Even More Tips, Tricks & Shortcuts!
Last issue, we presented a collection of calling, customization, and messaging tips that would help you get even more from your BlackBerry® smartphone. Missed the article? You can read it here. This month, we cover taking pictures and videos, using your browser, and much more.
In part two, you’ll learn:
Camera Tips
One of the best things about having a BlackBerry smartphone with a built-in camera is knowing that you never have to have one of those “Oh man, if only I could have gotten a picture of that!” moments. And although it's easy to snap pics with your smartphone, we have a few tricks that'll help you take better pictures in no time. In this section, we'll share some of those tricks, including how to adjust picture quality, size and settings.
Enable flash
Set your flash settings. In Camera mode, press the Menu key and click Options. Set the Default Flash Setting field. Press the Menu key and click Save.
Set the picture quality
To set picture quality, in Camera mode, press the Menu key and click Options. Set the Picture Quality field. Press the Menu key and click Save.
Access picture options
When viewing a picture, press the Menu key to view options that allow you to zoom in to or out from a picture, rotate the picture, or change the size of the image.
Assign a photo to a caller ID
When viewing a picture, press the Menu key and click Set As Caller ID. You’ll be prompted to crop and save the picture, then assign it to an entry in your contact list.
Browser Tips
Being away from your desktop computer doesn't mean you have to give up your usual browsing habits. With your BlackBerry smartphone web browser, the whole Internet is at your fingertips. In this section, we'll show you how to customize and use your BlackBerry smartphone browser the same way you use your non-mobile browser, with bookmarks, custom homepages, display preferences, and a whole bunch of hotkeys for faster navigation.
Add a bookmark
On a web page, press the Menu key, click Add Bookmark and adjust the name if desired. Then press the Menu key and click Add.
Add a Bookmark Folder
In the BlackBerry® Browser, press the Menu key, click Bookmarks and then highlight a bookmark folder. Press the Menu key and click Add Subfolder.
Change the default browser view
In the BlackBerry Browser, press the Menu key, click Options then General Properties. Change the Default View field, press the Menu key and click Save Options.
Set your browser home page
To set the BlackBerry Browser home page, from the Browser, press the Menu key. Click Options, then Browser Configuration, and type your desired web site in the Home Page Address field.
BlackBerry Browser font settings
In the browser, click Options. Click General Properties and then set your font preferences.
Refresh a web page
While on a web page, press the R key. You can also press the Menu key and click Refresh.
Forward or send a web page address via email or SMS
On a web page, press the Menu key, click Send Address and choose the method in which you want to deliver the address.
Browser Shortcuts
| QWERTY Shortcut | SureType® Shortcut | |
| Insert a period | Press the Space key | Press the Space key |
| Insert a slash mark | Press the Shift key and the Spacebar | Press the Shift key and the Space key |
| Move up one screen | Press Shift key and the Spacebar | Press Shift key and the Spacebar |
| Move down one screen | Press the Spacebar | Press the Spacebar |
| Move to the top of a page | Press T | Press 1 |
| Move to the bottom of a page | Press B | Press 7 |
| Return to the home page | Press H | - |
| Open bookmarks | Press K | Press 5 |
| Add a bookmark | Press A | Press ? |
| Refresh page | Press R | - |
Lock and Power Tips
You can customize how your smartphone behaves when it's in locked mode.
Use Auto On/Off
Set your BlackBerry smartphone to turn on and off automatically. From the Home screen, click Options and then select Auto On/Off and set your preferences. Set your phone to automatically turn off during periods of non-use (such as late at night) and then turn on in the morning. Doing so can help you extend battery life between charges.
Enable calling when device is locked
You can choose to enable calling even when your screen is locked. On the Home screen, click Options and then Password and set your preferences.
Include personal information on locked screen
Have your BlackBerry smartphone display your contact information when locked. That way, if you lose it, a good Samaritan can contact you to return it. On the Home screen, click Options, click Owner and type your contact information. Press the Menu key and click Save.
Bluetooth Tips
With Bluetooth, your BlackBerry smartphone can wirelessly communicate with tons of useful peripherals, including headsets, printers, and keyboards. With these basics, you’ll know the steps to enable Bluetooth on your smartphone and connect it to new peripherals.
Turn on Bluetooth technology
On the Home screen, press the Menu key and click Manage Connections. Select the Bluetooth checkbox. To turn off Bluetooth technology, clear the Bluetooth checkbox.
Change the pairing name for your BlackBerry smartphone
On the Home screen, press the Menu key and click Options and then Bluetooth. Press the Menu key and click Options. Adjust the name of your Bluetooth device to personally identify it.
Search for other Bluetooth devices
On the Home screen, press the Menu key and click Manage Connections. Click Set Up Bluetooth and click Search. Simply click the desired device and provide the appropriate passkeys.
Application tips
Applications let you add more functionality to your BlackBerry smartphone.
Switch Applications
When running an application, press the Menu key, click Switch Applications and then an application icon.
Additional functions
In this section, we're going to share some favorite tips that just didn't fit into any of the other sections. Learn about Voice Memos, the Password Keeper, and the Alarm, as well as some services that will help you get more from your smartphone, including BlackBerry Help and Search.
Create a voice note
Don’t forget that thought! In the Voice Notes Recorder, click the record icon and press it again to pause.
Use the password keeper
Keep all your passwords safe in one place. On the Home screen or in a folder, click Password Keeper. To add a password, press the Menu key and click New.
Use your smartphone as an alarm
Use your BlackBerry smartphone as an alarm. From the Home screen, click Alarm or Clock. If necessary, press the Menu key and click Set Alarm. Set your preferences, such as volume, snooze setting, alarm tone – you can use any sound file as your alarm.
Search for information on your BlackBerry smartphone
From the Home screen click Search, and tell your BlackBerry smartphone what you are searching for and where to look.
Check your smartphone memory
From the home screen, click Options. Then click on Memory. This screen will display your device memory statistics as well as Media Card memory if inserted. Time for a bigger media card?
Access BlackBerry Smartphone Help
Need help with something not listed here? Simply visit mobile.blackberry.com and ask your question using the BlackBerry Answers Tool.
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