CrunchGear

Best tip is the simplest — use your *one* programmable hard key (side button on my 8800) for keyboard lock. Save a ton of time in aggregate, and save yourself from myriad “bad outcomes” from errant key presses.

I use the T-Mobile Blackberry Curve:

Best Features:

Camera

Facebook App

Password Manager

ESPN Home Button Link

The new software 4.3 will have a voicerecorder and video recorder

Best Speakerphone hands down

I received a free iPhone in a drawing and after weighing the pros and cons, kept my BB Pearl. My company pays the bill (not possible w/iPhone), my Outlook mail/contacts/calendar/notes are sync’d automatically, constantly (no manual sync required, like the bad old Palm days) and it fits comfortably in the front pocket of my pants.

The camera is pretty weak and I don’t use the music player, but I don’t use those as much as I use phone and e-mail. I’m also an avid iPod user, but for the forseeable future, I’ll be carrying my Pearl and iPod.

Finally, unlike the iPhone, it’s easy to use 3rd party apps like gMail, Google Maps, and Yahoo! Go.

Beyond411/Berry411 http://thebogles.com/blog/projects/berry411/ set your location then type in a request - like “fed ex” the software will return a list of the closest Fed Ex locations, clickable phone numbers, ,maps, directions. The extensive list of shortcuts as well make using the WAP browser redundant. for instance, type in MLBScores and you get realtime MLB scores. you can even search mix drinks. It is the Killer app for the Blackberry for finding information.

I use Google Maps on the device daily to determine which route to take home.

My blackberry has changed my life significantly since getting it in August. Everyone knows I am just as reliable by email as I am by telephone, which allows me more time to go over my responses. I do wish it didn’t say from blackberry though. My favorite piece of software other than the push email is my google talk application, which happens to be my front hard button shortcut, and the browser which is my side button shortcut. I would also suggest google maps and the infospace together as they both have their perks. Opera Mini is also vital if you use complex webpages like myspace often. The keyboard is amazing, I can type at about 3/4 the rate I type on a normal keyboard and I have large fingers. My only problems are the calendar and address book could use a makeover.

I have opera mini and google maps already installed. I tried ramble and was disappointed with it.Gcalsync doesn’t seem to work with my CG e-mail so that was a bummer, but I can move my calendar to a personal gmail account so that’s ok. Can’t seem to get my 8320 to connect with my home router so that’s what I’ve been working on tonight. Other than that, I’m happy to be back on a bb.

Top apps:
Opera mini browser
Google maps
Color pearl (allows customization of the color of the scroll ball)
Sudoku (forgot where I got it)

‘Meh’ its fun to have them I guess- apps:
Facebook
Gmail
Camera (well duh all camera phones are fun)

Lame apps:
Brickbreaker

My favorite theme:
bPhone zen (I actually got it from crunchgear, its a not-to-shabby iPhone theme)

I wish I knew about hacks… But that’s what my PSP is for lol.
I can’t wait to check out the hacks that other people post for their BB

Hey Seth, go to your service providers bberry portal or go straight through “email settings” from your bberry you can edit your signature to say whatever you want.

I love my blackberry 8300 though wish I had the wifi! Beyond411 is hands down the best mobile app I have ever used, it is free and it is a must have esp. with the GPS enabled phones with this feature you can find the nearest say Starbux then it will list all subsequent Sbux in distance order. I also love:

Opera
Viigo
Password Manager
Google Maps

I highly reccomend a Blackberry branded case, they have a magnet that enables “standby” while in standby keys become numb and you will still receive email/phone calls. Best tech purchase I have made in the last 5 years.

Man I was the most unorganized person ever. Not so anymore with my BB super organizer Curve. Its whipped me right into shape. I cant put the dang thing down now. Thx CRACKberry!

I change my phone at an average of 3-4 times a year. I get bored with what I have and always want something new. The network or the phone seldom keeps me content. However, since switching to the T-Mobile network, I’ve had the BlackBerry 7290 and now the Curve. Hands down, the Curve is the best phone I’ve ever owned (next to my Motorola Skypager…oh the days!).

My most favorite feature is the GMAIL app. No need to locate it through the browser, it is always available directly from the main menu. The 2.0mp camera is amazing with an impressive flash unlike other phones. The WiFi allows browsing the web even faster than that of the iPhone. I love my phone and I know for sure that I will cry like a baby if it is ever lost or damaged. One last thing, iPhones suck!!!

I have a Blackberry 7520 and frankly it drives me nuts. It’s through my job and they won’t upgrade us to a newer one and the batteries on these run around like 4 hours, I swear my MBP has last longer than this thing and this is my 3rd battery. As far as services go, it’s nice I suppose to have my outlook mail syncing to this, but I’d much rather they make that available for the iPhone and I get one of those. the operating functionality is awful, my wife is a comp nerd herself and she can’t figure out how to answer and hangup a call. the scroll wheel is retarded, more often than not I scroll down as I hit push it in. The view for the calendar leave much to be desired and internet browsing I only use in dire emergencies. One of my co-workers uses it as their primary phone and i really question his sanity, I only use this when I have to.

I’m new to the BlackBerry, having just gotten a Curve.

Google Talk (Jabber/XMPP) support is great, AIM works for legacy purposes, and on the Curve the chat doesn’t cost SMS fees because it’s native chat applications rather than an SMS gateway like T-Mobile used to use.

The BlackBerry Messenger is good if you have friends who are BlackBerry users. I use it as a free alternative to SMS for messaging with my wife. The advantage over using GTalk is that she doesn’t have to explicitly remember to log in. You can also send an alert if the message is urgent.

Google Mail app is good too, combined with IMAP allows me to have the same e-mail on my Mac, my Linux box, and my BlackBerry, and respond to mail wherever I happen to be.

Berry411. I just added a Wii game review search and PS3 game review search plugin to it, check ‘em out. They pull reviews from Metacritic. I was always seeing games in stores and thinking “That looks good, wonder if it is?”

The Facebook app is pretty slick. I haven’t tried anything special for Flickr, as the e-mail upload works fine. I set up an e-mail based posting system for my Wordpress-based web site too.

I’d like an RPN calculator. Anyone have any pointers?

Favorite App: Score Out

It gives golfers yardages while on the course. The disclaimer is my company writes it. But all of our users really do love it. The catch is our beta is limited to the San Francisco Bay Area.

Favorite Tip: “Send Voice Note” to yourself

Most people ignore the “Send Voice Note” application. But you can leave yourself a reminder in your inbox.

I have had a BB for over a year now… I have used the 7130e and 83XX on verizon… the company switched to AT&T and now i have free built in, not disabled GPS….

Here are my favorite apps:
Nav4All - freeware GPS
Google Maps
Gmail
Yahoo!Go
Blackberry MEssenger
Google Talk
WorldMate Live - travel itineraries
MyAlarm - 6 alarms with multiple configurations
Facebook - just downloaded this….

What I would like is:
- RPN calculator - yes I am a nerd
- Fitness app for monitoring workouts… (nice to output the file to text file.)

I like freeware apps… I’m a linux guy so freeware or developers that ask for small donations tend to get more from me….