It’s been a few weeks since my last post, and I’ve had time to really think about how I wanted to approach this subject. This is what I’ve come up with.

I’ve reviewed the posts I’ve done in the past, and I’ve found that some of them tend to be lengthy. So what I’m going to do here is post two separate videos; the first will give the background (which you can skip if you just want to know how to make bluetooth work on your phone), while the other will show exactly how it’s done, nothing more. Let me show you.

There are a LOT of misconceptions about bluetooth and it’s various uses out there. My first video today; what exactly is bluetooth?!?! The term has been thrown around so much that depending on who you talk to, you get completely different answers. Hopefully, this will help:

As for using the bluetooth capabilities of your blackberry:

Until next time,

Martin@ParlezWireless.com

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

It’s long overdue, but it’s finally done! To tie in to the last tutorial that I posted, today we are talking about RIM’s Blackberry Media Sync. As you’ll see in the video below, this is a very powerful tool to anyone that uses their device as a media player (be it music or video). I also discuss the difference between internal memory and external memory, as well as show you how to transfer files to both. Enjoy!

Of note is that the Blackberry Media Sync is now available as a joint download with the Desktop Manager. Hit the link to get the latest version.

As always, if you have any questions, feedback, or even suggestions for future tutorials, feel free to e-mail me at martin@parlezwireless.com.

Wirelessly Yours,

Martin@ParlezWireless

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Also of note, apps are available that switch your sound profile automatically based on the time/calendar event. I’m still trying to find a good one that will change based on location (ex: movie theater, work, home, etc).

Wirelessly Yours,

Martin@ParlezWireless

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Multitasking on your wireless device is getting more and more of a common thing. Whereas multitasking is by no means anything new, it is just starting to evolve on the handheld platforms. We are getting to the point now where our phones are not only capable of playing games, chatting on msn, taking pictures, they are capable of doing all these at the same time.

I feel that RIM was a little premature with the addition of multitasking on their phones, as the hardware they were using was very limiting of applications it could run simultaneously. Since the addition of the App World, this has been doubly true. Remember the computer you had fifteen years ago that would make you wait five minutes when you tried to open internet explorer and media player at the same time? Same thing.

I have to say that the latest generation of blackberries is very capable of doing multitasking (and does it quite well, will little loss to performance, as you see in the video), and that it will just keep getting better and better. Remember; the first RIM product (the inter@ctive pager, August 2000) was basically a two-way pager:

Wirelessly Yours,
Martin@ParlezWireless

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Martin here, I wanted to take the opportunity today to talk about Applications. Although not new or groundbreaking, it’s something that we don’t often have the chance to talk about in detail with our clients, just because there is just so much to talk about. None the less, it is probably THE best way to customize your device, and one of the features that make a smartphone what it is.

Sorry in advance; next time I will try to vary my adjectives a bit more.

Since there is so much to talk about, it will be easier to break things down a bit. My first video contains information on the blackberry App World, so if you are familliar with this app, feel free to skip ahead.

The first two apps that I want to talk about are BeWeather and BIM Active. BeWeather is a great and simple weather application that auto-updates and has tons of options. Free and Paid versions available. BIM Active is a free application that keeps track of your GPS location. The goal of the software is to be able to track your progress when running, cycling, etc. But really, this software can be used for pretty much anything, from your trek through the mountains to your Canadian road trip. Check out the video:

The next application is Poynt. Poynt is basically a smart phonebook. Yellow pages, white pages, Restaurants and Movies. Search by what is close, by theater, etc. Some theaters and restaurants will actually let you reserve straight from your phone!

Had enough? We’re not done yet! In the next clip, I talk about David, a minute/data/messaging tracking app. I cannot stress how usefull this app really is. Unfortunately, the data tracking only works on the HSPA network, but the other two (minutes and sms) work flawlessly. I also quickly go over Wattpad, a cool little free application that allows you to read free books right from your phone. They have a huge library of personal and published content. Check both these apps out:

Other interesting applications include Nimbuzz, an all-in-one instant messaging client (supports msn, yahoo, facebook, google talk, and many more), and Vlingo, the ultimate speech-to-text application, newly updated to serve as a hand-free device when on the road. On top of translating all you say into actions, it will also read out your messages when they come in!

You can grab all these very nifty applications and much more through the app world, so give it a whirl! You might be surprised to see how much your phone can actually do!

See ya next week!
Martin@ParlezWireless

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Martin here, with another blackberry tutorial. Today we will be looking at using the Bedside Mode that is available on all blackberry with software 4.6 or higher.

Check it out:

Simple as that! What I really like to complement this bedside mode is the docking station that you can get for the blackberries; just plop in your blackberry into the docking station, and voilà! you’ve got a all-in-one alarm clock. *end sales plug*

Ciao for now!

Martin @ ParlezWireless

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Martin here, and as promised, here’s the second tutorial of the week. We’re going to be looking at how simple and powerful the blackberry e-mail setup really is.

Ever wanted to add an e-mail account to your blackberry? Changed your e-mail password and stopped receiving them on your device? Changed device? Wanted to add a automatic signature at the end of your e-mail? I’ll show you how to do all this (and more!) in the following video:

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us, either at:

Martin@parlezwireless.com or the at the store: info@parlezwireless.com

’till next week!

Wirelessly Yours,

Martin @ ParlezWireless

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

This week is a special one; you will be getting two (yes TWO!) entries. But I’m getting ahead of myself. For now, I think it is appropriate to start off with the most common downfall in taking care of your wireless device: BACKUPS.

That’s right. Most people don’t realize how much they trust their cellphone with a whole whack of sensitive and important data. Especially smartphones. Here’s how to make sure that if anything happens to your Blackberry, you can be back up and running at full speed in no time:

Simple as that. This is also doable (with the right software) with the iPhone, Android-based phones, and Windows-based phone. For all other “non-smartphones”, we can create you a backup of your contacts (and send it to you by e-mail) in store, using specialized software, for 5$. We also do backups of blackberries for a small fee. End of sales plug. 

Wirelessly Yours,

Martin @ ParlezWireless

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Ontarians who use cell phones, MP3 players and other electronic devices while driving have just over three months to change their habits. The Ontario Minister of Transportation has announced that the ban on in-vehicle cellphone use will be enforced starting on October 26.

That doesn’t mean that Ontarians won’t be allowed to talk and drive at the same time. But they’ll have to do so hands-free, which they can if they’re wearing a hands-free headset or have installed a hands-free speakerphone in their car.

It’s not just talking that’s covered by the hands-free law, which was passed last April. Texting, e-mailing and dialling also fall under the restriction, as do the use of other electronic devises such as MP3 Players and navigation systems that are not securely attached to the car’s dashboard.

Fines of up to $500 will be handed to any driver caught, but Ministry Officials said traffic officers will comply with a three-month education period with tickets not being written until February 1, 2010.

Ontario is the fourth region in Canada to issues a full ban on hand-held devises while driving. Newfoundland and Labrador were the first in 2002; Quebec and Nova Scotia brought in legislation in 2008 and similar legislation is before regional parliament in Manitoba and Saskatchewan.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Every year she holds a Golf Tournament with the proceeds benefiting Cystic Fibrosis.  

This year ForeHerGolf.ca is hosting The Pearl Golf Classic for Women on August 20th at Manderly on the Green with proceeds benefiting Cystic Fibrosis.  Lisa is changing the face of Golf Tournaments to include entertainment, shopping, fashion show and more.

The goal is to welcome golfers and non golfter to this great charity event.

Both TELUS and Parlez Wireless are sponsoring this event.  Parlez Wireless has donated prizes including a brand new BlackBerry Pearl.

The luncheon event will be MC’d by Sandra Blaikie and the evening MC’d by Andrew Boyle.

Parlez Wireless will have a foursome at the event, and Lisa is even giving me private golf lessons so that I may actually be able to play like I know what I am doing.

Interested in knowing more about the event, go to www.forehergolf.ca If you are interested in joining our foursome, comment on this post and tell us why you would like to join us!

Bookmark It

Hide Sites