Social: Facebook 2.0

Posted on August 13, 2011 by GeekFortyTwo

Application: BBSSH
Category: Tools
Download OTA: http://blackberry.com/facebook
Setup: None
Cost: $0 – Free
 

Aside from E-Mail, Facebook is one of the most requested applications on the BlackBerry. In the past we have been unable to connect to the Facebook servers unless you either had an active data plan on your SIM or had connected at least once with an active SIM and now only used WiFi. (There are conflicting reports on this, but I have been unable to test it.) With the latest 2.0 release of the Facebook client we now have access to the official client with a WiFi only device.
Continue reading →

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Tools: BBSSH

Posted on June 3, 2011 by GeekFortyTwo

Application: BBSSH
Category: Tools
Download OTA: http://bbssh.org/ota/
Download: http://bbssh.org/ota/choose.html
Setup: None
Cost: $0 – Free

The best free SSH client for the Blackberry has recently been getting some new and very much needed updates. It is now an integrated Blackberry application that takes advantage of the device capabilities and features to allow easier control of remote systems. Continue reading →

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Social: Twitter for BlackBerry by RIM 2.0

Posted on May 27, 2011 by GeekFortyTwo

Application: Twitter for BlackBerry by RIM 2.0
Category: Social
Download OTA: http://m.blackberry.com/www/en/bbtwitter.html
Download: http://us.blackberry.com/smartphones/features/social/twitter.jsp
Setup: None
Cost: $0 – Free

The Blackberry Twitter client made by RIM was recently updated to version 2.0. I decided to test this release as a WiFi only app and had low expectations due to the older 1.x versions needing a SIM and data plan. Imagine my surprise when it immediately logged into Twitter upon entering my credentials. The official Twitter application works with a WiFi only Blackberry now. Continue reading →

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Tools: Dropbox

Posted on April 4, 2011 by GeekFortyTwo

Application: Dropbox for BlackBerry
Category: Tools
Download OTA: https://www.dropbox.com/blackberry/download
Download: https://www.dropbox.com/blackberry/download
Setup: None
Cost: $0 – Free, Extra Storage Available for a fee

Dropbox is a tool that many people are using to replace carrying around a USB key with them all the time. I use it to store files that I may need anywhere, either documents or programs. It allows me to keep a copy of important information online where I can always retrieve it. Continue reading →

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GPS: GPS Tool

Posted on March 18, 2011 by GeekFortyTwo

Application: GPS Tool
Category: GPS
Download OTA: http://www.tworoads.net/~srp/software/gpstool/download/GPSTool.jad
Download: http://www.tworoads.net/~srp/software/gpstool/download/GPSTool-1.2.1.1.zip
Setup: None
Cost: $0 – Free, GPS Tool Plus is available

A quick utility with no real data needs, but which is still very useful on a stand alone device is GPS Tool. This is used to show the status of the GPS on board newer(requires OS 5.0 or newer) BlackBerrys as it attains a fix from the satellites. I have found the best use of the software is in forcing a quick GPS fix that I can then use in another application(like Endomondo). Often I found that some devices were slow to get a GPS fix, often taking 5 to 10 minutes, and sometimes requiring a reboot. This application has generally ensured that the signal is locked on fast and is available to other tools immediately. Continue reading →

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Web: BlackBerry Hotspot Browser

Posted on March 9, 2011 by GeekFortyTwo

Application: Blackberry Hotspot Browser
Category: Web
Download OTA: n/a – Pre-installed on all WiFi capable BlackBerry devices
Download: n/a
Setup: Options -> General Properties -> Default Browser = Hotspot Browser
Cost: $0 – Free

While there are options for a user to browse the web using third part software on the BlackBerry, the built-in Hotspot browser is one of the few BlackBerry applications from RIM that works properly without a data plan. This browser has been configured to be used when connected to a WiFi network in order to reduce the dependency on the cellular networks. Continue reading →

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GPS: Endomondo

Posted on March 2, 2011 by GeekFortyTwo

Application: Endomondo for Blackberry
Category: GPS
Download OTA: http://www.endomondo.com/m/blackberry/select
Download: http://www.endomondo.com/download/
Setup: No Special Configuration
Cost: $0 – Free Limited Version, $3.99/Year For Extra Features

Endomondo is one of the applications that I use regularly on my BlackBerry. Any time I am doing something active and moving about outdoors, I try to have this software running. I have recorded runs, walks, hikes, skiing, cycling and even kayaking with this software and it has never let me down. Continue reading →

Posted in Blackberry WiFi, GPS | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Social: ÜberSocial

Posted on March 2, 2011 by GeekFortyTwo

Application: ÜberSocial for Blackberry
Category: Social
Download OTA: http://bb.ubersocial.com/bb/download.php
Download: http://bb.ubersocial.com/bb/1175/
Setup: No Special Configuration
Cost: $0 – Free Ad Supported, $4.99/Year without Ads

RIM provides a free, well integrated Twitter application on their website and in the App World. This application will not even start without a data plan(This has changed – See Social: Twitter for BlackBerry by RIM 2.0). Continue reading →

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Social: WordPress for BlackBerry

Posted on February 22, 2011 by GeekFortyTwo

Application: WordPress for Blackberry
Category: Social
Download OTA: http://blackberry.wordpress.org/download/
Download: http://blackberry.svn.wordpress.org/releases/current/
Setup: No Special Configuration
Cost: $0 – Free

Since this blog is about being productive on a Blackberry without using a data plan, I decided that I would try to write the articles using the test device itself. Luckily the official WordPress application for BlackBerrys works perfectly over a WiFi connection. Continue reading →

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Weather: WeatherEye

Posted on February 17, 2011 by GeekFortyTwo

Application: The Weather Network WeatherEye
Category: Weather
Download OTA: http://blackberry.theweathernetwork.com
Download: http://blackberry.theweathernetwork.com
Setup: No Special Configuration
Cost: $0 – Free

One of the best uses for any mobile device is to find out the current and upcoming weather. I live in an area where any forecast more than 6 hours old is wrong. Therefore, after E-Mail, the second thing I check in the morning is the weather. The Weather Network WeatherEye for BlackBerry is the application that I use on my primary BlackBerry(the one with a data plan) and I find it is exactly what I need. Continue reading →

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