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Sometimes you need to remove an application from your BlackBerry completely. Seems to be an obvious task and pretty to accomplish but there are actually some steps you really need to take care of. This howto is meant for people who want to remove an application from their BlackBerry and also want to delete the program settings and anything a program might have created on the BlackBerry’s internal memory. This will also help you to free some space on your BlackBerry in case you are running out space.

1. Delete the program binary from your BlackBerry
   • Connect your BlackBerry to your desktop Computer.
   • Start the BlackBerry Desktop Manager.
   • Open the Application Loader.
   • Click Next.
   • Find the application you want to remove and uncheck the application’s checkbox.
   • Click Next.
   • Click Next.
   • Wait until the device is initialized again. This might take some minutes if the program you just uninstalled has put a menu item into an internal BlackBerry application and therefor requires a reboot of the device.

   This will actually just delete the program’s .cod file from your BlackBerry. The program’s configuration, most probably registration information and anything the program stored on the internal memory were not deleted.
   
   

2. Delete the program’s configuration and RecordStore (respectively PersistentStore) from your BlackBerry
   • Connect your BlackBerry to your desktop Computer.
   • Start the BlackBerry Desktop Manager.
   • Open the Application Loader.
   • Click Next.
   • Find the application you want to remove and select the name of the application.
   • Click Delete and confirm.
   • Click Next.
   • Click Next.
   • Wait until the device is initialized again.

   Now you have deleted everything from your BlackBerry that might have been created by the application.

Your BlackBerry is clean now and you most probably freed some memory

This howto works with all current BlackBerry Desktop Manager versions including the brand new BlackBerry Desktop Manager 4.5.

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You might have installed a 3rd party application recently or just upgraded your BlackBerry OS and now your BlackBerry says something like:

Error 202: reset

What would you do? Most people run into the next phone shop or call their carrier support. Unfortunately, those support guys do not really know how to fix this issue - mostly. However, this is not as complicated as many might imagine. I did this for several devices already including a BlackBerry 7290, 8700v, Pearl, and others. This howto technically works with all BlackBerry models including the new BlackBerry Bold and Thunder. Here is what you need to do:

1. Get the most recent BlackBerry OS as you would do when you upgrade your BlackBerry OS.
2. Install this on your PC.
3. Connect your BlackBerry to your PC.
4. Make sure the BlackBerry Desktop Manager is NOT running.
5. Open a command line by going to: Start » Run… » enter “cmd” » HIT ENTER
6. Navigate to the Application Loader directory by entering: cd C:\Program Files\Common Files\Research In Motion\AppLoader\
7. Enter and start: Loader.exe /nojvm
   
8. The BlackBerry’s Java Loader will pop up.
9. Follow the instructions and install the new OS on your device.

The BlackBerry should automatically reboot at the end of the installation process and your device is back working.

More howtos can be found at: Categories:Howtos

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I came across this article and thought it was important…Why?, well I have found an enormous amount of Blackberry Users that have no idea about Blackberry Messenger and how it works or how you can save a tone of time and money using it in your organization, and personal life. Allot of the users I talk to including wireless sales people don’t realize why they should use it…PUZZLING ISN’T IT.

Im sure over time RIM will start to incorporate it into other Social Apps their are working on like the Facebook app and integration into other IM programs…but for now it is still the cheapest and easiest way for blackberry users to communicate to other blackberry users…..Take a look….

Introduction to How BlackBerry Messenger Works

Imagine taking part in a Web conference designed to pitch your product to foreign investors. You’re in New York, and your potential investors are in London. Your partner and main presenter is in San Francisco. While you’re listening in, you realize a key point that he should make.

You pull out your BlackBerry, go to BlackBerry Messenger and send your partner an instant message: “Todd, you can tie that really well to return on investment.” The immediate response is: “Got it. Will do.” Message sent and received without the investors being aware, point made, and the conference moves on to your company’s advantage.

Or imagine running into heavy traffic on the way to an out-of-town family gathering. You know you’ll be late, but you don’t know who to call. You use BlackBerry Messenger to contact several relatives at once with an apology and estimated arrival time. “That’s OK,” your sister messages back. “We’re stuck in the same mess. Just keep us posted.” Your dad responds with: “We’ll just wait for you here at the restaurant.”

Pin and Ping Lingo
They’re similar sounding but nothing alike. You need the PIN code that identifies your BlackBerry device to use BlackBerry Messenger. Then you can send PIN-to-PIN instant messages to other users. The ping refers to making someone’s BlackBerry vibrate when a message arrives. So you might say, “Give me your PIN, and I’ll ping you at 3 p.m.”

BlackBerry Messenger gives BlackBerry users a quick, easy way to send instant messages to each other using their PIN codes. It’s free and, unlike with e-mail, users can carry on several conversations at the same time. They also can chat with a group, see contacts’ availability, send files and track message status.

What are the features of BlackBerry Messenger? How does instant messaging with your BlackBerry work? And, what are the advantages and disadvantages of BlackBerry Messenger? Go to the next page to find out.

Advantages and Disadvantages of BlackBerry Messenger

BlackBerry Messenger can be a definite asset, if you want to exchange messages with other Blackberry users. With it, you can:

* Carry on a real-time conversation with friends and colleagues in several different locations — or carry on several conversations simultaneously.
* Chat with a group.
* Send and receive an unlimited number of messages worldwide for free with no per-message charge.
* Get messages without filling up your inbox.
* Know whether a buddy is online, available or busy.
* Let your contacts know your own availability for instant messaging.
* Manage log-in and contacts as you would if you were using an IM program from your PC.
* Continue using other programs and send and receive e-mails while BlackBerry Messenger is running.
* Invite someone to join your buddy list and start communicating without setting up a separate IM account.
* Be notified by a specific ringtone or vibration setting each time a message arrives from a particular person.

[sources: BlackBerry Connection, BlackBerry Messenger User Guide and CrackBerry]

One disadvantage of BlackBerry Messenger is that you can’t send an instant message to someone unless you know his or her PIN code, the eight-digit letter-and-number code assigned to that particular Blackberry device.

However, the biggest disadvantage of BlackBerry Messenger may be that it only allows you to exchange instant messages with other BlackBerry users. Introduced in early 2006 as a feature of BlackBerry Enterprise Server 4.1, BlackBerry Messenger isn’t compatible with popular IMing programs. That’s because it works differently.

With most instant messaging services, you download software that becomes the client on your computer or smartphone. That client connects to the provider’s server, using a proprietary protocol for communication. Once you’ve logged on, the client sends the server your connection information (IP address), your computer port number and the names of everyone on your contact list.

The server creates a temporary file with connection information for you and your contacts. Then the server determines which contacts are logged on and sends that information to your client, as well as letting the contacts know you’re available. After that, the server is no longer involved, and all communication is between your client and that of your message recipient.

With BlackBerry Messenger, however, the server stays involved as it would if you were sending e-mails. All communications go through parent-company Research in Motion’s servers as you continue to exchange messages. That also means you can’t use BlackBerry Messenger unless you have a BlackBerry Internet plan, or data plan [source: CrackBerry].

Next, let’s explore what else you’ll need to get started with BlackBerry Messenger and its basic functions.

Getting Started with BlackBerry Messenger

BlackBerry Messenger doesn’t require much set-up, particularly as it comes preloaded on newer models. With an older BlackBerry model, you’ll have to do a BlackBerry Messenger download. No matter what, here’s what you’ll need to use BlackBerry Messenger:

* A Java-based BlackBerry
* A BlackBerry Internet plan, or data plan, so you can send and receive PIN messages through Research in Motion’s servers
* Your PIN code — to find it, go to “Options,” then “Status” and finally “PIN”
* Blackberry Messenger software — if it’s not already on your BlackBerry, use your BlackBerry browser or Internet Explorer to go to http://www.blackberry.com/messenger and download it. If you plan to install the BlackBerry Messenger program via your computer, you need BlackBerry Device Software v 3.6 or higher. If you’re installing from your BlackBerry, you’ll need BlackBerry Device Software v 3.7 or higher and at least 16 MB of flash memory.

With the software installed, you’re ready to log on. The first time, you’ll be asked to pick a display name to identify yourself while IMing and to create a password. Once you do that, you’ll be logged automatically into BlackBerry Messenger whenever your device is connected to your wireless network. Once you build your contact list, you can send and receive messages.

­BlackBerry Messenger allows users to communicate with others remotely.

Adding Contacts
BlackBerry Messenger’s contact list shows your individual contacts and contact groups. Before you can IM with someone, you have to invite him to join your contact list and request permission to exchange messages. You can do this with existing contacts in your BlackBerry address book by following these steps:

1. Bring up the menu for BlackBerry Messenger.
2. Select “Add a Contact,” which’ll take you to your address book.
3. Click on the contact name you want to add, and select “Request.”

Contacts who aren’t in your BlackBerry address book also need to be added there. Here’s how to send those contacts invitations:

1. Open BlackBerry Messenger and use the trackwheel to go to the Contact List screen.
2. Click “Add a Contact,” which takes you to your address book.
3. Scroll to the top of the list, and highlight “Use Once.”
4. Click “Request by E-mail or PIN.”
5. Type an e-mail address or PIN code, and press “Enter.”
6. Add a message, and click “OK” twice.

Once the contact accepts your invitation, he’ll be added automatically to your contact list. Invitations that contacts send to you will appear on the Contact List screen. To accept a request, select it, click the trackwheel, and then click “Open” and “Accept.” To deny the request, use the same process but click “Decline” instead of “Accept.”

Sending and Receving Messages
To send an IM, click a contact’s name on the Contact List. Then click “Start Conversation” and type your message. Finish by clicking the Enter key.

To join an existing conversation, go to the Contact List and click on a contact in the Existing Conversations list. Then click “Open Conversation.”

To add contacts to a conversation or start a conference, click on the trackwheel during a conversation. Then click on “Invite” to invite more contacts to participate.

To end a conversation, click on the trackwheel during the conversation and then click “End Conversation.”

Once you’ve mastered the basics, you’re ready to explore more advanced functions of BlackBerry Messenger like managing contacts and groups or setting your availability status and alerts. Let’s look next at some functions that make IMing fast and easy.

BlackBerry Messenger Functions

With BlackBerry Messenger, it’s easy to manage contacts, to indicate your availability, to “ping” a contact and to perform other functions. Here’s how some of these work.

­Getting started with BlackBerry Messenger is easy for BlackBerry users. It simply requires PIN activation.

Managing Contacts
Perhaps you’d like to use BlackBerry Messenger to see a contact’s information. All you need to do is go to the Contact List screen, click on the contact’s name, and click “Contact Info.”

Or maybe you’d like to remove an individual contact from your contact list. To do so, go to the Contact List screen, and click on the contact’s name. After that, click on “Delete Contact” and then “Delete.”

Beyond treating your contacts separately, BlackBerry Messenger lets you gather them into groups and then manage those groups. For example:

* To add a group to the contact list, go to the Contact List screen and click “Add Group.” Then type a name and click “OK.”
* To switch a contact from one group to another, click the contact’s name on the Contact List and click “Move.” Then select a group and click on it.
* To remove a group, click the group’s name on your Contact List. Then click “Delete Group” and “Delete.” (Note that you can’t remove the default Contacts group.)

Availability Status
Your availability status shows your contacts whether you want to exchange IMs (Available) or not (Unavailable) at any given time. BlackBerry Messenger will automatically change your status in some cases. It’ll, for example, show a Busy icon if you’re doing something else on your BlackBerry or if you have not responded to a message received in the past two minutes. An Unreachable icon will be shown if you’re using the phone or in an area without enough wireless coverage.

But you can also change your own status and leave a message for contacts. To change your status, go to the Contact List screen, and click “Available” or “Unavailable.” Type the message you want contacts to see when they IM you, and click “OK.” If you choose “Unavailable,” you’ll still receive messages but you won’t be notified when they arrive.

Notifications and Pings
You can use notifications to alert you of an incoming instant message by having your BlackBerry vibrate or emit a tone. You can set and change notifications in your BlackBerry Messenger profile. Go to the Profiles list, click on a profile, and click “Edit.” Click on a notification option (like “Messenger — New Message”), and click “Edit.” Set the option you want (like “Vibrate-Tone”) and set the desired volume; click the trackwheel, and click “Save.”

Beyond your own settings, you can “ping” someone who isn’t responding by making their BlackBerry vibrate when you send a message. Just click the trackwheel in BlackBerry Messenger, and click “Ping Contact.” If you want to turn off the ping function on your own device, go to the Contact List screen, click “Options” and click on the box before “Clear the Vibrate When Receiving a Ping.”

More Functions
Here are a few more functions to try:

* Press the SYM key twice to see a selection of emoticons that you can use in your instant messages.
* Select “View Calendar” to access your BlackBerry calendar without leaving BlackBerry Messenger.
* Try “Copy History” to save a copy of your conversation. Once you hit “End Conversation,” your chance to save the conversation is gone.

So beyond all these fun and useful facts and tricks, BB Messenger can also be used withing Organizations with BES server solution to make it more secure and useful for Organizations.

Hey Blackberry Gang…Thanks for reading.

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This is a question that is being asked by many BlackBerry users. There is obviously a lot of confusion about this topic. This confusion is mostly caused by the network carriers who bundle BlackBerry devices with their BlackBerry plans (including voice plans, data plans, and so on). Sometimes you can even subscribe to a “GPS plan”.

Now you’re completely confused, right?

So let’s keep it simple:

1. GPS itself is free for use: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GPS
2. GPS itself is just a technology for telling you your position on the world. Which actually means: you get an “X” (Longitude) and “Y” (Latitude) value in degrees and maybe the height - depends on the signal strength. That’s it.
3. A GPS position is nice, but you cannot that much with it.

Many BlackBerry devices (current ones: 8110, 8310, 8800, 8820, 8830) come with a built-in GPS receiver which can obtain your device’s location on the world. That is for FREE! (”free” as in “free beer”)

So what are those companies like Verizon charge money for?

All of those built-in GPS receivers are so called “A-GPS” receivers. The “A” stands for “Assistet” and means that obtaining the GPS position is assisted by the network carrier’s access points via cell mast triangulation. We could get more detailed here but it is not necessary. Network carriers may charge for this kind of service. Moreover, network carriers have the possibility to disable several functions and features of BlackBerry devices on their network. Verizon for example deactivated the internal GPS receiver on devices like the Verizon BlackBerry 8703e and 8830. If you want to get GPS access (which means you can use the actual free GPS service along with the “Assistence”) you need to subscribe to their GPS plan. This GPS plan also includes the right to use software applications that make more from your GPS position.

Remember: GPS is just the location (X and Y).

This just this location you cannot do that much. Most of the time you want to see your location on a map. So you need a mapping program to view your location on a map. Most mapping applications download the maps from the internet on the fly. This “download from the internet” is quite similar to just browse the web with your BlackBerry browser and it will use your data plan. Depending on your plan, on the application you are using and on the intensity of your usage this can result in an expensive phone / data plan bill. Now just imagine what it might cost if you are roaming outside your country.

However, most applications are rich in features and I personally like to use them. Some without maps even don’t take usage of the data plan and are therefor free if you have a BlackBerry with a normal unlocked GPS reciever (8110, 8310, 8800, 8820). Here are some of my favorite GPS applications:

• Spot
• Google Maps Mobile
• MobileTracker (no mapping, just recording where I went - read more…)

So take care of what you are using. Hint: it is very easy to track if your BlackBerry is transferring data by checking the top right corner. It will show two arrows (up and down) when data is transferred. So this always means: it costs you money or at least takes usage of your data or BlackBerry EMail plan.

Summary:

1. GPS does not use your data plan.
2. Maps use your data plan.

Bluetooth GPS receivers: Carousel: BlackBerry Compatible Bluetooth GPS Receivers!

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Some time ago Jeff wrote:

T-Mobile, meanwhile, is focusing instead on a 9-month-old service called HotSpot@Home, which uses Wi-Fi to carry cellular phone calls inside a house. The service is cheaper but requires customers to buy a HotSpot Wi-Fi-enabled phone such as a BlackBerry Pearl or Curve.

This is defenitely an alternative to save money on phone calls or internet browsing. I am personally using a BlackBerry Curve 8320 which comes with WiFi support as well. First of all, it is convenient as you can have fast internet access at any WiFi area, which is currently at home and at the office. Especially for trying some really really cool BlackBerry software or browsing BlackBerry blogs. This may end up in high costs for data transfer if you are not using the ‘actually’ free WiFi connection.

Additionally, I am using calling cards for making calls to international numbers. You can use them for inland numbers as well, of course! It is really cheap and I save about 80% on IDD calls. Just to make it convenient: Fortunately, I got a reviewing version of BerryDialer at no cost for evaluation purposes. It works pretty well and I can recommend it. I am using it since quite a while now, and it’s a nice peace of softwarre. (Hint: use the 20% discount coupon ‘bbinsight20′ to get it discounted!) Anyway, the point is: I save costs with calling cards.

Summary:

1. Use WiFi where you to avoid additional costs.
2. Use calling cards to save costs on phone calls.

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Again CIO published a good article about BlackBerry How To: Transfer Files Between Devices Using Bluetooth. Here is a short excerpt:

If you use your Research In Motion (RIM) BlackBerry’s Bluetooth wireless connectivity, it’s probably to connect to a hands-free headset or ear piece so you can drive or take notes during conversations, or a set of earphones to beam your latest tunes from your device sans wires. But did you know you can transfer files like photos, voice notes and songs from your BlackBerry to other compatible mobile devices using Bluetooth?

The full article can be read here.

Some time ago BlackBerryInsight already wrote some good howtos on transferring files and ringtones to your BlackBerry using Bluetooth:

• How to: Transfer ring tones to your BlackBerry using Bluetooth (Mac OS X)
• How to use your BlackBerry to transfer your tasks, notes, appointments and contacts from Windows to Mac OS X and vice versa

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In case you download an already BlackBerry-compatible video somewhere from the internet, it might be zipped into a .zip file. So how do you get it to your BlackBerry?

Just unzip the video .zip package. This can be done mostly with just a double-click. An AVI file will be extracted. Now please connect your BlackBerry to your computer and a new drive letter will be created automatically (which maps to your BlackBerry’s internal SD-Card). Please copy the video onto this SD Card (subdirectory: blackberry/videos) and you are done.

Open your BlackBerry’s media player, select “videos” and you should find your video listed there.

In case you have a video that is not compatible with your BlackBerry yet, you can use the BlackBerry Video Generator to convert it to a format your BlackBerry understands

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This howto is about getting your favorite waypoint / point of interest / landmark collection into the Spot GPS & mapping application on your BlackBerry^® Wireless Handheld.

A “waypoint” is defined as “a reference point in physical space used for purposes of navigation.” (source wikipedia.org).

In this howto we will cover the import of GPX files into the Spot mapping application. GPX (GPS eXchange format) is the most famous format for exchanging GPS data. So you will be able to visualize your own waypoint along with your current position on a map on your BlackBerry. A very good example for our demonstration will be the Unesco World Heritage which has a lot of places all over the world that are geo-coded. As there is currently not an official GPX file available I downloaded the most recent version in Google’s KML format and converted it to GPX using the free GPSBabel program^*.

Technically it is very easy to import those files as Spot supports on the new BlackBerry devices (Pearl, Curve and 8800) file system access. So we can just copy the file to our device. As I am using a BlackBerry Pearl with a 1 GB micro SD-Card I just connect the Pearl to my desktop computer. A “drive” will be created automatically and I copy the .gpx file onto the SD-Card of my Pearl.

Once the .gpx file is copied to the BlackBerry just start Spot and go to “Waypoints - Import GPX (file)”. A file browser will pop up and you can navigate to the directory you copied your .gpx file to. Just select the mentioned GPX file and all containing waypoints will automatically be imported into your Spot’s waypoint database. They will also automatically assigned to a new category which has the same name like your GPX file.

You can now do all operations on these new waypoints (route, show on map, edit, delete, export, etc.). Spot is available for all current BlackBerry Wireless Handhelds and works well with the internal GPS receiver as well as with external Bluetooth GPS receivers. You can get a free demo version here:

Spot for BlackBerry - Free Demo: http://www.skylab-mobilesystems.com/en/products/spot.html

Have fun!

^* … That also works with tracklogs created by Skylab’s MobileTracker (which produces KML files as well) by converting them to GPX and importing them into Spot.

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Zipping and unzipping; packing and unpacking files directly on your BlackBerry is not available by default.

There is a quite new application called Ziplorer which fills this gap and brings real zip compatiblity to the BlackBerry. This means:

• Pack several files into one single .zip file.
• Unpack any .zip file no matter it has one file, more files or even a directory structure in it.

Simply install Ziplorer on your BlackBerry and start it. It is easy to use if you figured out that you need to press the Berry-Button (Menu) and select “Enter Dir” to go into a directory.

So how would you proceed if someone sends you a zip file via email? Here it is:

1. Take a look at the email you received and save the zip file to your BlackBerry.
2. Open Ziplorer.
3. Navigate to the directory you saved the zip file to.
4. Select the zip file (so it is marked).
5. Open the menu with the “Berry-Button” and select “Unzip”.
6. Now select the location (only version 2.0) and confirm. Before version 2.0 the file was automatically saved to your user’s home directory.

Now you got the files from the zip file in the directory you upacked them to. This is pretty easy, huh?

Get Ziplorer at: MobileSoftMarket

Related Links:

• Ziplorer available! PKZip & GZip for BlackBerry
• BlackBerry zip program is called: Ziplorer
• Ziplorer in Version 2.0 to come soon!
• Product Page for Ziplorer for BlackBerry Wireless Handheld

You can find good software for your BlackBerry in our BlackBerryInsight Software Store.

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The guys over at CIO.com just published a quite nice video about free software for your BlackBerry. Check it out below!

Source: CIO.com

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