Normally in this space I like to feature a BlackBerry quick tip or an application which readers might find useful or cool. Today I couldn’t decide between two, so I decided to share both. Via BlackBerry Cool, we learn about MyPhone, an application which presents an iPhone UI on your BlackBerry. The other is Google Voice, a long-awaited upgrade of Grand Central, the voicemail service Google Bought in July 2007. They’ve released a BlackBerry application, and it’s now available. As in, you can get it, unlike MyBlackBerry, which, as of Wednesday afternoon still requires an invite code.
MyPhone
There seems to be some level of iPhone envy among some BlackBerry users. Not all, but there are definitely some. After all, or best selling BlackBerry theme is iBerry, a simulated iPhone theme. MyPhone is more than a theme, though. It’s a real UI. Here are some features:
- Fully emulate the iPhone UI in look, ability to move icons and changes icons
- Worldwide weather
- Built-in system tools: memory clean tool, radio tool, system testing and mobile torch
- Stand by interface, customized wallpapers
- SMS and call notifier
- Fully functional, all operations can be done via MyPhone
- You can switch from an iPhone UI to a BlackBerry UI and vice versa seamlessly
That last bullet point is the clincher. If you can switch seamlessly between the interfaces, it’s a big win. The application costs $12.99, and you can get it here. I’d recommend trying the free trial first. It’s a .zip file, so be ready to fire up BlackBerry Desktop Manager.
Google Voice
Google finally released the mobile version of their Voice application, and it’s ready for BlackBerry users. It’s a full application, available now for BlackBerry. Unfortunately, it’s only available for current Grand Central users. New users can request an invite. I’m still waiting for mine…
Here are some features of the application, from the Official Google Blog:
- Access your voicemail: read message transcripts, follow along with “karaoke-style” playback of messages, read SMS messages sent to your Google Voice number (even if your phone doesn’t receive SMS messages) and access your call history
- Place calls that display your Google Voice number from your address book, the app dialer (Blackberry) or the native dialer (Android)
- Send SMS messages that display your Google Voice number
- Place international calls at low rates
This would seem to work well for small business owners, who could use one phone but maintain a personal and professional identity. Plus, there’s the whole international calling thing.
You can check out more about Google Voice here. You can also download the app at http://m.google.com/voice. It won’t do you much good until you get an invite (unless you’re already a Grand Central user), but it’s good to have the link ready for when they accept you.
