1. mrviga's Avatar
    Hello all,

    I am new to the blackberry and just got myself a shiney new blackberry curve through Verizon. Now I am a little upset because with the iPhone there are thousands of apps, many of which are free, which really enhance and allow you to personalize your phone to work the way you want. Why does everything for the blackberry cost money? I mean pretty much EVERYTHING costs money.

    I want my screen to turn on when I get a text message....money.
    I would love to have my phone actually ring and vibrate at the same time...money.
    I would love to have my phone automatically go into standby...money.
    I would love to have a great alarm management program to set up more than one reminder...money.
    I would love to have a way to stream music to my phone, like pandora or some other similar program...money.

    Now I know you are all die hard blackberry users, and believe me I see why, the device is great and I really do enjoy using it, but I am a little disappointed at this shortcoming. Am I just not finding the free versions of this software?

    Thanks for the help.
    12-13-08 04:04 PM
  2. MJThib's Avatar
    Who really cares about free apps? Free is no insentive for the developer and therefor generally means weak apps with little to no support. Try an iPhone if you think thing would be better there. I wish there were more great applications for the BlackBerry and I'm willing to pay for those applications.

    Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com
    12-13-08 04:55 PM
  3. canuckinnh's Avatar
    Many of the BB apps you have to pay for should be free. RIM should build a lot of the functionality into the software.
    12-13-08 05:02 PM
  4. Shao128's Avatar
    You really didn't look hard enough, there are free solutions for some of the things you are looking for. As for why everything isn't free, well why don't you write some software and release it for free?
    12-13-08 05:15 PM
  5. BuddyL's Avatar
    It's a valid question and while there are some free apps out there, a smarter person than I once said on this same topic that the lack of free apps has to do with RIM policies regarding security. While this may be true or not, IMHO, since the most important thing about the Blackberry is e-mail and as long as that stays virus free then the lack of free apps is not that big a sacrifice.

    Also, Welcome aboard!
    12-13-08 05:21 PM
  6. zamey's Avatar
    Nothing in this life is free.
    Do you think that those people making the apps worked for free? No. They put their blood, sweat, and tears into making things so that people like you would complain to them. They may work out of the labor of love, or they may work for a multi-million dollar company but THEY DIDN'T DO IT FOR FREE!

    Google Search is an amazing tool. Start there, or take the trials for some of the programs and actually find out if they'd be right for you before asking if you have to pay. I've avoided about 20 different programs I thought would be cool but turned out to be way stupid this way.

    Really, in that sense, the time you save weeding out crappy apps to find the good ones pays for that app you're going to buy anyway.
    12-13-08 05:23 PM
  7. steven s.'s Avatar
    I understand where you're coming from. I've only had my first Blackberry, the Curve from Verizon for a few months, and it is rather disappointing being nickled and dimed for everything. Many parts of the everything are just simple features that the phone lacks, which are things you pointed out.

    I understand it takes time to write programs, but I would much rather donate for a very useful program that is free, than pay for a program. Unfortunately it doesn't seem to be the mindset of most application developers for the berry. So for the poster saying that free isn't an incentive for programmers; check out how much has been donated to Wikipedia, and any other free service/program.

    As far as the poster who mentions that free means weak apps, that is just an ignorant thing to say. There are so many free applications for all sorts of devices that are the best available.

    I must say I too am with the OP on this one. $30 just to use the phone a month, the expensive phone itself, and all the other charges, just adds up when you have to purchase programs for the simplest things. Perhaps with all these new devices, RIM will start integrating or creating more programs for free, or maybe a new wave of developers will come in to help the community rather than just develop something to make a buck.
    12-13-08 05:55 PM
  8. rimbuk's Avatar
    i think everything you want is an app I can get for the storm. Are those not available for the Curve as well?
    I'm thinking most of them are either free or just $5 too.
    12-13-08 08:48 PM
  9. Pete6's Avatar
    Why should application of any sort be free? A programmer spemds his time to develop it and make it work. Maybe he did this for his own satisfaction but unless he has no bills to pay or does not need to eat then he should be compensated for his time if he chooses to put the app up on the web.

    I have put up my Crack tools suite (see my sig) for free on Crackberry but that was a personal decision because it would be hard to sell a low cost PC program that had copy prptection. On the Blackberry this is easy to do and most have done it.

    If you wish the pleasure of a program then you should pay for it imo.
    12-14-08 06:46 AM
  10. jkfsr's Avatar
    When we buy cars and want them to perform different we don't ask for it to be free. we shell out big bucks. We know what our phones do when we buy them, so why complain because it cost to modify them.
    12-14-08 07:06 AM
  11. BBProductivity's Avatar
    Of course it would be nice to get these applications for free, especially when I think back to my time in university, I often didn't have the money to spend it on the little apps that each costs a few dollars.

    On the other hand: you have a mobile phone for several hundred dollars, you pay your carrier a significant amount of money, so paying a few bucks for this little app is just fair - since somebody spent time developing it.
    12-14-08 07:11 AM
  12. Pete6's Avatar
    Of course it would be nice to get these applications for free, especially when I think back to my time in university, I often didn't have the money to spend it on the little apps that each costs a few dollars.

    On the other hand: you have a mobile phone for several hundred dollars, you pay your carrier a significant amount of money, so paying a few bucks for this little app is just fair - since somebody spent time developing it.
    As one Swisscom user to another.... The reason I went to university was so as later I would make enough money not to have to worry about buying personal software for my phone.

    I also tend to believe that I would rather pay for an app in the hope that it will be stable enough so as not to mess up my expensive phone.
    12-14-08 07:20 AM
  13. cdf3's Avatar
    I have no problem paying for apps. I have purchased many. Some I still use, and others I can no longer use after I upgraded. I agree with what others say about basic programs being on the phone. Most phones have simple features such as tip calculator, vib-and-ring, multi-alarm. All of these features seam to be standard on most phones out today. I wish they were pre-installed on the blackberry as well. That would leave me to spend more on apps that are not standard for other phones, and exclusive to blackberry.

    Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com
    12-14-08 08:07 AM
  14. dredayholiday's Avatar
    The first fundamental rule of economics is this...there is no free lunch. However, having to pay for applications that provide features that should have been built into the phone from the get-go is a shame. After making the phone, RIM them self should have created those applications and put them out. I understand paying for an application that does something unique to the Blackberry or does something not commonplace on many phones, but I should not have to pay so that my phone can Vib&Ring or have a better alarm...I mean...isn't this a business oriented phone?
    12-14-08 08:57 AM
  15. ff_emtd's Avatar
    I was surprised too when I switched to my BB. I just figured that's how it is w/ a BB. It is too bad though, but I'm not switching back to a Palm. BUT, for all the people gently ranting about the post, there are TONS of apps released for free or shareware for other platforms. AND, that's by choice - it wasn't done at gunpoint! BTW, I think the root of it is because BBs were developed for businesses and not 'normal people'. I'd be curious about the ratio of BES/BIS and how it has, and is, changing.
    12-14-08 09:23 AM
  16. Zzoram's Avatar
    BB apps seem significantly more expensive than iPhone apps.
    12-14-08 09:28 AM
  17. CrimsonClad's Avatar
    The BIS/BES divide is definitely a factor, especially when your BES administrator controls what apps can be on company devices. As usage evolves, the growth of apps will continue to increase, but newcomers have to keep in mind this was a business tool first -- and largely still is.
    12-14-08 09:29 AM
  18. pipotobe's Avatar
    I have to agree with you on this one. BB are super devices and I don't mind paying for apps that give's me the extra features. However is a non sense to have to get soo many apps for the basics features of the phones.

    I'm not bashing at the programmers since I would definilitely do the same and I do buy some apps but Rim needs to update theirs applications if they wanna rule the world with the BB's aimed at the general population aka BIS.

    Hopefully the new app center in March 2009 will solve this


    The first fundamental rule of economics is this...there is no free lunch. However, having to pay for applications that provide features that should have been built into the phone from the get-go is a shame. After making the phone, RIM them self should have created those applications and put them out. I understand paying for an application that does something unique to the Blackberry or does something not commonplace on many phones, but I should not have to pay so that my phone can Vib&Ring or have a better alarm...I mean...isn't this a business oriented phone?
    12-14-08 10:12 AM
  19. patrick.waugh's Avatar
    I am new to the blackberry and just got myself a shiney new blackberry curve through Verizon. Now I am a little upset because with the iPhone there are thousands of apps, many of which are free, which really enhance and allow you to personalize your phone to work the way you want. Why does everything for the blackberry cost money? I mean pretty much EVERYTHING costs money.
    Why are you buying a phone for several hundred dollars that you cannot afford? You best take it back immediately and get yourself something cheaper, or at the very least get that iPhone that you think has what you need at the price you can afford - free.

    BTW, what do you do for a living? Why does your employer have to pay you???? I mean pretty much EVERYONE wants a paycheck. (Now do you realize how stupid what you said sounds??? If not, re-read this until you do.)


    I want my screen to turn on when I get a text message....money.
    Is that so? Maybe you should have checked this out before you purchased if this is so important to you.


    I would love to have my phone actually ring and vibrate at the same time...money.
    Why? So you can annoy everyone around you and feel important???? The very point of vibration IS silence, duh. If you really must have this feature, it is available to you, but apparently having it does not have enough "value" for you to part with your cash to put your money where your mouth is, and buy it. If your boss didn't value your work enough to pay you, would you show up anyway??? Why on earth do you expect others to do something you wouldn't do? Grow up.


    I would love to have my phone automatically go into standby...money.
    Why? RIM designed the phone to be very power friendly, and goes to great lengths to communicate to developers how NOT to be a power hog and kill the battery. If you are too cheap to pay for this feature that you say you want, then guess what... your lazy **** can simple push the mute button down for a mere second to enter standby mode after each use. Then you can save the $5 (or whatever) the developer wanted for their hours of work bringing the feature to you, if you really want it. If that is too much work for you, then get the software, but don't whine about it.


    I would love to have a great alarm management program to set up more than one reminder...money.
    You already have this feature, it's called your calendar and calendar alerts. Learn to use it. If you really want a dedicated program for ease of use, guess what, it's a luxury item and took someone time to make. You expect a paycheck, so should they. If you don't see the value in paying them, then you obviously don't need it, use your watch.


    I would love to have a way to stream music to my phone, like pandora or some other similar program...money.
    And why would you expect something like XM radio for free? Pandora is actually coming for the Blackberry, or so they say, and it is free, so till then beggars can't be choosy and you'll just have to wait, or pay to not have to wait (which is the value of paying).


    Now I know you are all die hard blackberry users, and believe me I see why, the device is great and I really do enjoy using it, but I am a little disappointed at this shortcoming. Am I just not finding the free versions of this software?
    No, you just should have bought a less expensive toy or gotten the iPhone if you are so happy with their software selection, and not wasted our time with your silly complaint.

    These devices can be highly customized thanks to 3rd party developers who put in a lot of time and money to bring software to market, just like any software developer. They bring it to you for a very small fraction of what it actually cost to develop, and if the amount they charge for it is over your budget or perceived value for the application, then by all means, go develop your own or do without, but don't whine like a baby, you just look incredibly immature.

    Maybe your boss should stop paying you for a week to see what you think of giving away your time and money.


    Many of the BB apps you have to pay for should be free. RIM should build a lot of the functionality into the software.
    According to what law of the Universe? Someone has convinced you that because you think it, it should be true. RIM does include a tremendous amount of functionality in the devices, a lot of which people are unaware (like that they can setup black and white lists for example without add-on software).

    A product cannot be all things to all people. If you want it to do something more than what it does then you'll need some after-market stuff. Does it upset you that it would be entirely possible to put only high-end stereos in cars and make everyone pay for something they might not want or need, or do you like the freedom of being able to "upgrade" to the exact unit you want and can afford?

    Again, if it doesn't do it, and you need it to do it, then put your money where your mouth is, and develop it, pay someone to develop it, or license it from someone who already developed it (the best bargin) and stop whining.


    It's a valid question and while there are some free apps out there, a smarter person than I once said on this same topic that the lack of free apps has to do with RIM policies regarding security.
    First, there is no lack of applications. There are plenty of applications, many free, many higher quality for a fair fee. While it might be true that iPhone has many thousands more apps on the market, 90% of them are junk.

    What your friend was trying to tell you was that he thought that because RIM requires you to get a code signing key (originally $200) in order to develop using the Blackberry API, that this severely limited the number of developers for the platform.

    Use your brain man. That is utter none-sense. First, for any legitimate software development company $200 is nothing! This week alone, I'm going to be spending $5000 in computer equipment! Yes, perhaps that has kept the level of junk software that iPhone's have available to a minimum, but this is good! Second, the cost is now $20, not $200. Third, RIM actually makes it more attractive to develop for them than iPhone because they don't arbitrarily decide who can and cannot develop, as happens with the iPhone store. Their new on-device store that they will be launching will be much more open (although yes it will have certain criteria).

    Finally, you CAN develop MIDP apps for the Blackberry without ever talking to RIM or using ANY code signing key. In fact, most free apps do exactly that, and this is why you'll immediately notice that they don't have the same look & feel of a standard Blackberry application, and they are generally junk.


    While this may be true or not, IMHO, since the most important thing about the Blackberry is e-mail and as long as that stays virus free then the lack of free apps is not that big a sacrifice.
    I hear you here. RIM takes security seriously, and they have done the best job seen in the market today. They understand that for the enterprise it is "security, security, and security."

    The nice thing about code signing keys is that if they track down a malicious app, they know who signed it and can revoke that key, thus preventing that developer from developing CLDC applications using their API.


    I understand where you're coming from. I've only had my first Blackberry, the Curve from Verizon for a few months, and it is rather disappointing being nickled and dimed for everything. Many parts of the everything are just simple features that the phone lacks, which are things you pointed out.
    You too should have got a different phone for all the reasons mentioned above. If you can't afford an after-market feature, or the value is just not there for you to pay that "nickel or dime", then don't, no one has a gun to your head.


    I understand it takes time to write programs, but I would much rather donate for a very useful program that is free, than pay for a program. Unfortunately it doesn't seem to be the mindset of most application developers for the berry.
    Gee, ya think? Tell you what, when you open your first store, you go ahead and put a sign up, "Free. Please donate." and we'll see how long you stay in business and enjoy making your payroll to pay your employees. Gosh, you better think volunteers and not employees till you learn this lesson in capitalism. If you want to be a socialist so bad, you go for it my friend, and let us know how it works out for you, k?


    As far as the poster who mentions that free means weak apps, that is just an ignorant thing to say. There are so many free applications for all sorts of devices that are the best available.
    There are certainly a couple of well designed, best-in-class free applications (need we mention Google?), but this is certainly NOT typical. You get what you pay for in MOST cases. That said, there are indeed MANY fine, functional free applications which can meet a variety of needs, if a person takes the time to look or ask the community rather than whine about the lack of a free alternative to payware.

    As a developer I can certainly say that most (not all) free apps are MIDP and not BB API CLDC (native BB) applications, which is their major downfall. We have installed, tested and reviewed literally hundreds of applications to come to this conclusion.


    I must say I too am with the OP on this one. $30 just to use the phone a month, the expensive phone itself, and all the other charges, just adds up when you have to purchase programs for the simplest things. Perhaps with all these new devices, RIM will start integrating or creating more programs for free, or maybe a new wave of developers will come in to help the community rather than just develop something to make a buck.
    If you can't afford the Internet access, then this isn't the phone for you my friend, simple as that.

    While you wait for all these free applications, why don't you develop one instead of demand others do? What, you don't have time, because you have a job??? I see. Guess what, some people they have a job too, it's called "programming". They don't have time to make you free stuff because they like earning a fair living too.

    Can't wait to see all the free software you are going to develop!
    12-14-08 10:13 AM
  20. Shao128's Avatar
    Since I've seen the iPhone mentioned heres an intersting article: Behind The Curtain: The Trouble With the iPhone Apps Business
    12-14-08 10:39 AM
  21. steven s.'s Avatar
    @patrick:
    I don't really see how you can call someone cheap and say they can't afford the phone. That's an ignorant thing to say. I surely have the money to spend on things, and just because I have an opinion about the lack of freeware you are going to call people out and say they are cheap? It's just obnoxious. Just because your arguments work for a "car and its high end stereo", a store opening up with free items, etc doesn't mean it applies to a Blackberry and programs. I think if you kept somewhat of an open mind to another opinion, then your post wouldn't sound so ridiculous, and "immature" as you call the OP.

    Obviously if the iPhone has free apps, if Windows has free apps, if Linux distros are open source, developers must develop things for free. The point of the post is to question the fact that this does not exist for Blackberry, even for simple programs, with the features such as VibAndRing which you just call "annoying". "Duh", vibrate does not equate to silence, and there are times when you can be in a loud environment and the only way that you would answer your phone is if you felt the slight vibration along with the ringtone. It's not a luxary; it's something that should be built in the phone.
    Last edited by steven s.; 12-14-08 at 10:57 AM.
    12-14-08 10:55 AM
  22. amazinglygraceless's Avatar
    As a developer ...
    ...of the CrackBerry Launcher, and that is pretty much your claim to fame.
    And yet you still insist on speaking down to people with an opinion varied from
    yours as if you are in the upper echelon of the BB development world. You aren't.
    These people have as much a right to express their
    opinions as you have the right to try to puff up your ego and seem like the
    smartest guy in the room. Here's an idea: Get over yourself and STFU
    Last edited by amazinglygraceless; 12-14-08 at 11:04 AM.
    12-14-08 11:01 AM
  23. TheSultan's Avatar
    I actually posted a thread nearly identical to this one when I first got the Curve. And, was also ripped a new a-hole, particularly by Patrick.Waugh. And, despite all that, I stick to my word. There should be more free apps for the Blackberry OS.

    http://forums.crackberry.com/f35/lac...just-me-39759/
    12-14-08 11:19 AM
  24. patrick.waugh's Avatar
    ...of the CrackBerry Launcher, and that is pretty much your claim to fame.
    And yet you still insist on speaking down to people with an opinion varied from
    yours as if you are in the upper echelon of the BB development world. You aren't.
    These people have as much a right to express their
    opinions as you have the right to try to puff up your ego and seem like the
    smartest guy in the room. Here's an idea: Get over yourself and STFU
    You should see someone about that anger issue.

    Benchmark Avionics Corp. and Berrysoft Studios have done far more than the simple launcher, but then not all of our efforts are devoted to the consumer market (which is not nearly as profitable to us) as you assume. So, you can assume whatever you want, but you know what they say about people making assumptions.

    And, it is posts like this one where people continue to whine about not getting everything for free that really invites developers to not even bother. Having spent a couple hundred dollars on quality software for my personal Blackberry, it cracks me up to see someone who has purchased a $400+ device complain that they have to spend $5 for something that is useful to them and saves them time or effort. Feel free to disagree, it's a free country.

    However, your personal attack rather than a response to the issue at hand just demonstrates you have nothing of value to contribute to the discussion.

    As a psychologist, I find it really fitting that you have chosen so fitting a name for yourself, as it fits you perfectly. You do indeed seem graceless.

    If you really believe everything should be free, then by all means, don't accept your paycheck this week. It is then that I shall have true respect for your position.

    Feel free not to ever purchase any of our software. It is meant to be of service to people who find value in it, and offered to them at a fair price to help defer some costs of providing it to them.

    P.T. Waugh
    12-14-08 11:32 AM
  25. Shao128's Avatar
    And, despite all that, I stick to my word. There should be more free apps for the Blackberry OS.
    I keep seeing this posted, and I'm not intending to start a fight here. But why don't you develop and release an app for free then?
    12-14-08 11:39 AM
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