Switching to a new BlackBerry Smartphone

Switching to a new BlackBerry Smartphone Demo

Just came across this Switching to a BlackBerry Smartphone demo by Research in Motion

BlackBerry Bold as a Tethered Modem

The BlackBerry Bold can be used as a tethered modem on both the Telecom NZ XT network and Vodafone network in NZ.

For step by step instructions on how to install the modem on your PC, follow KB05196 from the BlackBerry Technical Solutions Centre.

Remember to run the BlackBerry Desktop Manager when connecting.

Tethered modem traffic does not route via the RIM network therefore it is not compressed so make sure your data plan is large enough so that you don’t accrue overage.

Settings:

Telecom NZ

APN = direct.telecom.co.nz

Username = blank

Password = blank

Vodafone NZ

APN = www.vodafone.net.nz

Username = blank

Password = blank

Bling your BlackBerry

Here’s a picture of my BlackBerry Bold with an istyles skin – go to www.istyles.com for a huge selection of skins.

They were really easy to put on and really fun to use.

One point to note – the wall paper must be downloaded via a PC not via the browser on your Berry. Just email it to yourself once you have downloaded it, then save as an image.

BlackBerry Application Development Training in NZ

An awesome oppoprtunity to learn just how powerful the BlackBerry Solution truely is…..click here to find out more.  Thanks RIM!

BlackBerry Applications Development Training Course

The wait is over…..4.5 code released for Telecom NZ 8830 BlackBerry

The much anticipated Telecom NZ BlackBerry 8830 4.5 Device Software code was released last week. Download it from the RIM BlackBerry Telecom New Zealand Downloads site. 

It’s got some pretty cool new features including wireless software updates from here on in.  It requires the latest BlackBerry Desktop Manager installed on your PC to perform the upgrade. Also downloadable from the link above.

You can call the Telecom BlackBerry Support Line if you need assistance with the upgrade.

Cool new stuff

Searching your remote mail file – if you have a tragic email quota you can now empty your sent items and deleted items from your Berry and keep on sending.

Viewing colleagues “busy-time” when booking meetings, very handy. Still no invite forward though – it’s on the cards with the version 5 code coming later this year.

HTML email’s. I was pretty stoked when my first HTML email arrived. It might add load to your Exchange server if you are running a BES so bear that in mind if you are a BES Admin.

Voice recorder – make sure you send all your colleagues really dumb voice recordings. BB Messenger addicts can record and send messages from the from BB Messenger menu.

Faster browsing – so much quicker now – Telecom might be installing a 3G network but their CDMA network still has some speed in it!

Docs to go – during the install you have the option of installing the Docs to Go software for your Berry which allows you to save, and edit Word Docs and Excel spreadsheets on your Berry. This uses memory so only install it if you plan to use it.

You can adjust the bass and treble from the menu whilst on a call – might be worth a play if you ever have issues with sound quality

Not so cool 

BES Features not available for BES Professional yet.

Volume seems to be louder – I had to readjust all my settings.

NZ Daylight Savings changes for your BlackBerry

Daylight Savings is never a fun time if your environment is not update to date with the latest Daylight Savings settings.

For those BlackBerry users on a BES, the BlackBerry Technical Solutions Centre has the update steps detailed in a knowledgebase article:

For Domino BES DST Information click here.

For Exchange BES DST Information click here.

If you use the BlackBerry Internet Service for email you will need to download the patch directly to your device:

Telecom BlackBerry – click here on your BlackBerry to download the update.

Vodaone NZ BlackBerry – click here for details.

Recognise Earth Hour from your BlackBerry

The good folks at RIM are supporting Earth Hour with an site accessible via your BlackBerry browser. Download Videos, Berry Wall Paper and a site launcher and support the cause. I’m thinking we should all turn our BlackBerry’s off on the 28th too!!

Point your BlackBerry browser to http://earthhour.msite.tv/

I LUV my new Boosted Headphones for my BlackBerry

they fit perfectly on a female head
they have a fabric cord that doesn’t tangle

 

they play decent sound

they have a microphone and call answer button
they have a fabric cord that doesn’t tangle

they are lightweight and comfortable

 

someone was thinking!

Calling all Kiwi Mobile App Developers….

Anyone out there intereseted in attending a BlackBerry Application Development workshop?

An experienced RIM Developer will demonstrate the BlackBerry Developers Studio – suitable for .net and J2me and Java developers, plus anyone interested in picking up some new skills.

The workshops will be held in Wellington and Auckland depending on whether we can get a good crowd together so let me know if you are keen!!!!

BlackBerry 8830 Deep Dive Series – Network

The 8830 BlackBerry WorldMode Smartphone connects to CDMA and GSM/GPRS 900/1800 Mhz networks.

As long as your carrier has a roaming partnership with a carrier in the country you are visiting and it is running the correct frequency network,your device should receive data – email, internet browsing service.

When you jump off the plane and switch back on your device, it’s possible you’ll need to connect manually to a network.

You can Manage Connections via the Antennae icon on your BlackBerry Smartphone.

Click on Turn All Connections Off to set for “Flight Mode” or Restore Connections when back in coverage. 

 

 

From Mobile Network Options, you can toggle network types between 1xEV CDMA and GSM.

I wouldn’t recommend using the Global function as the device could lock on a network carrier where no data service is available. 

If you don’t have any luck you can run a diagnostics test from the Manage Network Options menu.

 

Before you go, ensure you have inserted the SIM card correctly into your BlackBerry 8830 Smartphone. This will be provided to you by your carrier.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Note: There will be no GSM/GPRS service for 8830 WorldMode Smartphones in countries that do not have GSM/GPRS 900/1800 Mhz networks 

More info from NZ Carriers:

Telecom NZ Roaming Info

 

Vodafone NZ Roaming Info 

Blogging from my BlackBerry

I have been waiting a while to be able to blog from my BlackBerry 8830 and now, it seems it is possible – this will be my first try using the WordPress for Mobile. So far so good. As will most of my browsing from my BlackBerry I use Opera Mini Browser (go to opera.mini.com from your Berry to install). Which provides much better functionality than the normal BlackBerry browser.

The version 4.5 software with enhanced HTML viewing for the Telecom 8830 isn’t too far away.

BlackBerry 8830 Deep Dive Series – Keyboard

Quick Keys

The most useful part of the BlackBerry keyboard is the short cut keys – these save you from having to use the Trackwheel and scroll to icons all the time.

You have one of two options, you can either dial phone numbers straight from your BlackBerry keyboard, or you can turn the keys into Short cut Quick keys for the different applications.

Before you can start using the quick keys you will need to turn off Home Screen Dialling. Once you turn this function off, to dial numbers you will need to hit the green key first, then start dialling – or typing a name from your address book.

To Turn off Homescreen Dialling:

Step 1: Press the Green Key, then the Menu Key, scroll and select Options

Step 2: Select General Options and Scroll down to ‘Dial from Home Screen’ – click on the Trackwheel to change this setting to ‘No’. Save and exit.

Now when you scroll over different Icons in the Applications Menu, you will see they have one letter undelined – this letter represents the applications ‘Quick Key’.

For example – Messages has the M underlined. So when you press the M key quickly, the Messages Inbox Opens.

 

  Address Book has A underlined. So when you press the A key quickly, the Address Book opens. 

 

Here are some of the most useful Quick Keys:

N = BlackBerry Messenger.  When ever you get a new Messenger message quickly press N

M = Messages Inbox. When ever you get a new Email or Text message quickly press M

L = Calendar

K = Lock

How to Change Applications without going back to the Home Screen

I only use this function when I am browsing really – when I don’t want to exit out of a page, but need to access another application to check something….

Step 1: Press and hold the Alt key and Back Key down at the same time

Step 2: Use the Trackwheel to scroll and select the Application you are wanting to use. Click in on Trackwheel to select.

Special Characters and Accented Letters

This one is pretty useful if you are emailing someone with an accented letter from your Berry. Note – this only works for emails – not text messages at present.

Step 1: When in an email and typing a letter, press and hold the letter and move the Trackwheel from left to right to select the correct acccent.

BlackBerry 8830 Deep Dive Series – Icons

How to Move an Icon

For this example I have chosen to move the Alarm Clock Icon from my first six icons

Step 1: Press the Menu Key to display the Applications Screen

Step 2: Using the Trackwheel, scroll to the icon you wish to move.

 

Step 3: Press and hold the Alt key and click on the Trackwheel simultaneously

Step 4: Using the Trackwheel, select Move from the Menu.

A thin black outline frame will appear around the icon.

Use the Trackwheel to move the icon to where you would like it to sit.

Click on the Trackwheel to place the icon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How to Create a Folder for Storing and Grouping Icons

Step 1: Press the Menu Key to display the Applications Screen

 

Step 2: Press the Menu Key to display the menu

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step 3: Select Add Folder from the menu

Step 4: Name the folder as desired, the use the Trackwheel

to scroll down over the Icon picture. Click in on the Trackwheel.

Step 5: Using the Trackwheel, scroll through the colours and folder options.

Click on the Trackwheel to make a selection.

Step 6: Using the Trackwheel scroll down and

click on Add to add the new folder to your Applications screen.

 

 

 

How to move an unused Icon into a Folder

Step 1: Press the Menu Key to display the Applications Screen

Step 2: Using the Trackwheel, scroll to the icon you wish to move.

Step 3: Press and hold the Alt key and the click on the Trackwheel simultaneously

Step 4: Using the Trackwheel, select Move from the Menu.

A thin black outline frame will appear around the icon.

Use the Trackwheel to move the icon over the Folder you have just created.

Click on the Trackwheel to place the icon.

Si Partners – day trip to NASA

To end a fabulous WES 2008, Si Partners took their partners and colleagues to spend a day at Kennedy Space Centre. They organised a up close tour around NASA and it was awesome – we got a great insight into the passion and sheer engineering genius and bravery of space travel. There are a couple of great websites to visit (listed below) including one that lets you know when the International Space Station is due to pass over your part of the world -it circles the globe every 90 minutes at 324km above the earth. http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/realdata/tracking/index.html

Reference sites:

www.nasa.gov

www.ksc.nasa.gov

Space Centre information: www.kennedyspacecenter.com

Future Missions: www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/constellation

WES 2008 – BlackBerry Wireless Enterprise Symposium

WES has begun!! The Solutions Showcase opened tonight with a huge number of Application, Accessory and Intergration Companies displaying their wares. I managed to get through two rows before the jetlag caught up – lunch is held in this area every day for the next three so hopefully enough time to get through them all!!

BlackBerry Alliance Partners were treated to a night out to say Thank you for all their efforts – check out the Stretch Hummers! 12 in total.

BlackBerry Screensaver Nature003

BlackBerry Screensaver Nature 001

Sony Cybershot DSCT70P

I must’ve been a good girl this year as Santa left a pretty nice toy in my stocking…..

The Sony Cybershot DSCT7 0P is pretty fun and easy to use, am loving the colour, and still getting used to everything it can do. The menu is so vast but still simple to navigate. The battery is awesome – lasts for days.

BlackBerry from Telecom NZ

Last week, the very first BlackBerry Smartphone passed through Telecom NZ’s rigorous launch gate. The roll-out of the Telecom BlackBerry 8830 WorldMode edition Smartphone to Telecom’s Corporate customers begins on Monday and runs until the end of February 2008.

The 8830 Worldmode smartphone will be released to the general public from March 2008. Apt timing as someone yesterday commented to me that the 8830 is packed with ‘easter eggs’ – the little gems of brilliance that are BlackBerry.

This is a WorldMode edition smartphone. When travelling overseas, in countries where there Telecom’s roaming partner operates, you can choose services on GSM networks (carrier and country depending) including the fast Edge network from Telstra in Australia. Each Smartphone ships with an International Roaming SIM card, and BlackBerry data roaming will be available early next year, released to coincide with the closure of the CDMA network in Australia.

Retailing for $999, the slimline, QWERTY (yay!) 8830 BlackBerry with ‘Pearl’ like trackball is a breeze to use – it can take up to 2gig MicroSD memory expansion (good deals at FlashCards.co.nz).

PRO’s: Qwerty keyboard + Trackball, WorldMode, GPS, Voice Dialling, MP3 ,  BIS & BES out the box

CON’s: Lack of Camera (it’s slim and WorldMode instead), touch screen, and WIFI (already looking forward to the 9000 series BlackBerry’s!)

Smile Catching with Sony

Sony have taken the evolution of household photography a step further with the release of the  Sony DSC-T200 digital camera. It can seek faces, spot and capture smiles, and automatically take accurately focused pictures through detection technology. Nice work. Demo here