By David H. Ringstrom
If you’re like me, you’re still holding onto your BlackBerry with a death grip. However, you might also have app envy because, it seems, every week there are 500 new apps released for iPhone and Android.
Fear not, as we’ve unearthed productivity apps for you. And if you’re considering retiring your BlackBerry for another device, you’ll easily find iPhone/Android versions of most of these apps.
Expensify (free app) – This free expense report tracking tool enables you to log expenses, track credit card or bank account transactions, capture receipts, and record mileage.
Copy2Contact ($9.95/year) – This app allows you to add contact information from e-mail directly to your BlackBerry address book. You also can purchase a desktop-based version for Outlook or Palm Desktop, as well as CRM versions for SalesForce.com and NetSuite.
Intuit GoPayment (free, but transaction charges apply) – This service from the maker of QuickBooks allows you to accept credit cards on your BlackBerry. Keep in mind that you must also establish a merchant account with Intuit.
WordPress(free app) – The WordPress for BlackBerry app allows you to manage your blog or Web site from anywhere. You can add content, such as new posts, pictures, or video; edit pages; and manage comments.
IM+ (free ad-supported app, $39.95 for pro version)– This cross-platform instant messaging app allows you to chat with contacts on MSN, Yahoo, Google Talk, AIM, MySpace, Jabber, ICQ, Facebook, Skype, and Twitter.
Exgis Mileage Tracker ($4.99) – This simple mileage tracker allows you to maintain lists of clients, projects, and categories and then export your mileage log to Excel.
Kindle for BlackBerry (free) – This free app enables you to purchase and read e-books. Start reading a book on a Kindle or other device such as your computer, and your phone will display the last page you read elsewhere. This allows you to catch a few pages of the latest page-turner.
Mail Filters Rule Manager ($2.99) – This app offers advanced filtering capabilities for e-mail that you receive on your BlackBerry. Automatic actions include deletion, marking messages as read or forwarding to another address.
BuzzOff ($4.99) – This call filtering app enables you to block unwanted callers. Blocks can be set a variety of ways, including from the call log and address book. Anyone plagued by incessant telemarketers will appreciate the optional pick-up and hang-up feature, which prevents blocked callers from being able to leave a voicemail message.
WebEx (free) – Running late for an online meeting? This free app enables you to join a meeting from wherever you may be.
A previous version of this article first appeared on www.accountingweb.com .
About the author:
David H. Ringstrom, CPA heads up Accounting Advisors, Inc., an Atlanta-based software and database consulting firm providing training and consulting services nationwide. Contact David at david@acctadv.com or follow him on Twitter. David speaks at conferences about Microsoft Excel, and presents webcasts for several CPE providers, including AccountingWEB partner CPE Link
