Today seems to be the right day to cover the best BlackBerry software I have found given the 9700 review above. Choosing the right software for a new smartphone is crucial to how effective it will be in day to day use, but the choices are often too great and can make it near impossible to decide which will work best for you. I am going to break down the main categories of usage and offer recommendations of software titles which have worked well for me, and hopefully you will feel the same if you choose to try them out. The selection below has covered my basic smartphone needs very well so far and the cost is not astronomic when I consider what the whole package offers.
Calendar
The core BlackBerry calendar is enough for me and because of the way it works I can add new appointments and move them around in an instant. The display is ‘Zen of Palm’ like and it simply works. I can think of no better calendar on any smartphone platform at this time. Cost: $0.00.
Contacts
Again I have to choose the core app. It is simple, but easy to navigate and is well integrated into the main system. No need for more unless you need serious contact features. Cost: $0.00.
Notes
The built in memopad app is perfect in its execution, but may be too basic for some. I love the fact that I can simply type a letter or two and am taken straight to the memo I need. Ascendo DataVault is a good alternative if you need proper security included and the desktop version is included to get you up and running straight away. However, at the moment I can live with the basic memopad app. Cost: $0.00.
Tasks
The standard task app is very basic, but well constructed and useful for basic task management. SlickTasks takes the process further though by including formatting, alarms, and hierarchies which come together to make a near perfect task management system which is useful for serious and occasional task management. Cost: $4.95.
Finance
Ascendo Money is the best smartphone app I have used on any platform ever! It is ideal for reporting, can handle multiple accounts and currencies and also includes a desktop manager for quick setup and backups. The display lends itself to offering a clear overview of where your finances are and crucially you can add new entries in a couple of clicks. Cost: $29.95.
eBooks
eBook reading on a BlackBerry is an average experience at best, but there are two good options which can bring a wide variety of books to your phone. eReader and MobiPocket are the ones to check out, but beware the geographic restrictions which are destroying the industry at the moment. Cost: $0.00.
Social Networking
UberTwitter is a free solution for tweeting which suits the platform very well. The free version does include adverts, but they are not intrusive and soon become unnoticeable. LittleChirp is a free add-on which makes tweeting easier than ever before. Click a shortcut button and enter your tweet into the text field- super quick and super useful. The official Facebook app brings many features you will be used to on a desktop to a BlackBerry and even includes contacts integration and some extra bits and pieces you may not expect. Cost: $0.00.
Satellite Navigation
To be honest I have not found a satellite navigation app worth recommending on the BlackBerry platform. This is one area in which it falls down heavily, but there are options out there which perform basic navigation should you wish to have a search around.
So there you have it. You can cover the basic needs of your smartphone usage on a BlackBerry by using the built in functionality and a couple of third party apps. The total cost of my solution is $34.90 and that is exceptional value when I consider the use I get out of these apps. It also highlights just how complete the BlackBerry OS is when it comes to doing the important stuff well.
Games
Gaming is seriously lacking on the BlackBerry platform, but there are some good choices available. Addictive Tower Defense is a new release which is, in my opinion, the best BlackBerry game yet. Check out the video below to see how impressive it is. iPhone users may snigger, but it is the best we BlackBerry users have.
Nintai is another game worth checking out. 100 levels of brain teasing, frustrating fun is not to be sniffed at and the price is good as well.
Shaun, Do you use RSS on a Blackberry? I am thinking of switching from Windows Mobile to the 9700, but RSS is the one area where I don’t seem to be able to find a decent recommendation software wise.
I’d recommend you try out Viigo for your RSS feed reading needs. The Blackberry version is the best of the clients for all the platforms I’ve used it on so far.