BlackBerry Desktop Software Version 6.0.2 User Guide Now Available!

BlackBerry Desktop Software Version 6.0.2 User Guide Now Available!

Now that the BlackBerry Desktop Software was updated to v6.0.2, I’m sure many of you want to learn about the new version especially since the BlackBerry PlayBook is now supported.. Besides for the release notes RIM also posted an updated user guide for this version of the Desktop Software. For everyone’s convenience, I went ahead and embedded the full user guide below. Check it out and let us know if you find anything interesting in the comments! BlackBerry Desktop Software Version 6.0.2 User Guide

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Official User Guide For BlackBerry Messenger Version 6.0 Beta Now Available!

Official User Guide For BlackBerry Messenger Version 6.0 Beta Now Available!

The new beta version of BlackBerry Messenger went live today in the BlackBerry Beta Zone as version 6.0.0.73. With this beta came an updated user guide for BBM, this one covering the 6.0 beta. The user guide includes info on new features and enhancements, a “how to” BBM, how to personalize BBM, shortcuts and more. To learn everything about the 6.0 beta version of BlackBerry Messenger check out the full user guide below!

BlackBerry Messenger 6.0 Beta User Guide

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Official User Guide For The BlackBerry PlayBook Tablet Now Available!

Official User Guide For The BlackBerry PlayBook Tablet Now Available!

Now that the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet is officially available you can expect RIM to post a lot of documentation for it in the BlackBerry Technical Solution Center (BTSC) but for now only a few are available. One in particular I know many of you will jump on is the official user guide which was released as version 1.0. This user guide covers a lot of things including BlackBerry Bridge, Music, Pictures, Videos, Camera, Browser, Security and more. If you already have a PlayBook or plan on picking one up soon, you should definitely go through this user guide so you learn all there is to know about it. Check it out below!

BlackBerry PlayBook Tablet User Guide v1.0

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Official Workaround For Connecting A BlackBerry Smartphone To A PlayBook Using BlackBerry Bridge!

Official Workaround For Connecting A BlackBerry Smartphone To A PlayBook Using BlackBerry Bridge!

BlackBerry Bridge is an app for BlackBerry smartphones that allows you to connect to your BlackBerry PlayBook to get access to your email, calendar, contacts, memo pad, tasks and more. The problem: AT&T blocks usage of BlackBerry Bridge. The solution: use RIM’s official workaround.

That’s right! RIM yesterday published a knowledge base article (KB26699) in the BlackBerry Technical Solution Center (BTSC) offering a workaround for those having a hard time setting up BlackBerry Bridge. If you’re getting any of the following errors, you’ll definitely want to try it out:

  • “Unable to connect BlackBerry® Bridge with BlackBerry smartphone. Please ensure you have BlackBerry Bridge installed on your device and turned on”
  • “Unable to pair with playbook. Try again”
  • “Failed to pair with BlackBerry model”

The workaround involves disconnecting and deleting any current settings and changing some Bluetooth settings. I haven’t had a chance to try this out yet but when I do I’ll leave a comment below and invite anyone else that tries it to also leave a comment with feedback. Check out the full workaround below!

Environment

  • BlackBerry® smartphones running BlackBerry 6 OS
  • BlackBerry® PlayBookâ„¢ tablet
  • BlackBerry® Bridge

Resolution

This is a previously reported issue that is being investigated by our development team. No resolution time frame is currently available.

Workaround

Delete the paired device on the BlackBerry smartphone and BlackBerry PlayBook tablet.  Attempt to pair again using BlackBery Bridge.

Step 1: Disconnect from BlackBerry Bridge and delete the paired device from the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet:

1. Select the Options icon from the top right corner of the main screen.
2. Select the BlackBerry Bridge item from the left side.
3. Select the Disconnect button from the bottom right side.
4. Select the Bluetooth® menu item from the left side menu from within the Options.
5. Select the Pencil button.
6. Click the Trash icon beside the paired BlackBerry smartphone.

Step 2: Delete a paired Bluetooth enable device

To perform this task, you must first disconnect your BlackBerry device from the Bluetooth enabled device.

1. On the Home screen, click the connections area at the top of the screen, or click the Manage Connections icon.
2. Click Bluetooth Connections.
3. Highlight a paired Bluetooth enabled device.
4. Press the Menu key > Delete Device.

Step 3: Uncheck all Bluetooth Message Services on the BlackBerry device

1. On the BlackBerry device home screen, Click on Options > Network and Connections > Bluetooth Connections
2. Click the Menu key and select MAP Options
3. Uncheck all Email addresses under Message Services
4. Save and exit

Step 4: Remove unused Serial Port Profiles (PlayBook uses the Data Transfer Serial Port Profile)

  1. Open Bluetooth Connections from Manage Connections icon in home screen.
  2. Click the Menu key and select Options
  3. Uncheck unused Serial Port Profile entries except Data Transfer (Desktop Connectivity, SIM Access Profile, Wireless Bypass)
  4. Save and Exit

Step 5: Restart the BlackBery smartphone and BlackBerry PlayBook tablet

1.  Perform a hard reset on the BlackBerry device, KB02141
2.  Perform a hard reset on the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet, by holding the Power button for 10 seconds

Step 6: Connect your tablet and smartphone using BlackBerry Bridge

To connect your BlackBerry PlayBook tablet to your BlackBerry smartphone, you need to install the BlackBerry Bridge app on your smartphone.  You can download it from the BlackBerry App World storefront.

1. On your tablet home screen, on the status bar, tab Options icon and select BlackBerry Bridge
2. Tap Setup > Continue
3. In the BlackBerry Bridge app on your smartphone, tap Add Device > Next
4. Point your smartphone camera at the barcode that appears on your tablet to scan the barcode

via

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6 BlackBerry Home Screen Tips That Help Save Time

RIM just sent me an email with some helpful tips for BlackBerry users running OS 6 on their device. Whether this was a previously planned email or a response to complaints about not being able to control with panes are visible on the Home Screen, they’re still useful:

  • To automatically launch Universal Search, start typing or select the magnifying glass in the top right corner of the home screen
  • To add an icon to the Favorites view, select the icon and press and hold the trackpad, then click on Mark as Favorite from the pop-up menu
  • For quick access to Manage Connections, Alarm and Options screens, select the top of the Home Screen
  • To easily view your most recent messages (such as email, text, BlackBerry® Messenger), phone calls, upcoming appointments, Facebook® and Twitter® notifications simply select the Notification Bar directly below the clock on the Home Screen
  • To easily access your contacts, you can add them to the Home Screen:
    • In the Contacts application, highlight the contact you want to add
    • Press the Menu key
    • Select Add to Home Screen, then Add

Also from the email:

BlackBerry 6, the new BlackBerry operating system, is available on the BlackBerry Torch, BlackBerry Style, BlackBerry Bold 9780 and now the BlackBerry Bold 9650 and BlackBerry Curve 3G from Verizon Wireless. For a free download of BlackBerry 6 for your BlackBerry Bold 9650 and BlackBerry Curve 3G for Verizon Wireless, visit www.blackberry.com/update.

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How to Fix BlackBerry Messenger Contact Stuck As Pending

It’s happened to all of us at least once, especially when we get our first BlackBerry smartphone. You add a contact to BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) and what happens? They’re stuck as pending and you don’t know why! This issue can lead to mini tantrums if not fixed as soon as possible. That’s why I decided to post about the recently published KB12319 on RIM’s support site which offers some help for this problem. Here are some of the causes of a “pending” contact:

  • Network delays
  • The BlackBerry messenger request is being sent via email and the acknowledgment was placed in the users SPAM/Junk mail folder.
  • There may be corruption in the BlackBerry Messenger installation or contacts list.
  • The PIN of the recipient or the sending BlackBerry smartphone is not active on the wireless network.
  • The incorrect PIN was used when sending the request.

If you’re experiencing this problem be sure to check out the full guide below with info on how to possibly fix and avoid future “pending” issues. Let me know if you found this helpful!

Cause 1

  • Network delays

Resolution 1

  1. Send a PIN message to the contact to verify the PIN delivery status. For instructions, see KB02913.
  2. Determine whether there is a delay with the PIN message delivery.
  3. If the PIN message was not sent successfully, verify the signal status and contact the wireless service provider if there is an issue with PIN message delivery.

Cause 2

  • The BlackBerry Messenger request is being sent via email and the acknowledgment was places in the users SPAM/Junk mail folder.

Resolution 2

  1. Log in to your email account
  2. Check the SPAM/Junk folder.
  3. If the acknowledgment is there, mark it is as not SPAM/Junk and wait for the BlackBerry® Internet Service to deliver the message to your device.

Cause 3

  • There may be corruption in the BlackBerry Messenger installation or contacts list.

Resolution 3

  1. Make sure that a backup has been made of the BlackBerry Messenger contacts. For instructions, see KB12487.
  2. Remove and reinstall BlackBerry Messenger using the Application Loader tool in BlackBerry® Desktop Manager. For instructions, see KB03621.

OR

Clear the BlackBerry Messenger contacts list through the Backup and Restore tool in BlackBerry Desktop Manager. To perform this, complete the following steps:

    1. Open BlackBerry Desktop Manager.
    2. Connect the BlackBerry smartphone to the computer.
    3. Double-click on Backup & Restore.
    4. Click Advanced.
    5. In the right-hand pane, locate and select BlackBerry Messenger and click Clear.
    6. Add contacts back to BlackBerry Messenger and send another request to the desired BlackBerry smartphone user.

Cause 4

  • The PIN of the recipient or the sending BlackBerry smartphone is not active on the wireless network.

Resolution 4

  • Verify that both BlackBerry smartphone PINs are active on the wireless network.

Cause 5

  • The incorrect PIN was used when sending the request.

Resolution 5

  • Verify that the correct PIN is being used and then resend the request.

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BlackBerry Bridge Problems Download - Try Resetting App World Or Installing With Browser Plugin

Early this morning I mentioned that BlackBerry Bridge was available for download through App World. A bunch of readers let me know they were having problems downloading it so if you are too, you’re not alone. I was having some trouble too but was able to download it after resetting App World. Here’s how to do that:

1. Open BlackBerry App World
2. While at the main screen hold ALT and type RST.
3. Wait for App World to close and then re-open it.
4. Once App World is open again, search for “BlackBerry Bridge”.
5. Click Download.

In the event that your App World still doesn’t give you the download option after resetting it, the other way to install BlackBerry Bridge is by using the browser plugin. Here’s how to do that:

  1. Download the App World plugin here.
  2. Go to the App World at http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/ through a desktop browser.
  3. Sign in using your BlackBerry ID.
  4. Search for “BlackBerry Bridge” and then click on Get Details.
  5. Click on Download.
  6. Follow instructions to sync the app using a USB cable.
If neither of these steps work for you hopefully RIM will post a dedicated page on their site with a direct download. If they did work or you have another workaround figured out, be sure to let me know in the comments and stay tuned for a video on BlackBerry Bridge!

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