The Bold Explorer
A FEW NOTES ON THE APPS
=======================
LOGICMAIL
=========
LOGICMAIL can be set up to work with
outlook.com accounts with (outdated)
TLS encryption. It can also be made to
work with Gmail accounts via a
workaround. See the configuration
guide:
(DIR) Logicmail Configuration
BROWSERS
========
OPERA MINI works on cellular data
networks without BIS. The work of
rendering webpages for Opera Mini is
done on Opera's servers, and then the
data is compressed and forwarded to
the browser. The idea is that this
process is supposed to take advantage
of off-device processing power and
speed up your browsing experience. In
practice, it doesn't seem much faster
than the built-in browser on the Bold.
The system does have a couple of
advantages, though: the transmission
of compressed information means that
Opera Mini uses much less cellular
data than a regular browser; and Opera
Mini sometimes renders sites that
cannot be accessed with the built-in
BlackBerry browser due to certificate
issues.
UC BROWSER is another alternative. It
works over cellular data without BIS.
If you really miss the browser on your
old flip phone, you'll feel right at
home. Hello Moto! But seriously, if
you use it for a bit, you'll come to
appreciate its built-in links page and
the fact that it notifies you that
you're on a wifi or data network.
Alternatively, you can install the
Anworm service books to get the
built-in browser working over a data
connection. See the browser page for
more information.
(DIR) Browser Page
MESSENGERS
==========
IM+ and IM+ PRO: connect with multiple
messenger services, although
compatibility is diminishing over
time, especially given the device's
outdated TLS. These apps no longer
work with Skype, Facebook Messenger,
or Yahoo Messenger. They do work with
Jabber (XMPP) and ICQ if your server
doesn't require a TLS connection. The
unpaid (ad-supported) version has a
nasty flaw where it kicks you out of
the text-entry box if you receive a
message while typing. The paid
(ad-free) version does not have this
flaw. Both versions tend to disconnect
after a while if left running in the
background.
TRILLIAN (paid, formerly available at
BBW): another app that connects to
multiple messenger services. ICQ was
reported to work a few years ago.
MAPS
====
GOOGLE MAPS: There are working links
for two versions of Google Maps on the
introduction page. If you install
version 4.5.3 first, you will not be
able to accept the terms and
conditions, and the app will not
finish loading.
The solution is to install version 3.0
first, accept the terms and
conditions, and then upgrade to 4.5.3
(this still works in March 2019). Note
that you need a cellular data
connection to use Google Maps, even
without BIS.
There is more information available in
these threads at CrackBerry:
(HTM) Google Maps Serious Error
(HTM) Succinct Map Fix Comment
(HTM) Google Maps IS BACK
MGMAPS: Development has stopped and
MGMaps was beginning to lose
significant functionality as of
January 2016. Yahoo and Google maps no
longer work, and the search function
is broken. Open street maps and
windows live maps still worked at that
time. There's a bit of a learning
curve, but it looks like you could
have a fairly effective offline map
app with it.
(HTM) MGMaps Website
(HTM) MGMaps OTA Link
If you also use the Google Maps app,
it will delete MGMaps! So there's an
alternate version here:
(HTM) MGMaps Alternate OTA Link
Instructions for downloading maps for
offline use are here:
(HTM) Instructions
PODCASTS
========
PODTRAPPER: The developer EOL'd this
app with style. He provided a free
registration code for everyone:
1943BFF87134 The search feature no
longer works. You have to add feed
url's manually, but once added, there
are all kinds of good features and
controls. The alternative is to
bookmark podcast feeds in the browser,
download episodes, and listen to them
with the music player. I prefer having
everything organized in the app.
(HTM) Podtrapper OTA link
EBOOKS
======
KINDLE: It works as expected. You can
convert eBooks to .mobi files and add
them manually as well.
FORUM READERS
=============
CB FORUMS is a version of Tapatalk
restricted to the CrackBerry site
only.
TAPATALK 1.4.7.9 seems to be finished.
The old trick of adding forums with
their URLs is no longer working for
me. The only way you can keep it
working is if you have an existing
tapa3.db file.
(HTM) More Information
RSS FEED READER
===============
OPERA MINI 8.0 has a built-in RSS
reader. Visit the RSS feed in the
Opera Mini browser, click on
subscribe, and the feed will be added
to the 'Feeds' section in your
bookmarks.
VOIP
====
JOIN is a generic SIP client, which
connects to VOIP services like VOIP.ms
and others.
DELL VOICE works well for voice only
(not texting), and if I remember
correctly, works with fongo.com
accounts, but not those created via
freephoneline.ca. Correct me if I'm
wrong.
SOCIAL MEDIA
============
TWITTER: no longer functions on
devices without TLS 1.2.
FACEBOOK: The app in BB World is just
a shortcut to the mobile website. An
OTA version is available at this link:
(HTM) OTA Link
NEWS
====
NEWSZ is a web app for Google News RSS
feeds. The app permits a choice of
three geographic areas (Canada, UK,
US) and can be set to render links in
mobilized form using the Google Web
Light mobilizer.
EOF