Handmark's got some new applications for BlackBerry smartphones due for release in the coming months. These include a Bible translator, a ringtone management title, and some games from recent acquisition Astraware.

Due to ship on May 28, Bible Translations is the first Bible product designed by Handmark specifically for BlackBerry. The application offers unlimited wireless access to 16 Bible translations including four of the five most popular modern translations.

Ringtone Junkie, which should become available on the same day, provides access to thousands of MP3 ringtones. The application enables customers to download, store, access, and assign custom ringtones to contacts in their BlackBerry Address Book. Ringtone Junkie will sell for $19.95.

Astraware plans to release its first games for BlackBerry in Q3, on August 31st. These will include a version of Idigicon's Platypus, which was launched for the Palm OS and Windows Mobile a month ago. It is working on a Symbian S60 and UIQ version for release as well.

The game developer calls Platypus the "squishiest shoot-em-up ever." Why? Because the side-scrolling arcade game's graphics are entirely made out of modeling clay. The player-pilot flies the Platypus—across "squashy" fields and trees, avoiding mountain and shooting down enemy ships—o protect the country of Mungola.

Flagship Astraware titles Solitaire, Astraware Sudoku, Astraware Casino and Astraware Boardgames will follow from Q4 onwards.

Boardgames bundles eight games in one package. These include Chess, Backgammon, Ludo, Checkers, Reversi, Nine Men's Morris, Snakes and Ladders, and Tic Tac Toe&151;all with three levels of difficulty and support for multiple languages.