MyBlackBerry — RIM’s Online Rant Board

Tomorrow RIM will launch MyBlackBerry. It’s a community in which BlackBerry owners can build a unique profile around their specific device…perfect timing for early BlackBerry Tour adopters who may currently be unclear about their selection of apps. Users can share and rate their favorite apps, ask and answer questions regarding accessories and functionality as well as tips and tricks to make using your device much easier and more efficient.

As you can tell from the screen shot below, a list of “Top Apps” and “Top Tags” among other things will be part of the “Applications” tab…and likely static throughout.

RIM’s efforts may be thought of by some as a waste of time and money considering the existence of other established social networks (Twitter, Facebook). But I think it’s a good idea considering BlackBerry App World is clunky and has been known to cause problems for some.

I tried registering today. Apparently I’m not on the “BlackBerry VIP” list…yet *strut*smug* (invitation code required). For more information, check out the short intro video.

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BlackBerry App World Is Finally Here!

This is no April Fools. BlackBerry App World is finally here! The service itself is an app available to download to your BlackBerry smartphone. While there aren’t nearly as many applications available as there are for the Apple iPhone, the collection of apps is respectable. Look at it this way. You won’t spend hours sifting through apps trying to determine which one is best.

One of the features of BlackBerry App World is app reviews. After you download your favorite app, you have the opportunity to offer up your thoughts, or read what others have said. While there are free downloads available, you must have a PayPal account in order to purchase others.

To ensure the BlackBerry App World application works on your smartphone, it must have BlackBerry Device Software version 4.2 or higher; it must have a trackball or SurePress™ touch screen; and BlackBerry App World is only available to customers in US, Canada and UK and may not be available on all networks…whatever that last part means. Gotta love the mumbo jumbo disclaimer. If you aren’t sure about what software you have on your phone, check out the BlackBerry device software page.

To download BlackBerry App World, visit blackberry.com/appworld/download from your phone’s browser.

Shazam For BlackBerry. This is one app that all BlackBerry users have been waiting for. You can now try Shazam for BlackBerry free for 60 days when you download it from BlackBerry App World. And it’s not some knock-off music identification software. I’m still unclear of the limited capabilities after the 60-day trial has expired. Regardless, you should still be able to take advantage of its primary function…and that’s identifying music.

Popularity: 19% [?]