BlackBerry
Finally a way to connect your laptop to the web via your BlackBerry
For two years I had a Verizon PC card to give me web access for my HP laptop. The card was free, but the service cost me about $60 per month—a big monthly cost. The connection was fast and the ability to connect from client locations was an important benefit. But the $60 per month ($720 per year) really irked me, so I ended up dropping the service.
Now I finally found a way to get the mobile web connection I want on my laptop without the high monthly fee. I recently download the Tether app for BlackBerry. For a one-time fee of $49.99 I can connect my BlackBerry to my HP laptop via a USB cable and get the web and email from almost anywhere. There is no additional fee beyond the BlackBerry data plan I already have from Verizon.
Not only do I save a bundle, but also I score a victory for competition with the big carriers.
What: Tether app for BlackBerry
Where: http://tether.com/
Price: Free trial available, full version is $49.95 one-time fee
Safer driving with Vlingo for BlackBerry
Quick: Where do you make most of your business phone calls? If you are like me you will answer, “in my car.” For me the car offers the rare opportunity to call my contacts without distractions from my other tasks.
So I have been eager to test the Vlingo app for BlackBerry, which lets you get more done while driving—and helps keep you safe. Vlingo, also available for Android and iPhone, will read aloud your incoming emails for you—no need to sneak a peek to see your messages.
Speak your emails
You can also reply to emails by speaking. Vlingo’s speech-to-text engine will add your words to the email. Accuracy is pretty good, although it does miss a few words. Vlingo says that the app will learn from your voice as you go, without any active voice coaching on your part.
Voice dialing for safer driving
I also appreciate the advanced voice dialing features, which let you call anyone in your contact list by speaking. (I must admit to driving while looking up contacts, a very dangerous action.)
Vlingo also lets you open applications by voice. For example, I enjoy listening to Slacker Radio while driving. With Vlingo I can say, “Vlingo open Slacker” and the app will open for me.
All in all, I really like this app and find myself using it more and more as I find new features.
What: Vlingo app for BlackBerry
Where: http://vlingo.com/products/blackberry/
Price: Free version available, I tested Vlingo Plus for $19.95