Posted on February 22, 2010, at 1:59 pm .
BlackBerry Master Control Program (MCP) is a power tool that allows you to easily load/save/erase any module you want, take screenshots of your device, turn the radio on or off, synchronize the time on your device to your PC, reset to factory settings (remove IT policies), perform a handheld wipe, optimize (in real time) or install any BlackBerry OS. The latest version is 0.9.3 Beta 5 and comes with the following major udpates:
- Desktop Manager is now automatically closed when MCP starts OS installation process.
- MCP’s “Application Loader” icon now has the ability to continue a failed OS installation.
- MCP OS Management is now compatibile with either Shrink-A-OS or CrackMem.
- MCP Touch, Gestures and Touch Keyboard!
- Added Shrink-A-OS download and website to the MCP Downloads page.
Head over to the MCP site for more information and download links.
Posted on February 22, 2010, at 12:53 pm .
Emacberry have updated Iconify to version 1.0.4 and sent along a change log. Iconify lets you create icons on your homepage for links, dialing and mail. It’s a simple app that has a lot of utility if you interact with one contact or site a lot.
There are two versions of Iconify, one for 15 links and another for 50.
More information on the 15 link version of Iconify.
More information on the 50 link version of Iconify.
Click through for the full change log
Posted on February 22, 2010, at 11:32 am .
Mobilitysite got an email from a friend at RIM saying that the Tour 9650 is going to be launched as the Bold 9650. This is definitely a strange occurrence and it makes you wonder what’s required for something to be a part of the Bold series. Does RIM just throw these names around as they please or are there a set of standards that need to be met?
According to the email:
“Some Verizon stores did get the 9650. They were sent back for “updates”. Verizon won’t release the 9650 until the official OS 5.0 arrives for the Tour 9630. The Sprint 9650’s are having WiFi issues and Sprint is working that out. It won’t be called the Tour 2. It’s the Bold 9650.”
I can confirm that the Tour name is being dropped for Bold. If I had to guess as to why, it’s probably more to do with marketing than it is for technical reasons.
Posted on February 22, 2010, at 11:01 am .
Office Hot Shot is a new app from Nickel Buddy that turns your locked screen into a game. The game also serves as a better locking tool for your BlackBerry, allowing you to configure the screen to display useful information such as the day, date, time, unread emails, missed calls, battery level, and more. If you’d like to just play the game, toss paper balls into the office trash can for points. Make sure to take into account wind speed and direction!
Features include:
- Use as a locking app, or use just for the game, or both!
- Master switch to enable/disable locking functionality.
- Optional password to unlock your BlackBerry.
- Optional password reminder, in case you forget your unlock password.
- Available for both touchscreen and trackball/trackpad devices.
- Designed for minimal impact on battery life.
- Works in landscape or portrait mode.
More information about Office Hot Shot in the BlackBerryCool Store.
Posted on February 19, 2010, at 10:43 pm .
Elecite have a pretty cool new theme out that’s only available for the Storm called Pulse. Elecite are also breaking some new ground making the theme available under a free trial. This is a great move and shows they have a lot of faith in this theme, something more theme developers could learn from.
Check out Pulse from Elecite.
Posted on February 19, 2010, at 2:09 pm .
Lots of news this week came out of Mobile World Congress 2010 and the biggest news from RIM is the announcement of BES Express. BES Express is a free version of BES, with watered-down features but a lot of the same functionality. This is big news for the SMB market, but it’s a little disappointing to the average consumer. It would be great if RIM could host these services for the growing number of consumers who don’t have a small business. The other news to come out of MWC is Mike Lazaridis talking about BlackBerry Super Apps: a concept which completely eludes BlackBerry users and seems like marketing fluff. Basically, a Super App is an app that takes advantage of all the APIs that RIM have out there. The only apps RIM have pointed to explicitly as being Super Apps are the ones they have developed, which I personally think sends the wrong message to developers.
Continue to catch up on a week of BlackBerry
Posted on February 19, 2010, at 10:44 am .
In a series of patents filed recently, it seems RIM is working on methods for monetizing BlackBerry messages. One patent, titled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INCORPORATING MULTIMEDIA CONTENT INTO A MESSAGE HANDLED BY A MOBILE DEVICE“, describes a method for examining a message and linking keywords in the message to an ad. This sounds just like what Google does in its webmail and RIM is probably going to see if it can generate some dollars from a similar service.
Another patent, titled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR EVALUATING ADVERTISING METRICS“, describes a method for determining whether an application or user has attempted to defraud RIM’s advertising model. Personally, I think RIM could do well with a partnership with Google, instead of trying to do it themselves. Google has figured all of this out already and I bet RIM will come across some of the same problems Google faced in its early stages of development. One particular problem I see on the horizon is a backlash from people seeing ads in their BlackBerry Messages. Email is a very private service and while Google saw a backlash from their web service, I think seeing ads on your handheld will generate more concern.
What do you think, would you care about seeing ads in your email? What if there was some benefit like cheaper devices in the long run?
[Source @GoRumors}
Posted on February 19, 2010, at 10:11 am .
Elecite’s themes are great quality and Trace is no exception. Trace comes with 5 card-style icons that take over the homescreen; great for your favorite and most-used apps. The theme has a hidden Today preview area and 7-10 customizable icons on the bottom dock for your favorites. Storm users get a weather slot, so be sure to pick up a weather app such as WeatherEye.
Check out the Trace theme from Elecite.
Posted on February 19, 2010, at 9:54 am .
The guys at Made Simple Learning have released the complete Training Center for the Bold 9700 and the Curve 8500 series. The Training Center includes both an online book and videos. There are 134 short video tutorials and 110 videos formatted for your BlackBerry so you can watch them on the go. If you’re looking to pick up some extra tips, or you’re new to BlackBerry, these guides will get you up to speed quickly.
The Complete Training Center is available for only $29.95. Until February 28th, you can save 30% by using the coupon code 639A3FC42A.
