With file sharing BitTorrent site ThePirateBay.org in the news lately, I can’t help but think of how to best harness the power of BitTorrent from your BlackBerry device.

When I began exploring the issue, I was keen on the idea of bypassing the PC altogether and downloading files straight to my device. Unfortunately, my search for a BitTorrent client for the BlackBerry OS came up negative. A native BitTorrent client (if available) would be useful to the few users with robust data plans, the latest devices and a large memory cards. Also, with all the wireless security and firewalls the BlackBerry has built in, it may be a bit difficult to develop a client.
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It depends how much time you have to look into it. For OSX it was a two step process, I didn’t install any 3rd party apps or even the blackberry desktop manager (don’t even know if they make it for mac) but I did have to add a “modem script” to osx so that it can use the blackberry as a Bluetooth data modem, essentially the equivalent of installing a driver in windows. Once that was done, I just had to create a new dial-up connection, select the modem, put the APN, username and password (all of which are dependent and unique to the cell phone provider, Rogers in my case). After it’s all set and done, I literally just hit connect, wait 3 seconds and I’m online via Bluetooth

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BlackBerry batteries are not easy to get out. Here’s a very simple way to reboot without having to go to the trouble.

1. Press ALT+CAP+Backspace to reboot your stuck BlackBerry.
2. As soon as the screen comes back up, press ALT+CAP+Backspace again.
3. Check it is functioning. If it comes back to life, you don’t need to remove the batteries.

• Note: The first time you press ALT+CAP+Backspace, your Blackberry will release your cell connection and re-acquire. In order to truly reboot your Blackberry, press ALT+CAP+Backspace, and as soon as the screen comes back up, press ALT+CAP+Backspace again.
• On the 8310, this only works if you press the right hand caps key.

Upgrading to a Blackberry will drastically improve your efficiency. It can be a little frustrating at the same time. There is an adjustment period. You must learn to adapt to the BlackBerrry Interface. In this article we will focus on how to import SIM contacts into your new Blackberry.

1. From the Main Menu (the default screen)with the track ball select the Setup Wizard. To select an icon simply push down on the track ball.
2. You will now be in the Setup Wizard. The fourth line down will say “Import SIM Card Contacts. In most cases it will be selected upon entering the wizard.Select this option.
3. You will be asked if you would like to copy contacts now. Select yes with the trackball by highlighting the yes option and pressing down on the trackball.
4. Click Next.
5. Your Contacts have been added to your phone.

Do you have an online calendar to keep track of your busy schedule? Online calendars are a great way to electronically keep track of your daily obligations, but what about those times when you are away from your computer? For example, when you are traveling, walking outside, in a meeting, at the gym etc. you aren’t going to have your computer at your side to remind you about certain events. Most people have a cell phone that they have with them at all times. So why not put your calendar into your cell phone so that you can have access to it whenever you are away from your computer. Using the BlackBerry Pearl, I am going to teach you how to use google software to sync your google calendar on your computer to your Blackberry Cell Phone.

1. Start the process by accessing Google online. If you don’t have an account already you will need a Google account to make a calendar.
2. Search for Google Mobile in the search field.
3. Enter the Google Mobile webpage and there you will see options for cell phone types. I have a Blackberry so I will be teaching how to sync your calendar to that phone type, but it is possible to sync a Google calendar to other phone types with internet access.
4. Click the Blackberry link and in the top right hand side of the page, enter your cell phone number into the light blue box and click “send link to my phone”
5. After this, a text message will be sent to your phone, open the message and click on the link in the text.
6. On your cell phone, scroll to the link that says “install now” and click on it.
7. On the next page, you will have the option to download the software. Click “download”.
   • Your phone will then start to download the software.
8. After the download is complete, you will be asked to reboot your phone, and it will give you the option to select “reboot”.
   • This make take a moment or two.
9. Once your phone has restarted, there will be an icon on the menu page that says Google Mobile App, click on this.
10. This will open up a Google page, but the calendar option is not on this one, so you will need to scroll to the right and click “more”.
11. On this page the calendar option is visible, click on “calendar”.
12. On this page it will ask for your Google email address and your password, enter these and click “log in”.
    • From there, the calendar software will download and your calendar on your phone will sync automatically whenever you make changes on your phone’s calendar or on your computer’s calendar.

1. In the messages field, click the trackwheel and select “add address” to the email as a Vcard attachment.
2. If additional VCards need to be sent, repeat the step above.
3. Send the message.
4. Inform the recipient to open the attached Vcard and add to their local address book. You’re done!

These directions were written by Shanepark2, a mod over at BBOS. It’s a very simple and quick way to fix MMS.
The downloads, mentioned in steps 1 & 2, are provided at the bottom of this post.

Here is the fix for those of you that get the blank shaded box when tring to forward an MMS picture message.
1. Download and install Crackutil
2. Download mms.cod file Zip File
3. Unzip and drop the net_rim_bb_mms.cod file in the directory C/Program Files/Crackutil
4. Right click on Crackutil desktop icon, and select “Run as Aministrator”
5. Select FILE MANIPULATION – INTERMEDIATE
6. Select Load File to Device
7. Navigate to and select net_rim_bb_mms.cod
8. Let the phone reboot and your mms problem is fixed.

For those of you having problems with Crackutil, here is the alternate way. Try using this method. It was how to fix it before the crackutil was discovered. Now keep in mine this is re installing you OS, so for safety, back up your phone.
1. Make a backup of data with D.M
2. Must have your OS installed on computer and phone
3. Go to C:\Program Files\Common Files\Research In Motion\Shared\Loader Files\9530-v4.7.0.xxx*\Java
4. Delete net_rim_bb_mms.cod
5. Plug in phone and run loader it will remove mms from phone, phone will restart with an error thats ok just leave it sit that way and up plug from usb
6. Go back to C:\Program Files\Common Files\Research In Motion\Shared\Loader Files\9530-v4.7.0.xxx*\Java
7. Copy the .100 net_rim_bb_mms.cod file in the directory
8. Plug phone back in run loader phone will update and install that mms.cod and restart.
9. After phone restarts go to D.M and restore backup then send host routing table
10. Pull battery put battery back phone restarts
11. MMS will send with pictures or forward old mms with pictures

* is your loaded OS

NOTES:
1. The mms.cod file I have is from .100, but the .86 mms.cod file works also.
2. Vista users make sure you install Crackutil as Administrator and change Compatability to Run this program as an administrator.

**Disclaimer**

If you do not feel comfortable with ANY of these steps DO NOT ATTEMPT, as this is altering you OS and can brick your phone..

Download: net_rim_bb_mms.zip

Download: CrackUtil.zip

Having a BlackBerry is one thing, but keeping it organized and in sync with all the key information stored on your Mac is another thing altogether. We looked at two software applications, in particular, that are all about syncing your BlackBerry with your Mac.

The first is PocketMac for BlackBerry, a free downloadable app that allows you to sync everything from iCal calendars and tasks to your Address Book and email from Apple Mail or Microsoft Entourage 2004 and 2008, as well as Notes and Safari bookmarks. On top of that, you can also transfer music and photos directly from your

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The Call for BlackBerry 101 Article Ideas post we ran last week got a great response – over the weeks / months ahead you’ll see a new burst of helpful how tos and guides hit the blogs that’ll further build out the knowledge base in our existing lecture series.

One of the areas where readers expressed interest in learning more was in regards to the BlackBerry web browser. For a lot of new-to-BlackBerry owners it isn’t readily clear as to how to get the most out of it. Back on New Year’s Eve we posted a must-read article called BlackBerry Browsers Explained, which walked through the basics of the native browser (the differences between Internet browser, Hotspot browser, etc.). After knowing when and how to use each browser, the next step in becoming speedy is learning the shortcuts!

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Class is in session… Today’s lesson will be on how to downgrade the OS (operating system…aka firmware aka device software) on your BlackBerry. Some of you may have chosen to upgrade to 5.0 or some other OS that isn’t just right for you. Luckily, BlackBerry smartphones are one of the easiest (in my opinion) to downgrade. I chose to upgrade to 5.0 on my Curve 8900 (using Desktop Manager 4.6) and I want to go back down to 4.6.1.168 (my favorite).

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