CrackBerry.com blogs

Review: BlueAnt V1 Bluetooth Headset

Ryan Blundell — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 13:58:07 -0500

My biggest pet peeve involves people who talk on the phone while driving. Yes, I’m talking to you! Cell phone use while driving is being banned in more and more places, so what are you going to do now?! Even though I would prefer to see you cry, I would suggest that you look into getting into a BlueTooth Headset. If you search through CrackBerry.com, you will find countless reviews and member testimonials for various headsets of all shapes and sizes.

You can look at this as either the light at the end of the tunnel…or another headache added to your BlueTooth confusion.

BlueAnt’s V1 Bluetooth headset is the first of its kind. Powered by BlueGenie™ voice interface, the V1 is the world’s first voice-controlled headset. Though I have seen quite a few headsets in my day, this little guy intrigued me. With the V1 talking to me, and I to the V1, I was hoping that we wouldn’t engage in a battle of wits….as I am unarmed.

With features like voice isolation technology, dual microphones and quick access to GOOG-411 (Google’s free 411 service), this may keep your hands off of your BlackBerry and back on the wheel.

CrackBerry.com's feed sponsored by ShopCrackBerry.com. Review: BlueAnt V1 Bluetooth Headset

New: Appetite for BlackBerry!

Ryan Blundell — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 09:30:37 -0500

I don't know about you, but I can't wait for all of the holiday cooking and baking that will soon appear at my table. There's nothing like feeding two addictions at once (one being the BlackBerry of course). Every year, it seems as though someone brings a new dish. Recipes are scribbled down or recited quickly and exchanged. Sometimes recipes are photocopied or printed out and left in a variety of drawers. When it comes to finding a long forgotten, now sought after recipe, it can become quite a challenge. This is especially true if your recipe box looks more like a paper recycling bin. Fear not, fellow food fanatics, Appetite is on the job!

SimpleLeap Software, the folks behind Cram, helps you satisfy your hunger for organization with this unique application. With Appetite, you can keep track of recipes and search for or create new ones. Your grocery lists and ingredients can be managed as well. I think SimpleLeap Software is on to something; Cram can help students study and Appetite will help them manage healthier meals, eliminating the Freshman 15!! Give in to your cravings and read on.

CrackBerry.com's feed sponsored by ShopCrackBerry.com. New: Appetite for BlackBerry!

BlackBerry Technical Seminar is Today!!

Kevin Michaluk — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 05:08:11 -0500

In case you haven't heard yet, RIM is holding a free online BlackBerry Technical Seminar Today from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET for developers and IT administrators!

The keynote address takes place at 10am and will feature Mike Kirkup, Manager, Developer Relations at Research In Motion - he's an engaging speaker and will provide a recap of the key presentations from the BlackBerry Developer Conference held in October.

For more information on the developer and administrator tracks and to register, visit the event website! Enjoy the show folks!!

CrackBerry.com's feed sponsored by ShopCrackBerry.com. BlackBerry Technical Seminar is Today!!

BlackBerry Pearl Flip Dominates Scooter Smiff Video

Kevin Michaluk — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 04:03:53 -0500

With all of the BlackBerry Storm and AT&T Bold hype of the past month, RIM's first flip phone has taken a bit of a back seat on the blogs... but it's definitely holding its own in music videos!

The BlackBerry Pearl Flip gets some serious screen time in the video above for Head of My Class, by Scooter Smiff (featuring Chris Brown). The 8220 sure is videogenic! And according to this video is a definite must-have for every kid in junor high. Big Thanks to David for sending this in.

Now to all the Pearl Flip owners out there.... I want to know, how are you liking your devices??

CrackBerry.com's feed sponsored by ShopCrackBerry.com. BlackBerry Pearl Flip Dominates Scooter Smiff Video

BlackBerry Storm OS Upgrade Sorta "Officially" Available??

Kevin Michaluk — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 18:40:41 -0500

I just received this email from no-reply@upgrade.blackberry.com:

Bundle An upgrade of BlackBerry® Device Software version 4.7 is available. This upgrade includes optimizations and enhancements approved by your wireless service provider.

Note: If your device is associated with an email account that uses a BlackBerry® Enterprise Server, contact your administrator for more information about upgrading. is available for your device.

Go to http://www.blackberry.com/go/softwareupgrades to upgrade.

If you're a Storm owner and have opted in to receive notifications on OS updates (option you check off in Desktop Manager), expect to see one of these emails in your inbox. You'll want to follow the forum discussion and comments on this one though folks, as while this notification was sent out which seems to indicate an OS update is available for the Storm it doesn't quite seem to actually be available (and shouldn't this long-awaited update be coming via OTA?!). Word in the forums seems to indicate that Verizon's update is coming on the 8th. No worries though - you can always grab the leaked version of OS4.7.0.75 if you can't wait. You can watch for Storm updates at the Worldwide Storm Update Site or at Verizon's BlackBerry Software Site.

Follow the Forum Discussion About This Email Here >>

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Smartphone Round Robin Roundtable Podcast #1!!

Kevin Michaluk — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 15:59:36 -0500

[ This is an official Smartphone Round Robin post! Every day you reply to an official Round Robin blog post or forum thread on CrackBerry.com, you automatically gain an entry ballot for a chance to win a BlackBerry Bold, Spare Bold Battery, and Case Mate Second Skin! If you somehow still don't know what this is all about, visit SmartphoneRoundRobin.com!! ]

OK CrackBerry Podcast listers... I know we've left ya without CrackBerry Podcast for a few weeks now (November was an insane month) but we're making up for it today with the first of two special edition Smartphone Round Robin Roundtable podcasts!

The editors of the Smartphone Experts websites, Casey, Rene, Jennifer, Dieter and I all came together to discuss three of the Smartphone Round Robin devices: The iPhone 3G, the Treo Pro, and the BlackBerry Bold!!! We had a lot of fun recording this roundtable discussion, and we hope you enjoy listening to it!

CrackBerry.com's feed sponsored by ShopCrackBerry.com. Smartphone Round Robin Roundtable Podcast #1!!

Now Available... the Definitive BlackBerry Addiction Guide!!!!

Kevin Michaluk — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 14:32:43 -0500

Now Available in soft cover from Amazon.com ...

It's finally Here!!! I first dropped word of the "CrackBerry Book" in the blogs back in April and I'm happy to say that CRACKBERRY: True Tales of BlackBerry Use and Abuse is now available! You can pick it up in a soft cover from Amazon.com for $15.99, and E-Book versions are also available from BlackBerry Made Simple and ShopCrackBerry.com. From the Press Release:

Martin Trautschold teamed up with co-author Gary Mazo from the BlackBerry Made Simple Guides and with Kevin Michaluk, the founder and community editor of the largest BlackBerry user site -- CrackBerry.com. Some of the book's highlights include:

Dozens of user stories that are just too funny or too sad to believe
A unique 12 Step approach to curb your BlackBerry use
Effective strategies for balancing life and work
Tips on some BlackBerry features that can help you maintain a "Life Balance"
"BlackBerry Confessions" from the authors and user from CrackBerry.com
The "BlackBerry Quiz" to test your level of addiction

The book is a must-read for all those who use their BlackBerry smartphones just a little too much. According to Michaluk, "The book is part humor, part Freud and part 12-step recovery plan. We wanted to keep the read entertaining and light while at the same time addressing the ever-growing problem of BlackBerry overuse!"

For more information you can view the full Press Release and visit CrackBerryBook.com!

And seriously, if you don't know what to buy the BlackBerry Addict in your life this holiday season, this will make the perfect gift! Spread the word :-)

CrackBerry.com's feed sponsored by ShopCrackBerry.com. Now Available... the Definitive BlackBerry Addiction Guide!!!!

PeeKaWho Gets An Update - Tons of New Features!

Kevin Michaluk — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 12:35:03 -0500

I swear, these email pop-up apps -- PeeKaWho and Email Alerts -- have got to be two of the most frequently updated apps in the ShopCrackBerry store... but that's ok, as each update seems to usher in a host of new features and improvements...

If you're not already familiar with PeeKaWho, be sure to check out our CrackBerry Review. As for this latest version, 1.170, here are some of the highlights of what's new:

HTML Preview in the popup. Previously this wasn't here. Caveats, if the email is an automated "spam" email w/ lots of table tags, it won't parse well. Most human composed HTML parse well.
PeeKaLab (Think GoogleLab) where users can try out cool / edgy features. This version has LED Alerts / Concise Popup Text / PeeKaLight (using your BB as a flashlight).
Option to Confirm Delete
Option to change text size (In PeeKaLab Screen)
After purchase, new users can use Auto Activate. Also, any new update after this, no need to reactivate.
Mark as read from Popup
Keyboard shortcuts

For more information on version 1.170 upgrades, click here. Have I mentioned lately how much I LOVE having email popups on my BlackBerry? LIFE CHANGING. If you haven't given PeeKaWho a go yet, a free trial is available, which I suggest you check out. Purchase price is $10, which I think is cheap considering just how often this app gets used on your device once installed.

Download Free Trial / Purchase PeeKaWho >>

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Update: Rogers BlackBerry Curve 8900 Getting Closer - Promo Pricing Set at $179.99 on 3yr Contract!

Kevin Michaluk — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 11:46:54 -0500

Update: Just found out pricing for the Rogers Curve 8900 will be $179.99 on a 3 Year Contract.

Update: Our buddy Treatz just sent us in some photos of the Curve 8900 "dummy" phone - now arriving at dealers! Two more photos after the jump. *

Remember that BlackBerry Curve 8900 soft launch excitement from last week? Well, we got an update from one our Rogers insiders on the situation late last night and the news is looking pretty good...

The BlackBerry Curve 8900 passed Rogers certification this past Friday!
Rogers is receiving the devices today/tomorrow to their warehouse (err.. yesterday/today as I type this)
Dealer Bulletin should go out by the end of the week!

So it looks like maybe, just maybe, you will be able to put one of these beauties under your Christmas tree this year. Stay tuned for more as we hear it.

CrackBerry.com's feed sponsored by ShopCrackBerry.com. Update: Rogers BlackBerry Curve 8900 Getting Closer - Promo Pricing Set at $179.99 on 3yr Contract!

Rogers Founder and CEO Ted Rogers Passes Away

Kevin Michaluk — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 11:27:51 -0500

We'll be missing you Ted!! Our sympathy goes out to all of his friends and family....

Press Release

Rogers Communications mourns passing of Founder and CEO Ted Rogers

Visionary business icon, philanthropist, family man and proud Canadian TORONTO, Dec. 2 /CNW/ - It is with great sadness that the Board of Directors of Rogers Communications Inc. announces the death of our colleague, leader and friend, Edward Samuel "Ted" Rogers, the founder of the company, a visionary communications industry pioneer and an icon in Canadian business. He was 75.

CrackBerry.com's feed sponsored by ShopCrackBerry.com. Rogers Founder and CEO Ted Rogers Passes Away