Talk-to-Text is a free app that lets you talk your emails and SMS rather than type them. The application was developed by Microsoft using Yap’s speech recognition service and is available to all Blackberry users on the Sprint network. While I haven’t personally tried it, I have tried other apps with Yap’s speech recognition technology. Yap does a good job of translating speech to text and this app is worth a download if you drive a lot.

Download Talk-to-Text from Microsoft.

BlackBerry Desktop Manager was quietly updated at some point this week. So quietly in fact, I guess RIM forgot to send the notification to desktop clients already installed. Checking for updates never triggered an alert in my currently installed version. Either way, you can now grab the updated version from the RIM download site. Personally, I seem to only use Desktop Manager for backups and restorations nowadays and the odd adjusting of databases from a back up file. But, having the latest version installed or at the very least downloaded is always a good habit.

• Download BlackBerry Desktop Manager Vers. 5.0.1.37 From The BlackBerry Site>>

CrackBerry.com's feed sponsored by ShopCrackBerry.com. BlackBerry Desktop Manager Updated To Version 5.0.1.37

So you just got a brand new BlackBerry, you slap on Foursquare, let it detect your position, but notice that it’s taking forever.  You make your way through the options menu, select the ‘GPS’ menu and start switching ‘location on’ to ‘location off’ back to ‘location on’, then from ‘enable’ to ‘disable’ back to ‘enable’.  At this point you might make your way back to Foursquare, realize that you’ve had enough patience to deal with the nonsense and run to your service provider claiming that your GPS isn’t working.  Hold the phone.

Turns out that there is a fix that may or may not (depending your carrier) “activate” your GPS.

•  Make your way to the options menu.  Select ‘status’ (where you find your PIN).
• Type test – You’ll notice “Device Self Test Application” appear.
• Press the trackball/trackpad or menu key and select “start”.
• Scroll down to GPS and check it.
• Scroll down and select “Run”.

It will ask you to head outside because the signal is stronger (I’ve done this test indoors, in case you are wondering).  

• Click on the trackball/trackpad and select “Start Fixing”.

Great news, at this point you should see “GPS fixing succeeds!”.  In some cases you might face a ‘time out’ or a ‘failure’ to fix and it’s usually because your GPS is locked, all thanks to your dearly beloved mobile carrier.  Once this process is over (which takes no more than 5 minutes), click down on your trackball/trackpad, select “skip all” and you are back to “Device Self Test Application”.  Hit the back button and make your way out of the options menu.

[Tip courtesy of PinStack]

Skype for BlackBerry has launched on Verizon, being pushed to customers’ devices this morning. This official Skype client uses Verizon’s voice connection (and billing) to connect you to the Skype network. Even though it’s a hybrid, and not a full VOIP service, if your plan has the airtime minutes you can make free international Skype to Skype calls. Skype’s IM communications thankfully still go through as data.

Check out the Skype mobile page.

If you're not sure who Kenneth Tong is, his credits include the UK Channel 4 Big Brother, as well as the upcoming Millionaire Matchmaker. Well, it turns out Kenneth is a huge CrackBerry fan (and BlackBerry fan in general) and took some time to send in these photos of his new 24 carat gold plated Bold 9700. Its done up from top to bottom, and although not everyone's taste, it does look great. Really the only things left untouched were the trackpad and screen. No word on just how much this cost (I'm not sure I want to know) but I'd be willing to bet it's a bit more pricey than ColorWare. Hit the jump for another shot of the device. Thanks Kenneth for sending these in!

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CrackBerry.com's feed sponsored by ShopCrackBerry.com. Some Shiny New Photos ... of a 24 Carat Gold Plated BlackBerry Bold 9700

As we already know, Skype Mobile has been rolled out to Verizon Wireless users at this point. The application is being pushed out to devices this morning to make for easy downloading. But now that it is here, we kind of have to wonder what exactly this means for Skype on BlackBerry as a whole. Its been quite a while since Skype made the initial announcement of their intentions to arrive on the BlackBerry platform and in a way, they kind of have really made good on that news. However, I'm quite certain an exclusive deal with Verizon wasn't exactly how BlackBerry users envisioned when Skype released their very limited beta.

So what exactly happened? Was the beta testing phase abruptly stopped and seemingly shut down due to a deal made with Verizon? Could this be part of the reason no one at Skype wanted to answer direct questions about when exactly Skype was coming to BlackBerry? Sure seems that way as I see it. In any case we certainly don't have and likely never will have any answers as to what the future holds for Skype on BlackBerry. But we can still hope that Skype will do right in the long run and make the app available to all BlackBerry users. In the meantime, any Verizon users now using Skype? Let us know in the comments what you think of the service on your device.

• Verizon Users Can Click Here For More Information About The Skype Mobile App>>

CrackBerry.com's feed sponsored by ShopCrackBerry.com. Skype Mobile Now Available for Verizon Users ... But What About Other Carriers?

ING Direct now have a BlackBerry app that works with your current online client number and PIN, to provide you with account balances, transactions ATM locations and you can even transfer funds from the app. The app comes in two versions, a full client for OS 5 devices, and a Lite version for OS 4.2 and up. The app also includes a Twitter feed for ING Direct news, and insight from their CEO. While I don’t know many people who bank with ING, I’m hoping TD Canada Trust also come out with a BlackBerry app soon.

Check out ING Direct for OS 5 in App World.
Older devices should see ING Direct Lite.

Verizon launching V Cast Apps on March 29th, RIM devices get first dibs originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 24 Mar 2010 14:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

You stand there, staring into the cold eyes of your adversary. For months they have been taunting you and now, in their fall from grace, they attempt to deny their fate. You approach your foe with a renewed confidence- the last snowman of winter. You watch as he slowly melts away and imagine hearing its silent screams. With its last moments, it defiantly raises its arm/branch and flips you the bird before fading away.

Folks, welcome to Spring!

Okay so it was a little over dramatic, but you try growing up with Winters where your nostrils stick together every time you breathe. Love it or hate it, Winter is gone and Spring is here. It’s a season of new beginnings and with that, new projects. Why not get them started the right way, with the right apps on your BlackBerry? The sooner you tackle them, the sooner you can enjoy Spring before Summer comes along.

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CrackBerry.com's feed sponsored by ShopCrackBerry.com. Spring into Spring with BlackBerry Apps

CTIA 2010 is taking place right now in Las Vegas and Dieter Bohn, Phil Nickinson and myself are on hand representing the Smartphone Experts crew. With the biggest news of the show already said and done, we sat down this morning to reflect upon the event. Take a listen. Show links below.

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CrackBerry.com's feed sponsored by ShopCrackBerry.com. Special Edition CrackBerry Podcast: Smartphone Experts Crew Reports from CTIA 2010 in Las Vegas