Posted on February 17, 2010, at 8:07 PM .
During his keynote at MWC 2010, Mike Lazaridis introduced the concept of a Super App. It’s not clear exactly what is meant by “Super App”, but it seems that it’s a name given to apps that take advantage of all that the BlackBerry platform has to offer. Personally, I think this is a marketing initiative to get people exposed to the fact that the BlackBerry OS can do more than the iPhone in terms of functionality, and it doesn’t really mean anything to current BlackBerry users.
In order for an app to be Super, it should include:
- The Always-on Experience – the app runs in the background.
- Tight Integration with the Native Apps – integrates with the calendar, messages, contacts etc.
- Proactive and Notification-driven – takes advantage of Push APIs.
- Highly Contextualized – make it continuously relevant with GPS, menu and app integration.
- Social and Connected – invoke SMS, social networks, email etc.
- Designed for Efficiency – doesn’t drain on the battery or memory.
The apps that RIM point to as being Super Apps include Facebook and Myspace (two apps that need serious overhauls). While I understand what Mike L is trying to say, I think this is a lot of marketing fluff with nothing really substantial behind it. If Lazaridis was going to make this sort of presentation, it should be followed with an announcement that RIM has opened up new APIs that were previously unavailable to developers. Without this substance, it just sounds like Google’s attempt to label their phone a SuperPhone.
Are there any apps you would like to nominate as Super Apps?
Posted on December 16, 2009, at 8:07 PM .
BeejiveIM has gone version 2.0, offering a ton of IM services in a single client. The supports IM services such as Facebook Chat, GoogleTalk, AIM/iChat/MobileMe, MSN/Windows Live, Yahoo!, MySpace, ICQ, and Jabber.
BeejiveIM also features:
- Clickable Twitter usernames: Click on a Twitter username in a chat to launch Twitter.
- Voice notes: Instantly record and send voice messages to your IM contacts.
- GPS location: Send your current GPS location with a link to Google Maps.
- More chat styles: Customize your chat styles and colors and set different backgrounds and wallpapers.
- File transfers with all IM services: Easily send, receive, and review file attachments, and see previews of images right inside your chat.
- Push notifications: Whether running in the foreground or the background, BeejiveIM will always notify you of new instant messages.
- Improved battery life.
- Group chats: Chat with groups of contacts on AIM, Yahoo, MSN and Jabber.
- UI Customization: Customize your buddy lists, chat layouts, bubble styles, and more.
- Logging: View your chat history, and email yourself logs of your past chats.
- Buddy Icons: Show icons for all contacts in your buddy list.
- Clickable Hyperlinks: Click on real hyperlinks in chats, allowing you to browse, call, tweet, email, text, or PIN message directly from a chat screen.
BeejiveIM 2.0 is now available for $9.95 for a device license and $14.95 for user license. This price represents a sale of 50% off that is valid until January 1st 2010. Not sure if you want to buy? They have a 30-day free trial.
Posted on September 23, 2009, at 1:24 PM .
RIM released updates to their in-house Facebook and MySpace apps making them OS 5 compatible. This comes as good news for those who have been tinkering with OS 5 and accessing these sites via the browser as a workaround.
Check out RIM’s official download site and information page for the Facebook and MySpace apps.
Posted on March 6, 2009, at 9:11 AM .
MySpace for BlackBerry has gone V.1.5. and there are some new features to help you promote your page and network with your friends. New features and enhancements include:
· Friend Updates: Users can now view their MySpace Friend Updates from within the application, and click on a thumbnail of a photo in the Friend Updates to be taken to a full screen version
· Enhanced updates and messaging: Instantaneous mobile notifications and messaging (no lag time between receiving a message online and on mobile). Users can also save a composed message/bulletin as a draft, delete and open a saved draft message to edit/send the message, and view or hide sent items
· Enhanced band profiles: Bands can add tour dates and more profile bits to their profiles, like Upcoming Shows (displays more details on the show such as venue, date, address and cost)
· Support for French, German, Italian and Spanish languages
To get the app, point your device here.
Or here via your desktop.
Do you have a MySpace? Now is your time for shameless self-promotion!
Posted on December 16, 2008, at 10:47 AM .
Sweet mother Mary, is that an impressive number! Here’s what RIM PR sent me late last night in regards to MySpace for BlackBerry, that social networking application which is so cool with the kids these days.
We wanted to give you a heads up that RIM just found out that the MySpace application for BlackBerry Smartphones has been downloaded more than one million times. The one millionth unique download happened sometime on Saturday December 13th, which makes it a month exactly since the application launched.
I’ve yet to confirm if the amount is a reflection of pure downloads, or includes BlackBerrys pre-loaded with the application, but that is still quite an impressive number in such a short time frame! Check out some relevant MySpace for BlackBerry links below.
MySpace for BlackBerry Links
MySpace for BlackBerry Screenshots
www.blackberry.com/myspace (Desktop download)
m.myspace.com (OTA download)
www.myspace.com/blackberry (MySpace BlackBerry Community page)
