Note: All screenshots were taken on a BlackBerry Storm 9530; however, I used a Tour 9630 as well for this review.
How many times has your spouse, girlfriend/boyfriend, or roommate told you to remember something as simple as “buy milk”? You may jot it down on scrap piece of paper only to leave it on the table and forget all about it until walking in the door empty handed later that day. Well there may finally be a solution for that. From the makers of my favorite BlackBerry application, Podtrapper, comes a new beta “synchronized todo and task list” application called HoneyDew. To quote directly from the website:
HoneyDew solves these problems with paper lists
* You're never in the same place as your list when you need to write something down
* You never remember to bring your list where you need to use it
* You never know if you've started a list, so you start two
* You and your spouse/partner aren't adding things to the same list
HoneyDew Icon
HoneyDew solves these problems by always being with you (seriously, when is the last time you left home without your BlackBerry?) and by seamlessly synchronizing between two BlackBerries. The application is quick, simple to learn and use, and effective. It has easily found many uses on my BlackBerry.
Overview
Upon opening the application the users is presented with a screen to add an item. There are two areas in which to enter text: the first is for the item name and the second is the category in which to place the item.
Plain and Simple
Once an item name and category are entered the item is added as a list. Every time a user opens HoneyDew the first screen presented to him/her will be the add items screen. The theory is that most times the application is opened it is done so to add something. When the occasion arises to reference the list the user need only to press the back key and the lists screen is brought up.
Very Uncluttered Interface
Each category is shown and selecting a category name expands to show the items in a specific category.
Expanded to see what you need
While expanded clicking on an item will present the user with the option to delete the item. Users with a keyboard can always just highlight an item and press the delete key to quickly delete an item.
Do you want to delete?
The options screen presents the user with only a few options.
Sparse But Powerful
This screen shows the PIN of the user and allows him/her to enter in the PIN of the person who they would like to sync their lists with. HoneyDew syncs the user’s list with another person by sending a PIN message between the users each time the users updates the list. You can either select “Sync Now” from the options in the list view or it will automatically sync before closing. Also in the “Settings” there is the option to have all of the PIN messages marked read in order to keep your phone from going off every time the other user makes an update.
Where all the magic happens
I don't know what it means, but I love it.
Shall we sync now? Perhaps add some items?
Thus far I haven’t seen a use for the import or export options but I have contacted the developer and will update with the response.
Review
This app works perfectly as promised. It quickly and simply syncs lists and task between two Blackberries without a fuss and, most importantly, quickly. However, some users may be frustrated by the lack of options available. Most will want more than one user to share the lists with. Some may want a type of notification system that would remind them they have a list or task to do in this place or at that time. For me this application was exactly what I was looking for to keep my girlfriend and I on the same page each day. An OTA download for HoneyDew can be found at
VersatileMonkey.com - BlackBerry software including PodTrapper, the podcast manager | VersatileMonkey.com. The app is currently in a beta and the download is good for 20 days and is free. The download is small at under 60kB so what is stopping you from downloading and trying it out. If PodTrapper is any indication than the support and response to user feedback for this app should be second to none.
Pros:
• Easy/ low learning curve
• Does what you expect how you expect
• Very quick with minimal clicks to do everything
• Free
• Quick and receptive support
Cons:
• Limited feature set
• Limit to 2 devices to sync between
• No alert or reminder system