Recent BlackBerry News
REDFLY Mobile Companion Now Available for BlackBerry
Susan first talked about the REDFLY Mobile Compinon a few months ago, and now REDFLY is finally available for BlackBerry. The REDFLY Companion features no OS, storage, or processor. Whatever you see on your BlackBerry is what you will see right on the REDFLY. Each device features a large QWERTY keyboard, with either a 7 or 8-inch display (depending on model). Currently these units are compatible with the BlackBerry Bold 9000, Tour 9630, and Curve 8900. More BlackBerry devices are expected to be supported soon. Starting today you can purchase the REDFLY from Celio’s website. Pricing for their 8-inch model starts at $249 or 7-inch model $199.
BlackBerry Security And SMobile, What You Should Know
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.
BlackBerry Storm2 heading to TELUS – November 24th?
A new rumor has arrived that TELUS will be launching the anticipated BlackBerry Storm2 9550 on November 24th. This would be almost one year on the dot since TELUS first launch the Storm 9530. The new Storm2 will be a new CDMA smartphone, and will not be compatible with their HSPA network, which launches on November 5th. There is no word on pricing yet, but at least we have a rumored release date. Stay tuned for more details when they arrive…
[via The Mobile Ninjas]
Slacker Radio Updated to V2.0.91
![blackberry-images[1]](http://blackberrysync.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/blackberry-images1.jpg "blackberry-images[1]")
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.
“BlackBerry, I Would Go To The Ends Of The Earth For You”
![lost[1]](http://blackberrysync.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/lost1.jpg "lost[1]")
Okay, well maybe not the ends of the earth, but how bout the local landfill? There’s a story in the Odd News I just have to share with you because it’s endearing and signifies our attachment to our BlackBerry phones. It begins in Pitkin County, Colorado with Billy Boyd who was raking leaves.
Billy was raking leaves and didn’t realize his BlackBerry had fallen out of his pocket till the leaves and BlackBerry were taken to the City of Aspen recycling center. Boyd found his beloved BlackBerry in a yard refuse bin at the center, but a grate was in the way of him getting hold of it. And of course by this time, the City Hall was closed so he had a problem at hand. This was Tuesday. Wednesday he was told that the bin had been emptied in the County landfill.
Armed with his girlfriend’s cellphone, Boyd went to the landfill in search of his BlackBerry. After a half hour, the search was over and Boyd and his BlackBerry were reunited. I love it when long lost mates are reunited, and we all know that every minute away from our BlackBerry seems like an eternity.
[via: UPI.com]
Pandora Updated to v1.1.2
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.
PhoneSnoop, Spyware, And You
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.
BlackBerry App World Updates to V1.1.0.23
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.
Review: Fairy Theme V1.0 by MMMOOO
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: 
Review: Berry Vibrate v1.0 by MMMOOO
I always get asked the question, “Is there an app to ring and vibrate at once?” There is, though MMMOOO has come out with one that has a twist. Berry Vibrate is available in the BlackBerry Sync Store and is one of the little inexpensive apps you may find you’ll want to keep.
Berry Vibrate goes for $1.99. In the store, the description is as follows:
Berry Vibrate enables your phone active sound and vibrate at the same time instead of one by one when there’s a call. Won’t miss any important calls.
With all the questions about what is out there, I decided to try Berry Vibrate. I tested it on my BlackBerry Tour. As with all of MMMOOO’s products, you purchase it, and are given the download for the pc version. You unzip your files (extract, zip whichever you prefer), and then plug your phone in and use the App Loader from the BlackBerry Desktop Manager and search for your Berry Vibrate alx file and load it.
After loading the app, I found the little BlackBerry icon with the “vibrating waves” around it in my Download file. After clicking on it, the app gives you two options: Activate the Berry Vibrate and Activate the LED Flash. Also listed is a list of Tips. It explains that when it is activated it auto launches but does not affect the system.
I had no issues with the app. For a mere $1.99, I found it to be a great app for those who would like to have that vibrating alert. Even when I had my phone on silent profile, my phone would vibrate with a call, and the LED flashes in disco colors to let me know there’s a call. The app is simple, easy to use, and it’s priced really good.
I myself don’t use vibrate alerts except when I’m at an event where I can’t hear my phone. At work it’s so busy that even if I’m alerted to a call, I cannot answer the call and have to return a call as soon as I get a free second. But many consumers still like that option that normal handsets used to have, and it’s extremely handy for those who need to get those calls as they come in. Doctors, Real Estate Agents, Construction Managers, there’s several professions that the phone call is extremely important.
The app didn’t take any battery life, ran easily, and I liked the convenience of it. No complicated menus, no keys to run it, it’s just as it says, Berry Vibrate. It may be a small app, but it’s perfect if you want your call and vibrate too. You can count on Berry Vibrate to shake things up a bit without being an energy hog.
You can grab your copy of Berry Vibrate for $1.99 in the BlackBerry Sync Store here >
Compatible with OS: 4.2, 4.5, 4.6, 5.0
Compatible with BlackBerry Devices: 81xx Pearl Series, 82xx Flip Pearl Series, 83xx Curve series, 85xx Curve series, 87xx series, 88xx World series, 89xx Curve series, 9000 (Bold), 9550/9520 (Storm2), 9630 (Tour), 9700 (Bold)
Rating:
