I’m pretty sure this has been posted before, but I thought it would be fun to remind our readers how much QNX touches our every day lives. Here is 30 ways QNX is used on a daily basis, as found at QNX.com. This highlights just some of the great ways QNX is used, besides on the BlackBerry PlayBook, and hopefully our BlackBerry smartphones in the near future. Enjoy!

1. Use Twitter, Facebook, or YouTube — QNX technology provides the software foundation for the world’s highest-capacity routers, which handle the data, voice, and video traffic for hundreds of millions of Internet users every day.
2. Flip a light switch — QNX technology controls thousands of power-generation systems worldwide, from wind turbines to nuclear stations to hydroelectric plants.
3. Call for help — By leveraging the unmatched reliability of QNX technology, 9 1 1 dispatch systems deliver emergency assistance 24/7, nonstop.
4. Call for help on the road — The QNX-based OnStar system, deployed in dozens of car models, automatically calls for help in a crash and can even provide emergency responders with the car’s exact location.
5. Use green energy — QNX-based power-grid simulators help utilities integrate electricity from solar panels, wind farms, and other renewable energy sources.
6. Save gas — QNX-based traffic control systems reduce fuel consumption by optimizing traffic flow, minimizing traffic jams, and reducing waits at intersections.
7. Eat a jelly donut — QNX-based food inspection systems detect dangerous contaminants and can even spot items with missing ingredients, such as jelly donuts that have no jelly.
8. Get a caffeine fix — Car navigation systems based on QNX technology not only provide automatic route selection and turn-by-turn directions, but can even track down the nearest coffee shop if you’re thirsting for a latté.
9. Shop online — Online retailers like Amazon.com and Avnet rely on QNX-based warehouse automation systems to move massive amounts of merchandise every day.
10. Watch TV — QNX technology keeps couch potatoes happy, controlling television stations, delivering cable signals, and even powering universal remotes.
11. Watch an action flick — QNX technology powers motion-control systems that create some of Hollywood’s most spectacular special effects and stunts.
12. Take a train — From high-speed trains to subway cars, QNX-based systems go the distance, controlling locomotives and coordinating railway traffic.
13. Fly in a plane — QNX technology is at the core of pilot-training simulators and air-traffic control systems worldwide.
14. Board a boat — QNX-based navigation and radar systems keep cruise ships on course by helping crews navigate through fog, bad weather, and narrow estuaries.
15. Buy shoes — Footwear vendors like ASICS and Brown Shoe rely on QNX-based warehouse systems to move their products from the factory floor to the shoe store.
16. Keep cool in the checkout line — QNX technology controls the HVAC systems in many of the biggest big-box stores in North America.
17. Stay connected while driving — Using innovative QNX software, car infotainment systems connect seamlessly to Bluetooth phones, MP3 players, USB sticks, and a variety of other devices and services.
18. Build a sundeck — Using QNX-based machine-vision systems, sawmill operators extract the maximum amount of lumber from every tree.
19. Mail a letter — QNX technology helps mail-sorting machines push the performance envelope, processing up to 40,000 letters per hour.
20. Visit the doctor — QNX technology brings reliability to a host of diagnostic devices, including ECG machines, angiography systems, cardiac monitors, and bone density analyzers.
21. Take medicine — QNX-based vision systems scan for defects in a variety of manufactured products, from pharmaceutical blister packs to the lids of peanut butter jars.
22. Get better — QNX-based cancer treatment devices use proton beams to target tumors precisely, without damaging nearby organs.
23. Wash socks — A QNX-based system automatically configures control panels for washing machines and tests each panel to make sure it functions correctly.
24. Breathe clean air — QNX-based building-automation systems help factories, universities, and other large facilities slash power consumption by up to 50%, reducing the amount of fossil fuels burned for electricity.
25. Go to college — Students and professors worldwide use QNX technology to perform medical research, explore new forms of energy generation, and even discover new planets.
26. See better — Using a QNX-based LASIK system, doctors perform bladeless laser surgery to help people reduce their dependency on glasses and contact lenses.
27. Buy a book — Bookstores throughout North America rely on QNX-based point-of-sale systems to deliver highly personalized service to their customers.
28. Play video poker — QNX technology powers intercasino gaming systems that can pay out multi-million-dollar winnings, with zero tolerance for error.
29. Drive over a bridge — QNX technology helps reduce drawbridge congestion by controlling automated bridge raising systems.
30. Go for a digital drive — QNX-based digital instrument clusters are changing the face of in-car computing, combining virtual speedometers with navigation displays, backup cameras, and other content to provide drivers with the most appropriate information for every drive mode or road condition.

As you might know we recently starting using BBSync.CO as a shortcut to visit BlackBerrySync.com. One thing I noticed is that the BlackBerry PlayBook’s browser doesn’t support .CO domains as a format. The browser seems to support all other domains extensions like .ca, .net, .org, .me, etc. but not .CO. Whenever you type BBSync.CO into the web browser it takes you directly to Google. I’m not even sure if RIM is aware of this issue yet, but I hope that they fix it soon.

If you’re curious about .CO domain names? Check out the Wikipedia article here.

Whether you end up taking your PlayBook to the grocery store, or you local coffee shop, you also can’t avoid the hoards of people begging to hold your PlayBook saying “Can I try It?”

Well, you have been following its development since its been announced, believed in it when others said it would not make it to launch day, and ultimately been there for it every step of the way, discrediting blasphemes and liars. How then do you take the higher road and politely decline onlooker’s request to touch your baby? Here are some pointers as to what to say:

• I’m sorry, I think you want the guy with the iPad standing over there
• I really can’t, its not mine, I’m watching it for a friend
• Sure! You can try the BestBuy down the street.
• See, see. No touch
• Lo siento, no hablo inglés
• I think someone just called your name
• Yeah, if I can hold your wallet.
• I’m sorry, this isn’t a PlayBook its a prototype for the Storm 9 and I’m on my way to “forget it” at a biergarten
• My! Look at the time, I forgot to take my meds again
• I was just going to ask you the same thing!
• I’m booked today. Can you do tomorrow? Say, at 3pm?
• Stranger danger!!!

Of course, not everyone can be polite, my wife for example would reply with a firm and stern “Hells naw!”. So how about you? Will you share your PlayBook? How are you keeping predators away? Share your tactics in the comments below…

Like many people, over the past year or two I’ve become addicted to Twitter. Tonight I found myself wondering an interesting question which seemed to have sparked interest with some of my followers on Twitter. What Twitter apps will come to the PlayBook? Will RIM introduce Twitter for PlayBook? or will we see third party apps like UberTwitter, Seesmic, or maybe even SocialScope come to the PlayBook. So what do you think… What would you like to see for Twitter apps on the PlayBook? or do you even want to see one?

Just a side note… Feel free to follow @BlackBerrySync on Twitter to stay in sync with everything BlackBerry.

Anyone out there with another Wi-Fi BlackBerry want to try this? We have a feeling your device needs OS 5.0 to do this. Thoughts?

The BlackBerry Sync Store has a variety of software, much of which is free. We know some of the best things in life are free, and many of us are learning to be frugal and shrewd when it comes to shopping and pricing. With that being said,  let me introduce you to the Free Frugalytics v1.0-Shopping For Smart People by Intelary Inc. 

I know there are times when we’re shopping and even spend some time going from store to store pricing an item. Well with Frugalytics, you can save that time. Look up specific items, read reviews and even which stores have the best price. You can search millions of products to compare prices, read descriptions, and reviews. Comparison shopping is now in the palm of your hand. It is an intelligent shopping resource which will save you time and money. You can rest assured knowing that you are getting the best deal for your money. The best thing besides the assistance it lends our shopping life, is that it’s created to be a lightweight and easy to use application and it doesn’t slow down your phone and its OS. Frugalytics by Intelary Inc also informed me that they are currently working on local shopping results (a subsequent tie to GPS), deal alerts, and country specific versions for international users. I can see Black Friday being more of a happy day with less stress already.

Use of the application is very easy. The icon is a green square with a white F in the middle. When scrolled over it has sun ray patterns, click on it and it loads immediate access to the Frugalytic$ mobile site where you can either search by categories there or search a name or ID in the search bar. It’s just that easy, and Frugalytics will display the results. Give it a shop, after all, what have you got to lose when you have money you can save?

There are two ways to access the app, to download it to your BlackBerry, or to use the Frugalytics mobile web interface.

Grab Your Free Copy of Frugalytics v1.0 from the BlackBerry Sync Store >

In case that link doesn’t work, here’s the OTA link to download straight from your phone: Frugalytics OTA

Minimum requirements are the BlackBerry OS v4.2.

Compatible devices are: 7130c, 7130e, 7130g, 7130v, 8100 (Pearl), 8110 (Pearl), 8120 (Pearl), 8130 (Pearl), 8220 (Pearl Flip), 8300 (Curve), 8310 (Curve), 8320 (Curve), 8330 (Curve), 8350i (Curve), 8700c, 8700f, 8700g, 8700r, 8700v, 8703e, 8705g, 8707g, 8707h, 8707v, 8800, 8820, 8830, 8900 (Curve), 9000 (Bold), Curve, Pearl, Storm

OS:  4.2, 4.3, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7

In keeping up with remembering that many of the best things in life are free, especially with today’s economy, here’s the latest free software from the BlackBerry Sync Store that is FREE.

I know that the Docs To Go that are loaded on the BlackBerry 4.5 OS and above do have Word and PowerPoint compatible office apps, it does have a free upgrade available for Spreadsheet To Go, and a purchase version too with PDF to Go (I’d advise the free upgrade first should you upgrade and if picture texting stop working, delete the program before calling tech support and see if it resolves the issue. If no problems arise, you’re free to do the paid version). Well there is a program that is free, in fact the only free, spreadsheet app. The app is GridMagic CE v3.3.0.201 by Simprit Pte Ltd. I know it’s a constant question by professionals about the Excel programs, well look no further than GridMagic. There is a family of GridMagic and this version CE, stands for Community Edition. It has basic features free for personal and educational use.

Features include:

I downloaded the app, and while I don’t keep any Excel documents on my BlackBerry, it does have sample Excel sample files of a loan calculator and one for contacts, and there are instructions for use of the app. You have a fifteen day period to register and purchase the GridMagic Standard or Professional, but for basic use the Community Edition works fine. But you do have the full Standard version for fifteen days. The CE version has basic viewing features and BlackBerry integration, the Standard version ($19.95) has basic viewing, basic editing, limited advanced features, downloadable workbook apps and templates, and up to 100Kb attachments, the Professional version ($49.95) has everything the Standard does but with any size attachment and fully advanced features.

Grab a Free copy of GridMagic CE from the BlackBerry Sync Store >

Compatible BlackBerry handsets: 71xx series, 72xx series, 75xx series,, 75xx series, 81xx Pearl Series, 83xx Curve series, , 87xx series, 88xx Series

Compatible OS: 4.0, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6

We all find ourselves losing things from time to time. But just like losing your wallet or purse, losing your BlackBerry is just as devastating. The thought of being without your mobile texts, emails, the messengers, and even mobile Twitter, is so distressing, leaving just a feeling of being lost and alone, total isolation from the world, we all know that feeling since our BlackBerry is our friend and our secretary. Hopefully you had your BlackBerry synced and backed up by way of the BlackBerry Desktop Manager. I am also hoping you have it secured by a password. In the event that your BlackBerry is stolen and they try to open the phone, the BlackBerry will give them three tries to the password and if they don’t guess it, the BlackBerry is automatically wiped of any information. But in the event that you are tragically separated from your beloved BlackBerry, these are the steps you can take. The best medicine is prevention and preparation so I have two apps to share besides the obvious.

There are a few things you can do besides backing up your information and password protecting it. You can also install a few programs that will assist you in finding it. The first one I’m going to highlight is an application for $6.95 by the name of  Berry Locator. If you have Verizon, this one is not an option because Verizon currently blocks third party GPS access on all BlackBerry devices with the exception of the Storm and will not pull up a map. With this application you send an email to your BlackBerry with a custom phrase in the subject line and your BlackBerry will sound off like crazy even if it is in silent mode. If you’re unable to find it, the app displays the email message on the screen so you can send a message and contact information to whoever finds the phone. If you would like to try this app: Berry Locator

Supported models for this app are: 7130c, 7130e, 7130g, 7130v, 8100 (Pearl), 8110 (Pearl), 8120 (Pearl), 8130 (Pearl), 8220 (Pearl Flip), 8300 (Curve), 8310 (Curve), 8320 (Curve), 8330 (Curve), 8350i (Curve), 8700c, 8700f, 8700g, 8700r, 8700v, 8703e, 8705g, 8707g, 8707h, 8707v, 8800, 8820, 8830, 8900 (Curve), 9000 (Bold), Curve, Pearl, Storm
And compatible with OS 4.2 and above.

First there was RoboCop and now now there’s ROblock, v2.0, at the price of $9.95. ROblock is a program by Vapssky. This program can point the location of your lost or stolen device on Google Maps using the WHERE command. If you do not have GPS integration or a GPS signal available, then it will use the cellular tower location information to show the approximate location of your device. You have three ways available to communicate with your phone: sms; email; and the web interface. There is sms/email notification in the event that your phone has a sims card and it is replaced. You have the power to recover the Address book contacts. You have the ability to remotely wipe the entire content of your phone and your micro sd card, which is irreversible so make sure you have it backed up. There is a remote lock and alarm as well, in which you can lock the phone, locking the keypad and making it inoperable. This is the most intriguing part to me which I love: a high pitch alarm you can activate which will sound until the phone is unlocked. You can unlock it as you locked it and the alarm is optional. You can make your lost or stolen phone dial any number you want, so that you can listen in on it’s location and where abouts. You can send custom text messages with return information by command that will come up on the display so the finder can return the device. Here’s another advantage, this program can wipe the entire device without BIS/BES service. It uses sms, email, or GPRS for communication so you can wipe or recover the device even where service is unavailable, or the SIMs card has been replaced. If you’re interested in this app, you can download it at ROblock.

This program is compatible with OS 4.2 and higher.

The other option was introduced at WES. The application is called SmrtGuard- Your Smartphone Guardian. This program will be available upon launch of May 25, 2009. You are able to remote track your smartphone with no GPS required. It allows you to remotely wipe your sensitive data, fully wipe your phone from where you are. You can also back up your sensitive data which includes PIMs, call logs, emails, and more, allowing you to back up and restore personal data. The data can be accessed through the SmrtGuard web portal. You can also audio ping to locate your phone as well, just in case you have it on mute. Guardian features included are: Personal Guardian that allows you to send a distress SMS/Email/Call with a single button push; and the SimCard Guardian that gives you the ability to inform users of unregistered Sim cards being used in the smartphone. You can use it to remotely listen in on the smartphone’s surroundings and the ability to remotely lock the phone. You can also use it to track a loved one. This application allows you by using the dashboard to decide if the phone is lost or stolen, auto ping to find, and detonate the phone to wipe out everything. The program will have three types of pricing available: Monthly for $3.99; Bi-Annual for $22.99; and yearly for $44.99. The program will be available from their online site when it lauches. The program will be available for purchase here: SmrtGuard

Supported models for this app are: BlackBerry Storm, BlackBerry Bold, BlackBerry Curve 8900, BlackBerry Curve (83xx Series), BlackBerry Pearl (81xx Series), BlackBerry Flip Pearl, BlackBerry 88xx Series                                      Supported OS are: BlackBerry OS 4.2.x , BlackBerry OS 4.3.0, BlackBerry OS 4.5.x, BlackBerry OS 4.6.x, BlackBerry OS 4.7.x

In the event the phone is pretty much lost and you don’t want to incur possible phone charges, you do have the option to call and suspend the line. If the line is suspended, they will not be able to use the phone to make phone calls, let alone out of country phone calls. Reporting it to the police is important if the phone has been stolen is important as well. In the US you do have the option to have insurance and make an insurance claim. For a deductible you can have your phone replaced.

Do you have a lost or stolen phone story you’d like to share? We’d like you to leave your comments and let us know.

This week on the CNET website, Ina Fried wrote her story of her ordeal as she dropped her beloved BlackBerry in the commode. She expressed the panic we all feel. And like any good sleuth even googled for information. She also inquired of her carrier as to how often it happens, and also brought up about how phones have a liquid damage indicator which if red, will void the chance of a warranty replacement.

Of course in the event your phone does find itself immersed, the best thing to do is removed the battery as quickly as you can. Dry the phone off as well and the battery. Taking the phone there are various ways as to how to dry it out. Some advise wrapping the phone in paper towels, in silica gel packs, or even uncooked rice (typically this is suggested for 48 hours, not turning the phone on at all during that time). Whatever you do, leave the phone be for a day or two.  Of course she had to test here and there and eventually her phone did dry out and it was soon typing normal once again.

What I loved most about the article was that Ina writes about her missing her emails, having to keep entertained with her iPod, and missing her phone. She also tried checking the phone throughout the drying process. That is one thing I would advise against. There is a chance the phone will short circuit which would not be good. Now if the phone is wet, this is a voided warranty. I also liked how she was so happy that her phone began to work again, and sharing her joy. This is equivelent to Dr. Frankenstein bringing life to his creation, “It’s Alive!!!!” 

When the phone incurs liquid damage, it becomes an insurance claim and I am hoping that you would have your beloved insured. An insurance claim to process doesn’t take long to receive a phone and may even be in your hands before the drying handset is totally functional. Now here’s the most important thing to remember: the disk that comes with your phone when you purchase it….that disk is very important. The reason for that disk is to install the BlackBerry Desktop Manager so you are able to back up your files and information and to sync your BlackBerry to your pc. Don’t wait till the phone is wet to think about saving your information. If your phone short circuits and meets it’s untimely demise, at this point it’s too late to ask your wireless consultant or representative if they can transfer contacts. So please, if you haven’t already, install that disk and back up your phone, sync it, do those little things on a weekly or every other day basis so you’re prepared for an event such as this. Preparing for the end is highly recommended because trust me, you’re going to feel it’s the end of the world when you are without your BlackBerry for even a few hours, let alone days. Transferring your back up information to a new phone will be as easy as plugging it in to your pc and putting the back up file back onto your BlackBerry.

Have you ever dropped your BlackBerry in water? Did you try it out and did it work again? What method did you use? Please let us know and share your comments.

[via: CNET News]

I’m talking about battery replacements. Today US Cellular launches a Battery Swap program, leading the industry in something new and first of it’s kind. US Cellular Customers can come in to any US Cellular store and swap a dying or dead battery for a fully charged one, and it’s FREE. They are the only wireless company to do so. To be eligible, the phones have to have been purchased in the last eighteen months. No more than four swaps per handset are allowed in a month. For more concise details, click here to go to the US Cellular Battery Swap Program and while there are simple things that you can do to prolong battery life, this program is outstanding. Hopefully more wireless providers will take the cue and follow.

[via: BlackBerry Rocks & Mobility Digest]