Five BlackBerry Tips for Noobs

Let me welcome you with open arms as you officially jumpstart your mobile experience with your new BlackBerry smartphone.

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Admittedly, there’s a learning curve all of us go through during the first few days of BlackBerry use – just like with any new gadget. However, it won’t be long enough before you realize that the BlackBerry is actually easy and fun to use. 

Here are a few tips to guide you:

1. Auto Text or Word Substitution
• With this feature, composing messages is faster. Enter an abbreviation and the BlackBerry automatically replaces it with a word. To access, go to Options > Typing and Input > Word Substitution. You have an option to add or modify the pre-populated list.
• If you type in Filipino, I suggest deleting “mo” in the list, since it always becomes “month” by default.
• Some useful abbreviations – “mypin” inserts BlackBerry PIN number; “mynumber” inserts BlackBerry phone number; “myver” inserts BlackBerry model number and software version.
2. BlackBerry Reboot
• At times, you’d be asked to reboot your phone. Two ways you can do that – (1) remove/replace battery or (2) press and hold ALT key + RIGHT SHIFT key + DEL key altogether and wait for the phone to reboot.
3. Real Convenience
• There are two 'convenience keys' – one on each side of the BlackBerry – left is default for voice command and right is for camera. If you never use voice command, go to Convenience Keys in Options to change the button to something more useful.
4. Multiple Selection
• Highlighting several SMS, email messages or pictures is very easy. Just press and hold the SHIFT key while you scroll through multiple items via the trackpad. Once done, you can easily hit the Menu button to copy, move or delete items.
5. Keyboard Shortcuts
• In a list, T – scroll to top of page and B – scroll to bottom of page. When composing new message, simply press C.
• When asked to dial alphanumeric characters such as a friend’s mobile number (ex. 091781GLENN), you may press 091781 then hold the ALT key as you type GLENN. BlackBerry is smart enough to translate them into numbers when you press the call key.
• Do not confuse yourself. ALT key + LEFT SHIFT key is for Number lock, while ALT key + RIGHT SHIFT key is for Caps lock.
• Press and hold ALT key + SHIFT key + letter H to go to “Help Me!” screen, which lists down your device information.

Got more BlackBerry questions? Tweet me @GlennOng.

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This article is my twenty-fifth contribution to Manila Bulletin -- one of the Philippines' leading broadsheets -- published on August 10, 2011 (Wednesday) in the Tech101 Section. You can view the PDF version here.