Our generation is heavily dependent on all sorts of electronic gadgets that make our lives easier. We all want to stay connected at all times. We want to do multiple things at the same time. Without our laptops and smartphones, it will be impossible for us to get through the day.
Our smartphones or the BlackBerry in particular is “smart” enough to be able to help us multi-task, but adding all the cool applications to it will help us multi-task more efficiently with less stress. In short, BlackBerry applications were designed to make our hectic lives more manageable.
We compiled and grouped relevant BlackBerry apps into several major categories so it will be easier for you to look for the ones you like (and/or need) the most. We are not suggesting you get all the 35 apps listed here, but there are some you really should have if you want to get the most out of your smartphone.
Your choices will of course depend on what you use your BlackBerry for, either for work or play or both.
Social Media/Networking Applications
1. BlackBerry Messenger
You can chat with friends, and share photos and videos etc. with individual contacts or groups of friends instantly. This is a pleasant past time when you’re just chilling and there’s nothing particularly urgent to talk about with your friends.
2. Facebook
Facebook for BlackBerry will let you continue socializing with your Facebook friends while on the move. All features like sending messages, poking friends, posting on your friends’ walls, tagging and uploading photos etc. are available.
3. LinkedIn
This will come in handy when you need to check out somebody’s professional profile instantly or add to your network some of the new people you meet during conventions, seminars or business meetings.
4. Twitter
Follow your friends and other favorite people while on the go. Send or receive tweets while waiting at the airport, while waiting to be served at your favorite restaurant, etc. No use getting bored when you can keep yourself connected during idle moments.
5. AOL Instant Messenger
AOL Instant Messenger™ (AIM) is also available on your BlackBerry smartphone. Being one of the first IM applications, you are sure to have many of your friends here.
6. Google Talk
Google Talk or gchat is an IM app that lets you receive text and voice messages on your BlackBerry. With full access to your Google IM account, you basically won’t miss any of the features available to you had you been using your computer.
7. Nimbuzz
Nimbuzz is another IM app available on the BlackBerry smartphone. With over 25 million Nimbuzz accounts, chances are you and your friends will socialize there as well.
8. Windows Live Messenger
It looks and navigates exactly like the Windows Live Messenger on your computer and as easy to use on your BlackBerry. You can still send and receive photos, avatars and emoticons inside your conversations. You can chat with several people simultaneously and even email your conversations.
9. Jaikuberry
Jaiku is a microblogging service and it is already on the BlackBerry. If you need to make updates to your blog, you may do so from your smartphone without having to wait until you’re on your desktop. This is especially useful for professional bloggers who are on the move all the time looking for new material to write about. A BlackBerry is much easier to carry around than a laptop or even a netbook as it can easily fit in your pocket.
10. Gmail Client
This very useful email app for your BlackBerry won’t let you miss any important emails when on long trips that don’t allow you access to a computer or decent broadband service. You can transact all you want via Gmail on your smartphone.
News & Weather Applications
11. FOX News Alert
FOX is a major news network that everybody wants to follow if they can. Keep yourself updated with world news as they happen. You can do this on your BlackBerry with this application.
12. The Weather Channel
The leading cable channels feed their weather reports and alerts directly to your BlackBerry. If you are travelling and want to check what kind of weather to expect upon arrival, this BlackBerry application is a must for you.
13. AP Mobile
This award-winning AP Mobile news application allows you to sort the news according to category, drill down to the local level and even send what you read about to your friends. It lets you filter what you want to read about so you don’t have to browse through all the other news you’re not interested in.
14. CBS News
If you’re a regular follower of CBS News, then you would be glad you can have it on your BlackBerry as well. You get all local feeds aside from the national level news reports.
BlackBerry GPS Apps
15. Caffeine Finder
This is a popular BlackBerry app for coffee aficionados. Needing to get your caffeine fix has been made easier by this app. It will tell you where to find the nearest coffee shop at over 45,000 locations nationwide. It won’t matter if you’re feeling sluggish in unfamiliar locations, Caffeine Finder will get you awake soon enough.
16. Fast Food Finder
Fast food is the only solution for people who are always on the run. BlackBerry’s Fast Food finder is the answer. It will tell you where to find the nearest fast food place, complete with address, maps and directions.
17. Neosistec CarFinder
If you’re the type who keeps forgetting where you parked your car, then you cannot do without Neosistec CarFinder. Use it to mark your car’s location before leaving the parking lot/garage. Later on, CarFinder will direct you to your car via a compass. Cool!
Business Applications
18. Stock Viewer
If you’re an avid stock market investor you would naturally want to know what’s happening several times a day. Get stock quotes and listings at any time during the day with Stock Viewer.
19. Nice Office LITE
Bring your office everywhere you go with this BlackBerry application. You can manage your to-do-lists, your email, contacts, calendar and you can store documents. Nice Office LITE works as your virtual mobile office.
20. Real Estate Powered By Smarter Agent
Access all local real estate listings with this app. Find an apartment, a location for your business or houses for sale. This is useful for people who are new to a place and looking for a home.
21. UPS Mobile
This app will let you track the status of your packages and freight shipments. You can even pinpoint the appropriate UPS service locations that will handle your parcels. Best of all you can find out approximately how much the shipment costs will be and when to expect delivery.
Utility & Productivity Apps
22. Google Maps
No more paper maps. Google Maps will point you to the right direction, identify your current location and watch traffic. Having this handy will save you precious minutes figuring out where to go, giving you more time to accomplish what you have to do.
23. PocketMac for BlackBerry
This is like your electronic social secretary, coordinating your calendar, address book and notes between your Smartphone and your Mac. This is where you note down people’s birthdays, lest you forget.
24. Amazon Application
This provides a secure access to Amazon so that you can shop at any time of the day even while on the move without fear of getting your credit card information in the hands of cyber thieves.
25. DriveSafely
No, this app won’t teach you how to drive defensively. It will just let you drive sensibly by letting you concentrate on the road. It keeps you from having to read your text messages and emails while driving by “reading” them to you aloud. Your hands stay on the steering wheel and your eyes on the road.
26. Google Latitude
This app is an absolute must-have. It will not only tell you where you are on occasions when you wandered into unfamiliar surroundings, it will also tell your friends your whereabouts.
27. WeatherBug
The Weather Channel application is okay but WeatherBug gives you something extra. It will let you view actual live cam feeds from certain locations, so if you’re wondering exactly what kind of weather they’re having at your daughter’s college campus miles away from home, you can find out from your BlackBerry.
28. Bolt Browser
This Bolt Browser is especially useful if you’re in such a hurry that you need a lightning-fast browser to open your email for a very urgent message. You may not need it very often but it’s good to have it there just in case.
29. Loopt
This is kind of an “electronic bulletin board” for events that are happening in your area. Get an idea where crowds will likely gather at any particular time. You will also get additional information about certain locations you are planning to visit.
30. Talklock
Everybody should be able to protect their Smartphones from prying eyes. Having the ability to lock your device gives you some measure of security and privacy when you momentarily misplace your phone. No one can read your messages, get your personal information and that of your friends and they cannot use your phone for their own advantage.
31. Kayak
Vacationers will love this application. Kayak for BlackBerry lets you connect to the top travel search engines in the world. Find a hotel, book a flight, plan your itinerary etc. This is a very good travel companion.
32. BeeTag
This is nice to have. This app lets you scan bar-coded ads or product brands. It will then return product information and website details for those products so that you can check further before making the purchase.
Entertaintment & Music Applications
33. Nobex Radio Companion
Nobex Radio Companion is a free download so no need to worry about software charges. You can stream (over Wi-Fi) music from your country’s radio stations for as long as you like.
34. Didiom Pro
With Didiom Pro you will not need to actually move files from your computer to your BlackBerry. This application will let you stream your audio collection fast and easy.
35. BBC iPlayer
The BBC iPlayer gives you access to various programs. It will let you watch any program on BBC TV or listen to any show on the BBC Radio channels. You also get access to the last 7 days of shows in case you missed some of it.
We hope that choosing which BlackBerry applications fit your lifestyle is now a little easier with the list we have provided. There are quite a few more BlackBerry applications out today, and you might want to find out if those are any good for you as well. Should you find one that you find useful and that is not on our list, we would like to hear about it.
About Aurora Freegard
