Addictive Tower Defense is an awesome game and I highly recommend picking it up if you want to have an awesome game on your BlackBerry. Trust me this game will suck up hours of your time. You can find it in the store for $2.49 for today only at this link. [review at this link]

Posted by Ronen Halevy for ©BerryReview, November 20, 2009, 3:47 pm. | Addictive Tower Defense – 50% Off Today Only!!! $2.49 | Leave a comment |

Here is some more information from the product description:

The SMS VCard Add-on is a Blackberry add-on that enables Blackberry users to receive, import and send contacts using the same SMS protocol as Nokia.
The “SMS VCard Add-on” enables interoperability between Blackberry and Nokia phones: now you can save on your Blackberry all VCards you receive in SMS from Nokia and send contacts using SMS to Nokia users.
Moreover, Blackberry users can now exchange Vcard by SMS if both parties have the SMS Vcard Add-on installed.

Features:

• - You can receive full contacts by SMS as they appear in the senders’ agenda and save them on your Blackberry
• - You can choose the phone number to which you send the Vcard and the number you want to send (if there are more than one phone numbers in your chosen contact)
• - Only Name, Phone and E-mail fields are sent via SMS due to SMS size restrictions.

Minimum Requirements:

• SMS plan
• Operating system v 4.5

The makers of this application sent us 30 free codes to giveaway, here are the contest rules:

To participate simply leave a comment below before Midnight Tuesday 11/24/09 Easter time. The rules are simple, only one comment per reader, & make sure you have the correct email address registered with us. We will randomly select the winners & announce it within two days after the contest is over. Good luck.  Thank you Dana for providing the codes.

Posted by Luis Merlos for ©BerryReview, November 20, 2009, 2:00 pm. | Giveaway: 30 Free copies of SMS VCard Add-on | 37 comments |

New features from current production version:

• support for 5.0 OS
• file transfers via link, you can now transfer files to buddies on all IM accounts.
• email push when app running in background (see preferences in app).
• send voice notes
• send GPS location (if supported by phone)
• new chat styles & background images
• new buddy list layouts
• improved battery life
• overall UI redesign
• facebook IM
• various other bug fixes & enhancements
• This beta is not supported on devices with OS’s below 4.2.1.

Check out their forum thread for OTA and desktop install options at this link

Posted by Ronen Halevy for ©BerryReview, November 20, 2009, 1:03 pm. | BeejiveIM Beta 1.9.7 Released – Adds OS 5.0 Support & More | 2 comments |

That is when Bla1ze let me know about this super cheap website www.truesupplier.com that offers some good deals on custom BlackBerry parts. For example, you can pick up a leopard print housing for your 8900 for $13.99. Or a chrome with diamond back housing for your BlackBerry Bold 9000 for $26.99. You can also find some great OEM replacement parts in their store. The parts ship from Hong Kong from what I can tell which means that shipping takes a bit but Bla1ze highly recommends them

Check them out at www.truesupplier.com and let me know if you spot any gems!

PS: This brown weave black cover for the Bold 9000 is the coolest thing I have found so far!

Posted by Ronen Halevy for ©BerryReview, November 20, 2009, 12:06 pm. | TrueSupplier – Cheap Colored Parts & Housings for your BlackBerry | 4 comments |

Highlights include:

• BlackBerry Curve 8520 is the only BlackBerry offered currently and will cost $299
• Devices will only be available at Best Buy and select Wal-Mart stores
• No contract, credit check, or deposit
• First month free

The T-Mobile Complete Pricing Plans are:

• $50/month
  • Unlimited talk, or
  • Unlimited text + 1,000 Whenever Minutes + Unlimited Nights & Weekends and T-Mobile to T-Mobile.
• $60/month
  • Unlimited talk + text
• $80/month
  • Unlimited talk + text + Web

Posted by Ronen Halevy for ©BerryReview, November 20, 2009, 11:57 am. | Full Details on T-Mobile Complete Prepaid BlackBerry Package | 2 comments |

Ringtone Expressions is a cool desktop application that lets you easily create ringtones for your BlackBerry. It lets you easily drag and drop from iTunes, My Computer, YouTube, and even your microphone. I am not the biggest ringtone aficionado myself but I understand the appeal. I still remember how excited I was getting ADP ringtones on my 7100 back in the day before RIM supported MP3 ringtones.

Ringtone Expressions is relatively expensive at $24.95 with all things considered but the app really does simplify the process of creating ringtones from quite a few sources. It can even extract ringtones from flash based music and video players.

From the description:

Ringtone Expressions is the fastest and easiest way to create your own custom Ringtones for your BlackBerry, iPhone, Palm Pre or Windows Mobile Phone using the music from your music library. This new found power we are giving you means you can now create an unlimited amount of ringtones and never have to pay for ringtones again. Ringtone Expressions only works on Windows.

Features:

• ******Get Ringtone Shuffler for absolutely free******
• Create ringtones instantly with Drag and Drop from iTunes
• Create ringtones instantly with Drag and Drop from Windows Explorer
• Create ringtones from songs purchased on the iTunes store
• Express your ringtones to friends on Facebook and Twitter
• Create ringtones from YouTube Videos
• Discover cool new ringtones from your Facebook friends
• Create ringtones from website with flash based music or video player
• Create ringtones from your computer’s microphone
• Your own Ringtone Expressions Facebook Widget
• Create different ringtones for special contacts
• Re-use your ringtone on future Phones
• Gorgeous Interface and Experience

Posted by Ronen Halevy for ©BerryReview, November 20, 2009, 11:06 am. | Giveaway Winners: Ringtone Expressions – Easily Create Ringtones | 6 comments |

Here is the list of winners:

Posted by Luis Merlos for ©BerryReview, November 20, 2009, 11:00 am. | Giveaway Winners: RoadRunner GPS | 4 comments |

Posted by Greg for ©BerryReview, November 20, 2009, 8:33 am. | First Images of BlackBerry 9100 3G Pearl | 5 comments |

Check them out at these links:

• BlackBerry Curve 8530 Black
• BlackBerry Curve 8530 Smoky Violet

Posted by Ronen Halevy for ©BerryReview, November 20, 2009, 8:32 am. | Verizon BlackBerry Curve 8530 Now Available in Black & Smoky Violet | Leave a comment |

Vlingo is pushing themselves as an alternative to driving while texting which is worth checking out at www.vlingo.com. They did share with us some interesting stats on surveys they have done in Colorado and North Carolina.

Colorado:

• 50% of drivers from Colorado admitted to reading inbound text messages while driving.
• Nearly 1/3 of all respondents admitted that they text from their car at least once a day.
• 80% of drivers think that driving while texting should be illegal but 35% of respondents think that  DWT should be legal if there is a hands free solution available.
• Nearly 1/3 of the respondents said they send more 251 – 500 text messages per month.

North Carolina:

• More than 50% of the respondents admitted to reading incoming text messages while driving.
• Nearly 1/3 of respondents admitted to texting in the car at least once a day.
• When asked if they would use a voice recognition solution that would translate spoken words into text messages 44% indicated that they would send more text messages. 
• An overwhelming 87% of respondents thought that DWT should be illegal.
• 45% think that if there is a hands free solution available then DWT should be legal.
• More than 60%  send between 101 – 250 text messages per month.

In addition, DWT bans will go into effect on 1/1/10 in Illinois, New Hampshire, and Oregon.

Posted by Ronen Halevy for ©BerryReview, November 20, 2009, 7:39 am. | DWT Ban in Colorado & North Carolina Starting Dec 1st | 4 comments |

UPDATE: Adam @Crackberry was busy all night posting a review, pictures, unboxing, and spec sheets for the 8530. I totally forgot to mention that it is running OS 5.0! The spec sheet also points out that it is coming with App World Pre-Installed…

The 8530 is really going to be a hit in my humble opinion. With Wi-Fi AND GPS along with 3G  and a trackpad this device is way ahead of the GSM 8520. Don’t forget it is also the second BlackBerry to support OpenGL 3D graphics for games. The only downside is the lower resolution screen which does not look bad at all and a subpar camera with no flash.

The only thing I really noticed about the 8530 while playing with it at Pepcom was that the Call, End Call, back, and menu button were much harder to press than the 8520 even though the design looks the same… Not sure what the story is with that.

The device will be available today for $99.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement with a BlackBerry plan. Sadly the device will also come with no memory card.

Keep an eye out for it on www.verizonwireless.com

Posted by Ronen Halevy for ©BerryReview, November 20, 2009, 12:28 am. | Verizon BlackBerry Curve 8530 Coming Today in Purple & Black | Leave a comment |

Let us know in the comments what fixes or problems you find with this update.

Via BBOS

Posted by Luis Merlos for ©BerryReview, November 19, 2009, 11:16 pm. | Facebook App updated to version 1.7.0.22 | 3 comments |

This is an official update so you are safe to download and install but to safe make sure you always do a back up of your 3rd party applications and your contacts before doing an upgrade. Discard the warning on the screen shot, it just ask that every time I try to download a file.

Posted by Luis Merlos for ©BerryReview, November 19, 2009, 7:34 pm. | Verizon Releases OS 4.7.1.61 for the BlackBerry Tour 9630 | 2 comments |

Download @ Megaupload – Mirror – Mirror (thx Chadderbox, Jsanders, & Elementx)
Download @ Rapidshare

NOTE: Do not install this software if you do not know what you are doing. It may make your BlackBerry FUBAR or just plain angry.

Keep the tips coming!

Posted by the BerryReview Team for ©BerryReview, November 19, 2009, 5:29 pm. | BlackBerry Bold 9700 OS 5.0.0.351 Found Online | 3 comments |

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.

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…

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

Totzke claims that hackers would be able to commandeer thousands of smartphones to create a DDOS (Dynamic Denial of Service) against a carrier. The funny part is that this already happens whenever you go to a convention and try to make a phone call while thousands of other people are making calls… Or better yet anybody try to get data service while you were at DevCon?

Even the recent “Malware” applications for BlackBerry require the user to be stupid enough to download the malware program to their BlackBerry in the first place. Even RIM is proud to say that you do not need Antivirus software on a BlackBerry and uses this exact “Containment” principle to justify why it is unnecessary.

Now getting back to Totzke’s claim that hackers would use smartphones to perform a DDOS attack this concept does not really work. Cellphone carriers could easily deactivate the connection of any device that has been compromised since they own the devices. It would be like saying that Verizon had to worry about their DSL users performing a DDOS attack on themselves… They could just cut the line.

What RIM should really be worried about is hackers finding a way to get to your personal information or read data on your device. This is a valid threat that RIM really has no way to address. Anybody with $20 and a name can get a RIM code signing key and write their own application that accesses this private information and API’s. RIM would be in a sticky situation trying to fix such an issue because they have caved to the all powerful carrier which makes every OS update take 6 months to get to market. What if RIM had a zero day vulnerability in OS 5.0? How would they fix it? I have always been curious if RIM has a mechanism to push out updates to all devices on BIS just like they do for BES. Or even a remote switch where they could disable applications remotely… The irony is that the Reuters reporter recommends installing a RIM patch to keep your device secure but how do you do that if your carrier does not release a updated OS?

So now I am just confused… What do you think?

Posted by Ronen Halevy for ©BerryReview, November 19, 2009, 2:00 pm. | RIM Security VP Worried About Smartphone DDOS Attacks – Why? | 9 comments |

Check out the free Lite version at this link and the paid version at this link in App World.

BTW anybody else notice that EA Games released NBA Street for BlackBerry? Haven’t tried it myself yet but I definitely will be…

Posted by Ronen Halevy for ©BerryReview, November 19, 2009, 12:44 pm. | Get Your Game on With NBA Game Time | Leave a comment |

Yes, my man at Hedone Design is back with this recent theme release called GreenTech. The name itself pretty much gives a clue as to the main feature of the theme (the color green) and while I am not much for that color I do think this theme has some slick style. I didn’t get a chance to test this one out for myself but according to Hedone Design, they offer a  ‘quality guarantee’ on this theme since it was their first theme to be tested by a new beta testing group they have put together. Does that mean you will find absolutely NO issues on the theme? Eh…I’m not sure of that cause even I, the self proclaimed theme mistress, have missed certain things here and there on various themes. It happens. However, I think it’s great when theme developers have beta testing as it always makes a difference. So with that in mind, GreenTech is available for a bunch of BlackBerry devices for a cost of $7.99 regularly (yep, too high IMO) but until Nov. 23rd you can get it for $3.99. Now that my friends, is a bargain. Just visit Hedone Design for more info, screen shots and purchase links.

Posted by Vicky for ©BerryReview, November 19, 2009, 12:00 pm. | Hedone Design’s Latest Theme – GreenTech | 4 comments |

www.drivesafe.ly

Still DriveSafe.ly has one HUGE fault. It has a tendency to email everybody whose email it reads out loud about how they just had your email read out loud to them. I get about 15 of these emails a day so PLEASE turn this “feature” off in the options! Maybe they reached 1 million users by annoying the hell out of all your friends. This is almost as bad as the broadcast feature in BlackBerry Messenger 5.0.

Please read Luis’s review of DriveSafe.ly to learn how to turn off this annoying “Feature”

Posted by Ronen Halevy for ©BerryReview, November 19, 2009, 8:00 am. | DriveSafe.ly Hits One Million Users… | 8 comments |

AT&T lost the injunction which means that Verizon will continue to plaster the “There is a map for that” and “Island of misfit toys” commercials until AT&T has “more bars in more places.” Or until December 16th when the case actually goes to trial.

Just to maximize the irony of the situation Phoenix pointed out to me that TELUS has just sued Rogers for their claims that they have the “fastest, most reliable network” or “Canada’s fastest network: two times faster than any other.” TELUS claims that with recent upgrades announced on Nov 5th Rogers is not faster or more reliable than TELUS or Bell.

So is this the beginning of yet another spat?

Posted by Ronen Halevy for ©BerryReview, November 19, 2009, 6:46 am. | AT&T Loses Injunction Against Verizon – Inspires TELUS to Sue Rogers… | One comment |

They just announced last week that they are now also supporting the Bold 9700, Curve, and Pearl series of devices. I am not sure if they mean both the 8900 or 83XX Curve or 82XX or 81XX Pearl but that should be a welcome sign for government agents who will have more selection. The interesting part is that the device does not support the Tour 9630…

With all of that out of the way I just wanted to ask all of you. Do you worry about strangers hacking or tapping your cellphone?

BlackBerry Developer Conference, San Francisco, California: – November 11^th 2009: Cellcrypt (www.cellcrypt.com), the leading provider of secure mobile voice calling, today announced that its Cellcrypt Mobile for BlackBerry® application is now available on the recently launched BlackBerry® Bold™ 9700 smartphone and for the first time on the BlackBerry® Curve™ and BlackBerry® Pearl™ series of smartphones. Cellcrypt now brings secure voice calling to a wider range of BlackBerry smartphones across a broad range of price points.

The requirement for secure voice calling is now greater than ever. Recent media coverage of well-known individuals having their mobile phone security compromised, and of a hacker organisation’s detailed plans for cracking standard GSM cell phone call encryption, demonstrate an increasing need for organisations to ensure sensitive information remains secure.

Cellcrypt Mobile delivers end-to-end, real-time encryption to protect private conversations from being compromised; enabling individuals within corporations and governments to converse in a highly secure manner without the need for specialised equipment and by using a standard software application that makes highly secure calling as easy as making a normal mobile phone call.

“Cellcrypt has seen incredible interest from the global BlackBerry community since we announced its availability on the BlackBerry Bold 9000 smartphone in May,” said Simon Bransfield-Garth, CEO of Cellcrypt. “Now, not only are we supporting the latest devices such as the BlackBerry Bold 9700, but the application is also available on a wide range of BlackBerry smartphones found in the market, allowing more users to secure their sensitive voice calls.”

Cellcrypt uses the latest Internet technology to provide unmatched voice call quality, international calling capability, high reliability across wireless networks and real-time encryption. The Cellcrypt Mobile for Blackberry application uses Government-grade encryption certified to the FIPS 140-2 standard approved by the US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), and is presently undergoing certification with a number of Governments world-wide. The product operates on all major wireless networks including 2G and 3G cellular, Wi-Fi® and satellite networks.

For more information, please search Cellcrypt on the BlackBerry Solutions Catalog microsite.

Posted by Ronen Halevy for ©BerryReview, November 19, 2009, 5:18 am. | Cellcrypt Secure Calling Solution Supports More Devices | Leave a comment |

The 8530 is really turning out to be a pretty awesome low end device. With a trackpad, GPS, 3G EVDO, Wi-Fi, and more memory it really puts the GSM 8520 to shame. The only real downsides are the lack of a 3.2 MP camera with autofocus (it has a 2MP camera) and no camera flash.

So anybody planning on picking one of these up or will you be waiting for the Tour2 with a trackpad?

Posted by Ronen Halevy for ©BerryReview, November 19, 2009, 1:54 am. | US Cellular Getting BlackBerry Curve 8530 December 10th | One comment |

T-Mobile is really on a roll recently with plan updates. Their latest is the new T-Mobile Complete package. It is a pre-packaged no-annual contract pre-paid plan for BlackBerrys with 4 phones to choose from (1 available now) starting at $59.99 which includes the first month free. There are a couple unlimited plans starting from $50/month.

They will be selling the devices at Best Buy and Wal-Mart locations and the BlackBerry Curve 8520 will be the first device on the list. T-Mobile is really betting big on smartphones claiming that 40% of their sales in Q4 will be smartphones.

Now just imagine that. Getting a prepaid device for the holidays! I know that quite a few international travelers would also be interested in such a plan. Sadly there is not much more info available right now other than the press email below:

T-Mobile announces the availability of T-Mobile Complete, a pre-packaged no-annual contract solution that offers the value of a monthly plan and the first pay-in-advance BlackBerry smartphone from a national U.S. carrier.  With T-Mobile Complete, customers can choose from four handsets starting at $59.99, which includes first month free. Customers can also choose from a range of unlimited plans starting at $50 per month. T-Mobile Complete is currently available nationwide at Best Buy and at select Walmart locations.

T-Mobile Complete kits are the easiest way to give phones this holiday season. Just buy the kit, wrap it, give it as a gift, and the recipient can activate service from anywhere, anytime – and they get the first month free! One of the four devices available through T-Mobile Complete is the BlackBerry Curve 8520 smartphone, the first pay-in-advance BlackBerry smartphone available from a national carrier.  Smartphones will be a hot gift option this holiday season – in fact, T-Mobile expects smartphones to account for 40 percent of its sales in the fourth quarter of 2009.

T-Mobile Complete is just one great holiday gift option from T-Mobile.  With a wide array of devices this holiday season – including the broadest lineup of Android smartphones of any carrier in the U.S. – there’s something for every type of customer.

Please let me know if you have questions about this new offering from T-Mobile. For more information on holiday giving, we’re happy provide our guide on how to give smartphones as holiday gifts.

Posted by Ronen Halevy for ©BerryReview, November 19, 2009, 12:15 am. | T-Mobile Complete – First Prepaid BlackBerry Plan in the US | 5 comments |

Everyday on the train home I try to catch up on work. Half way during the ride my BlackBerry usually dies. I have tried many other power chargers, but I find Duracell’s to be the best. I love the portability of the charger. I personally use the Duracell Instant Rechargeable because my BlackBerry Storm has a Micro USB slot.

I keep the device in my pocket and have a cord to the phone charging the phone as I do my work. People jokingly ask me if I have an outlet in my pocket. Everyone loves it. You can attach the Duracell Instant to any phone that can charge through a standard USB port. The Duracell Pocket which is pictured above can only be used through Mini USB. After giving out the devices and surveying the guys which they prefer I got all kinds of feedback.  Some loved the Duracell Pocket because no wires are needed (as  pictured above). But some loved the Duracell Instant because they preferred the tiny device whether it was in their pocket or lap rather than attached to the phone.  I have also used the Duracell Powerhouse which is able to charge up to 2 phones at a time. The Powerhouse is very small but made to be used on a desk.

The chargers come with a short USB cable that attaches to your computer and then to the  IN slot on the charger. It took under a hour for the red light to turn green indicating the charge was complete.  I like the Duracell Pocket’s charging light the best. The Duracell Pocket’s light is perfectly lit up and in the center so you can see from all angles. The Instant has a small red/green charging light and it must be faced towards you to see it, and the Powerhouse  light is a little dim.

• Size           8 – Small

• Weight      8 -Very light

• Variety     10 – Because of the USB port on the Instant and Powerhouse you can charge many devices

• Battery Life  8 – Holds a great charge for days

So when your battery is low all you need to do is attach the Duracell Charger to your phone and it’s charging. You can even make a phone call as it charges. Never again will I run out of battery life on my phone.

Posted by Evan for ©BerryReview, November 18, 2009, 2:00 pm. | Review: Duracell Rechargeable USB Charger | 6 comments |

Usually we don’t mention these kinds of services but this one has a 7 day free trial that could be quite fun. The service only costs $3.99/month after the trial which seems ridiculously cheap… The service offers:

Personal Assistance

• Research & Information
• Personal Concierge
• Travel Reservations
• Events & Tickets
• Translation & Interpretation
• Unique Requests

Emergency Assistance

• Personal & Family Safety
• Access to Roadside Help
• Medical Assistance

Check it out at www.myassist.com and let me know what you think.

Posted by Ronen Halevy for ©BerryReview, November 18, 2009, 12:02 pm. | MyAssist for BlackBerry – Do You Need A Live Assistant/Concierge? | Leave a comment |