Me and My BlackBerry

Bye Bye Blackberry

2010-12-27T12:18:00.000-08:00

I know this blog hasn't been the most active, but it has had some regular visitors and to you guys (both of you) its time to say goodbye.

I have finally moved from Blackberry to Android and bought a new HTC Desire.

There won't be much activity on this blog regarding either phone or OS so if you want to stay in touch visit one of my other blogs on the right.

SportyPal - Graph

2010-10-11T10:09:00.001-07:00

I thought I would also blog this screen capture of my journey home this evening using SportyPal.

This map clearly shows my journey as I started to work from the office to my car. Then slowly leaving town and picking up speed until reaching a roundabout near home.

Finally the quickest part of the journey followed by my arrival at home.

Great free little application...

Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device...

SportyPal Software

2010-10-11T10:03:00.001-07:00

The above screen capture is the result of my first sample work out with SportyPal.

This free application for the Blackberry can track mileage, speed, distance covered and approximate calories burned during the course of a workout.

This 'workout' was my car journey home, hence the average speed and the zero calories. It also highlights that this can also be used to track mileage.

Great free app which will come in handy as I am a sales rep and may just get me off the sofa from time to time to burn some calories!

Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device...

Boscombe

2010-08-27T09:55:00.001-07:00

Not a bad end to a week of rubbish weather. Have a great bank holiday those that are travelling to Dorset this weekend...

Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device...

Latest UberTwitter

2010-08-23T23:16:00.001-07:00

Now with more colours Ubertwitter looks great in Red on my 8900.

Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device...

Twitter

2010-06-08T08:51:00.000-07:00

I use Ubertwitter on my BlackBerry and I really like it. The internet is not so great on the small screen, but I use Ubertwitter to fave Tweets with long links I want to read more closely.

Twitter mainly keeps me updated with video games and tech news, design and photography links as well as the handful of obligatory celebs and social media gurus.

Ubertwitter is definitely the best I have tried on the Blackberry and it supports multiple Twitter accounts.

Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device...

Viigo

2010-05-25T02:53:00.000-07:00

Since Twitter I only use Viigo for weather updates. I wonder how many other feed readers have suffered because of Twitter?

What do you use for weather on your Blackberry? Is there a free weather only app that I should be using?

Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device...

Capture It

2010-05-24T07:47:00.000-07:00

I just installed Capture It from Techmogul.com. This great and just what I have searching for for ages.

At the click of a button you can capture the contents of your screen. For the moment I have set a quick button to operate the application.

A quick press takes a snapshot and then the BlackBerry vibrates to let you know that it has finished. Great little app.

Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device...

Pink-berry

2010-04-09T11:06:00.000-07:00

This is my daughter after having her face painted this weekend.

Besides her being super cute, I think this shot shows how good the Blackberry 8900 camera is when it has good light.

I actually used this picture as my PC desktop this week.

Off to London this weekend - will try to post some photos on the go...

Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device...

Frozen Pond

2010-01-03T04:18:00.000-08:00

A frozen pond at Lydiard Park in Swindon Wiltshire UK.

Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device...

Modern Warfare 2 Accolade Screenshot

2010-01-02T11:01:00.000-08:00

I joined the game about 3 mins in and set about my best ever round.

Using the newly unlocked M16 (a fave from COD4) I got 4 quick kills which started my kill streak rewards.

My first was a Predator and I can't be sure but I think I got 3 with it. Next was the Harrier Strike - I lost count and quickly also called in the Pavelow Helicopter.

Once I realised this was beginning to look like a good round I sat tight and let my air craft do the work. I finished with 22 kills, 1 assist and no deaths!

Awesome!

Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device...

Spillers

2009-11-21T09:45:00.000-08:00

I was in Cardiff today for the rugby - took a quick snap of Spillers Record shop. Spillers is said to be the oldest record shop in the world.

Google it - I believe the shop is over 100 years old.

Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device...

My Favourite PS3 Trophy

2009-11-11T15:42:00.000-08:00

Do I really need to say why this is my fave? Infinity Ward have had a bit of fun with trophies and rewards in Modern Warfare 2.

Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device...

Well maybe just broke...

2009-10-03T00:28:00.000-07:00

I like my gadgets too much, Blackberry, DSLR, PS3, PSP, laptop - not enough money to get 'piston'.

This photo of course is of the bonnet / hood of some stupidly painted recovery vehicle.

Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device - how cool is that!!!

Kennet, Marlborough on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

2009-07-02T15:14:00.000-07:00

Taken with my Blackberry. First posted to Flickr from Blackberry and now blogged from Flickr.

This is a beautiful spot off the high street in Marlborough, Wiltshire.

What not to do with your BlackBerry...

2009-06-25T06:10:00.000-07:00

When should or shouldn't you use your BlackBerry?

I know that I now find myself checking emails while watching TV or catching up on inane Tweets whilst waiting to be served in a bar; but there should be some rules for business users on BlackBerry's or other smart phone usage.

In a social scenario you make you own rules but in business it should be different. Using a BlackBerry in a meeting to do anything other than schedule your next meeting should be a big no no.

“People mistakenly think that tapping is not as distracting as talking,” she said. “In fact, it can be every bit as much if not more distracting. And it’s pretty insulting to the speaker.”

The article below opens talking about a top CEO playing a game on his iPhone while in a meeting!

Mind Your BlackBerry or Mind Your Manners - NYTimes.com.

Facebook for BlackBerry Version 1.6 Launches!

2009-06-23T05:44:00.000-07:00

From Inside BlackBerry - "After the release of Facebook® for BlackBerry® smartphones version 1.5 you told us we were missing some important features in our application, like the ability to view Photos and Profiles. Well, we’ve been working hard and are excited to have these features available for you now in the new Facebook for BlackBerry version 1.6 release."

Anyone tried the new Facebook App version 1.6 yet? I like the new picture support - looks very good.

I haven't been prompted by version 1.5 to update, so what should I do?

Inside BlackBerry - The Official BlackBerry Blog: Facebook for BlackBerry Version 1.6 Launches!

Google Calendar

2009-06-11T14:47:00.000-07:00

It was easy to set up and is a great way of making an extra back up of contacts and calendar events. But in reality Google Calendar simply doesn't work.

Installation was easy, its a simple app that bolts on to your calendar and contacts. Synching can be manual or automatic and within moments I had a back up of my contacts integrated into my Gmail address book.

The calendar side of things simply isn't as smooth. Events disappear for no reason (for some reason it refuses to remember my birthday) and some events are truncated; such as holidays / vacations. Set it up for a week and for some reason only the first day is displayed on my Blackberry.

Very simple application with ome neat features, but I won't go on any further because its buggy.

If you want to have a look yourself visit http://m.google.com/sync from your Blackberry.

Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device - how cool is that!!!

Does anyone remember when Green Day were good?

2009-06-05T00:26:00.000-07:00

Haven't heard the latest album yet but I haven't been impressed with Green Day for years.
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device - how cool is that!!!

Megan Fox as Wonder Woman

2009-05-05T08:59:00.000-07:00

I know this is old news but what a picture and what a thought.

I am not sure they will ever make a Wonder Woman movie, it won't star Megan Fox though she would look great in that outfit. Perhaps Kate Bekinsale! Who knows.

In the mean time we can just marvel at the wonder of the woman above. This also makes a great Blackberry wallpaper by the way...

Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device - how cool is that!!!

Q Magazine

2009-05-02T14:15:00.000-07:00

I like Q, great interviews and band/artist photography.

Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device - how cool is that!!!

Scenery in motion

2009-04-28T09:51:00.000-07:00

This would have looked so much better if I wasn't on a bus!!!

Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device - how cool is that!!!

Marketing Tactics

2009-04-27T11:11:00.000-07:00

Were Kellogs thinking of Megan Fox when they put this on the back a cereal box? I know its what I am thinking when I see it.

The orange cropped top, jeans with white belt and of course the tantalising tanned midrif... As I said, I am thinking about Megan Fox.

Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device - how cool is that!!!

Spring has sprung

2009-04-04T07:06:00.000-07:00

Springs bounce - blackberrys don't. Dropped my 8900 this morning, a few scratches but no real harm done...

Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device - how cool is that!!!

Those who can... Teach

2009-03-18T09:30:00.001-07:00

I haven't posted in a little while; I have been too busy Twittering (http://www.twitter.com/tim_71) nonsense about rugby and my failed attempts at playing computer games on line.

Does anyone know why the language typing indicator appears on my screen? I don't remember it being there last week!

By the way - the picture above is my current wallpaper...

Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device - how cool is that!!!

Ice Ice Baby!

2009-02-23T00:22:00.000-08:00

Its about 2 weeks since the snow and ice; it looks like someone finally and literally rolled out the signs.

There was nothing when it was actually icy!!

Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device - how cool is that!!!

Heroes is back on!

2009-02-21T00:02:00.000-08:00

Heroes is back on Monday!

After a long break over Christmas Heroes is finally back - I can't remember what was going on but who cares. Clare, Sylar, Hiro and the Pitrellis will be back to save the world and its gonna be full of explosions, telepathy, flying, healing and time travel!

Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device - how cool is that!!!

Using your BlackBerry to Twitter

2009-02-18T07:45:00.000-08:00

I have tried some applications on my BlackBerry such as Facebook and Flickr and they have worked great. They cut down the clutter of controls and give you just what you need on your phone.

So when it came to Twitter I thought that a mobile app would be easy to install and run.

I tried Twitterberry briefly but couldn't it to validate my Twitter account. So I have gone with the browser option which works perfectly.

Simply use the browser on your BlackBerry and point it to http:/m.twitter.com fill in your username and password. Remember to book mark it and away you go. Thanks to cookies you don't need to log in every time - if anyone knows why I should persist with TwitterBerry please let me know.

All that is left for you to do now is Twitter something of interest or get some friends that are interested in what you are having for lunch!

Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device - how cool is that!!!

Family walk in the snow

2009-02-08T06:21:00.000-08:00

We took a walk up on the downs on the way back from Subway, oh yes we know how to eat out in style.

Its not cold today and it has even started to rain. I think the snow will be mostly gone from Wiltshire tomorrow...
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device - how cool is that!!!

You can never be too careful!

2009-02-05T03:56:00.000-08:00

Yes, we have had more snow today so the storm troopers went out to play. It was rather deep in places!

Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device - how cool is that!!!

Silbury Hill near Marlborough covered in snow.

2009-02-04T07:35:00.000-08:00

Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device - how cool is that!!!

A different kind of snowman...

2009-02-04T02:31:00.000-08:00

I know its silly but when you have a blank canvas you simply have to use it...

Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device - how cool is that!!!

2nd Feb, Snow!

2009-02-02T05:28:00.000-08:00

Its snowing! Doesn't happen too often in Wiltshire so it needs to be recorded!

Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device - how cool is that!!!

Not a toy

2009-01-31T10:19:00.000-08:00

Time to send another photo. The 3.2 mega pixel camera is actually really good at close ups or macros.

Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device - how cool is that!!!

8900 Wallpapers

2009-01-30T08:00:00.000-08:00

The screen on the BlackBerry 8900 is fantastic. Its a bright 480x360 and is perfect for movies and photos. If you are anything like me you will be changing the wallpaper every few days. The picture above is my current wallpaper, downloaded from here:

http://www.blackberryforums.com/media-center/166390-8900-wallpapers.html

Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device - how cool is that!!!

Facebook - on your BlackBerry

2009-01-28T07:37:00.001-08:00

Hooked on Facebook? Now you can take Facebook with you on your BlackBerry smart phone wherever you go and stayed logged in as long as you want.

Download this free application and take connecting with your friends to a whole new level. With Facebook for BlackBerry smart phones, you have wireless access to:

• Home screen notifications — so you know right away when you have a new Facebook event like a wall post, message or poke
• The full text of new messages or wall posts, new photo tags and friend requests. Plus send your own messages, wall posts, pokes and friend requests
• Your Facebook status and the Facebook status of your friends — change yours from the road!
• All of your Facebook contacts on your BlackBerry smart phone
• Photo-sharing — simply snap a picture with your BlackBerry smart phone's camera, then post it to Facebook with one click.
• The Facebook environment you're already familiar with, optimised for your BlackBerry smart phone.

http://eu.blackberry.com/eng/devices/features/social/facebook.jsp

Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device - how cool is that!!!

BlackBerry Internet Service (BIS)

2009-01-28T02:59:00.001-08:00

BlackBerry Internet Service (BIS) is the place where you manage your email accounts for your BlackBerry smart phone. The log in is provided by your mobile network/contract provider (in my case O2) though the service is run by RIM (Research In Motion) the BlackBerry manufacturers.

Each network will have a specific log in page such as the one in the picture for O2 – the URL is below. Once you have logged in you can add or delete email accounts and manage how they forward or don't forward emails. You can set exceptions and rules for specific email addresses and you can also edit your email footer.

There's not a lot else to it to be honest, but you should register. I used it to change my auto footer and to set some rules for my Gmail account.

https://bis.eu.blackberry.com/html?brand=o2mailuk
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device - how cool is that!!!

BlackBerry PIN...

2009-01-20T06:36:00.001-08:00

The following very useful information comes from Craig Johnston at BlackBerry.com.

http://crackberry.com/10-things-you-should-know-about-using-blackberry

Every BlackBerry has a unique number called a PIN number. This number is part of the BlackBerry itself and cannot be changed, even if you switch the SIM card. When you receive your new BlackBerry, one of the first things you should so, is find out it's PIN number.

To do this, find the Options icon (depending on the theme you are using, this could be under a folder on the BlackBerrys home screen, or right on the home screen. Click on Options, and scroll down to Status and click that. On the Status screen you will see your PIN number.

Unbeknown to you as a BlackBerry user, every time something is sent or received on your BlackBerry, your BlackBerrys PIN number is used. Browsing the internet, sending and receiving emails, etc. Now as a BlackBerry user, you do not need to know this, however there are some advantages to knowing your BlackBerry PIN, and your friend's or colleges PINs.

If you know a friend or colleagues PIN number, you can actually compose a message to them, using their PIN number in the To field instead of their email address. When you send a message to someone's PIN number, the message goes straight from your BlackBerry to theirs instantly. If you send an email, that email must travel the path of any other email. Sending a PIN message, as it is called, is the fastest method of BlackBerry-to-BlackBerry communication. In addition, when a PIN message is delivered to the recipient's BlackBerry, you receive back a delivery confirmation in the form of a little "D" that appears next o the check mark.

PIN-to-PIN communication can be very useful in the corporate world too. Because sending a PIN message does not rely on your company's BlackBerry server, or email servers, so in the event of an outage, you can continue to communicate, as long as you know people's PIN numbers.

Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device

I have the dentist today...

2009-01-18T23:24:00.001-08:00

Sounds obvious, but my BlackBerry has just reminded me that I have the dentist today. Most phones these days will give you this feature but I have never really used a phone to remind me of anything other than birthdays.

The larger screen and different viewing options definitely make organising on a blackberry much easier.

Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device

Out with the old...

2009-01-17T07:56:00.000-08:00

This is mainly a test post to see if attached pictures are blogged correctly. However it is also a symbolic blog post as today the old Palm Zire has been confined to the old toys drawer!

Now to hit send and view the post...

Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device

Email

2009-01-16T07:48:00.000-08:00

No surprises that this was the first service I set up and it was a breeze!

There's an Email Setup option on your home screen, but I followed the instructions in the setup wizard. You can either do this when you first configure your phone or you can find the option in the menu at a later stage.

Simply clicking on the email button will prompt you to set up an account. When you reach the email setup screen of the setup wizard, select "I want to create or add an email address" and click NEXT.

You must then accept the Terms and Conditions or license agreement. Click I Agree! Now to integrate an email address you already use (I used GMAIL), enter your full email address and the password for that email account then click NEXT.

Your email service provider, in my case Google, will send back a notification confirming that the email has been successfully added. Then click OK once more. You are now able to send and receive emails with that account. I get all my GMAIL's delivered to my BlackBerry; they stay available on line. You have the option of deleting emails on your handheld alone or both handheld and online.

It's easy.

Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device

First Post - What am I doing?

2009-01-15T05:06:00.001-08:00

So this week I upgraded my phone contract and decided to get a BlackBerry.

Firstly I love it! Phone, email, web, facebook, RSS feeds, camera all in my hand/pocket. I know this isn't new technology but it's all new to me and I am jumping in with both feet - including starting a blog.

What's the blog about? Well, me and my BlackBerry of course - how I get on with it, my thoughts on the applications I use,links to other BB sites and articles and also I plan to upload photos.

Come back soon!

Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device