The BlackBerry Addiction Quiz

 You will start to see this quiz pop up on all sorts of sites today and tomorrow. So here goes nothing.

Are you a BlackBerry abuser? Have you ever wanted to stop using your BlackBerry but found that you couldn’t? The first step in overcoming an addiction to your phone is to admit to BlackBerry dependence and abuse.
 
Gary Mazo, Martin Trautschold, and Kevin Michaluk authors of Apress’s latest book Crackberry: True Tales of Blackberry Use and Abuse, offers this fun CrackBerry addict quiz. Simply grab a pen or just open MemoPad and answer either yes or no to each question. When you’re done, tally all your yes answers and find out if you score in the addict range!

Do you constantly think about using your BlackBerry?
Do you constantly check your BlackBerry, even when you know there is no new email?
Do you ever sneak away from people or groups to use your BlackBerry without anyone knowing?
Do you deny it when asked if you were just using your BlackBerry?
Do you have to check your BlackBerry before bed and immediately upon waking?
Do you use your BlackBerry in the bathroom? (More after the jump)

Do you wish you could use your BlackBerry in the shower?
Have you ever ignored others in a conversation to use your BlackBerry?
Have you ever checked your BlackBerry while at a meal with others?
Have you ever checked your BlackBerry while at a stoplight?
Have you ever read your BlackBerry while driving a vehicle?
Have you ever typed on your BlackBerry while driving a vehicle?
Do you check your BlackBerry while riding your bike or walking on a busy street?
Have you ever bumped into someone because you were looking at your BlackBerry instead of watching where you’re going?
Have you ever put down your BlackBerry swearing that you won’t use it, and then find yourself picking it up again shortly thereafter?
Do you try to stop using your BlackBerry on weekends and on vacation, but can’t do it?
Do you feel that you have to check your BlackBerry at least every hour outside work hours?
Do you feel that you have to check your BlackBerry at least every 30 minutes during the work day?
Do you use your BlackBerry even when you know you have no emails or calls that need to be answered before the next work day?
Has anyone ever approached you with concern about your BlackBerry use?
Do you have multiple backup batteries or multiple charging cables to be sure that your BlackBerry is never without power?
Do you have a backup BlackBerry handheld, in case your current one breaks or fails?
Do you spend more than 30 minutes a day just doing anything on your BlackBerry?
Do you play games on your BlackBerry (for more than 30 minutes per week)?
Do you feel ‘lost’ or ‘naked’ when you don’t have your BlackBerry with you?
Do you feel hopeless about your relationship with your BlackBerry?
What was your score?

# Of Yes Answers:               What this Means:
0                                            No Addiction (Are you being honest?)
1-5                                         Mild Addiction
6-10                                       Medium Addiction
11-15                                     Strong Addiction
16-19                                     Painful Addiction
20+                                        Beyond Addiction and into Obsession (get help now!)
 
About Crackberry: True Tales of Blackberry Use and Abuse
Crackberry: True Tales of Blackberry Use and Abuse offers a comprehensive 12-Step Program for BlackBerry users and abusers. It’s a must-have if you own a BlackBerry. This book covers the phenomenon of “BlackBerry Addiction” and offers true-life accounts of BlackBerry dependence and mishaps. Crackberry: True Tales of Blackberry Use and Abuse provides comfort and humor through unbelievable tales of BlackBerry abuse and also presents valuable information along the way.
 

Come on out theme developers. You have been hiding too long waiting for the next generation theme studio. Now you can have at it.

Grab the new theme studio v6.0 beta is here. CLICK HERE To get it.

MasterCard MoneySend^TM is a convenient way to transfer money from person to person in the U.S. using the power of your iPhone or BlackBerry. Once you have the app installed and have established a MoneySend account all you need to know is the recipient's mobile number. And you can receive money from others just as fast. Use the MoneySend app to get emergency money to family members, pay friends with your mobile phone or even collect payments for your services.

We’ll look at various ways on how to provide that stickiness in your app for BlackBerry® smartphone users, as well as improving the overall user experience. More importantly, we’ll introduce you to some of the new and existing BlackBerry APIs that are designed to provide the integrated experience BlackBerry smartphone users have come to expect in every app!  RESERVE HERE

Date:
August 23rd, 2010
Time (specific Time Zones noted):
2:00 PM to 3:30 PM (HKT, GMT +8:00) – Singapore, Hong Kong, China
11:30 AM to 1:00 PM (IST, GMT +5:30) – India
4:00 PM to 5:30 PM (AEST, GMT +10:00) – Melbourne, Sydney – Australia
Presenters:
David Lim – Technical Partnership Manager
Alan Wong – Application Development Specialist

info via Blackberry Blog

When I first tried dictation software for the pc, it was probably 10 years ago. I hated it. Granted, it was the infancy stage, but it was the worse. So imagine my skepticism when my buddy Jake told me about this software Dragon. And I will tell you that from the simple download process (and the price), I was in love.

The software downloaded perfectly on my BlackBerry 9700. At first, I was hoping that the orientation was simple and it was. Here are some features:

"Press & Speak" Access to BlackBerry Email

Dragon for E-Mail now brings the power of Dragon NaturallySpeaking to the BlackBerry email! With Dragon for E-Mail, you can easily speak and instantly see your emails by simply dictating directly within the BlackBerry email client. In fact, it’s up to five (5) times faster than typing on the keyboard. Dragon for E-Mail helps you to stay connected and be productive no matter where you are.

Dragon for E-Mail allows you to speak every element of your email–contact information, subject line and the full message content. You can compose, reply or forward your email messages.

And yes it does. The things that I liked about Dragon.

1. Easy setup

2. The press and speak functions work great.

3. I noticed the faster you speak, the more accurate the dictation. Sure there were a couple of errors, but simple ones, and it's probably because of my accent.

4. I am blogging this post using it.

5. The rep from Nuance I deal with (Grace) is fabulous.

All in all I HIGHLY recommend the app. This will change the way I do alot of things. I downloaded the program for my iPad as well and can't wait till I get the Desktop Software for my Mac. This is a MUST HAVE! Download it here.

The downside is it's not available for all devices and all carriers. Make sure you check to see if your BlackBerry is one that can use it. Cincinnati Bell 8520 does not work and I know that because initially I tried it and DENIED.

CTthemes introduces one of the most picturesque themes I've seen in quite some time. When the homescreen has the ability to make it seem we've left our everyday lives to relax on an island with cool crisp air and a sight words can't explain there's a good chance I'm going to have it. Here it is. With droid style icon set intact. I found this theme to be of high standard. Features include…

•weather spot at home

•10 icon hidden dock at home, hides nicely

•large wallpaper area if you chose to customize

•hidden dock allows ability to customize 10 of your most favorite applications.

rezn gives this Theme 4.4 Stars out of 5

Available for Storm/Storm2 9500 devices running OS 5.0 HERE. OS 4.7 HERE. Tour 9600 devices OS 4.7 HERE. And Bold 2 9700 devices on OS 5.0 HERE.

Regular price $4.99. On Sale for $3.49 for a short time.

CTthemes comes with his signature clockwise flavor and stylized grace. This time with the beautiful BB Round icon as the themes center of balance. As always CT makes his mark heard with his custom clock at home giving that added class to his new Apple inspired theme, that's "tech-candy" to the eyes. Features include…

•hidden docks at home

•custom icons

•large clock display at home

•weather spot at home

•docks reveal custom icons

•available for Storm only at this time

Pick up Apple Buttons Storm for $4.99 on OS 5.0 HERE. Plus on OS 4.7 HERE.

Great themes are a rare find nowadays. And dry spells are also not uncommon in the same. The hot number you see here is one theme you won't see anywhere else in a sense that its not easily duplicated. Colorful icons splashed over a dark glass like background. Highly customizable homescreen. You can have all your favorite apps right there for power users. Or the flipside for a more conservative look you can bring it down to the 4 social section icons (1st icon is 1st slot meant to be your favorite Twitter app or can be any app). Other features include…

•Quick Sound Profiles, Alarm, Manage Connections at home

•Wallpaper welcome. Looks fantastic with your favorite backdrops

•Productive apps section for Task, Calendar, Memo Pad, Messages at home

•Hidden nicely encased Today Section

•Uniquely stylized icon set colored in a calm neon

•15 interchangeable icons of your choice at home

Metamorphosis gets 4.7 out of 5 Stars

Available for $6.99 on Storm OS 4.7 HERE. Also on Storm OS 5.0 HERE.

Win Love & Passion Theme by HedoneDesign. All you have to do is answer our BlackBerry trivia question correctly to win one of 15 coupon codes to get this theme for free given away by HedoneDesign. Remember you can comment here or our Facebook page with your answers. Contest ends Saturday March 13th at 11:59pm PST. 

•Love & Passion is available for 8300, 8700, 8000 Devices HERE. 8350, 8500 OS 4.6 Devices HERE. 8900 OS 4.6 Devices HERE. 8350, 8500 OS 5.0 Devices HERE. 8900 OS 5.0 Devices HERE. 9000 OS 5.0 Devices HERE. 9000 OS 4.6 Devices HERE. 9600 Devices HERE.  9700 Devices HERE.  9500 OS 4.7 Devices HERE.  9500 OS 5.0 Devices HERE.  For $6.99

Hedone again out did himself with this Hot red romantic time piece. I guarantee you haven't come across any thing quite like this before. A passionate unisex theme with unmistakably chained emotions. Features burning with desire…

•uniquely vintage icon set

•6-8 customizable home screen icons

•battery meter wrappen around left side of heart

•signal meter wraps the right side of the heart

•home screen shortcuts for time, connections.

*Your Trivia Question Is… RIM's BlackBerry got its name because of what 2 things?

Thank you to all our readers, loyal theme junkies. And thank you to PuguaSoft for helping us introduce a wonderful application to our readers. And the winners are…

monChere Dickson

Cindy

Adam Konopka

Viraemia

Aimstergal

Gregski

BBpatriotStorm

cysmith

Finza

TiaraLynn

MissPurpleBerry

Gadgetgurl

mary

alexander ekin

Chasemyprov1

Thank you to everyone at PuguaSoft for sharing this amazing must-have application. Available at $2.99 for most BlackBerry Devices. Buy it HERE.  All my loyal followers on Twitter @rezn Themes4bb forums, Chad, Melissa and anyone I forgot. If your name appears on this list you should receive your copy of Unsend Email. How To install & activation information within the next 48 hours. Please also check your spam folders regularly. Any issues you may have please post a comment here, we'll go from there.