 Ask a dozen BlackBerry users what their favorite feature is, and you’re likely to get a dozen different answers. One feature will be conspicuous by its absence: the ability to shop online. The explosive popularity of online shopping among desk-top and laptop users has yet to hit the BlackBerry set, and with good reason. In most cases, trying to make a purchase with a BlackBerry is an exercise in frustration. Web sites that are irresistible in a standard browser are mere shadows of themselves in a BlackBerry’s browser. Web browsing in general still isn’t a pleasant experience on most mobile devices because of the slow connectivity offered by most service providers and the less-than-stellar ability of WAP (Wireless Application Protocol) browsers to display non-WAP Web sites.
 Cue Digby | 
The Digby deck displays a colorful icon for each of its categories. |
30 Second Software (www.30secondsoftware.com) set out to revolutionize mobile shopping with Digby, its first application for the BlackBerry. The company’s name is more than a catchy title; it reflects the modern world’s increasingly frantic attempts to get things done in smaller and smaller bits of time. Digby lets you take advantage of even the tiniest window of opportunity to shop for a last-minute gift, send a thank-you package to a client, or download a new movie.
Digby creates a compact catalog of popular goods from participating vendors and stores it locally on your mobile device. The catalog is updated daily with new products and services. You can quickly select an item from the local catalog or search for additional products online. A few clicks later, your purchase is complete and the product is on its way.
Take Digby For A Spin
Using your mobile device’s browser, go to the Digby Web site (free; www.digby.com) and select the Download option. Digby will self-install, adding a pawprint icon to your BlackBerry’s deck. Select the icon to launch Digby. A short text message will give you the option to browse the catalog or create an account and start shopping. We appreciate the option to browse before providing any personal information. We also like the way Digby integrates with a BlackBerry’s email, contact, and calendar services.
To check out the catalog, select the Browse Catalog option. A deck of icons represents categories ranging from Flowers & Plants to Wine & Spirits. (We confess a weakness for the Books and Teddy Bears categories.) Each category contains additional subcategories to keep things organized and make it easy to find the right gift or other item. When you select an item, Digby will display a brief description and a thumbnail image. For a closer look, just click the image. Another click will add the item to your cart. You can continue shopping or check out. Checkout is quick and convenient. With just a click or two, you can send the item to yourself; Digby will populate the recipient information with the info you provided when you set up your account. To send the item to someone else, select the appropriate entry in your Address Book. The last step is to provide credit card information. After you complete the checkout process, Digby will pass the order information on to the retailer, who takes care of fulfillment and  shipping.
Jog Your Memory
Simplifying the mobile shopping experience is impressive enough, but Digby goes one step further. It can help you remember important events, such as birthdays and anniversaries, by integrating with your mobile’s calendar. Not only will you get a gentle reminder about an upcoming event, you can also shop for it on the run. Mobile computing doesn’t get much better than this. 
by Tom Nelson and Mary O’Connor
Software For Your BlackBerry
Ascendo Fitness $29.95 • www.ascendo-inc.com
Sticking to a fitness routine or eating healthy can be difficult when you’re always on the go. With a database that includes more than 7,000 food entries, including leading fast food items, Ascendo Fitness can tell you at a glance how much that Happy Meal or chalupa supreme will add to your waistline. The database contains detailed nutritional information, including protein, lipids, fiber, sodium, saturated and unsaturated fats, and cholesterol, so you will know exactly what’s going to go south of the border before you indulge. You can add your own favorite meals and snacks to the database using the Desktop component. Ascendo Fitness can also help you keep track of your exercise regimen by recording daily workouts, from simple walks to whitewater rafting.
TrackIT $14.95 to $29.95 • www.javatekmedia.com
TrackIT is available in four different versions that make it easy to get a handle on information that may be cluttering up your life. TrackIT Expense Edition lets you track personal and business income and expenses, such as groceries, medical expenses, office supplies, and travel expenses. TrackIT Vehicle Edition keeps track of mileage, fuel, and maintenance costs. TrackIT Currency Edition is a subscription-based currency calculator that is updated hourly with the latest exchange rates. TrackIT Custom Edition uses the same database engine as the other products but allows you to customize it to fit your particular needs. You could conceivably create a single database to track just about any information, from your DVD collection to your business expense account.
Find It! Mobile Price varies • www.infospaceinc.com
Where am I? Where am I going? Find It! Mobile can’t help with the big picture, but it can help you find more immediate goals, such as a new client’s office. Find It! Mobile is a GPS-enabled local search application that can not only figure out where you are, but also provide directions to your destination. It can even highlight points of interest that may be along the route, such as restaurants, gas stations, retail stores, and other businesses. You can use Find It! Mobile even if you don’t have a GPS service, as long as you know where you are (address, city, ZIP code). With this information, Find It! Mobile can zero in on your destination and provide maps and text or voice directions. It can also supply telephone numbers and let you make phone calls with a single click. |
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