The safest way to bank on your blackberry

Not too long ago, reports that your mobile banking app may not be as secure as expected.  Many security risks were found and even Apple had a major security breach.  If there is one thing more than anything else that you do not want hacked, its your banking information.
I contacted a research firm, and they ran a few surveys for me.  Turns out that although RIMs market share is falling, they still have the majority of high end businessmen that travel, especially internationally.
Not too many cell compnaies offer reasonable data rates outside of your local zone, and that got me thinking... why not create a secure, information reduced, WiFi not necessary, no data plan required banking app?  It wasn't an easy task but I did get it accomplished.
Daily Banking Tracker is an app for those who either travel frequently or do loads of banking.  We don't require your account name or number.  We don't ask for what bank you deal with.  We don't even care what currency you use.   Simply put in your balance of the account you want to track, and then continue to make transactions, and the app will do the math for you so that you know your active balance.
When you write a cheque (yup, people still do that) it will deduct that from your account so that you know your TRUE available balance.
Since WiFi and data plans aren't required, there is no risk for any hacking, and should you lose your phone, no valuable information is in the app other than a bunch of numbers.  They wouldn't even know what bank you deal with.
For a full description of this $0.99 app you can CLICK HERE
I truly hope that this app brings peace of mind and security to those that need it.

Apple here I come

When I started Ozipherus Health Technologies with my accountant, we wanted to make a huge splash on the iPhone and iPad market.  We developed 2 apps for iOS that never ended up getting published.  Out of the 3 platforms we developed for, Apple took the most money and was the hardest to develop.
When my accountant told me to revive Ocean78 on my own and make it an app development company, I decided right then and there that I was going to stick with BlackBerry and Android.
Much to my surprise, I am selling WAY MORE on BlackBerry as opposed to Android.  I figured with the way Android is taking over the market, that Android was my key to retirement.  Now I do recognize the potential that Android brings, and all future apps will be developed for them as well, but I have decided to create 2 apps for Apple iOS.
My Steroid Quick Facts app (click here for details) will be converted to iOS an hopefully will be ready and available by mid August.  The new game I am developing will be made for iOS and the BlackBerry PlayBook, but not Android.
I hope that my new ideas can be developed for all 3 platforms and that people continue to purchase and enjoy the apps that I create.
I realize I may not be the most recognized app on iPhone, but I have no doubt that people will enjoy what I do develop for the Apple market.  I look forward to saying that I am published in the iTunes App Store.
I will keep you posted!

Is Dr. Oz the new Oprah

Just about everybody has heard of Oprah Winfrey.  She is and has been so popular that there is what is called the Oprah effect.  Books that were mentioned on her show skyrocketed to best sellers.  Diets she spoke about became THE trend.  Whatever she endorsed turned to gold.
As we all know by now, Oprah has finished her 25th season of the Oprah Winfrey show, and she is now working on her own network and letting new faces take the lead on daytime TV.  The big question lately is who will be the next Oprah.
If we look close enough, the answer has been brought to us a few years ago - BY OPRAH!!!  Ever since Dr. Oz launched his own daytime television show, people across North America, and likely other countries as well make sure to watch him and listen to some tips that he has.
Recently I was watching an episode of Dr. Oz where he reviewed his 10 most important health tips.  He had frequent watchers of his show come and help him demonstrate the health tips.  Funny thing, they all had notepads full of notes.  They write down what he says like students in a college classroom.
Being in the fitness supplement business, I see what products tend to trend.  Not too long ago, Dr. Oz had a show about what supplements to take in order to lose weight the healthy way.  Suddenly my customers were bombarded with requests, which eventually got to me  "Ozzie... do you have any raspberry keytones or oat bran fiber for sale".
Whatever is shown and discussed on the Dr.Oz show seems to trend.  He discussed the documentary "Forks over Knives" and suddenly the organic food store that I shop at was bombarded with requests for vegan organic cookbooks and recipe suggestions.
Dr. Oz has the power to attract the people, and obviously people listen to him.  Dr. Oz is the new Oprah!

What BlackBerry needs to do in the tablet market

Let's face the facts.  No matter how much I personally praise BlackBerry, and no matter how efficient their phones are, and the fact that millions of users love them, they are losing market share by the minute.  Android and Apple have taken a large part of the market, and with 2 versions of the iPad out, and newer Android operated tablets coming out daily, the tablet market is tight.
I personally have quite a few positive things to say about the PlayBook, but I also have a few negatives.  There is no such thing as the PERFECT product, but you want something that is as close to perfect for you as possible.
The PlayBook was created to compete directly with the iPad... but the BlackBerry user's market isn't the same as the iPad user.
Most people that want a secure, reliable, durable phone will choose BlackBerry.  RIM made the BlackBerry a success in the offices of lawyers, accountants and business executives.  That is where they need to still focus.  Yes, teenagers are getting BlackBerries... yes, young adults who are not yet professionals are trying BlackBerries, and they are the ones that argue that there aren't enough apps in App World.
What RIM truly needs to do is get back to basics... create a tablet that is fast, multi tasking, and light weight.  Make it very business friendly.  Create a tablet that the doctor can carry around the hospital instead of his charts... a tablet that lawyers can keep all their documents on that he can travel with.  Same as the business executive.  Yes, the iPad does all this, but the wonderful thing about the PlayBook is the "Bridge" if you are already a BlackBerry user.  RIM needs to expand on that, and then they will regain the confidence that many shareholders have lost.
RIM wasn't built on "happy fun time" cell phones.  They were built on efficiency and reliability.  Perhaps the next tablet should be the BriefBook (as in briefcase book) as oppsed to the PlayBook II.

New app idea/your chance to won a PlayBook

Well, for the last few weeks I have been working directly with developers over in Waterloo at RIM HQ and I am developing an awesome game that will be exclusive to the Torch & PlayBook.  If that launch goes well, I will make the game available on Android, but BlackBerry would get exclusivity for a few months.
I have NO doubt at all that this game will be a huge hit.  The graphics will be great as will the sound effects, and its a game we all loved playing, but no app is currently available for it.
As my graphics team and developers work on this soon to be hit, I am working on a few ideas that I would like to see available on app stores.  It came to me though, that just because I like an idea, doesn't mean that it will sell, so I am kindly asking for some help.
In the comment section of this blog, please write what type of app you would like to see and how much you would be willing to pay for it.  I will randomly draw 1 name tomorrow at 8:30pm.  The winner will win a free BlackBerry PlayBook as well as a $50.00 redemption coupon for PayPal.
In your comment, please leave a valid email address so that I may get in touch with you.
Your ideas are very much appreciated!

Review - BlackBerry Style 9670

We all know that I am a huge BlackBerry fan.  I had the Curve before, and I am thrilled with my BOLD.  I was going to upgrade to the Torch recently, but I am so happy with my Bold, that I figured why bother.
My girlfriend was on team BlackBerry, and then decided to opt for an LG sidekick 2 which she HATED!!!  SO when her upgrade was available about 6 months ago, back to BlackBerry she came.
Jen decided on the BlackBerry Style 9670, which is a larger flip phone that offers a full QWERTY keyboard.  The main issue I had with the phone was that she is with Telus Mobility.  I had Telus when I lived in Calgary and WOW did they offer horrid service.
So Jen had her Style for a few months and then suddenly the outer display cracked.   Telus agreed to replace it and we left figuring all would be well.  The Style is great for keeping up to date on every social network known to man.  Jen liked that the "feel" of it was very similar to her older Curve.
About 4 months ago, Jen started sounding as if she was in a tunnel and far away when she was speaking.  Nobody was able to hear her, although she heard us just fine.  Back to Telus we went.  This time they offered her a temp phone and they sent that in for repair.  2 weeks ago it was returned... guess what... still can't hear her.  Phone went back today.
I am not sure if all Style 9670s have this issue.  From what I read online, reviews were very positive about the Style.  Jen loves every aspect of her cell except the speaker.  I checked every setting to make sure it wasn't something we did accidentally.  So now the question remains, who to be aggravated by; BlackBerry or Telus?
Not because I use BlackBerry and develop apps for them, but returns are very few.  I also had a speaker issue with a much older Curve that I had.  My cell carrier exchanged it on the spot.  I have no choice but to lay the blame on Telus.  No, they didn't create the speaker problem, and no, they do not manufacture the phone, but their service doesn't show that clients are valued.
As for an official review of the 9670, here you go:  The battery life is equal to any Curve, obviously depending on usage and what you are running on the cell.  Before the speaker issue, call quality and voice quality were excellent.  It is not overly heavy, nor is it overly clunky, even though it is large for a flip phone.  It is easy to access your apps, downloads and social networks.  The browser is as fast if not a tad faster than my Bold.  All in all I'd give it a 4 out of 5 rating!
As for Telus, well... customer service and tech support get a whopping 0 out of 5... as I'd say on twitter #FAIL

Did BlackBerry fail on the PlayBook launch

The commercials for the PlayBook are amazing.  The graphics look great, the song is a goodie, and the reference that is does play Flash is very noticeable.  Why then are sales not where they should be with the PlayBook?
The Board of Directors over at RIM want to see changes in terms of their CEO/Chairman roles.  Both roles are being split by Jim Balsilie and Mike Lazaridis.  I think part if the reason for this is that the PlayBook launch was perhaps not as successful as hoped.
I am not sure about the United States, but here in Canada the PlayBook was launched at Staples/Business Depot (Bureau en Gros in Quebec).  You cannot compare the sales volumes of Staples to Best Buy and Future Shop.  The iPad, as well as Android based tablets are available at many more stores, and the value of being in Best Buy cannot be matched by Staples.
Yes, you can get the PlayBook at your local Telus store, and I believe other mobile phone carriers are selling them as well, but most will try and sell you a second data plan.
Having played with both the iPad 2, and the PlayBook, I personally prefer the PlayBook.  BlackBerry needs to focus on getting more games and apps to be able to compete.  Why isn't Angry Birds on PlayBook yet?  I know plenty of parents who chose iPhone or iPad simply because of games that their kids can play, such as Angry Birds and Fruit Ninja.  I am guilty of that with my iPod Touch.
I am quite sure that the 2nd generation PlayBook will be far superior, I just hope that it has a better launch.  Better retailers, better specialized apps, better marketing.
Although RIM is losing market share to Android and Apple, I do not see them disappearing any time soon.  I think they are still the most secure smartphones, very reliable technology, and they offer great customer service.  What they need to focus on now is working with larger retailers, getting specialized "BlackBerry only" apps, or BlackBerry versions of popular apps.
As an app developer, I find dealing with RIM very easy.  I am working on creating a PlayBook and Torch only game with developers at RIM.  I think more companies need to focus on this, because BlackBerry sales are still quite strong.
I would still love to see the PlayBook in bigger stores....