Hopefully everyone is familiar with vPost. It’s an extremely valuable email multi-media tool available, allowing the BlackBerry user to capture moments with pictures, video, voicenotes, and notes, and GeoTag them as well. All from one email even. It allows you to send to personal emails as well as blogging sites such as Posterous. And now it’s in Personal Beta.

Vayyoo has come a long ways. The first time I tried vPost I was really impressed and excited, but the phone I was using at the time had blocked GPS through my wireless carrier to a third party. So I wasn’t able to utilize the GPS portion of it, but as the months have gone, vPost has increased the size of videos, and numbers of pictures, allowing you to save everything from concerts to your family moments. I have a phone in which I am able to utilize the full features of vPost including the GPS. VPost has been available in the BlackBerry Sync Store for $9.99, but they have announced their Personal Beta which is free for now. This one is also available in the BlackBerry Sync Store. Let me list the description of the app as listed in the store:

Whether you are out with friends, having fun on vacation, or at the scene of breaking news, vPost is a tool that you need on your BlackBerry. vPost makes capturing and sharing moments simple by integrating the camera, location, & email features of your BlackBerry. Share photos and videos of concerts, sporting events and fine dining in a whole new way.

By using vPost you can send pictures, video clips, and audio notes to your friends, family, and online communities quickly and easily. Include a map link with your GPS location for travel memories and geo-tagging. Create personal widgets for single click sending to individuals, groups, and popular sites like Facebook, Flickr and many more. Publish multiple photos, text, video, and even voice memos to your blog in a single step. With vPost the only limit is your imagination.

IMPORTANT: Set a convenience key to vPost and recording anything is just a click away. Download vPost today and capture the moment.

Here are the key features of vPost:

So these are pics I’m sharing with the set up. It’s been a little more thorough, much easier to set up, and there’s no real limitations on the size. I’m impressed. I chose some concert event moments from the U2 360 concert sponsored by BlackBerry since BlackBerry loves U2. I sent the entire email out and it includes the maps and all. It sends to my Twitter and my Posterous, in full detail, as well as anyone else that I choose to share with. And GPS is clearly working.

Pro’s: I love vPost, it’s one of my favorite apps since you can send so many files and be creative, sharing the moments that count. Whether it’s sharing a belated birthday wish, missing your loved one, a moment you want to keep a snapshot of, or a milestone. It’s all around incredible. GPS Geotag your event, so you can remember where you were. You can list several sites to post to. All from one app. It saves you time from sending one file at a time and you can do it live.

Cons: I really can’t find any con. Especially since the app is currently free in Beta. I didn’t have any problems setting it up.

I really have to give this app five stars. Easy to use, navigate, and set up. It does just as it says it does, it virtually posts for you. Enjoy your moments and share them too, without sharing one at a time. What have you got to lose when it’s absolutely free? Don’t miss out, go check it out for yourself!

You can grab your free copy of vPost Personal Beta by Vayyoo, Inc from the BlackBerry Sync Store here >

Compatible with BlackBerry OS: 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, 5.0

Compatible with BlackBerry Devices: 81xx Pearl series, 82xx Pearl Flip series, 83xx Curve series, 85xx Curve series, 87xx Series, 88xx World series, 89xx Curve series, 9000 (Bold), 9500 (Storm), 95xx Storm series, 96xx Tour series, 9700 (Bold)

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

A new rumor is floating around the internet about two new version of BIS (BlackBerry Internet Service), which supposedly will launch early 2010.The first would be version 3.0 which will include enhanced updates for Google Synchronization, which is said to be launching in March 2010 (but we all know how RIM likes to be late). Shortly followed after that would be BIS version 3.1 which would bring even more new synchronization features including: Google Calendar, Hotmail Address Book, and Yahoo! Address Book syncing.

BIS 3.0 (March 2010):

• Improved the Gmail plugin:
  • Synchronization deleted messages, read / unread and sent between the box and your own Gmail (so far worked only in the opposite direction)
  • The ability to add and remove labels from your device

BIS 3.1 (Soon after):

• Synchronize Google Calendar
• Synchronize your address book from Hotmail account
• Synchronize your address book from Yahoo

Yahoo mailbox will cause an automatic download of Yahoo messenger on the device

[via BerryReview, BBLeaks]

If you text and you text a lot, read on. This app is for you. Textender by BerryCodes is for the individual who gets irritated that when you are typing a text, you are stopped at 140/160 characters and have to send a separate message. Have heart for there is a cure.

Unfortunately, GSM carriers don’t have this issue, it only applies to CDMA carriers. CDMA carriers have a limit on the text messages to 140 or 160 characters. But some of us write some long texts beyond k or cya. Some of us want to send some real messages. So how do you get beyond the frustration of having to shorten a text when you reach the limit and having to send another. Textender is available for $2.99, but is on sale until Nov 30th for $1.49 in the BlackBerry Sync Store or for the full price in the BlackBerry App World.

The description is as follows: Textender will allow a CDMA BlackBerry user to compose and send messages which are beyond the standard 140/160 character limit currently imposed by their carrier. Simply open Textender, type your entire message (no more talking in code to shorten the message) and send! It’s that easy.
CDMA carriers include Verizon, Sprint, Alltel, U.S. Cellular, Bell, Telus, Cricket, and MetroPCS.

The following are the features:

Send messages beyond 140/160 characters

Send to up to 6 recipients at any given time

When selecting a recipient Textender defaults to the mobile number for the contact

Can be accessed while composing a text/sms

Stand alone app which can be assigned to a convenience key

Displays a message count so the user is aware how many messages they are sending

Sent messages will be saved as one whole message in native message app on the BlackBerry

**Please Note: Your carrier will still charge you for the total number of messages sent, not for one message each time Textender is used**

I  installed Textender on my BlackBerry Tour 9630. It installed quickly and was ready to run. The icon is a blue square with a few silver tool icons and the word TEXT across it. When you open the icon the very top says recipient, and the top says 1/6. What this means is that you can continue typing and the six is how long it can run, in how many messages it would be if you texted separately. If you click the Options button you have: Send Text; Add Recipient; Settings; and Copy. Settings is nice as it allows you to extend. Add Recipient allows you to choose recipients out of your Contacts book. The only issue I found with this app is that it does not save your messages. Keep this in mind and make use of the copy. If you exit out before finishing the message, it will be gone. It sends easily and it will show as sent not in your text folder, but in your messages folder. I was surprised with how fast and easily it sent. On the recipient’s phone it comes in as three texts.

Pros: You are able to send longer messages, all in one time seamlessly. You don’t have to worry about the message being broken apart, until it’s sending. The app keeps track of how long and how many messages your message is. It integrates great with your Contact Book and Messages.

Cons: Does not keep your message if you close or back out.

You can grab your copy of Textender v1.0 by BerryCodes for $1.49 from the BlackBerry Sync Store until Nov 30th >

You can also grab your copy of Textender from the BlackBerry App World for $2.99 >

Compatible with OS: 4.5, 4.6, 4.7

Compatible with BlackBerry Devices:  81xx Pearl series, 82xx Pearl Flip series, 83xx Curve series, 8520 (Curve), 87xx series, 88xx World series, 9000 (Bold), 95xx Storm Series 96xx Tour

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Loopt announced a major update for its free application for BlackBerry at the BlackBerry Developer Conference. Loopt connects users to the most relevant places and people nearby using background location updating. This new version better enhances a user’s ability to experience more around them by who’s around, what’s going on and where.

From the release:

Loopt now offers dynamically-generated, relevant local content about places and events from some of the best sources on the Web to help users meet up with nearby friends, explore new places to grab food, and find local events happening now.  Feature highlights include:

·    Discover the best places and events, including those rated highly by your friends on Pulse

·    See where your friends are on maps – view their latest updates listed in real-time and comment on them

·    Check-in to instantly share your updates with friends – easily update Facebook and Twitter with your photos and places in one Loopt check-in

·    Browse and rate local places and events – peruse detailed information from Zagat, Citysearch, and the Loopt community

·    Save money through special offers from nearby retailers with local coupons

Loopt is proud to partner with Zagat, the world’s leading provider of consumer-survey based information.  Zagat’s quality, trusted information is based on the collective experiences of thousands of avid consumers.

So I decided to find out just what Loopt is and what I can do with it. I downloaded it from their website and it installed quickly. It installs a cute little blue circle icon with two white circles intertwined, like a blue face with white oogly googly eyes. Logging in, you are able to create your account using your cell phone number. After it’s all set up. On the left side there are six buttons going down. Your main screen displays first in the center. You have a link to link to Twitter and Facebook. The next allows you to change your email, the next to do location sharing. This is nice as you can share, or hide from some or all of your friends. Next is Location refresh, and last My Alerts. Those you can set to be alerted to on by sms, email, or both.

Using the side buttons you have the option to check in with Loopt, Facebook, and Twitter. The next is Discover and this is where you can find hot events nearby and Hot places nearby which is restaurants. If you go to search you can find Bars, Coffee, Food, Gas and Events: all the ways we gather and socialize. Next is Friends. Here you can add friends, find friends, view on the map and see you and your friends. Lately is next, showing what you and your friends have updated today. Settings is the first screen you saw by default to change your settings and how you connect.

I have to admit, this is nice. I was alerted by text to the new friend request. It was easy to accept and message. You can see your friends on the map, and if you leave it running in the background, the location will update for you. I found it easy to use, great way to keep in touch, perfect to enhance social networking on your BlackBerry.

Loopt is available for the Curve 8900, Bold 9000, and the BlackBerry Tour 9630. You have to try this, it’s free, great for keeping track of the location of your friends, and what’s going on in your location. And what’s even nicer, the app is available to other platforms as well, so it’s possible to keep in touch with your friends even if they have a Droid. So don’t wait to be thrown for a loop, get Loopt and stay in the loop.

Grab your free copy of Loopt from here >

Loopt is also available on BlackBerry App  World here >

For more information, read more on Loopt here >

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

There’s been so much about security and spyware, I thought I’d present some facts. And to start with, I’m going to point out that it specifically states in the End User License for the BlackBerry App Store that BlackBerry does not warrant its uses against infection from viruses, spyware, or trojans.

BES is more secure. BIS has secure email. But outside of that, it’s not as secure. If it were, President Obama would not have needed a special tailored BlackBerry. It’s more secure than windows, yes. But it’s not infallible. This is why there are more articles appearing about the spyware, and why we should be aware.

SMobile Systems was founded in 2002 and is headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. Their mobile security suite includes AntiVirus, Firewall, AntiSpam, Anti-Theft and Identity Protection, Secure Mobile Banking, and Parental and Enterprise Controls. They cover so many solutions, not only for Enterprise, but for Personal use as well.

They have the SMobile Anti-Theft and Identity Protection for $19.99. This annual subscription includes their Anti-Virus and Anti-Spyware detection and removal, Lock and Wipe, GPS Locate, and Backup.

SMobile Parental Controls and Monitoring is available for $29.99 a year. This software contains the suite above, but also gives the parent the control to monitor where their child is, and control and see what texts are being sent, what’s being said, the ability to blacklist certain individuals from contacting their child, and view pics and content. With all the sexting and child molesters out there, it’s a great tool to have for peace of mind.

SMobile Security Shield is available for $24.99 a year. This has the Anti-Theft and Identity Protection Suite, but also has a firewall and Anti-Spam controls to keep unwanted messages from reaching you.

And for families there is the SMobile Family Bundle 4-Pack. This package is available for $79.95 a year and offers a huge savings. It contains 2 Parental Controls and 2 Anti-Theft and Identity Protection. So you can have protection for 4 cells.

So how does the Anti-Virus and Anti-Spyware software work? The virus scanner runs in the background and monitors all the data coming in and going out of the device. If it detects any malware, it will pop up a notification alerting the user of an infection and directs the user to assist in removing it. I update mine daily, but you can have it set to update weekly if you wish. It’s easy to use and I haven’t had a notification yet.

Now whether or not you believe you could be at risk, or don’t want to purchase a protection suite, you can keep up on all the new viruses and spyware that SMobile Systems keeps current on in their Global Threat Center here. There’s the Mobile Security News and the Malware Library for you to view what’s new out there.

So while more sinister devs out there work hard to find ways to infiltrate the BlackBerry system, ways to pull off identity theft, and to find every possible weakness and flaw they can in the BlackBerry, it’s up to us to keep our own BlackBerry secure.

Another update once again. Slacker Radio for BlackBerry has updated as well. No changelog is available, but I’m guessing this is to prepare for 5.0. I use Pandora mainly for my Radio fix, but Slackers does have the cache ability that makes it an asset.

You can download Slacker Radio v2.0.91 here >

Pandora updated this weekend officially to v1.1.2. While it was announced, I kept seeing original 1.1.1 until yesterday. Our friend Matt alerted me about it, but we didn’t see it right away. He summed it up perfect saying he’s suffering from “Upgrade Anxiety”. I assured him he is not alone.

As always, please update your apps as your BlackBerry works best with updates. The new version makes it compatible with 5.0 and also remedies the bug where a few seconds before the end of the song, the next one would play.

Update your Pandora For BlackBerry here >

There’s been so much in the news about the PhoneSnoop, FlexiSPY, and other spyware. It’s bad when even the US-Cert (United States Computer Emergency Response Team) and CNet are alerting smartphone users about it. Cyber stalking is taking on a new meaning with phones, but what’s the big deal and why should you care?

There are all kinds of spyware for phones out there. Many of these can be traced back to Russia or China and they sell out your privacy cheap. They can do everything from intercepting calls and taping them, to viewing your text messages and listening to your conversations using your phone as a bug. It’s real, it’s true, and it works. The worse part is it’s sold as legal to buy, download and install to your phone that you own. In other words for you to use at your own discretion. And many are being creative with the technology, including blackmail. We’ve done a few articles on the spyware and SMobile as well keeping up with this issue. PhoneSnoop is in the SMobile library and is detected by their system. It even has an icon. For more information on PhoneSnoop, click here. Flexispy is as well, and both are in the SMobile malware library.

The reality of BlackBerry and spyware began this summer when Etisalat, a carrier in the United Arab Emirates, sent SMS messages to BlackBerry owners encouraging them to download a patch, a patch that was created to intercept email messages and forward them to a monitoring agent. SMobile Systems did a technical analysis of the software and found it to be spyware.

Your BlackBerry has the capability of a laptop a few years back, but it also has voice which means even more information is at risk. There is an app called Kisses that’s supposed to detect spyware and it’s free. Kisses detects but does not remove the spyware. So it tells you you’re infected, but doesn’t have the antidote, more like yes you have a parasite, and good luck. Sometimes you get what you pay for, and I’m not sure I would trust something like that on my BlackBerry.

So how do you protect yourself from this risk? How can you be sure your phone doesn’t have this ware? First of all, the only antivirus that is patented for the BlackBerry is available from SMobile Systems with the SMobile Security Shield. It’s available for $24.99 and up, depending on which shield you want. It has antivirus, spyware remover, lock and wipe, and GPS , as well as backup. SMobile Security Shield not only detects but removes it. Yes, you have a parasite, now it’s gone. If software isn’t something you’re interested in, let’s see what the US-Cert advises.

1. Only download apps from trusted sources.

2. Password protect and lock your BlackBerry device to prevent someone else from installing such software on your phone.

And if you’re in a very sensitive conversation that involves high level information, the best way to be sure you’re not being listened to is to remove the battery.

And while some will argue the legality of the spyware, even some security apps designed for your phone feature the ability to have the phone call you quietly to listen to it’s surroundings, but could also be used in other ways such as a bug. It’s the same concept. Software like a gun, can be used for right and wrong reasons, it’s in the hands and mind of the user how it will be used.

To read about spyware that we’ve written about before, click here >

To read our review of SMobile Security Shield, click here >

SMobile has also created their version for Android phones as well. One can never be too safe. So I have to ask, how many readers out there are concerned? How many are a little irritated by it? And how many don’t care? Please share your comments with us.

BlackBerry App World has updated, so please update your app world if you haven’t already. I haven’t noticed many differences yet, but here’s a few screen shots to give you an idea.

Download BlackBerry App World here >

In looking at this theme, I have to say it’s reminiscent of winter, a beautiful light blue sheet that resembles an Aurora Borealis. The type of theme a Fairy would paint. The perfect sort of theme to welcome in winter. MMMOOO has brought you the Fairy.

Fairy works with BlackBerry Devices sporting 4.2 and up. It’s available in the BlackBerry Sync Store for $4.99. It’s only description is that it’s a fresh and clean theme, like being in Fairy Land.

I tried the theme on my BlackBerry Tour 9630. As with all MMMOOO products, you purchase it, download it to your pc, and load it through the BlackBerry App Loader from the BlackBerry Desktop Manager. Installing it is very easy.

The home screen after installation has what resembles sheets of light in white, blue, and lavender that appear to be moving like sheets of silk in the wind, though this theme does not move. Just the picture is very vivid. There is a row of six icons at the bottom that you can customize. The time sits in the middle at the top with the day and the date below. The icons are changed to a bold type of icon. The colors are black, white, silver, and blue, with the exception of (BlackBerry) Maps which is an emerald green.  It’s very simple, yet bold. Some of my icons such as a few of my email icons and Pandora turned nearly invisible.

I like the way the theme looks, that it’s not cartoon looking, but very simple. The icons are nice, a refreshing change. It’s great for a simple and different theme. If you’re looking for something that’s simple, refreshing, and not an overstatement, this theme is waiting for you.

You can grab a copy of Fairy by MMMOOO for $4.99 from the BlackBerry Sync Store here >

Compatible with OS: 4.2, 4.3, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7

Compatible with BlackBerry Devices: 71xx series, 81xx Pearl series, 82xx Flip Pearl series, 83xx Curve series, 83xx Curve series, 85xx Curve series, 87xx series, 88xx World series, 89xx Curve series, 9000 Bold, 95xx Storm series, 9630 Tour

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars