Ask MetaFilter posts tagged with Blackberry

Help free me from a telco dictatorship, so to speak.

Chamunks — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 22:41:35 -0800

Rogers Mobile Locked my Blackberry Pearl and Threw away the key, what are some ways for me to unlock my phone. Links and direct solutions are more than welcome I can provide my IMEP key if anyone knows someone with a calculator but thats the only way i can find online and i know there are other, better ways to do this. I recently switched to Fido I know its owned by rogers but they have a better plan for incoming calls which i receive rather frequently more so than i make outgoing calls. They gave me this crummy phone that after using it for a short period of time wish to do some mean things to the people who designed it. Please help me get back to using my blackberry, they dont call em crackberry's fer nothin'.

Sync Blackberry memopad to the web?

aebaxter — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 16:22:09 -0800

How do I sync my notes in my Blackberry Curve's memopad to a web-based service? I use Google Sync to automatically sync calendar events created on my Blackberry to my Google Calendar. I use Remember the Milk to sync my RTM task list with the tasks app on my Blackberry. What I can't figure out is how I can create notes in the Blackberry memopad app and have them automatically sync with a web-based service.

I know apps like Evernote and Backpack will let you email in notes, but I'd like something that actually syncs the memopad to the web. Does this exist? I've Googled, but I've failed to find a solution.

Mobiles & Calling Cards - can they live happily ever after?

Tbola — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 17:28:04 -0800

Is there a way to make using my calling card with my mobile phone suck less? I have a Blackberry 8800, but I think this question is fairly generic to any mobile phone with an address book.
Here goes. I am supposed to use a calling card for all of my long distance calls.
So that means I need to dial the calling card 1-800 number, enter my account number, enter my PIN number, and then, finally enter in the number that I'm calling.
Is there a way I can automate any of this?
My knowledge of how to use the phone pretty much consists of: find entry in address book, highlight it, hit SEND.
I don't know if it's possible to call one number, then while still on that call, send more digits from the address book.
Basically, I don't want to have to write down the number I really want to call, then get out my card, punch in all of those digits, then punch in the number I've just written down.
Call me the opposite of old-fashioned, but if I have to break out a pen and paper for a number that's already in my address book, I feel like we've made an evolutionary misstep somewhere along the way.
Please help.

Set Me Free.

PFL — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 09:07:50 -0800

I want to unlock my Blackberry Curve. Any free solutions? How do sellers come up with these unlock codes anyway? I have unlocked phones before by paying a website ~$20 for a code. I know there is free software you can download that will provide unlock codes, but I don't know how reliable these are and I haven't been able to find one that unlocks Blackberrys.

Is there software out there that can do this? If not, how can I find out the unlock codes myself? Are there any tutorials out there? I haven't been able to find anything on Google aside from people selling the codes.

Displaying system time on Blackberry

downing street memo — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 07:58:44 -0800

How can I display the exact system time on my Blackberry? To make a long story short, I'm doing a bit of personal experimentation that will require me to know the exact time (hours:minutes:seconds) that something occurs. I don't wear a watch, so I want to use my Blackberry to get the time instead. But I can't find a way to display that information.

Anyone have any ideas?

Bring me the Blackberry related awesome!

By The Grace of God — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 15:06:44 -0800

Awesome my Blackberry. I just got a Blackberry Curve 8310, and it just eats awesome for breakfast. I want free apps and any other suggestions that can further increase its awesome quotient, particularly when playing with my mac shop at home.

The primary use of this is as a campaign phone. I will use it to keep myself organised while getting a certain Mr. Candidate elected whether he likes it or not! It's served well in this capacity thus far..its mappey gps goodness works to help keep me and my team from getting lost when we're canvassing, and answering email immediately is great. Can I manage multiple diaries with it? Mr Candidate is in a Windows environment and doesn't keep his diary in digital format like a civilised person anyway, and he's got a SEK810i and refuses to en-Berry himself anyway...

In any case, interpret this question widely; apps, fora, accessories, etc. to maximise the use of this thing would be great. I have other gadgets as well that go with me - an iPod touch for when i have wireless and prefer the internets/email not to look like ass, and a backup k810i with my old number on it and for the good camera.

Blackberry in Korea?

paulyballs — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 08:58:08 -0800

Will a Blackberry that works in Japan also work in South Korea? I believe they both use 3G correct?

How to get mail BCC'd to me to show up on my phone.

4ster — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 08:32:57 -0800

My Blackberry (8703e, OS 4.2, Sprint, BIS) cannot receive email BCC'd to me. This is apparently because, while I have set up my Embarq mail to forward everything sent to me in the To: box and the CC: box, there is no option to set a filter to tell Embarq to send all BCC: mail to my @sprint.blackberry.net address so it will show up on my phone. Is there any kind of workaround for this? Is there any kind of workaround for this? Thanks for your help.

Phone+music stereo headset?

cklennon — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 11:43:13 -0800

I’ve just started using my first PDA/Smartphone (Blackberry 8820) and I need some recommendations for a headset. I know there are tons of questions already—and even more online resources—for finding the best Bluetooth earpiece, but I’m not looking specifically for your standard Bluetooth. I want an iPhone-style headphone plus microphone combination. I’ve looked around a lot, and there are a bunch of stereo headphones, but scant information on them. There are of course the wired stereo phones—exactly like the iPhone headset. There are models that look exactly like the iPhone headset, with standard, earbud, wired earpieces, but they are connected to a Bluetooth dongle that hangs from your ears or clips to your belt. (1,2,3) Then there are your standard Bluetooth earpieces with a connectible earpiece for your other ear. Finally, there are over-the-ear headphones, which I don’t want.

Does anyone have a recommendation for a particular style of stereo headsets with mics? Am I better off just getting a pair of wired headphones with a microphone attached? Are the Bluetooth models any good? (Bonus points for a model recommended—or advised against—by personal experience, and double bonus points if I can connect my SHURE e3c bud headphones instead of relying on crappy Plantronics acoustics!)

What's the best phone OS for me?

abkadefgee — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 23:37:14 -0800

Which mobile phone OS will work the best for my needs and can be easily expanded with free software? I'm looking at a new smartphone purchase and want to choose the phone that has the best OS for my needs. I want to run Skype on the phone for the occasional cheap voice call through SkypeOut and I want to be able to continue loading my phone with free software and features.

Of the OSes I know of, including Symbian, BlackBerry, Windows Mobile 6, and Palm, which support the most and best free software and applications? Which has the most active community? There's a lot out there for Palm, but is that community dying off? What are some examples of apps you use on those OSes?

I know that similar questions may have been asked in the past, but this is a case where I think the answer could have changed quite a bit over time.

Accepting Credit Cards On The Go

Pinwiz — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 17:49:19 -0800

I need a solution to accept credit cards on the go. I'm starting a side-business as a computer geek, and because of the size of projects that I hope to get it would be useful to accept credit cards. I know that there's e-shop options like PayPal's virtual terminal, but I'd like to find something that I can access via my cell phone (Blackberry 8320) to accept credit cards at a job site.

Any recommendations/alternatives that I should consider?

De-cameraphoning my blackberry

jytsai — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 17:11:10 -0800

Blackberry-Filter: I'm trying to find a battery cover for my BlackBerry 8330 that _blocks_ the camera and flash - that is, a battery cover that doesn't have the holes for the camera and flash. The reasons for this intentional crippling are: 1) I don't use the camera anyway; it's just an extra vulnerability for dust/water to get in, 2) there are some locations that aren't so friendly towards camera phones 3) camera and flash holes ruins symmetry, damnit! Does such a cover exist?

Is a blackberry still useful without a data plan?

jeffreyclong — Sun, 25 May 2008 13:40:43 -0800

Is a blackberry still useful without a data plan? I have credit toward a phone upgrade on sprint and can get a blackberry for free. My main use for it is text messaging, syncronizing contacts and calendar with my Mac (using missing sync) and Bible software. I don't actually need email or web. In order to get it for free I have to sign up for a data plan which costs $39. I am willing to do that for a month and then cancel if I can. Will the blackberry still be able to do all the things I need without a data plan? Thanks

I think my Blackberry is assuming I'm Buck Rogers and I'm going to make it to the 25th century.

rileyray3000 — Tue, 20 May 2008 10:14:45 -0800

Everytime I sync my blackberry with Outlook 2007 my task due dates get screwed up. By at least 500 years. Really. Is this a problem with outlook or does Microsoft know about my plan to get cryogenically frozen at some point? So here's the specifics: I have a T-mobile Curve model blackberry (though it also happened with my pearl), Outlook 2007 (though it also happened with Outlook 2003) and windows vista.

Basically I usually put my tasks down with no due date. When I do this, and when I sync, it changes the dates on the blackberry and on the outlook to something like "due Dec 13, 2347."

Granted, when I PUT due dates in, I have no problems. But when I add a task to be done quickly (usually on the fly on the blackberry) and I DON'T put in a due date, the next sync, it tells me I should get it done by the time the aliens take over.

So what's the deal? Anyone else have this problem

Help My Blackberry Speak German

foxy_hedgehog — Fri, 16 May 2008 10:08:27 -0800

I'd like to get a German dictionary/language program for my Blackberry Curve. Any recommendations or caveats? I only know what you can see on the first page of a google search

I'd be grateful for any expert witnesses.

Software free Blackberry/Outlook Sync

brettski — Fri, 16 May 2008 05:09:23 -0800

Is there any way of syncing an outlook calender with a blackberry 8100 without installing Desktop Manager on the (locked down) laptop? The PC that I want to sync calender with is locked down so you can't intall software on it. I'd like to keep my BB up to date with calender entries on this PC using the cable or bluetooth, but not sure if it's possible without installing the software on the PC. No Blackberry Data Service either. Ideas?

Nethack on a Blackberry?

lyam — Wed, 14 May 2008 07:54:58 -0800

Has anyone been able to successfully run Nethack or any roguelike on the Blackberry (8830)? I've exhausted my ability to find anything relevant from google later than 2004. Thanks!

How to make Twitterberry work on my Blackberry Curve?

quaisi — Fri, 09 May 2008 11:28:03 -0800

Twitterberry on my blackberry curve gives a network request failed error message when trying to update or access the public timeline. What's going on? Any help would be greatly appreciated. I realise it's a firewall problem. All my permisisons are set to allow in the options menu for twitterberry. I have no problems accessing the internet with opera which is also installed.

Any ideas?

Undelete a T-Mobile voicemail?

rajbot — Tue, 06 May 2008 15:11:54 -0800

Asking for a friend: Is there a way to recover a month-old voicemail message on T-Mobile? This is on a BlackBerry.

My friend hung up without actively doing anything to the voicemail while it was playing (i.e. didn't hit 7 to delete or 9 to save), and now when she calls to check her voicemail, it is no longer there. It's an important family message.

Maybe the NSA has an archive of it somewhere?

Thanks.

Help me fix my ailing BlackBerry Pearl trackball.

Pontius Pilate — Sun, 04 May 2008 19:58:18 -0800

Blackberry Pearl trackball acting funky. Help. My BlackBerry Pearl is about 2 months out of warranty, and the trackball seems to be breaking down. The vertical up-down function works (mostly) fine, with only occasional hick-ups. However, the horizontal scrolling abruptly stopped working a few days ago. It definitely seems like a mechanical rather than a software problem, because when I try to scroll horizontally, it doesn't feel like the trackball is getting any traction.

Is there anything I can attempt to fix this? Or do I need to break down and get a new phone?

Ah, to be connected anywhere, anytime!

Bakuun — Sun, 04 May 2008 18:59:10 -0800

Looking for a relatively simple mobile IM device, that will allow me to be connected regardless of wifi availability. A bit confused about options - it seems a Blackberry is the most perfect fit. Or is it? My sweetheart is now an unfortunate 6000+ miles away - a marine stationed in Okinawa. The 16 hour time difference we have (I'm in southern California) makes the moments when our schedules align all the more precious, and we're jumping on those moments as fast as they come. He's looking into a PDA/Blackberry to stay connected via IM throughout his day, and after some consideration, I thought of doing the same. Not having to be chained to the computer desk to message him sounds absolutely wonderful.

I'm not concerned with voice (and voice plans, at that) - just something that would allow me to continue using Windows Live messenger whenever I'd like. I currently have a (rather old) cell with a plan from Sprint, and it's used only in "emergency" situations - an agenda change, "I-got-here-safe" notifications, etc. As I'm not a big phone chatter in the slightest, my only concern is the IM capability of a device and its potential monthly cost.

Am I right in thinking that a Blackberry would be best, or might anyone have an even better suggestion? If the former, I'd really appreciate help in narrowing down a good (basic?) model, and possibly a plan that fits the need without burning a hole in my pocket.

Thanks for readin'!

Arrgh, major outlook synching problem!

parmanparman — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 12:17:03 -0800

My boss and I are both going crazy because I can't sync with her Outlook calendar on my own computer and her Blackberry won't sync with her Outlook. If she tries to download her new schedule to the Blackberry, it will erase her schedule on the hand-held instead! Help!! We tried Sun Java System Connector and we can't seem to get the issue worked out. It started over a week ago. We are the only two people in the office with this problem. It's driving us up the wall. We're using XP and Outlook 2003 SP3.

Blackberry Ringer Woes

extraheavymarcellus — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 16:58:03 -0800

Hivemind, help me make my ringer louder on my Blackberry 8830. I have a Blackberry 8830 through Sprint. I loaded my own MP3 as a ringer and it plays fine through the media player but, even with the profile set to load, I can barely hear it when it rings. I have missed several calls due to this and it is driving me crazy.

Google has several options that have not worked and in one attempt, bricked the phone.

Poof!

Pants! — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 18:57:11 -0800

Is there a way to automagically back up my blackberry contacts and calendar on my iMac? Bluetooth and cordless would be swell. I'm running an intel Mac with the latest OS animal.

Help me get emails from my clients blackberry

merocet — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 07:37:40 -0800

My clients emails from their Blackberry always end up in my email providers spam quarantine with the text of the mail garbled. Their "from address" comes through on the headers as From: "=?utf-8?B?SmVzc2UgUmFiaW5vd2l0eg==?=". My email provider says my client needs to fix that. My client thinks that they don't have a problem. Is this the way that blackberry emails normally identify themselves in email headers or is my clients set up faulty?