BlackBerry App World, Research in Motion's new mobile app store, already packs more than 500 programs—any of which can be delivered to your handset via a nifty portal that installs right on your BlackBerry's home screen. Since it's only been around for a few days, the store isn't perfect yet. Some users have balked at first-week glitches including slow performance, and the need for a PayPal account, among other things.
But there's plenty of time to iron out the details. For now, it's easy to browse, buy, and install apps, which is all that really matters, right? We've rounded up the best applications currently available in the store, along with a couple of our favorites that we hope make it there soon. If you're looking for apps to help save—or kill—time, you're bound to find just the thing. The best part: Plenty of them are free.
Apps for Keeping in Touch and Informed
AOL Instant Messenger (Free)
AIM's BlackBerry app lets you send and receive messages with all of your desktop buddies—not just your Mobile list. It can also keep track of several conversations at once. Not an AIM fan, or have additional friends on other services? Don't miss the free Google Talk, ICQ, Windows Live Messenger, and Yahoo Messenger clients also available in the store.
Facebook (Free)
Facebook for BlackBerry isn't perfect—it's still essentially the same app it was when it was released over a year ago. As a result, it doesn't handle comments, hidden feed items, or any other recent Facebook changes on the desktop. But the native mobile app is still the fastest way to check your friends' status updates, send messages, and upload photos right from your BlackBerry.
MySpace (Free)
Facebook may be winning the buzz race these days, but MySpace is still pulling in well over 50 million unique visitors each month. It's similar to the Facebook app; users can send messages, update mood and status, view or send bulletins, and post photos. It's also faster and easier to navigate than the site's WAP page.
Viigo (Free)
Need an on-the-go RSS reader? Viigo lets you manage dozens of feeds, grouping them into categories and offering ultra-fast navigation along the way. Essentially, it gives you instant access to breaking news, flight schedules, restaurant reviews, sports scores, weather updates, and just about anything else—all within the same neatly designed, customizable interface.
News, Events, and Travel Apps
Bloomberg (Free)
This isn't your garden-variety Web shortcut. Bloomberg offers a condensed version of the classic black Bloomberg terminal screen, with detailed indices, graphs, and moving currency data, along with an up-to-date index of top worldwide financial news stories. As useful as it is, you may want to limit your exposure given the depressing state of today's economy.
Ticketmaster (Free)
Out with the guys making plans to hit the next Yankees home game? Lots of mobile sites let you get concert and sports event info on the go, but few make it as easy to buy tickets on the spot as Ticketmaster for BlackBerry. Within moments, I was able to bring up plenty of events and check available seating for different ticket configurations—that is, once I scrolled past pages and pages of legalese. (Man, what a buzzkill!)
Trapster (Free)
Beat the fuzz with your BlackBerry. Hook the app into your handset's GPS radio or just enter locations manually, and Trapster will let you in on all the nearby speed traps, including police with live radar guns, known hiding places, and red light cameras. You can also rate traps to let other users know if they're accurate, or report new traps right from your handset. The interface isn't pretty, but who cares if it saves you from coughing up for a pricey ticket?
WorldMate Live (Free)
Expert travelers need fast, useful information on the go, and WorldMate Live delivers it. The app lets you check flight status, book hotels, connect with friends, and share your itineraries right from your phone. There's also a currency converter, a time zone calculator, and BlackBerry Maps integration. (full Story)
No comments:
Post a Comment