SETTING UP YOUR BLACKBERRY
One of the best things about owning a Blackberry device is that, once you have set up your email accounts, you never have to do it again - even if you replace or lose your handset.
The Blackberry platform uses a server-side service to push email to you and to retain your settings, so configuring a new handset simply involves pushing your existing information to the new device. But the initial configuration must be carried out correctly for you to get the most from your Blackberry and its email capabilities.
FIRST-STAGE CONFIGURATION
In this chapter, we focus on configuring email accounts and other settings on the basis that your Blackberry and its service are supplied by a network provider rather than your employer.
Non-email features will apply to both types of user, but email configuration for business devices is very different. In most cases, your company's IT department will configure your device to talk to your Microsoft Exchange or Lotus Notes mailbox.
When you first power-up your BlackBerry, it will run an initial configuration wizard that lets you set information, such as the time and date, and do the basic configuration for your first email address straight from the device.
1 Select 'I Want To Create Or Add An Email Address' from the two options (we will deal with the BlackBerry Enterprise Server in a later section). Click 'Next'.
2 The screen will explain the Blackberryis going to open a web page to continue the configuration. Click 'Next'.
3 At this stage, you won't have a Blackberryweb account, so you can go ahead with configuring an email account on the device. Select the Email Accounts iink.
4 Select Add An Email Account' from the list of options. If you do not have an email account, you can choose 'Create A BlackBerry Email Address' to get a free email account linked straight to your device.
5 Enter your email address and the password you would usually use when checking your email via webmail or when you configured your desktop email client. Click 'Next'.
6 That's it - your email account is configured.
You may find the BlackBerry service cannot auto-configure your email account. This usually happens when the incoming and outgoing mail servers use odd names. If this happens to you, create a web login and follow the instructions in the next section to configure your email.
CREATE A WEB LOGIN
To access more advanced features, such as email filters and manual setup of addresses, you will need to access the web-based interface for your BlackBerry service.
If you are a first-time BlackBerry owner, you will need to create a username and password to access your mobile provider's BlackBerry web service. This is done from your device.
1 From the initial setup wizard (if you are not doing this the first time you power-up the device, the wizard can be found in the Setup folder on your home screen), select the Email Setup option.
2 Select 'I Want To Create Or Add An Email Address' from the two options. Click 'Next'.
3 The next screen explains the BlackBerry is going to open a web page to continue the configuration. Click 'Next'.
4 Select the link marked 'Create New Account'.
5 Choose a suitable username and password. If your username is already taken, you will be prompted to choose again.
6 That's it. You can now log in via the website. The address to use is normally sent to you via an email or a text message on completion of this step. If you don't receive one, call your mobile provider.
Transferring your contacts from one phone to another can be a chore, but you can do this simply on a BlackBerry.
You can store basic address-book information for between 100 and 200 people on your SIM.
Your Blackberry has more storage space for such things and allows you to hold multiple records for each contact, such as phone numbers, email addresses, postal addresses and important dates such as birthdays and anniversaries.
If you previously stored names and numbers on the SIM card, you can continue to access these details straight from the card. However, it is easier to import that data to the BlackBerry.
From the Setup folder, choose the initial setup wizard, then select 'Import SIM Card Contacts'. You will receive a prompt to make sure you want to do this - select 'Yes'.
When this is completed, you can edit and add information to contacts, or merge SIM card contacts with those synched with your computer.
SET UP WI-FI
If your new Blackberry has Wi-Fi and you are in range of a hotspot you have access to, you can use this to supplement the 3G or GPRS data connection.
Wi-Fi-based internet access is usually faster than even 3G and it will preserve your handset's battery life if the signal is strong.
Setting up a Wi-Fi connection is very simple and is also aided by a wizard. If the access point or hotspot you are planning to connect to uses WEP or WPA security, make sure you have the password, also known as a key.
1 From the setup wizard, select 'Set Up Wi-Fi'.
2 Read the explanation of how Wi-Fi can benefit your Blackberry use , then click 'Set Up'.
3 The next screen contains more basic information about Wi-Fi. There is a tick box you can select if you want to disable this screen. This is worth doing if you are comfor?able with how Wi-Fi works and how to set up a connection. Click 'Next'.
4 On this screen, you have four options, but 'Scan For Networks' is the feature you will use most to find a Wi-Fi connection. If you are an advanced user and the hotspot you are planning to connect to does not broadcast its name (known as an SS1D), use 'Manually Add Network'. Otherwise, select 'Scan for Networks'.
5 Your Blackberry will look for hotspots and display the results as a list. Pick the one you want.
6 If it is an unsecured network, you are done - just save the settings and connect. If it is a secure network, you will be prompted to enter the key. Do this and click 'Save'.
7 That's it - you are up and running, and your Blackberry will connect to that Wi-Fi hotspot whenever it is in range.
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