HELPFUL THIRD-PARTY APPLICATIONS


There are really two kinds of applications that you might want to install on your handheldproductivity applications that help you do something better, and games that help you get through that two-hour layover at the airport. Personally, I like games, but I have to admit that the productivity applications do some pretty neat things. Besides, if you wanted a gaming system you would have bought a GameBoy Advanced and not a BlackBerry.

PRODUCTIVITY APPLICATIONS

The following sections describe a few productivity applications that I find to be interesting and useful. They aren't in any particular order.

POCKETMAC FOR BLACKBERRY

If you use an Apple Macintosh, you have probably already noticed the lack of any Mac support on the BlackBerry CD. Without a Mac version of the Desktop Manager, you are already at a disadvantage when it comes to setting up your handheld. One application is there to help you out. PocketMac for BlackBerry can synchronize your Address Book, Calendar, and other PIM information as well as do backups and restores for the Mac user.

URL: http://www.pocketmac.net/products/pmblackberry/indexrim.html

Price: $29.95

Trial: No

REQWIRELESS WEBVIEWER

We've already gone over using the web browser that comes with your handheld in a previous chapter. If your handheld isn't able to browse HTML-based pages, you may want to look at this software. The Reqwireless WebViewer is a bigger, better web browser that supports HTML pages, cookies, JavaScript, and nearly everything else you would expect from a desktop browser. If you need more from a web browser, this is your answer.

URL: http://www.reqwireless.com/webviewer.html

Price: $29.99

Trial: Yes

IM+ MOBILE INSTANT MESSENGER FOR BLACKBERRY

For all you instant messaging addicts out there, now you can take your IMs with you as you travel. IM+ works with all the major instant messaging services such as AOL, MSN, and Yahoo!, as well as others.

URL: http://www.shapeservices.com/eng/im/implus.php

Price: $44.95

Trial: No

IDOKORRO MOBILE SSH FOR BLACKBERRY

If your job is to administer networked computers, then SSH needs no introduction, and you probably spend a good deal of time in your SSH client. Idokorro Mobile SSH is an SSH client for your handheld that connects directly to SSH and Telnet servers and provides vt100 terminal emulation. It is somewhat slow, as you might expect from a device with such small bandwidth, but quite usable.

URL: http://www.idokorro.com/imssh.html

Price: $195

Trial: No

MYTIP 2.0

This handy little utility can be used to compute tax, tip, and to split the bill at the restaurant. Great for those on the go!

URL: http://www.pdatopsoft.com/software/item.php?pid=4617&

Price: $3.99

Trial: No

ENGLISH DICTIONARY FOR BLACKBERRY

Whether you need a pure dictionary, or one that converts to various languages (including Spanish, French, and German), Beiks is the place to go. They also have several professional and religious reference books as well!

URL: http://www.beiks.com/rim/showprod.asp?prodid=494

Price: $19.95

Trial: No

EXPENSEMINDER

Keeping track of expenses is always a chore, but this application lets you enter your expense items into your handheld as you go. It shows a running total and can email the reports to you as an attachment that can be opened in Excel.

URL: http://www.handango.com/PlatformProductDetail.jsp?productId=119517

Price: $20

Trial: Yes

GAMES FOR YOUR BLACKBERRY

Here is the fun part. Everyone needs a good selection of games on their handheld for those rare moments when you don't have, or want, anything to do.

WHITE NINJA

Now you might expect to get some sort of ninja fighting game with a title like White Ninja. No, this game looks and feels just like Pac-Man except the guy is collecting gemstones and wearing a red headband. The graphics here are very nice and the controls are pretty easy to use, though nothing beats a joystick.

URL: http://www.berrygames.net/blackberry_games.html

Price: $9.95

Trial: Yes

Figure 14.5. White Ninjaa Pac-Man throwback for your BlackBerry.


STREET RACER

Here is another game with great graphics. You are a car thief running from the cops through the streets of LA. If one catches you, your car stealing days are over! This game uses the thumbwheel to steer the car across the lanes as you dodge cars and other emergency vehicles. The load time is a bit rough, but the game looks very nice.

URL: http://www.pdatopsoft.com/RIM/StreetRacer

Price: $6.99

Trial: Yes

Figure 14.6. Street Racernot quite Grand Theft Auto, but it'll get you where you want to go.


LINKS SCORECARD

Not all entertainment happens on your handheld. For you golf enthusiasts out there, this golf scorecard application will be a great addition to your handheld. In addition to keeping track of the score for a game, you can chart how well you are doing over time.

URL: http://www.concretesoftware.com/product/linksscorecard.shtml

Price: $9.99

Trial: No

Figure 14.7. Links Scorecard.


OUTROAD

If you prefer to race on a track and take the corners at high speed, then OutRoad is for you. Its smooth graphics and sharp color make it stand out. While you race the clock on one of several tracks, you also have to dodge other cars and still keep your car on the tracknot an easy feat!

URL: http://www.handango.com/PlatformProductDetail.jsp?productId=140306

Price: $9.95

Trial: No

Figure 14.8. Just try to beat the clock as you dodge cars and take sharp corners in OutRoad.


CARD GAMES PACK ONE

Card Games has five popular Vegas style card games in one ApplicationBlackjack, Poker, Solitaire, Red Dog, and HiLo. The graphics and animations are nice and it's easy to use.

URL: http://www.javatekmedia.com/cardPackOne.jsp

Price: $19.99

Trial: No

Figure 14.9. Card Game Pack One is perfect for you card game lovers.


ACES TEXAS HOLD'EMNO LIMIT

If you are into Texas Hold'em poker, this is the game for you. Play against five other computer controlled players where the sky's the limit on the bets. The options and extras include changing out the computer players' skill and tracking your success over time, making this game a sure bet.

URL: http://www.concretesoftware.com/product/athnolimit.shtml

Price: $9.99

Trial: No

Figure 14.10. Compete against five computer players in Aces Texas Hold'emNo Limit to be the poker champion.


KARPOV X3D CHESS

For all you chess enthusiasts out there, you will be glad to know that you can play while on the go. You can play against the computer, or play against another person by sharing your handheld. The view changes for each player as you pass it back and forth.

URL: http://www.miforum.com/3dchess.asp

Price: $9.95

Trial: No

Figure 14.11. Take your love for chess on the road with Karpov X3D Chess.




Mobile Guide to BlackBerry
Mobile Guide to BlackBerry
ISBN: 0789733439
EAN: 2147483647
Year: 2006
Pages: 146
Authors: Bill Foust

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