Checking my tweets this morning I found one from Nimbuzz saying that there new update for the BlackBerry platform was ready for download. Always looking for a new challenge I promptly downloaded it and took it for a spin.

What is Nimbuzz?

Nimbuzz let's you connect and interact with your buddies across popular communities, including Skype, Windows Live Messenger, Yahoo! Messenger, ICQ, GoogleTalk, AIM, and social networks including Facebook and MySpace. Call, chat, message, share files and more, with all your friends in one place

The setup is very easy to do, the UI runs very well on both the 9000 & 9700, once the desired accounts have been authorised & connected it was time to test out the chat.

First Gtalk, - There was a slightly longer delay between messages than normal this is probably because of the servers that the data is running through. Even so the messages came through even the smiley faces look nice.

FaceBook - There aren't a lot of apps out in App World that have managed to perfect the whole FaceBook Chat thing, Unfortunately this is not one of them. Messages in Chat double up when they are incoming and if you type hyphens the script is unreadable.

Thanks to
BBLeaks for the latest price leak from Vodafone. To be fair the tariff price against cost of handsets seems normal, with the prices ranging from free to £399.

So amongst all the mixed reviews that have been floating around the internet, is it still the 'must have' device ?

Posted with WordPress for BlackBerry.

Browsing through the new App World I found a new updated version of Google Talk. Not sure on what the update brings as I can't find a change log for it but it takes my application from v2.5.47 to v2.5.63 Google Talk™ for BlackBerry® smartphones allows you to chat in virtual real time with your instant messaging IM contacts when and where you want to not just when you're in front of your computer. It has many of the same features you already use with Google Talk on your desktop.

Features include:

- Fast and reliable messaging
- Your Friends presence updates e.g. Available or Offline, in virtual real-time
- The ability to customize your own status messages e.g. Back in 5 mins, On the Phone
- Emoticons to express yourself
- The ability to invite multiple users into one conversation
- The ability to personalize Google Talk with a buddy picture, use an image of yourself or display your favorite icon
- Communicate with other Google Talk users even while using other applications on your BlackBerry
- Set up custom notifications for new Google Talk messages.

While I was in App World I checked the other IM apps as they all got updated in the Beta Zone when they were in testing. Hit the links after the break.

After its departure from the BlackBerry Beta Zone, this RIM app is going from strength to strength. With the integration in to operating system ie inbox notifications for items & calender reminders there really is not better way to eBay on the move.

Keep track of all your eBay activities with the eBay® app on your BlackBerry® smartphone:

- Receive real-time alerts when there’s a change in an item’s status
- View and reply to messages sent by buyers
- Get calendar reminders and email notifications for listing end dates
- Pay for an item using PayPal®
- Search by keyword, item number, category, price and more
- Review your sale items, view items that have sold, and relist items

eBay for BlackBerry from AppWorld

Posted with WordPress for BlackBerry.

Its been a while since my SocialScope account got shut down and after numerous invites back into the beta I finally got an email out of the blue this morning saying I could download the new updated version. After promptly downloading the new update I've found that loads has changed since the last allowed version many months ago. Below is the new features & bug fixes for the update. If you get an invite for SocialScope, its well worth a look.

Full Facebook Experience
We’ve upped our Facebook experience 1000x with Facebook Friends list, Facebook pages, Full Facebook Profiles, Private Messages and Notifications. SocialScope is the best way to use Facebook on your BlackBerry.

Inbox Integration
Powerful inbox integration allows you to select exactly which messages appear in your BlackBerry inbox.

Mute
Tired of hearing from a user, application(farmville!) or topic? Now you can block those updates.

Reduced Battery Usage
We’ve tuned, tweaked and optimized SocialScope to dramatically reduced battery usage. The most powerful social networking app now also the most power efficient.

Interface Tweaks
SocialScope is faster and easier to use.  We’ve made interface tweaks through out the app based on your feedback. Also included in this email was a link offering a chance to beta SocialScope for Android, iPhone and other platforms.

[TheCellularGuru]

Posted with WordPress for BlackBerry.

Here's a nice little update from the people over at Seesmic. This snappy twitter app is growing from strength to strength with its updates.

You can download the app directly from your mobile browser, install and post away. Access Seesmic and, depending on your device, the website will redirect you to the download link you're looking for. 

- Use of XAuth with Twitter for more security

Seesmic Blog

Posted with WordPress for BlackBerry.

Here's a nice little update from the people over at Seesmic. This snappy twitter app is growing from strength to strength with its updates. You can download the app directly from your mobile browser, install and post away. Access Seesmic and, depending on your device, the website will redirect you to the download link you're looking for.  Seesmic for BlackBerry is the app to try out when social media engagement becomes as important as your morning coffee. This is what we bring new to the table:  - Sound profile notifications available in the BlackBerry "Sounds" app - Support of Ping.fm groups - Notifications for new tweets, new replies and new direct messages - Improved User Interface - Picture thumbnails now displayed in the "Pictures" folder of the file explorer - Use of XAuth with Twitter for more security Seesmic Blog

Posted with WordPress for BlackBerry.

Downloaded and ready to go is the new update of WordPress for BlackBerry. Check out the change log for this version below:

- Fixed empty title issue for those blogs with “Site Title” field set to empty value.

- Fixed an issue on the comments screen that doesn’t permit editing of comments with weird characters within URL or e-mail field.

- Introduced a better integration with the VideoPress service and the WordPress.com Space-Upgrade option.

- Added support for the blog shortcut icon.

- Minor bug fixing.

Download with App World
Direct ota for OS4.7+

[WordPress Blog]

Posted with WordPress for BlackBerry.

Screenshot from a BlackBerry Storm

Another essential tool for bloggers with berries gets another update. Fixing bugs from v1.3 and introducing some new features:

The following features have been added in version 1.4:

- Easier sign in process
- Added support for HTTP authentication on password-protected self-hosted blogs
- Improved the app’s ability for bug reporting and feedback
- The file browser now remember the last opened folder

This release contains many bug fixes, including:

- Issue when modifying the properties of a picture attached to a post
- Startup issue on the splash screen that causing the app freezing
- Issue on the Stats view when a post title contains more double quote characters

You can pick up the update if you have not been notified through the app from App World

Source:BerryReview

The day has finally come the a lot of BlackBerry users have been waiting for.....the launch of the elusive BlackBerry 9800. Now branded as the 'Torch' rather than a 'Bold' below are the official specifications released at the press event in New York today (in association with AT&T). I have been waiting for this device for what seems like ages, ever since I heard of the concept behind it last year. Although I am excited about the new platform I do have some reservations that RIM have held out too long in releasing it. Although the spec of the 9800 is very good, how will it fair against the likes of the iPhone 4 and the Moto Droid X. Those who made the jump from Berry to Droid recently don't seem to be phased by the official specifications. Online reviews will be a decision maker for a lot of people, though I have to say if the 9800 doesn't stack up I would be tempted to move to a Droid X.

BlackBerry Torch Specifications

Size (LxWxD)
Closed: 4.4" x 2.4" x 0.57" / 111mm x 62mm x 14.6mm
Open: 5.8" x 2.4" x 0.57" / 148mm x 62mm x 14.6mm

Weight: 161.59 g / 5.7 oz (includes battery)

Operating System: BlackBerry 6

Memory: 512 MB internal flash memory/4GB built-in storage memory

Expandable Memory: 4GB microSD card included/Supports up to 32GB microSD card

Battery Life: GSM Talk Time: 5.5 hours; GSM Standby Time: 17 days/MTS Talk Time: 5.8 hours; UMTS Standby Time: 13 days

I found a handy little power & memory blog over at RIM’s technical center, and thought that some of you guys might like to brush up you memory and power saving skills. Check it out after the break.