Ten Free BlackBerry Apps You Actually Want!
February 17, 2009 by Adam
Filed under Productivity
BlackBerry handheld devices give you complete mobility for your business or personal life. With functioning phone, email, and text messaging you can stay in constant communication with important people no matter where you go. But simple communication is only the beginning. BlackBerry devices now have a huge range of software applications (or “apps”) which bring their functionality to a whole new level.
Some of these apps are totally superfluous—and of course there are plenty of games and other time-wasters you can play with, but this is a list of ten BlackBerry phone apps you actually want and will use in your business. Oh, and they are all FREE:
1. Viigo (http://viigo.com/home)
Viigo is basically an RSS reader which has been specifically designed for handheld devices. It is beautifully designed, easy to install and use, and offers you several options for keeping your different channels organized. Stay up on your favorite blogs and keep up with breaking news in real time with Viigo.
2. Twitterberry (http://www.orangatame.com/products/twitterberry/)
Twitterberry brings the magic of Twitter to your BlackBerry with convenience and speed. You can quickly update your own Twitter status, send direct messages, view your friends’ updates exclusively, and view your replies. Twitter on the go and give the world a play-by-play of your successes in the world of business.
3. Facebook for Blackberry (http://www.facebook.com/apps/application.php?id=2254487659)
As more people get connected on the world’s largest social networking site, Facebook for Blackberry makes it easy to access the site quickly from any location and update your status, send a private message, view your own profile (or anyone else’s), invite new friends, and much more.
4. Opera Mini (http://www.opera.com/mini/)
A full-fledged web browser that is made for your hand-held device, Opera allows for total customization, and the pages are compressed (without compromising graphic appeal) for speedy browsing.
5. Grid Magic (http://www.simprit.com/free/gridmagic/)
The only free spreadsheet application for BlackBerry, you can quickly launch and begin creating financial or data sheets on the go for your business.
6. Web Messenger (http://www.webmessenger.com/products/im-all.htm)
A single application that lets you access all your instant messenger accounts in one tool; import your Yahoo!, MSM, AOL, and Skype contacts and have real-time interaction with all your friends and business associates.
7. BlackBerry Currency Converter (http://m.fxconverter.com/fxlabs_intro.shtml)
Whether traveling for business or doing transactions with overseas clients, the Blackberry currency converter will let you get real-time global information for all major world currencies.
8. PocketMac (http://www.pocketmac.net/products/pmblackberry/index.html)
Just because you have a Mac doesn’t mean you have to have an iPhone. Many Mac owners love the Blackberry, and now they can sync their desktop or laptop Apple computer with their Blackberry handheld device using this application.
9. E-Trade Mobile Pro (https://us.etrade.com/e/t/mobile_pro?SC=BR12345&WT.mc_id=BR12345)
Keep an eye on the market and your own portfolio using this handy app from E-Trade.com
10. Where (http://www.where.com/carriers/BBHH.php)
Where coordinates with your GPS and generates points of local interest—everything from restaurants to state parks. It generates maps and directions as well as local weather alerts.
BlackBerry has so many amazing functions that anyone can step away from the office and feel confident that they can keep their business running. Do you have a favorite BlackBerry app that is not on this list? Leave a comment and let us know!
Top 10 Twitter Apps
The internet is all a’twitter about Twitter.com. If you’re still not using this service, then you are missing out on daily opportunities to meet people and make connections; promote your business; and stay on top of news and information as it happens around the world. Twitter itself is a simple website that allows you to register as an individual user and follow other users with similar interests. As people update their Twitter accounts, you are notified via the web or wireless network.
This is a disarmingly simple tool that can be used to reach thousands of people within seconds when earth-shattering news occurs. Faster than a blog, freer than a news network, Twitter is for people who want to know what is going on NOW.
To make the Twitter experience more enjoyable, a whole new set of applications have cropped up to be integrated with your Twitter account. Here are my picks for the top 10 best Twitter apps right now:
1) Twhirl
This free desktop client lets you follow live Twitter updates while you work all day. What makes Twhirl so awesome is its versatility. It can be used on both Windows and Mac platforms, and it connects to multiple accounts so that you can use simultaneously monitor your Twitter, Iaconi.ca, Friendfeed and seesmic accounts.
2) Tweetr
This handy tool allows you to send files to your Twitter friends simply by dragging them on to the application. Tweetr automatically uploads your file or picture and provides you with a shortened link that you can send out to your network.
3) Twitsay
Let’s you record a voice message and broadcast it via your Twitter account. Great for making big announcements!
4) Twittai
This is a mobile phone client that is compatible with over 200 mobile phone types, making it one of the most popular of all the Twitter apps.
Enter your Twitter username on this site and it will analyze your recent tweets and then suggest other Twitterers that you may be interested in following.
6) Twitterlight
This app lets you highlight text on your screen and automatically submit it to Twitter along with a shortened copy of the URL of the page where you found it.
7) Twitgraph
Analyze your Twitter usage by simply entering your user name. You’ll be given graphs that tell all kinds of valuable information about your tweets, including most commonly used words and an overview of your daily tweet volume.
Allows you to make a protected Twitter group so you can discuss private information with multiple people without anyone else seeing them; useful for co-workers, close friends, or families.
9) Twitxtr
This handy app lets you take photos on your phone and then automatically post them to Twitter as well as your other photo sharing accounts like Flickr, Picasa and Facebook.
10) Straw Poll
You can never have enough polls! Actually, this can be a really great way to do quick, informal market surveys and get feedback from your followers about your site or your business. It’s easy to use, and fun for your followers to be able to make their opinions known.
Are you following Blogtrepreneur on Twitter yet?
Whether you’re new to this platform, or a Twitter Veteran you are sure to find Twitter apps to suit your specific needs and interests. More and more apps come out every day, so look for our revised list in the future. What do you think? Are you using any specific Twitter apps that you think belong on our Top Ten list?
