If you use a Blackberry Cell Phone there's a good chance you haven't installed tons of 3rd Party applications, simply because there not as readily available as Windows Mobile and Symbian based operating systems. In this article I've dug up my Top 10 favorite Blackberry Apps and their descriptions.
INTRODUCTION
As a self-proclaimed Celluphile (Is that a word?) anyways, as a Celluphile I can often be found testing or toting around several devices at one time. When it comes to the iPhone or Windows Mobile Devices, and even my Symbian-based Nokia and Sony Ericsson devices, I can easily find third party applications in the thousands.
When it comes to my Blackberry devices however its a different story, there simply isn't as much software or freeware available. That's why I've put together a must have list of the top 10 available apps. Hopefully these top Blackberry apps will make your email beast of a machine even more user friendly.
1. Google Maps
This is one of my favorite programs. It's not only great for the PC, but in my opinion it's one of the few PC programs that actually offers users a more rich experience on their handheld cellular devices. With Google Maps users can find local businesses and other points of interest, discover traffic delays, receive turn by turn directions, and even use GPS capabilites via My Location Based Services without having a GPS receiver installed on their device. (Of course it will work with a built-in recevier or Bluetooth GPS receiver add-on). Adding to all of the Google Maps for Blackberry devices is the price - it's 100% free.
2. Xplayer
I really don't like the Media Player found on Blackberry cell phones, but xPlayer definitely steps up the devices game. It supports all type of media files including MP3, AAC, AAC+, WMA, etc. Plus it will even play video files and offers a pretty impressive codec base for playing back a ton of different video file types. Again this one is free, so it's worth a look see.
3. Opera Mini
The Blackberry included browser is horrendous (only because I couldn't think of a better word to use than horrendous). The factory-installed browser doesn't offer good page views, and the pages that do come up render rather slowly.
In comes Opera Mini! Not only can you zoom in and out of pages allowing you to see the whole page as nature (or the webmaster) intended it, but you can also set the page views for your own optimal viewing. You can even use a landscape mode and save pages easily to your bookmarks section. Plus, it uses very little system resources in the grand scheme of things. Overall another awesome program that's once again freeware based.
4. BBWeather
I don't like to get rained on, or suffer from heat stroke, and I don't have to thanks to this nifty program. BBweather gives Blackberry cell phone users the ability to configure their weather forecasts for the city they're in.
Users who travel can also set up different profiles for several locations, while viewing anywhere from 2-10 days of future weather forecasts. With dewpoint, humidity and other information also given its another great freeware program that's worth a go around.
5. Google Mobile Search
Once again Google proves why they're on top of the digital world. Google Mobile Search For Blackberry Devices is the best option for quick web searches. Not only can you find local businesses, but you can store your recent searches for quick look ups later. Not to mention you can find images, phone numbers, addresses and much more directly from your device.
The Google Mobile Search option will also show off by providing up-to-date stock quotes, offering a glossary of search terms, displaying Local listings, offering Movie times and it will even let you click on a phone number to auto dial the number being displayed. It's also offered at the very cheap price of FREE.
Even if I had to pay for this program I would use it - it's really that good, and pretty much an essential install for any traveler.