Filed Under (Blackberry News) by Kevin Michaluk on 08-02-2010
The team over at Gym Technik, makers of the NextGen fitness app for the BlackBerry and winners of the CB Awards '09 for best Health/Fitness App, have just informed me about an upgrade they performed over the weekend. The NextGen app for the BlackBerry is now compatible with OS 5! I can't wait to load this bad boy on my Storm 2, and I've been hearing it runs quite smooth on the 9700.
For those of you who haven't tried out Gym Technik yet, you can download the app by pointing your BlackBerry browser to http://get.gymtechnik.com
Standard features of the NextGen Fitness app for the BlackBerry include:
Visual and descriptive workout guidance
Workout and body stats tracking
Routine scheduling
Before/After photo uploads
Sync capabilities to safely back up your data online
Offline access with or without cell coverage for those basement gym rats
Contest and Giveaway: And they've also informed me that they are giving away 100 premium subscription discounts this week. The first 100 sign ups using offercode feb10upgrade at the Store will get 10% off their premium subscription.
And second - They've asked the CB community to dream up the most wildest craziest feature that you would like to see on the Gym Technik app. The craziest idea will be selected for a free year of premium! So come on... Rise to this... Drop your idea in the comments. First to say it and have it be the one that gets picked by Gym Technik as best wins (contest ends this Sunday at Midnight PST). Let's see what the CB community has got!
OpenBeak (formerly TwitterBerry) is probably one of the best known Twitter clients for BlackBerry. When Twitter first started its monumental rise, TwitterBerry was one of the few clients available for BlackBerry, and everyone who was jumping on the Twitter wagon got in on the action. New clients began to show up, and TwitterBerry quickly fell to the back of the pack. It didn't totally go away, and now rebranded OpenBeak, it still hopes to capture users with its simple features and ease of use. Take a look at the video above for a quick overview of OpenBeak's features (or lack of) and see how it compares to the other clients in our Ultimate Twitter Client Roundup.
I recently came across a very interesting application called Genius Medical Diary by Gurparit Chand. It stood out to me, seeing as I have not really seen an app quite like this before. The app acts as a database for all of your pertinent medical information. It stores such data as name, social security number, blood type, medications, diseases/conditions, immunizations, contact numbers, emergency contacts, and insurance information. With this app, you can store as many medical profiles as you wish, making it great for qucik access to your entire family's medical info. The application also features backup/restore to device, which is nice with any app. Genius Medical Diary is on sale for $1.99 until March 1st for all Blackberrys running OS 4.5+. You can also try their free version BerryMed, however it does lack in features when comparing to Genius Medical Diary, which is to be expected.
Near the end of last month Elecite introduced a new premium theme for BlackBerry, and it appears we forgot to post it. The theme is called “Keen” and features an awesome clear glass type concept. Keen has 6-8 customizable photo icons, a weather slot, 4-5 (locked) quick access icons and a quick preview Today area. It’s available for the BlackBerry Curve 8900, Bold 9000, Storm 9500 series, Tour 9630, and Bold 9700. Follow the link below to grab a copy from Elecite for only $6.99.
A little SPE network news before we get to our weekly list o'links. We've been calling TiPb 'TiPb' instead of 'The iPhone Blog' for so long now, we figured we may as well make it official. Add in that the iPhone platform now encompasses the iPhone, iPod Touch, and the newly announced iPad and renaming the site pretty much became a foregone conclusion. Same great content, new shorter URL to type in!
Movela Pyxis Mobile has released their full-feature craigslist app on BlackBerry App World, and the app is available for $4.99. I know there are a lot of craigslist users out there, and this is great for convenience.
The details of the app are as follows:
craigslist mobile by Movela is a full featured client application for BlackBerry® devices that allows users to browse and search craigslist postings, bookmark and reply to posts, save searches and more. Supports all categories and all countries supported by the www.craigslist.org website. craigslist mobile by Movela is the official craigslist application for BlackBerry devices.
Filed Under (Blackberry News) by Kevin Michaluk on 07-02-2010
If you're a hardcore Craiglist user and a BlackBerry fan you'll be happy to know that the craiglist mobile app for BlackBerry was finally approved into App World today (we first caught a glimpse of it back in November - check out that post for video). This full-featured app is the "official craigslist app" and was built for craigslist by Movela/Pyxis Mobile. That being the case, the bad news here is that the app carries a price tag of $4.99. It definitely provides a smoother and faster experience than running the mobile website, that's for sure, but may not be worth the $ for those who just check out craiglist from time to time. You can debate that one in the comments or discuss it in the forums!
I ran across this very interesting article that also has a video that demonstrates how a hacker can send messages to your BlackBerry and what information they can access off your BlackBerry with only a pc and the right program, and has tips to protect your BlackBerry. SMobile Systems Global Threat Center also released a study on the Proof-Of-Concept Malicious Applications. You really should check this out…
Chris Eng from VERACODE posted this excellent article “Is Your BlackBerry App Sying On You?” which elaborates on a demonstration done by Tyler Shields. Who is Tyler Shields? He is Senior Security researcher for VERACODE. Prior to that position he was also the Personal Security Consultant for on the Symantec Advisory Services team. Tyler had given a presentation at ShmooCon 2010 on the threats of mobile spyware and the relation to data privacy. As more consumers use smartphones, it’s very important to know that these threats exist and one should be aware of them.
The point of the demonstration was to show how BlackBerry applications can access and leak your sensitive information using only RIM-provided API’s, with no tricks or exploits of any kind. There were no assumptions made as to how the app can be installed on the phone and they didn’t try to pass a spy app on the BlackBerry App World. Although as stated in prior posts, many consumers tend to trust App stores which may lead to a false sense of security. Even BlackBerry App World has the statement in it’s EULA that they are not responsible for any viruses or spyware downloaded through their store. In other words, it’s possible as we’ve found with other platform app stores that spyware can find it’s way in to the stores.
Tyler has a video demonstrating the proof-of-concept spyware. What’s even more frightening is watching how it’s used to dump messages and contacts, intercept text messages, eavesdrop on conversation, report on phone usage, and monitor the whereabouts by using GPS. I’m going to set the link for the video which I encourage you to watch. Tyler uses his software via computer and using email to send commands to the BlackBerry and shows the information it sends and retrieves. He also brings up Google Earth showing how to track the phone.
I’m also going to include the slides showing some important information. Such as only 23% of smartphone use the security software installed on the device, and only 13% of organizations protect against viruses. The slides also go into detail of studies on various spyware including Etisalat (which was discovered by SMobile Systems), and the code signing process and API’s. He also lists IT and application policies, default 3rd party Application permissions, installation methods, types of files, and the codes and commands of the app they use.
They also have a list of how to protect yourself.If you look at the pdf slideshow, there are actually the 3rd party permissions and suggestions for setting the security permissions yourself. At least check your 3rd party permissions and dont allow full access unless you trust them. Be careful of the apps you download, as was advised from Kevin from SMobile Systems in our conference call.
So what tips do they have for you? The excerpt from the article is as follows:
Users can change their default application permissions to be more restrictive. This way, if an application tries to use an API that accesses the user’s email or contact list, the OS will ask for permission. Avoid granting applications “trusted application” status, which grants untrusted applications additional privileges. Tyler’s slide deck shows the default and trusted permission sets in more detail.
Corporations using a BlackBerry Enterprise Server can configure their IT policies to restrict their users from installing third-party applications, or whitelist certain approved applications (but brace yourself for the backlash)
BlackBerry App World could introduce a rigorous security screening process that submitted applications must pass in order to be listed in the store.
The SMobile Global Threat Center released the study done on the BlackBerry platform today as well. I’m including the link to their PDF results which includes the history of BlackBerry vulnerabilities and threats (including trojans and spyware), code signing, the Proof-Of-Concept and conclusion. So what’s the Proof-Of-Concept? As explained on the SMobile Global Threat Center it is “research which exposes the weakened security posture of BlackBerry device that operate under the BlackBerry Internet Service environment. The proof of concept applications discussed in this research are developed to examine the response of BlackBerry inbuilt security framework.” I suggest reading the study so you can get an idea of what is at risk and how to protect you and your BlackBerry.
So read the article, watch the video, and check out the slides and let me know what you think. And also, just because they used a BlackBerry doesn’t mean it only applies to a BlackBerry smartphone. There are many platforms that are also vulnerable. I’m not trying to discourage use of your BlackBerry because I would never give up mine, only to protect it and you by using your security options and using software designed to protect you from such malware like SMobile Security Shield. It’s important to know these things and protect yourself and your information. Please leave a comment and let me know what you think.
P.S. Please don’t forget that SMobile Systems is still offering a 20% discount for our readers, just head over to their store and use the code: FEB1020 at the check out.
Back in November we told you that Movela Pyxis Mobile was working on an official Craigslist Application for the BlackBerry. They were working on getting it on App World last time we heard from them but looks like it is finally available. The developers & Joseph let us know that the app is now available at this link http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/4236 . The application will cost $4.99 on the BB App World.
I had the chance to beta test this application and have been using it for the last few months which I am impressed with how fast and slick the application is. With this application you can bookmark your searches, search by category, set your location same as you would on the Craigslist website. The application allows you to see pictures if they are available or send a listing to a friend as well as reply to a seller right from your BlackBerry. The response time while searching is fast you can also save your searches if you tend to search for the same keyword often.
Here is a description from the developers:
craigslist mobile by Movela is a full featured client application for BlackBerry® devices that allows users to browse and search craigslist postings, bookmark and reply to posts, save searches and more. Supports all categories and all countries supported by the www.craigslist.org website. craigslist mobile by Movela is the official craigslist application for BlackBerry devices.
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