The BlackBerry is an on-the-go phone that offers an abundance of special features that keep you connected to your virtual life, including messaging, music downloads and a task manager to keep you on time for all of your appointments. Because the BlackBerry has so many features, it may be a little overwhelming at first. The information on this page will show you how to use a BlackBerry for everything from voice dialing to using your phone as a GPS. A new section on changing themes is included.

• Having a BlackBerry is like carrying around a tiny portal to the internet in your pocket. You can stay connected to your network, friends and clients through message and email, download music and even read E-books. There are so many things you can do, that it might all start to feel a little overwhelming, but have no fear. The information on this page is designed to make using your BlackBerry phone easier.

• You are now the proud owner of a shiny new BlackBerry phone, but where do you start? All those overwhelming features might have you looking at your manual with a grimace, but fret not! Getting started is relatively simple.

1. The first thing you'll want to do is insert the battery.
2. Turn on your phone to make sure everything is working.
3. Connect your phone to your wireless network.
4. Set up your email account and import your address book.BlackBerry: BlackBerry 101

• You are now ready to user your BlackBerry for a host of exciting tasks.

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  (Creative Commons photo by edans)
• Many people keep track of their appointments, phone numbers, tasks and even meeting notes on a portable PDA, but why carry and extra device when the BlackBerry offers you the same options? Transferring information from your Mac or PC to your BlackBerry is simple.

1. Connect your BlackBerry to your PC via the USB port.
2. Select the data you wish to transfer from your Mac or PC to your BlackBerry.
   1. Contacts
   2. Notes
   3. Appointments
   4. Addresses an phone numbers
3. Import information to your BlackBerry by synching your device.BlackBerry Insight: How to Use Your BlackBerry to Transfer...

• The BlackBerry is different from a regular cell phone in that it is connected to the internet. Making phone calls may seem difficult at first, but after you've made a few calls it'll seem like second nature. Review the following steps to learn how to use the calling feature on your BlackBerry phone.

1. Initiate the call feature by clicking on the phone application.
2. The phone screen should appear, allowing you to dial the number.
3. Either dial the number you wish to call, or choose one from your list of contacts.
4. Click to start the call.
5. Activate the call waiting feature when you have an incoming call by clicking on the incoming call button.eHow: How to Make Phone Calls on a BlackBerry

• Many phones offer a voice dialing feature, and the BlackBerry is no different. In order to set up your phone for voice dial you will need to:

1. Start a call.
2. Speak the word "call" into the phone.
3. Speak the name or number into the phone.
4. Wait for it to dial.
5. Continue with your call.eHow: How to Use a BlackBerry

(Creative Commons photo by bgautrea)

• You can keep in touch with your friends, family and clients via email directly through your BlackBerry. Your BlackBerry will support up to ten different email accounts, and they can be set up either on your Mac or PC, or on your BlackBerry.

1. Configure your email via your wireless service provider's website.BlackBerry: Email Setup
2. Click on the email icon.
3. Select the address of the person you want to email.
4. Use the BlackBerry keyboard to type up your message.
5. Hit send.

• You can also use your device to read incoming emails as well. The email feature allows you to send and receive data from one BlackBerry phone to another.BlackBerry: Using Email to Transport Data

The Blackberry Internet Service now allows two-way synchronization of Gmail.http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2010/05/03/gmail-on-blackberry-the-fix-is-in/

• Short Message Service (SMS) is a quick and simple way to keep in touch when you're on the go. The BlackBerry mobile offers SMS service that is simple to use. Keep in mind, however, that SMS only allows you to send messages up to 160 characters in length, so only use SMS for quick and easy communication.

1. Choose the SMS icon from the menu.
2. Add a new phone number or choose from an existing contact.
3. Choose the text prompt.
4. Type the message on the keyboard.
5. Send the message.eHow: How to Send SMS Messages From Your BlackBerry

• One nice feature for BlackBerry users is the BlackBerry to BlackBerry communication feature. This feature allows BlackBerry users to chat with each other no matter where they are in the world for free. The BlackBerry Messenger program comes preloaded onto most new phones, but if your BlackBerry does not have this program you can download it from the official BlackBerry site by connecting your BlackBerry to your computer or by searching BlackBerry apps while on the go.Crackberry.com: How to Use BlackBerry Messenger

• Taking pictures with your BlackBerry phone is easy, and retrieving them from email is the best way to edit them. The camera feature differs from one BlackBerry to the next, so check your manual to learn more about how to access the camera on your personal BlackBerry.

• Once you do access the phone on your BlackBerry, you will want to send any photos your take as an attachment in an email to yourself. You can then open them up on your personal computer and edit them in your photo editing software. You can also send photos to your contacts via email, but the files will be unedited..

• You will need to download BlackBerry Media Sync to your BlackBerry if you want to copy music files from your computer to your BlackBerry. With this software, you can connect your BlackBerry to your computer and synch directly to you iTunes and other media accounts.digital inspiration: Sync and Transfer iTunes Music to your BlackBerry

The Blackberry user has a number of options for an ebook reader application. There are numerous sources for both free eBooks and those that you must pay for.

• The Mobipocket download will allow you to download ebooks straight to your BlackBerry so you always have something to read when you're on the go. Mobipocket has an abundance of features that allow you to highlight text, add notes and even bookmark your place.Mobipocket: BlackBerry eBook Reader

• The Kobo application allows you to download ebooks from the Kobo library with the first chapter free for most books.http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/1364

• Kindle for Blackberry application is now available giving access to the entire Amazon Kindle libraryhttp://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?ie=UTF8&docId=1000468551 http://blogs.zdnet.com/cell-phones/?p=3147

• Having a GPS is a major convenience, especially if you travel a lot by car for your job. Whether you're lost, or looking for the nearest restroom or restaurant, having a GPS on hand can help you get where you need to be on time. Some BlackBerry models come with a built in GPS, but for those that don't you will need to connect to a Bluetooth GPS receiver.BlackBerry: Features: BlackBerry Maps

1. Enable your phone's Bluetooth technology.
2. Connect the Bluetooth GPS receiver.
3. Download the Java application for BlackBerry Maps.
4. Find your present connection.
5. Type in the address of the location you are searching for.
6. Follow the map to your destination.BlackBerry Cool: GPS and Your BlackBerry

There are a number of ways to install a new theme on your Blackberry.http://www.chameleonco.com/activekb/questions.php?questionid=1211

Over The Air. The easiest is over the air (OTA) - just click on a link from your Blackberry browser or the Blackberry App World Store. Then go to "Options"--"Theme" and select your desired one.

File Transfer. Place all the relevant files in a folder on your computer and then copy the folder onto the Blackberry. Alternatively, you can use the Blackberry Desktop Manager. Go to the Application Loader to transfer your files from the PC to your device

Mail to Yourself. Go to App World and buy the theme on your computer and send it to your mail on the Blackberry.

Note: changing the theme may alter how items appear including applications, indicators, words, and icons.

• The above features are some of the most basic, yet popular features on the BlackBerry. You can stay on track for appointments, keep in touch with your friends and family through email and SMS, take pictures, listen to music and even skim through a book while you're waiting in the dentist's office. If you find yourself in unfamiliar territory, you can use your BlackBerry like a GPS to find your way.

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• Introduction
• Step 1: Getting Started
• Step 2: Transferring Tasks, Notes and Appointments
• Step 3: Making Phone Calls
• Step 4: Email Features
• Step 5: SMS Messaging
• Step 6: Your Pictures
• Step 7: Music
• Step 8: Ebooks
• Step 9: GPS on Your BlackBerry
• Step 10: Change Themes on Your BlackBerry
• Conclusion