How to: Set up your BlackBerry

Buy a new BlackBerry and you will quickly learn that your handset is not locked in to one configuration. All new RIM smartphones provide the user with a standard set of configurable components and this means that you can customise your Bold, Curve or Storm to meet your specific requirements.

So before you take a new BlackBerry out on the road, read on and we will show you how to configure your email account, import existing contacts, set up Desktop Manager and synchronise your personal information management data.

1. Setup Wizard
Unpack the box and then insert the SIM card and battery as per the manufacturer’s instructions. Charge your battery and then power up your new smartphone. The Setup Wizard should automatically run. If it doesn’t, go to the Applications screen and click Setup>Setup Wizard.

2. Date and Time
The Setup Wizard is designed to help you quickly and easily configure your smartphone settings. Start with configuring your geographical location, time zone, current date and time.

3. Import SIM contacts
If you have existing contact numbers on your SIM card, take a moment to import the data to your BlackBerry’s Address Book application by clicking on the Import SIM Card Contacts option.

4. Font preferences
It’s now time to personalise your new device and one of the best ways to do this is to change the font type, size and style to suit your individual preferences. Preview any changes at the bottom of the screen and then click Finish. Save your changes when prompted.

5. Email setup
The BlackBerry platform uses a server-side service to push email to your device and the next step is to configure your email account. There are two ways to do this. To use your BlackBerry, click the Email Setup option, select ‘I want to create or add an email address’ and then follow the instructions that prompt you to configure an email account.

6. Add an account
You can also configure an email account on a desktop PC. Login to the URL provided by your network operator, click the Create New Account button and enter a user name and password when prompted. You will then be taken to the Email Accounts screen. From here you can set up an existing email account so that messages are pushed to your device. Adding an account is easy – simply click the Set Up Account button, enter your email address and password and follow the online instructions.

7. Advanced features
Now that you have created a web login, you can use your desktop browser to access more advanced features, such as email filters and signatures at your leisure.

8. Desktop Manager
The next step is to install Desktop Manager as this will enable you synchronise your organiser information, transfer media files between mobile device and PC, and back up important data. Point your browser to www.blackberry.com, click the Software link and then follow the instructions that take you to the BlackBerry Desktop Software.

9. Sync settings
It’s now time to customise the configuration settings and confirm which desktop PIM applications you wish to use. Boot up Desktop Manager, click the Synchronise icon and then the Configuration tab. Now select the desktop programs that you wish to sync with Calendar, MemoPad, Address Book and Tasks, and then configure the synchronisation settings of each application to suit your personal preferences.

10. Sync data
The final step is to click the Synchronise Now button. All your PIM data will be transferred to your BlackBerry and your handset is now configured and ready to use.

Written by Andy Nott. First published in Smartphone Essentials magazine.

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