Last year Dyson introduced the Air Multiplier, a super cool high-end bladeless fan. As you might remember, I thought it was awesome, in all sizes. The Dyson Hot sweetens the pot by making the multiplier an all year round temperature control device. I say “control” because unlike the original multipliers, you can set a desired room temperature on the Dyson Hot and it will periodically activate so that the room remains at the set constant temperature (like an air conditioner on money-saver mode). Like the vacuum and the fan, Dyson has taken an old solution–the space heater–and updated both its technology and design to make it more relevant, efficient, and exciting to use. Follow on past the break for the details. 

Quick Recap on how the Dyson Multiplier Technology Works; Breaking it down to the basics

Step 1, bring in the air: In the base of each multiplier is something called mixed-flow impeller. The impeller, to oversimplify things a bit, is a fancy set of fan blades that borrows technology from jet engines. The impeller sucks in air through tiny holes in the base and shoots it upwards.

Step 2, focus the air: The upward gust created by the impeller is focused through the ring at the top of the device into a stronger and smoother ring of air. The ring is also especially shaped to direct the air, the way that an airplane wings shaped to control the way air flows over it.

Step 3, multiply the air: Once a ring of air starts flowing out of the Multiplier, air from behind the device is pulled in and sucked through the empty center of the Multiplier ring–an effect called inducement. Also, the ring of air itself starts to pull air from around it, making the ring thicker as it travels farther from the base–an effect called entrainment. With combination of inducement and entrainment makes it that at a few feet away from the device, the ring of air below a full solid cylinder of air.

Air Multiplier™ technology – how it works

 How the Dyson Hot is better than a typical space heater

Multiplier Technology: Because the Dyson Hot utilizes Dyson Multiplier technology, the Dyson Hot is better at getting hot air around a room.

•  Typical fans spread dust around the room because (1) dusty air is simply accelerated forward and (2) dust settles on the fan blades when not in use. Multiplier technology avoids these problems.  The Dyson Hot sucks in air through small holes in the base. The small holes act as a sort of filter for incoming air, blocking dust from entering the process from the beginning. Because the air is accelerated through an unexposed impeller, there is also no possibility of dust building up on exposed parts when it is not in use. With no dust coming in and no dust buildup, the Dyson Hot only circulates clean air around the room. This effect is doubly as important in the Dyson Hot because often space heaters an create a smell of burning dust, a problem the Dyson Hot overcomes partially by avoiding dust in the first place.
• Air accelerated through a typical fan can feel choppy and artificial. Multiplier technology avoids that feeling by focusing the accelerated air through the ring-structure. By focusing the air, the accelerated gusts become (1) more powerful, reaching further out into the room, and (2) seamless, eliminating any gaps in the airstream and making the gust feel constant and natural. By utilizing Multiplier technology the Dyson Hot is able to push the heated air further out into the room, helping it heat a room faster.
• Lastly, like the Multipliers, the Dyson Hot can oscillate and be tilted upwards or downwards. By oscillating the device, hot air is distributed more evenly around the room, heating the room uniformly.

Temperature Control: The Dyson Hot has precise temperature controls, a feature offered by very few space heaters. Both the remote and base have temperature controls that help set the desired temperature of the room. An LED number display in the base displays the desired temperature in degrees. When set to the lowest temperature, the Dyson hot merely works as an air multiplier. But when a temperature is set, the Dyson Hot will pump out hot air until it measures that the room has reached the desired temperature (more on that in the next paragraph). Once the room reaches that temperature the Dyson Hot suspends itself. While suspended, the Dyson Hot monitors the temperature of the room. If the temperature cools below the desired set temperature, the Dyson Hot will turn back on to reheat the room. All in all, the Dyson Hot controls the temperature of the room as an air conditioner on temperature control/money saver mode would.

But unlike air conditioners and space heaters with temperature controls, the Dyson Hot has a better pulse on the actual temperature of the room by capitalizing on the inducement effect of multiplier technology. A typical temperature controlled space heater, with or without a fan, takes the temperature of the room by testing the air immediately around it. In application this produces an inaccurate picture of the temperature of the room because the air tested–the air around the heater–has been partially heated by the heater itself. The Dyson Hot gets a better read at the actual temperature of the room by testing the air that is pulled in during inducement. The induced air comes from behind the device and from further out in the room, so the temperature of that air has not been affected by the Dyson Hot itself and is a more accurate measure of the current temperature of the room.

Safety: A big concern in the field of space heaters is the risk of fire. Dyson mitigates those fears by (1) shielding the heating element within the base of the device and (2) by including an automatic shutoff switch that activates when the device tips over. Specifically, typical space heaters leave the heating element exposed to the room. Thus, if something were to come in contact with the heating element (a piece of trash that fell on the floor or an article of clothing that falls near the device) there would be a substantial chance of fire. But by shielding the heating element within the base, the Dyson Hot eliminates the possibility that anything will come in contact with the heating element. Similarly, a concern with space heaters is that if the device tips over, the device may cause enough heat directed at the floor that a fire may start. The Dyson Hot eliminates that fear by incorporating a sensor that detects when the device is not upright and shutting down the device when it tips.

Everyday Use

I field tested the Dyson Hot at home and at the office.

In the office: Placement of the Dyson Hot is important for two reasons: because the Dyson Hot relies on inducement–pulling air in from behind–it should be placed in an open area; and because the Hot relies on entrainment–the ring of air pulls along air around it–it should be placed a 3-4 feet away from the subject to give the ring enough space to pull along enough surrounding air to make it feel substantial. In my office, what this all meant was that I placed the Dyson Hot at the far corner of my desk.

In my office, the Dyson Hot was a little wonder. The problem in my office (and I suspect this is a problem in many offices) is that the building controls the temperature of the room, so I often find myself freezing in the middle of the summer and boiling hot in the dead of winter.  The Dyson Hot was my little equalizer. I set my desired temperature and the little guy made sure that my space was exactly the way I wanted it. But more than just its function, the Dyson Hot was a nice style addition to my office. While it is unquestionably more stylish than a space heater, the Dyson Hot looked nice on my desk and brought in some curious co-workers.

In the home:  As with the office, the first thing to figure out with the Dyson Hot is placement. The Dyson brochure suggests that you place the Hot in the center of the room. So when testing in a living room that means putting the Hot on something like a coffee table, or in my case on my islands of storage benches. Because the only thing in the center of a bedroom is the bed, finding a place for the Hot is a bit trickier. But in the end, I found that it is fine to just place it on the edge of my widest dresser.

Similar to my office, the heating in my small Manhattan apartment is controlled by the building. So my my apartment has virtually two temperatures, the outside temperature or boiling inferno. But lucky for me, testing this bad boy was easy because it got cold early this year (coincidentally the day after the Dyson Hot was announced) and my building hasn’t yet turned on the heat.

In testing, the Dyson Hot heated the room in a subtle feeling way. Unlike a cooling fan, which cools you off with a strong breeze. The Hot doesn’t try to heat the room by shooting around strong gusts of boiling hot air. Rather, when set at a low and medium power setting, the un-buffeted steady stream of air feels natural and almost goes unnoticed.

In addition to performing its main function–heating up the room–the Dyson Hot made me feel more at ease than a traditional space heater. For one, I didn’t have to worry about leaving it on, forgetting about it and causing a fire. By setting the temperature I knew the Dyson would shut off automatically, and the fail safe mechanism made sure that nothing would happen if it fell over. Secondly, with the Dyson Hot I didn’t have to worry about my cat some how catching fire, burning herself, or knocking it over in a fit of rage.

Price and Premium: With any gadget there has to be a conversation about price. Many people felt that the Dyson Multiplier, while cool and innovative, did not provide enough of a difference in function to warrant such a substantial price premium over a simple fan.  But the same cannot be said about the Dyson Hot. A typical space heater with heat settings and a fan costs $50. The Dyson Hot costs $399.99. But the premium isn’t just for design. Very few space heaters keep a room at a specific set temperature (the only example I found was an electric radiator I saw when on vacation in Europe). But what I think is the real price justifier here is the improved safety features of the Hot. Make no mistake, space heaters can be dangerous. But by hiding the heating element in the base and building in a kill switch when the device tips over, Dyson made the space heater into another safe and useful appliance.

Wrap up: The Dyson Hot is a hot device (get it?). It tackles a simple old problem–space heating–from a fresh perspective. It performs better than its predecessors, avoids typical safety issues, and has a distinct elegant style that is both elegant and functional.  Is it something you should run out and buy? If you need a space heater I think that this is hands down the best option out there. But even if you are simply dealing with fluctuating temperatures that you can’t control (if you ever wear a sweatshirt or jacket indoors), the Dyson Hot can be your great equalizer.

<em> Disclaimer: Dyson provided a demo unit for this review. </em>

If you liked this article, you might find these interesting:

• Dyson Pedestal Air Multiplier
• Look ma, no fans! The Dyson Air Multiplier
• Gadget of the Week: Dyson DC25 Blueprint Vacuum & DC31 Handheld Vacuum
• Tech Review: BlackBerry Technical Solution Center RSS Feeds
• Review: BBBattery Watch From S4BB

Posted by David for ©BerryReview, November 21, 2011, 1:00 pm. | Tech. Review: The Dyson Hot | 7 comments |

One of the key questions that stood out to me was "When is BBM going cross platform or to the PC? Kirkup was straight forward and said that there was no plan or intentions of doing either. The reason being is that BBM is a key to attracting customers to BlackBerry. Another reason is the fact that the infrastructure that runs BBM is internal and taking it outside of RIM’s would be probably a really bad idea. I am not saying it couldn’t happen but i do not see how doing that would benefit them. There are quite a few apps already do that but not as good as BBM. If RIM really wanted to do that it would make more sense to maybe buy one of the 3rd party developers such as live profile or Whatsapp and simply give it access to API’s that would allow others to use that app to send messages to BBM users and vise versa. But I believe BBM needs to stay in-house.

We recorded most of the Q&A session so if you are a developer we encourage you to watch the video. You may find some interesting information on it. If you are interested on hearing about the BBM questions skip to 4 minutes on the video, the video is quite long.

If you liked this article, you might find these interesting:

• Kidela Explains “What’s Inside Your BlackBerry?”
• RIM Video Explains Different BlackBerry Connection Transports
• RIM Explains PlayBook FIPS Government Certification & More
• RIM Explains NFC (Near Field Communications) In Upcoming Phones
• BlackBerry Mascot Is On A Road Trip

Posted by Luis Merlos for ©BerryReview, May 6, 2011, 6:54 pm. | RIM Explains Why BBM For Other Platforms is NOT On the Road Map | 19 comments |

OS 7 (possibly QNX based OS)

Most likely the devices that will first see a QNX based OS will have to be devices with dual core processors from what RIM CEO has stated. Devices that Roll out with 6.1 in the next few months may see a QNX software update later but that is a maybe. This makes us believe that we will also see some nice new BlackBerry devices towards the end of the year possibly some that we have not learned about at this time.

BIS 4.0

The update to BIS 4.0 should roll around April or May and later in August to 4.1

BlackBerry Protect

Earlier today RIM launched BB protect for Latin and North America but it looks like we should see BlackBerry protect 1.1 for OS 6.1 around May of this year possible launch at BlackBerry World Congress which makes us think RIM will announce the new line of devices with 6.1 at the same time.

BlackBerry protect 1.2 Beta is scheduled around this same time.

App World For PlayBook

The road map hints at a march release so hopefully that means we will see the PlayBook release date announced sometime in the next two weeks. (Hopping to be right)

BlackBerry News Feeds and End of life for VIIGO

Personally I have not been impressed with the BB news feeds it has ways to go I only installed and deleted it this right away since there are better ones out there.  An update for this application to 1.1 should be released in May.   End of life for VIIGO is set for August.

Social Feeds  May 2.0 OS 6.1

Social feeds is schedule to receive an update to 2.0 that includes 6.1 support with better inbox integration.

• Additional content and Favorites view
  • support for notifications on specific views, notifying users when people/content is posted that they are specifically interested in.
• Read/unread status indicators
• Community specific funtionality through Timeline (e.g comments, Re-Tweet)
• BB News integration for RSS content

BB News RSS v1.1

• integration with Social Feeds
• Preloaded on 6.1
• Ad Support
• Weather
• Sports
• Push Notifications

Facebook 2.0 May 2011

We saw a preview of what Facebook 2.0 is going to look like a while back and this update should bring a new UI and with chat support.

Other applications that will see updates for 6.1 support include Twitter 1.1, Facebook 1.9.1 and Ticket Master update to v2.0

Note that this are potential release dates and that can change at any time.

Source: N4BB

If you liked this article, you might find these interesting:

• Leaked BlackBerry Enterprise Software Roadmap for 2011
• BlackBerry CDMA Smartphone 2011 Roadmap Leaked with Four New Devices!
• Verizon Roadmap Leaked Showing Storm3 9570 & Curve 9330
• BlackBerry GSM 2011 Roadmap Leaks with Bold Touch, Torch 2, and Next Gen Curve
• Leaked AT&T Q4 Roadmap With BlackBerry Torch 9860 & Curve 9360

Posted by Luis Merlos for ©BerryReview, March 5, 2011, 5:27 pm. | Leaked Software Roadmap For 2011 Hints at Possible OS 7 End of Year | 24 comments |

IDAPT i4 Universal Desktop Charger

This device is perfect for those that have more than one device including BlackBerry, Iphone, Ipod, or android devices the Idatp i4 universar charger can solve your charging needs. The universal charges allows you to charge three different devices at once  or four with the extra USB port.  Included are six interchangeable adapters a Mini and Micro USB perfect for BlackBerry devices, one adapter for Sony Ericson, one for Iphone, Samsung 4, and Nokia 2.  With this device I can charge multiple devices and if my non BlackBerry friends come over they can also charge their device while I charge my BlackBerry devices. This charger allows me to keep my device by my bedside table and not have to worry about a clutter table with many cables.

Features:

• Simultaneously charge four different devices and clear cord clutter with one system
• Features 3 tip ports and one USB port and LED light indicating charge status
• Interchangeable “quick release” tip system allows for easy, customizable charging system • Compatible with more than 3,500 brands of mobile devices, including Apple, Nintendo, PSP, Blackberry, Garmin and more •
• Package includes six of the most popularly used interchangeable tips
• Available in black, white or silver

		IDAPT i4 VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Available at: www.IDAPTweb.com, Price: $59.99

Sample provided for review

This laptop stand folds into a thing sheet that can be place in your carrying laptop bag anywhere you go and easily assemble into a stand to carry it anywhere on the go.  The laptop stand can be used  in two different angles, stays in place or can easily slide across a table or smooth surface.  The design allows you to place most small to large laptops sizes. Is made out a highly durable light weight aluminum.  There is a gap in between the laptop and the stand for air to flow freely and keep the laptop cool.

Features:

• World’s thinnest stylish laptop stand folds down to ¼” for exceptional storage and portability
• Provides optimal ergonomic angle that reduces strain on your wrist and allows air to flow underneath, dissipating heat from the laptop thus improving battery life and computing efficiency
• Designed to improve visibility, decrease screen glare and maximize productivity
• German-made Hylite patented material provides a flexible weightless solution that is extremely durable
• Folds flat for easy storage access in any laptop bag with a weight of a mere 5.5 ounces

You can also view a youtube video at this link

Available at: www.aviiq.com

Price: $79.95

Sample provided for review

		AVIIQ VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

This is a  really cool device it allows you to connect cable or satellite cable to this USB TV receiver and plug it into your computer or laptop. I have a dual monitor set up with my computer one is a flat screen pc monitor and the other is an HDTV with HDMI connected to my pc. The EyeTv hybrid allows me to watch TV while I work on homework, writing post and I can move the screen around to any monitor I choose.  This device works on both PC or MAC.  On windows you can use the windows media center it makes it really easy to set up. Once it is set up you can schedule shows to record, watch live TV and rewind, view TV guide, save and delete recorded shows.

Comes with a remote control, one USB receiver, antenna adapter, and a CD-Rom.

Features:

• Watch, pause & record live TV on a Mac or PC
• TV tuner stick receives both digital & analog, including HDTV channels
• Also captures video from sources such as a set-top box or VCR
• On a Mac, you can edit recordings & export to iTunes for viewing on iPhone/iPad/iPod
• Optional App available to view live TV on iPhone/iPad/iPod
• Comes with infrared remote, EyeTV3 software & video input cable for S-Video & RCA
• One year free of TV Guide data, with option to renew for only $19.95/year

		EyeTv Hybrid VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Available at: www.Elgato.com or www.Amazon.com and apple app stores (Cheaper at Amazon)
Price: $149.95

Sample provided for review

Scosche makes some cool accessories and Bluetooth related devices,  this one is for those that tend to use talk on their cellphone while driving, the Socsche motor mount II is a hand free car kit that allows you to hook up your cellphone or pair using your BlackBerry Bluetooth. With this device you can make and receive phone calls or play music from you Ipod or BlackBerry. You need to have an MP3/AUX receiver for this device to work.  I tested this device and works pretty good while making calls or playing music from my BlackBerry.

Features include:

• Award-winning plug & play Bluetooth handsfree car kit and streaming audio receiver
• Plugs directly into a vehicle’s MP3/AUX input and streams audio from any A2DP device
• DSP echo cancellation technology ensures a crystal clear conversation even in noisy cars
• Scosche provides an aux relocation cable and mount for car owners with auxiliary input located in the center console
• Ships with Y adapter for users that prefer to directly connect their music

		Motor Mount II VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Available at: www.Scosche.com,  or www.Amazone.com amazon is priced at $48.00

Price: $79.99
Youtube Video at this link

Sample provided for review

This is one of my favorite devices a digital scale called the Balanzza Mini luggage Scale, it provides an easy way to measure your luggage weight in kilos or pounds. Easy for any body to use because you don’t have to be super strong to light your luggage and can be carried anywhere you go in your carryon or luggage.  The scale comes with a battery and a strap that holds a weight up to 100 pounds which is way more than what most airlines allow.

Features:

• Allows you to Pack smart & avoid overweight luggage fees at the airport by weighing before you go
• Avoid having to redistribute belongings at check in counter
• It’s easy! Strap scale to your luggage, lift using the scale, wait for the beep, set luggage down & read the weight on the digital display
• Weighs bags up to 100 pounds – measures in pounds or kilograms
• Slim & compact, it only weighs 3.2 oz – perfect for packing & assisting you on your way back home
• Requires two CR2032 batteries (included) and comes in two colors: grey or green

		Balanzza Mini Luggage Scale VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Available at: www.Balanzza.com Price: $24.95

or $19.99 at www.Amazon.com3

Sample provided for review

This is an odd and cool looking wireless mouse that allows you to 4-way scrolling with audible click feedback. Scroll up, scroll down, scroll at 45° or even through 360°.
Easy to use with no cleaning required. The mouse is easy to hook up and it comes with a nano-dongle that can be place inside the mouse for carrying anywhere. It uses a battery for power and the power can be turned off from a side button. One of my favorite features is the left side button that allows you to backspace pages using a single click.

Specs:

• Uses a ‘nano-dongle’ for an unobtrusive appearance and rock solid connection at all times.
• flexigrip™, an adjustable back leg which affords flexibility and in hand comfort, allowing you to achieve your preferred optimum glide height.
• 4 button 2.4GHz wireless; Up to 30ft / 10m range
• Scroll ball (allows 4 way 360o scrolling)
• FlexGrip™ two stage height adjustment
• Nano dongle, storable inside mouse
• 1600dpi laser
• Requires Windows 7, Windows XP, XP64, Vista or Mac OS X

		Eclipse Mobile Mouse VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Purchase at www.amazon.com or directly from http://eclipsetouch.com/

Price: $59.99

Whoever grew up watching or reading comics might like this Marvel Comics headphone from Coloud.  The sound on this is great, there not made for noise canceling but to listen to some good sounding music.

Features:

• Comfortable & durable headphones featuring popular Marvel Comics characters
• Marvel characters printed on glossy material giving a unique feel
• Adjustable headband provides a perfect fit
• Features 3.5mm jack for maximum compatibility including iPod
• Marvel characters include Captain America, Ka-Pow or Wolverine

Price: $40
Website: www.coloud.com

Review sample provided

Casio EX-H20G With Hybrid GPS Technology

I recently ordered one of this cameras for work, still waiting on it it just got released this month. We had seen this one at CES they had a prototype. The EX-H20G combines GPS and a hybrid GPS technology that continues to record the GPS location when you lose GPS signal a motion sensor continues to record your location.  Geotagging is gaining some momentum but so far is not accurate specially on the Torch 9800 is miles off and when you are inside a building is hard to get a GPS location. That is where this camera looks promising and the price is reasonable for all the features it offers.

• 14.1 Megapixels
• 3.0 Inch LCD (Super Clear)
• 3X Optical Zoom
• GPS
• BEST SHOT
• Premium Auto
• Dynamic Photo (Play mode only)
• Panoramic shot

Price: $349.99

You can purchase at www.shopcasio.com or to learn more at this link

Sony Alpha NEX-5A Silver 14.2MP DSLR Camera

This one is on my Christmas wish list a 14.2MP Sony DSLR camera that takes beautiful pictures. I had a chance to play with one and simply fell in love with it. The camera is lightweight, takes panoramic pictures and full HD 1080/60I movies.

Specs:

• 14.2 megapixel resolution
  Delivers excellent picture quality
• Carl Zeiss 16-24mm zoom lens
  Offers f/22 to f/2.8 aperture
• 3.0″ TFT TruBlack LCD display
  Enjoy easy focus selection and photo viewing on this tiltable LCD
• HD video
  Record movies in HD format at up to 1080/60i
• 8 scene modes
  Compose a variety of shots
• BRAVIA sync
  Via HDMI port with compatible BRAVIA HDTV
• Multi-format memory slot
  Compatible with Memory Stick Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo/Pro-HG HX Duo and SD/SDHC/SDXC memory cards

Price: $649.00 at Wal-Mart and www.Amazon.com

If you liked this article, you might find these interesting:

• BlackBerry Holiday Gift Guide & Gift Ideas 2007!!!
• 2009 Holiday Gadget Gift Ideas for the person who has it all
• Holiday or Secret Santa Gadget Gift Ideas for Under $30
• BerryReview Holiday Gift Guide
• My Random Favorites – Holiday Gift Guide

Posted by Luis Merlos for ©BerryReview, November 25, 2010, 11:00 am. | Holiday Gift Guide For the Gadget Lover | Leave a comment |

Valor Econômico is a Brazilian financial newspaper. Of course, they have an online version, with part of the content freely available to all and sundry. Some of the content is available to paying subscribers only. They just announced a BlackBerry app two days ago and I decided to check it out. I was pleased with what I saw…

The application is absolutely free, though it may display ads. You can download it OTA right HERE, but note that Javascript must be enabled, the link will not work without Javascript. Bad design, but that was the only problem I had, and the app is also available from App World. The download is 1 MB, so you had better have 3G or Wifi. After installation, the application runs quickly and smoothly, opening with a very brief summary of indices and news. The news section will display either everything or specific news from a selection of certain topics: Brazil, Finance, Investments, Politics, Businesses and International.

The Indices section should be useful to anyone who works in finance or even a lot of people who don’t. You can get a very quick and broad view of exchange rate values and other indices that are in force in the country, used in many different types of estimates and calculations.

Most users will probably be quite happy with the Stock Quote section. You can get a list of quotes, view any one in more detail and you can customize the overall list to include just the ones you’re really interested in:

Finally, the News section. That was the only part that disappointed me a little bit. Loading the News section is slow, especially when I select “Everything” rather than narrowing it down to one of the topics. The result was not that many more items, it just works slowly. Loading just one topic was kind of slow, too. I also noticed that I could not press T or B to jump to the top or the bottom of the screen while reading a news item, so I just had to scroll, scroll, scroll,scroll…

There are three buttons at the end of each news item: a Favorite button, so you can bookmark items that are particularly relevant to your interests; an email button, so you can send the news item to someone by email; and a tweet button, so you can share the news on Twitter.

I think the application makes very good use of the available screen space. Everything looks very clean, tidy and, most importantly, straightforward. A no-nonsense approach, just the way I like it. All in all, a very nice and well put together BlackBerry app. I think they could even make a sister app in English, I know there are plenty of investors and business people very interested in the Brazilian markets right now.

I couldn’t find any information on what individual or company was responsible for making this app. Whoever you are, congratulations. You just earned the seal of approval of one of the crankiest software reviewers to ever walk the Earth.

If you liked this article, you might find these interesting:

• RIM’s Financial Future Bright: National Bank Financial Analyst
• 25 Financial Applications For Your BlackBerry
• Reuters Insider Video App for Financial Professionals
• GPS-enabled BlackBerry Curve 8310 in Brazil
• Viigo Adds Pageonce Stock & Financial Info Integration

Posted by luc-mobile for ©BerryReview, November 12, 2010, 12:18 pm. | Valor Econômico – Brazilian financial newspaper now has BlackBerry app | 2 comments |

The Q1 is really easy to pair to the BlackBerry, and you can speak quite a different array of commands including, dial a number, check battery power, and announces incoming calls.

In the Box: The device comes in a cool looking display box.

• The Q1 Voice Controlled Bluetooth Headset.
• Large and small ear buds.
• An Ear hook.
• A USB Cable, for firmware updates and recharging.
• An AC Adaptor.
• The Quick Start Guide, which will tell you everything you need to know to get started using your Q1.
• BlueAnt’s Warranty Card
• 2 size silicone ear buds

Features include:

• Use your voice to control the Q1 – no more complicated button combinations to remember.
• Supports true multipoint – connect two phones at the same time and answer the one that rings.
• Designed for comfort – the Q1 has been created to be the most comfortable Bluetooth headset enabling all day use.
• Dual Microphones and BlueAnt’s Voice Isolation Technology ensure that you are always heard, even in the noisiest of environments. Custom internal wind shields reduce wind noise to a whisper.
• Up to 4 hours talk time and 100 hours standby.

If you are looking for an affordable Bluetooth with some awesome features this might be the one for you.  The current price is only $39.00 with free shipping on their Amazon page.

If you liked this article, you might find these interesting:

• Review: BlueAnt V1 Voice Controlled Bluetooth Headset
• BlueAnt Announces New Bluetooth Speakerphone and Vlingo Integration
• Review BlueAnt Z9i Bluetooth Headset
• Review: BlueAnt M1 Bluetooth Speakers
• OS 4.3 Will Allow Sending Voice Notes Through Email, PIN, & IM

Posted by Luis Merlos for ©BerryReview, October 20, 2010, 6:00 pm. | BlueAnt Q1 Voice Controlled Bluetooth | One comment |

Editors Choice Award Winner.

Review: OtterBox Defender Case for BlackBerry 9100 Pearl

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars

Cost: $49.95 (+ delivery)

Link: BlackBerry Pearl 9100 Defender Series Case

Well OtterBox have done it again. They have managed to squeeze another Editors Choice Award from me. All I can say is that it is well deserved. The team over at Colorado have re-designed the holster completely which was my major gripe with a couple of previous Defender cases, namely the Defender for the Bold 9700 and Storm 2.

More after the break…

Just because the Pearl is not the most expensive BlackBerry on the market doesn’t mean owners of these devices wont want to protect the baby BlackBerry. If you have an active lifestyle or work in dusty, dirty or wet environment, the Defender case is perfectly suited to you.

Another reason would be for resale value. Let me explain. Every BlackBerry I’ve ever owned has been put in an OtterBox product either from the un-boxing stage or just at a few weeks old. Out of a dozen or so BlackBerrys, not one of them has a single blemish or scratch on the outer casing or keyboard. (With exception to the trackball on the older devices). If I was to sell these on EBay or similar, I could quite honestly state the condition as ‘Perfect’ or “As New’. With the initial buying price for the case at around the $50 mark, I’m sure to make that up in the resale. Food for thought ?

Anyway, on with the review.

From the re-design of the holster, right through to a new ‘grip’ surface around the perimeter of the device itself, the OtterBox design team have really made some improvements on previous models. I would even go as far to say that this is the best OtterBox product I have seen…

As with all OtterBox products, all of the buttons, plugs and charge/sync points are accessible with the case fitted. The LED status indicator is visible and the camera/flash is fully functional whilst still in the case.

When you receive your new OtterBox case be sure to read the instructions and take your time fitting the case. Cleaning your BlackBerry well with a lint free cloth will keep the inside of the screen cover and keyboard dust free and looking brand new for years to come.

OtterBox have once again used their ’3 Layers of protection’ moto in the design and implementation in building this case.

• layer 1: Clear protective membrane on screen and keypad ƒ
• layer 2: Hi-impact polycarbonate shell ƒ
• layer 3: Durable silicone skin

The BEST part of this new case is the holster. Surprisingly, it’s not something that OtterBox have really highlighted on the product information page on their home site. As you can see from the pictures I’ve included, the holster now has guides at the top as well as the standard on the bottom. This gives replacing the Pearl back in its holster a true, positive lock feeling unlike previous holsters. Your BlackBerry is still easy to remove from the holster when you need it and it doesn’t have that ‘is it going to fall out ?’ feel about it. There is a magnet incorporated it the holster so your Pearl acts just like it would in a factory RIM case and OtterBox have continued with the tried and true ratchet belt clip.

The screen cover is once again a rigid style we have seen on the last couple of Defender cases which works very well as does the contoured keyboard cover leaving adequate room around the trackpad for full usage. In the redesign, OtterBox have also trimmed back on the plastic around the keyboard making every key easily accessible and not hindering typing speed what so ever.

The top buttons are well detailed (see picture opposite) so there is not guessing as to the button layout and they can still be operated whilst in the holster.

There is a ribbed ridge on certain parts of the silicon skin casing vastly improving hold grip on your BlackBerry. OtterBox have really put some thought into this. If you have to answer your phone with greasy or wet hands, this improves the grip on device 10 fold. No more literally ‘dropping the call’ .

The overall design doesn’t add much to the weight or bulk so don’t be alarmed if you think it’s going to make your Pearl feel like a Bold, it wont.

Conclusion:

Well, there isn’t a lot more I can say. I could not find one single flaw or feature that I didn’t like on this case. If this is signs of things to come from OtterBox then I will be giving out a lot more Editor Choice Awards in the years to come.

At just under $50, this would be a perfect birthday or Christmas present for the BlackBerry addict in your family.

I would like to thank the team over at OtterBox for sending out this case for review and to my wife for taking these ‘artistic’ pictures for me.

If you liked this article, you might find these interesting:

• Review: OtterBox Commuter and Defender for BlackBerry Pearl 9100
• OtterBox Releases Defender Case for BlackBerry Pearl 9100 3G
• Update: OtterBox fix on the Holster for the 9700 Defender
• Review: OtterBox BlackBerry Bold 9900 / 9930 Series Defender
• Review: OtterBox, the formidable BB defender

Posted by Greg for ©BerryReview, August 17, 2010, 1:00 pm. | Review: OtterBox Defender for BlackBerry 9100 Pearl | Leave a comment |

Review: Addictive Tower Defense
Rating: 10 out of 10 stars
Cost:

Since I installed Addictive Tower Defense on my Bold 9700 over a week ago I have been hooked. Don’t get me wrong I suck at the game but I played the game for over 2 hours while waiting in line at the DMV. Read on to learn why Addictive Tower Defense won our Editors Choice Award!

In case you are not familiar with Tower Defense game the concept is to stop the invading forces from getting from their starting point to their end point. You do this by erecting barriers, guns, rocket launchers, and more to stop them in their tracks and annihilate the enemy! I find it reminds me of a mash-up of Lemmings & Worms from back in the day.

Desktop Video Link | Mobile Video Link

The graphics in the game are not 3D but they are very impressive and the gameplay is super smooth. My favorite part is that you can pause and save the game at any point making it really easy to pick up and put down between meetings. I truly cant say much more about this game other than it is truly VERY addictive.

In short I HIGHLY recommend Addictive Tower Defense if you are getting tired of playing BrickBreaker. That is high praise coming from a man that finds faults in everything. The only two faults I could find with the game is that it does not have a free trial and that the registration code is tied to your PIN so you need to get it updated when you switch devices.

You can find the game for $4.99 in the store at this link

PS: Sorry I had to use the product description screenshots but BlackBerry Messenger bricked my 9700 yesterday and it is still recovering…

If you liked this article, you might find these interesting:

• Addictive Tower Defense – 50% Off Today Only!!! $2.49
• Addictive Tower Defense 50% Off Today – Only $2.49
• Addictive Tower Defense 20% Off Until Dec 24th
• New Tower Defense BlackBerry Game! Candy Defense
• Addictive “Grave Defense HD” Tower Defense Game for the BlackBerry PlayBook

Posted by Ronen Halevy for ©BerryReview, November 19, 2009, 3:00 pm. | Review: Addictive Tower Defense Game – Editors Choice Winner! | 2 comments |

Once again, the folks over at OtterBox have done it. They have made give out yet another perfect score. I went over this case with a fine toothed comb and couldn’t find one fault. The design, fit, attention to detail and overall build quality is flawless.

Some weeks ago, OtterBox sent this case out for me to review. I have been putting this review off partly because of an extremely busy work schedule and partly because I have a deep and meaningful love affair with my, OtterBox clad, Bold 9000 at the moment. I didn’t want to give the Bold up. It was robust, reliable (mostly) and, well, it’s just my favorite child right now. I’ve had the Curve 8520 sitting in the cupboard since a few weeks before release date and a brand new OtterBox sitting along side it… waiting… Waiting until I screwed up. Well it happened. Friday night the Bold gave it’s last flicker of life and succumbed to a lifetime of abuse, overuse and 300+ emails a day.

One excuse is as good as another so I swapped devices and cracked the packaging on the Curve 8520 and matching OtterBox Defender.

I was not disappointed. Overall built quality on the OtterBox Defender case fantastic. It doesn’t matter how hard I try, I just can’t find a fault with this case.

Fitting is easy (when compared to the OtterBox Defender case for the Curve 8900). Again, the manufactures have used a hard membrane over the screen so when you fit the case, no annoying bubbles are formed between the screen and membrane. The keyboard is protected by a form fitted clear membrane. The only part of the BlackBerry Curve 8520 that is left un-protected is the trackpad. (A small hint, the edge of the membrane surrounding the trackpad will settle back onto the underlying button after a day or two. I thought this was going to be an issue at the start as a small but noticeable lip had formed surrounding the trackpad but it settled down 24 hours or so later).

There is a total of eight dedicated locator pins/lugs around the other edge to hold the silicon skin in place. This aids in holding the very outside layer of protection in place like no other Defender Case that I have previously reviewed.

The charge and earpiece port is covered with a two stage removable plug. This allows you to uncover just the earpiece port whilst keeping dust and dirt out of your charge port at the same time. All outside buttons are catered for, including the three media keys on top of the device making every function of your BlackBerry Curve 8520 operable whilst in the case.

Previous OtterBox Defender cases occasionally caused a ‘flashback’ effect that would render flash photography from your device virtually impossible. As the Curve 8520 has no flash, this is not a problem with this OtterBox Defender.

Sound quality from the Curve 8520 is, well lets be truthful here, CRAP at the best of times. Putting it in this case doesn’t make any difference. It still sounds like crap… I haven’t had any complaints about voice quality and have taken quite a number of calls over the weekend so that factor seems to be fine too.

The first thing you will notice about the holster is the activation magnet is offset slightly to one side. But apart from that, everything is as it should be. The twenty four position belt clip is as strong as always and the device clips into the holster firmly with a positive lock-down in the final ten millimeters or so.

Pros:

• OtterBox’s famous 3 layers of protection.
• Easier to fit than any other OtterBox Defender to date.
• Access to all buttons from outside the case.
• Firm fit on the silicon outer skin.
• Two stage plug cover for earpiece/charger port.
• Moulded keyboard cover.
• Sturdy and robust holster.

Cons:

• The old Henry Ford philosophy… Any color as long as its Black…

Conclusion:

Simply put, OtterBox have got it all together when they designed and constructed the OtterBox Defender of the BlackBerry Curve 8520. I know this device is a budget line for RIM but these days, every cent counts right… For $49.95* you can essentially purchase an insurance policy against dropping and damage that we all incur on a day to day basis.

My BlackBerry Bold 9000 has been in an OtterBox Defender case since the day I got it. When I removed it the other day, the device did not have single scratch or blemish anywhere. It was just as if it was brand new. (Except the now black trackball that started life as a white one). I work in a construction environment on a day to day basis and if this is no testament to the protection OtterBox offers then I don’t know what is.

My only gripe is the lack of color range. Come on OtterBox, at the very least bring back the yellow option. (Although, I think a drab olive green or camo would be a superb look…)

If you liked this article, you might find these interesting:

• OtterBox Releases BlackBerry 8520 Curve Cases
• OtterBox Releases BlackBerry Curve 8900 Series Defender Case
• OtterBox Defender For 8350i Curve Now Available
• Review: OtterBox Defender for BlackBerry 8900 Curve
• OtterBox Releases Defender Case for BlackBerry Pearl 9100 3G

Posted by Greg for ©BerryReview, November 10, 2009, 2:00 pm. | Review: OtterBox Defender Case for BlackBerry Curve 8520 | 3 comments |

I have never given a perfect score before so this is a truly auspicious occasion. The design team over at OtterBox have finally done it. They have cracked what is, in my opinion, the perfect BlackBerry case. Now I know some of the ‘suit and tie’ type readers will argue that OtterBox cases make their devices too bulky and cumbersome for day to day use but the Coloradans have given this Defender case the full weight loss treatment including liposuction around the belly to make it a true pleasure to use (and abuse).

OtterBox have still maintained their traditional trademark ’3 Layers of Protection’ (I’ve made the joke of ‘To be sure, To be sure, To be sure’ before so will refrain at this point… ) whilst keeping the overall size to a minimum. The first layer is a thermally formed protective clear PVC membrane that covers the keypad and a clear PC sheet that covers the screen. This sheet is a hard polycarbonate the eliminates the need to painstakingly remove those annoying bubbles that would form between the screen and plastic on previous models. Next layer is a high impact polycarbonate shell that protects your ‘precious’ (Say ‘precious’ like in the movie ‘Lord of the Rings’….) from high impact collisions with inanimate objects and the like. Lastly, is the silicon skin that adds that extra protection and makes grip a whole lot easier in slippery situations. Otterbox also provide a holster (included) for your new OtterBox. The clip is extremely strong and large enough to clip snugly onto military/police/work style belts. The clip also has an adjustable angle ratchet (any soldier who has warn webbing would be able to tell you how handy that feature is) with up to 24 different positions. The holster has a small magnet installed so your BlackBerry will behave like it’s in a standard issue case from RIM themselves.

All of your outer buttons are still 100% (including the 2 top-side buttons)usable and all ports are still accessible whilst your device remains protected inside the Defender case. I actually found less accidental presses of the lock button on the top of my device after installing it in the OtterBox. The camera and flash in the rear of your BlackBerry have the same type Polycarbonate cover as your screen and I have had no problems with flashback into the lens that I have had with previous models.

Fitting this case is a lot easier than with previous models. The keypad PVC membrane is a lot easier to fit and has full wrap around straps to make interlocking a cinch. The screen cover is straight forward and about the only thing you have to be wary of here is ‘make sure your screen is clean before installing. The rest of the fitting process is straight forward.

Pros:

• Slimmer and  sleeker than previous Defender models.
• Hard Polycarbonate cover over the screen.
• Access to all ports and buttons.
• No interference from flash from the camera cover.
• Easy fitting.
• Provides better grip on your device.
• That Bullet-Proof feel that you only get with OtterBox.
• Full ‘military’ grade holster.

Cons:

• Color range limited. Black Only (Come on OtterBox. Drab Olive, Yellow and Pink would be a worthy addition)

Conclusion:

I don’t think I have to spell it out any further… The OtterBox Defender for the BlackBerry 8900 Curve is the best case I have seen for the 8900 and one of the best cases ever produced by OtterBox.  You can get more information and specifications here: http://www.otterbox.com/pdfs/blackberry-curve-8900-data.pdf .

I would like to thank OtterBox for sending me out the sample for review and Val for clicking the picture you see above. (It will be the last ones of my Jeep as it’s up for sale. New project underway ATM). Lastly, and most importantly, I would like to thank the readers as without you, BerryReview would just be a bunch of words in cyberspace with no-one to read.

If you liked this article, you might find these interesting:

• OtterBox Releases BlackBerry Curve 8900 Series Defender Case
• Review: OtterBox Defender Case for BlackBerry Curve 8520
• OtterBox Defender For 8350i Curve Now Available
• OtterBox Impact series for the 8900 and 8350i Curve released.
• Review: OtterBox BlackBerry Bold 9900 / 9930 Series Defender

Posted by Greg for ©BerryReview, July 13, 2009, 8:00 am. | Review: OtterBox Defender for BlackBerry 8900 Curve | 14 comments |

As our regular readers will know, it was my 4oth Birthday last Tuesday. Unbeknown to me, my wife Val had been planning an absolutely awesome surprise party for me and it all came together yesterday. The icing on the cake, (pardon the pun), was this unbelievable BlackBerry Bold complete with yellow Otterbox cake. My wife Val, her friend Sandy with technical support from my kids (and budding CrackBerry addict) Aymz and Chris, have put hours of painstaking effort into this and I would like to thank them all from the bottom of my heart.

Val, I love you sweetheart. Thank you so much for everything.

Always and Forever, Greg. XXXXX

If you liked this article, you might find these interesting:

• Introducing the BlackBerry Cake – Eat It Up!
• 8900 Otterbox giveaway contest winner
• Bplay Releases Cake Mania 2 – Bake Off!
• Canadians Pay Tribute to 8900 with Amazing Ice Sculpture
• CallWave Fuse Collaboration Service With BlackBerry Support

Posted by Greg for ©BerryReview, June 28, 2009, 1:12 am. | The Icing on the Cake. | 12 comments |

1. MobiPocket eBook Reader – OTA link – Top notch eBook reader/creator for your BlackBerry
2. Viigo RSS Reader – OTA link – Where do you think I find all my news?
3. Google Talk – OTA link – Chat all you want with instant notifications
4. Google Maps – OTA link – Find your friends with latitude and GPS maps
5. Facebook for BlackBerry – OTA link – This app is the only reason I signed up for Facebook in the first place
6. MidpSSH Custom Build – OTA link – Opensource SSH client that works now that Rove Mobile SSH is gone
7. Amazon.com App – OTA link – I live off Amazon Prime. I even order toilet paper from them…
8. BBTetris/BlockBerry – OTA link – Awesome Tetris game that only gets better
9. BBWeather – OTA link – Simple and neat forecasts with an interactive homescreen icon
10. BBFileScout – OTA link – The file manager that RIM should have given us in the first place

Post your own top 10 below in a comment so that we can duke it out for the best of the best. Let me know if I missed anything. Enjoy!

If you liked this article, you might find these interesting:

• Free AutoLock & SoftReset Applications For BlackBerry
• BerryReview’s Top FREE Back to School Applications for BlackBerry!
• Maximum Of 31 Applications In BlackBerry OS?
• Two BlackBerry Spying Applications – One Free & One Commercial
• Google Services Pack Now Available – Install All 4 Free Google Applications On Your BlackBerry

Posted by Ronen Halevy for ©BerryReview, May 11, 2009, 4:00 pm. | Top 10 Free Applications on my BlackBerry – What About You? | 39 comments |

This has got to be one of the coolest devices that I have been fortunate enough to review. I will never leave home without it! This will prevent you from being in a situation where you need to make an important phone call, but the “battery too low for radio use” message just popped up.

When JavoEdge sent me their Portable Pocket Battery charger, I will admit that I was skeptical. Anything that sounds too good to be true usually is. I wasnt sure if this was actually going to charge my battery or if it would just allow it to run for a little while while plugged in. And while there are a couple of things about this device that can be a little bit annoying (more on that later) this is by far the “best in class”.

The Kit that i was sent was the Pocket Portable Battery Home Starter kit. Inside the package was a bunch of goodies. The first was the Pocket Portable Battery itself, a USB charging cable, a Wall Charger, a Retractable Cable, and a travel-size carrying case. Everything, aside from maybe the plain old usb cable, is incredibly high quality. With the Home Starter Kit, they include one of their retractable cables ($14.95 value).

The unit itself is very self explanatory. On the bottom of the portable battery, there is an “in” and an “out”. To charge the portable battery itself, plug the mini-usb cable into the “in” port on the battery and connect the usb cable to either your computer or the included wall charger. The battery will let you know that it is charging by lighting up a little red dot. When it has fully charged the light will change to blue. You are ready to charge baby!

Now is the time that you toss this into your briefcase, purse, backpack, desk drawer, glovebox or wherever you will likely have it on hand and forget about it. The next time you are out and about and your blackberry battery starts blinking and beeping at you, pull the pocket charger out, and connect it to the retractable cable (or any usb cable for your device) and the other end into your Berry, push the button and let it do its magic.

I have to mention the retractable cables separately. They are an editor’s choice all on their own. I have seen these several places before and thought that they were kind of hokey, but I was shocked. I ordered a couple more for my family, and even one for my iPod touch (yea yea I know flames are coming in the comments) So even if you have no need for the rechargeable battery, check out these little cables. They are less than 15 bucks and come in black and silver. It should be noted that the cables from JavoEdge are not the same poor quality as the retractable cables you have seen for 1.50 on ebay. Trust me.

I did some bench tests on this unit to see what kind of numbers I could realistically expect in the wild. It took about 3 hours to charge the portable battery from the wall unit from completely dead. This was a little bit longer than I had hoped for, but still less than the 5 hours that they had projected on their instruction sheet. I drained a spare 8800 to completely dead and plugged it in. The 8800 was 100% charged in 1 hour and 22 minutes. I drained the battery on the berry again and plugged it back in. It charged it to 85% before the portable battery was drained. So I got more than a charge and a half to my device off of one full charge. Pretty impressive!

Pros:

• Tiny. This thing is smaller and thinner than my blackberry. I could easily slip this into my breast pocket and not know it was there.
• Diverse. You can use this to charge practically anything you have with a battery, I will be using it to charge my Jawbone, Supertooth, iPod, BlackBerry and my digital camera.
• Affordable. The units start off at $39.99 for the basic kit, which comes with the battery, case, and USB charger. I strongly reccommend bumping up to the $49.99 set which comes with the wall charger, retractable cable, and all of the charging interfaces you could possibly need. For only 10 bucks more you are getting about 25 dollars worth of extra stuff.

Cons:

• Took a little bit longer to charge the battery than I would have liked. I would have been thrilled to see this down to an hour or hour and a half.

Summary

Buy this. Seriously buy it. Charge it up and put it away. You WILL need it and you will be happy that you decided to make an investment in it. You can use it for practically anything you own that charges. And you don’t have to worry about it becoming obsolete. There are so many uses for this device and it is worth every penny.

If you liked this article, you might find these interesting:

• Mobile 4-Port USB Hub With Battery & Solar Charger
• PowerPak – Wall Charger With Built in Battery
• Review: 7 in 1 Solar Power Charger From BudgetGadgets.com
• Review: Duracell Rechargeable USB Charger
• Primo Battery Cube Backup Battery Pack Actually Looks Good

Posted by Nate for ©BerryReview, March 30, 2009, 1:05 pm. | Review: JavoEdge Pocket Battery Charger – Never Let It Die! | 4 comments |

Review: OtterBox 1937-20 for BlackBerry Bold

Rating: 9.5 out of 10 stars

Link: BlackBerry Bold

Price: $49.95 (+postage)

Colors: Black or Yellow

I know I’m running late with the review on this case but life has been quite hectic lately. I received one of these cases for my new BlackBerry Bold a couple of days after the official release. My Bold has been wrapped up in the aforementioned ’3 Layers’ of protection ever since.

For those of you who haven’t seen or read my previous articles on OtterBox products for Blackberry here’s the low-down- OtterBox offer 3 layers of physical protection for your device. The first (inner) layer is a clear, heat form fitted membrane that keeps out the fine dust and moisture. The second layer is a high impact polycarbonate shell and last of all is an outer silicon skin for that one final protection factor. I suppose the Irish saying of “To be sure, to be sure, to be sure” might come into play here somewhere but I think that saying was from a joke involving 3 condoms so I wont go there… (NB; The Defender series is NOT waterproof so if you submerge your nice new Bold into liquid to test this bad boy out then, well, all I can say is you’ll be upgrading handsets sooner rather than later )

From the Box:

Ok, so what do you get for your $50 bucks…

• Heat formed membrane.
• Hight Impact polycarbonate shell.
• Silicon outer skin.
• Holster cover that the whole lot clicks into.
• Fitting instructions. (If you haven’t fitted an OtterBox before then this is recommended reading)
• Screen fitting card. (For getting rid of those annoying bubbles when fitting the membrane)
• Sticker and other advertising paraphernalia.

Their new case for the Bold is much along the same lines as their case for the Curve… Great ergonomic design, durable, snug fit and rugged protection.

I have made it no secret that my BlackBerry Bold is not my favorite device that has ever come out of the RIM factory. (I’ve had a bit of flak from this point of view on the forums). Mix that in with a ‘little bit of a temper tantrum’ sometimes and there is a good point of putting an OtterBox Defender on my Bold. I tend to get the sh##s with it quite often and it usually gets thrown across the room. If it was not for the OtterBox then I would be back on my trusty old Curve a fair while ago. Although I would never recommend a full blooded, wind-up, pitch strength throw, it will take a fair beating. RIM should probably include one of these cases as standard equipment for the Bold if they don’t start fixing some of the devices larring issues … it would save a lot of warranty claims. (Now I’m just getting downright nasty…Sorry… )

Overall:

OtterBox have again done a fantastic job with this case for the BlackBerry Bold.

They have made a couple of changes from the Curve case. One of which is the hard plastic cover across the camera and flash on the back of the device. Granted this is a better option than the same soft plastic membrane OtterBox uses for the keyboard (as used on their Defender case for the Curve) but does have one distinctive draw-back. If you take a picture using the LED flash, the light refracts back into the camera lens hence making the picture blurred. If you take a fair few pictures on your Bold at night time then this could really get on your nerves.

The case has speaker ports so you can still here your ringtone/music/videos playing. The status LED also has a port so you can tell if you have a received message, etc. Just about all of the external openings have a small particle filter covering the actual hole so dust ingress is kept to a minimum. Actually instead of me going through everything OtterBox has remembered to include, I will just tell you what they haven’t; a port for the Micro-SD card slot in the side. Now this didn’t really worry me too much. The card is hard enough to get out of the Bold when it’s not in a case anyway and I’m not really one for changing SD cards every day anyway, but I thought I would mention it for those of you who do swap out your media card frequently.

The holster is very durable and the spring clip is very strong. (A little too strong straight out of the box, but that will change in time). A magnet is in-built into the holster so your ‘in-case’ settings will act the same as if you had the device in the factory sleeve.

Pros:

• Looks Great.
• Ridged Plastic Camera/Flash Protection.
• Same Bullet Proof feel as the previous OtterBox Defender cases for Blackberry.
• Snug fit plug over the charge/headphone ports.
• Belt clip seems even sturdier than previous models (which was great to start with).
• Filter over ear piece.
• Magnet for sensor in the holster to keep the ‘factory’ type behavior happening.

Cons:

• Makes the Bold feel larger than it already is.
• The flash reflection conflicts with the camera operation.
• No SD card port opening.

If you liked this article, you might find these interesting:

• Review: BlackBerry Bold 9000 OtterBox Commuter Series
• OtterBox Releases Commuter Case for BlackBerry Bold 9700
• OtterBox Releases Pink “Strength” Case for BlackBerry Bold 9700
• Review: OtterBox BlackBerry Bold 9900 / 9930 Series Defender
• OtterBox BlackBerry Bold 9900 9930 Cases Coming Soon

Posted by Greg for ©BerryReview, November 24, 2008, 8:00 am. | Review: OtterBox For BlackBerry Bold 1937-20 | 4 comments |

The greatest belt case I have ever seen or had the privilege to review.

Sometimes it is unusual to find an accessory manufacturer that has been around to stand the test of time. Nutshell, a New Zealand company, has been hand making genuine leather cases since 1997. As most of you know, I am a belt case fanatic, and this case sets the bar very high for future cases!

The case arrived in packaging from New Zealand, which is always kind of fun to receive something from another country. But the true test was yet to come. The case that Nutshell sent to me had a few upgrades. Mine has the magnetic flap closure, rather than Velcro, it also has the belt clip and this particular case is tan colored.

The case is truly rugged! The clip is by far the sturdiest metal clip that I have ever seen on a BlackBerry case, it even has a metal loop for people that choose to connect a lanyard or decorative attachment. The magnetic flap that holds the case shut is strong enough to keep everything in place, yet loose enough to easily retrieve my BlackBerry. The flap itself is a little bit thin where it folds over the Berry, it could have been a little bit thicker in my opinion.

The logo is branded into the back of the case instead of plastered all over the front of the case. This actually speaks volumes about the company, they are confident enough in their product to place a small unobtrusive logo where very few people will see it.

The form of the case is rivaled by it’s function. The case sits close to the hip making it barely noticeable from a distance. The case includes a magnet built in to serve as the proximity sensor (a must have for me). There is a little hole on the very bottom of the case that I cant really figure out what it does. This case was hand made for the 8830, and there is no mic in that area…

Pros

• Stylish
• Compact
• Incredibly durable
• Quality materials

Cons

• Slightly expensive
• Unusual hole on the bottom
• Flap could be a little bit thicker

Summary

I love this case, I have been rotating between this case and my Fortte case because I cannot decide which one that I like better. This case has quickly become my “manual labor” case. I can clip it on to my belt and never have to worry about it falling off my belt, or breaking out of the clip. The price after customizing it is a little bit high, but you pay for what you get! There is nothing better than a quality hand made leather case that perfectly fuses practicality and beauty.

If you liked this article, you might find these interesting:

• 20% Off Coupon For NutShell Cases Until December 10th
• Review – Speck Products Storm Cases
• Review: Prima Black Crystal Lucite Hard Shell Case W/ Belt Clip
• Review: Krusell Horizon With MultiAdapt
• Review: Sena Classic Flipdown Case

Posted by Nate for ©BerryReview, October 29, 2008, 12:12 pm. | Review: Protect Your NutShell | 11 comments |

Some of you who may frequent BerryReview.com might have noticed that I am a bit of a case junkie. I am constantly searching for cases and accessories that make my BlackBerry’s life better. I have found my favorite case to date in Fortte’s Vertical Pouch. If you think you have one that can top it let me know!

The Review Unit:

The unit that Fortte sent me to review is the Vertical Pouch in the Brandy Saddle color with the Removable Low Profile Ratchet Clip. One of the best parts about the Fortte company is the ability to customize your order. They have 32 color combinations available, more than enough to  make the choice difficult. They also have 7 clip/strap choices as well as the option to have the product embossed with your own logo. It should be noted that anything other than the basic selections will alter the price of the case.

When I first spoke with the people at Fortte they let me know that since the cases are made to order, the delivery time could be as long as three weeks. This kind of bummed me out a little bit at first, but then I realized that there is no way they could stock every single color for every device that they sell cases for. In the end, it ended up being about 2 weeks before I had the case at my door.

Read more on this case after the jump!

I opened up the package and I could immediately smell quality leather. The feel of this case is outstanding. In many ways, it is similar to the OEM pouch that came with my 8830. This case however has worked much better for me than the RIM case did. The front of the case is made of leather that has a very nice feel to it, it is kind of rough. The back of this two toned color scheme is a smooth leather which is a little bit darker in color. The strap that closes the case is that same smooth leather.

I like to show a sense of style in the way that I present myself, and this case is definitely stylish! The front of the case is actually a little bit padded which adds a lot in terms of how the case feels. It is much softer than most leather goods. The inside of the case is a nice, soft no scratch material providing an excellent home for any screen. The case also features a proximity sensor in the back which is powerful enough to put your Berry into sleep mode no matter which way you prefer to carry it.

The leather strap with the magnetic closure is also a very nice feature. I like the snap feeling that the case presents, unlike just the magnet that holds the OEM case shut. This gives you audible and physical feedback so you can rest assured that your Berry wont be falling out! The logo and name of the company sits on the front of the case and is actually very classy. If you choose to customize your case, you can choose the color of the emblem or choose not to have it at all. Although I think that it would look a little plain without the cool little chess piece.

The clip that I chose is the low profile ratchet clip. I really like the fact that when disconnected from the clip, you can barely feel the little clip attachment on the back of the case. After using this case for a while, I think that I should have picked a different clip, as I have rarely found myself removing the case from the clip.

Pros:

• Gorgeous design and materials
• Proximity sensor
• USB charging port is not blocked

Cons:

• Might be a little expensive by the time you have fully tricked it out
• 3 week wait is a long time (but worth it!)

Summary:

This case is amazing. I will continue to use it (unless I am testing out other cases!) for a long time to come. I would and already have recommend it to anyone. I don’t think however that I would recommend the low profile ratcheting belt clip on this particular case. I think the standard fixed clip would have worked just fine, but that was my own fault!

Fortte also has a whole slew of cases for just about any device you can think of at their website. Unfortunatly at this time, Fortte’s products are not available at the BerryReview Store.

If you liked this article, you might find these interesting:

• Review: Fortte BlackBerry 8800 / 8830 STiL Vertical Pouch
• Review: Fortte BlackBerry 8800 / 8830 Lateral Pouch Case
• Reminder: Givaway Thursday Ends Soon! – Win A Fortte 8800 / 8830 Vertical Pouch
• BerryReview Giveaway Thursday! – Win A Fortte 8800 / 8830 Vertical Pouch
• Review: SENA Vertical Pouch For BlackBerry 8300 Curve

Posted by Nate for ©BerryReview, September 17, 2008, 1:00 pm. | Review: Fortte Vertical Pouch-88XX | One comment |

Review:

I did a review on the JAVOedge Leater Side Pouch before, and I promised that there would be a review on the Leather Case for the Curve to come! So for your consideration I present this review to you.

JAVOedge has really out done themselves with their latest line of products. This beautiful leather case for the BlackBerry Curve is no exception. The product itself, as usual from JAVOedge, is an incredible deal at $19.95 plus shipping. You can’t beat 20 bucks for a great leather case.

The case features premium black leather, form fitted to hold your Curve perfectly. Unlike the side holster, this case is not universal (sorry 88XX guys!). The case features full cutouts for the screen, keyboard, camera and all the ports on the device. There is no plastic cover for the screen, so I would recommend picking up a screen protector if you decide to go with this case. JAVOedge also sells these, as well as a slew of other companies.

The great thing about this case is that the belt clip is removable. The case initially comes with a screw in the back. and the belt clip in a separate baggy. Simply unscrew the screw, and twist on the clip adapter and you are good to go.

This case is great for protecting your Curve against scrapes and bumps. I know quite a few people who have had issues with the rubber molding coming off of the sides of their Curve, and this case will definitely help prevent that.

Your BlackBerry slides into the case, and a snap button strap holds it securely in place. It really does feel as if there is nothing added to the device once you get used to it. The leather, once broken in, feels great in your hands.

I also really like the material on the back of the case, its kind of a mesh like feel. It looks amazing and feels neat too! As with all real leather products, this case does take a couple of days to break in, so if you are not happy with the feel immediately, remember that it will soften/loosen up dramatically in a short amount of time!

Pros:

• Great price & quality
• Feels great in your hand
• Optional belt clip

Cons:

• None!

Summary: This is a super product. If you don’t need the functionality of a proximity sensor, I would say its a great pick! Especially considering the price. If this is something that you are interested in, head on over to JAVOedge and pick one up!

If you liked this article, you might find these interesting:

• Review: JAVOedge Leather Side Pouch
• Review: JavoEdge Skin Case and JavoScreen 2.0 for Bold
• Giveaway: Win An AGF Leather Pouch or Ballistic Case
• JavoEdge 20% Off Anything In Their Store!
• Review: Rivet Leather Folio for BlackBerry Playbook

Posted by Nate for ©BerryReview, September 4, 2008, 3:00 pm. | Review: JAVOedge-Leather Case for Curve | 3 comments |

Well it may seem to some of you that frequent BerryReview that I just throw out Editor’s Choice awards at the drop of a hat. This is NOT true! I have just been lucky enough lately to have awesome products to take a look at. I swear!

I wrote a review about the Jabra SP5050 that was published about a couple of weeks ago. If you read it, you know that I was very disappointed in a couple of key areas, primarily call volume. Well, let us rejoice! I have found a product that is far superior to the SP5050 in almost every way, shape and form.

The BlueAnt Supertooth 3 is the big brother to the famous Supertooth Light, long touted to be the best Bluetooth speakerphone on the market. Well, not anymore since the Supertooth 3 has hit the arena. This product is a great alternative to a Bluetooth Headset, especially for people who don’t care for having something implanted in their ear for their entire drive. Because let’s face it, if you are constantly putting in and taking out your headset, your attention is not where it should be.

When the package arrived at my door, I was pleased with its initial appearance. The box was colorful and slick looking, including a metal cap and bottom. Inside the box was really everything that I need: User’s Manual, Quick Start Guide, an AC charger, a car charger, and 2 magnetic sun visor clips (perfect for me considering I am in multiple vehicles throughout the week). The speakerphone itself is a beautiful glossy black, with backlit buttons.

The visor clip is actually fairly ingenious yet simple at the same time. Both sides contain grooves for the speakerphone to sit snugly, so it’s incredibly easy to move the device from the front of your visor to the other side depending on whether or not you have the visor down.

After charging the Supertooth, I ran to my truck to try it out. It is important to note that the Supertooth is incredibly versatile, for our foreign readers. You can choose from 6 different languages (British English, American English, French, Italian, Spanish and German). The Supertooth is definitely not as slim as the Jabra SP5050 was, but it removes for safe storage much easier. Pairing of the device was very easy, my 8830 found it right away. One of my favorite features of this device is that it can be paired to multiple devices at one time! This is a necessity for me, having multiple phones for work and play!

One of the key features of the Supertooth is the TTS ability (text to speech). This is one of the coolest features about the device, making it truly handsfree. The Supertooth allows you to import your contact list (I loaded over 200 in less than 5 minutes) so that whenever someone in your address book calls, the speakerphone will actually tell you “Call From Nathan”. You can then either push the answer button or say “Answer” and the Supertooth will answer the call.

There are 4 physical buttons on the Supertooth: an answer button, an end button and volume up/down. All of these are placed in the perfect location. The volume of the Supertooth is amazing! I have been told that I am hard of hearing, and with the volume set at its maximum, it’s far too loud for me! Even with the windows down on the interstate, I can hear callers and they can hear me. With the windows up, people on the other end of the line say that they cannot tell that I am using a speakerphone.

Talk time on this particular unit is about 8 hours (way longer than any phone that I know of) and standby time is over 200 hours.

The price of this unit varies quite a bit depending on where you are looking to buy it from. I would recommend getting it from a well known retailer because I wonder sometimes how some of these online stores sell products for as cheap as they do.

As for the technical information:

Bluetooth v2.0
TTS Text to Speech – a voice announces incoming ‘caller’s’ name or Caller ID
Announces device status, call status and setup instructions for use
Voice Answer: answer calls with your voice, no button press needed
Automatic vibration sensor reconnection
Full DSP noise cancellation/echo cancellation
Full duplex high performance speaker
Automatic connection and reconnection with notification
Digital volume control
Can also be charged directly from a PC via USB cable (not included)
Fix to the sun-visor via a two sided magnetic clip – no installation costs
Supports voice dial activation, redial and call reject
Pairs with up to 8 Bluetooth devices
Includes 1 x AC travel charger
Includes 1 x car charger
2-year replacement warranty

Pros:

• Incredible voice quality on both ends
• TTS makes it the safest unit on the market
• Loud enough for ANYONE
• Beautiful & elegant
• Stored phonebook

Cons:

• The woman’s voice for American English can be a tad annoying
• A little thicker than other units

Summary: This is the best speakerphone that I have ever used hands down. I will never make a road trip without the Supertooth to accompany me. The fact that it is truly handsfree is impressive. I feel much safer on the road using this product. I wish that it were just a little bit more compact, but for the features and quality, I cannot complain. BlueAnt has set the bar high with this one. For further information, head on over to BlueAnt’s website. They have many other great products.

If you liked this article, you might find these interesting:

• Quick Review: SuperTooth Buddy
• Review: BlueAnt V1 Voice Controlled Bluetooth Headset
• Review BlueAnt Z9i Bluetooth Headset
• Review: BlueAnt Embrace
• Review: BlueAnt M1 Bluetooth Speakers

Posted by Nate for ©BerryReview, August 27, 2008, 3:00 pm. | Review: BlueAnt Supertooth 3 | 3 comments |

Review:

Attention- If you live in a hole, and never worry about getting your blackberry wet, you need not read further.

This has got to be one of the coolest products I have seen in a long time. No longer do you have to be worried if you need/want to take your BlackBerry down to the pool, the beach, into the bathroom while taking a bath or with you when you go boating. With the Aquapac, you can rest assured that your better half will be safe and dry.

When I first saw this product I remember thinking “Huh… 25 bucks for a glorified ziplock bag? You’ve got to be kidding me” But the Aquapac is so much more. The container itself is not your ordinary plastic. The Aquapac is constructed with high grade Thermo Poly Urethane (or TPU). TPU is 100% PVC free, meaning it is much more malleable and better suited for extreme cold. The material is also UV Stabilized, meaning it will not yellow or dry out due to prolonged exposure to the sun. The case itself will remain flexible to -40 degrees F, however even I would subjugate my Berry to that kind of cold! The designers have even added their optically clear LEZFLEX to the back window, allowing you to take clear pictures with your Berry, even underwater.

The case’s magic comes from the method in which it is sealed. The Aquaclip is a patented mechanism that seals the bag with just a twist of two levers. This keeps water sand, dirt and humidity out.

While this Aquapac is not specifically designed for the BlackBerry, it encloses it perfectly, even with my trusty OtterBox. This specific design may be a little bit big if you are using a Pearl, but no problem. Aquapac sells dozens of different sizes. You will be able to find an Aquapac for just about anything you wish to keep dry. They even have some neat underwater cases for cameras.

The Aquapac comes with; the case itself, an adjustable lanyard, detailed instructions, and a 3 year Global Warranty. The instructions do say that you should avoid submerging your device into hot water (above 105 degrees) due to the fact that the plastic could break down at that temperature. That being said, I decided to push the limits (as usual) and took my Berry into the tub, no problems whatsoever. Take that for what you will.

If you liked this article, you might find these interesting:

• Review: Berry Buddy by Innov 8 Systems
• Review: Case-Mate Privacy Screen – Shield Your Berry From Unwanted Eyes
• Premium AT&T Berry & Verizon Berry Themes
• Found A Silly BlackBerry Accessory? Let Us Know
• Unlock Your Berry Contest winners

Posted by Nate for ©BerryReview, August 18, 2008, 10:25 am. | Review: Aquapac – Take Your Berry in the Bathtub or the Lake | 10 comments |

The folks over at NLU Products sent me a set of the protective skins for my 8830 to try out. I will admit that I was skeptical when I first saw this product, how can such a thin membrane protect my precious BlackBerry? Nevertheless I stripped my BlackBerry down for the good of the BerryReview Community. You all had better appreciate this!

The Un-Boxing

When the box came in the mail, immediately I was impressed with the packaging. The box was professional and pictured the product very well. The package contained; 2 full sets of the BodyGuardz Skins, custom die cut for my 8830, a squeegee, a bottle of application spray (water and baby shampoo) and a set of very detailed directions. I have learned over the years that no matter how “macho” I am feeling, it is always best to read the instructions before doing anything (trust me guys, this has saved me countless hours). After reading the instructions, I realized the application of this product would be slightly more difficult than I had imagined. Luckily they pointed me in the direction of a video, detailing the application process. While the video is for a Pearl, it was a very similar process for my 8830.

Application

I did have a few difficulties getting the membrane to wrap around the edges of my device, it probably didn’t help that I decided to put it on after driving for about 6 hours… But after about 20 minutes I had it applied to a satisfactory level. The corners were a little bit tricky, but as the directions stated, I let them sit for a couple of minutes and waited for it to become tacky, and like magic it worked! The device looked a bit hazy for about 12 hours or so, but not to the point that things were illegible.

After the curing process had completed, I could barely tell that there was anything on the BlackBerry at all. The skin actually helped hide some of my surface scratches, an extra bonus. I just wish I would have known about this product from the day that I purchased my BlackBerry, it would look much less abused!

The Trial Period

So now the BodyGuardz has been on my phone for a little over a week and I must say that I love the product. I do prefer a thicker case with a belt clip, but I know that many of you do not want a large case covering your beautiful devices. I have thrown my Berry in my pocket with keys, my knife and my trusty lighter, and there has not been a single scratch on the device what so ever! I really don’t know why they include 2 skins in each kit as I don’t see the need to replace it anytime soon. But it is nice to know that if you need an extra, its there waiting for you. If anyone wants to take a look at a pretty cool video of the BodyGuardz in action, follow the link.

A quick note, the BodyGuardz come in a couple of different options. You can pick up the whole phone protection, or just a screen protector. This is perfect for those who just need a little extra protection for their screen! BodyGuardz are also available for a whole slew of other devices including; laptops, iPods and much more.

Pros:

• Virtually invisible
• Incredibly strong
• 2 kits included

Cons:

• A little difficult to apply, however the full coverage is worth it.
• Doesn’t cover the keyboard

Summary: This product is perfect for anyone who just needs scratch protection. BodyGuardz will not add any water resistance or drop protection like some of the other cases on the market will. That being said, this case does what it is designed to do perfectly. Your expensive phone is protected from scratches and scrapes while still boasting its beauty, without adding extra bulk.

–The BerryReview Store currently only sells the BodyGuardz for the 8830, please see their site for their entire product line.

If you liked this article, you might find these interesting:

• Review: BodyGuardz Carbon Fiber Armor for the BlackBerry PlayBook
• Review SnapScreen- Screenshots On Your Device
• Mini Review: BlackBerry PlayBook USA On-Device GPS Map (Offline Map)
• Review: Unique Skins for Your Blackberry
• Review: TeleNav AT&T Navigator VS. A Standalone GPS Device – My Vacation Experience

Posted by Nate for ©BerryReview, August 14, 2008, 7:30 am. | Review: BodyGuardz- Save Your Device Without the Bulk! | 6 comments |

I recently had the chance to play around with Pop Cap Game’s Chuzzle, from bplay. This game is made by the same people that brought you Bejewled and Zuma. Let me first start off by saying that this has got to be the best game I have ever played on my BlackBerry! This game has won a slew of awards, including, “Casual Game of the Year!” (2003 Digital Entertainment & Media Excellence Awards) it even ranks as bplay’s all time number 6 purchased game. And now, a BerryReview Editor’s Choice Award!

“Chuzzles are googly-eyed little balls of fur that giggle, squeak, and sneeze as you poke and push them across the board”. The game is fairly simple, match up 3 or more of the same colored Chuzzles to make them disappear. Earn bonus points for: popping 3 or more at a time, popping a Mega Chuzzle, popping a locked Chuzzle and completing a level. Sounds pretty simple, huh? Well, add in Mega Chuzzles, locked Chuzzles and hard to come by rainbow Chuzzles and you have yourself a great game!

Moving takes place a row at a time, either up and down or side to side. If there is a single locked Chuzzle in the row, moving of that row cannot take place. Also, if a row contains a Mega Chuzzle, both rows will move and the rows will not wrap around to the other side (it’s actually quite amusing to watch the Chuzzles bump the wall!) Run out of moves and the game will scramble the Chuzzles for you, but watch out, you are only given a limited number of scrambles and then it’s GAME OVER.

This game is not one that you will soon grow tired of. With 4 different game choices: Classic, MindBender, Expert and Zen. Classic is the starting point for the game, with tons of available moves, fewer locks and more scrambles. Classic will certainly get you hooked and allow you to learn the game. Expert is the same as classic, except much harder! Expert will certainly get your mind thinking, and keep you hooked. Zen is probably my favorite mode of the game, Zen games never end. You can keep going as long as you want to. Mindbender is a variation of the game all together, almost the Rubix Cube of Chuzzle. Align the Chuzzles to match the picture to pass the level.

While playing the different games, you will hit milestones that the game has been programmed to recognize. As you reach these milestones, you receive trophies. There are 22 trophies in all. These range from simple (playing an entire game without using hints) to near impossible (a million Chuzzles popped!) The last trophy is earned when you have received the other 21 trophies. Although I can’t imagine anyone doing this!

Pros:

• Addictive!
• Very amusing
• Tons of features
• Colorful and well written

Cons:

• None (other than the fact that you might never see your family or friends again…)

If you liked this article, you might find these interesting:

• Review Update: Chuzzle continues its adventures on Bold
• Review: Magmic Releases Miner 2049er for Blackberry
• Review: Magmic Stratego for BlackBerry
• Space Invaders Coming to BlackBerry – Classics Returning?
• Magmic Signs With Hudson Soft To Bring More Games To BlackBerry

Posted by Nate for ©BerryReview, August 7, 2008, 7:45 am. | Review: Chuzzle- Stay Entertained For Hours | 8 comments |

Review: BBSmart Shortcuts
Rating: 9 out of 10 stars 9/10
Link: www.blackberrysmart.com
Cost: $8.95 @ BerryReview Store

I have been waiting to write this review since BlackBerry Smart released their newest version. Recently, it was announced that version 1.4 is available, so I figured I was safe to review.

Shortcuts is a very simple application that provides quick access to the most commonly used features on your Blackberry. This program allows you to click your side convenience button and easily access all your native Blackberry applications as well as a slew of 3rd party programs. Of course, this is not where the functionality of this program ends. Almost every aspect of this program is customizable, making it invaluable.

Setup for this application is easy. After purchasing or downloading the trial, install the program and set your convenience key to BBSmart Shortcuts. Now save changes and you’re ready to customize. The initial screen doesn’t look like much, just a few common icons on the toolbar and the rest is blank.

There are a few different parts to the application, and I think that it is only fair to go over each one individually. Inside this nifty program there is the main toolbar, the email shortcuts, messaging shortcuts, phone shortcuts and Web shortcuts.

Toolbar Shortcuts

Toolbar shortcuts sit at the top of the screen and are the ones that I use the most. My biggest gripe with version 1.3 is that among all the applications that you were able to put on your toolbar, Blackberry Messenger, the one I use the most, was not an option. Of course, I am a happy camper now that this has been resolved. The toolbar can be rearranged and customized to your heart’s content.

Unless you are completely happy with the current toolbar, I would recommend deleting every icon and starting from scratch. You can do this by pressing the menu key and going down to delete, or use the handy keyboard shortcuts. Select the icon you wish to delete and simply press the “D” key on your keyboard.

Now it’s time to add your favorite applications to the toolbar. The order in which you add them doesn’t really matter as you can move them around freely after they are in place. You can have a lot of shortcuts on your toolbar, however the most that will fit on the screen without scrolling over is 8, so I stick with 8. Press the menu key, click on “New Shortcut” and then on “Toolbar”. Or avoid all this button pushing by pressing the “T” key on your keyboard. You will notice all the keyboard shortcuts are displayed next to the corresponding option in the menu. Now you will see a list of all the possible applications you can add to your toolbar.

I believe most of the pre-installed RIM applications are included: Address Book, Browser, Calculator, Calendar, MemoPad, Messages, Phone, Alarm, Blackberry Messenger, BrickBreaker, Manage Connections, Options, Password Keeper, Profiles, Search, Setup Wizard, Voice Dialing, and even Wireless Upgrade. Now with the new version, even many of my favorite 3rd party applications are available to the toolbar: GoogleTalk, Opera, BBSmart Alarm Pro, my RSS reader and practically everything I need.

Once you have customized your toolbar, it’s time to move on with the rest of the application.

Email Shortcuts

This part of the application gives you quick and easy access to the people that you email most. Adding your contacts’ email addresses is pretty simple since BBSmart has integrated shortcuts with your address book. Hit the “E” key to add a new email shortcut, start typing the contact’s name and the program immediately starts searching your address book for names that match. Select their name, and then if you already have an email address stored in your contacts, select the appropriate address (my fiancée has 3 email addresses, but I only email 1 regularly). No email address entered in your contact list? No problem type in any address you wish. Hit “OK” and your contact appears under the email list. To compose an email to a person on your quick list, scroll down to their name and click your trackwheel or trackbutton and the email program opens with that address already entered.

Messaging Shortcuts

Basically, this is the same as the email shortcuts. However, instead of email, this option composes a text message.

Phone

Add contacts here to quickly place a call to your most frequently used numbers. This has been the one that I have used the most, and I wish I could reorganize the order of the categories to make this one on top.

Web

Here you can enter your favorite Web sites. This ends up being even faster than using the bookmarks in your browser. Anything that makes my life easier is great in my book! While this doesn’t integrate with your bookmarks for easy entry, you can paste an address from your clipboard!

Pros

• Makes my life simpler
• Great easy to use interface
• Integrates with all of my most used applications
• Affordable price

Cons

• Does not integrate with browser favorites
• Can’t reorganize categories

Conclusion

This program is amazing, it has taken much of the monotony out of my life and simplified many of my day-to-day tasks. Good for BBSmart for seeing a way to make people’s life easier and acting on it! I would recommend this program to anyone whether for work or for play.

Here is a sample of my screen. I have eliminated a lot of my shortcuts so you can see an overview of all the shortcut categories, when in reality I have at least 5-10 entries in each category!

If you liked this article, you might find these interesting:

• BBSmart Shortcuts v1.4.1 Officially Released
• BBSmart Shortcuts Updated To Version 1.5 – Change Log
• BBSmart Shortcuts v1.4 Public Beta
• BBSmart Shortcuts – Awesome Launcher Application
• BBSmart Shortcuts Now Only $4.95

Posted by Nate for ©BerryReview, July 14, 2008, 8:00 am. | Review: BBSmart Shortcuts – How Smart Is It? | 4 comments |

Alarms Pro is another piece of software that should have been part of the operating system on all BlackBerrys. BBSmarts Alarms Pro is a great replacement for your original alarm. Not only does this software enable you to have multiple alarms, it also allows you to customize a multitude of settings for each alarm. No longer are we tied to the; weekdays, on and off, options. For those who work a different schedule every week, or may work a non-traditional schedule this program is an absolute necessity. Best of all each alarm can be disabled if you don’t need it at the time.

When its time for your alarm to go off, a clean looking screen appears along with your selected alarm sound. Everything is in large easy to read font sizes, perfect for those of us who don’t have perfect eyesight. From the “Alarm List” screen you can quickly see which alarms are enabled: Enabled=Green and Disabled=Red

Alarms Pro allows you to set two different kinds of alarms; “Regular Alarm” and “Quick Alarm”

Regular Alarm-

The regular alarm is similar to the kind of alarm you can set with the “Alarm” program that comes standard with all BlackBerrys, except on steroids. You can set an unlimited number of regular alarms, all customized to fit your personality and schedule. You start by naming your alarm, setting the desired alarm time, whether or not it is a recurring alarm and if it is, the days which you would like the alarm to go off. I often work four ten hour days so this has been a blessing; no more worrying about turning the alarm off Thursday night before I go to bed. If you are happy with the rest of the default settings, hit the back button and relax. Your alarm will go off without a hitch.

If you like to customize everything to its fullest extent, there are more options you can set. You can change the alarm sound, choose the number of occurrences of this alarm you wish to have, ranging from “1″ to “forever” and adjust the desired volume from 0-100. There is a nice little button that plays for you exactly what your alarm will sound like. Finally there are a couple of general alarm settings; whether or not you want your Berry to vibrate with the alarm, silence the alarm when it is unholstered, and set the snooze length.

Quick Alarm-

The Quick Alarm is more like a timer than an alarm. When adding a Quick Alarm, you are only prompted to enter the amount of time until you would like your alarm to go off; all the other settings revert to the default. This has really come in handy when cooking; I can set a quick alarm for my desired time, and never have to worry about not hearing the stove beeping if I’m across the house. Other uses I have found include: reminding me to move my sprinklers, call people back, I’ve even used it as a power-nap alarm! If you need to customize the alarm you can edit your quick alarm from the “Alarm List” screen.

Want More?-Of course you do! The last bit of customization Alarms Pro allows you to do is to edit the default alarm settings. If you always want your quick alarm to play your favorite song or set every regular alarm to have a 5 minute snooze time, this is the place to do it. Simply hit the “options” button of your BlackBerry while in the Alarms Pro application, scroll down to the options button, and choose whether you want to edit the “regular” or “quick” alarm defaults.

Pros

• Unlimited Alarms
• Tons of Options
• Very Affordable
• All Around Wonderful Application

Cons

• Only comes with 3 Alarms
• No Escalating Volume
• Doesnt come with BlackBerry! (although this is absolutly no fault of BBSmart)

If you liked this article, you might find these interesting:

• BBSmart Alarms Pro 50% Off Today Only – $2.49
• BBSmart Alarms Pro Updated – Now Supports OS 4.6 & 4.7
• BBSmart Alarms Pro Version 1.1 Released – Multiple Alarms
• BBSmart Alarms Pro v1.24 – Quick Fix Update
• BBSmart Releases Alarms Pro Update

Posted by Nate for ©BerryReview, July 3, 2008, 8:00 am. | Review: BBSmart Alarms Pro | 7 comments |

I know that this application has been mentioned before, but I just got it yesterday and I had to talk about it in greater detail!

Anyone who uses their BlackBerry on an Enterprise Server, should seriously consider this application. Empower BES MailBox has been a career saver for me. Those of you on a BES know that your Desktop messages populate into the handy “Messages” folder… as do ALL of your other messages from your various associated email accounts you have set up through BIS. The work around for this is often setting up a custom search for Desktop messages, and saving the search to a shortcut key, but that only helps so much. You are still tied to remembering to execute the search.

Que BES MailBox- Basically what the program does, is it creates a saved search and ties it to an icon on your homescreen. The icon functions much in the same way as a typical mailbox icon, including a distinct notification icon when you have an unread message. The program also lets you create a separate notification alerts when setting up your profiles (the BIG winner in my book). Another feature which I haven’t had too much time to play with is the Folder Based Alerts, which lets you set the notification to alert you when messages arrive in certain folders of your BES account.

The only negative things that I can possibly think of, are that underneath it all, its still a search. If you clear messages from the “messages” folder, you will clear all your messages, including BES messages. Also, when you are in your BES folder, and hit the back button, it takes you to your “Messages” folder instead of the homescreen. Kind of a bummer, but no biggie.

So if you are having similar problems with your corporate email getting lost in a sea of email, head over to the BerryReview Store and pick up this program for a mere $19.99-practically nothing compared to a lost email from a boss who needs something done in 10 minutes. Or if you want to try it out first hit up this link for the OTA Trial Download. There is basically no set-up for this application, install it and it does the rest.

Pros:

• No complicated setup
• Visual new message indicator
• Folder based alerts

Cons:

• Back button does not take you to homescreen
• Bit pricy

If you liked this article, you might find these interesting:

• Empower BES Mailbox 4.0 Released – Bold & Storm Support
• Empower BES-Mailbox Discount – 30% Off ($7) – Until Monday
• Empower BES MailBox v3.0 Released – Now Supports OS 4.3
• Empower BES MailBox – Seperate Work (BES) and Personal (BIS) Emails!!!
• BES-Mailbox Version 1.0 Released – Folder Based Alerts

Posted by Nate for ©BerryReview, June 26, 2008, 5:00 am. | Review: Empower BES Mailbox – Helps You Not Get Fired | 6 comments |

Review: JL_Cmder
Rating: 10 out of 10 stars
Link:

This one is an oldie but goodie. I found myself fighting with BlackBerry Unite over the weekend and decided it was time to remove it instead of struggling. But wait, how the hell do you uninstall this thing? Turns out the only sure way to free yourself from Unite’s grasp is to set your BlackBerry back to out-of-the-box state. No I don’t mean a simple security wipe it (tried that 4 times) I mean COMPLETELY reinstall the OS. Oh what fun huh? Well with this nifty piece of freeware I found, it wasn’t as bad as I thought it was going to be. JL-Cmder to the rescue!

This multipurpose application was created by d_fisher @ Blackberry Forums to completely wipe your device of the OS. It’s not pretty but it sure gets the job done. A couple keyboard strokes and you have yourself a completely clean BlackBerry. Once your device is “wiped” you are free to reinstall your OS (or install that nifty version of 4.5 you downloaded )

Aside from wiping the device, the program also provides a quick and easy way to; export basic device info to a .txt file, take screenshots, view your event log, or even provide commands to manipulate your device via command line. Five stars, A+, two thumbs up, 10 out of 10! Proof that an application doesn’t need to be stylish to be effective.

Download the Application here. (http://www.blackberryforums.com/general-blackberry-discussion/18789-jl_cmder.html#post122727) Registration at BlackBerryForums.com is required for download. A nice set of thorough instructions can be found there as well.

Pros:

• Easily wipe your device
• Free software
• Works on OS 4.0.2+

Cons:

• None

Conclusion: JL_Cmder won our Editors Choice Award due to the fact that it is an essential application for all BlackBerry users. It simplifies the command line to a nice and easy interface. It is also the simplest way to restore your BlackBerry if it becomes FUBAR. Nice work Doug!

If you liked this article, you might find these interesting:

• BBSAK: BlackBerry Swiss Army Knife – Free GUI Alternative to JL_Cmder
• BlackBerry Swiss Army Knife (BBSAK) Updated
• BlackBerry Swiss Army Knife (BSAK) updated to version v1.5
• BlackBerry Swiss Army Knife (BBSAK) 1.7 Released
• Classic JL_Cmder Utility v1.9.3 Released With Windows 7 Support

Posted by Nate for ©BerryReview, June 23, 2008, 1:26 pm. | Review: JL_Cmder – BlackBerry Swiss Army Knife | 10 comments |