Power Saving Tips For Your BlackBerry

Originally posted June 22, 2010


There is nothing worse than being caught out in the middle of the day, with a dead BlackBerry on your hands. And without a car charger, you aren't going to be making those all important calls or sending those urgent emails any time soon.

Save yourself the stress of a dead battery before it happens, with these quick tips to saving power while using your BlackBerry:

Charging

• Charge your BlackBerry® as much as possible
• Use wall chargers as the preferred charging method
• Only use car chargers when you really have to as the rapid charge can reduce battery life in the long run

Media

• Reduce volume
• Use headphones
• Load media using BlackBerry® Desktop Manager (avoids resizing)
• Turn off equalizer settings (Media > Options)

Browsing

• Visit mobile sites where applicable
• Turn Repeat Animations to a lower setting (Browser > Options > General Properties)
• Close browser when finished using (close with ESC key, not red End key)

Screen / Keyboard (Options > Screen/Keyboard)

• Reduce Backlight Timeout
• Reduce Backlight Brightness
• Holster smartphone (turns off LCD automatically)
• Set Audible Roll to mute
• Key Tone Off
• Use a sleeve when storing your BlackBerry® in a pocket

Network Connections

• Turn off unused connections when not in use, i.e. GPS, Wi-Fi®, Bluetooth®
• Use Auto On/Off
• Use single mode only (2G only or 3G only)

Camera (all accessible through Camera > Options)

• Turn off flash
• Set picture size to Small
• Set Colour Effect to Normal
• Set Picture Quality to Normal

Applications

• When exiting, be sure to close the application, not leave it running in the background (close with ESC key, not red End key)
• Log out of third-party applications when they are not needed

Indicators (set under Profiles)

• Set Audible notification to Off
• Turn off coverage LED

GPS

• Use the zoom out function to get the largest viewable area that you can still use usefully

With thanks to BlackBerryHelp - follow them on Twitter today!

The Newest Android From Sony Ericsson

Originally posted June 17, 2010
Key Features of the new Sony Xperia X10 - available now at Rogers:

• The Xperia X10 phone provides a rich navigation experience with an easy-to-use, smart and visual interface
• The Timescape and Mediascape applications let you view all your communication or media in one window
• Access Google services easily or enrich your phone with applications from Android Market
• The 4" responsive touch screen and ultra-fast processor also make navigating the phone a breeze and watching your favourite videos on it pure pleasure
• Take pictures with an 8.1MP camera with face recognition software
• Built in GPS provides location based services like Google Maps, to help you find your way to your destination. You can even add location information to your images with the geo-tagging function
• Turbo 3G gives you broadband-like speed in your phone. Download large files and attachments super fast, and browse websites and news feeds in seconds
• Fully synchronizes with your old phone, even if it isn't a Sony Ericsson. Transfer contacts, calendars, notes and bookmarks; and you can even manage up-to-date information in your mobile phone from the Internet
• Suits any style with colour availability in black or white

Get a full product simulation on the Sony Ericsson website

BlackBerry Tips & Tricks

Originally posted June 16, 2010
Here are some helpful tips to making the most of your BlackBerry smartphone!







Messaging Tips

• Create a custom icon for BlackBerry Messenger v5.0 contacts
• Highlight the contact, press menu and show on home screen
• Delete multiple emails
• Highlight any email and hold down caps while scrolling up or down (then delete)
• To move to the last cursor position after you close and reopen a received email message or PIN message, press G
• In a message press the Shift key and the Space key to move up a screen. Press the Space key to move down a screen
• View the email address of a sender
• Highlight the sender name in an email and press Q
• Don't want to receive SMS or MMS messages?
• Go to Options>Security Options>Firewall. Check off SMS and MMS
• To view received messages press Alt I. To view sent messages press Alt O. Hit the back button to view all messages again

Typing Tips

• Type "B" to go to the bottom or "T" to go to the top of your Messages list, or Space to skip a page
• Hold the ALT key and press the Right Shift key to lock caps when typing. Press the Right Shift key again to unlock
• To insert a period, press the Space key twice. The next letter is capitalized.
• To type accented/special characters, press and hold the letter key and slide your finger left or right on the track pad/trackball
• To capitalize a letter, press and hold the letter key until the capitalized letter appears
• To reply to all in an email message or a PIN message, press L.
• Hold the ALT key and press the Left Shift key to lock numbers when typing. Press the Left Shift key again to unlock
• To insert an at sign (@) or a period (.) in an email address field, press the Space key

Other Helpful Tips

• Ever have to dial a 1-800 number with letters using your BlackBerry?
• Hold ALT while typing the letters and dial
• To zoom in before taking a picture, press the Volume Up key. To zoom out press the Volume Down key
• Having trouble reading the text on your BlackBerry? Change the font!
• Options >Screen>Keyboard>Font Family
• When updating BlackBerry App World make sure to perform a reboot of your BlackBerry
• While listening to music in the media player hit N for the next track or P for the previous track

With thanks to BlackBerry Help for the daily updates. Follow them on Twitter at http://twitter.com/BlackBerryHelp.

Top Three Smartphone Features Requested By Wireless Customers

Originally posted May 20, 2010

With more and more people taking on smartphones as part of their daily inventory, there have been some common elements when it comes to what they look for before purchasing. 29% of the US population in Q4 2009 owned a smartphone, and the number is set to increase as 2010 moves ever forwards - this makes it so important for providers, like Rogers, to understand what their users want.

The same survey found that the following items were a must have for new and continuing smartphone users:

    1. Email (demanded by 85% of users)

    2. Internet browser (demanded by 78%)

    3. Digital camera (demanded by 73%)

Although these three elements shouldn't be the basis of your sales pitch, they certainly help focus the pitch, and allow sales representatives to direct their questions to new, or existing, smartphone users accordingly.

Pretty much all smartphones have the above capabilities, so sales representatives need to focus on how the customer is going to use their phone the most, so that they can recommend the most suitable device out of the large number available.

In addition, as much as many people hate to admit it, text and email are becoming the more commonplace means of communication now, instead of simply picking up the phone and talking to someone. This is mainly due to the quick and instant nature of the message, versus a long winded telephone call when you are in a rush. Did you know that 91% of all phone owners were four times more likely to respond to a text message than voicemail??

With this trend in mind, and the fact that smartphones are meant to have lower voice call quality than standard cellular devices, sales reps should always ask how dependent customers are on voice services, as part of the "How are you going to / how do you use your smartphone?" All of these items, plus staying up to date on these kinds of statistics and trends, will help our sales teams position devices to customers so that they will not only get the best use out of the phone, but will continue to value their wireless services.

Social Networking....On Your Wireless Device

Originally posted April 21, 2010

Social networking has always been a personal affair, with special events set up to ensure industry colleagues, office-mates and others can meet and connect in one space with ease.

However with the introduction of websites online, social networking has become an increasingly online process, with fewer people meeting in person, instead choosing to instant message, ‘poke' and provide status updates so everyone knows what they are up to.

A further development has been the production of cellular devices that are centered entirely on social networking. Data plans are being introduced that allow users who might not necessarily want to surf the Internet, but still want access to all the popular sites, including Twitter, Facebook and MySpace. And these options are becoming increasingly more affordable to all users, including those who might never have used a cellular device in the past.

A survey conducted by the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association discovered that more than 65% of Canadians aged 16 and 17 own a mobile device, 30% of those are 13 - 15, and 5% of those are aged 8 - 12 years of age.

Wireless carriers see this young influential market as a target for building brand loyalty immediately, as these users are usually purchasing a device for the first time. In recent weeks, this market has been targeted specifically with the Touch phone products, providing users with unlimited text messaging, social networking, and lower monthly service fees.

The move from phone calls and physical interaction to online updates and texting may mean that even our desktop computers are set to become obsolete. And the expansion of features on cell phones now, such as cameras, picture / video messaging etc, all make it much easier to stay connected with everyone at all times.

This may mean that wireless carriers have to tailor more of their plans to suit the heavy mobile social networker - providing more for less. These users are likely to be a large portion of the market for existing carriers and those coming into the market soon.

Which Smartphone Operating System Suits Your Best?

Originally posted March 2, 2010
As we make our way into 2010, consumers seem to be moving more and more into the Smartphone category for their wireless devices. But with so many to choose from, how does one decide which is the best for their communication needs?

What Is Android?

Android is a mobile operating system that has since been adopted by Google and can be found on phones such as the HTC Dream and HTC Magic. It works on an open development platform that allows developers to create applications that are extremely rich and innovative, to suit all user needs.

Why Android?

• Only Android helps you keep track of your life by displaying email and message notifications at the top of every screen. One touch takes you immediately to the information that's most important to you.
• Drag and drop your favourite widgets, applications, photos and folders onto your home screen for quick access to what you use all the time. Customize the phone for you!
• The Android platform allows multiple applications to run at the same time so you never miss a beat. Switch between applications seamlessly without having to go through a ‘home' screen.
• If you surf the web and send lots of emails, then the large touch screens and QWERTY keyboards available on the Android devices, such as the HTC Dream and the new Samsung Galaxy Spica, are for you.
• Android seamlessly integrates you favourite Google apps so they work better together for the best Google experience. Every Android device comes with your favourite Google apps built-in.

What is Mac for iPhone?

Most people automatically associate the Mac operating system with the Apple notebook brand that has been popular in the market for a while now. However, in recent years, the makers at Apple have introduced their operating system onto one of the most popular Smartphones to date - the iPhone. A platform that allows users to customize their phone by way of installing Apps through the Apple Store, the iPhone has become the ultimate in communication devices - a portable phone, iPod, computer, and video player.

Why Mac for iPhone?

• The operating system takes up less than 500MB of the device's memory, so there is plenty of storage for your music, movies and applications, especially with 8GB, 16GB and 32GB models of the iPhone.
• The home screen contains all available applications and allows the user to pin five specific icons to a bar at the bottom of the page for quick access to items used most.
• Multi-touch interface allows the user to make a call simply by tapping a name or number in the contacts, favourites list, call list, or anywhere else for that matter.
• Applications work together seamlessly and then sync with your computer - whether you are on a Mac or a PC.
• The accelerometer embedded on the iPhone allows the device to be tilted, turned and rotated to impact game play, and give the user the full experience of what this device is capable of doing.

What is RIM for BlackBerry?

BlackBerry was the first Smartphone operating system to take the stage, and has since visited numerous upgrades in an attempt to remain top of its game. The RIM operating system is very different to the other options on the market, which helps RIM stand out on its own, but in recent months, there have been additions to align items such as Applications with devices such as the iPhone and the Android phones.

Why RIM for BlackBerry?

• This OS is much simpler than others, keeping email viewing and browsing as clean as possible, reducing downloading times and also data usage as a result.
• The RIM OS fully synchronizes with Microsoft Outlook for real time updates, information and push email.
• The RIM OS functions seamlessly through server options such as BlackBerry Enterprise Server, created specifically for multiple users within a corporation.
• The BlackBerry App Store now provides many different applications for BlackBerry users looking for similiar options to the iPhone and Android devices

What is Symbian?

This is an operating system purchased and used by Nokia for devices such as the E71, focusing on providing the underlying routines and services for application software. This operating system delivers touch screen technology and an advanced software development environment for media-rich applications.

Why Symbian for Nokia?

• Wide selection of applications available for a range of mobile phones
• Implements industry standard protocols, interfaces and management services for IT integration
• Extensive connectivity options
• Ability to set two profiles for the user - one for professional and one for personal
• Ability to access multiple email addresses on one device
• Remote locking option available for peace of mind