The Productive Organizer

Here is a good screencast review of how evernote’s functionality, how it looks like on the blackberry:

Here’s a good tip from Crackberry. This software called SmartWifi does the handywork to help you save battery life of your blackberry phone by smartly turning off WIFI:

• Saves battery by turning off WiFi when not needed.
  
• Remembers the WiFi locations you use.
  
• Up to 100 WiFi locations supported!
  
• Powers WiFi back on when you are back at WiFi coverage.
  
• Saves battery by avoiding to constantly check for available WiFi hotspots.
  
• Displays useful information: BSSID, SSID, Data Rate, Radio Band & Signal Level.
  
• Supported mobile devices: GSM / GPRS, CDMA and iDEN.

[Hattip Crackberry >>]

Nowadays i realise that one of the intangible annoyances is really passing business associates contacts around. That is why there was a prevalent movement to transfer info via iPhone or Windows Mobile Phone.

Another main annoyance is to input a name card you just gotten into your phone. Thank fully for Blackberry users they get software like Business Card Reader that lets you easily scan your business card and the technology behind will translate it to your contact list.

SHAPE Services has released a new application for those of you who hate inputting information from business cards manually. Business Card Reader is a scanning utility that simply lets you scan a business card and by making use of ABBYY’s text recognition technology allows for the extracted information to be added directly to your address book filling in all the appropriate fields. Having tested it on some business cards I have, I found it to be quite accurate in its rendering and identifying of information. Could be quite useful if you deal with business cards quite frequently.

[Hattip Crackberry >>]

I wish i had the chance to get my hands on a blackberry. Would love to see what it can do. I seen people in lifts playing with it but none of my friends (except Augustine) who has it.

Anyway to start of probably a series for folks that thinks BlackBerry is just for corporate users here is a video on the pioneers for developing where blackberry it is today. They talk about why use java, importance of security and the idea behind blackberry.

Its a good week in terms of uncovering mind mapping applications for mobile platform. I have been blogging about my experience with iThoughts on the iPhone recently. However, i’m even more impress if we have more good applications like this for Blackberry and Android.

MindBerry looks the part for BlackBerry. On a less flexible platform like J2ME (Compare to Cocoa) to come up with something like this is great to try out as an engineer.

Here is a mind map on MindBerry. Whats amazing is that most of iThoughts functionality can be found in this software. The most important factor for alot of people seem to be that you can import and export to Freemind and Mind Manager, which is great if you have existing applications

Here  is a video on MindBerry in action

My overall feel is that compare to iThoughts at USD 6.99 its a tat more expensive and provides less. But perhaps most Black berry applications are more expensive then iPhone apps

[MindBerry Download >>]

Its not often i reviewed Blackberry application but Screaming Toaster seem to have come  up with a good application with DulyNoted Pro.

The mind map here explains everything about DulyNoted Pro. Bascially, if you are looking for a solution to capture your thoughts or notes anywhere and you so happen to have your blackberry with you all the time (which most of you are!) this would be a good solution for you.

Your notes will be sync with the cloud server so that you can have access to your notes from any browser.

Been a fan of Evernote and certainly hope this solution at $10 per year leaves up to it. Do give it a try and tell me what you think.

[DulyNoted Pro >>]

Edited. Found the solution for Palm Pre!

I guess its about time some one comes up with application like these. Granted you might wonder, why would you want to turn your 3G phone into a wireless router?

Why do you need this?

1. You own an iPod Touch. its applications are far superior to your Android applications and you would rather surf web on the go on it ( why i am interested in this!)
2. Checking email on the bus/commuting. You have a laptop and would like to pass time by checking the internet for cool stuff. You want something that can connect without the hassle of bring too much devices with you
3. You have a PMP player like Archos or Creative device that is big on multimedia usage and screen size but it doesn’t have a 3G connection BUT it has WIFI!

Whats the draw back?

1. Software like these normally are very intense on the battery life of the device. you are essentially broadcasting wifi and 3G at once. your battery life can’t last long. this is not a long term solution. It is only a solution for at most an hour.
2. The connection might be quite flaky depending on how good the software is
3. In the case of Windows Mobile, the solution is quite expensive!
4. Do watch your data usage as it might burst your phone bill!

The solution for Android – Android WIFI Tether

The software solution enables tethering (via wifi and bluetooth) for “rooted” handsets running android (such as the Android DevPhone 1). Clients (your laptop for example) can connect via wifi (ad-hoc mode) or bluetooth and get access to the internet using the 3G, 2G mobile connection or (in case you are using bluetooth) the wifi connection which is established by the handset.

The Cost: Free for now

[android-wifi-tether site to download application  >>]

The solution for Symbian – JoikuSpot

The solution for symbian nokia phones is JoikuSpot Light. FREE limited edition of JoikuSpot that connects your laptop to internet via Wifi using your mobile phone’s 3G.

There are essentially 2 solutions: the Free and the Premium. I have not tried the premium but the free one is quite good. It enables me to surf the web on safari on my iPod Touch but not connect to the App Store.

Premium Edition comes with all internet protocols. You can also secure your connection with Premium and use VPN to access secured corporate intrawebs. Premium supports email protocols so you can use email clients like Outlook and Gmail. All settings (like WiFi network naming and default access point) are adjustable in Premium. There is no forced default landing page in Premium Edition. Premium has best performance and connection quality, and auto-reconnects to 3G if the connection is dropped to e.g. 2G temporarily.

Here is a video of Joikuspot working with iPod Touch!

The Cost: Free or EUR 6 for Premium

[JoikuSpot Site to download application >>]

The solution for Windows Mobile – WMWIFIROUTER

WMWifiRouter instantly turns your wifi enabled smartphone* into a wireless internet hotspot. Now you can use your laptop and any other device with wifi to get online and surf, email, instant message, and anything else you normally use the internet for!

This is an expensive software but do download and try it for 14 days you will know why you pay so much for it because it is so robust. I personally tested it. its good!

Here is a video on how it is used:

The Cost: EUR 19.99 (!!!!)

Edit: Refer to post here. There might be a way to use an earlier WMWIFIRouter version when it was free.

[WMWIFIROUTER homepage for more info >>]

Alternative solution:HTC WIFI TETHER Software

HTC is developing their own version of WMWIFIRouter and we are excited as this would likely be free if you know where to look (XDA!)

The Cost: FREE

The solution for Palm Pre – My Tether

* Allows sharing your Sprint EVDO from your Pre to your computer or iPod Touch.
* WiFi network name & WEP key customization options
* Makes Palm Pre into a MiFi-like hotspot at your convenience to share your 3G connection.
* Converts Palm Pre into a Wireless Network adapter by letting you share the WiFi connection on the Pre instead of EVDO when tethering over Bluetooth or USB.
* Option to disable sleep mode on Palm Pre
* Ability to turn off the LCD only, doesn’t put the device into sleep.
* Convenience features such as restoring the old WiFi connection when tethering is disabled, prompts to take care of pre-requesties to tethering, remembering settings and last tether options, restoring modifications to settings back to original value upon exit, and many more to list.

Cost: FREE (Do Donate if you find that its worth it!)

[My Tether download site >>]

The solution if you don’t have a phone – Novatel MIFI Wireless Router

If you do not own the above devices, the solution is to buy a MIFI Wireless Router explained here in my previous post.

Here is a video on it in action:

The Cost:USD 299 without plan

Summary

Right now what i am missing is the solution for creating a wireless modem out of iPhone and Blackberry. I believe that it can be useful to invest in such a software. If you have an alternative to these or cheaper solutions (especially for Windows Mobile) do let me know!

Over the weekend many users have reported seeing the “Contacts” options start appearing on their Gmail accounts while logged into their carrier’s BIS sites. Telus, AT&T, Rogers, T-Mobile and Verizon have all been accounted for at this time and I’m sure many others are to follow. This was one of the highly noted upgrades to BIS 2.8 that was stated as coming approximately 2 weeks after launch.

Here is a rather detail review of the Blackberry Storm 2. We dislike the original blackberry for its SurePress virtual keyboard technology being not very well refined. So did the Storm 2 address our concern?

Featuring WiFi, more memory and an improved SurePress technology, Research in Motion’s second-generation BlackBerry Storm is ready for primetime and wants to be touched!

It’s that time again! Grab a cup of coffee or your favorite energy drink, kick back and enjoy yet another CrackBerry.com pre-release BlackBerry Smartphone review. This time around we’re looking at an officially-received BlackBerry Storm2. Has RIM taken the Storm to the next level with the Storm 2, or are we looking at a minor update? Should owners of the original BlackBerry Storm upgrade? Read on to find out!

Read CrackBerry.com’s BlackBerry Storm 2 Review >>

* Note: I received this review unit just after 12 noon CST today, which left me less than 11 hours to get this together before the embargo lifted. That’s not much time to conduct a proper review in full out CrackBerry fashion, so we’ll be following up soon with more BlackBerry Storm2 videos and walk-throughs and I’ll add a few more images and screencaps to this review shortly. Stay tuned for that. Also, keep in mind I was told the handheld software (version 5.0.0.287) is not the final version, so there may be some minor operating system changes from the unit reviewed here and what you ultimately can purchase. *

The Calm Before the Second Storm…

The BlackBerry Storm2. To say it has been highly anticipated would be an understatement. Before the original BlackBerry Storm was available to customers, the first rumors of the Storm 2 began to surface. Research in Motion even acknowledged the existence of the new device much earlier than they historically would, when RIM’s co-CEO Jim Balsillie said in a presentationto analysts and investors (reported by Reuters) in May 2009 that they were working on a next generation of its BlackBerry Storm as part of a continuing push into the retail market. From that point, it was less than two weeks later when the first photos of the new BlackBerry Stormwere posted to the internet right here at CrackBerry.com which was followed up soon after when we brought you the first video of the BlackBerry Storm 2 in action. In the weeks following and leading up to the Storm2’s “official” announcement, youtube has been full of “unofficial” BlackBerry Storm2 9550 and 9520 previews (Verizon’s Storm2 is the 9550; Vodafone’s is the 9520) showing off early-stage hardware and firmware. Due to this unofficial nature, most early Storm2 videos/photos disappeared from the web as quickly as they appeared, but now that we have an official review unit you can rest assured knowing Storm2 content is now here to stay.

So how does the BlackBerry Storm2 compared to the Storm? When all is said and done, the most accurate explanation I can think of is to draw an analogy to the automotive industry and how car manufacturers release a new car and follow up with a new model each year. It is often said that you should not buy the “first year” of a new car, as there is bound to be issues, and nobody will argue in the case of the BlackBerry Storm that the device as it went to market experienced some issues (lag, more lag, and a bit more still lag still). RIM’s strength over the years lay in making non-touchscreen devices featuring a physical keyboard, so adapting the BlackBerry operating system to touchscreen hardware was a new game for them. A few recalls (aka firmware upgrades) later, however, and the BlackBerry Storm is now a much more usable device. In fact, if you haven’t touched a BlackBerry Storm in a while you might be surprised at just how well it performs. And that brings us to the next part of this analogy. If you think of the Storm as the 2009 model year, the BlackBerry Storm2 really is the 2010 model year. Yes it’s new, it’s improved and it features some additional bells and whistles not found in the 2009 model and overall is a better performing and easier to use smartphone, but it doesn’t immediately make the old model year obsolete. Existing Storm owners who have invested the time and energy to get comfortable on their device and have upgraded to the latest firmware (OS 5.0 just around the corner!) may find after picking up and playing with the Storm2 in a store that they’re able to stick it out with their Storm until they are eligible for an upgrade. Others of course, may find the addition of WiFi alone to be enough of a reason to pay the penalties and upgrade to the Storm2 immediately. Just like cars, you’re always going to want the new model year, even if you got a great lease/finance rate on picking up last year’s model. But enough with the analogy, let’s get to what’s new in the Storm2!

BlackBerry Storm2 Overview and Key Specifications

Picking up the BlackBerry Storm2, it’s clear that Research in Motion’s thought process here was simply to build a better BlackBerry Storm. They weren’t thinking about building an iPhone killer or worrying about what Palm is up to with their Web OS or what the next wave of Android phones might look like. RIM looked at the original BlackBerry Storm, assessed where it was great, where it was good, where it was bad and where it was ugly and they fixed it. I’m sure many of the BlackBerry Storm2 reviews that emerge will state the BlackBerry Storm2 is what the original BlackBerry Storm should have been, and well, they’ll all be right. We don’t want to dwell too much on the Storm’s shaky start; after all, it was a pretty big success for RIM from a sales standpoint, but it’s impossible to review the Storm2 without looking back at the original BlackBerry Storm.

[Read the rest of the review @ Crackberry >>]

Now this is an app that is wayyyyyyyyyy overpriced!

If you have any kind of medical condition and have to take medication daily, you know what its like try and remember to take your medication during the day. We get caught up in meetings, phone calls or just find ourselves running around and it sometimes just slips our mind. Well TimelyMed has come up with a solution to help make things easier.

The application is fully programmable to remind you when to take your medication and what dose is needed. The app features alerts settings (in half-hour intervals), start and end dates, snooze and dismiss for alarms and even autostarts with the device.

Man, if i want to be reminded about taking my Medicine, i would rather use my To-do list software, set a category called Medicine_Reminders and it will notify me!

Definitely not worth paying for!

[Hat Tip Crackberry >>]