Good morning!

We have a couple big announcements for the week! So let’s get right into it:

Twitter for Blackberry (beta) officically released!

This one isn’t that big if you’ve been following us on Twitter, and know that the leaked version (1.0.0.37) is the same as the version just released by RIM, but it’s turned into a pretty well-designed, full-featured Blackberry client, and has taken over as my daily driver from Ubertwitter, even though the latter has more features. I really like the integration into the Messaging folder that combines all your emails and notifications into one box. You can read your DMs directly in the timeline, as well as get notifications of new mentions.

One of the nicer features as well, and something I discovered by accident, is the ability to search #hashtags from within any native app. So if someone BBMs you saying, “Hey you #fail,” you can actually click on the word “#fail” and search for it in Twitter for Blackberry. Very cool!

Download it.

Google Maps Updated 4.01

Most people know that Google Maps for Blackberry is usually one step behind Android and the HTML5 native web app in terms of features, but this latest iteration adds two very cool features:

  • Search by Voice
  • Buzz integration

You can search by pressing Search and holding down the green Phone key, and it will let you search via voice. It may take a bit longer than text-based search, since Google’s voice-recognition servers have to process your request, but when driving this could be an essential feature.

Buzz integration lets you see who has posted a Buzz around your area, and lets you post a Buzz yourself, with picture and location support. Very cool.

Download it.

Quicklaunch Updated to 2.22.1

A minor update of an amazing program that has completely changed the way I use my Blackberry. Quicklaunch doesn’t just speed up app launches, it takes your reliance away from your homescreen to launch anything and migrates it to your keyboard, which has a much faster rate of return.

Multi-key shortcuts (like NY for nytimes.com) can launch directly into the browser, and, for me who uses Vlingo on my right-side shortcut key, I can use the camera via a Quicklaunch shortcut without having to sacrifice speed.

It’s a great app, and I’m giving it a personal endorsement for awesome.

Buy it.

Berrybuzz Updated to $1.99 Upgrade So I Don’t Know

Bellshare has an unusual policy whereby minor upgrades within versions (so, 1.0 to 1.5) are free to consumers, but major release versions such as 1.0 to 2.0 are subject to an upgrade fee. The new version of the very popular Custom-LED program, Berrybuzz, has been released and here is the changelog:

New in Version 3.0
- Major rework of the user interface (Includes option to black out all screens)
- Added support for instango, BeejiveIM, IM+, WhatsApp, Skype, MySpace, Twitter (RIM), TweetGenius, UberTwitter, SocialScope, OpenBeak, Viigo, ebay App, MeterBerry
- Addded option to vibrate while ringing for all notifications
- Added 4 new colors and 12 new LED disco colors
- Added support for stacking 2 LED colors for even more color variations
- Added contact LEDs that let you assign LED colors to calls/SMS/e-mails from specific contacts
- Added option to vibrate/play sound when call connected/disconnected
- Many bug fixes

Upgrade for $1.99 if you want. I don’t think I will, as the functionality offered in the upgrade is not worth the price in my opinion.

Grooveshark updated 1.11

Grooveshark is a great web-based music app, whereby you can search for, and listen to, music on demand for free (with the help of a huge, intrusive banner on the right side of the screen).

Since last year, Grooveshark has been offering a barely-functioning Blackberry application for VIP users ($3/month) to use and test, and this latest update fixes some of the many bugs, and hopefully allows one to use it without worrying about dropped connections and songs not completing.

If you want a new way to search for and download music on your Blackberry, hit up Grooveshark Mobile and let us know what you think.