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Back in February, I was given the opportunity to test Twitter For BlackBerry by the folks over at IntoMobile. In true beta style, it was buggy and was missing many of the essential functions we’ve become accustomed to using Twitter apps like UberTwitter, Seesmsic or SocialScope. Regardless, I took what it gave me and returned some of my own thoughts about the app.
Yesterday, the application was released to the public with some upgrades to the closed beta version. Many of the bug fixes were implemented with the update resulting in a smoother experience. And some functions — editing lists and updating profiles, instant DM and @ reply notification — were added as well.
There are still some wishlist items that this app lacks in order for it to be a worthy switch from one of the apps above.
Multiple Accounts. Unless you log out of one account and then into another, there is no way to support multiple accounts on Twitter For BlackBerry. Yet. Hopefully, this is one of the features added in the next update. Considering all the mulitple personalities that are using Twitter, this is a must.
Editable Retweeting. I don’t know about you, but I love to add my 2 cents to RTs. Twitter For BlackBerry only retweets using the new format. And worse yet, it doesn’t appear in your timeline to confirm that your RT was RT’d.
URL Shortening. Doing this is a chore in this app. You have to visit your favorite URL shortener from your BlackBerry browser, paste your link into the appropriate field, shorten it, copy the shortened link, head over to the Twitter For BlackBerry app, and paste it into your tweet. Ouch.
Auto Refresh. Twitter For BlackBerry offers an option to periodically update your feed, but it would be nice if it offered to update each time you access the app as well. This eliminates the need for a shortcut key (but don’t get rid of that)…or worse yet accessing the menu, scrolling down to ‘refresh’ and clicking.
Bugs! While my Twitter For BlackBerry app runs much smoother, I’ve discovered a couple of bugs. Every now and then while typing a new tweet, the words sudddenly disappear. A screenshot of what I’m referring to would be great right here. But that’s a little annoying. To fix this, you have to close the app, which means losing your tweet and starting all over.
While I can’t prove that Twitter For BlackBerry is to blame, typing texts or BBMs can be a hassle. Like a ghostwriter, random symbols and letter variations start popping up in my messages. A reboot (alt+right shift+del) is necessary. However, when I deleted the app for a period of time, these issues disappeared as well.
Despite what appear to be gripes with Twitter For BlackBerry, this app certainly has potential to be a top consideration for Twitter users. Hopefully, these changes are addressed sooner than later. What are some of the things you want to see from the next version of this app?
Popularity: 5% [?]
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If you’ve been waiting around for this as long as I have, then you’ll be thrilled to know that DIRECTV has released its DVR Scheduler application for the BlackBerry. And, of course, it’s in Beta (v1.1.2). But it’s better than nothing.
Even in Beta form, it’s faster by design…making the same functionality from the “m” website a little quicker by placing all options front and center rather than having to click through a list of links thanks to the easy user interface.
The app allows you to search for any television show up to 14 days in advance; browse programs by channel or date & time; get program information instantly, including description, length and rating; record a single episode or an entire series; order DIRECTV Cinema™ right on your phone (only available for iPhone, Android, and Palm for now).
Popularity: 6% [?]
It’s here! Today, Amazon released it’s Kindle For BlackBerry application giving smartphone users access to over 442,000 Kindle books. Kindle not necessary.
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For now, the free BlackBerry app is available for download on the Bold 9000 & 9700, Curve 8520 & 8900, Storm 9530 & 9550, and on the Tour 9630.
If you already have a Kindle, you can access your Kindle books from your BlackBerry smartphone even if you don’t have your Kindle with you. With the Whispersync technology, the app automatically synchronizes your last page read and annotations across all devices registered to the same Amazon.com account. Amazon help has more information on how to do things like sync across Kindle devices and applications, download content, and delete books.
It appears that most titles are $9.99 with a “decide to buy” first chapter preview. Unfortunately, Kindle newspapers, magazines and blogs are not a BlackBerry feature…yet.
To download the Kindle For BlackBerry app, visit amazon.com/kindlebb from your BlackBerry browser.
Popularity: 5% [?]
After I picked up my BlackBerry Bold 9700, I immediately began adding back my must have BlackBerry apps…one of which was CaptureIt.
Once I got it on my phone, it didn’t work properly. CaptureIt was saving the screenshot as a blank white screen. Here’s how you fix it:
Go to Settings > Options > Applications.
Select the CaptureIt application and then select Edit Permissions.
Make sure all permissions are set to “Allow”. In this case, my Interactions permission was set to “Custom”. Click the return button, and your BlackBerry will prompt you to Save your changes. Once you’ve made and saved these changes, you can produce screenshots for days.
You can download the CaptureIt app for BlackBerry. Just go to m.thetechmogul.com from your BlackBerry browser.
Popularity: 9% [?]
It’s certainly not old news, but the release of Kindle For BlackBerry is close.
Kindle For BlackBerry Coming Soon
Amazon has finally added a page dedicated to the BlackBerry app’s release. By adding your email address to the “Notify Me” field, you’ll be notified when it is ready to download. The app is already available for the iPhone via Apple’s App Store.
Quick Facts About Kindle For BlackBerry:
– Search and browse more than 390,000 books
– Books you purchase can also be read on a Kindle, computer, or other Kindle-compatible mobile device
– Kindle newspapers, magazines, and blogs are not currently available for Kindle for BlackBerry
So while Sony & Amazon try to decide who’s best and a rumored iSlate Apple reader tries to find its way to fruition, why not use your existing device to fulfill your reading needs…until, of course, you can decide on a proper reader.
Popularity: 9% [?]
Looking for a great smartphone application to provide live box scores and stats (perfect for fantasy football)? Look no further. TheScore.com offers such an app for free. The app is available for most BlackBerry smartphones including the Tour, and, of course, it is available for download on the iPhone.
As a sports fan, this should definitely be included on my list of must have BlackBerry apps. I also use it to stay current on college football scores.
To download this app to your smartphone, visit thescore.com from your phone’s browser. It is also available in BlackBerry App World.
UPDATE — September 10, 2010: Score Mobile has been updated to v1.5. The app is only available for download in BlackBerry App World.
Popularity: 33% [?]
WARNING: Players will not leap out of your screen—–
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Fantasy Football magazine. Check.
Player list. Check.
Ron Mexico jersey. Check.
DIRECTV SUPERCAST. If you have DIRECTV NFL Sunday Ticket, you’re halfway there. Just make sure you have Flash Player 9 and Adobe AIR for the full effect. Both PC & Mac users can access SUPERCAST. The concept simple: if the game is on DIRECTV Sunday Ticket, then it’s available to watch on SUPERCAST. However, according to the FAQ, blackouts are enforced based on your billing zip code.
SUPERCAST FEATURES INCLUDE:
Live Streaming Video. Enjoy every NFL SUNDAY TICKET™ game, plus the Red Zone Channel. You can switch from game to game at any time.
Highlights. Relive the big moments. See up to 12 significant plays from every game, either individually or consecutively.
Scores & Game Status. See scores and game status for the current week’s completed and in-progress games. Check the schedule for the upcoming games.
Instant Stats. An indispensable feature for fantasy footballers. Track your favorite players’ performance with a touch. Get game and player stats instantly for each game.
Whether or not your favorite bar or restaurant has DIRECTV Sunday Ticket is now the least of your worries. If they have WiFi, you’re all set.
The SUPERCAST mobile app is available on iPhone, Palm Pre and Windows Mobile and BlackBerry (Storm, Tour, Bold and Curve 8900). To download this app to your smartphone, visit m.directv.com/supercast from your phone’s browser.
If you still have cable, it’s time to now. If you’re already a customer, check out the DIRECTV SUPERCAST page for more details.
Popularity: 14% [?]
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