OS 4.5 and Qik now working!
I can’t think of a better way to spend thanksgiving then updating the firmware on your Curve or Pearl and getting some good ole’ video loving going on with your favorite berry? If you want to try the upgrade, head over to blackberry.com/update *warning, you’ll need internet explorer to do the update*
The only thing that could make this any better is if QIK would work on your new video rocking phone. Well, guess what, it does! Or at least in Alpha anyways. Announced on the Qik Blog, qik is now supporting the curve and pearl. At least in alpha. If anyone is out shopping tonight with berry in hand, stream some video and let us see the madness. (aw who are we kidding, we’ll be fast asleep dreaming of BB accessories for Christmas!)
Annual Thanksgiving Sale
Nov 27, 2008 Deals, Games, Themes
How cool is this? It hit my inbox earlier today (and I’ve been too busy cooking to get away to post) but I wanted to share with you about the Annual bPlay thanksgiving sale. Using the coupon code THANKS30 you can get 30% off EVERYTHING at bPlay for your phone.
Now, there’s absolutely no reason for you not to pick up the amazing Fireplace animated theme for your BB. Spread a little cheer this holiday season. See the video for an example of the fireplace theme.
Tags: bPlay, discount, fireplace, holiday, thanksgiving sale
Change “5 Bar” display to signal power dBM
Nov 26, 2008 Tips & Tricks
Originally published at CrackBerry Forums by Linda_Anne
The “5 Bar” signal level display, at the top right corner of your 8820 display is, “cute,” but of little practical use as it is too vague and insensitive. With a more accurate, and sensitive way to indicate signal power, you can experiment with “how” you physically “hold” and use your BB, try an external antenna in remote locations, keep a “handle” on receiver sensitivity, etc.
A far better way to indicate cell tower signal strength is to display the actual signal power in “dBM.” This is the signal power level, in decibels, referenced to a signal power of 1 milliwatt. The level will ALWAYS be a “negative” number as your signal level will always be less than 1 milliwatt, much less.
To change your display from “5 Bars” to signal power in dBM, do the following: With one finger, hold down the ALT key on the far left. Now, with your other hand, press the letter sequence NMLL. Your display should instantly change from “5 Bar” to signal power in dBM. To revert BACK to “5 Bar,” do the same thing again.
There is ONE CAVEAT in doing this. An extremely WEAK signal, less than or equal -100 dBM, will NOT show on-screen becuz only 2 digits can be displayed. So, when your signal level gets VERY VERY weak, at, say, -99 dBM, a further drop will change the display to “-10,” then “-11″ etc, corresponding to signal powers in the -100 to -119 dBM range. This is of no real problem tho, as your phone probably wont work at that low a level anyway, BUT you can experiment with an iinduction coupled external antenna if you want. Also, it is highly unlikely you will ever see a signal level HIGHER than about -40 dBM, i.e. -39, -38, yada yada, dBM.
For those who are technically oriented, as most BB Users are, and want MORE, here is an approximate tabulation of the # of Bars vs. signal level in dBM:
- 1 bar ~ -102 to -120 dBM
- 2 Bars ~ -93 to -101 dBM
- 3 Bars ~ -87 to -92 dBM
- 4 Bars ~ -78 to -86 dBM
- 5 Bars ~ -40 to -77 dBM
Ed note: This works on ALL Blackberry models
Tags: Blackberry, dbm, hacks, signal bar
Mobile Heist!
Nov 26, 2008 Apps, Deals, Games, Themes
Woah!! 50% off all software titles?? You have to be kidding! Nope. Thats right, visit OnlyBlackberry.com and get 50% off over 40 Software titles for the blackberry.
Titles such as Ascendo DataVault, the iVista theme, Empower HTML Email Viewer PRO and more. If an app is normally $29.99 you pay $15.00. You can’t beat that with a sharp stick. Or even a slightly dulled one. Better hurry though, this sale lasts through December 1st and has to be accessed via the Magic Link!
Tags: Applications, Mobile Heist, Onlyblackberry, Software Sale
Two Free Bold Themes
Nov 25, 2008 Themes
Its almost like Christmas came early and I got the Red Ryder BB Gun I asked for! Theme designer ecruz has released two more interesting themes for the blackberry Bold over at PimpMyBerry (registration required to download) and they are pretty cool Though they take some time to get used to them.
The first is SweetHeart Buuf (you can see it in the images here, it has the brownish bg) and it has an interesting CrossBar type display on the home screen and some other nice goodies.
The second one is 9000 Alienware Project X and its a little different than most themes. The Network notification and battery are on the bottom of the screen with a crossbar menu on the main screen. From there its a fairly straight forward theme, though it does offer something a little different.
More images of the sweetheart buff in a moment, but if you want to check them out, head over to PimpMyBerry.
Tags: Blackberry, Bold, Crossbar, Free, theme
Amazing Deal on the Bold!
Nov 25, 2008 Deals
Holy crap thats a good deal! For a limited time only you can get the BlackBerry Bold (RIM’s ONLY 3g blackberry) for $149.99. Thats almost $150 cheaper than if you went to your local AT&T Wireless store to pick it up.
I can’t tell you how good of a deal this is (I just paid around $299 for one) enough. If you’ve been considering upgrading your Curve or other phone to the Bold, now’s your chance!! Get them while they’re still available! Also, get a Free Bluetooth headset with any BlackBerry Bold cell phone purchase!
Just enter coupon BDAYACCD4B02552 at checkout
Wirefly: BlackBerry Bold Smartphone – Save $250 with a new AT&T account!
Tags: Blackberry, Bold, Deal, Wirefly
MyMileMarker
Nov 21, 2008 Apps
Gone are the days of writing down your mileage and gas stops in a paper book. With Blackberries and iPhones and other smartphones reproducing daily, it only makes sense to do it the web 2.0 way, online. Right? Thats where the cool tool of MyMileMarker comes in to play. The site offers free accounts and two ways to update your mileage and fill ups. Online through a traditional web browser, or via your web enabled smartphone and their mobile (mymilemarker.com/m) site.
Granted, the mobile site is little more than a form you can fill in, but you can list multiple vehicles and specify which one you’re gassing up at the time. Its a pretty handy little thing. BlipSocial offers something similar in its blackberry app, but there isn’t any outcome of it from what I can tell while MMM actually helps forecast your future usage as well. Its kind of cool to be able to see the trend in gas prices (especially over the last couple of weeks) and locations, as well as mileage. One of the things it lacks is a way to differentiate between city and highway miles (which can vary greatly).
I had signed up for this a while ago, but I haven’t had a chance to use it as I completely forgot about it until I was going through the list of people I’m following on twitter. You can bet, I have already bookmarked the mobile site on the Bold and will be trying it shortly. I do wish there was a native Blackberry app that made it a little nicer to use (but then I’m a little picky). Who knows, maybe this will help me save money on gas by keeping a better eye on my fillups leaving some extra money in the account so that my golf clubs can actually get used sometime this decade (no, I wouldn’t call what I do playing…).
Does anyone else out there track your mileage? If so, how do YOU do it?
M3 is in beta
Tags: Gas tracking, Mile Marker, mileage, MPG
Celebrate 10 Years!
What a better way to celebrate 10 years of online app goodness then giving a discount? www.handango.com
is doing just that. Visit their app store now and use the code 10YEARS to get 15% off your purchases. How cool is that?
In case you don’t know who www.handango.com is, they are one of the LEADING online application stores for smartphones (Blackberries, the G-1, Nokia, Palm, etc.). They have an amazing library of titles and really good support. IF you’ve been meaning to pick up a copy of Mobile Bartender
or IM+ for Skype for your BlackBerry
You can download them now at Handango and use the coupon code to get even better deals!
Tags: Applications, Blackberry, Handango, IM+, mobile bartender, Skype
bPlay now Direct Billing
How sweet it is! I had a note in my inbox this morning that bPlay, everyone’s favorite Blackberry theme and game resource is now offering direct billing for AT&T, T-Mobile and Sprint subscribers. All you have to do when you check out is select the “Bill to Phone” option when checking out and VIOLA! Your download will be processed and your purchase will show up on your monthly bill. They say more providers will be added (it’d be nice to see them add Verizon wouldn’t it?) shortly.
Word to the wise, don’t use it if your company picks up the tab for your Phone!
Vibrate Anyone?
Nov 20, 2008 Tips & Tricks
One of the things I love almost as much as my Blackberry (yes, dear, I love you more than the Blackberry) is learning new tricks to use *ON* my Blackberry. I came across this gem at BerryReview today and I had to share.
If you need a quick way to switch to the vibrate profile on your BB (and in reality, who doesn’t?) simply hold down the # key (make sure your keyboard is unlocked). VIOLA! The profile will change to Vibrate. Need to change it back? Hold the # key down again. Easy Peasy.
Now, I don’t know if this works with the 8XXX models, but it does indeed work with the bold.
Edit: Doesn’t work on the 8310!
