When I first received my version of PhotoBucket Mobile Uploader Application I was skeptical. My initial reaction was “Why???”After all, I never use my camera phone for anything important. But this software got me to asking “Why not?” After all, I used to revel in capturing all of life’s small moments on my camera phone. You know – Moments that are too precious to delete, yet not important enough to upload and create more memory space. This served me well until my 3 year old nephew proceeded to do the cutest thing ever. “Wait! Wait!” I ordered as I grabbed my Blackberry(Camera was nowhere close). “Do it again!” I screamed. He obliged, and ‘SNAP!’. The perfect shot. Then came the message “NO MEMORY – CANNOT SAVE”. I would’ve deleted every photo I’d ever taken to have that one shot. I fumbled to delete pics and set up the shot again but the moment was over. My nephew was on to the next not-as-cute thing. “Why hadn’t I uploaded my photos!?!”, I lamented.

The fact is, I’ve long lost my BB software disk so a USB cord would be useless. I could have stored the pics on an SD card but that would’ve meant buying new equipment. (Ugh!) Laziness prevented me from downloading the software so emailing myself each picture individually was the only option left. Enter Photobucket Mobile Uploader Application.

The software takes all the forethought (and subsequent procrastination) out of transferring photos. It makes the process even easier than using your digital camera! Here is how it works. You take a picture. Once you set up the application, you can choose a few options. First, the picture will be emailed to the email address of your choice. Second, the picture is uploaded to your photobucket account. Finally, if you have a PC, the photos can be automatically uploaded to your My Pictures folder. Folks, that’s kind of sweet. But I realize we have two schools of thought, but let’s talk about me since I am writing this review. I am lazy. I hate the thought of taking my camera and the wire that plugs from the camera to the PC. Plus, that’s one more device to carry to an event. Sure some will hate that camera phones have poorer picture quality but I am not too concerned. I want to catch rare moments like my nephew moves.

After testing this, I was looking for inconsistencies with the app. Would it lag on picture processing or even forget to email me a picture? Or would it not automatically upload to my account? No issues at all. It was as smooth as can be.

What’s the catch if any? Lets start with, is it free?  Unfortunately, it is not. The application is $2.99 a month but the good thing is that it can be billed through your carrier. That is easier to swallow because if my cell phone bill was 85.00 and now it’s all of a sudden 87.99, I am not going to make a big deal.

Is it available for all carriers? No, it’s not. Out of the big four (4) only T-Mobile and Verizon are set to go. There are 27-30 smaller carriers (like Alltel) who are ready to go as well. Hopefully soon, you AT&T and Sprint folks may be satisfied. Check here to see if your carrier is available.

Is it compatible with a Mac? No, not at this time. How do I get the Application? Go to mobileuploader.photobucket.com on your pc or BlackBerry and see if it is available for your carrier. If it is, then finish your registration. It is not in the BlackBerry App World yet.

In conclusion, PhotoBucket Mobile Application is a really great application that really makes your job easier. If you are like me and don’t like carrier phones and cameras then this maybe your application. Plus the automatic email makes sharing just that much easier. I give it two big thumbs up, and if you are not afraid of the sticker price, you will not regret your decision.

by Chad Middleton