Top Blackberry NewsKeeping you up to date with all the latest Blackberry News!

I can’t count the times I have been asked by friends and family to help them with their BlackBerry or any cellphone. The questions usually start with:

• How do you do…
• I can’t…
• Could you…
• My _____ is broken can you help me fix it?
• Etc…

I was reading a funny article on CrunchGear by John Biggs detailing his 4 methods of getting out of helping people with their new Christmas presents (I am contemplating moving to Detroit) and thought I would ask: Do you try to get out of helping people or are you like me and try to save the world from BlackBerry madness. Johns 4 “D”s might be a surefire way to get out of the chore.

On the other hand if you are like me and try to help how do you do it? Do you send them to the forums? Do you do it yourself since they are incompetent? Do you try to teach them? This is kind of like the adage “give a man a fish and he eats for a day, teach him to fish…”

Sound off in the comments!

Eenie, Meenie, Miney Berry... Which Should I Choose?

What a year! 2008 will definitely go down as the "Year of the Berry" for me. My little SIM Card found a home in no less than 7 different BlackBerrys this past year! While much of the use could be classified as "professional," there was certainly a "searching" for the perfect Berry as well. So, let's take a look at the year that was and maybe you can help me choose amongst my Berrys and I can keep my SIM Card parked in one device for at least a few months in 2009.

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CrackBerry.com's feed sponsored by ShopCrackBerry.com. BlackBerrius Maximus - Part VII - New Year's Eve Edition

loveBB let me know that BilbyFile, the free file manager we mentioned before, now supports practically all the OS 4.3+ devices. They now have two versions their is a free BilbyFile Lite which is at version 0.9.3 and a BilbyFile 1.5 which costs $3.99. Not sure exactly what the difference is between them since the free version worked just fine.

You can read more at the product page or pick up the install OTA at this link.

From the free BilbyFile Lite description:

BilbyFile Lite v0.9.3 Freeware
BilbyFile Lite is an useful file management tool for Blackberry.

Features

• View device memory/SDCard/folders/files
• View file details
• Copy/move/delete/rename files
• View folder path
• Create/rename/delete folders

OS Requirement

• BlackBerry OS 4.3.0 and higher

Compatibility

• BlackBerry Storm 9530
• BlackBerry Bold 9000
• Curve 8900,8300,8310,8320,8330
• Pearl 8100,8110,8120,8130,Flip 8220
• BlackBerry 8800,8820

Today we received an email from Mike on the CrackBerry Podcast hotline (podcast @ crackberry.com) in New Jersey asking why there are different web browsers on his new BlackBerry Storm, and why he cannot download files larger than 5 Mb.

I thought that the answer to Mike's question would also benefit everyone else, so read on after the jump for an explanation of the BlackBerry Browser.

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CrackBerry.com's feed sponsored by ShopCrackBerry.com. BlackBerry Browsers Explained

Nikolaus let me know that T-Mobile and Linksys have released another update to the UMA WRTU54G-TM router that we mentioned before. This is the newer router that T-Mobile sells for UMA phones along with a home VOIP phone line.

The new version 1.0.0.15 fixes the DHCP table issue Nikolaus previously reported.  Online forums also state it provides call display for call waiting on the home line now.

You can pick it up at this link

We have mentioned solutions for getting podcasts on your BlackBerry before but Mike introduced me to a new free app that I thought you might find useful. It is from the guys at PodcastReady.com and both of these applications are free.

The first is called Podcastready myPodder. It is a simple client that requires no installation and downloads podcasts to your computer. You can keep the app on the SD card of your Berry and have it download your favorite podcasts when you connect it to your PC.

The second is Podcastready AutoPodder which requires installation but automatically downloads the latest episodes in your subscription list to your computer. You set the download schedule and it just works like magic…

Just thought I would mention both of these easy solutions since I know I hate using iTunes. I am sure there are a bunch more so let me know in the comments!

Check out myPodder & AutoPodder at www.podcastready.com/download.php

When I showed off my new CrackBerry Coveroo in the blogs last week (click here to see the image in case you missed it) the response of "I WANT THAT" was overwhelming... so much so in fact that you can now buy your own CrackBerry Coveroo straight from Coveroo.com!

We also held a contest for 10 Free CrackBerry Coveroos and it's time to announce the winners.. and the lucky winners are:

Congrats to all the winners! Be sure to watch your email as I'll be contacting you shortly with information on getting your CrackBerry Coveroo. And if you didn't win, what are you waiting for?! Go buy yourself a little present to get the new year started right. Coveroo now has support for the BlackBerry Storm and 8900 support is coming soon. And if the CrackBerry Coveroo isn't your thing they have an awesome selection of Coveroos to choose from. And if you still can't find what you're looking for, you can order a custom one. 

• Get your own CrackBerry Coveroo >>
• Got a Coveroo? Post a picture in the CrackBerry Forums >>  

CrackBerry.com's feed sponsored by ShopCrackBerry.com. CrackBerry Coveroo Winners Announced! Didn't Win? Purchase Your Own CrackBerry Coveroo Today!!

Long time theme designer, Jason Calhoun (JasonCalhoun.Com) recently let us know about some new theme designs (as well as some variations of previous theme designs) he has for the Blackberry Bold. Since Jason was kind enough to send me several to play around with, I thought I’d mention a few of them here.

First off, there’s Titanium Crossbar Plus - which is a take off from his popular Titanium theme using a unique today style home screen (with the world map background) and a scrolling bottom dock of 10 customizable icons. I like this theme a lot as it easy to move about and looks nice and neat on your Bold. Titanium Crossbar Plus costs $7.oo and is available right in our Berryreview Store!

For something a bit more futuristic in design, yet also very functional, there is Whiteout Today (shown below) - featuring a cool, abstract background and sharp styled icons. I really like how crisp and clean this theme looks on my Bold. It’s a well designed theme that also looks professional. Whiteout Today also costs $7.00 and is available right here!

Finally, and I think this one is my favorite of the bunch, is SymBerry Professional. (There is also a standard SymBerry theme design using a different background and icons.) On the ‘professional’ version the icons pop a bit more and the color scheme is a bit more my taste. The top (9) home screen icons are not customizable but they the more often used apps (ie, contacts, calendar, browser, etc.) so it works perfectly for me. If you’re someone who likes to mix things up a bit, you can even attempt to change the wallpaper, which will show up in the home and application screen (not in the locked mode screen). Just make sure the background is dark enough so that the white type of the today screen shows through. I put a sample of an alternative wallpaper to give you an idea (wallpaper image from Black Light Themes Wallpaper Directory). SymBerry Professional is available for $7.00 at our store.

Use Coupon Code endofyearsale20 at Check Out to Save 20%

2009 is almost upon us! To end 2008 on a high note and ring in the new year with a bang, we're holding a sale in our mobile app store! Until January 1st, 2009 you can save 20% on ALL BlackBerry titles (apps, games and themes!) purchased via our mobile app store. We started the sale on December 16th, so if you haven't taken advantage of the savings yet then the time is NOW!

On your BlackBerry's web browser, simply visit CrackBerryAppStore.com. While you're there, scroll to the bottom of the screen and be sure to install the App Store launcher which places a shortcut on your device so you can get back to the store in just one click. To take advantage of the 20% savings, simply enter endofyearsale20 into the coupon code field while checking out.

Please note: Coupon code is only valid in our mobile app store (crackberryappstore.com) and will not work in the the full website store (software.crackberry.com).

• Click Here for More Information on the Mobile App Store & Sale >> 
• Visit CrackBerryAppStore.com on your BlackBerry's Browser >>
  

CrackBerry.com's feed sponsored by ShopCrackBerry.com. Last Chance to Save 20% On BlackBerry Software in 2008!!

Send your CrackBerry Book proof of purchase in to contest@crackberrybook.com before the end of the year and one lucky reader will be rewarded with a $250 accessory shopping spree from ShopCrackBerry.com!!

I received a ton of emails from CrackBerry readers last week with pictures of what they found in their stockings... a copy of CRACKBERRY: True Tales of BlackBerry Use and Abuse! If you haven't done so yet, be sure to have a chat with CrackBerry Santa and email in your proof of purchase before the end of 2008!

And if you haven't picked up a copy yet, today would make a great day to order. For a few of you, I know Getting my BlackBerry use under control will be on the list of New Year's resolutions. 

Every BlackBerry user will be able to relate to the real life tales of BlackBerry use gone just a little too far. The book is part humor, part Freud and part 12-step recovery plan. Here's one reader's review of the CrackBerry book:

WOW! What an eye opener this book is. I read the "Chart of Shame" to my family and they said "that's Granny" to almost every one of them. I was even guilty of checking messages at Church... This book is funny, it makes you see yourself the way others do and yet doesn't take away the joy of being a Crackberry Addict. If you or someone you know has a Blackberry, the book is a must read. - Sue

CRACKBERRY: True Tales of BlackBerry Use and Abuse is available online in a soft cover from Amazon.com and ShopCrackBerry.com for $15.99. Be sure to email your proof of purchase into contest@crackberrybook.com before the end of the day. One lucky In-Rehab BlackBerry Addict will be rewarded with a $250 shopping spree for BlackBerry accessories from ShopCrackBerry.com! Happy New Year!! 

• Click Here for More Information & to Purchase from Amazon.com >>
• Click Here for More Information & to Purchase from ShopCrackBerry.com >>
  

CrackBerry.com's feed sponsored by ShopCrackBerry.com. Reminder: Send In Your CrackBerry Book Proof of Purchase!