I recently stumbled across a smart phone app so incredible that I feel it’s my duty to spread the word.  This app is DriveSafe.ly and if you text message or email from your phone you NEED to check this out!

What is DriveSafe.ly™?
DriveSafe.ly™ is a mobile application that reads text (SMS) messages and emails aloud in real time and automatically responds without drivers touching the mobile phone. DriveSafe.ly is the solution to texting while driving.

How many times have you been driving and had a text message come through?  You know how unsafe it is to look down to check it, and even worse…attempt to type out a response!  Not to mention the current distracted driving laws. Wouldn’t it be great if your phone read the text (or email) out loud to you and then translated your voice reply into a return text message or email?  Or sent an automatic reply?  That’s exactly what DriveSafe.ly does!

Features

• Reads your text messages and emails out loud in real time
• Hands Free – No need to touch the phone while driving
• One-touch activation – no complicated setup
• Bluetooth and radio transmitter compatible
• Reads text message shorthand (lol, brb)
• Optional customizable auto-responder

Benefits

• Eliminates texting while driving and reading emails while driving
• Safely stay connected while reducing distracted driving
• Keep your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road
• Be safer and more productive during your commute
• Lightweight app doesn’t slow down phone or drain battery
• Flexible app allows many customization options

DriveSafe.ly™ offers a free version of their app that limits some of the features but still allows you to utilize the program quite well.  The full featured, pay application has plans for single user, family, or business use and allows monthly or annual payment.  They have a great sale going on right now so check out the prices here!

I’ve been using DriveSafe.ly™ for a few weeks now and I’m blown away by how quick and accurate the read outs and responses are. Considering they offer a free version, I strongly encourage everyone with a compatible phone to try this app.  It’s so convenient and easy to use, you’ll wonder how you lived without it!

DriveSafe.ly™ is currently available for Android and BlackBerry phones and is coming soon for iPhone and Palm.

10/20 Update:  I just got word that DriveSafe.ly™ 2.0 is now out for both BlackBerry and Android.  2.0 allows users to respond to texts by voice completely hands free!

Click here to get DriveSafe.ly™ now!

I’m a huge fan of TweetDeck for Twittering from my laptop and netbook. I love everything about it …the columns, the built in URL shortener, the custom colors, the ability to handle multiple accounts, the whole interface, even the Facebook integration when I decide that Facebook doesn’t drive me insane. I always think to myself how much I wish I could have TweetDeck on my Storm. Well I can’t but guess where I can have it? Yea, you got it…there’s a fricken TweetDeck app for the iPhone and iPod touch and it’s awesome.

First the iPhone WordPress is better than the BlackBerry one (yea yea I’m posting from my iSwong right now) and then there is a TweetDeck app for iPhone but no BlackBerry love?  I am quite relieved because it doesn’t run in the background like the Twitter apps on the BlackBerry  You have to open and close it each time as with most 3rd party apps on non-jail broken iPhones. But other than that, I have to admit it’s absolutely outstanding.

Once again I will have to go do something with my BlackBerry that the iPhone can’t do to cheer myself up…like take a picture using the flash or send myself a bunch of emails and see the LED light up.

As a BlackBerry girl at heart it’s always hard for me to admit when the iPhone wins in any way. I can almost always find some way to downplay even the most obviously superior features because it’s become second nature for me to always believe my BlackBerry crushes all other devices of it’s kind. But unfortunately I must admit, as far as WordPress is concerned iPhone > BlackBerry. *sigh*. I don’t even want to talk about all the reasons why as it would be too painful…it just is. The only thing that offers a slight glimmer of comfort is knowing I can crank out posts so much more efficiently on my BlackBerry Storm keyboard.

Clearly I’ll have to go rant about this to a friend on BlackBerry Messenger as a reminder of one of the huge things I love about my Berry that the iPhone will never have.

If you do any sort of instant messaging on your iPhone, check out Beejive. Beejive is a multi-client IM application that is easy to use, exquisitely designed and packed with useful, innovative attributes.  It supports AIM/iChat/MobileMe, Google Talk, ICQ, Jabber, MSN/Windows Live, Yahoo, MySpace and Faceook Chat all in one application.  No more opening a bunch of different apps and juggling between them to keep up with your contacts.  Beejive handles all your IM needs in one tidy app that is astonishingly light on battery life.

I don’t know where to start because Beejive is just overflowing with high quality features!  The developers didn’t miss a beat and are still constantly evolving the application and responding to user feedback in their support forum. Looks wise you can skin the colors and chat bubbles every way possible and there is full emoticon support.  You can choose a background from your photo gallery or a list of stock wallpapers.  But Beejive isn’t just a pretty face…it has functionality to satisfy even the most hardcore IM addict!  There is file transfer support, custom status messages, full integration with iPhone notification settings, alerts and badges, and auto-reconnect if there is any data interruption. You can even receive push email notification when you’re idle.  Hard to believe, but I’m barely scratching the surface of all the capabilities of Beejive.

Just when I thought I couldn’t love an app more, there were little details I stumbled upon in the options menu that sealed the deal for me and really showed that the development team was making every effort to leave no stone unturned. As an iPhone user who always types in portrait mode, I was thrilled to see that the Beejive wizards integrated an option to lock the screen in portrait or allow landscape typing.  I hate being in the middle of composing a message and having the screen tilt on me!  However, I know that many people feel just the opposite and love using the landscape keyboard so huge props to Beejive for giving users the choice.  Another thing I love is the option to shake your iPhone to switch between chats.

Check out the gallery below to see the many ways you can change the appearance of the IM interface and the huge list of available options.  I really didn’t mean to take so many screen shots for this review but there is just so much impressive content to show off.  I’ve tried just about every instant messaging application available for the iPhone and Beejive is hands down my favorite.

Beejive is available for iPhones and iPod Touches running OS 3.0 and higher and can be purchased for $9.99 through the AppStore.  Absolutely worth the price tag considering the incredible quality, powerful interface and advanced level of customization.  Click here to launch iTunes to purchase Beejive or read more about it.  To see Beejive in action check out these videos on Beejive’s website.