signal in your hands

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. 

 Colored Folders on a BlackBerry Curve 8900

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 recent 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.

uckily, 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, check out my "BlackBerry Bible" for more valuable tips and tricks.

 BlackBerry Add Folder Menu Option

One: On your icon- or application-screen, click the BlackBerry Menu key, which is located directly to the left of your trackball.

Two: Choose Add Folder from the options in the corresponding pop-up menu, and choose a name for your new addition.

Three: Click the Icon section of the Add Folder screen, and pick the color or graphic that best fits the folder's intended purpose.

Voila! A new BlackBerry folder should now appear on your icon screen. Should you wish to modify the folder's name, color or graphic in the future, simply scroll over it, hit the BlackBerry Menu key again, and choose Edit Folder.

Unlocked Verizon Wireless BlackBerry Tour Running on AT&T

 

 

Unfortunately, you're out of luck if you want to use your unlocked Tour on GSM 3G in the United States; neither T-Mobile nor AT&T employ the 2100Mhz frequency for U.S. 3G, even though T-Mobile licenses some of the spectrum and could potentially use it. So your Tour will be stuck on 2.5G EDGE if you decide to unlock and go the GSM-route--at least in the States.

Note: Any locked BlackBerry can be unlocked, but the process can be very different, depending on your device, carrier, etc. The following instructions are specifically for RIM's BlackBerry Tour 9630. I used the first method described below to unlock my Verizon 9630.

One simple and reliable way to unlock your BlackBerry Tour is through a third-party "unlocker" like CellUnlock.Net, HorizonWireless.com or Cellfservices.com. Such services typically require only a payment and your unique 15-digit IMEI number--a BlackBerry device identifier specific to your device--which you can send via e-mail. Shortly thereafter, you'll receive a BlackBerry "unlock code" in return, typically an eight-digit number. (Note: It can sometimes take a couple of days for an unlock code to arrive. Be patient.)

Generally, the newer the device you're trying to unlock, the more expensive the unlock code. Since the Tour is still brand new--it was released by both Verizon and Sprint on July 12--it's usually a bit more expensive to unlock than, say, Verizon's BlackBerry 8830 World Edition device. Currently, Cellunlock.net's charging $34.99 for a Tour unlock code while CellfServices.com is running a Tour unlock special for $21.99.

You may also want to enter CrackBerry.com's free Tour unlock code contest, though you better act fast. It ends this weekend.

To locate your IMEI number, check the side of the box your BlackBerry came in. The IMEI will be listed amid a number of bar codes and other product information. If you don't have your BlackBerry box, or would rather not have to dig it up, simply access your BlackBerry Help Me! screen, which lists the IMEI, using the following keyboard shortcut: ALT + Left Shift + H.

Once you've paid, passed along your IMEI and received the unlock code in return, you should follow these instructions to unlock your BlackBerry Tour. (Again, these steps are BlackBerry Tour-specific, and may not work to unlock other devices.)

1) Ensure there's a SIM card in your device. The card can be the one you wish to employ or any other SIM. 

 BlackBerry Manage Connections Icon

2) Turn off all wireless connections via your BlackBerry Manage Connections icon.

3) Open your BlackBerry Options menu and click Advanced Options. Scroll down to and click SIM Card

4) On the SIM Card screen, type the letters M, E, P, D. You'll see your display flash briefly, and a new screen with information like ID, Personalization, SIM, Network, etc., appears. 

Just like any other computer, your BlackBerry has a set amount of internal memory to perform tasks and run applications. Some devices have more memory than others, and some can be outfitted with external cards, but one fact remains the same whether you use a BlackBerry 6230 or Curve 8320: The more services you employ and apps you run, the more memory you need. As you increase the number of applications and processes running on your device, you'll eventually see degradations in performance and perhaps system crashes. 

Over the past weeks, we've brought you BlackBerry keyboard shortcuts, tricks for advanced users, free software downloads, as well as tips on how to extend your battery life and put your Bluetooth to good use. This week, we're offering up seven device memory tweaks to keep your RIM smartphone fast and responsive.

(Note: You can check how much memory your device is using at any given point by clicking the Options icon on your BlackBerry home screen--the icon looks like a wrench--and clicking Status. You'll then see a number of bytes for your total device memory [File Total] and your free memory [File Free].) 

To download a business we are the king was so happy to download, but without a lot of our consciousness that we do not use applications that make our memory is full. BlackBerry users without unlimited data plans can also save on Their monthly data usage by downloading apps to Their PCs and then transferring Them to BlackBerrys.

Before you start updating or installing new applications on your BlackBerry, you'll want to ensure that you're running the latest version of BlackBerry Desktop Manager. If you don't already have the software on your PC, you can pick it up from  here


If you've got Desktop Manager but are unsure of the version you're using, open the program, click the Help icon and choose About BlackBerry Desktop Manager. A dialogue box will appear to tell you which version you're running. Next, surf over on over to RIM's download page, verify you've got the latest version of the software and download and install it if not. 

Updating BlackBerry Applications Via RIM Desktop Manager

Depending on when you first downloaded and installed the existing applications on your BlackBerry smartphone, or when they were installed before your device was shipped, there may be updates available.
If you're using the latest version of BlackBerry Desktop Manager--at the time that this article was written, the latest version available on RIM's site is 4.5--the software will automatically search for updates as soon as you open the program and connect your device.

If you want to search for updates manually, simply open the Application Loader component of Desktop Manager and on the right side of the following screen, beneath the words "Update Applications," click Start. The program will then check your BlackBerry for device configuration and attempt to locate any updates. If any are available, they'll be listed on the following screen. To install the updates, click the Next box and follow the directions. The update process can take a while, so don't fret if it's been 10 minutes or so and nothing appears to be happening. (Note: Desktop Manager may not find available updates to third-party applications, so the best way to ensure that all of your apps are update is to occasionally check the software vendors' websites.) 

Installing New BlackBerry Software Using RIM Desktop Manager

o start, you should download and save the new software you wish to install on your BlackBerry to your PC's hard drive. The application, be it a game, theme or otherwise, will likely come in a "zipped," or archived, file, so you'll need to unpack its contents using a program like BitZipper or WinRAR, both of which are available for free trial. Save the contents of the zipped file in another folder on your hard drive. Within the new folder, you should see two different files, one with the extension ".cod" and another with an ".alx" extension. The zipped software may also include a text file with installation instruction or something of the like. 


After unzipping your software, launch Desktop Manager and connect the BlackBerry to your PC using the USB cable. When Desktop Manager recognizes your device--the status bar at the bottom of the screen will say "Connected" and list your smartphone PIN--you should open the Application Loader . On the left side of the screen, beneath the words "Add/Remove Applications" click Start .


 fter searching for your device configuration, Desktop Manager will then display a list of all the software currently on your BlackBerry. From there, you should click the Browse button, to locate the new software you wish to install. Navigate to the file with the unpacked contents of your zipped file, select the ".alx" file and choose Open . Then you'll be returned to the screen that displays all the software on your device, but this time around, you'll find the new software within that list. Make sure the checkbox next to the new software is filled, and then hit Next .
The following screen shows a list of the files being added or removed, and if the information is accurate, hit Finish and the installation process begins. Again, don't worry if it seems to be taking a long time and Desktop Manager says only "Connecting to Device." It can take a number of minutes to install the new software. When the process is done, a new screen will appear that says "Update Complete: The Loading Operation Was Successful."

Finally, you should launch the application, enter in an activation code, if necessary--purchased software often requires such an unlock code--and you're all set. 

Removing BlackBerry Software With RIM Desktop Manager

First, you'll need to once again connect your device and PC via USB cable and then launch Desktop Manager. Open up the Application Loader , choose Add/Remove Applications and then scroll through the list of software until you find the ones you want to remove. Uncheck the boxes next to those applications and click Next . 



Again, you'll see a list of the applications you're about to remove. If the list is correct, hit Finish and say goodbye to the selected software. Be patient, though; like the application addition process, removal can take some time. Thank you :)


source: http://www.cio.com