted on October 3, 2009, at 12:33 pm .
If you’re here, you likely have heard, RIM has rolled out BlackBerry Internet Service aka BIS 2.8. One of the features that has been added to this release is the ability to synchronize Gmail contacts to your device. Unfortunately, providers oftentimes don’t give you any notice that they’ve updated and finding the version of the BIS that you’re on can be a pain. Fortunately, I’ve dug up a way for you to be able to tell whether it’s been updated to BIS 2.8. Thanks to RIM’s help section, it explains where you can turn the contact synchronization on and off, via the menu system.
It states:
1. On the BlackBerry® Internet Service web site, in the left pane, click Email Accounts.
2. Click the Edit icon beside your Google Mail™ email address.
3. Select the Contacts check box.
4. Click Save.
After you finish: To stop synchronizing your contacts, clear the Contacts check box.
So if you don’t see this option, you’re not on BIS 2.8 yet. If you do see this option, you’re all set! Remember, you have to be running OS 5.0 to use this feature. Let us know if this feature is available from your provider in the comments.
via Nan Palmero | Power User
Posted on August 19, 2009, at 9:22 am .
Snakeskin battery cover, yellow scroll ball, and Turkcell carrier bottom panel.
In the past couple of years we’ve seen BlackBerry go from a business-oriented uber pager, into the swiss-army knife of smartphone entertainment and productivity it is today. With so many high-end devices on the street, my Bold is no longer as special as it was when it first launched late last year. Time for a change that will elevate my device ten floors above the pedestrian and into the penthouse.
The Bold was the first BlackBerry that could be easily customized with interchangeable battery covers. On launch they had red and blue faux leather, now there are dozens of battery covers available from gold snakeskin to pink denim. We got our custom kits from Cellular Nationwide Network: an OEM parts distributor with a thorough selection of BlackBerry custom parts and quick shipping.
For these custom devices we wanted to switch the silver bezel and buttons out for a matte black set, I also wanted to switch carrier tags to add some international flavor. Ordering a battery back is simple enough but for these other modifications we’re going to have to so some disassembling and warranty voiding. Taking the device apart was simple enough, putting it back together is a little tough so here’s a disassembly guide just in case.
I would like to note how light the BlackBerry Bold’s guts are without the battery and external housing. To me the bold is a computer in every sense, but taken apart it weighs about as much as an Oreo.
Black denim battery cover, black scroll ball, matte black bezel with blank carrier bottom panel, and a set of black buttons.
If you’ve done any BlackBerry case modifications that you’d like to share please email us at tips(at)blackberrycool(dot)com.
Posted on August 10, 2009, at 4:23 pm .
Congratulations on buying your BlackBerry Curve 8520! Now you might be wondering what to do with your new phone. I’ll take you walk you through the basic features of your device and what you can do with it. BlackBerry is a powerful platform and if this is your first smartphone, your going to be amazed at what it can do.
Click through for the BlackBerry Cool guide to the BlackBerry Curve 8520
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 4, 2009, at 9:57 am .
I found this great article in the forums that shouldn’t go unnoticed. It’s a little old but hopefully someone out there gets some use from it. The how to will allow you to download the free apps from BlackBerry App World, even though RIM hasn’t officially launched in your country.
1. Download the App World .ZIP file.
2. Unzip it to your desktop
3. Copy the files net_rim_bb_appworld.cod, net_rim_bb_appworld_resource_en.cod and JavaLoader.exe to the following folder depending on your Windows OS:
3.1 In Windows Vista “C:\Users\(Your User)
3.2 In Windows XP “C:\DocumentsandSettings\(Your User)
4. Start CMD (Windows Key + R and then type CMD)
5. Plug-in your BlackBerry
6. Type: javaloader -u load net_rim_bb_appworld_resource_en.cod
once done type next one:
7- Type: javaloader -u load net_rim_bb_appworld.cod
Your device will now reboot and you will have App World on your device. This has been tested on the Curve 8900 and the Bold, so make sure to comment whether it works for you.
BlackBerry Storm users:
1. Download the App World .Zip file.
2. Unzip it to your desktop
3. Run the Blackberry Desktop Manager
4. Select Application Loader
5. Select Add / Remove Applications
6. Select Browse and look at your desktop for the file “appworld.alx” and select it.
7. Click Next and then Finish.
[Via]
