How to find that your BlackBerry is working perfectly ?

If you own a BlackBerry mobile phone (or plan to buy one), here’s a very useful shortcut (or can we say Easter Egg) that enables you to perform a complete health checkup of your BlackBerry hardware.
You will be able to test the keys of your BlackBerry keyboard, trackball movements, audio volume, Bluetooth connection, handset, speakers, LED, LCD screen pixels, etc.
To begin the test, click "Options" icon on the home screen of your BlackBerry and then select "Status."
On the status screen, type the wor d "test" without quotes and from the menu on the Device Self Test Application screen, select Start.
If you have a BlackBerry Pearl or another model that supports SureType, use the multi-tap input method to type "test".
As you may have seen in the test report, it says "Fail" for the Keypad Backlight Test on my BlackBerry Curve – that looks like a false positive to me. Source...

Download free Bluetooth hacking application for mobile phones

It is a program that enables the user to read the information of other’s phone and also enables to control the applications of the phone being hacked. The latest version being released is super Bluetooth hack 1.8 and this application is just a toy for some while others take it as serious stuff as it provides full access to the hacked phone. It is almost like owning the phone.
To connect to another phone is very simple and what you need to do is install the application. Installing the application is very easy. Transfer the .jar file into your phone’s memory and then just install the software in the applications folder. After you have installed just run the application, what you will see is BT INFO written on top of the screen. Then simply select the connect option and just pair with the device you want to gain control.

Once you are connected to other phone then this application provides features such as changing the profile, read the contacts and messages, switch off the phone, restart the phone, change the ringtone, change ring volume, play music, make phone calls, hang up in between the call and possible everything that you can do with your own phone.
Now to talk about the drawbacks, this application requires the victim to accept the incoming connection, so what you need to do is pair up with the device when the owner is not there and this makes this application nothing more than just another toy application. However you can make calls from the hacked phone but what’s sad is that you cannot speak or hear through your phone. Also the application is very much compatible with SE phones but it lacks complete compatibility with nokia phones. Source...

Free English to German dictionary for mobile phones

KODi is a free dictionary all the mobile phone which support java, so it will work like a charm on almost all the nokia phones ( s60 , s60 1st editions series , s60 2nd editions, s60 3rd editions ) and all Sony Erricson phones.
KODi supports the following languages translations:
English-Czech, German-Czech, French-Czech, Spanish-Czech, English-German, English-French, English-Spanish, English-Slovak, English-Finnish, English-Croatian, English-Italian, English-Dutch, English-Norwegian, English-Polish, English-Turkish, German-French, German-Spanish, German-Slovak, German-Italian, German-Dutch, German-Norwegian, German-Polish, German-Portuguese, German-Turkish, English-Esperanto, English-Hiligaynon, English-Swahili, English-Tagalog
It will support a large number of language translations, with high quick speed of operation with efficient data storage.

KODi free dictionary has good user friendly interface, it will let you find a single term and if the term is not found it will suggest the most similar term.
All the translations which you do could be easily traced in the dictionary - this could be very useful when finding synonyms or precise meaning of a word

Compatible Phones for this Application
All nokia and sony erricson mobile phones which are java based Java (J2ME) can run KODi free dictionary. Source...

Video: How to disassemble the BlackBerry Bold you don’t have yet

Sure, chances are you’re part of the huge majority still waiting for their carrier to release the BlackBerry Bold. Just in case you wanted to see how to splay one out in under 3 minutes, some folks up in Canada have put the whole strip-down on film. Check it out up above. Source...

Unlock iPhone 3G and many others with SIMable

The days of foraging around the Internet or visiting dubious mobile phones shops may soon be over. Instead of getting your handset unlocked why not just get your Sim card unlocked with SIMable. SIMable is an innovative little chip that frees your SIM card to work in the vast majority of mobile phones. We all know that the very latest 3G devices can be very difficult and expensive to unlock and SIMable is the 10 second solution without invalidating any warranty on your precious handset. Full details and device compatibility after the break.

Fitting SIMable is quick and simple and full instructions can be downloaded here. This involves pressing out a very small hole in your SIM card and we even include a free cutting tool with every purchase. Once done simply align SIMable to your SIM card, insert into your locked mobile phone and start talking.

SIMable is compatible with most mobile phones including the latest Nokia E and N Series, the top of the range Sony Ericssons (and the iPhone 3G).

Apple - iPhone 3G

Nokia - 1208, 1600*, 2310*, 2630, 3110c, 3250, 3500c, 5200, 5310, 5500, 5610, 6080, 6110 Navigator, 6120, 6120c, 6125, 6136, 6151, 6161, 6230*, 6280, 6288, 6300, 6301, 6310i, 6500, 6500c, 6500s, 6822, 7500, E50, E51*, E60, E61, E65, E70, E90, N70, N72, N73, N76, N80*, N81, N82, N93, N95 and N95 8GB*.

Sony Ericsson - J220, K300, K310, K510, K550, K700, K770, K800, P1, P990i, T630, V630, W200*, W300i, W580, W810i and Z310.

Samsung - C260, C450, D600E, F600, F900, i600, J600, L760, P910, SC707, U600, U700, X480, X640, Z170, Z240, and Z370.

Motorola - A780, V547, V600 and V8.

LG - B2050, KG130, KG275*, KG800, KU250, U250, U300, U310, U880 and U890.

Sharp - 550SH, 770SH, 903, 904, 920 and GX15.

Siemens - A38, A50, C65 and S68.

Toshiba - G900 and TS705.

Blackberry - 8800 and 8820.

MDA Compact 111.

Sagem - 600x and X2-2M.

Alcatel - C550, OT201 and OT801.

SPV M650 and Vodafone V715*.

For more information and where to order go to SIMable

We have not tested this so cannot say it works so proceed with the usual caution. Source...

SMS Tips & Tricks

Top Ten Handy Tips for Fast SMSing

1. Txt using both hands.
2. Learn the location of ur letters.
3. Rmbr 2 txt in shrthnd.
4. Check ur txting the right number.
5. Limber up ur fingers with some stretching exercises.
6. Nip ur nails in the bud.
7. Find the fastest finger 4u.
8. Get 2 know ur phones functions and features.
9. Clean ur phone. A non-stick mobile is a quick mobile.
10. Practice makes perfect, become a txt machine!

11. SMS Shorties

    Text messaging from a cellular phone can become quite a daunting task. To save your fingers the trouble here is a list of a few 'SMS shorties'

    AFAIK As far as I know
    Cm Call me
    Cul See you later
    Gr8 Great
    PCM Please call me
    SRY Sorry
    

    For a detailed list take a look at our SMS Dictionary,

    Predictive Text

    Make sure to use the predictive text on your cell phone, most new models have T9 - the specification of the predective text utility. Predective text is almost flawless in the way it works because it consults a dictionary. So you don't find yourself tapping the same key on your phone 4 times to get the letter 'S'.

    You must remember to switch off predictive texts while typing Indian names.

    Send Business Cards

    With this handy tip you can save your friends the trouble of storing your numbers.

    A business card is a special SMS message which is composed as follows:
    //SCKE2 BEGIN:VCARD N:name TEL:number END:VCARD

    The receiver will see the text BUSINESS CARD RECEIVED displayed on his/her. phone.

    Sending Blinking SMS

    Does blinking SMS get you blinking?

    Also go Blink SMS Section

    Be different and send your friends blinking SMS. Go to this website. (Registration required)

    Useful Information

12. Text is perfect when it's inconvenient to talk. Use it to confirm meetings, exchange information or send greetings, congratulations and keep in-touch.
13. How2txt? Find your phone's SMS or messages menu, select write and key a message of up to 160 letters. Send by entering a number or choosing from the phone book.
14. Is texting cheap? They cost around Rs.1 each to send to a Indian network and Rs.5 to a foreign network. They're even cheaper with some monthly plans.
15. Remember to delete old text messages frequently. If you don't, your mobile's memory will fill up and new messages won't arrive until old ones are deleted.
16. Many new mobile phones use 'predictive' text for faster texting, guessing your words as you text. More information is available at www.funsSMS.net.

Seven Top Tips for SMSing Abroad

SMSing is a quick and convenient way of keeping in touch with family and friends while holidaying abroad. Forget airport payphones and expensive hotel phones - texting from your mobile phone means that you can stay in touch on your terms. Here are our top tips for texting while abroad.

1. Check you can text with your mobile phone in the place you're visiting and find out about the text services offered by your network provider or its partners in your destination. You may also have to lift an international call bar on your mobile phone before overseas use. This information should be available from your network provider.
2. How do you make your mobile phone work outside the India? Easy! Your handset will automatically search for compatible networks once you switch it on. You can stick with your mobile phone's first network choice or, if there is a choice of providers, use the network selection menu on your handset to opt for an alternative.
3. Worried that your pre-pay phone can't be used to text from abroad? This depends on the network you use while overseas, but in most cases you should be able to use pre-pay phones in the same way as you would in the India. Again, check with your India network provider.
4. Check the telephone numbers you are likely to use before leaving the country. To text a India number from abroad leave out the zero at the beginning of the area code and replace it with the symbol '+' and India country code 91. However, your network may allow you to use special short codes without any need for international codes. This information should be available from your network provider. For calls to local landline numbers in the country you are staying you do not need to prefix it with an international code.
5. If you want to use your mobile phone for voice calls, or for any other text or voice services while overseas, check with the network provider to see what you can and can't do - and how much it will cost - before you leave the country.
6. Remember to pack your mobile phone charger, travel plug adapter and spare battery before you go off on your travels.
7. And remember to always switch your mobile phone off before boarding the aircraft.

Source.,.

GSM mobile or cellphone secret, tips, tricks, hacks & free downloads

All the tips and tricks provided by Hidden Tricks is free and its not necessary to sign up also.

Type *#61# and press call - Check call redirection status.

Cancel all redirections: ##002#

*43# to activate call waiting, to deactivate #43#.

If your phone doesn't have incoming call barring and outgoing call barring, you can try this. For outgoing call barring dial *33*barcode*# and pres OK. To deactivate it dial #33#barcode*#.

On any phone on any network type in **43# to enable conference calls. You can make up to 7 calls at once

If you need to block SMS reception (if you are spammed by someone) just press this code: *35*xxxx*16# xxxx is your Call Barring code (default is 0000). To remove this barring type: #35*xxxx#

If you want to hide/show your phone number when calling, put one of these codes below in front of the number that you are going to call. (*#30# / *#31# or *31# / #31# ) Works on some networks.

Typing *0# or *nm# on the beginning of a txt message gives you detailed delivery report on some networks.. But turn off reports in message settings before.

When the sim card-pin blocked type **042*pin2 old*newpin2*newpin2*
Important:

If you know any other tips & tricks & secrets about GSM mobile or any other mobile which is not listed here then you can post in Guestbook and it will be updated soon with your name.
Warning:

You can try these codes at your own responsibility ! We are not responsible for any malfunction and we don't accept any complaints.
Source...

How to Install Opera Mini Web Browser on your BlackBerry Mobile Phone

If you are on a BlackBerry but have trouble installing Opera Mini on your phone or if the browser fails to connect to the internet, here’s a simple workaround.

1. Open http://mini.opera.com/ in your BlackBerry browser (not your desktop web browser) and select the version that mentions "No Signature" in brackets.

You’ll see download links that say Verisign / Thawte / Multiple Certificates - ignore them and download the unsigned version for your language. Here’s a direct link.

2. Next, open this help page in your desktop to determine the APN internet settings for your mobile service provider.

Open BlackBerry Settings -> Options -> Advanced Options -> TCP and type the APN value in the space provided. You may keep the user / password field blank if no value is specified on the Opera help site.

This excellent advice is courtesy Navjot Pawera - Thanks. Opera Mini does seem like a nice alternative to the built-in BlackBerry Internet browser.
Source...

AT&T offers BlackBerry Pearl 8110

Subscribers of AT&T can finally obtain the GPS-enabled BlackBerry Pearl 8110 that brings turn-by-turn voice and on-screen directions complete with colorful 3-D moving maps to the user, and these can be used whether you are in your car or just walking on your feet. Voice and on-screen prompts notify you of traffic slowdowns and incidents along the programmed travel route, making room for you to make adjustments in your travel plans. Additional features include :-

* SureType QWERTY keyboard system
* Automatic brightness display
* 2 megapixel camera with video recording
* 3.5mm stereo headset jack
* microSD/SDHC memory card slot
* Bluetooth 2.0 connectivity
* 4.2" x 2.4" x 0.5"
* 3.2 ounces
* Glossy titanium or rich red finish

The BlackBerry Pearl 8110 smartphone from AT&T can be picked up for $149.99 with a two-year contract, with various plans attached to it.
Source...

Integrate the Browser into a Java App - BlackBerry Tips,Trick,Tools & Hacks

Berry 411 is built using a Java client that launches a web browser. This is a powerful and convenient way to build mobile applications.

The Java client provides instant accessibility from the Home screen and a rich native BlackBerry UI. The browser results screen allows for zero-install deployment of new features, easy display of rich text and graphics, and linking to the expanding array of mobile-friendly web content.

The BlackBerry is especially well suited to building this sort of application. The Back button works as expected when going back from a browser page to the client application that launched it. Using the built-in browser network configuration avoids many of the configuration hassles of direct network access, which requires a number of carrier-specific parameters.
Launch the Browser from Java

In this hack, we'll build an application to do reverse phone number lookups, going from a phone number to a name and address. The Java client displays a titlebar and input field, filtered to limit the user's input to 10 digits. When the user selects Search from the menu (see Figure 9-4), the application launches a web page (in this case, an existing Infospace service) to display the results, shown in Figure 9-5.


Figure 9-4. Java client

Figure 9-5. Web results


Even in this very simple form, the hybrid approach has advantages over a pure browser solution. The application launches instantly and has a degree of control over the user's input, which could not be achieved in a browser. It would not be difficult to extend this application to take further advantage of the rich Java client; for example, it could allow the user to select a phone number from his Address Book to look up.
The Code

/**
* Reverse Phone Directory Lookup Application
* This sample uses a Java frontend to prompt the user for a phone
* number, then launches a web page to display the corresponding address.
*/
import net.rim.device.api.ui.*;
import net.rim.device.api.ui.component.*;
import net.rim.device.api.ui.container.*;
import net.rim.device.api.i18n.*;
import net.rim.device.api.system.*;

import net.rim.device.api.collection.util.*;

public class BrowserLauncher extends UiApplication
{
public static void main(String[] args)
{
BrowserLauncher theApp = new BrowserLauncher( );
theApp.enterEventDispatcher( );
}

public BrowserLauncher( )
{
pushScreen(new SearchScreen( ));
}

class SearchScreen extends MainScreen
{
BasicEditField _phoneNumberEntry;

SearchScreen( )
{

super(DEFAULT_MENU | DEFAULT_CLOSE);
setTitle(new LabelField("Reverse phone lookup",
LabelField.ELLIPSIS | LabelField.USE_ALL_WIDTH));

_phoneNumberEntry = new BasicEditField("Phone number: ",
"", 10,
BasicEditField.NO_NEWLINE | BasicEditField.FILTER_INTEGER);
add(_phoneNumberEntry);
addMenuItem(new MenuItem("Search", 1, 1) {
public void run( ) {
String phone = _phoneNumberEntry.getText( );
launchBrowser("http://www.infospace.com/" +
"_1_L5UTTJ03LEBVO_ _infow.sbcw" +
"/x/app/rev/detail.xhtml?top=&area=" +
phone.substring(0,3) + "&exchange=" +
phone.substring(3,6) +
"&phend=" + phone.substring(6,10) +"&ran=24");
}
});
}
}
static private boolean launchBrowser(String baseUrl)
{
boolean retval = true;

int handle =
CodeModuleManager.getModuleHandle("net_rim_bb_browser_daemon");

if (handle <=0 ) {
retval = false;
}
else {
ApplicationDescriptor[] browserDescriptors =
CodeModuleManager.getApplicationDescriptors(handle);

if (browserDescriptors == null )
{
retval = false;
}
else {
if ( browserDescriptors.length <=0 ) {
retval = false;
}
else {
String[] args = {"url", baseUrl};
ApplicationDescriptor descriptor =
new ApplicationDescriptor(browserDescriptors[0],
"url invocation", args,
null, -1, null, -1,
ApplicationDescriptor.FLAG_SYSTEM);
try {
ApplicationManager.getApplicationManager( ).
runApplication(descriptor);
}
catch(ApplicationManagerException e) {
retval = false;
}
}
}
}
return retval;
}
}

Save the code as BrowserLauncher.jav'a: this is the sole class in this application. The key function is launchBrowser( ), which includes some black magic to launch the user's default browser with the requested URL. The code links to the Infospace reverse directory page, providing the user's input as parameters.
Compile and Run the Application

To compile this code, use the Research In Motion JDE, which you can download from the BlackBerry web site. The code has been successfully tested with Versions 3.7 and 4.0 of the JDE.

Create a new workspace and project in the JDE, and add BrowserLauncher. java to the project. (If you'd like to save yourself the typing, you can download a ZIP archive, including the entire project, from http://thebogles.com/browserlauncher.zip.)

Select "Go" from Debug menu, and the JDE will build the application and launch the BlackBerry simulator, including the application. You should also launch the MDS simulator from the JDE Start menu item to allow the application to access the network.

Once the simulator is launched, you can scroll to the BrowserLauncher application on the Home screen and click on it, by using your mouse scroll-wheel. Type in a listed 10-digit phone number, click on "Search in the menu, and you should see the results displayed in the browser.
Sign and Distribute the Application

Launching the browser is considered a "controlled API" by Research In Motion. To run the application on a real BlackBerry, you will also need to register for a code signing key and sign the application [Hack #98].

Track MDS HTTP Requests - BlackBerry Tips,Trick,Tools & Hacks

Do your users use the Mobile Data Service? How frequently? Do your users go to Internet sites or intranet sites more often? Which sites are visited most?

All these questions are interesting ones that will be different in any environment. The more data you mine from the logs will translate into more knowledge about how your users are using the service and how their experience can be improved. Perhaps an intranet application that you know has not been optimized for the BlackBerry is nevertheless being visited but not fully utilized by your BlackBerry users. You may want to go to the application developer to push for better wireless support in the web application.

You might even see frequent access to various HTTP traffic for online games [Hack #32]. Perhaps you would want to disallow access to these and other non–business related sites.

A single HTTP request in your MDS logs takes up at least 16 lines, and the hostname and the rest of the URL are on different lines. This makes using a simple grep command to extract the URLs impossible. Here is some Perl code that keeps track of HTTP GET requests, reconstructs the original URLs and prints them by the number of requests made to each.

The Code

use strict;

# change the $mds_log variable to your log file
my $mds_log = "BESNAME_MDAT_01_20050607_0002.txt";

my $http_data = {};

open MDS, $mds_log;
while () {
chomp;
my $id = "";
my $host = "";
my $get = "";
if (/EVENT = ReceivedFromDevice/ and
/HTTPTRANSMISSION = Host:([^>]+)>/) {
$host = $1;
($id) = (/CONNECTIONID = (d+),/);
$http_data->{$id}->{host} = $host;
} elsif (/EVENT = SentToServer/ and
/HTTPTRANSMISSION = GET (.+) HTTP/1.1>/) {
$get = $1;
($id) = (/CONNECTIONID = (d+),/);
$http_data->{$id}->{get} = $get;
}
}
close MDS;

my %urls = ();
foreach my $id (keys %{ $http_data }) {
my $host = $http_data->{$id}->{host};
my $get = $http_data->{$id}->{get};
next if not $host and $get;
my $url = "http://$host" . $get;
$urls{$url}++;
}

foreach my $url (sort { $urls{$b} <=> $urls{$a} } keys %urls) {
print "$urls{$url} $url
";
}

Your MDS logs appear with your other BlackBerry logs in the following directory where YYYYMMDD is the current date (assuming you've installed your BES on the C: drive):

C:Program FilesResearch In MotionBlackBerry Enterprise ServerLogsYYYYMMDD

The Mobile Data Service logs will start with your BES name followed by the string MDAT.

BESNAME_MDAT_01_20050607_0002.txt

Type the code into your text editor and save it as site_extract.pl.
Run the Code

Bring up a command prompt, change directory (cd) to the directory where you saved the file, and type the following command to run the script:

C:>perl site_extract.pl

You'll get a list of URLs preceded by the number of instances they appear in your logfile, as shown in the following:

4 http://www.cnn.com/
3 http://dave.runningland.com/index.php
1 http://www.google.com/

You could easily pipe the output to a file and open the data using a spread-sheet program such as Microsoft Excel.

C:>perl site_extract.pl > todays.frequent.sites.txt

Send a Message to a Group of Users - BlackBerry Tips,Trick,Tools & Hacks

Do you have a group of people you'd like to communicate with regularly? Here are some tips for sending email or peer-to-peer (PIN) messages to several addresses.

If you use distribution lists (DLs) to address email in the enterprise, you can use those same DLs to address email to groups of people from your BlackBerry.

Also, it is pretty simple to create and send a PIN message to a person [Hack #27]. You can also include the PINs of several people, if you'd like the same message to go to multiple recipients. That works for an occasional message, but if you have a particular group of people to which you would like to send PIN messages frequently, you'll find yourself getting tired of adding the individual recipients each time you create a message. You cannot use an Address Book group to send PIN messages, but you can still accomplish the task in other ways!
Use Distribution Lists

Any distribution list can be added to your Outlook Contacts in the same manner you would add any other entry from your enterprise Global Address List (GAL). Simply select the name in the GAL or email message, right-click, and select Add to Contacts. When your contacts are synchronized with the Address Book on the handheld, those entries will be copied to your handheld, and therefore can be used to address email from the handheld. Alternatively, if you have a message that was addressed to a distribution list, that has been received on the BlackBerry handheld, you can also use that to save it in your Address Book for future use. Here's how:

Open the messages list.

Open a message that has been addressed to one of the distribution lists you would like to add to your Address Book.

Scroll up to the To line that contains the distribution list.

Click the trackwheel and select Add to Address Book.

The Address Book will open and display the new entry with the email address of the DL prepopulated.

Complete the remaining fields and select a name for the entry so that you can easily identify the DL in your Address Book.

Click the trackwheel and select Save.

Now you can use this DL in the To line of any message you address!
Create a Boilerplate PIN Message

Next, you need to create a sample PIN message and address it to a group of users. But don't send it just yet!

Open the Messages application on the handheld.

Click the trackwheel and select Compose PIN. The Address Book application screen appears. Select the first user you would like to include in this PIN message, click the trackwheel, and select PIN username. The Message screen appears. Enter a subject line such as "TEST PIN" for now.

Now that your message is properly addressed, click the trackwheel and select Send. The Messages screen appears, and you can see your message with a checkmark to the left indicating that it has been sent.

Select the sample message, click the trackwheel, and select Save. This will move your sample message to the Saved Messages application.

TIP: If your handheld decides that it needs to delete messages to free memory, it will not delete saved messages.


Figure 2-8. Sample PIN message addressed to three recipients

Use Your Saved Message to Send a PIN Message

Now you have a saved message in your saved messages application that you can use over and over to send a message to the users who were added as recipients. Simply open the Saved Messages application and locate your sample message.

Then follow these steps:

Click the trackwheel and select Open. The sample message opens.

Click the trackwheel to select Reply to All.

Click the trackwheel once again to select Delete Original Text.

Once the message is open, modify the Subject line so that it is appropriate, and enter the body of the message you are composing.

Once you are satisfied with the subject and body of your message, click the trackwheel and select Send.

You can use this sample message over and over again. You can also modify this message to add or remove recipients at any time, or to change the PIN of a recipient.

BlackBerry Tips,Trick,Tools & Hacks

BlackBerry Hacks from O'Reillydelivers tips, tools, and other ways to best use your BlackBerry wireless handheld's phone, inbox, organizer, and browser features for phone calls, instant messaging, email, organizing, Web browsing, receiving RSS feeds, and more.

In these article, we excerpt a number of tips or hacks from the book:

Put Notes in the Call Log :

While you are on an active call with your BlackBerry, press in the trackwheel and choose "Notes" from the menu. You will be greeted with a nice clean slate of text input, ready to accept your notes, as shown in Figure 1-56.

Figure 1-56. Adding call notes to the current call

This will, of course, be most convenient when you're using a headset or speakerphone. The way I use this feature is that I jot down notes relevant to that call such as confirmation numbers or meeting notes, and save them. I can return to the Messages application, find the call in the list of calls I've placed, and find my notes there. From here, you can also copy text and put it into its final destination, whether an email, task, or appointment.

If you don't remember to take notes during your call, don't fret: you can add notes to a previous call by opening the call in the Messages list and selecting "Add Notes" from the menu. If you have decided to not show calls in your Messages list, you can magically make them appear by pressing Alt-P [Hack #24]. You can then surf your messages list and get these useful little pieces of metadata and put them to use. If you discussed a budget, an invoice, or something else that you may need to reference later, make a note of it in the call and you can find this information later. If you need to remember what you talked about last time you spoke to Client X, the notes will be right there in the call detail!

You can also highlight a phone call that has notes, click the trackwheel, and select Forward (see Figure 1-57) to forward it (notes and all) to an email address.


Figure 1-57. Forwarding your call notes

This lets you quickly shove the notes from that important conference call to your helpless subordinates.

How to Wipe Your BlackBerry Clean

A Member of the BlackBerryToday forums recently upgraded from a BlackBerry 7100 to a Pearl. He wanted to know if there was any special steps to take to wipe the 7100's memory clean, so as to make sure the next owner doesn't have access to his personal information.

The following advice from a Senior Member did the trick:

—Enter your password incorrectly ten times (plus "blackberry") to clear the BlackBerry.

Very usefull Ten BlackBerry Tips, Tricks & Hacks

Below are a series of tips and tricks to help you "advance your BlackBerry handheld skills" posted on RIM's Web site. We list the first ten, after which you can head over here for just as many more.

1. Hold the ALT key while you roll the trackwheel to scroll horizontally in any field where you can enter or view text.

2. Hold the ALT key while you roll the trackwheel to scroll through a field to view options.

3. Hold the SHIFT key while you roll the trackwheel to select multiple items in a list.

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 initials separated by a space to find a contact in the Address Book screen.

6. To cut and paste text, hold the ALT key and click the trackwheel, then roll the trackwheel to highlight text. Click and scroll to Cut Selection or Copy Selection. To paste the selected text, place the cursor in an editable field and click. Scroll to Paste Selection and click.

7. Press and hold a letter to capitalize it (with Key Rate enabled).

8. Press the SPACE key twice to insert a period and capitalize the next letter.

9. Press the SPACE key to insert the "@" and "." characters in an Email field.

10. Press and hold a letter key and roll the trackwheel to scroll through international characters, equation symbols and other marks.

Berry 411 - Mobile Search For BlackBerry - tips,tricks,hacks

Berry 411 is perhaps the best piece of free software available for the BlackBerry, and for good reason. It boasts phone book lookups, sports scores, movie times, and more. Phil Bogle, the author of Berry 411, keeps piling on the features all the time.

The most recent version (3.30) adds phone numbers that you've input to your address book from within the program to the Berry 411 history for easy retrieval the next time you need to use it. Previous versions added autocomplete for searches, more plugins, and integration with the BlackBerry Address Book.

You launch the app from a purple "411" icon after installation, upon which you setup your home, work, and “other” addresses to customize your search results.

With Berry 411, you can perform Yellow Page, White Page, Google, Movie, Weather and Shopping (Froogle) searches. The plugins add a great deal more to the application’s search capabilities, including reverse phone lookup, driving directions, sports, stocks, flight tracking, and the Internet Movie Database. And that's only the tip of the iceberg.

The latest version of Berry 411 can be downloaded over the air (OTA) here or to the desktop here from SmartPhoneToday's Free Download's section.

BlackBerry OS 4.1 Enhances Compose Screen - tips,trick,hacks

We've always had an appreciation for the way Research in Motion (RIM) sneaks new features into the BlackBerry OS under the radar. There's rarely any big announcement or hoopla for the numerous bug fixes and enhancements that are added to the point releases. Yet if you look hard enough, you'll see evidence of RIM's motivation to quietly improve on its award winning mobile experience.

Here's a feature you may not have noticed if you've recently upgraded to BlackBerry OS 4.1 or higher or gotten a newer device with the more recent platform revisions already loaded: The compose screen is noticeably more convenient.

The first image shows the compose screen on a BlackBerry 7290 with pre-4.1 hardware.



While the image below shows the compose screen of BlackBerry 7130e, which has the 4.1 system software loaded.


The BlackBerry 7290 with pre-4.1 system software gives you little or no context for your messages. If you get distracted and then return to your BlackBerry in the middle of composing, it's difficult to tell exactly what you were in the middle of doing. Were you composing an e-mail? Sending an SMS message? A PIN to PIN message? You can't be sure.

BlackBerry OS 4.1 software found in the 7130e leaves the message in the background as you write. If you were replying to a message, you'd see the quoted text of the message you're replying to at the bottom of the screen. This enables you to easily see the context in which you were composing your message.