Research in Motion recently rolled out a new app which provides real-time traffic updates, courtesy of other BlackBerry users. From an end-user perspective, you simply enter and address and BlackBerry Traffic will estimate how long it will take for you to get from point A to point B, based on current conditions or historical data if current information isn’t available.

You can set home and work addresses for your daily commute, but you can also search for a location or use an address from one of your phone contacts.

The app can suggest alternate routes when there’s heavy traffic, and you can share your estimated time of arrival with your contacts.

BlackBerry Traffic gets its data from other people using the app. When you’re running BlackBerry Traffic, the software anonymously collects your speed and position data to help other users.

The app is available as a free download for BlackBerry phones running OS 4.6 and up. You’ll need a phone with GPS, and you’ll need to be in North America for the app to work.

Brad Linder

Brad Linder is editor of Liliputing and Mobiputing. He's been tinkering with mobile tech for decades and writing about it since...