Author: Jonathan Blundell

Well I have to say – I was very apprehensive about getting a BlackBerry when Laurie originally suggested it to me a couple months back. For one – they didn’t seem to have many of the of the features and options I wanted in a phone. And two – every time I had looked at data plans in the past – the cost was just too outrageous. But after close to a month of use with my BlackBerry Curve – 8310 I’m sold. Granted our data plans aren’t near as cheap in the U.S. as they are in the U.K. – but they’re a lot cheaper now than they used to be.

After searching for a better browser to use on my BlackBerry (aka CrackBerry) I thought I’d put together a list of some of the software I’ve added to my device to make my day so much easier.

• Google Mobile Suite – this was the first software I added to my phone and I use it daily. Comes with Google Mail, Google Reader, Google Maps, Google Search, Google News, Picaso (which I don’t use) and Calendar Sync. If you’re already using Google products such as Gmail this is a must have. And I love Google Maps with the built in GPS. It’s saved me several times when my original directions weren’t as good as I thought – or when I got lost trying to take a shortcut.
• Google Talk for Blackberry – downloaded this from the mobile.blackberry.com site. Works great. It logs me off randomly from time to time but it’s a great way to keep in touch with folks when I’m away from my desktop. Laurie and I most often use BlackBerry Messenger (that comes with the phone) for an ongoing chat – but I use GTalk to keep in touch with others I chat with throughout the day as well.
• TwitterBerry – Thomas found this software for me. Love it. Makes Twittering so much more fun from my BlackBerry. Although, I wish they had a feature for alerting you when Tweets are posted from your friends, rather than just getting the typical txt messages. The software makes replying to Tweets so much easier – but it could be faster if you were alerted about new Tweets in the software (like Gmail does) rather than via txt messaging.
• Flickr for Blackberry – after trying a couple other programs to send photos to Flickr, I found Yahoo Mobile’s software for Flickr. I could really care less about the rest of the software package (and removed most of it) but the Flickr app is great!
• Trimble Geocaching Navigator – priceless! I’ve really only taken full advantage of this software once but this really bumps up my enjoyment of the geocaching game. I’m running a 30-day trial right now but plan on buying a one year subscription ($40) to the service after that runs out. Connects your BlackBerry with GPS directly to the Geocaching website and lets you search for geocaches X number of miles from your location and then shows you the details, descriptions, hints, logs etc – all on your phone while you search for the geocache. Awesome.

Well that’s about it for now – minus a couple random games I’ve found for free. But as the list grows I’ll try and remember to come back and update this list as well. I found a great app the other day that also uses the phone’s built in GPS to guide you to your parked car in the parking lot. May have to get that a bit latter as well.

The only feature I’d really want to add/change would be built-in Wi-Fi. The feature comes with some of the higher-end models so I’m hoping that when the time comes to upgrade (2 years from now) it will be common place for sure.

What software/hacks are you using most?