Another day of WES2009, another day of BlackBerry news. This morning brings an announcement from LogMeIn, makers of the remote desktop access software of the same name. For those unfamiliar with the concept, LogMeIn allows you to control a Windows or Mac computer from another terminal across the internet. Previously, the term “terminal” here was limited to meaning any PC or system with an up-to-snuff browser. As of December, the launch of LogMeIn Ignition expanded it to include the iPhone. This morning, LogMeIn is announcing that they’ll soon be throwing the BlackBerry Storm into the mix as well.

The application isn’t ready to go just yet, but they’ve got an alpha release of it on display on the WES2009 showroom floor. Pricing info has not be disclosed thus far, but I’d imagine that it’ll go for something around the same price as the iPhone release: thirty bucks.

The notable features:

• No firewall configuration necessary: This is LogMeIn’s primary strength over VNC and other widely available solutions – it’s dead simple, even for the technically useless. No router configuration is necessary, nor do you need a static IP.
• Touch Screen Navigation/Keyboard: Zoom In/Out and pan around with the touchscreen, with full onscreen keyboard support
• 256-bit SSL encryption
• “My Computers” list: No remembering IPs – just tap to log in.

We haven’t had the opportunity to check out the new Storm app yet, but I can’t say I’ve had the best of luck with the iPhone version. I run a dual monitor set up, which LogMeIn supports. Unfortunately, one of my monitors runs at a fairly high resolution. Unless I unplug that monitor first, LogMeIn Ignition curls up and starts to cry as soon as I connect, claiming limited memory as the blame. Oh well – hopefully such setups fair a bit better on the Storm.

The LogMeIn alpha is currently private, but folks interested in getting beta access can check out www.LogMeIn.com/StormPreview.

Crunch Network: TechCrunch obsessively profiling and reviewing new Internet products and companies

Getting Google Apps to work properly on a BlackBerry smartphone has never been the easiest process. Take Gmail, for example: you could use POP or IMAP, but it won’t sync the read status of each message. That’s no big deal, until you go absolutely insane from a status light that never, ever stops blinking. Now you’re stuck using the Gmail for BlackBerry app. Want your BlackBerry to automatically sync your Google Calendar? You’ll need Google Sync.

These standalone applications may be reasonable solutions for individuals and small businesses, but installing, configuring, and managing it all just isn’t feasible for those companies with hundreds or thousands of employees all expecting their IT department to just make things work. Fortunately, the whole process is about to get a lot easier. This evening Google is announcing the upcoming availability of the Google Apps Connector for BlackBerry Enterprise Server, which allows for proper access to Gmail, Calendar, and Contacts through the default, built-in BlackBerry applications.

Once installed into any BlackBerry Enterprise Server for Microsoft Exchange box, IT managers can add users and apply policies just as they would for any other account. Google Apps Connector handles the Gmail, Calendar, and Contact syncing, and BES handles the data exactly as if it were talking to Exchange. No more going handset by handset installing and configuring all of these standalone apps.

Of course, you probably don’t care about what this means for the IT guys. Those guys are smug, smell sort of strange, and haven’t fixed that printer that’s been jammed up for two weeks. What’s in mean to you?

• Gmail with push support, offline access, read/delete sync, spam filtering, and support for archiving/stars right.
• One-way sync (GCal > BlackBerry) with Google Calendar, with support for recurring meetings and meeting notification alerts.
• Two-way sync for contacts.

All of it will roll right into the BlackBerry apps you’re already used to using, without installing and configuring a bunch of standalone apps.

Alas, this solution doesn’t come without its limitations. There are certain things that the built-in apps just can’t do, such as Gmail conversations, labels, and full search. For those, you’ll still have to turn to the Gmail application.

Google is currently beta testing Apps Connector with “select companies and universities”, with free availability to all Premier/Education customers come July.

Crunch Network: TechCrunch obsessively profiling and reviewing new Internet products and companies

The 2009 Wireless Enterprise Symposium for BlackBerry Users hasn’t even officially started yet, but news from the event has already started making its way out. The BlackBerry Partners Fund has just announced their second annual BlackBerry Developers Challenge, offering up a hefty cash prize to the developer who brings the best BlackBerry app and business plan to the table.

The contest is similar to last years, though the prizes and focus have changed. Where as entries into the last event were split amongst 5 categories (Games, Multimedia, Productivity, Web, and Enterprise), it seems that all of this year’s entries will be competing against each other regardless of category. The winner will be selected based on “both the application submitted and its supporting business plan.”

Last year’s winners (Poynt by Multiplied Media, Nobex Radio Companion by Nobex Technologies, and Strands Social Player by Strands Inc) got the opportunity to pitch their application to the BlackBerry Partners Fund for up to $150,000 in investment opportunities. This time around, one winner will take home $25,000 cash and a package worth $25,000 including mentoring sessions with RIM, BlackBerry Partner Fund investment opportunities, and an Alliance membership. Additionally, this year’s challenge will have 1 runner up who takes home $10,000 in cash.

More contest rules and details will be revealed when submissions open up on June 1st, 2009. The winner will be announced at the BlackBerry Developers Conference in November. Anyone with a working BlackBerry application can enter, as long as they’ve received no more than $1 million of outside investment.

Crunch Network: TechCrunch obsessively profiling and reviewing new Internet products and companies