Friday, October 4, 2013

How to create a BlackBerry ID While completing the setup of a BlackBerry PlayBook

  You'll need to set up your BlackBerry ID and a plug-in before you can send downloads to your BlackBerry smartphone.

If you already have a BlackBerry® ID (BBID), you know it is a convenient way to access BlackBerry products and services. Simply put, a BlackBerry ID allows to you download and manage your apps from the BlackBerry App World™ storefront and log into any BlackBerry services that support BlackBerry ID.
For those who already have a BlackBerry® 7 OS smartphone or are accessing BlackBerry App World from a BlackBerry smartphone, then you already have an existing BBID. If you don’t – and if you are about to set up a BlackBerry® PlayBook™ tablet – then keep reading as I will be discussing the process for you.
Let’s begin:

The first time you turn on your BlackBerry PlayBook tablet, the setup process will help you get your tablet configured and requires you to enter a BlackBerry ID. If you don’t have a BlackBerry ID, you will need to create one.
To create a BlackBerry ID, all you need is a valid email address that you can access from a web browser on your desktop, laptop or tablet. An important thing to keep in mind is that this email address does not need to be associated with your BlackBerry smartphone or BlackBerry PlayBook tablet.

Creating a BlackBerry ID during setup of a BlackBerry PlayBook tablet

1. When you reach the point in the setup process where a BlackBerry ID is required, click on “Create a BlackBerry ID”.
2. Review and accept the license agreement if you are in agreement with the terms.
3. Fill in the required fields marked with an asterisk (*). There are three fields in particular you should be aware of when signing up for a BlackBerry ID:
User Name – A user name is a valid email address that can be accessed from a web browser on a desktop, laptop or tablet.
Screen Name – Although not required, setting a screen name is recommended as this is the name that will appear on BlackBerry websites; for example, when you review an application in BlackBerry App World.
Password – When creating a password, it is highly recommended that you choose a secure password only you would know since any BlackBerry App World purchasing information you add will be linked to your BlackBerry ID.

4. Click Sign up at the bottom right of the screen after entering the required information.
5. The setup of your BlackBerry PlayBook tablet will continue using your new BlackBerry ID.
After completing the tablet setup process, make sure you confirm your BlackBerry ID email address – click the link in the BlackBerry ID sign up confirmation message that was sent to the email address you specified.
Now that your BlackBerry PlayBook tablet setup is complete, I recommend tapping on the BlackBerry App World icon and exploring the store. Enjoy!

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

How to Unlock Your Blackberry

 
How to Unlock Your Blackberry 

Unlock codes are particular to each BlackBerry. They cannot be used from one BB to the next. Do not purchase your unlock code from a friend who has one and says the code was for his BB. Unlock codes can take anywhere from 4 hours to 10 days to obtain. Some BlackBerrys simply can't be unlocked for various reasons: The IMEI number cannot be found in the RIM database, or the device was a pre-release, not-to-be-sold device.

  1. Call your carrier.
  2. Ask for the MEP code.
  3. Give them your IMEI number.
    • The IMEI code is also located under the battery
  4. To get your IMEI number, type this on your phone, *#06#, and it should pop up.
  5. Once you get your MEP code, turn off your wireless radio on your phone.
  6. Go to SETTING or OPTIONS.
  7. Then go to ADVANCE OPTIONS.
  8. Then go to SIM CARD
  9. Type "MEPD" on your phone.
  10. You should see "Network as Active"
  11. Hold SHIFT + type "MEPE" or "MEP2"
  12. You should see "Network as Disabled"
  13. You are now the proud owner of an unlocked Blackberry

Edit Instructions By Model

  • Blackberry Storm1 and Storm2 (9500, 9520, 9530, 9550) Unlock Code Entry Instructions: Turn off all of the wireless connections (manage connections - turn all connections off). Go to the Options icon on the device. Select Advanced Options. Select SIM Card. Hit the Menu key to select Show Keyboard. Enter mepd (you will not be able to see the typed info)(enter just the mepd, no spaces, etc.). Enter the letters: mep2. Now it will say enter network mep code. Enter the code that we gave you, usually about 16 digits. Your Storm is now unlocked.
  • Blackberry 9000 / 9700 / 8900 / 88xx / 83xx Curve Unlock Code Entry Instructions: How to Enter Unlock Codes on BlackBerry 8800 8300 Curve: Go to settings menu => and then Options. Select Advanced options => and then Sim card. Type MEPD using your Blackberry keyboard (NOTE: You will not see any text appear on the screen while typing MEPD). Type MEP then [ALT BUTTON] then 2 on your Blackberry keyboard (NOTE: You will not see any text appear on the screen while typing MEPD). You should be presented with a prompt "Enter Network MEP Code". Type in the unlock code and press in the track wheel / jog dial to confirm. Your phone is now unlocked
  • Blackberry 8100 / 8200 Unlock Code Entry Instructions: Insert SIM into device. Power phone on and Turn off the radio (Turn Wireless Off option) VERY IMPORTANT. Select "Options" THEN SELECT ADVANCED OPTIONS .Scroll down and select "SIM Card". Type "MEPPD" (please note that you will not see what you type on the screen). Type "MEPP then [ALT BUTTON] then 2" (please note that you will not see what you type on the screen). Enter the Unlock Code. Press enter. Reboot device. Device is now unlocked.
  • Blackberry 8700 Unlock Code Entry Instructions: Go to settings. Go to options. Go to advanced options. Go to sim card. Type MEPD (not case sensitive) (you will not see text appear on screen while typing). Does it say Network active? If so your phone is locked. Hold the ALT Key while typing in MEPE (not case sensitive, and you will not see text appear on screen while typing). It will say "Enter Network MEP Code, then you type in the unlock code, press in the jog dial to confirm. Your phone is now unlocked
  • BlackBerry 6xxx 7xxx: ie 6230, 7100, 7290 etc. Unlock Code Instructions: Select Options menu on BB. Select SIM CARD menu. To be able to see this you have to type this on the keypad on phone : (TEXT WILL NOT APPEAR ON THE SCREEN until you enter the unlock code). Type 'MEPD' for all models, except 7100 in which case in case use 'MEPPD'. Usually you should see "active" NET lock. In order to disable this lock, type 'MEP2' respectively ('MEPP2' if phone is 7100). The BB will ask for a code. NOTE: You must use the "alt" or "shift" key to enable numbers so example would be: m-e-p-"alt key"-2 Now you should see the place to enter your net unlock code.(if not, you didn't type in mep2 or mepp2 properly.). Here you must enter the "NET Unlock Code" that you have.

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

How to Increase Your Battery Life on Your Smartphone

If it seems like your phone never has enough battery life, so here are some tips on how to get the most juice out of your phone! The one displayed is an Android, but these tips should work on all smartphones.

Steps

  1. Turn 4G off
    Turn 4G off
    Turn off 4G. If your device is 4G capable, it will use it if you're not on Wi-Fi. Turning 4G off while on Wi-Fi will save loads of battery and even data if that's a concern for you.
    • For Android, go to settings, find mobile data, and slide the switch to off.
  2. GPS Settings are under "Location access" in Android 4.0+
    GPS Settings are under "Location access" in Android 4.0+
    Turn off Bluetooth and GPS. Bluetooth and GPS are two of the bigger battery hogs, and should be off if you're not using them. If you are, be sure to have your phone charging otherwise your battery life will sink like a stone.
  3. Wallpaper set to black
    Wallpaper set to black
    Keep display to a minimum. If you have a Super AMOLED display (found on most Samsung and Motorola devices) be sure to keep the brightness down or on auto.
    • Setting your wallpaper to black will also help. (If a color is true black on a Super AMOLED display, those pixels will turn off, saving that much battery.)
    • Simply keeping your phone off will help loads, you don't need to check Facebook every 5 seconds.
  4. Task Managing in Android 4.2
    Task Managing in Android 4.2
    Task Managing. Task managing is important, it keeps the processor from having to work overtime for no reason and drain your battery even more.
    • iOS: Double-click the home button, then press and hold on any app and click the minus button in the corner to clear that app from memory.
    • Android 4.0+: If you have a task managing app on Android 4.0+, get rid of it! Android 4.0 has evolved into a great task manager all by itself and third party task managing apps will actually drain more battery than they will save. Press the "Recent apps" button then slide each task to the left or right until it disappears. If you don't have a recent apps button, press an hold the home button. Repeat often, like before locking your phone.
    • Android 2.3+: Download and install a third party task managing app, then follow the instructions given.
  5. Charging
    Charging
    Plug it in. Keep your phone charging as much as you possibly can while you're at home, so whenever you leave the house, you'll always leave with full battery. All phones now have a Lithium-Ion battery, so they won't "overcharge" and cause the battery to explode or catch on fire.
  6. Keep it from overheating. Overheating is usually a sign of the processor working hard. If your phone is hot in a particular area, sandwich that area between the palms of your hands for a moment, or put it in the fridge to cool for a few minutes.
  7. 7
    Get a new battery. If you followed all the steps above and your battery still doesn't last very long, it may be time for a new battery. You can usually find one for your phone on Amazon, Radio Shack, Best Buy, or your local battery store

Friday, September 27, 2013

How to Block a Number on an iPhone in iOS 7, iOS 6

Block calls and messages from unwanted contacts

 
How to block a number on an iPhone

We would all like the ability not to be contacted from certain numbers. Perhaps you are receiving nuisance calls from PPI firms, or an ex just won't leave you alone. You can block each call as it comes in, of course, but how can you block that number forever? Here's how to block a number on an iPhone running iOS 7 or iOS 6.
The following ways to block callers work on the iPhone 5, iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C, as well as older iPhones running iOS 6 and iOS 7. (Check out all of our smartphone tutorials.)

Block a number that has called you in iOS 7

Open up the Phone app at the bottom of every home screen. At the bottom of the window you should see 'Recents'. Click this. You will see a list of recent callers.
Click the i next to the number you wish to block. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and you will see the option to 'Block this Caller'. Click it and confirm your choice. That's it!

Another way to block a contact in iOS 7

You can also block contacts that are already in your phone. This works via the Settings app. Go to Settings - it is a grey app on your home screen. Then scroll down to Phone.
Scroll down again and you will see an entry for 'Blocked'. This shows you a list of blocked contacts. Click Add New... and you will be taken to your Contacts. Select the Contact you wish to block, and confirm your choice.
Block Caller on iPhone

How to unblock a number in iOS 7

What if you make a mistake? To unblock a number you have blocked, go to Settings, Phone, Blocked and hit Edit. Click the red circle next to the blocked number you want to unblock, and a red button will appear. Press that. And you're done!

How to block a number on an iPhone running iOS 6

The easiest thing to do is to update to iOS 7, which is free. Here is how to update to iOS 7. If for some reason you can't however, the following advice will work:
1. First, jailbreak that iPhone. Here's how to jailbreak an iPhone - again, we don't actively recommend this, and we do recommend that you take time to weigh up the pros and cons.
2. Now you need an app to do the job. There are several, including 'Call Blocker' and 'Call Bliss'. You won't find all of these apps on the Apple App Store - for some of them you'll have to use the independent Cydia app store. The blocking app we are going to use is called iBlacklist. It costs $12.99 (about £8.50) and offers the ability to block calls and SMS messages from specific numbers, as well as all unknown numbers. Open up Cydia, then find, pay for and install iBlacklist. Restart your phone.
iBlacklist3. iBlacklist should now appear as one of your apps. Open it up, and click 'Blacklists'. Here's you'll find all your current blacklisted numbers - at this stage there won't be any. To add one hit 'Add new Blacklist', then add a number. You can do this via your recent call list - which is where you are most likely to find the culprit. You can also add in a contact, or manually put in a number. Once you've added a number, set the 'Call' icon to 'On'. To block text messages do the same thing with the 'Message' icon.
4. Now you need to configure what happens when a call comes in from that blacklisted number. Hit 'Action to be performed' and choose an option. Options include blocking before your phone even acknowledges the call, sending back the engaged tone, sending the caller directly to voicemail, or automatically hanging up the call. Finally, hit the blue button to save your selections and that number is blocked.
5. To block other numbers or even groups of contacts repeat steps 3 and 4.

Monday, September 16, 2013

How to see which applications are running on a BlackBerry


Ensure unused apps don't drain your battery

BlackBerry's, like many smartphones, offer the ability to have apps running in the background. While the Messages, Phone, Browser and BlackBerry Messenger apps won't drain your battery or affect the performance of the handset, other apps may well do.

With this in mind we should you how to check which apps are running on your BlackBerry and how to close them down.

Step one
Press and hold the Menu button to see a list of apps running in the background.

Step two
You can't close the Messages, Phone, Browser and BlackBerry Messenger apps. However if there are any other apps running you want to close down, press the menu key again.

Step three
From the list of options displayed, scroll down and hit either Close or Exit depending upon what's available. This will quit the app for you.


Saturday, September 14, 2013

How to install Android on your PC

Interested in learning about Android-powered laptops, but unwilling to drop hundreds of bucks? Give Android a whirl on your PC for free.

Windows 8's bold grab for tablet relevance may snatch headlines, but it isn't the only operating system looking to extend its established supremacy over a whole new class of devices. As the PC market hemorrhages, more and more manufacturers are turning to Google's Android OS to power PCs that once carried Windows alone. From hybrids to all-in-ones to an Intel-promised flood of incredibly cheap "Droidbooks," Android cometh.


But wait! Isn't Android made for smartphones? And weren't the first Android-powered laptops a bit ... disappointing? And aren't there some lingering questions about how Android performs in a PC-type environment?
Yup.
Fear not, all ye curious. The intriguing Android-x86 project has ported Google's open-source OS from the ARM processors common in smartphones and tablets over to the x86 chips found in everyday computers, so you can take Android for a spin on your PC before plunking cash down on one of the latest examples of computing convergence. And even if you have no plans to buy an Android PC, playing with Android on your current PC is just plain fun.
How does Google's mobile-focused operating system stack up on a full-size, not-so-mobile computer? You'll know firsthand after giving Android a test drive in a virtual machine.

Why a virtual machine?
Admittedly, virtual machines aren't as peppy as physical ones unless you have a bunch of system resources to toss around. And yes, you can install Android on your computer's hard drive--but I don't recommend even dual-booting this particular OS.
Hardware support for the operating system can be hit-and-miss, though the Android-x86 project mitigates that somewhat by providing several ISO files built around specific hardware, such as Asus and Lenovo ThinkPad laptops. Even so, running Android in a virtual machine is more consistently headache-free than dual-booting it. (Trust me--I tried it on three different machines.)
If you want to dual-boot Android regardless, the steps for doing so are basically the same as dual-booting Windows 8, at least up until the point of actually installing Android. From there, you'll want to pick up from the "Install Android on your PC" segment below.
No matter how you decide to roll, you'll need to grab some virtual machine software--we're using Oracle's excellent (and free) VirtualBox for this article--and the latest version of the Android-x86 port available. If an ISO for your specific laptop model is available, grab it.
Before we begin, note that you can click any image in this article to expand it to full size.

Get VirtualBox up and running
Once you've downloaded all the software, open VirtualBox and click the big blue Open button in the toolbar to begin. A Create Virtual Machine window will appear. Name your digital Android PC anything you like, but be sure to select Linux as the type of operating system, and Linux 2.6 as the version. Click Next.
In the option screens that follow, you have to configure your VM's hardware allocation. Give it at least 512MB of RAM if you can, though Android-x86 can run on 256MB of RAM if you're using a resource-strapped PC. The more memory you can spare, the smoother the results will be, though you don't want to allocate so much to Android that your native experience suffers while the VM is active.
Create a virtual hard drive using the default options, adding more storage if you wish. (Remember: Android was made for phones, so it doesn't take much space, even with multiple apps installed.)
Boom! The VM appears in the VirtualBox manager.
Next, you need to point the VM at your Android-x86 ISO. Click the Storage button in the VM manager and, in the window that appears, select the Empty option underneath 'Controller: IDE' to bring up various 'Attributes' options to the right. There, click the disc icon to the right of 'CD/DVD Drive' and select Choose a virtual CD/DVD disk file from the drop-down menu that appears. Simply browse your hard drive and select the Android-x86 ISO to load it in the virtual machine, and then click OK when you're done.
You're not quite finished yet, though. Click the Audio option, and in the window that appears, click the drop-down 'Audio controller' box and select ICH AC97. If you leave it on the default Soundblaster 16 setting, your Android VM's audio won't work properly.
Got it? Great! Now you're ready to install Android on your PC. The process is a bit trickier than your
standard Windows installation.

Install Android on your PC
Click the name of your Android-x86 VM in VirtualBox's left pane, and then click the big green Start arrow. After clicking OK on any dialog boxes that pop up--be sure to read them!--you'll quickly notice that you can't use your mouse during installation. Use the arrow keys to scroll down to Installation, and then press Enter. Press Enter to select Create/Modify partitions on the next screen as well.
If you usually stick to graphical interfaces, the next menu may throw you for a loop, but it's nothing to be scared of. Just navigate to New and press Enter again. Select Primary as the partition type, and then press Enter once more to set the partition to the default size. You'll see the following screen.
Press Enter on the Bootable option, which should add 'Boot' under the 'Flags' listing, next to the computer name. With that done, select the Write option. A warning appears, threatening that writing to disk will wipe any data already on the disk. Who cares? This is a virtual machine, you silly installation software. Type yes, and then press Enter yet again.
Highlight the Quit option and press Enter to return to the Choose Partition screen, which now lists the 'sda1' partition you created on the virtual hard drive. Press Enter again. You'll see a list of formatting options. Select ext3, press Enter, and select Yes when asked if you really want to format the disk.
Do you want to install boot loader GRUB? Yup! You also want to install the /system directory as read/write when asked.
Aaaaand there's the screen we've been waiting for. Run Android-x86.
Assess Android
You're going to set up the operating system the way you would on a new Android phone or tablet. It's pretty straightforward, and you can even connect the Android-x86 VM to your Google account. But before you do that, you need to coax a mouse cursor on screen, because trying to navigate a touchscreen-optimized OS by keyboard is maddening.
Click Machine in VirtualBox's toolbar, and select Disable Mouse Integration. Dialog boxes may appear; if so, click through them and continue. Disabling mouse integration allows you to manually control whether your mouse is controlling your primary OS or Android-x86. Pressing the right Ctrl button on your keyboard switches between the two operating systems. To swipe, click and hold the mouse button, and then move the mouse.
With that taken care of, you're free to explore Android on your PC!
Don't expect a flawless experience with Android-x86. You can't sync your Google account's apps to the VM, despite what the setup process implies--at least not yet. (Fortunately, Android-x86 ships with Google Play installed, and most apps I've tried work just fine, though you might notice the occasional wonkiness.) Nor does the virtualized OS work with any of the touchscreen displays I've tried. And yes, performance can be kind of poky, no matter how much RAM you toss at Android-x86.
That being said, giving Android a whirl on your PC will nevertheless give you a good feel for what's possible on an Android-powered laptop. The result isn't perfect, but if you give it a shot, I think you'll wind up pleasantly surprised. Android wasn't made for big screens, but all those smartphone-optimized apps hold up okay, and a ton of them are completely free, completely awesome, and can't be found on proper PCs.
And hey--for what it's worth, the Android Gmail interface blows away the ugly webmail UI.

Friday, September 6, 2013

How to print from your iPhone and iPad: AirPrint, Google C

 You don't need a AirPrint printer

The iPad is more than a games machine. Pair it with a keyboard and office suite and you’ve got a fully-fledged laptop replacement. The same is true of the iPhone – particularly now that Office365 subscribers can use it to edit native files in mobile editions of Excel and Word.
The trouble is, without a USB port – and with no way to install any drivers – printing looks like the missing link. It’s all very well being able to create and edit documents, but what about those times you need a hard copy of a vital email, printed directions for a forthcoming journey or a paper based recipe so you don’t have to tap and swipe your screen with pastry chef fingers?
It’s a problem that's easy to work around, as we’ll show you here, with four different ways to print your documents from an iPad or iPhone.
See all printer reviews

How to print from an iPhone or iPad: AirPrint

AirPrint is Apple's officially authorised means of printing from its mobile devices. It was introduced with the iOS 4.2 update, and adds a print function to a wide variety of applications. In Pages, Numbers and Keynote you'll find Print under Tools | Share and Print. In Mail, tap the reply button and pick Print from the menu. In Safari, tap the shortcut button to the left of the address bar and then tap Print.
Printing from iPad to AirPrintAirPrint adds native printing features to a wide range of applications, including Pages, Numbers and Keynote.
AirPrint is compatible with all iPads, the iPhone 3G and later, and the third generation iPod touch onwards. You'll also need a compatible AirPrint printer. These were originally only produced by Canon, but each of the leading manufacturers now has a selection of compatible devices in its range.
They aren't expensive, either. Shop around and you can pick up an HP Deskjet 3520 for around £45, and an all-in-one multifunction device such as the Canon Pixma MG3250 for £50.
Setting it up is easy, and quite literally a two-tap process. The first time you send a document to print, iOS opens the Printer Options dialogue. Tap Select Printer and it scans your network for compatible devices. When it finds one, tap the printer name to return to the Printer Options dialog and complete the process.
You can now specify how many copies you need (and whether to print double-sided if your printer has a built-in duplexer) and tap the Print button to output your file.
Printing from iPad to AirPrint
Setting up AirPrint is a two-tap process, after which you’ll have access to your printer’s specific built-in features.

Thursday, September 5, 2013

How to Transfer Files and Apps from Android phone, Android tablet to SD card

How to transfer files and apps from Android phone, Android tablet to SD card

How to move files and apps from phone to expansion card in Android


We explain how to move apps from Android phone to SD card, how to move files and photos from Android phone to SD card, andhow to save files to the SD card on your Android phone.
In our Android smartphone reviews we often comment that a handset has only 8- or 16GB storage, but can be expanded using an SD card. The ability to use portable storage to expand the capabilities of a smartphone is an absolute boon, but it's not always as straightforward to use such storage as you might think. It is desirable, however.
Keeping files stored on SD card rather than phone makes it easier to swap them from device to device. It also keeps your phone storage free for things such as the OS and apps, which may keep things moving along quickly on an older handset.
Moving apps from your phone to the SD card is almost always difficult, and often impossible. And it isn't always as straightforward as it might be to move files from your phone's storage to the SD card.
Because each iteration- and each manufacturer's version of Android can be so very different, we can offer only general advice here. But here is advice for if you have an Android phone or Android tablet and you want to move apps or data from the phone to the SD card.

How to move apps from Android phone to SD card

Let's address the main issue first: there's a very good chance you might not be able to do this. Because of the way they mount SD cards, many Android manufacturers won't let you run apps from the SD card - you can't on some of the Galaxy phones, for instance. In part this is for performance reasons, and in part because the SD card is outside the walled world of your Google account which may make permissions tricky.
This isn't the case with all Android phones, however. If you can move apps to your SD card, the process is likely to be something like this: go to the Apps menu, find the app you want to move. Then through that particular App's settings, select move to SD card. See also: Group test: what's the best smartphone?

How to move files, photos from Android phone to SD card

Transfer Data to SD cardIf you can't move apps, you can definitely move date from your phone storage to the expansion card. By default files such as music, movies, photos and documents will save to the phone. We'll explain how to set each type of file to save to the card a little further on. For now let's concentrate on moving files.
First of all look in your phone's app menu - is there something called 'File Manager' or similar? If so, you are in clover. If not, don't worry - there are plenty of free third-party file manager apps on the Google Play app store. One we like is ASTRO File Manager.
Using such an app you can browse through the file structure of your handset, find the file or folder you wish to move, copy it, paste it into the new location on your SD card, and delete the original.
But here's a simple pro tip: you don't even need an app if you have access to a PC and a USB cable. That being the case you can mount your phone or tablet like a USB drive on your PC. Click into it from the PC and you'll see the file structure, like any other portable storage. Then simply drag-and-drop files to the SD card. This ability to see and utilise your phone as USB storage is one of the key advantages of Android over iOS.
Transfer Data to SD cardThere is one other possibility that is worth considering. In some recent versions of Android, if you go to Settings > Storage, you'll find an option called 'Transfer data to SD card'. Here you can select or all data or certain types of file (photos/music etc), and transfer them from the phone to the SD card via a single click. Do this periodically to keep your phone's storage free.

How to save files direct to SD card on Android

Finally, here's how to set up your Android phone so that new files automatically save to the expansion card. Select the app you use for that type of file - for instance 'Camera' for photos. Then go to Settings > Storage or similar. There should be an option called something like 'Save to SD card by default'. Enable this option.

Friday, August 30, 2013

How to Restore a Windows Phone 8 Smartphone to Factory Settings

Get your Windows Phone 8 smartphone reset in no time with our guide

 Windows Phone 8 smartphones factory reset

If you've got a Windows Phone 8 smartphone, perhaps a Nokia Lumia, HTC or Samsung, you might want to reset it. So here's how to restore a Windows Phone 8 smartphone to factory settings.
It can be useful to factory reset your Windows Phone 8 handset for various reasons. You might want to sell it, or you might have a problem with it which performing a reset might fix.
Whatever the reason, it's easy to do but not necessary something which is easy to find in the menu. Follow our step-by-step guide. See also: What's the best Nokia smartphone?
Note: A factory reset will delete all your apps and data stored on the phone such as contacts and photos. So make sure you backup anything you want to keep before you start. It's also helpful to have a decent amount of charge in the battery.

How to restore a Windows Phone 8 smartphone to factory settings

Step One
In the App list, find and click on Settings – shown by a cog.
See also: How to update a Windows Phone smartphone.
Windows Phone 8 Settings logo
Step Two
In the System section of the menu, click on About towards the bottom of the list.
Windows Phone 8 System Settings
Step Three
At the bottom of this screen, click the box which says 'Reset your phone'.
Windows Phone 8 About
Step Four
You'll be presented with a warning message. Once you're happy to proceed, click 'Yes'.
Windows Phone 8 Factory Reset
Step Five
Just in case, you'll get a second warning. Click 'Yes' when you're happy.
Windows Phone 8 Factory Reset Warning
Your Windows Phone 8 smartphone will now reboot and be restored to its original factory settings.

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

How to Transfer your Contacts from a BlackBerry to an iPhone

Access your BlackBerry contacts from another phone

BlackBerry and iPhone
Before we begin let me say that there is nothing at all wrong with BlackBerry phones - I personally love my BlackBerry Z10. But I also use an iPhone 5, and I would like to be able to transfer business contacts from the BlackBerry to the iPhone. I guess I'm not alone.
In this piece I'll show you how to do two things: two ways to transfer contacts from an older BlackBerry to an iPhone, and further down how to transfer contacts from a BlackBerry 10 device to another phone such as the iPhone. We've had to use an app to transfer contacts from the BlackBerry Z10, however, and would love to hear from anyone who has a better solution.

How to transfer contacts from BlackBerry to iPhone: method 1

The prescribed way to transfer contacts from older BlackBerry handsets is to use the BlackBerry Desktop software app. Simply connect your BlackBerry to your PC and start the BlackBerry Desktop software. Go to Device, Backup, and back up your phone - making sure that the Contacts are being backed up.
Now that your Contacts are on your PC, simply connect your iPhone and launch iTunes. Just below the main playback information window. Select 'Info', and then tick the box next to 'Sync Contacts'. The next time you sync your iPhone on that PC your contacts will sync with your iPhone.
BlackBerry Desktop Device Backup

How to transfer contacts from BlackBerry to iPhone: method 2

That method works, but it is a little kludgy. A better method is to use Google Sync. That way your contacts are in your Google account, and you can access them from just about any device. Unfortunately, you can no longer use this method unless you pay for Google Apps for Business. Clearly, you are unlikely to do that for this reason alone, but if your business uses Google Apps the following may work:
1. On your BlackBerry go to m.google.com/sync. Download the google sync app when prompted.
Google Sync
2. Launch the app and enter your Google account username and password - if you have a Gmail account it's this login. If you don't have a Google account (and we'd be surprised), setting one up is free. Just open a Gmail account - you don't have to use it for email.
2. Now select 'Sync Now'. Your contacts will copy over to your Gmail account.
3. Head to your iPhone. Choose Settings; Mail, Contacts, Calendars. Now hit Add Account and choose Microsoft Exchange - you need to enter this email account as an Exchange account in order to fully sync contacts. Enter your Gmail address where it asks for email and again where it asks for username. Enter your Gmail password. Hit Next.
4. Now scroll to the 'Server' field, and type m.google.com. Set 'Sync' to Yes under both 'Contacts' and 'Calendars'.
Your contacts data is now in your iPhone (as well as your Gmail account, should you wish to access it from your PC).

Transfer Contacts from BlackBerry 10 phone to iPhone

Not being a Google Apps for Business subscriber we couldn't get the above method to work on our BlackBerry Z10. And BlackBerry 10 phones don't come with BlackBerry Desktop software. Instead they bundle BlackBerry Link, which doesn't offer the same function.
The only good way we could find to move contacts from the BlackBerry Z10 was by using InTouch - a free app you can get from BlackBerry World, upload your contacts, and then install on to other devices. InTouch supports iOS and Android, as well as older Nokia Bada phones. And you can install a beta of the app into your desktop browser. Sounds good right? Well, it is. And it works for all BlackBerries, as well as those other phones.
Think of it as Dropbox for contacts. If anyone knows of a better way to transfer contacts from BlackBerry 10 handsets, I'd love to hear them! Let me know in the comments below, or @mattjegan.
1. Download and install the app. Accept the conditions.
InTouch
2. Set up an account. Hit Register, then give your name, email, mobile number, as well as a username and password. Then hit Register again.
InTouch
3. The app will now download your contacts from the BlackBerry. And, well, that's it. Install In Touch on any other device, or access your account from a desktop browser, and you can use all of your contact data. Indeed, update your account from anywhere and it will sync to all of your devices.

Thursday, August 22, 2013

How to use your Smartphone as a Wi-Fi hotspot: A Guide to Tethering

A smartphone's small screen isn't as good as a tablet's for browsing the web or streaming videos from Netflix, though. The good news is that it's possible to use your smartphone as a portable Wi-Fi hotspot, and share its data connection with your Wi-Fi-only tablet.
This setup is called tethering or internet sharing, and many smartphones provide this feature, including iPhones, BlackBerrys, Windows Phones and, of course, Android handsets.

What does tethering mean for Android, iPhone, BlackBerry and Windows Phones?

Tethering is when you turn you smartphone into a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot and share your phones 3G/4G data connection. Once you've turned tethering on, any device with a wireless connection can connect to the internet via your smartphone's connection.
'Tethering' means the same thing no matter what smartphone OS you are using. The only difference is how you enable it on each platform.

Does my smartphone work as a Wi-Fi hotspot?

Not all smartphones support tethering, but most popular models do, including the iPhone, Samsung Galaxy S3, Nokia Lumia 920 and BlackBerry Z10. You don't have to use Wi-Fi to share your phone's internet connection: some allow you to connect a laptop (possibly even a tablet) via a USB cable. Alternatively, you might be able to use Bluetooth.
Regardless of the connection method, it's important to check whether your mobile tariff allows tethering before using your smartphone as a Wi-Fi hotspot. In some cases, the mobile operator can prevent the option from appearing on your handset if tethering isn't part of the deal (iPhone owners will notice that Personal Hotspot simply doesn't show up in the General settings menu, for example). iPhone 5 personal hotspot
In other cases, it's physically possible to set up tethering but if it's disallowed on your tariff you could find yourself with a warning or even being cut off for breaking the rules. Some operators are more lenient than others, but always check if you're not sure.
If you happen to have a giffgaff SIM in your iPhone, you're out of luck as giffgaff isn't recognised by Apple as an official carrier. You'd need to jailbreak your iPhone to get around this.

I'm not allowed to tether on my tariff. What are the alternatives?

First, and most obviously, you could switch to a different operator or tariff (or request a bolt-on to your current tariff) that allows you to use your smartphone as a Wi-Fi hotspot. That might mean paying more each month, but it's likely to work out cheaper than the alternatives.
If you haven't already bought a tablet, you might consider buying one with 3G or 4G support. You'd then have to get a data-only SIM card for it, and either pay monthly or pay as you go for this separate tariff.
Another option is to invest in a portable Wi-Fi hotspot, also known as MiFi. These battery powered devices are essentially wireless routers into which you pop a SIM card, just as you would a 3G or 4G tablet. They cost from around £50 or might come as part of a package with a data SIM.
ZTE mf60 MiFi portable hotspot
If you want a device that will work in other countries as well as the UK, you'd do well to investigate Globalgig - reviewed.

How does tethering work?iPhone 5 personal hotspot settings

Put simply, the process involves enabling the hotspot option on your phone, configuring wireless security with a password to prevent other people piggybacking on your connection, then connecting your tablet to the wireless network just as you would with any hotspot.
You'll have to enter the password the first time you connect, but on subsequent occasions, your tablet should connect automatically. It's the same process if you have a MiFi dongle.

Pitfalls to watch out for

One of the potential problems with using your phone as a portable Wi-Fi hotspot is that your tablet will think it's connected to a fixed broadband line, rather than a mobile connection.
This means it could gobble up your limited monthly data allowance very quickly. Whereas your smartphone will avoid downloading app updates and any other large data files on 3G, your tablet could assume that's perfectly fine.
For this reason, either disable automatic updates or downloads. Or keep a close eye on how much data is being used by looking in your phone's settings or via a dedicated app.
On your smartphone, disable the hotspot running when you're not using it as this will prolong battery life.

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

How to Use Your BlackBerry as a Tethered Modem

 Step (1) Verify That You Have the Right Phone and Data Plan

Using your BlackBerry smartphone as a tethered modem is a great way to get connected to the Internet when you don't have access to another network. But it requires the right equipment, and the right data plan.
Before you get started, you should check that your phone can be used as a tethered modem. BlackBerry's Website has a list of supported phones.
If you don't see your phone on the list, check with your carrier to see if the functionality is supported.
And, before you do anything, you should check the details of your phone's data plan. When using your BlackBerry as a tethered modem, you'll be transferring lots of data, so you'll need an appropriate plan. And remember, even if you have an unlimited data plan, it still may not support tethered modem use. You may need a specialized plan from your carrier. Check with your carrier to see if this is the case; it's better to know ahead of time, so you don't get socked with a huge bill later on.

 Step (2)
Install the BlackBerry Desktop Manager Software
BlackBerry's Desktop Software
 Now that you know you have the right phone and the necessary data plan, you'll need to install BlackBerry's Desktop Manager software on your PC. This software works with Windows 2000, XP, and Vista computers only; Mac users will need a third-party solution.
The BlackBerry Desktop Manager software will be included on the CD that came with your phone. If you don't have access to the CD, you can download the application from Research In Motion's Website.

Step (3)  Disable IP Header Compression Disable IP Header Compression 
Research In Motion does not list this as a required step, so your BlackBerry may work fine as a tethered modem if you skip this one. But if you're having problems, try disabling the IP Header Compression.
To do this, go to the Control Panel, and then the "Network and Sharing Center."
Click "Manage network connections" from the list of options on the left.
You'll see the BlackBerry Modem connection you just created; right click on it and select "Properties."
Click the "Networking" tab.
Select "Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)"
Click "Properties," and then "Advanced."
Make sure the box that says "Use IP header compression" is not checked.
Click all of the OK buttons to exit.

Step (4)   Connect Your BlackBerry to Your Computer via USB Verify that your phone is connected.

Connect your BlackBerry smartphone to your computer via USB, using the cord that came with it. If this is the first time you've connected the phone, you'll see drivers automatically installing.
You can verify that the phone is connected by looking at the bottom left-hand corner of the BlackBerry Desktop Manager app. If a phone is connected, you'll see the PIN number.

Step (5) Enter BlackBerry Dial-Up Number, User Name and Password 
 
You'll also need to enter a dial-up phone number. 
In order to establish your connection, you'll need a number to connect to. If you're using a CDMA or EvDO BlackBerry phone (one that runs on the Verizon Wireless or Sprint networks), the number should be *777.
If you're using a GPRS, EDGE, or UMTS BlackBerry (one that runs on the AT&T or T-Mobile networks), the number should be *99.
If these numbers don't work, check with your cellular carrier. They may be able to provide you with an alternate number.
You'll also need a user name and password from your cellular carrier. If you don't know it, call them and ask how to find it.
You'll also want to give this newly-created connection a name that will allow you to identify it in the future, such as BlackBerry Modem. Enter this name in the "Connection name" field at the bottom of the page.
You can test the connection if you'd like. Whether or not you test it now, make sure to save it so you'll have all of the information you just entered.

Step (6)  Verify That the Modem Drivers Are Installed
  Modem drivers should be installed automatically 
 The BlackBerry Desktop Manager application should automatically install the modem drivers you need, but you'll want to make sure. To do so, go to your computer's Control Panel.
From there, select "Phone and Modem Options."
Under the "Modems" tab, you should see a new modem listed. It will be called "Standard Modem" and will be on a port such as COM7 or COM11. (You'll also see any other modems you may have on your computer.)
Note: These directions are specific to Windows Vista, so you may see slightly different names used if you're on a Windows 2000 or XP machine.

Step (7) Add a New Internet Connection
Create the Internet connection 
Go to your computer's Control Panel. From there, select "Network and Sharing Center."
From the list on the left side, choose "Set up a connection or network."
Then select "Connect to the Internet."
You'll be asked, "Do you want to use a connection you already have?"
Select "No, create new connection."
You'll be asked "How Do You Want to Connect?"
Choose dial-up.
You'll be asked "Which Modem Do You Want to Use?"
Choose the standard modem that you created earlier.

Step (8) 
Verify That the Modem is Functioning
Verify that the modem is functioning. 
Go to your computer's Control Panel. From there, select "Phone and Modem Options."
Click on the "Modems" tab and select the "Standard Modem" you just created.
Click "Properties."
Click "Diagnostics."
Click "Query modem."
You should get a response that identifies it as a BlackBerry modem.

Step (9) 
Set Up an Internet APN
Set up an Internet APN 
For this step, you'll need some information from your cellular carrier. Specifically, you'll need an initialization command and a carrier-specific APN setting.
Once you have that information, go to your computer's Control Panel. From there, select "Phone and Modem Options."
Click on the "Modems" tab and select the "Standard Modem" again.
Click "Properties."
Click "Change Settings."
When the "Properties" window, reappears, click the "Advanced" tab. In the "Extra initialization commands" field, type: +cgdcont=1,"IP","<your Internet APN>"
Click OK and then OK again to exit.

Step (10)
Connect to the Internet
You're done! 

Your BlackBerry Modem connection should now be ready to use.
In order to connect to the Internet, you'll need to have your BlackBerry smartphone connected to your PC, and the BlackBerry Desktop Manager software running.
Click on the Windows icon on the bottom left-hand side of your computer (or the "Start" button) and select "Connect to."
You'll see a list of all available connections. Highlight your BlackBerry Modem, and click "Connect."
Now you're connected!