All of you food geeks will be happy to know that Foodspotting has finally made its way to BlackBerry. Foodspotting for BlackBerry features most of what you’d expect to find in an app including search, “best” and “nearest” for tracking down some eats. You can easily spot food from the menu or icon (most functions overlap between the menu and banner) or simply browse the latest and greatest. The app is decent for the most part, however the functions seem a bit lacking in its current state (clicking Options in the menu pops up a “Coming Soon” notice for instance). I installed the app on my 9930 and even on a new device it feels sluggish and very lacking. It’s pretty slow to use and while it gets the job done, it doesn’t do it very well. Hopefully an update is in the not to distant future that will bring it up to par. You can download Foodspotting free from BlackBery App World.

More information/download of Foodspotting for BlackBerry.

A brand new feature that was introduced in BlackBerry OS 7.1 is Battery Saving Mode. This simple option lets you set a battery threshold which will then automatically adjust settings to conserve battery. So instead of keeping a close eye on your device when your battery hits a low point (say 20%), with this feature enabled, the device will automatically adjust things like screen brightnes and time out in order to not waste battery power. Battery Saving Mode isn’t a miracle worker, but it will keep your BlackBerry hanging on a bit longer until you can find your way to a charger. A very cool feature that I’m sure you won’t mind having.

If you’re running OS 7.1, Battery Saving Mode should be enabled by default, but you can head to Options > Device > Battery Saving Mode to enable/disable this feature and change the battery level. Keep in mind this is just one way to save battery on your device. You can always manually change some settings to conserve battery power. Things like turning off Wifi and lowering screen brightness can go a long way. For more on this, check out ten tips and tricks to maximize your BlackBerry battery life. If all else fails, just carry a spare battery or charger and you’ll never have to worry about a dead device!

Remember that fancy new BlackBerry Messenger v6.1.0.49 that we mentioned would be available later today? You can go ahead and grab it now from the link below. Of course, you’ll want to make sure to back up your BBM contacts and such before downloading, just to be on the safe side. Thanks to everyone that sent this in!

Download BlackBerry Messenger 6.1.0.49

The latest Facebook for BlackBerry smartphones has been made available through BlackBerry App World. This version, is just basically the ‘approved’ version of what was in the BlackBerry Beta Zone as v2.0.0.55. In other words, while version number has jumped to v2.0.0.58 — nothing new has been added as it is just a maintenance release. Not seeing it yet? It’s ok — just wait a little bit long or refresh your apps list, it will be along shortly.

Download Facebook for BlackBerry Smartphones

Before RIM released their mobile conferencing application, I always found it a pain to join in on those types of calls – I would end up making sure I was back at my desk in order to use my landline. I would use this method, as I could view Outlook to see both the number and the password needed. BlackBerry Mobile Conferencing definitely had my interests in mind as it ended up doing most of the dialing duties itself. Doesn’t it make sense that your BlackBerry makes all types of communication so easy? You know your time is important, so BlackBerry Mobile conferencing helps you schedule and join conference calls almost effortlessly – especially with the seamless integration with both your BlackBerry Calendar with accessibility from your Email. For those who are looking for an easier way to participate in conference calls, without losing mobility (or asking someone to dial in for you), let’s review what BlackBerry Mobile Conferencing can do.

Read Full Review

As much as I would love to have all my music readily available on my BlackBerry devices, I really don’t want to have it take up a lot of space. Cloud Player is the answer to my prayers. Cloud Player is a free application that turns your BlackBerry into an MP3 player with unlimited storage. Once you’ve set up your account online (www.CloudPlayer.me) and uploaded your music, you’re ready to go. Your music will always be up to date with automatic syncing and available to access over your WiFi or carrier internet connection. With Cloud Player, you can search your music by artist or playlist and best of all, the app is FREE!

In an update coming soon, online users will have access to a “social” section with the option to view your friends’ music libraries (including stats like recently uploaded, recently played, most played, etc). The folks over at Cloud Player LLC are wanting to explore the same option with their BlackBerry app at a future date so keep your eyes peeled for that possible update.

Cloud Player is supported on pretty much every device (including the 9900 & 9930) as well as all countries and carriers. A PlayBook app should be released sometime around September/October. If you’re looking for a great way to have all your music at the tips of your figure without using up your device’s precious space, check out Cloud Player today.

More information / download Cloud Player

Plenty of Facebook users have been waiting for it, and we had a pretty good feeling it was coming today. That said; Facebook v2.0 is now available for download for both BlackBerry smartphones and the BlackBerry PlayBook. As noted from RIM:

We are pleased to announce the availability of Facebook for BlackBerry PlayBook 2.0 today in BlackBerry App World. Facebook for BlackBerry PlayBook was the first optimized tablet Facebook application that offers users a highly engaging experience with access to popular features such as Facebook chat, video uploading and Places.

New features include:

• Facebook Places – Users choose to share where they are, what they are doing and who they are with – with Facebook friends. Get directions to and from a Facebook Places by clicking on the map image, which will seamlessly launch the Bing! Maps on the BlackBerry Playbook.
• Facebook Events – View events and birthdays and receive notifications of new invitations. View event details like the time, place, guest list and more. Users can even RSVP and write on the event’s Wall.
• View ‘Likes’ – See the names of the friends that ‘liked’ a user’s post. Users will also be able to tap their friends’ names to launch directly to their profiles.
• Privacy control on status updates – Control who can see each update users share. Simply click the lock icon in the lower-right corner of the status publisher to select who to make the status update visible to before posting it.

Also available today in BlackBerry App World, is the official Facebook for BlackBerry smartphones v2.0 app. Thanks to user feedback on the beta, this next generation app includes a sleek new user interface and many new features based on customer feedback, including Facebook Chat.

Fire up BlackBerry App World now and grab it — if you’re not seeing it as of yet try refreshing your applications list or sideloading it directly from the BlackBerry App World webstore online.

Download Facebook for BlackBerry v2.0
Download Facebook for BlackBerry PlayBook 2.0

The other day, I was helping one of my friends get better acquainted with his new BlackBerry Torch. He’s no stranger to BlackBerry, he had one before I did. In fact, if you go back and look at my CrackBerry Idol audition, he’s the one with the 8820 who told me to get a BlackBerry.  Without that bit of advice, I never would have joined the CrackBerry Team. The other day, he asked me to show him how to restart his smartphone without pulling the battery. Needless to say, I forgot to show him how before I headed home; but that got me thinking. He’s probably not the only one wondering how to do this; so B (and everyone else), this post is for you.

Most people know that removing the battery from your BlackBerry is a perfectly acceptable way to reset the BlackBerry. There is another way. A soft reset will accomplish the same thing as pulling the battery but without all the hassle of taking your BlackBerry out of its case, removing the battery door, pulling the battery, waiting for a few seconds, replacing the battery, replacing the battery cover, and returning the device to its protective case.

Incidentally, a “soft” reset is not a kinder, gentler way to restart your BlackBerry. Soft, in this case, means the device is reset by the SOFTware. A “hard” reset involves pulling the battery, a HARDware reset. To accomplish this soft reset, you’ll hold three keys down all at the same time. On your keyboard, press and hold the ALT key, press and hold the right SHIFT key, and press DEL. In my mind, this is almost the same as pressing Control-Alt-Delete to restart a Windows PC (at least it once did).  Unfortunately for Storm and Pearl users, this soft reset is only possible on devices with QWERTY keyboards.

Though the reset starts immediately; at first, it won’t appear that anything has happened. Don’t worry, it has. The screen freezes and you won’t be able to use the device (because it’s resetting). After a moment, the screen will go blank and that comforting red LED will turn on letting you know that screen won’t be blank for long. After a few moments, you’ll be back in business with a refreshed BlackBerry, and you didn’t even have to touch the battery.

Hey. How are you doing? Did you have a bad day? I’m sorry to hear that. Why don’t you sit back and relax while I start playing some relaxing, soothing sounds to calm your nerves.

Sounds pretty good right? Here’s the thing- it’s not a person saying that to you – it may just be your BlackBerry. An application called Therapy Studio could be right up your alley if you need a few minutes to disengage from a stressful situation. It provides a dozen tunes and sound effects that can be enjoyed individually, or up to a combination of three simultaneously. These sounds include a creek, chimes, a singing bird and crickets. You can choose the duration of each loop and their start times – making it a truly personal, relaxing experience. A timer is also included so you know when to leave LaLa land and get back to the daily grind. Therapy Studio also has a free version available, but it’s a lot less relaxing. What I mean is the lite version has a greatly reduced number of sounds to choose from. You also don’t have access to the help menu, where it’s said you can learn which sounds can be used in certain circumstances and how to get obtain optimal relaxation. If you want to grab the full version of Therapy Studio, you can pick it up for $1.99 from the CrackBerry AppStore.

More information/download Therapy Studio
More information/download Therapy Studio Lite

Getting tired of your same old avatar on BBM/Twitter/Facebook, or looking for a way to pass a few minutes and feeling creative? Check out Profixel, a FREE app for your BlackBerry that you can use to make a fun and unique pixel based avatar for any number of uses! Profixel includes 2 pre-loaded templates that you can use as a starting point. After choosing one, you use the menu button to bring up a color palate, and from there you can alter the template however you like, one pixel at a time. If you’re stuck, and in need of some creative inspiration, you can check out some sample avatars that are included in the app. Once you have your avatar the way you want it, simply save it to your device, and you can use it as your profile picture or avatar anywhere you choose.

Also from within the app, you can upload your avatar to the Profixel Fanpage on Facebook, and you can email it! I was also informed that once the final BBM SDK is released, Profixel will be updated so that you can set the picture as your BBM avatar from within the app as well. So go ahead, let your creativity flow, and create yourself a fun new avatar on your BlackBerry!

For more information/screenshots and to download Profixel FREE

TuneIn Radio user? If so, you’ll want to hit their website for the latest update available — which, is now v2.1. Quite a jump from the previous version being 1.9. Unfortunately, no changelog has been created to go along with this update but we’re guessing as soon as it hits BlackBerry App World the CrackBerry forums post will be updated with release notes.. But for now, you can grab v2.1 directly from the TuneIn Radio link below.

Download TuneIn Radio v2.1 directly

Source: BerryReview

Skype is one of the best ways to reach out to people for free or cheap. From your desktop or laptop you can enjoy free VoIP or Videos calls between Skype members. You can even get into group video calling. But what if you find yourself without a computer? Armed with your BlackBerry, you can still keep in contact by using the IM+ Talk application. Through IM+ talk, you unlock some of the features that make Skype so useful. Free and Cheap VoIP calls, instant messaging and file sharing between members; you are never too far away from those important to you (whether you can admit they are or not).  Let’s check out what IM+ Talk has to offer.

Read more… »

Today, some of you Twitter users are in for a treat. Available for most BlackBerry Beta Zone users is Twitter for BlackBerry 2.0.0.7. The update brings a brand new and very attractive interface, and seems to make better use of your BlackBerry’s screen real estate. Other new features include:

• Redesigned Navigation Bar
• New Compose Tweet Button
• Single Search Screen
• External Notification- New app header shows you notification from other apps like email, BBM, etc.
• New Black/Chrome Color Scheme

Overall this is a great update, adding a lot of features. So if you are a Beta Zone user, head on over and check it out. Hit the break for more screen shots.

Download T4BB v2.0 at the BlackBerry Beta Zone

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Facebook for BlackBerry v2.0 has been available in the beta zone for a few weeks now, and today RIM has issued another refresh of the popular social networking application. Version 2.0 brings along a new UI for the app as well as Facebook chat and more. The refreshed version is available today for enrolled Beta Zone members. Features include:

• Support for BlackBerry OS 5.0 – The beta app now supports BlackBerry smartphones with BlackBerry OS 5 and above.
• Facebook Chat Enhancements
  • Know when a friend is typing a message by the visual cue of “is typing a message”
  • Filter Online Contacts to quickly find a specific friend and start a Chat message.
• Mutual Friends and Friends List – Discover which friends you have in common with other users via the Info tab on Profiles (dependent on Privacy Settings of the user).
• Enhanced integration with BlackBerry native apps – Click on PINs, Phone Numbers, and email addresses displayed in Wall posts, messages or the Info tab, to perform the respective action (e.g., place a call) or save the information to your BlackBerry Contacts application

The new version can be found in the BlackBerry Beta Zone today.

Source: Inside BlackBerry

Expense reports on the go couldn’t be easier with ProOnGo Expense with Receipt Reader. You can track your mileage via GPS, time via call logs, and regular expenses by taking pictures of your receipts, all right from your BlackBerry! When you take a picture of your receipt, the app automatically extracts the dollar amount, merchant name, and date which it then generates into an expense report. When it’s time to submit the report, ProOnGo has tons of options for that as well. Other features include currency conversion, integration with calendar and contacts, receipt image editor, reminders for recurring expenses, and more!

The newest feature that was just recently added gives you the ability to compute two different types of taxes on a single item. Users just enter in in a percentage and ProOnGo Expense will find the the tax amount and include it in your expense details.

ProOnGo Expense is free to download, and has a 30 day trial. To continue using the app after that you will have to choose a subscription package, which ranges from $.99 to $9.99 per month with discounts for pre-paying.

For more information and to download ProOnGo Expense from the CB Store
For more information and to download ProOnGo Expense from BlackBerry App World

RIM just let us know that the long talked about BlackBerry Protect app/service is now available to users. We took a detailed look at this wayyy back in July 2010, so check out our BlackBerry Protect Preview to get up to speed.

BlackBerry Protect is a free application that allows users to wirelessly backup, restore and locate their BlackBerry smartphone. In the event that their BlackBerry smartphone is misplaced, lost or stolen, BlackBerry Protect provides features like: remote device wipe, remote device lock, ‘Lost and Found’ screen, locate device on a map, remote activation of the BlackBerry smartphone loud ringer, and wireless device backup and restore.

Key features of BlackBerry Protect include:

• Remote Device Management:
  • Remote wipe
  • Remote lock and ‘Lost and Found’ screen
  • Remote activate loud ringer
  • Cell Tower and GPS device tracking

• Over the Air (OTA) Backup and Restore:
  • Contacts and Calendar
  • Memos and Tasks
  • Browser Bookmarks
  • Text Messages
• Administration:
  • Based on BlackBerry ID system
  • Web-based End User portal
  • Operator Call Center access

If you want to give it a try, you can find the BlackBerry Protect app within the Test Center in BlackBerry App World (note for some users it may take up to 24 hours for it show up) and you can head to blackberry.com/protect to download, login to the web interface, and for more info.

Talk about BlackBerry Protect in the CrackBerry Forums

The multimedia player application known as Mobiola xPlayer was recently updated to 2.0. xPlayer has been around for quite a while, in fact it was one of the first applications I’ve ever reviewed on CrackBerry. It originally, and continues to, offer multimedia management options above and your beyond what your BlackBerry currently can. Yes, that means going past shuffling songs, listening to podcasts and creating playlists. With this application you can also open the door to over 100 predefined radio stations. Both podcasts and radio stations can be accessed through WiFi, direct TCP, BIS or BES. Rather than focusing on flashy looks, it brings functionality and control. Check out what SHAPE Services brought to the table with version 2.0:

• Full support for OS 6.0 devices
• Dropbox integration: if you have a Dropbox account, you can log in to your Dropbox directly from xPlayer, add files to playlist from Dropbox, manage playlists with Dropbox files and playback mp3 files directly from Dropbox. You don’t need to download them. It’s recommended to use Unlimited data plan or WiFi connection to playback files from your remote Dropbox. To create a Dropbox account, go to www.dropbox.com.
• SHAPE Services split xPlayer into xPlayer (LITE version with Ads) and xPlayer Pro (with 7 days trial)
• SHAPE Services cut prices to xPlayer Pro to $9.99.

More information/download xPlayer 2.0
Check out the original xPlayer review

For those of you still lost when it comes to what Twitter client to use we have some great news of you’re a former UberTwitter user. Twitter has removed the suspension on the oh so popular Twitter client after the changes were submitted for it to be known as UberSocial. UberSocial has been re-enabled and as such can now be downloaded directly from the UberSocial website. Now that the mess has been cleaned up and things are right in the Twitter universe again, enjoy folks!

Download UberSocial for BlackBerry