Google Maps

Great new features as of version 4.0 (April 2010) make this even more essential:

• Search by voice
• Google Buzz layer – see who’s talking near you
• Starred items and maps synchronized with your Google account
• Google Labs enabled (finally, a map scale!)

Download

Gmail

Gmail users need this app to get access to all their email, even after they’ve been deleted from your BlackBerry. You’ll also get core Gmail functions like starring, labeling, threaded email, and search. Also get the enhanced Gmail plugin for threaded email in your native BlackBerry email folders.
Download

Google Mobile App

The speech-to-search function is very handy, and on BlackBerry it can search through your email too.
Download

Google Sync

If you use Google Calendar this is essential for syncing with your your BlackBerry Calendar. Even if you don’t, this will sync/backup your BB contacts with your Gmail contacts.

Weather Bug

This app is truly essential if you’re the outdoors type:

• Comprehensive forecasts
• Detailed conditions for your location: wind, pressure, humidity, etc.
• Static or animated maps: Doppler radar (precipitation), satellite (clouds), temperature, humidity, pressure, wind speed, forecast high/lows.
• Current temperature shown on your home screen
• US only: push weather warnings, lighting maps and alerts, daily US-wide forecast video.

While there are plenty of websites for getting your weather, Weatherbug’s animated radar overlay can show you exactly when a storm will hit you, or when there’s a break between showers. On the down side, the animations can take several minutes to load (static overlays are very quick).

For $4.99 USD I recommend getting the “Elite” version to remove ads and enable the different map overlay options (only radar is available in the free version).
Download (free)
Purchase

Opera Browser

The Opera browser has better javascript support than the BlackBerry’s own browser, so things like Google Docs and Google Maps work nicely with it. It’s also good to have two browsers so you can multitask better.
Download

Garmin Mobile

Essential for navigating by car: turn-by-turn spoken directions, automatic recalculation, several view modes, and other features make it worth the $99 USD license. Note: gas prices never worked for me (not available in Canada? Try gasbuddytogo.com instead), and if you get a new BlackBerry the license may not be transferable.
Purchase

GPS Logger

BlackBerry mapping apps are useless when you need them most: when you’re lost in the middle of nowhere. That’s because all map data is pulled over the cell network and won’t work without coverage. GPSLogger doesn’t solve this, but at least it creates a trail of where you’ve been and what direction you’re heading in. Paths can be saved and loaded. It’s great for things like:

• Finding your way back to a campsite
• Tracking your path through the woods
• Recording your speed, distance, elevation when jogging, biking, etc.

screenshots
Download

Instamapper (GPS Tracker)

This simple app continuously transmits your GPS location to your free Instamapper account. You (or friends, family) can log in and see where you are and where you’ve been (paths are overlaid on a Google map). Data is stored for a long long time giving an impressive account of your whereabouts. This is great for:

• Recovering lost phone
• Recovering your body
• Alibi

It can have a significant impact on battery life, depending how often it transmits. Data and memory use is minimal. Loss of privacy is substantial.
Download

EasyDialer

You need this if you use calling cards or access numbers. It lets you call contacts directly from your address book, without calling the access number first, then manually entering the destination number. Plenty of options, multiple access numbers, and calling prefix/suffix configuration. US $9.99. Great when using calling cards, Google Voice, Skype to Go, Ring Central, etc.
Purchase

IdeaMatrix

BlackBerry MemoPad is fast and simple; a great way to keep both running notes, and reference items like speeches and travel information. But it has two tragic flaws: no automatic wireless backups, and no web-based editing.

IdeaMatrix is an enhanced MemoPad that solves both problems and takes it even further:

• Memos are automatically synced to your online account
• “REXdesktop” lets you edit or create notes off your BlackBerry
• Memo organization into “drawers” and folders
• Fast search, home screen access with “i” key

$59.99 is steep for a mobile app but worth it to me for the syncing and web access. Web access is free for six months, then $24/year. Try the full 7-day trial with REXdesktop.
Download

One Touch Flashlight V2

You need to buy this right now (US $2.99). One click of the icon will activate the bright video LED until you stop it. It’s very bright.
Purchase

Others BlackBerry Applications

Evernote
Take written notes, audio notes, and photos, and Evernote will keep them in your off-device account. Notes are easily searchable, and text within images is also searchable.
Download

Aurkon
Aurkon will automatically backup your contacts, calendar entries, tasks, memos, “and more”. Since “more” might mean your Password Keeper data, you’ll have to assess the security risk of using this service.
Download

Yellow Pages
Unfortunately Google Maps doesn’t know everything, so sometimes this app is the fastest way to get phone numbers. It seems to hijack my homescreen shortcut “a” key (normally for address book).
Download (Canadian site)

Your favourite apps

What am I missing? Please let me know so I can check them out!