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How do you choose your BlackBerry theme? Do you just pick ones that look nice? Or are you loyal to a particular developer? When I search around themes for these bi-weekly reviews, I admit bias towards developers. For instance, if Hedone comes out with a new theme between these features — as they did this past week — I’ll mostly likely review it. Ditto for developers like Cherri Chiodo. I feel like I can go to them for solid themes every time. This week, though, I’m going back to a few old friends who might feel a bit neglected, BlackBerry Theme Park and Gadget Bean. I’ve enjoyed their themes in the past, so let’s see what they’re offering this time.

VistaLike

I find it a bit odd that Hedone came out with the VistaLike theme right after the release of Windows 7, which is supposed to redeem Microsoft from the blunder that was Vista. Even stranger, Hedone already created a Windows 7 theme. So why go back to Vista? Because they can, I suppose. It came out a lot better than actual Vista, too.

VistaLike is a sharp theme, as are all the others in Hedone’s catalog. The bottom dock features four customizable options, plus a dedicated Applications Menu button. I’m not so sure I like that there — it seems a better use of space to let that be another customizable icon, since every BlackBerry has a Menu button built in. The theme also features various Today options. You can choose TodayPreview, which displays your Message and Calendar items when you scroll over the icons (which are lined up to the left of the screen). Then there’s TodayPlus, which will show those items all the time. Hedone also added Today versions for either calendar or messages, allowing you to display one without the other.

You can get the VistaLike theme for $3.49 from now until November 6. After that the price goes back up to $6.99.

Wood Work Pro

It’s been a while since we’ve reviewed a theme from BlackBerry Theme Park, though I have no idea why. They have a good selection of themes, plus a subscription model that can benefit those who change themes often. In fact, they’ve recently upgraded their subscription offer. It used to cost $19.95 for a one-year subscription, but they’ve now made that a lifetime membership. So for $20, you can get all the themes you want, forever. Not a bad deal.

This one is an update of the original Wood Work theme, which didn’t go over too well in reviews. This one, though, should please most BlackBerry users. The Home Screen features six customizable icons, pretty standard fare for modern BlackBerry themes, but this one adds a twist. The icons are hidden in tabs, so they only show up when you scroll over them. It also has a Today preview which features your seven most recent messages or calendar entries. There is also a dedicated spot for a weather application. The smiley face icon for messages is a nice touch.

You can get the Wood Work Pro theme for the Curve 8500 series, 8350i, Bold 9000, Tour 9630, and Curve 8900. It costs $6.99 a la carte, but again, you can sign up for unlimited themes.

Metalic

We haven’t totally neglected Gadgetbean, but it certainly has been a while since we’ve reviewed one of their themes. They’re back this week with Metalic, which, despite the poor spelling of the title, is a pretty excellent theme. It fits with my idea of an excellent BlackBerry theme: the more icons and information on the Home Screen, the better. Metalic packs as much as possible on the Home Screen, so you don’t have to navigate away very often.

The Home Screen features four user-customizable icons, though you’ll probably want your calendar and messages somewhere in there, because Metalic features Today previews. The far right icon can also be used for a weather application. So that covers information on the Home Screen, but just four icons? That seems a bit skimpy. Gadgetbean has implemented an excellent solution: 12 in 3. We saw this from Hedone in previous themes. The bottom dock features three sets of four icons, all user customizable. There’s a slider you can move over for the next set. So that’s 16 icons available right on the Home Screen. You may never click into the Applications Menu ever again.

You can get the Metalic theme for $6.00. Unfortunately, we just missed a $2.98 sale, but hey, maybe that’s still going on. It would make the theme that much more worth it.

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