My Favourite BlackBerry Apps

 Lots of BlackBerry users ask for me tips on great apps. While people with specific interests, e.g. fitness–which as per the expert opinion of my weighing scale is clearly not my interest area, might be looking for niche features, I’ve attempted to put down a list of my favourite apps from a broad-usage perspective.

Also, as with most Indians I prefer things that come gratis, so there’s just one paid app on this list. Please remember though, to visit all the links below from your native BlackBerry browser–that’ll ensure you can download BlackBerry and device-specific versions easily. I’ll also keep adding to this list regularly. So, without further ado, in no order of preference, here are some of my favourite apps:

Viigo: Described as the most used app on BlackBerry after e-mail, and rightly so. From RSS feeds for keeping up with websites and news, weather, sports, business, podcasts, social networking to flight timings, Viigo has everything. Recently acquired by RIM, Viigo can be downloaded from www.viigo.com .

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Worldmate: A great tool for managing multiple time zones, travel, and daily updated currency rates as well as integration with Trip It. If a BlackBerry is a must-have for the globe trotter, then Worldmate is a must-have for your BlackBerry. Download from www.worldmate.com .

Google Sync: I love Google’s great calendar but am also forced to use the Microsoft Outlook calendar at work. While the Outlook calendar syncs seamlessly with my BlackBerry calendar thanks to BES (BlackBerry Enterprise Server), Google Sync ensures that Google Sync is synced with my BlackBerry calendar and by extension with my Outlook calendar too. It ensures that I get Google’s great alerts (SMS for instance), so I can keep track of my schedule. Whichever the calendar I’ve originally made the entry on, Google Sync ensures that both my personal and work calendars are up to date with no clashes. It is available from http://m.google.com . And just in case you didn’t know already, the site also features a great Gmail app for BlackBerry, Google Maps and the Google App itself.

Gwabbit: Want to add information for someone on your contact list but need to copy-paste from an e-mail? Can be a pain, but with Gwabbit, it’s a breeze. It finds, grabs and adds contacts from your e-mails to your contact list and comes with an automated and a manual option. Get it from http://www.gwabbit.com .

QuickPull Free: One annoying thing about BlackBerry is that a full device reboot requires you to prise out the battery and reinsert it. Okay, more annoying is the time it takes to reboot a BlackBerry, but since we can’t do much about that, we can at least make the process simpler. With QuickPull free, you can reboot without removing your battery. Available from BlackBerry App World.

BeBuzz Free: Did you know the LED on your BlackBerry can be customised to glow bright turqoise when the device rings, for missed calls, e-mails, etc? Featuring some super-cool colours (many more besides bright turquoise), and with options for a few contact list callers in the free version, BeBuzz Free is an app that all of us BlackBerry boys who still secretly love toys will be delighted with. Available from BlackBerry App World.

Amazon.com App: There are times when I’m browsing through bookstores and want to read some user reviews before I swipe my card to pay for the book. At times like those, and in fact for much more besides books, the Amazon.com app provides some useful information in an easy-to-use format. Available from www.amazon.com

Bolt: That the BlackBerry browser is not BlackBerry’s USP is a well-known fact. I love the Bolt Browser because it is fast, and unlike the BlackBerry browser, it doesn’t display annoying, mobile versions of websites. But mostly, because it’s really fast. Which is something we Indian users on slow, clogged mobile networks will appreciate. Download from www.boltbrowser.com

Bit.lify: Want to send a link to someone but wish you can shorten the unwieldy URL and e-mail, SMS, copy or PIN in a snap without going first to a URL shortening service and then copying and pasting? Just Bit.lify it! Leverages the Bit.ly service. Download from http://bit.ly/3sKsSj

txtForward: Want a record of all your SMS/text messages so you can remind your wife that there have been times when she’s kept you waiting and you’re not always at fault? Well, scoring a victory in marital warfare doesn’t come cheap, so here’s an app you’ll have to buy. But once you do, all your SMS/text messages will be forwarded to an e-mail address of your choice. Download from http://electricpocket.com/txtforward/

SocialScope Lite: When it comes to Social Networking, SocialScope is the app to beat. Facebook, Twitter, Foursquare, and more–SocialScope helps you manage your social networks in one neat app with a fabulous user experience. I’m currently reviewing the 9800 Torch and BlackBerry’s much-touted Social Feeds feature on BlackBerry 6 seems clumsy and ungainly in comparison with SocialScope. Now, here’s the glitch–SocialScope is still in private beta and that’s why this app is mentioned last on my list, but there are signs the gates will be thrown open to the aam BlackBerry user soon. Earlier today, invites (a la Gmail) were rolled out. Rush to http://getsocialscope.com/ and request an invite today.

Now, do me a favour and tell me about your favourite apps so if I’ve missed something great, I can get it for my BlackBerry.