Category: BlackBerry 101

Twitter's 140-character format -- and the tendency of users to follow hundreds, if not thousands, of incessant linkers and tweeters -- provides an almost perfect mobile means of instant communication and interaction. Together, the App World and the Web currently offer a variety of free apps allowing BlackBerry tweeps to keep a constant eye on their feeds and friends, with each selection offering ...

Of all the things people do with a cell phone, making actual phone calls is at the bottom of the list. The New York Times reports that, according to CTIA's numbers from 2009, data usage from text messages, e-mails and other services was higher than that of actual voice data. Simply put, for the first time ever, Americans text more often than they call. "Originally, talking was the only cellphone ...

Share RIM may not be Apple, and the BlackBerry Storm certainly isn't the iPhone, but, when the company that made mobile e-mail a "must" for the business professional releases some seriously updated hardware, we pay attention. The new Pearl 3G finally brings the tiny, pseudo-QWERTY, consumer BlackBerry model into the 21st century by adding 802.11n Wi-Fi, GPS, and both T-Mobile and AT&T ...

Share Way back in 1998, 'The Truman Show' provided a revealing, and prescient, glimpse into the burgeoning world of reality television and surreptitious marketing techniques. Annoying and (sometimes) sneaky product placements are certainly not a new phenomenon, but the advertising scheme has almost reached ubiquitous Truman-esque status as it has expanded to corrupt almost all aspects of ...

What About Privacy? MoSoSos can be as revealing or discrete as you choose, but, by default, most of them report nothing. If your phone has GPS, any of the apps will find your location from a list created by users, or will allow you to register a new spot in the system (for example, your apartment). In most cases, you have to manually "check in" by pressing a button to broadcast your ...

What's it good for? Like most new technologies, MoSoSo seems silly and unnecessary... until you and a bunch of your friends start using it. If you already status update or tweet your social life, many MoSoSo apps make it easier by both pushing updates to other networks and tagging the location. Of course, you can also see if friends are nearby, and maybe have some serendipitous meet-ups. ...

The social media fast lane is heating up with real-time location updates. Apps now tap into your cell phone's GPS to track where you and your friends are, and, more importantly, what's happening nearby. Now that the world can finally say "tweet" with a straight face, there's a new term to learn: MoSoSo, or mobile social software. Read on to find out what it is, how it works and how to setup ...

It may be late to the party, but the official Twitter app has finally graced the BlackBerry with its presence. On Thursday evening, BlackBerry-maker RIM unveiled an open beta version of Twitter, specially designed for BlackBerry smartphones, and, according to CNET, the latest app is much more tricked out than the bare bones preview that leaked back in February. While the preview version allowed ...

The Google Maps mobile app for BlackBerry has just gotten a major upgrade with the introduction of Google Maps 4.0, ratcheting the BlackBerry app up to the level of Google Maps' iPhone and Android offering. One of the major additions to the app is the search by voice feature, which, as Google explains, should "save your overworked thumbs." Instead of tapping away in search of a location, ...

LEGO has inspired the young-at-heart to construct inspiring, goofy, and complex creations for over 60 years, so new and unique designs may seem impossible at this point. While both LEGO TVs and LEGO phones have become quite commonplace, building block artist Nathan Sawaya has actually integrated the two into one incredibly impressive LEGO BlackBerry. The plastic crackberry, which is based on the ...

To make sure your BlackBerry displays type in a readable, easy way, go to the 'Applications Menu' and select 'Options.' From there, hit 'Screen/Keyboard' and select from the items below to adjust them to suit your preferences. Font Family: Experiment with different fonts. 'System' is small and thin, while 'BB Serif Fixed' is larger and easier to read. Font Size: Choose the smallest size ...

As the menacing, iPad-shaped shadow looms on the horizon, Amazon's Kindle has apparently braced itself for the oncoming storm by expanding its smartphone wingspan. After having already introduced Kindle e-reader apps for the iPod Touch and iPhone, Amazon has now expanded the software to the BlackBerry, as well. According to Amazon, the new app will be compatible with BlackBerry's Bold 9000 and ...

As religious groups struggle with the dichotomous relationship between tradition and technology, some denominations and sects are steadily embracing tech's latest gadgets and trends. While some groups forbid, and even forcefully prevent, the use of mobile devices during ceremonies, others welcome and embrace such activities among their congregations. And, even though some clerical leaders may ...

If you're a business professional, you probably look at your BlackBerry as a necessity of sheer convenience, and for that, we don't blame you. Thus, RIM wants to take a load off your shoulders (literally) with the Presenter, available online this month and in stores next for $199. The little module measures a mere 86 x 60 x 23 millimeters, and allows most BlackBerry owners (sorry, Pearl 8200 ...

Well, it looks like our friends at RIM are having a bit of trouble again, as its BIS (BlackBerry Internet Service) suffered a second outage in as many months. BlackBerry owners across North America were swearing at their devices this morning as many e-mails were delayed or failed to send entirely thanks to the failure. RIM issued a statement that it had isolated the issue and its technicians were ...