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If you are like me, you have a wide variety of BlackBerry applications installed on your device. Not only is this a drain on the available system resources but it can also become tedious to launch each one let alone remember what apps you have.
To combat this confusion, many BlackBerry owners rely on shortcuts to access their most used apps. There are a number of predefined shortcuts which can be used to navigate to certain parts of your Berry and there are methods that can be used to assign apps to the convenience keys on your device. Aside from that, most users are left out in the cold when it comes to easily navigating the constantly evolving landscape of their favorite smartphone.
Thankfully some third party application developers have taken it upon themselves to build some handy solutions to the consumer needs and have made some great BlackBerry shortcut apps that are easy to download and setup in minutes.
Today we will be looking at one particular offering from a company called Mmmooo. The app goes by the name SuperQWERTY.
We have 15 FREE copies to give away to loyal BBGeeks readers – instructions on how to enter to win one of these licenses are at the end of this review
UPDATE: Contest Winners Have Been Selected:
Okay folks – we had a great response to this contest and we want to thank everyone for participating. Remember – if you were not one of the lucky ones chosen you can still grab the SuperQWERTY app for only $3.99 here.
Here is the list of winners. You will all be contacted through the email address you entered while commenting.
Xcetrachick, Andrew, Quenfis, Pink2, Andrea, Reanna Rupani, Angela, Jayne, Jonathan, Albert, Kerzhan, Joel R, Steve, Rob and Mimi B
What is SuperQWERTY
SuperQWERTY is a BlackBerry application designed to increase your productivity by making it easier to locate and launch important apps in a streamlined manor.
Essentially SuperQWERTY adds an icon to your desktop and a new shortcut to your “Q” key (be sure to disable dialing from the home screen) as well as a system wide menu option that can launch the SuperQWERTY app. To take it a step further, you are able to launch SuperQWERTY from within (almost) any application you have installed on your BlackBerry. This means you no longer have to back out of whatever application you were in when you want to launch a new one.
Putting SuperQWERTY to the test
The first thing I tested was the new shortcut that has been added to the “Q” key. Since my “Q” is already in use as a default profile switch shortcut (normal <-> quiet) I was worried there might be a conflict. Turns out this worked exactly as promised with the “Q” key now launching SuperQWERTY with a quick press. The previous functionality of the “Q” key is maintained and only switches profiles if the key is held down for a second or so.
Pressing the “Q” key brings up a complete list of every application you have loaded onto your BlackBerry. In addition to any applications installed, the app also allows access to common utilities and processes that are used on a daily basis. These include but are not limited to composing messages, launching BBM functions, message event listening, message search and much, much more.
The list of actionable items presented by SuperQWERTY is very straight forward and all apps are listed in alphabetical order for the most part. I had a couple apps that seemed to be added at random to the end of my long list. These apps launched fine when clicked but were for some reason excluded from the alphabetical sorting.
The same alphabetical list is pulled up whether you launch SuperQWERTY from the shortcut key, the icon on your desktop or by first pressing the menu button (from the home screen or within most apps) then selecting it from the recently added menu item.
To launch any application from the list provided by SuperQWERTY simply hover over its’ name and click your trackball.
QUICK TIP: Press the space bar when viewing your SuperQWERTY list in order to search for a specific title.
Setting up BlackBerry Shortcuts with SuperQWERTY
Not wanting to settle with just providing you a list of clickable app links, SuperQWERTY takes it one step further and allows you to assign your own custom shortcuts to any installed application or function on your BlackBerry.
For each application you can set a keyboard shortcut. The shortcut will be one of the 80 available keys combinations on your keyboard. You can also choose a color to associate with each shortcut so that similar tasks are grouped together for easy reference. SuperQWERTY will rearrange your list of applications as you add shortcut keys. If shortcuts are specified for an app it will be moved to the top of the list. The apps now become arranged alphabetically by shortcut key with any remaining apps displayed in the default alphabetical order by title.
At any point you can change the shortcut key and color assigned to any app on your device.
Final Thoughts on SuperQWERTY
The more I use the SuperQWERTY app on my Bold, the more I see the value in it. Despite having a large, vivid screen on my BlackBerry, it is sometimes difficult to quickly bounce between some of my favorite apps. The time it takes to identify and launch each application on my system is not usually too long but when you add up that time throughout the day it actually becomes a bit startling.
SuperQWERTY makes moving from one app on the BlackBerry to another as simple as possible and if you are looking for a way to shave a few minutes off of your navigation time and pump that into more productive tasks then it is absolutely the app for you.
My only problem with SuperQWERTY was it functioned slightly different than I had imagined. Instead of defining shortcut keys for an app and being able to use those shortcuts from anywhere, I instead had to actually launch SuperQWERTY then hit the chosen keyboard shortcut.
In most cases the same keys used to launch something from with SuperQWERTY does something completely different if pressed from the home screen which can be slightly confusing.
This adds one extra click (the “Q” key) to my navigation process which is not a huge deal. Although I would prefer if I did not have to open SuperQWERTY before using the shortcuts.
Now for the good stuff
The kind folks at Mmmooo have given BBGeeks 15 licenses of SuperQWERTY to give away to our loyal readers!
In order to enter to win one of these free licenses simply leave a comment on this post letting us know why you need it =)
Pretty simple right? Right. Please use a valid email address so that we can contact you to get your PIN information.
Leave your comments here and I will pick the winners at random on Friday afternoon (December 18, 2009).
Good Luck everyone!
The SuperQWERTY BlackBerry shortcut app can be purchased from the BBGeeks Store for $3.99
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60 Comments ↓
i need this because i have a ton of apps on my bb. clicking and scrolling to get to an app is pretty tiring by now.
I am the traveling road warrior. I’m in the car roughly 6 hours a day and my blackberry is my life line. I am constantly texting, talking, and emailing.
Pop me in!
This would be great for driving, since I do quite a bit
I am always wasting time trying to get to apps. This looks like something that will definitely make my life easier!
This sounds awesome! And I have lotttsss of apps.
Sweeeet! I dig this. I agree with m0m0. It taxing to continue to scroll through apps. This would be a cool addition to the BB.
I have so many apps loaded on my baby that this would make it so much easier to access them.
I need something to access my apps quickly and it looks like this is just the app to do it with!
This seems very handy! It sounds perfect for me, since I have tons of apps and the blackberry does get slow after a while.
Oooo! this is great! I have tons of apps! so this will definitely keep me from clicking so much
I need this because I don’t use half of my apps because I am too lazy to look for them
SuperQwerty sounds great. Thanks BB geeks for keeping us up to date on the latest and greatest. :)
I use my blackberry tour constantly. I got it 2 months ago and don’t know how I managed myself without it. Because I multitask, I would love for things to run more seamlessly. Being able to quickly jump from one app to the next would speed me up even more. More speed = More production. Would love to get a free copy of SuperQWERTY and try it out. Thanks.
This is an awesome and would be very useful! Thanks for the review and info!!
I am a new Blackberry User and since I am
still learning about the phone – I would really appreciate an application that makes my life easier. Thank you =)
This is great for someone who is constantly multitasking and on the run! Would definitely add some relief to my hectic schedule.
This seems like a good app to me, I have tried quick launch but it doesn’t work so well on my S2. Perhaps this app will work a lil better with all the apps being listed and your shortcuts staying in place.
This sounds like an awesome app. It would make it easier to find the MANY apps on my 8330 without all the scrolling.
I’m always looking for a better way to get organized. This sounds like the perfect way.
Oh what a super app – To have everything unde one banner is superb – well done.
I need this cause I’m constantly installing new apps and I tend to forget which ones I have. And also because I just suffered a heartbreak learning that I cannot get mms natively on my sprint bb8830…sigh…
Thanks,
Tee Jay
Hi, I work in a telecoms firm and one of my jobs is to test newe bb dervicers, this apps sonds lie something thaty we’re can try and maret to our csytmers telecomms
Great review! This sounds like a must have app tool! Gimme, gimme, gimme! How’s it work on the 8330?
Im totally a minimalist and would rather only have critical apps on my default view. SuperQWERTY would totally make this easier to do! :D
I would love this app because I have SO many apps. Plus I’m an uber crackberry addict
With my ever growing list of apps, SuperQWERTY would be an invaluable tool for my Tour.
I have experimented with other Launchers (QuickLaunch, IntelliBerry), but SuperQWERTY sounds much more practical and functional than the others. I’d love to add this function to my BlackBerry!
having shortcuts would only make sense im surprised RIM hasnt made it standard already.
Hello. This software would be peeerrrfect for me as I have exactly 24 softwares installed into my 9700. It would increase my efficiency if I can use this software. Thanks.
This will definitely help me out since I use more applications than the allocated shortcut keys. I also prefer to keep my BB Desktop clean and organized.
Sounds like a great app. I especially like the fact that it does not use the “convenience” keys on the sides. On the Tour, those keys don’t have very good action so I never know by feel if I’ve pressed them correctly. They’re also not placed in a way that’s easy to conveniently hit when typing on the phone – a direct keyboard activation key like the Q button is much better.
Love the sound of the app!
THIS SOUNDS AWESOME. THANK YOU
I would like one!
A very nice feature! Capable of assigning new shortcuts for practically any apps! W.A,N.T.!
Me gustaría tener este programa porque me ahorraría tiempo para ejecutar las aplicaciones de manera sencilla y limpia.
I NEVER use a mouse or a trackball where there are shortcuts … because i’m a control freak ???
I am a major multitasker on the desktop/laptop, and it looks like SuperQWERTY will let me get to full speed on my BB! I’ve been looking for an easy way to bounce between multiple applications, and this appears to fit the bill.
I can try ths one!
like many others, constantly on the road, and would love to get this app.
Pick me ùp plis…I have a tons of app on my …Love super qwerty so much <3
I have been looking for something that will make things easier when looking for the app that I want to use. Almost wish that there were more convenience keys to use.
This App sounds super useful and would love to win a copy. Thank you.
This is a must have.
This app would be a lifesaver!! As a father of 4, I constantly have to juggle apps for appts, numbers, family info, doctor info, not to mention the financial end of things. In addition to that, I’m remodeling our house and constantly use my phone for calculations, supply lists, and web research. Most times my hands are not the cleanest and using a couple of keys to open the apps needed would be outstanding. As a blackberry owner of only 4 months, I’m constantly discovering new things about my baby (just learned how to disassemble and modify!!:). This app would make my life so much more streamlined, and the time navigating the countless apps on my phone could be spent doing more productive things!!
sounds like something I would love to have, always trying to be more productive.
1. My trackball is running out of steam.
2. I’m constantly on my BB.
3. It’s my lifeline.
4. I’m an anal accountant, which equates to MUST HAVE EFFICIENCY.
5. Work constantly bugs me on my BB with various texts, emails and faxes.
Hmmmm, I’m sure I could think of more, but that’s all I have time for!
I have dialing disabled so I can use the built-in shortcuts (ie N for BBM) but wish I could reassign those. This sounds like a solution.
thank you, i like that!!
I would like this app because I have a ton of apps that I use regularly and it’s so inconvenient to have to go into the menu and look for the app to open. I’ve tried to make it a bit easier for myself by creating a folder that I put all my frequently used apps in and have that on my top line so that it shows on the home screen but that’s still not fast enough. Two side buttons isn’t enough convenience keys. Therefore, SuperQWERTY would be a great app to own as it would mean launching my apps with ease, with out even thinking about it.
I believe that anything BBGeeks review and likes I’m bound to love as well. So this SuperQ sounds like a great great help to get around with all the apps I have.
I’d be willing to dump quicktext to free up the ‘Q’ key for superqwerty. I hate shortcut apps that you have to click on the icon or use up a precious convenience key. Send me a copy please!
I need it because my memory is worse than 90 year old man with Alzheimer’s.
I desperately need this application being that my Brain Fog due to Lyme Disease is getting the best of me now! Tasks and apps have been getting increasingly frustrating to complete and load properly leaving me often lost and in a mess. It would be a blessing to be selected for your giveaway. Thank you!
Hope I win. This would be very useful
Yes, this is helpful, but should be part of the base OS from RIM.
Any qwerty based phone should have this as default.
A number of Microsoft Mobile phones have this feature built-in.
I would like to have this because it’s a pain navigating to each app that may be stored in folders or on the main menu. I have 4 email addresses and about 10+ applications I use on the regular. Apply a shortcut key to each of these would make my day.
@Eric Cobb The contest is now over but you can get it for 15% off by entering the code BBGHOLIDAY when purchasing from our store. This deal will last through Dec 31st 2009.
[...] and for years I’ve tried to implement a similar system on my BlackBerry. Cooper recently reviewed SuperQWERTY, an application that brings you to all of your most frequently used applications with just one [...]
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