Weather On Your BlackBerry - WeatherBug Direct

As most of us know these days, the weather changes on a moment notice. So as we begin approaching yet another season change, I find having WeatherBug Direct on my BlackBerry to be indispensable as it both saves me time as well as getting caught up in a rain storm.

WeatherBug Direct also provides me with some new features thanks to the WeatherBug Direct Extensions Portal, available exclusively from your BlackBerry.

These extensions include:

• Current UV data
• Current pollen data
• Current air quality

Each of these extensions can be seen above with the exception of the air quality extension - I live in an area where it is not a concern, so it is not installed on my device. The default functions of WeatherBug Direct include the current temperature, with the forecast option provided as an extension which can be downloaded like any other WeatherBug extension to the application from a specially designed portal.

What makes WeatherBug Direct different?

For myself personally, I like it as I do not have to click through to anything and wait for it to load. Just roll over the icon of interest and there are the pertinent details as you would want them - displayed immediately. And should I need further forecast details, I can certainly click through for that information as it will load up wap.weatherbug.com for me.

But what about application control and settings?

WeatherBug direct gives you complete control. Weather Alerts that work with your current audio profile on your BlackBerry, rather than against it. Alert profiles are provided, too, as some people want to be alerted immediately to a flood but might not want to be bothered about a non-precipitation warning.

Alert profiles also include selecting audio and/or visual alerts. You choose, how you want to be warned when a tornado warning issued or if there is a lightening storm moving in on your kid’s soccer practice. Being “in the know” as weather events happen can really making having WeatherBug Direct installed valuable from the first day you use it.

Bandwidth consumption? Advanced settings?

Let’s face it, not everyone is using those “all you can eat” data plans that are available with most carriers. Realizing this, WeatherBug Direct provides its user with Advanced Settings as well, where the user can go and set:

• Alert updating - Is every hour or so enough? Perhaps you need every five minutes instead?
• Current condition- Most people can set this to every 30 minutes to an hour, but you can go every 10 minutes if you like.
• Updated forecasts-Understanding that forecasts can change, this option allows you to set the frequency of updates for forecasts as well.
• Animate your forecast- This is more for fun than function. But I like having my WeatherBug Direct set to provide me with a three day hi/low/condition forecast by cycling through a three day forecast. And the best part is it just does it once it is set, I do not need to scroll or wait for anything.

Alternative WeatherBug applications for the BlackBerry?

WeatherBug does provide an alternative app for BlackBerry users. Unlike WB Direct however, it is trialware and is designed to provide you with a more self-contained application overall feel. Coming soon, I will be highlighting this application, complete with screenshots.