BlackBerry Tips and Tricks....

[stevetaz]

How about sharing some tricks you have learned? I will post a bunch I have found, but I will do it in several posts so I don't overwhelm you all and overload one post.

Here goes...
There can be memory issues (8830 - also may apply to the BB Pearl and Curve):
It appears there are memory leaks and your device may begin to act “funky” or slow, unresponsive, etc. You should keep an eye on the free memory available:
Options > Status > Look for File Free, stated in Bytes. As an example, 16,000,000=appx 16mb.
If the device gets down to below 8-10mb of free memory you may begin to have issues.

First, make sure you are properly CLOSING applications (which uses free memory), NOT just leaving them by pressing the ESC/Back key (right of the TrackBall) or the RED Phone key. To see programs currently running:
Hold down the "ALT" key, press the Back button (right of the trackball), use the trackball to scroll to the application that you want and let go of the "ALT" key. This opens that program and then press the MENU key (left of the trackball), scroll down to CLOSE and select.
NOTE: You cannot close the five main operating programs: Browser, Call Log, Home Screen, Messages and Blackberry Messenger.

Next, note the free memory available and perform a “battery pull” (equivalent of a hard reset):
-With the device ON, open the battery compartment and remove the battery
-Count to 30 and replace the battery
-The device will go through a reset cycle. No data will be lost.
-The reset may take up to 3 or 4 minutes. The screen will be black for some time and when restarting an hourglass will appear until the desktop returns. This is normal.
-Recheck the free memory available and it should be back to 16-18mb or more
-Note that battery pulls are recommended by RIM to resolve a great many issues
-You may want to perform this weekly to eliminate problems before they appear at an inopportune time
-RIM is expected to resolve the memory leak issue with the release of OS version 4.5, but no firm release date has been announced and beta testing continues.

SteveTaz

EDIT 7/2/2008....
Suggested Ways to Increase Free Memory
Reduce Allocated Media Memory
From the main Icon screen...Media > Pictures > Press Menu key > Options > Should be set to lowest setting “Device Memory Limit to 12MB” > Menu key > Save > Hard Reset (Battery Pull)
Reduce Calendar Keep Appointments to 60 days or less
From the main Icon screen...Calendar > Press Menu key > Options > Keep Appointments > Make Your Selection > Menu key > Save > Hard Reset (Battery Pull)
Reduce the amount of time Messages are kept on the handheld
From the main Icon screen...Messages > Press Menu key > Options > General Options > Keep Messages > Make Your Selection > Menu key > Save > Hard Reset (Battery Pull)
Clear Cache and Cookies
From the main Icon screen...Browser > Press Menu key > Options > Cache Operations > Clear History > Hard Reset (Battery Pull)
Note: Clear History will no longer appear once it has been selected.
Delete Unused Languages
Note: If deleting both the unused languages and the sample video (see next item) wait to hard reset the device until both have been completed.
From the main Icon screen...Options > Advanced Options > Applications > Scroll to and highlight each of the unused languages under the Input Support and Language and Input Support subheadings > Delete Each > When prompted to Restart select No until all unused languages are deleted > Hard Reset (Battery Pull)
Delete Sample Video
Note: If deleting both the unused languages and the sample video (see previous item) wait to hard reset the device until both have been completed.
The sample video is the pre-installed video for the blackberry and is +/- 2MB in size.
From the main Icon screen...Options > Advanced Options > Applications > Scroll to and highlight "Blackberry Sample Video" > Press Menu key > Delete > Hard Reset (Battery Pull)
Change Call Log Options
From the main Icon screen...Call Log > Menu Key > Options > Call Logging > Select either Missed Calls or None > Save > Hard Reset (Battery Pull)
Clear Event Log
Press and Hold the ALT key > Press "L" "G" "L" "G" > Event Log will Appear > Press Menu key > Clear Log > Hard Reset (Battery Pull)

[stevetaz]

And another....

If you are having battery life issues (can also apply to the BB Pearl and Curve):
You must be sure you are CLOSING applications, NOT just leaving them running by pressing the ESC/Back key (right of the TrackBall) or the RED Phone key. To see programs currently running:
Hold down the "ALT" key, press the Back button (right of the trackball), use the trackball to scroll to the application that you want and let go of the "ALT" key. This opens that program and then press the MENU key (left of the trackball), scroll down to CLOSE and select.
NOTE: You cannot close the five main operating programs: Browser, Call Log, Home Screen, Messages and Blackberry Messenger.

SteveTaz

[stevetaz]

A few more:

To assign a Speed Dial to any letter key:
-Hold down any letter key for about one second
-You will be prompted/asked if you want to assign a Speed Dial to that key
-Select Yes and you will be taken to your Contact list to make a choice
NOTE: That means you can have up to 26 different letter specific speed dials

To quickly switch applications:
Instead of hitting the Menu key, scrolling down to Switch Application and then choosing the application you want:
Hold down the "ALT" key, press the Back button (right of the TrackBall), scroll to the application that you want and let go of the "ALT" key

To quickly move through messages while in Message or your Inbox:
N= Goes To Next
P= Goes To Previous
T= Goes to the top (most recent) of your messages
B= Goes to the bottom (oldest) of your messages
U= Goes to oldest unread message
Spacebar= Page Down
Cap + Spacebar= Page Up

With a message open:
N= Goes to next message (more recent)
P= Goes to previous message (older)

To quickly change the view while in Calendar mode:
NOTE: if you want to do this you must disable quick entry in the calendar mode
Menu > Options > Enable Quick Entry > select NO
W= Goes To Week View
D= Goes To Day View
M= Goes To Month View
A= Goes To Agenda

While In Any Of The Above Press:
N= Goes To Next
P= Goes To Previous

Copying Text...Two methods:
To copy words or small phrases:
-Place the cursor on the first letter of your selection
-Hold down the shift key and scroll to the right using the trackball to highlight your selection
-Press in on the trackball (or press the Menu button) and select Copy

To copy paragraphs or full messages:
-Place the cursor on the first letter of what you want to copy
-Hold down the shift key and scroll down using the trackball to highlight your selection
-Press the trackball (or press the Menu button) and select Copy Selection

To paste your copied text from either method:
-Place your cursor where you want to paste, press the trackball (or press the Menu button) and select Paste

Deleting All Messages Prior to a Date:
-In the Inbox highlight the date from which you want to delete prior messages
-Press the Menu key
-Choose Delete Prior from the menu and press the trackball
This can help you clean up your inbox quickly, but make sure you know what you want to delete, BEFORE you delete them

SteveTaz

[stevetaz]

And yet more....

To make a note about a call:
While on a call:
-Press the Menu key
-Scroll down to Notes
-Type your note
-Press the Menu key and select Hide Notes
NOTE: Common sense suggests that you type the note with the call on speaker or a headset

To retrieve the note:
-Go to your call log
-Highlight the call where you put the note
-Press the menu key
-Select View History

To add a note to a previous call:
-Go to your call log
-Highlight the call where you want the note
-Press the menu key
-Select View History
-Press the Menu key
-Select Add Notes
-Type your note and press ESC and select Save

SteveTaz

Next will be shortcuts......Isn't this fun????

[stevetaz]

And finally for tonight:

Event Log:
Hold down the ALT key and type LGLG. This brings up the Event Log. You can clear events (frees some memory) or view them or copy the contents to mail to someone if, for example you have a problem and Tech Support requests to see your Event Log.

To lock your keyboard:
-Press and release ALT and then ENTER
OR
-Press the Mute button (top of the device) while not on a call

To unlock your keyboard:
-Press and release * and then SEND (green Phone key)
Note that you will be prompted to press these in case you forget

To get to the Help Me screen:
Hold both the ALT key and the CAP key and the letter 'H'. This brings up the "Help Me!" screen that lists Platform, App Version, PIN, IMEI, ESN, Uptime, Signal Strength, Battery Level, File Free, and File Total.

One-letter shortcuts:
NOTE: The Dial From Home Screen option must be set to NO for these to work. Phone screen > Menu key > Options > General Options > Dial From Home Screen > Select NO

Address Book -A
Alarm -R
Browser -B
Calculator -U
Calendar -L
Compose a message -M then C
Help -H
Instant Message -I (if installed)
Memo Pad -D
Messages -M
Options -O
Phone -Green Phone key (hold to dial by name)
Profiles -F
Search -S
Tasks -T

These are what I have found helpful on my Sprint8830. I know that there are probably hundreds and I can only absorb so much in a short time.

I look forward to seeing what others are using and what they have discovered by trolling the Internet, other boards or even by trial and error.

Come on, what have you got????

SteveTaz

[stevetaz]

One other item I found is that if you are having trouble seeing your screen in the strong sun and bright light, make sure you have the "Automatically Dim Backlight" option set to ON.

Options > Screen/Keyboard > Automatically Dim Backlight > select ON

Even if you have your backlight set to 100%, it still may not be enough. Apparently the sensor (behind the flashing LED) will actually increase the backlighting to MORE than the 100% in very bright light, but only in the Automagically mode.

It has made a difference for me.

SteveTaz

[tshot]

Thanks for posting these great tips.

[stevetaz]

Hi All:

Here is another feature of the BlackBerry.....PIN Messaging:

PIN Messaging allows you to text other BlackBerries and not use up text messaging allowances. It also allows you to use BB Messenger, which is a buddy interface similar to other IM programs. Using PIN messages for a “normal” message or a BB Message doesn't use up texts, just data.

Obviously PIN messaging requires that you have a data plan.

You can find your device’s PIN by clicking Options on the icons home screen > Status. Should be the fifth or so item in the list.

I believe the PIN is unique to each device so if you change devices for any reason you will have to let any PIN buddies know.

Note that you can use PIN messaging from the Email system as well as the BB Messenger.

While in your BB Main (Master) Message box press the Menu button (to the left of the trackball). Scroll down and you will see “Compose PIN” as one of the selections. Keep in mind you have to have contacts with PIN numbers in their contact info to be able to select a recipient from your contact list. You can PIN to an email address, but you might as well email.

From your Address Book, you can look up a contact and if they have a PIN entered into their contact information, after pressing the Menu button you will see PIN “Contact Name” as one of the options.

SteveTaz

[stevetaz]

Are you annoyed with only seeing no more than 20 or so entries in your call log?

That is not configurable as far as I know and is unfortunate. However, you can see the complete log by digging into your menus a bit more....

Go to The Message Box> Press Menu > View Folder > Phone Call Log and view the whole list.

This is where you should see the complete list of in and out back as far as the memory lasts. This is also where you will begin to lose calls on the log if your memory starts to run out and the device starts dumping to conserve.

Ahhhhh, but here is the good part....There is a shortcut to get to your FULL Call Log:
While in the main Message Box, you can just press Alt + P

Now don't you feel better?

SteveTaz

[stevetaz]

Many of us were used to the Treo and other phones, which permitted entering a phone number followed by commas or "p"s that inserted spaces (pauses) allowing connection to, for example, a voice mail system. After the pauses the user could enter their extension, more pauses and their password and save the configuration for on-going use. Another application for this is to dial into conference call centers where you may need the number, a room and a password.

Closest I found in the BB is the use of the letter "x" after a phone number in a contact. After dialing the number a pop-up appears asking if you want to dial the number you entered after the x, usually an extension. This is sweet and works well, but what if you want to automate that process or if you need a third number input?

Well, hard to believe, but I can't find anything about the automatic dialing of the full access phone number, extension and the password so I have done a little exploring and come up with these two possible solutions:

Solution #1 – Assuming that the people in your company have permanently defined conference call numbers. This will work great for established voicemail system access since those numbers, extensions and passwords generally don't change:
• Create a new address listing in your phone book. You could name it Conference Call. I use the “Other” listing. Enter the appropriate number, such as 8001234567, Menu Button > Select "Add Pause" (select add pause multiple times to meet your system’s needs. Each pause is appx. 2 seconds) > Type the second set of numbers, 12345 > Select "Add Pause". If you also need a third number like a participant code or password follow the same pattern with pauses and the next number.
• Save this entry. This will fully automate the dialing for you.
• Note that you can then send this as an attachment to any number of email recipients. With contact listing highlighted > Menu Button > Scroll down to “Send As Attachment”. When the recipient opens the attachment and with their BB cursor on your number > Menu Button > Select Call (contact you named it), the full number will be called including all the pauses and extra numbers. No need to copy and paste into the phone app.
• If any of your contacts have a permanent conference call number you can add this to their contact information for your own on-going use.

Solution #2 – You can enter the number into an email:
• Use this format… 1800123456,,,,12345 (commas are pauses of appx. 2 seconds. Using an exclamation point inserts a “wait” instead). For some reason we can't enter commas directly into the dial screen.
• Note that once sent and opened in the email on a BB, only the first 10 digits of my example will appear as “clickable”.
• Once the number is open in an email on the BB, highlight the full number including the commas and trailing numbers > Menu Button > Copy > Red End Button > Green Phone Button > Cursor in Blank Box above Call List > Menu Button > Paste. The full number including the pretty Pause symbols will appear and can be dialed by pressing the Green Phone Button.
• This can also be pasted into an Appointment Request in Outlook and used the same way when opened by a recipient.

If anyone has seen or uses a better solution, PLEASE post away....

SteveTaz