BlackBerry Hacks

Book description

The BlackBerry has become an invaluable tool for those of us who need to stay connected and in the loop. But most people take advantage of only a few features that this marvelous communications device offers. What if you could do much more with your BlackBerry than just web surfing and email?

BlackBerry Hacks will enhance your mobile computing with great tips and tricks. You'll learn that the BlackBerry is capable of things you never thought possible, and you'll learn how to make it an even better email and web workhorse:

  • Get the most out of the built-in applications
  • Take control of email with filters, searches, and more
  • Rev up your mobile gaming--whether you're an arcade addict or poker pro
  • Browse the web, chat over IM, and keep up with news and weblogs
  • Work with office documents, spell check your messages, and send faxes
  • Become more secure, lock down your BlackBerry and stash secure information somewhere safe
  • Manage and monitor the BlackBerry Enterprise Server (BES) and Mobile Data System (MDS)
  • Create web sites that look great on a BlackBerry
  • Develop and deploy BlackBerry applications

Whether you need to schedule a meeting from a trade show floor, confirm your child's next play date at the park, or just find the show times and secure movie tickets while at dinner, this book helps you use the remarkable BlackBerry to stay in touch and in-the-know--no matter where you are or where you go.

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Table of contents

  1. Credits
    1. About the Author
    2. Contributors
    3. Acknowledgments
  2. Preface
    1. Why BlackBerry Hacks?
    2. How to Use This Book
    3. How This Book Is Organized
    4. Where to Learn More
    5. Conventions
    6. Using Code Examples
    7. How to Contact Us
    8. Safari Enabled
      1. Got a Hack?
  3. 1. Using Your BlackBerry
    1. 1.1. Hacks 1–21: Introduction
    2. 1. Choose a Data Plan
      1. 1.2.1. BlackBerry’s Wireless Usage
      2. 1.2.2. Other Factors to Consider
      3. 1.2.3. The Case for the Unlimited Data Plan
      4. 1.2.4. Do You Have to Have a Data Plan at All?
    3. 2. Cut and Paste Text
      1. 1.3.1. Make Your Selection and Copy It
      2. 1.3.2. Paste the Copied Text
    4. 3. Take the Easy Way Out with Shortcuts
      1. 1.4.1. Navigation
      2. 1.4.2. Text Input
      3. 1.4.3. Home Screen
        1. 1.4.3.1. Customize the Home screen.
        2. 1.4.3.2. View.
        3. 1.4.3.3. Messaging.
        4. 1.4.3.4. While composing a message or PIM item.
      4. 1.4.4. Calendar Hotkeys
      5. 1.4.5. Browser Hotkeys
      6. 1.4.6. Miscellaneous Keystrokes
    5. 4. Sync Your Calendar over the Air
      1. 1.5.1. Enable Wireless Calendar
    6. 5. Organize the Icons on the Home Screen
      1. 1.6.1. Move Icons to and fro
      2. 1.6.2. Completely Hide Icons
      3. 1.6.3. Access a Hidden Application
    7. 6. Run Programs in the Background
      1. 1.7.1. Convenient Sorting
      2. 1.7.2. Switching More Quickly
    8. 7. Type Less Using AutoText
      1. 1.8.1. Create a New AutoText Entry
      2. 1.8.2. Use Macros in AutoText
    9. 8. View the Event Log
      1. 1.9.1. View the Log
      2. 1.9.2. Customize Event Log Options
    10. 9. Use Your BlackBerry as a Modem
      1. 1.10.1. Set Up a Dial-up Connection
      2. 1.10.2. Set Up Your BlackBerry Modem
      3. 1.10.3. Establish the Connection
      4. 1.10.4. Connection Speeds
    11. 10. Maximize Your Battery Life
    12. 11. Optimize Your BlackBerry Browser
      1. 1.12.1. How the Browser Handles Images
      2. 1.12.2. Use “Minimal” Settings on the Browser
      3. 1.12.3. Enable Image Placeholders to Retrieve Images Only on Your Schedule
    13. 12. Maximize Your Free Memory
      1. 1.13.1. Determine How Much Free Space You Have
      2. 1.13.2. What Data Uses the Most Space?
      3. 1.13.3. How to Delete an Application
      4. 1.13.4. Maintain Your Free Space
    14. 13. Get Things Done with the BlackBerry
      1. 1.14.1. Set Up Your Categories
      2. 1.14.2. Organize Your Notes
      3. 1.14.3. Decide When to Create a Task
      4. 1.14.4. Search and Sort
      5. 1.14.5. Don’t Interrupt Yourself
    15. 14. Create Your Own Polyphonic Ringtones
      1. 1.15.1. Format Your Audio
      2. 1.15.2. Encode into Oki ADPCM Format
      3. 1.15.3. Get the Ringtone on Your Device
    16. 15. Store a Photo Collection on Your Device
      1. 1.16.1. Use the Picture Application
      2. 1.16.2. Put Your Own Images on Your Device
      3. 1.16.3. See Also
    17. 16. Turn Your Computer into a Speakerphone
      1. 1.17.1. Install a Bluetooth Adapter
      2. 1.17.2. Pair with Your BlackBerry
    18. 17. Display Signal Strength as a Number
    19. 18. Dial Like a Pro
      1. 1.19.1. Call from the Home Screen
      2. 1.19.2. Dial Letters in Phone Numbers—(800) LET-TERS
      3. 1.19.3. Speed Dial Assignments
      4. 1.19.4. View Speed Dial Assignments
    20. 19. Put Notes in the Call Log
    21. 20. Upgrade Your Handheld Software
      1. 1.21.1. Find the Firmware
      2. 1.21.2. Is Your Device Already up to Snuff?
    22. 21. Type on a Bluetooth Wireless Keyboard
      1. 1.22.1. Install the Keyboard
      2. 1.22.2. Pair with the Keyboard
      3. 1.22.3. Use the Keyboard
      4. 1.22.4. Map Function Keys
  4. 2. Email
    1. 2.1. Hacks 22–31: Introduction
    2. 22. Clear Your Inbox Quickly
      1. 2.2.1. Process Many Messages at Once
      2. 2.2.2. Hack the Hack
    3. 23. Create Persistent Custom Searches
      1. 2.3.1. Execute a Simple Search
      2. 2.3.2. Search Shortcuts
      3. 2.3.3. Save a Search for Quick Access
      4. 2.3.4. Hack the Hack
    4. 24. Filter Messages by Type
      1. 2.4.1. Use Shortcuts for Each Type of Message
      2. 2.4.2. Make Phone Logs Disappear from Your Inbox
    5. 25. Use an Auto Signature
      1. 2.5.1. Non-BWC Users
      2. 2.5.2. BWC Users
      3. 2.5.3. Hack the Hack
    6. 26. Send a Message to a Group of Users
      1. 2.6.1. Use Distribution Lists
      2. 2.6.2. Create a Boilerplate PIN Message
      3. 2.6.3. Use Your Saved Message to Send a PIN Message
    7. 27. Send a Message Directly to Another BlackBerry User
      1. 2.7.1. Set Up the PIN Fields of Contacts in Your Address Book
      2. 2.7.2. Set Up the PIN Fields of Contacts Using Outlook
      3. 2.7.3. Create and Send a PIN message
    8. 28. Send and Receive S/MIME Encrypted Emails
      1. 2.8.1. Install the BlackBerry S/MIME Support Pack
      2. 2.8.2. BES Configuration
      3. 2.8.3. Import Your Personal Certificates to Your Device
      4. 2.8.4. Import Other People’s Certificates over USB
      5. 2.8.5. Import Certificates via LDAP Wirelessly
    9. 29. Six Ways to Check Your Gmail
      1. 2.9.1. Redirect Gmail to Your BES Account
      2. 2.9.2. Set Up POP and Use the BWC
      3. 2.9.3. Use a Browser to Access Gmail’s HTML Version
      4. 2.9.4. Use EmailViewer via Gmail’s POP Interface
      5. 2.9.5. Use gmail-mobile to Access Gmail via WAP
      6. 2.9.6. See Also
    10. 30. Use Filters to Control Message Delivery
      1. 2.10.1. Set Up Custom Filters
      2. 2.10.2. Set the Action for the Filter
      3. 2.10.3. Use Your Device Profiles to Set Up Alerting
    11. 31. Get Mail from Multiple Accounts
      1. 2.11.1. Use the BlackBerry Web Client
      2. 2.11.2. Forward Mail to Your BES Account
      3. 2.11.3. BlackBerry Desktop Redirector
  5. 3. Games
    1. 3.1. Hacks 32–36: Introduction
    2. 32. Play Texas Hold ‘Em
      1. 3.2.1. Ante Up!
      2. 3.2.2. Play Online
    3. 33. Play Chess
      1. 3.3.1. Start Playing
      2. 3.3.2. Online Play
    4. 34. Play Free Java Games
      1. 3.4.1. Monkey Madness
      2. 3.4.2. Space Travel
      3. 3.4.3. Swarm
      4. 3.4.4. Spruce Driver
      5. 3.4.5. M-Type
      6. 3.4.6. Pang
    5. 35. Play Free Magmic Games
      1. 3.5.1. Bass Assassin
      2. 3.5.2. Raging Rivers
      3. 3.5.3. Spider Solitaire
      4. 3.5.4. Klondike
      5. 3.5.5. Texas Hold ‘Em King
    6. 36. Play Zork on Your BlackBerry
      1. 3.6.1. Find Games to Play
      2. 3.6.2. Use Z2ME
      3. 3.6.3. ZeeME
      4. 3.6.4. Hack the Hack
  6. 4. The Internet and Other Networks
    1. 4.1. Hacks 37–50: Introduction
    2. 37. Configure Your BlackBerry for Internet Access
      1. 4.2.1. Enable TCP/IP on Your Device
      2. 4.2.2. What Does This Do?
    3. 38. Blog from Your BlackBerry
      1. 4.3.1. Turn On Email-to-Blog Functionality in Blogger
      2. 4.3.2. Write by Email in Wordpress
      3. 4.3.3. Blog Away
      4. 4.3.4. See Also
    4. 39. Read News and Blogs on the BlackBerry
    5. 40. Control Another Computer Remotely
      1. 4.5.1. Install the Server
      2. 4.5.2. Install the BlackBerry VNC Client
      3. 4.5.3. Connect to a VNC Server
    6. 41. Use Google Maps
      1. 4.6.1. Use Mobile GMaps
      2. 4.6.2. Use GMapViewer
      3. 4.6.3. View a Map
      4. 4.6.4. Navigate the Map
      5. 4.6.5. Add a Map Pin
      6. 4.6.6. How Does This Work?
    7. 42. Telnet or SSH to Internet Servers
      1. 4.7.1. Install and Use MidpSSH
      2. 4.7.2. Enter Commands
      3. 4.7.3. More Info
    8. 43. Telnet or SSH to Intranet Servers
      1. 4.8.1. Install and Configure Idokorro SSH
      2. 4.8.2. Create a New Connection
      3. 4.8.3. Connect to a Remote Computer
    9. 44. Chat over IM
      1. 4.9.1. Install and Configure VeriChat
      2. 4.9.2. Chat with Verichat
      3. 4.9.3. See Also
    10. 45. Chat over IRC
      1. 4.10.1. Install WLIrc and Connect
      2. 4.10.2. Join Channels
      3. 4.10.3. Send Messages
    11. 46. Bookmark It on del.icio.us
      1. 4.11.1. Post from Your Device
      2. 4.11.2. Manage Your Device Bookmarks from Your Desktop
      3. 4.11.3. More del.icio.us
    12. 47. Use Backpack as Your Mobile Workspace
      1. 4.12.1. What Exactly Is Backpack?
      2. 4.12.2. Send Email to Your Pages
      3. 4.12.3. Have Reminders Sent to Your Device
      4. 4.12.4. Access Backpack from Your Device
    13. 48. Use Gmail as a Spam-Catcher
      1. 4.13.1. Hack the Hack
    14. 49. Use Your BlackBerry Browser to…
      1. 4.14.1. Search Google
      2. 4.14.2. Log In to Yahoo!
      3. 4.14.3. Stay in the Game with ESPN
      4. 4.14.4. Control the Universe with pdaPortal
      5. 4.14.5. Go Mobile at BlackBerry.com
      6. 4.14.6. Geek Out with Slashdot
      7. 4.14.7. Shop at Amazon.com
      8. 4.14.8. Control Your Home
      9. 4.14.9. Additional Sites
    15. 50. Find Your Way with a GPS
      1. 4.15.1. Get Started with TeleNav
      2. 4.15.2. Navigate to an Address
      3. 4.15.3. Find the Closest Coffee Shop
      4. 4.15.4. Imagine the Places You’ll Go
  7. 5. Free Programs
    1. 5.1. Hacks 51–59: Introduction
    2. 51. Get Fast and Free Mobile Search
      1. 5.2.1. Set Up Your Addresses
      2. 5.2.2. Search
      3. 5.2.3. Yellow and White Pages
      4. 5.2.4. Web Searches
      5. 5.2.5. Movies
      6. 5.2.6. Shopping
      7. 5.2.7. Yellow Page Search Tricks
      8. 5.2.8. Web Search Tricks
      9. 5.2.9. Extend Berry 411
    3. 52. Store Your Passwords Securely
      1. 5.3.1. Set Up the Password Keeper Password
      2. 5.3.2. Add an Entry to Password Keeper
    4. 53. Skin Your Device
      1. 5.4.1. Installing the Themes
      2. 5.4.2. Changing Themes
    5. 54. Run a Stress Test
      1. 5.5.1. Install BenchmarkMagic
      2. 5.5.2. Put It Through the Wringer!
    6. 55. Install a Planetarium
      1. 5.6.1. Download the Program
      2. 5.6.2. Start Your Career as an Astronomer
      3. 5.6.3. Browse by Constellation
      4. 5.6.4. Get Your Bearings
    7. 56. Rein In Your Backlight
      1. 5.7.1. Install and Use BBLight
      2. 5.7.2. Backlight Settings
    8. 57. Use Multiple Reply-to Addresses
      1. 5.8.1. Install BBReply
      2. 5.8.2. Use BBReply
    9. 58. Shop Amazon.com
      1. 5.9.1. Search Amazon.com
      2. 5.9.2. Purchase an Item
    10. 59. Manage Your eBay Auctions
      1. 5.10.1. Configure Abidia Wireless
      2. 5.10.2. Use the Program
      3. 5.10.3. Interpret the Search Results
      4. 5.10.4. Sync with My eBay
  8. 6. Shareware Apps
    1. Hacks 60–71: Introduction
    2. 60. Display a BlackBerry Today View
      1. 6.2.1. Install PocketDay
      2. 6.2.2. PocketDay Features
      3. 6.2.3. Use Advanced Features
      4. 6.2.4. Use SpeedDial in PocketDay
    3. 61. Sync Your BlackBerry to Your Mac
    4. 62. Send Voice Emails from Your Device
      1. 6.4.1. Sign Up for pda2speak
      2. 6.4.2. What the Recipient Receives
    5. 63. Fax from Your BlackBerry
      1. 6.5.1. Fax the Hard Way
      2. 6.5.2. Fax the Easy Way
    6. 64. Sync Memos over the Air Without a BES
      1. 6.6.1. Create an Account
      2. 6.6.2. Create Memos on the Web
      3. 6.6.3. Create Notes on Your Device
      4. 6.6.4. Sync Your Notes
      5. 6.6.5. See Also
    7. 65. Spellcheck Outgoing Messages
      1. 6.7.1. Install bbSpell
      2. 6.7.2. Spellcheck a Message
    8. 66. Try a Third-Party Web Browser
      1. 6.8.1. Install and Use WebViewer
      2. 6.8.2. Unique Features
    9. 67. Try Another Email Program
      1. 6.9.1. Install and Use EmailViewer
      2. 6.9.2. Send and Receive Messages
      3. 6.9.3. Other Features
    10. 68. Edit Office Documents
      1. 6.10.1. eOffice Versions
      2. 6.10.2. Use eOffice
      3. 6.10.3. Edit and Save Attachments
      4. 6.10.4. The eWorks
    11. 69. Display a Slideshow
      1. 6.11.1. Install Berry Pix
      2. 6.11.2. Add Images to Your Device
      3. 6.11.3. Let the Slide Show Begin
      4. 6.11.4. Make Adjustments
    12. 70. Get Real-Time Stock Quotes and Charts
      1. 6.12.1. Quotestream
      2. 6.12.2. Use Quotestream
      3. 6.12.3. Real-Time Stock Charts
      4. 6.12.4. Level II Data
      5. 6.12.5. Set Alerts
      6. 6.12.6. Modify on Desktop, View on Handheld
      7. 6.12.7. See Also
    13. 71. Track Your Fitness
      1. 6.13.1. Use a Running Log
      2. 6.13.2. Track Your Caloric Intake Versus Exercise
  9. 7. BES Administration
    1. 7.1. Hacks 72–84: Introduction
    2. 72. Add Users to the BES in Bulk
      1. 7.2.1. Generate the Mailbox File
      2. 7.2.2. Import the File
    3. 73. Lock Down Your BlackBerry
      1. 7.3.1. Set Owner Information
      2. 7.3.2. Set Up a Password and Security Timeout
      3. 7.3.3. Lock a BlackBerry Remotely
    4. 74. Test Your SRP Connection
      1. 7.4.1. Run bbsrptest.exe
      2. 7.4.2. Run bbsrptest.exe from Your Workstation
    5. 75. Send an Alert When Your SRP Is Down
      1. 7.5.1. The Code
      2. 7.5.2. Run the Code
    6. 76. Ping a User’s BlackBerry
      1. 7.6.1. Send the Message
      2. 7.6.2. Hack the Hack
    7. 77. Track Message Delivery Time
      1. 7.7.1. Requirements for This Hack
      2. 7.7.2. Send a Test Message
      3. 7.7.3. Calculate the Delivery Time
      4. 7.7.4. Hack the Hack
    8. 78. Create Alerts for Important Users
      1. 7.8.1. The Code
      2. 7.8.2. Run the Code
      3. 7.8.3. Output
    9. 79. Move the Attachment Service
      1. 7.9.1. Set Up the Remote Attachment Service
      2. 7.9.2. Point to the Remote Service in 3.6
      3. 7.9.3. Point to the Remote Service in 4.0
    10. 80. Monitor Attachment Usage
      1. 7.10.1. Turn On Attachment Service Logging
      2. 7.10.2. Debug Log Entries
      3. 7.10.3. The Code
      4. 7.10.4. Run the Code
    11. 81. Export User Stats to a Text File
      1. 7.11.1. Install the Service
      2. 7.11.2. Export User Stats with the 4.0 Version
      3. 7.11.3. Export User Stats with the 3.6 Version
      4. 7.11.4. Parse the Output
    12. 82. Create a Web Interface for User Administration
      1. 7.12.1. Set Up the Web Server
      2. 7.12.2. The Code
      3. 7.12.3. Run the Code
      4. 7.12.4. Hack the Hack
    13. 83. Set Owner Info for All Devices
      1. 7.13.1. Set the Owner Info Using the GUI
      2. 7.13.2. Set the Owner Info Using the Command Line
      3. 7.13.3. Hack the Hack
    14. 84. Query the BES 4.0 Database
      1. 7.14.1. The Code
      2. 7.14.2. Run the Code
      3. 7.14.3. Output
  10. 8. The Web and MDS
    1. 8.1. Hacks 85–93: Introduction
    2. 85. Control Access to Certain Sites
      1. 8.2.1. Hack the Proxy Settings in BES 3.6
      2. 8.2.2. Use the Advanced Features in BES 4.0
      3. 8.2.3. Hack the Hack
    3. 86. Track MDS HTTP Requests
      1. 8.3.1. The Code
      2. 8.3.2. Run the Code
    4. 87. Detect BlackBerry Browser Requests the Right Way
      1. 8.4.1. The Old Way
      2. 8.4.2. A Better Way
      3. 8.4.3. See Also
    5. 88. Make Your Web Sites BlackBerry Friendly
      1. 8.5.1. Don’t Use Frames
      2. 8.5.2. Limit Your Use of JavaScript
      3. 8.5.3. Use Images Wisely
      4. 8.5.4. Don’t Use Tables for Layout
      5. 8.5.5. Test It Out
      6. 8.5.6. Make BlackBerry-Friendly Sites from Scratch
        1. 8.5.6.1. XHTML and CSS.
        2. 8.5.6.2. Use tags properly.
        3. 8.5.6.3. Avoid deeply nested tables like the plague.
        4. 8.5.6.4. Make your pages small.
      7. 8.5.7. See Also
    6. 89. Browse WML from Your Desktop
      1. 8.6.1. Use Opera
      2. 8.6.2. Use the Firefox wmlbrowser Extension
    7. 90. Create a Simple Push Application
      1. 8.7.1. Enable the MDS Push Feature
      2. 8.7.2. Design Your Push Application
      3. 8.7.3. Push Type
      4. 8.7.4. The Code
      5. 8.7.5. Run the Code
      6. 8.7.6. Output
    8. 91. Delete a Push Application
      1. 8.8.1. Identify Your Application
      2. 8.8.2. The Code
      3. 8.8.3. Running the Code
      4. 8.8.4. Output
    9. 92. Push Install Applications
      1. 8.9.1. Prepare the Application
      2. 8.9.2. Prepare the BES
      3. 8.9.3. Assign the Policy to a Handheld
    10. 93. Simulate Any BlackBerry
      1. 8.10.1. Obtain the Software
      2. 8.10.2. Run the Simulator
      3. 8.10.3. Access the Keys
      4. 8.10.4. Browse the Web
      5. 8.10.5. Simulate Email
      6. 8.10.6. Hack the Hack
  11. 9. Application Development
    1. 9.1. Hacks 94–100: Introduction
    2. 94. Create HTTP Connections
      1. 9.2.1. Create HTTP GET Requests
      2. 9.2.2. Configure Connections to Use the MDS or Direct TCP/IP
    3. 95. Create a Simple Stock Quote Application
      1. 9.3.1. The Code
      2. 9.3.2. Run the Code
    4. 96. Integrate the Browser into a Java App
      1. 9.4.1. Launch the Browser from Java
      2. 9.4.2. The Code
      3. 9.4.3. Compile and Run the Application
      4. 9.4.4. Sign and Distribute the Application
    5. 97. Deploy BlackBerry Applications
      1. 9.5.1. Deploy via the BlackBerry Desktop Manager
        1. 9.5.1.1. Create an ALX file.
        2. 9.5.1.2. Package the application for download.
        3. 9.5.1.3. Load the application using the Desktop Manager.
      2. 9.5.2. Deploy Applications over the Air
        1. 9.5.2.1. Create a JAD file.
        2. 9.5.2.2. Package the application for an OTA download.
        3. 9.5.2.3. Download an application OTA.
      3. 9.5.3. Push Applications
    6. 98. Sign Your COD Files
      1. 9.6.1. Sign Your Application
      2. 9.6.2. Failed Signatures
      3. 9.6.3. Automated Build Script
        1. 9.6.3.1. See Also
    7. 99. Control BlackBerry Applications in the Enterprise
      1. 9.7.1. Configure the BES
      2. 9.7.2. Code the Custom Application
    8. 100. Ensure Your App Is Placed First on the Home Screen
      1. 9.8.1. Set the Icon Position
      2. 9.8.2. Position Collision
  12. About the Author
  13. Colophon
  14. Copyright

Product information

  • Title: BlackBerry Hacks
  • Author(s): Dave Mabe
  • Release date: October 2005
  • Publisher(s): O'Reilly Media, Inc.
  • ISBN: 9780596101152