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Greg Gebhardt: the 75xx's were the best-built BlackBerrys ever

Russell Shaw — 2006-10-30T09:30:00+00:00

With more than 3,700 authoritative posts on Howard Forums, Greg Gebhardt is one of the online world's best-known BlackBerry authorities.

In today's new BlackBerry 8700 to BlackBerry Pearl thread (linked below), Greg makes an interesting comment.

He's tried the Pearl 8100 but it wasn't exactly his thing.

Why?

Greg writes that in his opinion, "the build quality on the 8100 is worst than the 8700. Nothing is as good as the old 75XX series."

That's a BlackBerry 7520 over there on the right.

Then Greg adds that he believes the Pearl is made of a cheap-enough quality that, in his judgement, "the cosmetics.. will not last long at all."

Readers, would you disagree or agree with Greg about either of his points: the Pearl 8100 is fragile and the 75xx's were/are the sturdiest BlackBerrys ever made?

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How to mass delete your BlackBerry 7510's phone logs

Russell Shaw — 2006-07-06T12:46:00+00:00

Filed under: Support, Tips, 7510

On the BlackBerry section of Experts Exchange, the #10 most read document is currently "Phone Log deletion."

Started by a reader with a user name of NESupply, the question posed is if there is a way to mass delete the phone and direct connect logs on the BlackBerry 7510. NESupply's reason is that he wants to backdate up and doesn't want to take all 8,500 user phone logs over with it.

I buy that. Anyway you look @ it, 8,500 user phone logs is a lot.

Experts-Exchange BlackBerry expert northcide has the answer.

"In the message screen, click the wheel and choose view folder," he writes. "then scroll down and choose the phone log folder."

Finally: click the wheel and select delete prior.

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Consultants release two BlackBerry how-to e-books

Russell Shaw — 2005-08-30T10:48:38+00:00

Filed under: Support, Tips, 7100, 7100t, 7100g, 7100r, 7100x, 7100v, 7700, 7730, 7750, 7780, 7500, 7510, 7520, 7200, 7230, 7280, 6700, 6710, 6720, 6750, 6200, 6220, 6230, 6280, 5800, 5820, 7250, BlackBerry OS 4.x, 7270, BlackBerry Enterprise Server

Ned Johnson and Martin Trautschold are consultants with more than eight years of combined experience working with BlackBerry using corporate and individual clients. Trautschold, in fact, has presented at the Annual RIM BlackBerry Wireless Enterprise Symposium.

Now, Trautschold and Johnson have combined to write two BlackBerry Made Simple 150-plus page PDF formatted e-books for BlackBerry users.

BlackBerry Made Simple covers 6500, 6700, 7200, 7500, 7700 and 7100 series BlackBerrys.

BlackBerry Made Simple- The Definitive Guide for 7100 Series covers all BlackBerry 71xx models.

Both books are $19.95 apiece.

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Consultants release two BlackBerry how-to e-books

Russell Shaw — 2005-08-29T09:48:38+00:00

Lately it occurs to me what a long-range trip its been

Russell Shaw — 2005-06-22T10:49:01+00:00

Filed under: Software, Nextel, 7500, 7510, 7520, BlackBerry OS 4.x, International
Sorry, folks, that adaptation of a line from that old Grateful Dead classic "Truckin'" dates me chronologically and culturally. Back in the day, "Truckin' meant that you were getting ready to hit the road.

But what if you actually are, well, "truckin'"? As in, being on a long business trip, or even vacation? If your trip involves driving, you'll want to keep accurate records of stuff such as the dates of your trip, odometer readings when you started, as well as mileage reimbursement rates your employer or client may offer.

You could tote around a legal pad or even a notebook, but there's a better way. If you have BlackBerry OS 3.8 or above, MileageManager 1.0 will let you keep your trip records on your BlackBerry. The $5.50 ($4.95 for Club Handango members) solution saves your trip records in HTML format. Then, when you get home, you can export your data to Microsoft Excel.

You may even be able to email your records back to your company, or your own landline email account. For this to happen, either your organization will need to run a BlackBerry Enterprise Server with Mobile Data Service, or you'll be a Nextel or Telus (Canada) customer with a BlackBerry 7500 series handheld.

Click the Read link below this post to reach the MileageManager page on Handango.com.

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Surrounded by Treo fans? Here's six arguments you can use

Russell Shaw — 2005-06-15T08:52:01+00:00

Filed under: Software, 7510, 7520, 7280, 7290, BlackBerry OS 4.x, Competitors
On the mobile device HowardForums site, ever-present mobile forums moderator and participant Mark Rejhon reposts six "BlackBerry myths" intended to negate stereotypes about BlackBerry.

The types of knocks you may hear from palmOne Treo users unfamiliar with, as Mark puts it, "the modern 2005-era BlackBerry," which, he correctly maintains is quite superior to BlackBerrys released in 2003 and 2004.

Mark copied this post from one originally posted on a Brighthand discussion board.

But enough of where the post came from. Time to list the highlights of what Mark says:

In his view, these persistent myths once were true, but no longer are:

RIM is only good for email. He says that while that once was true, RIM has caught up with its competitors in so many other areas, the "only good" admonition doesn't hold true any more.

BlackBerry has poor quality screens. He points out that the bright-screen BlackBerry 7520 (shown at upper right) is vastly superior to predecessor 7510. Ditto the BlackBerry 7290 vs. its forebear BlackBerry 7280.

BlackBerry has poor PIM. Multiple addresses and category capabilities on supported PIM apps render this stereotype no longer true. Mark also says that updating information is faster on a BlackBerry PIM than on a palm OS or PocketPC device.

BlackBerry can't do Internet apps. With the arrival of BlackBerry OS4, that's no longer the case.

BlackBerry does IM poorly. No longer the case, specifically because of Verichat, a third-party program that in Mark's view, works better on BlackBerry than on Treo.

(There is) not much BlackBerry software. He now counts more than 1,000 programs, plus support for mobile video game-friendly Java J2ME MIDP 2.0.

Mark's pointers

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Nextel BlackBerry antenna broken? Not to worry

Russell Shaw — 2005-06-06T08:49:06+00:00

Filed under: Support, Nextel, 7510, 7520, Gear
Talked to a friend recently whose non-BlackBerry handset's antenna got snapped out of place and is now useless.

This got me to wondering- what are Nextel/Blackberry 7520 or 7510 users to do when their antenna breaks? Try to fix it, or get a new model?

My advice: if the broken antenna is your fault, admit it, and then move on to replacing the antenna. Not the unit.

But, you ask, "where can I buy a replacement antenna?"

Not the BlackBerry Accessories store. While they have plenty of accessories for both models, surprisingly, there are no antennas listed.

It was then that I found a couple of links on a HowardForums thread devoted to just that very subject. User "dandamannyc" started the discussion the other day with a lament that he needed a replacement antenna for his 7510, but no local stores (presumably in the New York City area) had any. Given all the brick and mortar in NYC, that says a lot. He couldn't find any on eBay either.

Subsequent posters offered some suggestions. The folks who sign my checks around here really appreciate when I do the mousework for you.

That I have done - and I present to you SmartPhoneDepot's antenna for the Nextel BlackBerry 7520 and 7510. The device screws on easily. Even works for a 6510.

The device is list-priced at $19.99 but is available on SmartPhoneDepot for $16.80.

I promise you this: if you click the Read link directly below this post, the order page for the antenna will be the very next thing you see in your Web browser.

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Got BlackBerry 7xxx? This service offers more than 1,000 ringtones for one price

Russell Shaw — 2005-06-06T06:57:18+00:00

Filed under: Software, 7100, 7100t, 7100g, 7100r, 7100x, 7100v, 7700, 7730, 7750, 7780, 7500, 7510, 7520, 7200, 7230, 7280, 7290, 7250, 7270, Fun
I've just noticed that BlackBerry Ring Tone Megaplex has just passed 23,000 downloads on Handango.com.

Given that many other fun and useful utilities do well with amassing 100 downloads, the popularity of the Ring Tone Megaplex is that much more amazing.

For that one price, you get unlimited download access to the more than 1,000 tones in the Ring Tone Megaplex library. The library inventory is updated at least once a week, sometimes more.

Ring Tone Megaplex is compatible with most 7xxx series BlackBerry devices. Once you purchase, download and install Ring Tone Megaplex, you access the service via their proprietary interface, not through an open Web site.

RingTone Megaplex' list price is $19.95, but I found it listed on mobile software site Handango.com for $17.96. That's 10% off.

As you might suspect, the Read link below this post takes you to the main BlackBerry Ring Tone Megaplex page on Handango.

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BlackBerrys: you got to know when to holster 'em

Russell Shaw — 2005-05-18T08:41:29+00:00

Filed under: Tips, 7100t, 7100r, 7510, 7520, 7230, 7280, 7290, 6750, 6230, 7250, Gear
The quite entreprenureal Tom Glogowski is founder, owner and administrator of BlackBerry Forums.com, one of the more vibrant and library BlackBerry user communities on the Web.

Tom is not one of those folks who hands out garlands gratuitously. When he recommends a BlackBerry-related product, his endorsement carries considerable credibility.

That's why I've taken the time to refer you to his post endorsing Speck Products' $34.95 Skin Tight case and holster for the BlackBerry.

Yes, I know, I have noted the product before, but Tom's review adds more than a dozen photos of Skin Tight (pun alert!) on the case, and points out that the case fits snugly enough not to allow any dirt to build up on the BlackBerry.

That would be a total of 10 BlackBerry models adaptable to Skin Tight cases: the 6230, 6750, 7100t, 7100r, 7230, 7250, 7280, 7290, 7510 and 7520.

He notes that the case includes a magnet to turn your screen off, or to switch on your BlackBerry's "in holster" settings.
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First-ever BlackBerry store in U.S. opens today: offers on-premise training sessions

Russell Shaw — 2005-04-26T14:57:51+00:00

Filed under: Stories, Nextel, 7510, BlackBerry Enterprise Server
As we told you last week, the first-ever BlackBerry only store in the U.S. opens today in downtown Charlotte, N.C. NEXCOM Wireless' NEXCOM Store will specialize in the Nextel-compliant BlackBerry 7510.

More details available: NEXCOM Wireless president Chad Jenkins tells the Charlotte Observer (free reg. req'd.) that the store will offer on-premise BlackBerry training sessions. The cost for the two-hour tutorials will range between $90 and $125.

The material will start with a simple overview of BlackBerry shortcuts, and then proceed to more sophisticated business applications. There will also be specialized BlackBerry Enterprise Server and BlackBerry Internet service classes.

Jenkins adds that he expects these training sessions will account for half of the store's anticipated
revenue. The other half will be generated from the sale of you-know-what's, along with accessories.

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A mercantile cathedral for the BlackBerry 7510

Russell Shaw — 2005-04-21T11:03:46+00:00

Filed under: Nextel, 7510
Picture this: a retail store with nothing for sale except BlackBerrys and accessories.

Well, it's about to come true. A week from Monday, the first BlackBerry-only store ever will open in downtown Charlotte, North Carolina. It will be a NEXCOM store, located in the atrium of South Tryon Square.

With three Charlotte area locations, NEXCOM Store is the retail presence for NEXCOM Wireless, an authorized Nextel agent in the booming metro Charlotte area. That, of course, means you'll find lots of Nextel-compliant BlackBerry 7510s.

Oh, and I'd bet some older 6510s, too.

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Killer Date: BlackBerry 7510 from Nextel featured on last night's CSI:Miami

Russell Shaw — 2005-04-19T06:29:24+00:00

Filed under: Stories, Nextel, 7510
Last night's episode of CSI:Miami featured a BlackBerry 7510 from Nextel. Both the BlackBerry and Nextel logos were clearly visible in several close-up shots.

Talk about product placement!

I wasn't watching "Killer Date" all that closely, so please forgive me if I get this wrong. From what I could tell, the device was used by a shapely and enterprising woman of the evening who, as I recall, was in a bar, broadcasting text messages stating her availability for well, you know.

She strikes up a deal with a detective, and while they are together, his badge gets stolen by a really, really bad guy. Oh, and this woman kills someone else at that same bar.

Other detectives who behave more like solid citizens seize this bad lady's BlackBerry, take it apart,and note that it has certain unanticipated technical capacities. That diagnosis frames the solving of the crime.

At least that's how I remember it. You?

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This BlackBerry 7510 goes to high school

Russell Shaw — 2005-04-14T14:39:20+00:00

Filed under: Stories, Nextel, 7510
Every year, Nextel Communications' Nextel Wireless Winners Contest awards cash and prizes up to $1,000 to several subscribers who innovatively use products offered by Nextel in their personal or business lives.

A BlackBerry user has finished third in the Wireless Data Category. Darrick Murphy, a computer engineer for a Cincinnati high school, was honored by Nextel, for using his BlackBerry 7510 (pictured at right) to handle various tasks no matter where he happens to be on school grounds.

"Murphy remotely monitors his task lists, updates the helpdesk database," Nextel says, "and receives emergency notifications from the school's servers, all without paper or having to go back to his office."

As you might expect, Murphy's also a regular user of his 7510's mobile phone and Direct Connect features.

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Yankees, Mets GMs Use BlackBerry to stay in touch

Russell Shaw — 2005-04-04T08:52:14+00:00

Filed under: Stories, 7510, 7520

If you're a baseball fan, you already know the 2005 season began last night, and gets into high gear today.

Much of the game is strategic - not only on the field, but the personnel moves made off the field as well. The ability of general managers to oversee personnel moves and execute trades is a prime executive skill.

Increasingly, baseball's GM's are using their BlackBerry to field email inquiries related to their job. New York Yankees GM Brian Cashman has a BlackBerry 7510. He tells the Westchester (N.Y.) Journal-News that having the 7510 helps him multitask.

Across town, New York Mets' GM Omar Minaya likes his BlackBerry 7520. "It's cool. It has a phone and everything else you need," Minaya also tells the Journal-News.

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Your BlackBerry, just in case

Russell Shaw — 2005-03-29T15:36:08+00:00

Filed under: Stories, Tips, 7510
What do you carry your BlackBerry in?

Today, BlackBerry Cool "makes a case" for the Krusell Handit Muntiadapt Case, a $29.99 leather beauty that easily fits your you-know-what. It even has optional pockets for your credit cards and business cards.

The case is flip-style, which means you don't need to remove your BlackBerry. The only two issues BlackBerry Cool had with that was that the in-case placement made synching impossible, and that the back of the case hit the antenna of the BlackBerry 7510 used for testing. In that (OK, I'll spare you another pun) *instance*, you'd need to open the case to use the antenna.

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BlackBerry 7510: party like it's $99.99

Russell Shaw — 2005-03-27T09:02:05+00:00

Filed under: Software, 7510
BlackBerry Cool reports that Canadian mobile access provider TELUS Mobility has dropped is price for the BlackBerry 7510 to $99.99 (CDN).

As you might expect, that price is only available to those who tell TELUS in writing they want a three-year commitment. Two years, and the 7510 is $149.99. A one-year contract brings a $549.99 tab. If you are pathologically commitment-phobic (like this woman I was once ga-ga about, who shall remain nameless), well, then, this 7510 can be yours for $599.99.

The most interesting feature of this 7510 is Mike's Direct Connect, a multi-user collaboration and chat tool that kind of works like a two-way radio.

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IBBUG offers Favorite Shortcut tips

Russell Shaw — 2005-03-25T14:43:40+00:00

Filed under: Tips, 7100, 7100t, 7100g, 7100r, 7100x, 7100v, 7700, 7730, 7750, 7780, 7500, 7510, 7520, 7200, 7230, 7280, 7290, 6700, 6710, 6720, 6750, 6200, 6220, 6280, 7250, 7270
Every once in awhile, I like to check the Tips & Tricks area of the International BlackBerry User Group site to see what questions and answers IBBUG members seem the most interested in.

When I went there today, the second-most viewed item was a collection of "Favorite Shortcuts" tips.

There are tips for various keys and key combinations that allow for quick switching between apps, assigning a Speed Dial to a letter, applying bookmarks, as well as multiply or divide two numbers.

You probably already know some of these shortcuts. But could it be that you"don't know what you don't know?"

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Letting your BlackBerry go to your head

Russell Shaw — 2005-03-16T20:22:38+00:00

Filed under: Tips, 7100, 7100t, 7100g, 7100r, 7100v, 7700, 7730, 7750, 7780, 7500, 7510, 7520, 7200, 7230, 7280, 7290, 6700, 6710, 6720, 6750, 6200, 6220, 6230, 6280, 5800, 5820, 7250, 7270
I've been spending some quality time looking for bargains on the relatively new BlackBerry Accessories Store.

As one who is big on headsets for all my mobile devices, I was curious to see what was being offered. Curiously, there's only one headset - a lightweight $13.99 branded BlackBerry Headset with a miniature clip that keeps the cord in place.

If you've ever dangled headphone cords, you'll want such a clip.

Much more important, this Headset works with just about every BlackBerry on the market.

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Find your way around the subway with PocketMetro 2.1

Russell Shaw — 2005-03-14T17:36:45+00:00

Filed under: Software, 7100, 7100t, 7100g, 7100r, 7100x, 7100v, 7700, 7730, 7750, 7780, 7500, 7510, 7520, 7200, 7230, 7280, 7290, 6700, 6710, 6720, 6750, 6200, 6220, 6230, 6280, 5800, 5820, 7250, 7270
Taking a subway ride in New York, London, Paris or Berlin?

You might want to try out ClockLabs' brand new PocketMetro 2.1. It has a built-in mapping function and trip-time calculator for the subway system in each of these cities.

The coolest thing about PocketMetro: when you install it on your BlackBerry, its entire database for the city you purchase "lives" on your device. That way, you don't have to hope for a signal before you access the function. That in-device capability is especially welcome considering that acquiring a wireless signal can be somewhat problematic in the subway.

PocketMetro 2.1 is compatible with most BlackBerry models. It costs $19.99 per city, and is available via download right here.

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RIM at the rim: get live NCAA tourney scores on your BlackBerry

Russell Shaw — 2005-03-14T12:00:35+00:00

Filed under: 7100, 7730, 7750, 7780, 7510, 7520, 7230, 7280, 7290
The NCAA basketball tournament brackets have been announced. It's possible your alma mater is one of the contenders.

If so, you'll be interested to learn that mobile device software information service Pocket Express has launched a "March Madness" feature in its $19.99 a year Express Sports feature. March Madness will show you game matchups and real-time, running scores from the NCAA Men's tournament.

As part of Express Sports' content package, March Madness is available on the BlackBerry 7210, 7230, 7280, 7290, 7510, 7520, 7730, 7750 and 7780.

To access March Madness, launch Sports, then select "Basketball (NCAA Men's)." Choose the the "Weekly" schedule option and then click on the game you wish to know the score of.

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