Category: Tips n' Tricks

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Troubleshooting Tips And Tricks For BlackBerry

By Susan C on Jul 31, 2009 in BlackBerry, RIM, Service Issues, Tips n' Tricks.

BBTrouble

There’s a really good article out about great troubleshooting tips for BlackBerry, with some great input by Al Sacco, in Computer World. RIM had listed ten of it’s own top 10 troubleshooting tips and tricks.  Al listed the popular top ten along with adding some of his comments from his experience where it was relevant.

Number One is Check your Wireless Signal Strength. The obvious is to look for bars, no bars? There’s a problem. There’s also a quick way to check on qwerty keyboard BlackBerry devices. Hold the Alt button down and at the same time type N, M, L, L. Signal strength should be between -40 and -100. If not, you don’t have enough coverage.

Number two is a Hard Reset by a Battery pull. Pull out the battery for eleven to thirty seconds then reinsert. This resolves many technical issues.

Number three is check your Wireless  Network Settings. Make sure your Network settings are correct. To find this go to Manage Connections and make sure Mobile Network is checked. Scroll down to Mobile Network Options, make sure that the Data Services are enabled and that the Mobile Network and Network Mode are set to the appropriate carrier and network options.

Number four is Register Your BlackBerry on The Wireless Network. Registering a BlackBerry with OS 4.1 or higher is easy. First go to Options/Advanced Options/ Host Routing Table. From there you click the options button, scroll down to Register Now and click. It will say Registration Sent and it will be in your messages.

Number five is Check Your BlackBerry Device’s Connection to a Computer. If you are experiencing difficulties with the BlackBerry Desktop Manager software on your computer, make sure your device is connecting correctly to the machine. To determine whether or not the device is recognized and connected to the computer, go to the BDM’s Options/Connection Settings. You should see the Device’s pin in the on-screen connection field. If you don’t see it, click the Detect button. If it succeeds, it will tell you it has been located. If not, don’t worry, you can visit RIM’s site here for more troubleshooting suggestions and tips.

Number six is Make Sure Your BlackBerry Can Receive Email. One way to test is to send yourself an email to the phone from a pc. If it’s delayed, you may experiencing latency. If it doens’t go through, you have some options. With BES, you may have to contact your BlackBerry administrator for further advice and instructions. For BIS, I usually have the owner go to email setup and sign in. Hopefully you set up a sign in and password. From here you can make sure that your email accounts are validated. If they aren’t, you need to validate them. If it’s valid and okay, the next step is to go into your service books and resend them. This clears up issues most of the time for email. For BIS users, if you don’t have a user name or password, you can call your wireless provider’s technical support for BlackBerry, and they can help you make a user name and password.

Number seven, Confirm Your BlackBerry Can Send Email, Pin Messages, and use the BlackBerry Messenger.  Send an email from your BlackBerry email to another on your device or to the same one. If it will send and receive, then you’re fine. Please confirm that you’re able to send messages by PIN by pinning yourself, and that you can send messages through the BlackBerry Messenger. You will see the check when it’s reached the other phone and a D to confirm Delivery. If you’re unable to use the services, you may need to call technical support from your provider or your BlackBerry Administrator if it is BES.

Number eight is Resend Service Books. Though I touched on this already there are three ways. One is to do it through Email Setup as I explained above. Second is to log on to the website from your pc, provided you know the web address and the username and password.  Last is to call technical support and they can do it for you. For RIM’s instructions, click here.

Number nine is to launch the BlackBerry Help App. RIM recommends using this app as they advise it is the quickest and easiest way to resolve issues. Click Help/Troubleshooting.

Number ten is Visit the BlackBerry Technical Solutions Center. RIM bundles information in “knowledge base” articles. It is one of the best places online to find resolutions to advanced issues. It’s an excellent resource for learning more about your BlackBerry device.

To add something else, in a retail wireless store, our methods of troubleshooting are similar. First we listen to what the issues are, check it out for ourselves, make sure the OS version is the most current (happy BlackBerry devices are those that are updated BlackBerry devices), clean out the phone through Options/Security Options/Memory Cleaning. Making sure memory is substancial on the device, and of course checking the reception, service signal, updating roaming capability, reregistering the device, and if it’s email related, the email accounts validatation and service books.

One of the great links I’ll include is the link to Al’s “BlackBerry Bible” from CIO.com. He has several articles pertaining to BlackBerry devices and tips and tricks to fine tune your experience with your BlackBerry.

We invite you to add to the community by sharing any tips and tricks you know that have helped you in the past and now, even it it’s like the tip of using a business card between the battery and back of the Storm. We welcome all your comments, suggestions, and questions.

[via: ComputerWorld]

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Tips And Reminders For Newbies And The Beginners

By Susan C on Jul 27, 2009 in BlackBerry, Software, Tips n' Tricks.

Bricked

With the leak of the BlackBerry Messenger 5.0 and the files available on line, there’s been a few things that are important to stress and go over for some newbies and fresh BlackBerry owners. I’m going to lead by example and share my own experience to stress why some things are important.

OS

First of all, when you have your BlackBerry please remember that the OS is very important. You should know what version your OS on your phone is. Reason being that when there are released apps, they may be compatible with your OS but not the version. For instance, I had the Curve 8330. So when the BBM 5.0’s link was sent to me, I installed it and boom! Gone! All my contacts lost in the virtual world. I had a backup, last month’s backup. And no messenger. I had to reinstall the original OS version of my bbm through the BlackBerry Desktop Manager once more. So here’s why it didn’t work. I didn’t have the compatible OS version for the 5.0 messenger. They always list what OS version they are compatible with, and there’s that reason. So to find out your OS version, go to Options/About. The third line when you click on About is your OS version. Please keep this in mind when you download an app. If the app states a different OS version, DO NOT ATTEMPT IT, or do so knowing that it may have adverse affects, from a lost app to a brick phone. And I’ve had the question: “What about the BBM 5.0 for my phone?” And I answer with “Don’t do it, it’s not compatible for your version”. And a day or two later I hear “My messenger disappeared. I turned it on and it was like that. I didn’t do anything.” Yes, I know exactly what you did, been there done that. If you follow the general guidelines and know your phone, then things will be much easier. Don’t worry, if the app isn’t ready for your OS yet, you have two options. One, wait for the app to be available for your phone. Or you can update your OS to one that’s compatible for your phone and the app, which leads me to the next section.

When installing an OS that is leaked and not from your vendor, be sure to follow instructions carefully and remember, doing it on your own means you are taking your own risk. Again, knowing what you’re doing or following instructions is very important. Being careful and watching what you do will keep your phone happy and not fubar. But even more to keep in mind, to keep you happy with the peace of mind that your phone isn’t bricked and can work. Or that you don’t lose an app that is important to you. Upgrading a leaked or borrowed OS is not for those who don’t have the instructions or someone to guide them, or if you aren’t that tech savvy.

For any others who would care to share their stories, please do. And newbies and the daring, please keep these guidelines in mind. Most tech issues are because of simple things I’ve listed. We’re not just here to share exciting news, we’re here to help make your BlackBerry experiences better and make it easier for you, and we’re all here to learn from another, and to guide each other.

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Free! ForceRadioOn App for BlackBerry – Does what it says!

By James on Jun 10, 2009 in BlackBerry, BlackBerry Sync Store, Downloads, Free Apps, Tips n' Tricks.

forceradioon-screenshot_1

So many new applications get released into the BlackBerry Sync Store on a daily basis. Yesterday I was browsing the latest software and stumbled across a new application called ForceRadioOn, which basically allows your devices radio to turn on even when the battery is extremely low. I know many times I have been stuck without being able to use my device simply because my battery only had 5% left. This new application by Fabian Heuwieser is now application for FREE in the BlackBerrry Sync Store or via our Mobile App Store.

Download ForceRadioOn from The BlackBerry Sync Store >

Download Our Mobile App Store and Get it there!

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How To Install A Theme on your BlackBerry

By Susan C on Jun 05, 2009 in BlackBerry, Guides, Themes, Tips n' Tricks.

blackberry

You finally find a theme you like, one you have to have, and you’re ready to install it. I remember when I found the Matrix, I was so thrilled! There are different types of themes out there.  I’m going to go through the ways of installing two types of themes: OTA and as a zip through the BlackBerry Desktop Manager via the PC.  The very first and easiest type of file is one that is called OTA or Over The Air. You can follow a link by text or go to a website that offers themes, or even by email and download the theme. For good measure after it’s downloaded and installed, I do a battery pull and then I go to Options>Theme and from there I scroll to my new theme and I tap the trackball. Start to back up, and it will take some time as the theme starts.

Read More

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Ringtones Tutorial: Where To Get And Use FREE Ringtones

By Susan C on Jun 03, 2009 in BlackBerry, Downloads, Guides, Tips n' Tricks.

ringtonebb

Part of the beauty of having a BlackBerry, or any smart phone, is that you don’t have to pay for ringtones any more. This is something everyone likes, and it’s true. You’ll never have to pay for ringtones again unless you choose to. So today I’m going to show you where to go, and how to download, install, and set them.

Ringtones can be expensive. I’ve seen parents actually buy a BlackBerry for a teen because of either text or ringtone download and the price. So let’s talk about some of the sites. There is Tune Us In, myxer (this one is actually my favorites and some are paid so sort through them), Fone Zoo , and mytinyphone . There are others out there, but for ringtones you will find a variety from midis to mp3 songs, and comedy voice ringtones too. And for the record, there are some movie websites too if you would like to have wav files from your fave movie. One such place is WavCentral but if you search online for movie wav files, you can find them. On mine, I have songs, and voice clips from movies by Keanu Reeves.

Okay, so now you’ve found a site, what’s next? First, you have to search the ones you want and download. Here’s the trick: to download is one thing, to save is what you want if you want to keep  it. And it’s very easy, that simple. Just make sure that the site is ligit, and if you should download a file that doesn’t work, feel free to delete it. So here’s how it will work. You search the site for ones you specify that you want. You will have three options when you click on the one you decide on: Open; Save; or Cancel. Open to listen, but you’ll have to click again to download and Save. You can find everything from Jeff Dunham’s Ahkmed to Rhianna.

So now you’ve got the ringtones you want, how do you set them? For each individual, you can go to your BlackBerry Address Book (or little Black Book as I tease customers with) and choose your contact> click the options button> choose edit> click options button again> choose Add Custom Ringtone> scroll down to the ringtone on the contact info and click on it and all your ringtones you have downloaded are there> click on your desired ringtone> click option button> click save. That’s it.

So now you want a different sound for each email, each text, etc. Fair enough, let’s head over to the horn, or sound icon. Click on the icon and scroll down, past off, and there’s Advanced. Click on that and choose your profile that has (Active) beside it. Do you see each of the choices? Click on one. The Out of Holster is simply when you have your phone out. In Holster is when it’s in the case. You can choose Tone (music or sound only), None, Vibrate, or Vibrate+Tone. Your preference there, but I never use vibrate for battery life reasons. Click on the Ring Tone and choose the ringtone, Number of Beeps is how many times to play when notifying, Repeat Notification (I always choose None), and Number of Vibrations. Go down the list, save, and continue through each choice. Now when you get an email, text, what have you, it’s going to play your choice. When I get an SMS text my phone does “Whoa” and when I receive an MMS text, my phone does “Excellent!” Just like Bill’s and Ted’s.

So have fun, go forth BlackBerry Nation and get some free ringtones and voicetones. Please share what your faves are, which sites you prefer, we’d love to read what each of us has found.

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The Basic Set Up Of Your BlackBerry

By Susan C on May 15, 2009 in BlackBerry, General, Random Thoughts, Tips n' Tricks.

blackberry

There is always your first BlackBerry, whether it be a work phone you receive, your very first purchased BlackBerry you purchase from an authorized agent, or even an online purchase. The difference in loving your BlackBerry and despising your BlackBerry all fall within the proper set up of your BlackBerry and learning from the start some of it’s capabilities. There’s so much more to a BlackBerry than just a phone with email, internet, and text. It’s a communication portal to the world. So I’m going to list the basic set up of the BlackBerry as it should be.

The first thing you’re going to do is make sure the esn activated on your account if you purchased it from online. Next you will turn your phone on and go through the programming steps. If you received it from work or purchased it from an agent, chances are that the phone is activated and programmed. The next step you will do is the Set Up Wizard. Run this icon and follow the steps. Removing other languages other than your main language is advised to save space on the phone.

The next step is to go to your messages icon. Click on the icon, and press the option or “BlackBerry” button. This is the button with the BlackBerry symbol on it. The menu will appear, scroll down to options and click the trackball. You will see General Options, click on it. Scroll down to where it has the line SMS and Email Inboxes. Click on where it says Theme Controlled and click the trackball. Choose Separate. This will separate your texts and emails. Click the option button and save. Back out and back out once more.

Next we will be going to the Options icon or the wrench. Now if any time during this set up the internet loads and asks you about email, by all means start setting up Follow the prompts in setting up your email and adding any emails you have, adding them to your phone. If it hasn’t done so yet, proceed to the Options icon. Click the Options icon, scroll to Advanced Options and tap again. From here you will have GPS as a choice, click on that. You will see Device GPS and GPS Services. On GPS Services, you can see it’s off by default. Click on the off or 911 only and change to Location on. Click the options button and save. This will enable GPS for your handset. Certain carriers do have limitations set on GPS so it may only work for certain applications. Back out, and go to the next item down, the Host Routing Table. If your internet has not loaded yet, you can click on this option, tap the options button and choose Register Now. Back out of the application, and be ready to set up your email.  Now if you are going to install a microsd card, it can be inserted on the side of the Pearl or beneath the battery of the World and Curve. Be sure the Pearl is off when inserting the card. When you turn the phone back on, go to the Options icon and click, scroll down to Media Card and click. Click the options button and choose Format Card. This will ensure the card will work with your BlackBerry. If you want to set up a key guard lock, you can go to the option Screen/Keyboard in options and click. Here you can change font, the size, the style. and light features, and the Right Side or Left Side Convenience Key can be set to keyboard lock. If you scroll down from the Media Card in the Options, you will see Theme. Clicking on it will show what themes are currently available on your phone. You can scroll and click on the theme desired. Begin to back out. It’s not freezing, it is installing your theme of choice.

Make sure you set the BlackBerry Messenger up by clicking on that icon and making sure your name shows and from here you can add any BlackBerry friends or coworkers. One important page for your browser is the BlackBerry Mobile website, from this site you can see what is available from your phone and download various apps and shortcuts for your BlackBerry, along with being able to ask a question and receive an answer that’s BlackBerry related. It’s a page that if your carrier does not have in your bookmarks, you should add. This can be downloaded here BlackBerry Mobile.

Sound and alerts are another thing that tend to  be important. Go to the sound icon which is called Profiles and looks like the sound horn icon you have on a pc. You can click on it and choose a Profile, as in Loud, Quiet, and Normal. I don’t advise Vibrate as it tends to use more battery life. If you want to set different tones for different apps, click the Profiles icon again, and scroll down past Off and you will see Advanced. Click on the Advanced option. Click on the Profile you have active. From each of these you can click on each one, click the sound for Out Of Holster and choose what type of sound from vibe to tone, next the Ring Tone, the Volume, Number of Beeps, Repeat Notification if you want it by Led Flashing or None, and Number of Vibrations. You have the In Holster options beneath that, and these are the sounds while the phone is in a case or holster. Click the option button, save, and back out. Choose your sounds for your apps and back out when you’re done.

This is just a basic set up, now you can get familiarize yourself with your phone, get comfortable, and will be able to start downloading ringtones, themes, and apps. This set up will ensure a more comfortable experience from the start with your BlackBerry and allow you to personalize it.

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Tip: How to use Messaging Shortcuts on a SureType Keyboard

By James on May 13, 2009 in BlackBerry, Pearl 8100 Series, Pearl Flip 8200 Series, RIM, Tips n' Tricks.

blackberry-pearl-8100

I decided to check up and see how RIM’s new official blog “Inside BlackBerry” was coming along. One of the writers over there by the name of Mark, who is the email expert posted some great tips on how to use SureType shortcuts. SureType is a great system designed by RIM to simplify and condense your keyboard. One of the first tips I offer new people coming to the SureType input method is DO NOT watch the display when typing. Trust me this will help you a lot when learning. Anyway Mark has written the basics on how the shortcuts work with the SureType keyboard. Here’s a quick example: You’re in your messages folder and you just scrolled all the way to the bottom and you don’t feel like rolling your trackball back up hundreds of emails, well all you have to do is following one of these shortcuts below.

Press 1 – Move to the top of the open message, or the top of the message list (newest message)
Press 7 – Move to the bottom of the open message, or bottom of the message list (oldest message)
Press 3 – Move one screen up in the open message / message list
Press 9 – Move one screen down in the open message / message list
Press 4 – Previous Day Open the previous message
Press 6 – Next Day Open the next message

Hopefully this helps out any of the readers out there who are using a Pearl or Pearl Flip…

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How To Upgrade Your BlackBerry OS, Step By Step

By Susan C on May 03, 2009 in BlackBerry, Guides, Software, Tips n' Tricks.

blackberry_logo_preferred_colour_r

One of the most beneficial things you can do to keep your BlackBerry happy and running smoothly is to keep everything upgraded. Not only your apps as they come out, but your Desktop Manager and OS as well. There is always a reason why there’s an upgrade available and you should always be sure to take advantage of them. So I am going to go over the steps on how to do this painlessly and headache free. The items that will be required are a pc, the usb cord that connects your phone to the pc, and 45 minutes. Please be aware that there are two things to consider that are very important: First, do know that you will be without service for about 45 minutes at the most, and second whatever you do, DO NOT DISCONNECT your phone until the process is complete. You will see the hourglass several times and the phone will turn on and off, but resist the temptation to unplug. Otherwise, your phone will be fubar or will not complete.  So without any more warnings, let’s begin.

THE DESKTOP MANAGER

First step will be to update your BlackBerry Desktop Manager. The latest is 4.7, but I prefer 4.6. The software is an updated version of what came with your BlackBerry at purchase. You can go here and fill out the information. This download takes a while to download and install and the time for this is not part of the 45 minutes I spoke about earlier.n When it is installed remember BIS or Personal is for most consumer use, BES or Enterprise is for business users, make sure that you are installing the correct Manager.  Next you will plug your phone in and let the drivers install.

PREPARATION

This is a very important step so we’re going to go to the basics and pre-upgrade part. Make sure the phone is set to an official RIM theme prior to upgrade. If you have downloaded and installed other themes, be aware that some may not work on the new OS. Make note of any passwords and third party activation codes, as the codes will not come over. You will have to reenter all the codes and passwords, so make sure your apps are current. As a precaution I usually do a backup of my phone prior to the upgrade.

LET THE UPGRADE BEGIN

The most common recommended way to upgrade is go through your carrier’s software download site, or you can go here. Make sure you choose Enterprise or All Others to upgrade, it will ask for your carrier and handset, and follow the prompts. You may need to allow installation of the installer on your pc, allow the installation, make sure your phone is connected to the pc by the cord, and continue. The installer is going to populate the pin and ask for a password, if you haven’t set up one, leave it blank and click ok or next.

The InstallShield Wizard for BlackBerry will appear, click Next and then choose the country you are located. Accept the terms of service and click Next. It’s going to back up all your programs and phone and then wipe the phone out and then move everything back on. It will search for the upgrades available and let you know if there is one available, and ask you if you want to install the available upgrade. Click Update Now and a summary page will come up showing spefic apps to be included. Be sure to go through and check what you do want and uncheck what you don’t. Some of your apps may not be checked so please go through this before moving on. From this point on, DO NOT UNPLUG your handset. If the InstallShield asked to start the Desktop Manager, be sure to hit the Options tab beneath the Data Preservation and Device Backup and be sure the Backup Device Data Automatically During the Installation Process box is checked. Hit ok. Also click on Advanced tab on the right side of the desktop Manager to add or update apps that weren’t included in the default list. Any apps you may have deleted in the past that you would like back from the BlackBerry apps can be checked and added on in the upgrade process. When you click Next, you should see an Application Loader summary page that explains how your device will be wirelessly activated and registered with your carrier after the new OS, don’t worry, this should happen automatically when the process is done. It will give ou a brief summary of the installation process. Hit Finish, relax and let the new OS be installed. It might even seem like the upgrade is sticking on the “Connecting to the Device” stage-one of the final steps. Choose to backup your application data on the following screen if prompted. Finish will begin.

You’ll know the new OS is installed successfully when the Destop Manager’s Update Complete screen appears and you device’s radio turns back on. To load any programs that didn’t load, go to Application Loader>Add/Remove Applications and click. Check the ones you want and click finish. You should receive a message in your inbox to let you know the device is registered with the carrier. If you don’t receive that message, resend your device’s email service books. You can send using the BlackBerry itself, or through our carrier’s BIS page (BlackBerry Internet Service). To send via BlackBerry, open your E-mail settings/Set-Up Internet E-=Mail icon, log in if prompted, and click Service Books option under the Settings heading. Click Send Service Books again. Click out of your Desktop Manager, unplug your cord through windows, then unplug your phone. To be sure that the upgrade was effective, go to Options/About and make sure the new  upgrade number is visible on the third line. Go through the phone resetting up passwords and codes, and going through the settings.

This is how you upgrade your phone and make sure it works. Any questions or suggestions? Please let me know.

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Hi, My Name Is….Why and How to Create a VCard

By Susan C on Apr 23, 2009 in BlackBerry, Random Thoughts, Tips n' Tricks.

contacts

One of the questions I get is how to create a virtual business card, also known as a VCard. The politically correct definition of a Vcard is an electronic business card. It is a very important and powerful means of Personal Data Interchange, or PDI. It will help you with your communications in a way you never thought of. You can do a personal card, a business card, whatever card that you need to let your contact have a way to communicate with you.

A Vcard contains important information like your name, address, company name if necessary, pictures, logos, all the relative information that would be beneficial to the recipient of the card.

First and foremost, you would click on your Address Book. Then Options button and choose New Address. In this section you can type in your name, title, business name, address, phone number, pin, emails, add a picture or logo, and whatever other information you would like to share. Save and exit.

You can email this card, or send it though the messenger. The really nice thing about the Vcard is that your recipient can now reach you by any of the information you placed  into the Vcard. It’s convenient, fast, and purely electronical. No need for your recipient to search for a business card, it’’s there on their phone. I keep a business one for customers that is only business information and a personal card that I give to my business affiliates so they can reach me outside of business.

So I’m curious, how many of you already have a Vcard, do you use it or them, and how so? Please leave a comment letting me know if this helped you any, or if you already knew how to create and send a Vcard and how you use it.

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Happy Earth Day! Recycling Your Phone!

By Susan C on Apr 22, 2009 in BlackBerry, Random News, Random Thoughts, Tips n' Tricks.

blackberry Trade Up

Happy Earth Day to all our readers. So to commemorate the day, I would like to go over how to recycle your phone. So you’ve either decided to get your first BlackBerry or you have a BlackBerry and would like a newer model, this is how you do it. You can either donate your BlackBerry, sell it on eBay, or there’s yet another option. Try the BlackBerry Trade Up Program. Yes, there is a BlackBerry trade up program available through the BlackBerry website, so let me introduce you to it.

Flipswap, Inc manages the BlackBerry Trade Up Program. This organization is independently owned and operated. It is dedicated to being environmentally friendly by being responsible and reusing and recycling cell phones.  So when you’re ready, there are a few things you should know.

First, make sure you give a clear description of the phone or phones. And yes, you can trade in as many as you’d like for a check…or a check for charity. It is your responsibilty to make sure the data is wiped from the BlackBerry, and any non BlackBerry phone. Also make sure there are no locks on the phone and that the password is set to 0000. You must purchase a BlackBerry in order to receive your trade in credit or Promotional Bonus Amount. You must have proof of purchase of a BlackBerry smart phone within thirty days of the trade in online. The phone has to be purchased new from an Authorized BlackBerry dealer. You will need to send in your proof of purchase in order for the trade in to complete, as well as the box, and the phone. They will pay for shipping, and if the phone traded in is too old or does not carry value, the phone will be recycled and a tree planted through the releaf project initiated either in Louisiana or Nicaragua.

The process is in four steps:

1. Get an instant quote for the trade in device or devices.

2. Select and Purchase a new BlackBerry Smart phone.

3. Return your old phone(s) in their box(es) and your proof of purchase from the new BlackBerry phone.

4. Receive your check in the mail in a few weeks.

To find the BlackBerry Trade Up Program, you can find it here.

Source [via: Blackberry.com]

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