Hi there, and welcome to BlackBerry Curve. If you already have a BlackBerry Curve, this is a great topic to have around when you want to discover new features or need something to slap open and use as a quick reference. If you don’t have a Curve yet and have some basic questions (such as “What is a BlackBerry Curve?” or “How can a BlackBerry Curve help me be more productive?”), you can benefit by reading this topic cover to cover. No matter what your current BlackBerry user status (BUS, for short), this topic helps you get the most out of your BlackBerry Curve.
Right off the bat, BlackBerry Curve isn’t a fruit you find at the supermarket but rather an always-connected smart phone that has e-mail capabilities and a built-in Internet browser. With your BlackBerry Curve, you’re in the privileged position of always being able to receive e-mail and browse the Web.
On top of that, a BlackBerry Curve has all the features you expect from a personal organizer, including a calendar, to-do lists, and memos. Oh, and did we mention that a BlackBerry Curve also has a built-in mobile phone? Talk about multitasking! Imagine being stuck on a commuter train: With your Curve by your side, you can compose e-mail while conducting a conference call, all from the comfort of your seat.
That’s not all. BlackBerry Curve goes a step further to make it more fun for you to own this device. You can snap a picture with its camera, record a funny video, listen to your music collection, and enjoy watching that video on YouTube.
In this topic, you find all the basics, but we also go the extra mile and highlight some of the lesser-known (but still handy) features of the BlackBerry Curve. Your Curve can work hard for you when you need it to and can play hard when you want it to.
Part I: Getting Started with BlackBerry Curve
Part I starts with the basics of your Curve. You know: what it is, what you can do with it, and what elements make it up. We describe how you navigate using the QWERTY keyboard. We also show you how to personalize and express yourself through your BlackBerry Curve. This part wraps up with must-knows about security and where to go for help when you get into trouble with your BlackBerry Curve.
Part II: Organizing with Curve
Part II deals with the fact that your BlackBerry Curve is also a full-fledged PDA. We show you how to get your Curve to keep your contacts in Contacts as well as how to manage your appointments and meetings in Calendar. You also find out how to use the Clock application to set an alarm, set a timer, and set your device to Bedside mode. You explore the Password Keeper application to centralize your passwords. And finally, you see that most BlackBerry applications interconnect, working hard for you.
Part III: Getting Online with Your Curve
Part III shows you what made BlackBerry what it is today: always-connected e-mail. We also get into the other strengths of the BlackBerry — Web surfing functionality — but we don’t stop there. We point out how you can use other forms of messages, such as text messaging and instant messaging. You also find out about unique forms of messages on the BlackBerry, PIN-to-PIN messages and BlackBerry Messenger. And if you have a BlackBerry Curve 8900, rest assured that your BlackBerry will be a good companion when you’re traveling because we show you how to use its GPS. (The BlackBerry Curve 8500 doesn’t have an internal GPS.)
Part IV: Music, Pictures, and Movies on Your Curve
You find the fun stuff in Part IV. Rock your world and use your Curve to play music, watch videos, and take pictures. You also get the scoop on how to record videos and sample ring tones. Plus you get timesaving shortcuts on the Media applications.
Part V: Working with BlackBerry Desktop Manager
In Part V, you find details of BlackBerry Desktop Manager and some of the hoops you can put it through with your BlackBerry Curve, including making backups and installing BlackBerry applications from your desktop to your Curve. You also find out how to port data from older devices — BlackBerry or not — to your new Curve. And we didn’t forget to cover important stuff, such as data-syncing your appointments and contacts with desktop applications, such as Outlook.
Part V1: The Part of Tens
All topics include The Part of Tens, and this topic is no different. In Part V, we show you places to get cool BlackBerry Curve accessories, where to get great applications, and useful mobile Web sites to visit.
