Guide to BlackBerry Messenger

                                                                     
BBM is like text messages, but more immediate and with more things you can do. Think instant messaging, but on your BlackBerry® smartphone. You can see who is available, start chatting with friends, set up groups, get instant replies, and share files—all this from virtually any location.
BBM also outshines texting in that you can share pictures, lists, and calendar appointments with a group.
Download BBM »

TIP 1: ADD BBM CONTACTS

Option 1: Use a PIN or email

1. On the BBM contact list screen, press the Menu key.
2. Click Invite Contact.
3. Click Enter a person's email address, PIN, or name.
4. If necessary, change the Send Using field and/or Category fields.
5. Click Send.

Note: The person might remain in the Pending category until he or she responds to your invitation.

Option 2: Use barcodes

Want a quick way to add a friend to your BBM contact list? Try scanning the BBM barcode from their BlackBerry smartphone. Simply scan your friend's barcode and presto!, they are added to your BlackBerry Messenger contact list.

Find your barcode

1. On the BBM contact list screen, press the Menu key and click My Profile.
2. Click Display My Barcode.

Scan a barcode

1. On the BBM contact list screen, press the Menu key and click Invite Contact.
2. Click Scan a person's barcode, then click Continue.
3. Hold your smartphone so that all four corners of the barcode you are scanning appear on your device screen. Continue to hold the smartphone until you hear a beep.

Creating thresholds using the BlackBerry Threshold Analysis Tool

                                                                    
You can use the BlackBerry® Threshold Analysis Tool to create thresholds that monitor specific data attributes of the BlackBerry® Enterprise Server components that are located in your organization's BlackBerry Domain. After the tool creates thresholds, you can turn off, change, or delete the thresholds in the BlackBerry Monitoring Service console.
To create thresholds that are appropriate for the activity levels of a component, the tool uses historical data that is stored in the BlackBerry Monitoring Service Database to determine whether the activity level of a component is normal. You must wait a minimum of 4 weeks after you install and turn on the BlackBerry Monitoring Service to run the tool so that it can accumulate a sufficient amount of historical data to create appropriate thresholds. If you accumulate more than 4 weeks of historical data, the tool can create thresholds that are more accurate. The tool is designed to use historical data that demonstrates normal activity levels of a component. Do not run the tool if the tool might use historical data that demonstrates abnormal activity levels of a component.
You can run the tool so that it uses default settings to create appropriate thresholds, or you can create a configuration file to change the settings that the tool uses to create appropriate thresholds. If you use the default settings , the tool creates thresholds that have the following rules:

• alarm severity of warning for low activity levels
• alarm severity of warning for high activity levels

You can change the settings in the configuration file so that the tool creates thresholds that have the following rules:

• alarm severity of warning for low activity levels
• alarm severity of warning for high activity levels
• alarm severity of error for low activity levels
• alarm severity of error for high activity levels
• alarm severity of critical for low activity levels
• alarm severity of critical for high activity levels

How To - Get Images Onto Your BlackBerry

                                                
  There are a few ways to get images into your Picture Application.

• Email Attachment: You can send an email to your BlackBerry with an image as an attachment. Then just view the image and save it.
• Browser: You can browse to any web page that contains an image, (try images.google.com) select the image and save it. Note: You may have to enter "Select Mode" to select an image that does not contain a link.
• BlackBerry Messenger: You can send and receive images using your BlackBerry Messenger Application. 

How to set up an email address on your BlackBerry smartphone

                                                          
After getting a new BlackBerry® smartphone, one of the first things you’ll want to do is add your email address so you can receive email on your device. Integrating your email address will allow you to receive messages in near real-time, reply and forward, filter message by sender or subject, and much more.
To integrate an email address with your BlackBerry smartphone, just complete the following steps:

1. Locate and click on the Setup folder.
2. Within the Setup folder, click on Email Settings and if prompted, review the Terms of Agreement.
3. A listing of various email providers will now be displayed:
• If you are integrating a Yahoo!, Gmail, AOL or Windows Live email address, highlight the appropriate icon and click Next.
• If you are integrating an email address from another provider, select Other.
4. Provide the email address and password and in most cases, you’re done!

For example, let’s say you want to integrate your Hotmail email address with your new BlackBerry smartphone. The steps to complete this would be as easy as selecting Windows Live™ (Hotmail, MSN®, Live) from the listing that appears after selecting Email Settings and specifying your Hotmail user name and password. After entering this information and clicking Next, you will have successfully integrated your Hotmail email address. It really is that easy to get your email delivered to your device!

How To Pair Bluetooth Devices with Your Blackberry

                                                               

In order to pair a BlackBerry device with a Bluetooth device, the Bluetooth device must be in pairing mode. Most Bluetooth devices are not set to pairing mode by default. Therefore, refer to your Bluetooth device manual for instructions on how to set the device to pairing mode.
1. On the BlackBerry device, in the device options, click Bluetooth.
2. Click the trackwheel and click Add Device. The Select Device list appears and lists devices that are in range and available to be paired.
Note: Only devices that are in range and are in pairing mode will appear in the available device list.
3. Click the device to which you are pairing. The Enter passkey dialog appears.
4. Enter the passkey to authenticate the device. Most Bluetooth devices contain a hardcoded passkey. See your Bluetooth device manual for the passkey. 

                                                                            

What is Blackberry Content Protection?

                                                                          
Although your BlackBerry transmits data over the air very securely, it does not store data on the handheld securely, unless you enable content protection.

To enable content protection, go to Options --> Security and set Content Protection = enabled, which will also require you to enable a password.

When you enable content protection on your BlackBerry, the BlackBerry will encrypt data that it determines to be sensitive, e.g. emails, browser cache, address book entries etc. This prevents someone with physical access to your handheld, from connecting it to a PC and extracting sensitive data. This will give you piece of mind, if your handheld is lost or stolen.

When you lock your handheld, the BlackBerry will start to encrypt data, initially this may take quite some time. While the BlackBerry is encrypting data, an Open Pad Lock icon will be displayed. When the BlackBerry is finished encrypting data, the Pad Lock icon will close.

The BlackBerry will continue to encrypt new data you enter, or receive over the air.

Top 20 Tips from BlackBerry

                                                                                

1. To move the cursor in a different direction, hold the Alt key and roll the trackwheel.
   
2. To type an accented or special character, hold the letter key and roll the trackwheel. When the desired character appears, release the letter key.
   
3. To switch to another application, hold the Alt key and press the Escape button. Continue to hold the Alt key and select an application. Release the Alt key to switch to that application.
   
4. To exit a screen or dialog box, press the Escape button.
   
5. To change an option field, hold the Alt key. Click a value.
   
6. To move directly to an item in an options list or menu, press the first letter of the item.
   
7. To select a check box, press the Space key. To clear the check box, press the Space key again.
   
8. To select a line of text, press the Shift key and roll the trackwheel.
   
9. To cut selected text, press the Shift key + the Backspace key. To copy selected text, press the Alt key and click the trackwheel. To paste text, press the Shift key and click the trackwheel.
   
10. To capitalize a letter, hold the letter key until the capitalized letter appears.
    
11. To insert a period, press the Space key twice. The next letter is capitalized.
    
12. To insert the at sign (@) and periods in an Email field, press the Space key.
    
13. To reply to a message, press R. To forward a message, press F. To reply to all, press L.
    
14. To move to the top of a screen, press T. To move to the bottom of a screen, press B.
    
15. To move down a screen, press the Space key. To move up a screen, press the Shift key + the Space key.
    
16. To turn on CAP lock, press the Alt key + the Right Shift key. To turn off CAP lock, press the Right Shift key.
    
17. To view sent messages, in the messages list, press the Alt key + O. To view received messages, press the Alt key + I. To view SMS messages, press the Alt key + S. To view phone call logs, press the Alt key + P. To view voice mail messages, press the Alt key + V.
    
18. To move to the next item, press N. To move to the previous item, press P.
    
19. To type numbers in a number field, press the number keys. You do not need to press the Alt key.
    
20. In the Calendar, to change to Agenda view, press A. To change to Day view, press D. To change to Week view, press W. To change to Month view, press M.

Hot Keys - BlackBerry Browser

                                                               
The following hot keys are available from the Browser when you are viewing a web page, i.e. not from the bookmarks.

• T: Go to the Top of the page
• B: Go to the Bottom of the page
• R: Refresh the current page
• U: Toggle the title bar on/off
• I: View History
• O: Go to the Browser Options screen
• P: Display the address of the current page
• L: Display the address of the currently selected link
• A: Add a bookmark for the current page
• K: Go to the Bookmarks screen
• S: Save the current web page to the message list
• F/V: Bring up the Search/Find window
• Alt + F: Find Next
• M: Request More Images to be downloaded (if any)
• Q: Request All Images to be downloaded (if any)
• C: Display the connection information screen
• Alt + O/Shift + SPACE: Page up
• Alt + P/SPACE: Page down
• D: Sends the Browser to the Background
• G: Bring up the "Go To" screen
• X: Bring up the web page preview/map screen
• Esc: Goes back to the previous page
• Press and Hold Esc: Closes the browser

Easy Method for Deleting Multiple Messages

                                                                         
Have you ever wanted to just delete all messages from a particular person, or all messages in a certain folder from your BlackBerry?

Well there's an easy way to do that, just perform a message search, and within the search results select "Delete Prior" from the menu. This will delete all the messages in that search prior to the date you selected.

Note however, that this does not remove the messages from the Mail Client. 

How To Empty Your Blackberry Call Log

                                                                          
To empty your BlackBerry's phone call log, first make sure that Call Logging is set to "All Calls" from Phone Options --> Call Logging.

Now go to the Message List Application, and view the folder "Phone Call Logs". You can now select the top most log, and then select "Delete Prior" from the menu. This will empty your phone call log.

                                                                  

How To Increase the Speed of the BlackBerry Browser

  

                                                                                  
There are a few things that you can do to significantly increase the speed of the BlackBerry Browser.

1. Turn Off Show Images: Downloading images takes a lot of bandwidth, and strains your BlackBerry when loading them. From the Browser Options --> Browser Configuration screen, set Show Images = no, and uncheck "Use Background Images".
   Note: You can easily download the images for any page by pressing "M" for more images, or "Q" for all images. These options are also available from the menu.
   
   
2. Turn Off JavaScript Support: Some JavaScripts are very large and can't be processed by your BlackBerry anyways, so turning off JavaScript support will not only save on bandwidth, but on processing time by your BlackBerry.                                                                        

How To Free Up Memory On Your BlackBerry

                                                                                     

It's amazing how much your BlackBerry can do with very little memory. Compared to other PDAs, the BlackBerry only has a fraction of the memory available.

When memory is low, your BlackBerry will perform Low Memory Management, erasing data like Browser Cache, Old Emails etc. Yes that's right, your BlackBerry will delete unsaved old emails without asking you. That's why it's important to manage your memory.

There a few things you can do to free up some space on your BlackBerry:

1. Enable Content Compression: Go to Options --> Security and enabled Content Compression, this will free up some space.
2. Delete the Help Application: For more experienced users who don't use the help feature, go to Options --> Applications, select Help and delete it.
3. Delete the Unused Language Packs: Delete any unused language packs installed on your BlackBerry from the Application Options screen.
4. Delete BrickBreaker: If you've had your fill of this game, delete it, along with any other games you don't play anymore.
5. Delete Pictures: Delete any unwanted images from the Pictures Application, these are often quite large and should free up some much needed space.
6. Make Use of the Lookup Feature: Instead of keeping a large address book, just use the lookup feature if it is available from your company.
7. Set Keep Appointments to 15 Days: It's unlikely that you'll need old appointments on your BlackBerry, especially if you're on a BES. Go to Calendar Options and set Keep Appointments = 15 Days.                                               

How To Restore Your BlackBerry to Default Settings

                                                                          
You can restore your BlackBerry to the default settings, by performing a security wipe on the handheld.
The easiest way to perform the wipe, is to go to Options --> Security, click the track-wheel to bring up the menu, and select "Wipe Handheld".
You may also wipe a handheld by entering the password incorrectly 10 times (or whatever setting the IT Admin has set).
WARNING! You will not be able to send email, use the BlackBerry Browser until you have activated your handheld again, either by connecting to the Desktop Manager, or performing Enterprise Activation.

How to reset a BlackBerry smartphone

                                                                             
 A reset of a BlackBerry® smartphone is a troubleshooting method that completely turns off and restarts the BlackBerry smartphone's operating system software and applications. It is a useful first step if a BlackBerry smartphone is experiencing hardware, software, or wireless network problems.
Note: A reset of a BlackBerry smartphone does not delete any settings or data.
There are two options for performing a reset: a hard reset and a soft reset.
A hard reset involves physically removing the battery from the BlackBerry smartphone and then reinserting it. To perform a hard reset, complete the following steps:

1. Remove the battery cover from the back of the BlackBerry smartphone.
2. Remove the battery, and then reinsert it after a few seconds.
3. Replace the battery cover.

A soft reset is a three-key combination that resets the BlackBerry smartphone without removing the battery. It is only available on BlackBerry smartphone models with a QWERTY keyboard. Do not attempt to perform a soft reset on BlackBerry smartphones that are equipped with SureType® technology or the SurePress™ touch screen, such as the BlackBerry® Pearl™ Series, BlackBerry® Pearl™ Flip Series, and BlackBerry® Storm™ smartphone.
To perform a soft reset, complete the following steps:

1. Press and hold the Alt key on the BlackBerry smartphone.
2. While holding down the Alt key, press and hold the Right Shift key.
3. With both of those buttons still pressed, press the Backspace/Delete key. The display on the BlackBerry smartphone turns off to indicate that the reset has started, and the keys can now be released.

Note: Some BlackBerry smartphones do not display the Alt, Right Shift, and Backspace/Delete keys in the same manner. However, the location of the keys does not change. Refer to the following graphic for key position:

                                                       

How To Extend Your BlackBerry Battery Life

There are several things you can do to extend the life of your battery between charges.

1. Set Email Filters. Yes that's right, set some email filters to block unnecessary messages received on your handheld. The fewer wireless transmissions your BlackBerry makes, the longer your battery will last.
2. Decrease the backlight timeout and/or brightness. This is especially true for the newer 7100, and 7290 handhelds. Go to Options --> Screen/Keyboard to set the backlight options.
3. Disable wireless sync on applications that you do not use, e.g. Memopad. Is it really necessary to transmit memopad data over the air? If not, then just disable Wireless Synchronization from the Memopad Options.
4. Turn Wireless Off when you are in areas of poor coverage. The BlackBerry will greatly increase it's output in poor coverage, and this can be very draining on your battery.
5. Set the Auto On/Off. Unless you're on call 24 hours a day, chances are you won't be using your BlackBerry late at night. So set the Auto On/Off to shut your BlackBerry off.
6. Set your profiles to have the BlackBerry vibrate and ring less often. Even just reducing the number of beeps can give you a little extra battery life.

Message Tips:-Navigating:

1. Enter or spacebar: scroll down a page/screen at a time.
2. ALT-Enter: scroll back a page/screen at a time.
3. b: scroll to bottom of page or list.
4. t: scroll to top of page or list.
5. u: jump to closest unread message in a list.
6. n: jump to next message.
7. p: jump to previous message.
8. backspace/delete key: delete previous character while typing or delete message if viewing it in a list.

Reply-to/Forward:

1. R: Reply to this message.
2. L: Reply to all.
3. F: Forward this message.

Select Text:

1. Press the Shift key and then scroll the trackball to select (highlight) text. If you release the Shift key and scroll the trackball you will select entire lines. Press the Shift key again at any time to start selecting by character again.
2. Hold down ALT key + CLICK the trackball (click it don't hold it down), release the trackball and then use it to scroll (select) whole lines. You can press and hold the ALT key at anytime to start selecting by character again.
3. Click Menu key and choose SELECT from the menu. Roll the trackball down to select entire line. Click trackball again and select copy.
   
   With either method, click the trackball and select 'Cut' or 'Copy'... To paste, go to insertion point, or open a new message or whatever, click the trackball, and then select 'Paste'.

Shortcuts and Tricks for Your BlackBerry-General Tips

1. Roll the trackball to scroll horizontally in any field where you can enter/edit or view text.
2. Roll the trackball vertically to scroll vertically or to go to different fields to change options.
3. Hold the Shift (CAP) key while you roll the trackball to select multiple items in a list (such as messages). You can use this to delete multiple messages, for example.
4. Type the first letter of an item in an options list or menu to jump directly to that item.
5. Type the first letters of a name or the first few letters of the first name & last name separated by a space to quickly find a contact in the Address Book screen. e.g. 'jo sm' to find John Smith.
6. Press C to compose a new message from within Messages.
7. Rearrange the ribbon (menu): In the Home (icon) screen, press the menu key to bring up a menu. You can then select Move or Hide an icon. If you have hidden an icon, you can choose Show All to show it again. A hidden icon will appear with an X over it or shadowed. To un-hide press the menu key while on it and uncheck Hide icon.
8. The Blackberry display can be adjusted to allow reading messages while conserving battery power. Go to Options icon, Screen/Keyboard. Change the Backlight Brightness to 40% and set the Backlight Timeout to 1 Minute or perhaps 90 Seconds.
9. If you've lost signal or data coverage, try turning the radio off/on by going to Manage Connections. Uncheck then recheck the box for Mobile Network. Also, try going into Options, Host Routing Table and clicking the menu key, then selecting 'Register Now. After doing this you should receive a registration message from your wireless carrier. If this fails, pull out battery and reboot BlackBerry.
10. Password protect your BB: To set a password, go to the Options menu. If you have a Password option, select that. If not, Click on Security Settings, General Settings. In either case, change Password to Enabled. Select the desired Security Timeout value, then click the menu key and choose Save. You will be prompted to enter a new password and confirm the new password. You should also go to the Owner item in the Options menu and enter your name, a phone number (other than your BlackBerry), etc. When the password protection kicks in, this owner information is displayed on the screen. NOTE: If the wrong password is entered 10 times, the BlackBerry will perform a security wipe and delete all data stored on the device.
11. To support more than one email signature: Go to Messages, then click the Menu Key and choose Options, then choose Email settings. Change the Use Auto Signature to No. Then use 'AutoText' to add the alternate signatures you wish to use. See AutoText.
12. AutoText: Create your own abbreviations by going to Options, AutoText. Click the menu key and choose New. Enter an abbreviation then enter the text that will replace that abbreviation. Choose Specified Case if the replacement text is a proper noun, otherwise choose SmartCase. If the replacement text is at the beginning of a sentence, the first letter will be capitalized, if it occurs in mid-sentence, it will be lower case.
    Hold the ALT key while you roll the thumb-wheel to scroll horizontally in any field where you can enter or view text.