Blackberry tricks you should know

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By: Amandeep singh Chawla

Typing Shortcuts
·         To capitalize a letter with one click, hold down the letter key.
·         To insert a period, click the Space key twice.
·         Turn CAP Lock on by pressing the ALT key followed by the right Shift key. Turn it off by pressing either Shift key.
·         Turn Number Lock on by pressing the ALT key followed by the left Shift key. Turn it off by pressing either Shift key.
·         Type an accented letter or special character by holding the corresponding letter and scrolling left or right with the trackball.
·         Insert the current date into a message or document by pressing the L key followed by the D key
Related How-To
and Space key.
·         Insert the current time into a message or document by pressing the L key followed by the T key and Space key.
·         Switch text input languages on your BlackBerry at any point by hit the ALT button and Enter key at the same time, use your trackball to scroll to the new language you'd like to use, then click the trackball to confirm the new selection.
Messaging (E-mail and SMS)
·         In e-mail inbox, press the S key to search for a sender or a word within a subject line, and any mail folder regardless of message was sent or received.
·         Within inbox, access the complete list of messages sent by hitting the ALT key followed by the O key.
·         Within inbox, access the complete list of messages received by hitting the ALT key followed by the I key.
·         Within inbox, access the complete list of SMS text messages received by hitting the ALT key followed by the S key.
·         Within inbox, access phone log by hitting the ALT key followed by the P key.
·         Within inbox, access voicemail log by hitting the ALT key followed by the V key.
·         To delete all messages sent or received before a specific date, highlight that date with the cursor, hit the BlackBerry Menu key, select Delete Prior and confirm selection.
·         To enable automatic spell checking of e-mail messages, click the Options icon on BlackBerry home screen. Then click Spell Check and select the Spell Check E-Mail Before Sending option.
·         To do a manual spell check, click the BlackBerry Menu key within a composed message and select Check Spelling.
·         When a message is being spell checked, suggested fixes to unrecognized words can be ignored by clicking the escape key.
·         Heavy BlackBerry users know the pain of trying to catch up on an e-mail thread with multiple responses. For easier navigation of a conversation threads, open the first message and then hit the J key to jump to the next response, and so on. You can also return to an earlier message in the thread by hitting the K key. (Note: If the subject line of the thread has been modified, you may not be able to find all responses using this shortcut.)
·         You can simply close a message, and when you're free again, just hit the G key after reopening it, and you'll be brought to the exact spot where you stopped reading.
Phone Functions
·         Multitask while on phone calls by hitting the BlackBerry menu key during a call and then selecting Home Screen. You'll then have access to e-mail and other documents--though most BlackBerrys don't allow for simultaneous voice and data transfer, so Internet access is unavailable while on calls.
·         Find specific contacts from your BlackBerry home screen by pressing keys for first and last initials, with a space between them. If more than one contact has the same initials, scroll to the appropriate contact.
·         Rapidly switch back and forth between BlackBerry applications by holding down the ALT key and then click ESCAPE. While holding down ALT, you can then scroll left or right between apps, and you need only release the ALT key to select a program.
·         To reboot without removing the battery, simply hit ALT, RIGHT SHIFT and DELETE.
·         To pull up the Help Me screen, navigate to your home screen and then press ALT, either SHIFT key and the letter H. To return to your Home Screen, hit ESCAPE or open the MENU and select Close.
·         You can access a variety of helpful Home Screen shortcuts. o do so, click your Phone icon on the Home Screen or hit the green phone button on your device. Then press your Menu key, pick Options, then General Options and change the Dial From Home Screen field from "Yes" to "No." Now you'll need to hit your Phone icon or click the green phone button to dial a number and place a call, but you'll have access to all of the following shortcuts from your Home Screen via a single click of the corresponding letter key: WAP Browser -- W, Alarm -- R, Tasks -- T, Calculator -- U, Options -- O, Address Book -- A, Search -- S, Notes -- D, Profiles -- F, Help -- H, Lock keypad -- K, Calendar -- L, Messages -- M, Browser -- B, BlackBerry Messenger -- N, Saved messages -- V, Compose -- C.
·         To put device into Standby Mode so keys cannot be pressed while it's not in use, hold down the Mute key for a second or two. Undo Standby Mode by holding Mute for another couple of seconds.
·         Access your BlackBerry address book while on a call by simply clicking the green Sendkey to open up the phone application and call log. When your call log is on screen, hold down Send again for a couple of seconds until the address book information appears.
·         To automatically add an extension to a phone number, type in the appropriate ten digits and then hit the ALT and X keys, followed by the numbers in the extension. Then click the Send button.
·         While in a message or text file, you can copy text in two different ways. First, you can simply hold the Shift button while scrolling the trackball over the text you wish to copy, and then hit the BlackBerry Menu key and choose Copy from the associated dropdown menu. You can also copy text by hitting ALT and clicking the track ball before scrolling over the text you wish to copy and then hitting Menu and choosing Copy. To paste text once it's copied, you can either click Menu again and choose Paste, or you can simply hit Shift and click the trackball wherever you want the text to appear.
BlackBerry Browser
·         Bring up the Enter Web Address field from any Web page by pressing the G key.
·         Insert a period in Web address by clicking the Space key.
·         Insert a back slash in Web address by clicking either the Left Shift or Right Shift keys and then hitting Space.
·         Add an item to bookmarks list by clicking the A key.
·         Bring up your bookmark list by clicking the K key.
·         Refresh a Web page by clicking the R key. To stop a page refresh, hit your Escape key.
·         Display a list of the last 20 pages visited by hitting the I key.
·         Open browser options with the O key.
·         To jump instantly to the very top or bottom or a Web page within your BlackBerry browser, simply click the "T" button to move all the way up or the "B" key to shift to the bottom.
·         To jump down a page length in the BlackBerry Browser, simply hit the Space key. Do so repeatedly to quickly move down a page. On the flip side, you can "page up" by holding a Shift key and then clicking Space.
·         The simplest and fastest way to surf to your home page via BlackBerry Browser: click your "H" key while on another page. (Note: Modify your BlackBerry home page by hitting Menu--directly to the left of your trackball--and choosing Options, then Browser Configuration. On the following screen, scroll down to the Home Page Address field and enter in the correct URL for your new home page.
·         Open up your BlackBerry Browser Options by hitting the "S" key while on any Web page.
·         To zoom in on a page while using the BlackBerry Browser, click "I." to zoom back out, hit "O."
·         To instantly view your BlackBerry browsing history, click the "Y" key while surfing the Web.
·         To rapidly determine the URL for a Web page you're visiting, click the "P" key.
·         To quickly exit your browser, either hit your BlackBerry Escape key--located directly to the right of your trackball--or click the "D" key. (Note: This shortcut did not work on our Curve 8900 running OS v5.0.0.90.)
·         To alternate Between "Column" and "Page" Views in BlackBerry Browser, click your "Z" button.
·         Click the "U" key while on any Web page to hide the BlackBerry Browser Banner.
·         While on a Web page, just click your BlackBerry's P key at any time to see that specific page's Web address and title.
Spreadsheet Attachments
·         Change the size of a column by pushing the W key.
·         Go to a specific cell by pressing the G key.
·         View contents of a cell by pressing the Space key.
·         Search for text by clicking the F key, and then type the desired word.
·         Switch to a different worksheet by pressing V and selecting the desired sheet.
Presentation Attachments
·         Skip to the next slide by pressing the N key.
·         Return to the previous slide by clicking the P key.
·         Start slideshow by pushing the S key.
·         Stop slideshow by clicking the Escape key.
·         Switch to a new view of the slideshow by clicking the M key.



Back Up and Restore Handheld Data
Anyone who has ever experienced the pain of losing all the data on a PC or handheld intimately knows the value of backing up personal information, whether it's an iTunes music collection, digital photo album or address book. This can be easier said than done, but BlackBerry users are in luck: The handheld data backup and restore process for Research In Motion (RIM) smartphones couldn't be simpler when you use the BlackBerry Desktop Manager software, which ships with every new RIM device. We'll demonstrate how you can protect the valuable data on your BlackBerry by backing it up on your PC's hard drive--we'll even show you how to automatically backup your device data in preset intervals. To get started, all you'll need is your BlackBerry device, the latest version of RIM's BlackBerry Desktop Manager, a Microsoft Windows PC--the desktop software's not currently available to Mac users--and a USB cable to link your mobile phone and computer.
First, you'll want to download the latest version of RIM's BlackBerry Desktop Manager software, which at the time of this article's time of publication is v5.0, . To determine which version of Desktop Manager you're currently running, launch the program via Windows Start Menu by clicking All Programs, BlackBerry and Desktop Manager. When the program's open, hit theHelp tab on the main screen and then choose About BlackBerry Desktop Manager. The software version will be listed on the General tab.
Launch Desktop Manager, Connect Your BlackBerry and PC
Next, launch the desktop manager software if you haven't already done so. Follow the procedure detailed above to open the program if you didn't choose to create a desktop shortcut upon installation. When the program is running, connect your BlackBerry device to the PC via USB cord. Close any dialogue boxes that may appear when your BlackBerry is connected, including the desktop manager box that informs you it's searching for application updates.
Your BlackBerry should now be connected to the software and the word "Connected" should appear in both the top and bottom left corners of the desktop manager screen. If you're still not connected, try unplugging the device and inserting it into another USB port.
Backup All or Some of the Data on Your BlackBerry
Click on the Backup and Restore icon in the top right corner of the desktop manager home screen. The following screen should offer three separate options: Backup, Restore andAdvanced. To save all the personal data stored in your BlackBerry's internal memory, hit theBack up tab, choose a name and location for the file and hit Save. The backup process should take about a minute, and your BlackBerry screen will display a graphic of a connected handheld and PC while it's in progress.
You can also set your BlackBerry Desktop Manager to automatically backup device data in preset intervals (5 days, 7 days, 14 days, etc.) whenever you launch the program and connect your smartphone and PC. To do so, click the Options tab beneath the Backup icon, and on the following screen fill in the box next to Back up my device data automatically every XX days. Then choose the specific data you want backed up. For instance, you can opt to back up all of your device data, or all data except messages and/or data that's synced with an organizer app. When you've selected the information you want to copy, hit OK and then click the Back up tab on the main screen.
To further customize the specific information you wish to back up, click the Advanced tab on the main Backup and Restore screen. You'll quickly see a dialogue box that displays the application's progress scanning your device database, and then a screen with two columns appears: one column on the left named Computer Databases and another on the right titledDevice Databases. In the right column, select the specific device data you wish to backup and then hit the left-facing arrow between the columns to copy the information from the Device Databases side to the Computer Databases. Once you've transferred all the data you wish to copy, open the File dropdown menu--located directly above the Computer Databases column--choose a name for your backup file and save it to your hard drive.
Restore Data to Your BlackBerry Using Desktop Manager Files
Restoring BlackBerry device data using the desktop manager software and backup files created using the application isn't difficult at all. First, you'll want to locate your backup files so they're easy to find when you try to restore data. Next, launch the BlackBerry Desktop Manager, click the Backup and Restore icon in the top right corner and on the next screen, and choose Restore. Browse to the appropriate backup file on your hard drive and click Open. You'll then be asked to confirm that you wish to replace all the existing data on your device with the information in the backup file. Hit Yes, and the desktop manager starts restoring your data. This can take several minutes depending on the amount of information in the file.
Restoring only specific device data, such as address book contacts or custom AutoText entries, is similar to the above-mentioned process, but instead of hitting Restore on the main Backup and Restore screen, click Advanced. Then open the File dropdown menu on the left--directly above the Computer Databases column--and open an existing back up file. Choose the specific data you'd like to restore from that file and click the right-facing arrow between theComputer Databases and Device Databases columns. When the progress box disappears, your data has been restored and you're good to go.

Security Basics
BlackBerry has gained a reputation in the mobile space during the past decade or so as the "most secure" handheld device and mobile platform available. That's largely due to RIM's BlackBerry Enterprise Server (BES) software for corporate e-mail deployments, which has earned high-level security certifications from some of the world's most demanding information-security organizations, including the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST); Canada's Communication Security Establishment (CSE); and the U.K.'s Communications Electronic Security Group (CESG), among others.
That's all fine and good for corporations looking to secure infrastructure and resources associated with their BlackBerry deployments. But no amount of security certifications can make up for an uninformed and/or careless BlackBerry user.
That's why, as a BlackBerry smartphone owner, you need to do your part to keep your device, and all the information on it, secure; whether you're a corporate BlackBerry user on a BES or a BlackBerry Internet Service (BIS) customer, you can manage a number of quick and easy security safeguards on your own...and you'd be wise to do so if you'd prefer that personal and/or sensitive data on your device remains "for your eyes only."
Here's a detailed list of five tips you can use to reinforce your BlackBerry smartphone's security protections -- and perhaps reduce future headaches associated with a lost or stolen BlackBerry.
Password, Password, Password...One More Time: Password
If your corporate BlackBerry administrator doesn't enforce a password policy on your device or you're a consumer BlackBerry user on BIS, the very first thing you should do with your smartphone is enable password-protection. This is probably the single most important--and effective--BlackBerry security tip that anyone can offer you.
After all, there's little an average perpetrator can do with a locked-down BlackBerry, besides erase its contents.
To enable a new password for your BlackBerry smartphone, simply open your BlackBerryOptions menu, then scroll down to and click the word Password. On the following screen, select the Password field and then enable the option via the corresponding pop-up box.
From there, hit your BlackBerry Escape key--located directly to the right of your track ball or trackpad--save your changes when prompted and then enter your new BlackBerry password. After typing the new password once, you'll be prompted to confirm your selection. Verify the password by typing it again, and your BlackBerry will be properly locked down. Just type your password again to unlock the device.
Employing a password that's easy to guess and/or determine defeats the purpose of password-protecting your device; pick a random password that isn't the word "password" or your birthday, etc. (Your BlackBerry password must be at least four characters.) And don't store that password anywhere on your BlackBerry, unless it's in the built-in password keeper app--more on that in a minute.
After enabling a BlackBerry password, you gain access to a number of related security options on the same screen. For instance, you can specify the number of failed password attempts you'd like to permit before your device locks itself down; you can pick a Security Timeoutperiod for how long your device should remain unlocked before enabling the password; and you can choose to require a password whenever new applications are installed, to prevent apps from being installed without your knowledge.
Encrypt BlackBerry Device Data
Another way to help protect your BlackBerry device and the information stored within it is by encrypting your smartphone data. You can encrypt data stored on your device and/or your microSD media card. Doing so "scrambles" the information so it can't be transferred and interpreted if your device falls into the wrong hands or gets hacked.
To enable encryption on your BlackBerry, again open up your BlackBerry Options menu, scroll down to Security Options and on the following screen, choose Encryption. Then, open up the Encryption menu on the next screen and pick Enabled.
After enabling encryption, you may be prompted to tap BlackBerry keys to "generate random information for the new content key pair." This process is used to generate a new, random encryption key that'll help ensure your device and/or media card remain protected. Simply tap your BlackBerry keyboard until you're returned to the Security Options page.
(Note: You may see some performance degradation after enabling device-memory encryption, especially if you choose the "strongest" setting, i.e., your BlackBerry may slow down a bit. So depending on your security needs, it could be a good idea to begin with the lowest encryption setting to see how it affects your handheld.)
Locking Down BlackBerry Bluetooth Security
All new BlackBerry devices have Bluetooth radios for connecting wirelessly to calling- and media-accessories, as well as for small-file transfers. Bluetooth can be invaluable to BlackBerry users, but it should be employed securely. For example, you can enable a number of Bluetooth options to secure connections to accessories and devices, as well as ensure you only connect to the desired gadgets.
To access your Bluetooth options, turn your Bluetooth radio on by opening the BlackBerryManage Connections menu and checking the box next to Bluetooth. Next, while still on theManage Connections screen, scroll down to and pick Bluetooth Options.
The following screen shows a variety of Bluetooth options, some are which are security-oriented. First, you'll see an option labeled Discoverable. This option lets you determine whether or not you want your BlackBerry to show up when nearby users search for Bluetooth enabled devices. If you set the option to No, others will not be able to pair or connect with you via Bluetooth; you'll have to manually add them if you wish to connect. If you choose the Yesoption, anyone with a Bluetooth device in range will see your BlackBerry if they scan for nearby gadgets. And the third option, 2 Minutes means your device will be viewable to others scanning for Bluetooth devices for only two minutes after you make the change.
Setting BlackBerry Bluetooth discoverability to No is probably the most secure option, because no one will be able to connect to your device via Bluetooth. But I often use the 2 Minutesoption, as well, to let other, known parties quickly connect to my device.
On the same screen, you can choose to allow or deny outgoing calls via Bluetooth--I use the "Always" option, because I frequently place hands-free calls via Bluetooth, with my device both locked and unlocked. You can also enable or disable your Bluetooth contact-transfer option, which allows you to quickly transfer BlackBerry contacts via Bluetooth. And there's a Security Level that lets you choose either High or High + Encryption to protect data sent and/or received via Bluetooth--the latter option scrambles data transferred via Bluetooth.
Finally, you can pick and choose which services you want to enable Bluetooth for--headset, hands-free, dial-up networking, etc.--to reduce possible security threats. So, for example, if you never use your device for wireless tethering, you could uncheck the Dial-Up Networkingoption.
Protect Passwords and Other Sensitive On-Device Data
It may be tempting to store password, payment card information or other login data on your BlackBerry, but there are right and wrong ways to do so. The wrong way is to simply store such information in saved BlackBerry e-mail messages, to-do items or notes, without any sort of protection. If your device falls into the wrong hands, a hacker could potentially search your inbox or message list for the terms "Visa," "Master Card" etc., in hopes of locating financial information that could lead to cash.
But if you protect all your passwords and/or sensitive information using something like RIM's built-in Password Keeper app, potential baddies looking for personal data would have to find not only a way into your device, but also a way to crack your password keeper.
To employ Password Keeper, simply open up the app--it ships with all new BlackBerrys--and create a password to protect all your other passwords. Obviously, this master password should be difficult to guess. Then simply hit your BlackBerry Menu key--to the left of the trackball/trackpad--and choose New to create a new password item. You'll be prompted for aTitle, Username, Password, a Website and Notes, but you can use any of the fields to store whatever information you wish.
Parting With Your Device? Make Sure It's Wiped
Whether you've upgraded to a new model, traded handhelds with a friend or colleague, or misplaced your BlackBerry, if you part with your device for any significant period of time, you should "wipe" it clean to ensure no sensitive information is lost.
Obviously, if you've lost or misplaced your device, or--gulp!--it was stolen, you can't wipe it on your own. But if you're on a corporate BES or BES Express, you can still have your BlackBerry administrator remotely wipe your device clean, assuming it's still connected to your organization's BlackBerry Server.
And it's best not to waste time; if you suspect your device has been nabbed, tell your BlackBerry administrator immediately, even if you think you may be able to find it. Mistakes happen and your admin should understand. Even if you locate the device in the future, it's safer to wipe it clean and simply restore your data from a backup, than take a chance of someone hacking your personal information. (You are backing up your BlackBerry regularly, right?)



Boost Battery Life
How long will your BlackBerry battery last? That depends on a wide array of factors, starting with the device model you're using, your proximity to cellular towers, and how often you're talking on a call, sending messages or surfing the mobile Internet.
But regardless of whether or not you're constantly using your a BlackBerry 8830, 8700g or Curve in the city or the sticks, you can learn tricks to squeeze every last bit of juice out of your device. For instance, you can make sure all your unused connectivity options are disabled, your notification settings are optimized for extended battery life and your screen backlight is only as bright as you need it to be.
We recommend carrying an extra BlackBerry battery along whenever possible so you don't get caught in the dark even if your main power supply dies. But these tips can help extend your battery life even if you have another at the ready.
Set Connectivity Options Wisely
Wireless connectivity options such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth eat up BlackBerry battery life when they're on but aren't in use, because they constantly try to connect to networks or devices. Even leaving your device's cellular radio on when you're not using it drains battery life, because it's communicating with cellular towers to determine if you're still in range of the network and to update various services or applications.
Not all BlackBerry devices have Wi-Fi--in fact only a few of them do--but most new RIM devices have Bluetooth support, and the vast majority have cellular radios.
To turn off one or all of these options, go to your device's icon screen and click the "Manage Connections" icon. (It looks a bit like a camera tripod with a few halos around the top.) From there, you can deactivate all connectivity options by hitting the "Turn All Connections Off" option, or turn individual connections on and off by checking or unchecking the boxes next to each. One caution: the cellular radio enables your device to make and receive calls, as well as view Web pages and transfer data, so you won't be able to place calls or surf the Web when your radio is turned off. If you enter an area with poor or no cellular coverage--when riding on a subway, for example--turn off you radio unless it's absolutely necessary, because it will drain battery trying to reconnect with the network.
You can also set your device to automatically shut down at night (or other little-used times) and turn itself back on, to save battery life. To do so, go to your device's icon screen and click the Options icon. (It looks like a wrench.) Then click Auto On/Off, select whether or not settings should apply to weekdays, weekends or both, and choose stop and start times.
Examine Your Notification Profiles
The notification alerts that you use to signal new phone calls or messages can have a significant impact on your BlackBerry battery life. For example, if you set your call notification to vibrate three times and then ring loudly, your battery is going to drain faster than if you turn off the vibration and reduce your ring tone volume to low.
If you use a custom ring tone--a little Buffett, say--you're also using more battery life than with a traditional ring. The most energy efficient way to employ call or message notifications? Set your ring tone to the lowest volume you can and reduce or eliminate the use of vibration alerts.
We all need to set or devices to vibrate occasionally while in meetings or other locales that require quiet, but you can modify your vibrations settings.
To reduce the number of times that your device vibrates when a new call or message is received, go to your device's icon screen and click the Profiles icon. (It looks like a speaker.) From there you can adjust your various profile settings--Loud, Vibrate, Quiet, Normal and Phone Off--and access Advanced settings. Scroll down and click the Advanced option, and you'll see another list of the same profile settings. To modify these settings, just highlight one, hit your BlackBerry menu key and click the Edit option. This displays all the various applications and services with notification options, like your phone, e-mail inbox, text message inbox, IM application and more. To change notification settings for an app or service, simply click one and select whether you want your device to both ring and vibrate when you receive a call or an email message and how many times for each.
If you use an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) holster from RIM, you can also set different notification options for when your device is holstered. (RIM's newer holsters have built-in magnets that let your device know it's secured.) These options can save precious battery life, as well, because you can set your device to remain silent and still while holster and then revert to normal settings when it's removed.
As a general rule, the fewer times you BlackBerry rings or vibrates, the less battery life your notifications use.
Adjust Your Screen Backlight
Newer BlackBerry devices enable you to heighten or reduce your display's backlight brightness. The brighter your screen, and the longer that screen stays lit, the more battery life you're using.
To modify backlight settings, go to your BlackBerry icon screen and click on the Options icon that looks like a wrench. The click the Screen/Keyboard option and set your Backlight Brightness to the lowest level you can stand without needing to struggle to see your display. Then set your Backlight Timeout--how long your screen will stay on before going black--to the shortest time period you can handle.
An OEM BlackBerry holster can also reduce the amount of time your screen stays lit regardless of your settings, because it blacks out your display whenever the device is holstered.
Use Power-Hogging Applications Wisely
The larger the number of BlackBerry applications you use, the more power you're going to need. If you constantly use a couple of apps, say the Viigo RSS reader and Facebook for BlackBerry, you need to consider how much power those specific applications employ. If battery life is of the essence, you probably want to use them sparingly.
Some applications eat up power only when in use. For example, Google Maps mobile application for BlackBerry drains significant battery life when you search for directions or satellite images of a specific locale, but it doesn't use much power when not being employed.
But, many BlackBerry applications drain battery life even when you're not using them by pulling in new content or updates. Viigo, a mobile RSS reader for BlackBerry and Windows Mobile devices, for instance, pulls in content from whatever feeds you select. If you use Viigo and you're receiving articles from 30 feeds, the application is going to eat up a good chunk of your battery, even when you're not reading the stories it's collecting. Or take the Facebook for BlackBerry application: Depending on your Facebook notification settings, you could be receiving BlackBerry alerts every time a Facebook Friend sends you a message, writes on your wall, pokes you, or interacts with one of your widgets. All of that back and forth activity takes a lot of power.
So be aware of how much battery your BlackBerry applications need, and why, and be selective.
Keep Battery Connections Clean
Over time, the battery connections within your device can gather dust and other particles and impede the transfer of power to your hardware. Every few months, it's a good idea to remove your battery and wipe clean the small sections of metal through which battery power is transferred, as well as the metal prongs inside your device's battery slot that connect to the power supply.
Those prongs are delicate, however, so you should be very careful cleaning them. Q Tips and cleansing wipes made specifically for electronic gadgets work well, though they can leave residue, so you should ensure both surfaces are clear before replacing your battery.
Finally, your battery will become less efficient over time, so it is occasionally necessary to buy a new one. If your battery is a year or older, and you've determined that its poor performance can't be attributed to a weak cellular connection, a power-hogging app or a similar issue, you may need to replace it.
Close Unused Applications--Even if You Reopen Them Soon
Many BlackBerry applications utilize RIM's respected "push" technology, which brings messages, notifications and alerts to your device almost instantly after the corresponding service receives them. That's all fine and good--except for the fact that it takes battery life to initiative the transactions and receive new data. The more apps you have open that use some sort of auto-update process, the more battery life those apps are eating up.
So while my initial related tip was merely to close all "power-hogging" apps when they're not in use, today I'm suggesting you close ALL apps when you're not employing them. You won't receive updates or notifications, but you can always just reopen a specific app if you want to check it.
This also goes for IM applications, like BeeJive or IM+, which many BlackBerry users leaving running constantly. If you're a heavy IM user, this tip may not play out for you. But if you're like me and rarely use IM via BlackBerry, except to initiate a quick conversation, you'll be better off leaving your IM apps deactivated until you need them.
A quick way to determine which apps are running at a given time is to open up yourBlackBerry Application Switcher ribbon by holding down the BlackBerry Menu key--directly to the left of your trackball/trackpad--for a few seconds. The core BlackBerry phone, browser, messages, BlackBerry Messenger and home screen icon cannot be closed, but anything else that shows up in your app switcher can be shutdown via the application menus.
Standby Mode is Your Friend
You can quickly and easily put many BlackBerry devices into "Standby Mode" to conserve battery life when not in use, among other things. Standby Mode is different than the BlackBerry screen/keypad lock in that it not only freezes your device keyboard, but also deactivates your display, saving power.
You activate Standby Mode in different ways depending on your BlackBerry device, but some new devices can be put into standby by simply holding the Mute key on the top right or left of the device.
For example, I put my BlackBerry Bold 9700 into standby every time it goes into my pocket by holding the Mute key on the top-right of the device. (Check your owner's manual or search Google if you can't determine how to activate standby on your specific handset. Note: As far as I know, the Storm2 does not have a Standby Mode.)
You'll need to push the Mute key again--or reenter whatever key combo activates standby--to turn it off. So if you find that your device is on but won't start up when you press keys, ensure it's not in standby.
Disable Your Camera's Flash
If you employ your BlackBerry's digital camera frequently, but want to conserve battery life, you can turn off or adjust your camera's flash. Using the flash once or twice probably won't have too much of an impact on your battery life. But repeated use is sure to take a toll.
To modify your camera's flash settings, open the BlackBerry camera app by clicking on theCamera Icon on your BlackBerry home screen. When the camera view finder is open, click your BlackBerry Menu key, hit Options and change the Default Flash Setting to "No."
Hit your Escape key to exit out of the Options menu, save your changes, and your flash will be turned off the next time you open the camera. To turn it back on, simply reverse the process.
Add E-Mail Accounts Sparingly
Every time an e-mail message or group of messages is delivered to your BlackBerry inbox, your overall device battery-life diminishes. So, to maximize BlackBerry battery life, you should only connect "relevant" e-mail accounts to your smartphone.
For example, if you have your Microsoft Outlook, two Gmail accounts, a Windows Live mailbox and Yahoo! Mail all linked to your BlackBerry device, you're using a significant amount of your battery life on simply delivering e-mail--assuming you frequently receive mail to these accounts.
You probably need your Outlook mail, especially if your BlackBerry is work-issued. But do you really require that both of those Gmail inboxes be connected to your smartphone? Do you even receive mail to that ancient Hotmail Windows Live account?
It's a good practice to connect only the mailboxes you employ most frequently to your BlackBerry device, since reducing the number of mailboxes will not only increase your overall battery-life, but also de-clutter your main BlackBerry Messages folder.
Better Digital Camera Experience
You can more out of your blackberry camera built in and capture pro-looking shots effortlessly. There are some basic tips provided by RIM themselves. We will take a look of the various tips they reccomend and also provide some useful tips of our own.
First, RIM’s tips:
1.     Get closer to your subjects
2.     Hold your hand steady
3.     Be patient
4.     Use the flash when necessary
5.     Use photos to help remember future errands/tasks/etc.
6.     Organize your digital media using BlackBerry folders
7.     Share images via digital photo apps like Flickr, Facebook or MySpace for BlackBerry
8.     Use a photo editor (There are free options)
9.     Modify white balance settings
10.   Experiment with built-in color effects like black & white or sepia
11.   Employ geotagging, where available, to tie location info to images
12.   Modify BlackBerry image quality camera settings
Again, most of these are somewhat obvious, but each and every one will indeed help to make you a better BlackBerry photog. And much more detail on each item is available on RIM’s site.
I use my BlackBerry camera fairly frequently, and I’ve experimented with all the suggestions mentioned above and more. One tip that’s often overlooked due to its simplicity: Make sure your camera lens is clear of dust and other debris.
The simplest way to do this is to wipe both the lens and flash, found on the rear side of your camera-equipped ‘Berry, with a cotton swab or a paper towel or tissue will do just fine, but make sure to use a quality brand that won’t just leave more of a mess.
My other suggestion is an extension of RIM’s second tip: Hold your hand steady. I’ve had the best luck using both hands. I use one thumb and forefinger on the top and bottom to hold my BlackBerry horizontally in place while my other hand holds the device like I normally would, with a thumb on the trackball and the rest of my hand wrapped around its side.
This is particularly helpful when using RIM’s BlackBerry Curve 8900 or Storm devices. Both handsets have higher resolution cameras than other BlackBerry models—3.2 megapixels compared to 2.0 megapixels—as well as a new autofocus feature. The autofocus in particularreally makes a difference in picture quality. But it also causes a delay after you click your trackball or screen to snap an image, so holding your device steady for those final few seconds is crucial.
In addition to the cameras usage tips, RIM also included a breakdown of the BlackBerry Camera Settings. I won’t get into details, but if you’re new to using a BlackBerry shooter, these tips are a great place to familiarize yourself with RIM’s camera application.
The most interesting tidbit from the camera settings section:
“If the [BlackBerry] battery power level drops below 20 percent, the flash dims to conserve battery power. In cold temperatures, when the battery power level drops below 20 percent, the flash might turn off.”
Apparently there are battery-life-protection measures built into the camera app that jump into action whenever the temperature drops below a certain level. Who knew?
Use Folders to Unclutter Your RIM Smartphone
BlackBerry smartphones come with a default set of folders for users to store software, including RIM's own standard tools--like its Calculator and Memo Pad applications--as well as third party apps and games. The four main app storage folders are Applications, Games, Instant Messaging and Downloads--at least if your BlackBerry is running OS v4.6 or higher.
Applications is where all RIM's native apps live; Games is for, well, games; a number of IM programs, including AIM and Google Talk, can be found in Instant Messaging; and any and all new apps you may acquire land in Downloads.
That's all fine and good for new BlackBerry owners, but thanks to the release of BlackBerry App World, RIM's mobile software store, getting your hands on new software has never been easier. And those four folders fill up and become disorganized awfully quick.
Luckily, you can create your own BlackBerry folders, which can be organized in the way that best suits your needs, in just a few simple steps. Once you're a master of the BlackBerry folder




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