Hey there! Welcome to Blackberry 101 Class. This subject falls under BB101, which will provide the BB-convert and those soon-to-be, all the BASICS information about the Blackberry smartphone. Ok guys, let's go!

PART A

You are planning to buy a Blackberry smartphone. Anyhow, you don't have any idea on Blackberry. It's like a completely alien for you. Here I list down basic steps as a guide for new BBians out there.

1. What Is Blackberry
According to Wikipedia, BlackBerry is a line of wireless mobile devices developed by Canadian company Research In Motion (RIM). While including smartphone applications (address book, calendar, to-do lists, etc.) as well as telephone capabilities on newer models, the BlackBerry is primarily known for its ability to send and receive e-mail wherever it can access a wireless network of certain cellular phone carriers. It commands a 20.8% share of worldwide smartphone sales, making it the second most popular platform after Nokia's Symbian, and is the most popular smartphone among business users. Somehow, its target audience is expanding today.

2. Where To Buy A Blackberry Device?
You have 2 major choice when it comes to where to buy a Blackberry device. From the telcos and from the retailers. From the telcos including Maxis, Celcom, and Digi. Whereby, you may also buy the device from other retailers such from Lowyat Plaza, Digital Mall, Sg. Wang Plaza and other phone retailer who also sell Blackberry device.

Note: There's no different in term of specifications buying Blackberry device from telcos or from retailers but there's issue in term of warranty. The telcos will provide you at least a year period of warranty and you can claim from them if you have experience any problem regarding your device. But, if you planning to buy from retailer, you have to consider that they will not provide any warranty or warranty under the retailer only.

3. I Bought My Device. Yay! Is it unlocked?
What is unlocked? Unlocked here means, you may use the device with any telco you want. Same as normal phone. If you buy your device from the telcos, it is 100% unlocked. But if you buy it from the retailers, please ask them whether your device is unlocked or not. Click here to find more how to check whether your device is unlocked or not.

4. My Device Has Tattoo!
Tattooed device is normal. Retailers brought them from overseas and sell them here in Malaysia. Most of the tattoo including T-Mobile, Vodafone, Verizone and Roagers. Most of the telcos sell devices with no tattoo, but so far, only Celcom has Vodafone tattoo on its devices.


PART B

Now you have a Blackberry smartphone! In order to fully utilize your phone, you have to subscribe to BIS (Blackberry Internet Service). Here I list down basic things that you really have to know before you subscribe to BIS.

1. What is BIS?
BIS is a service that allows POP3 and IMAP email integration for the personal user. It allows up to 10 email accounts to be accessed, including many popular email accounts such as Gmail, Hotmail, Yahoo and AOL. There are also special bundles for just Myspace, Facebook, & MSN as well.

2. My Device Has WiFi Function. I Don't Need BIS.
You are WRONG honey. Blackberry device is not like normal device which can use the WiFi connection instead of network mobile internet. If you not subscribe to BIS, you can't even use the WiFi function. All the apps, messengers, all cannot be used. Even you can't send and received MMS. In other word, without subscribing to BIS, your Blackberry device is just like a normal phone. Read more here.

3. What Telco Provides BIS?
- Maxis
- Celcom
- DiGi

All those are for postpaid users. If you are prepaid user, here are telcos that provide BIS for prepaid users.
- Hotlink
- Xpax
- DiGi Blackberry Prepaid

4. How Do I Know When my BIS Is Activated?
You may find that you activated when edge turns to EDGE, or 3g turns to 3G with BB logo.

According to Sonyclie77, sometimes even when you see EDGE in caps, you might not be connected to the BIS network. To check, please do the following:

- BlackBerry menu - Manage Connections - Service Status
- Under BlackBerry Internet Service, it should read:
- Connection: Mobile Network.
- Then you're connected to the BIS network.

According to kchow24, to confirm your BIS is working, you may also check this:
- Option,
- Advanced Option,
- Host Routing Table

The table should show you some kind of code numberings, that mean your BIS is ON, if no data, call your telco and complain.

5. BB PIN?
In every Blackberry device, there will be a PIN. This PIN is needed if you want to use Blackberry Messenger. The PIN is already there in your device. According to kchow24, at the Home screen, by pressing "alt" + "shift" + "H". It's will show the phone data and etc.

Extra : The pin will stay in the device. It can't be wipe off or it can't be erased.

Now you have completed the course! The next step is to enjoy your device! Don't forget to say hi at Blackberry Community and leave your details. You will be invited to LYN Group on BBM. If you have any problem regarding your device, just don't be shy to state your problem at Blackberry Support & Discussions.

P/S : To all sifu, please PM me if you think there's more to add. Cheers!

This post has been edited by little_pixie: Sep 13 2010, 03:08 AM

want to ask,if i buy a 2nd hand bb
but the seller dont provide the PIN
is that right???
i thought when the phone sell to me
the PIN will be mine

go and claim ur rights from the previous owner

On Part B, point 4, I wish to share with you my findings.

Sometimes even when you see EDGE in caps, you might not be connected to the BIS network.

To check, please do the following:

BlackBerry menu - Manage Connections - Service Status

Under BlackBerry Internet Service, it should read:

Connection: Mobile Network.

Then you're connected to the BIS network.

Anyway, excellent thread little_pixie!

Thread is now pinned.

Thanks! To all sifus and bb-cracko out there, don't hesitate to add some more basic which maybe I forgot to include above!!! Enjoy!!

To confirm your BIS is working, you may also check this...
- Option,
- Advanced Option,
- Host Routing Table,
the table should show you some kind of code numberings, that mean your BIS is ON,
if no data, call your telcom and complain...

hope its help, cheers...

For VZW CDMA phones, not to make any changes to the default settings as the BIS setup process will become more complicated.

the seller can't keep the PIN, the PIN stay with the phone, unless the board is totally empty, then better don't buy.
you may check the PIN yourself by doing this:- at the Home screen, by pressing "alt" + "shift" + "H"... it's will show the phone data and etc, check it out.

hope its help, cheers...

hi bro

thanks a lot for sharing, it really helps esp for BB newbie

m about to enter BB world..hehehe..still waiting for Maxis/Celcom/DIGI to start offer Storm 2. Hope by really soon.

TIA

Maybe we should have added the difference between CDMA and GSM Blackberry devices. Since so many people buy the Tour, the Storm and are frustrated if they don't work with the telcos here. And the Storm itself have two different ones: One CDMA device, more commonly sold in Malaysia, and one GSM Storm, which are also sold but only if the buyer requests for them or through Celcom.

Then the next question is: Should Malaysian buyers buy a CDMA device?

Yes, but only if you're prepared to use only Digi. So far, only Digi has offered services for a CDMA device. Celcom has stated they will not work with CDMA devices, and Maxis as seen recently, found problems handling CDMA devices.

Maybe it might give the buyers some sort of knowing before plunging into a device just because it's a Blackberry .

hi,

really appreciate on this thread..same as azfaz soon will jump into BB world..waiting storm 2 as well..went to celcom blue cube n they said storm 2 will be available this month..hehehe..can't wait really..

What do you mean by that?
Explain more thanks......

When you have NO BIS on your BB, the edge is remain in small letters. If you have your BIS ACTIVATES, the small letters edge turns to CAPITAL letters EDGE. Same goes to GPRS, and 3G. Get it?

lol,so funny geh?

small/capital as an indicator also got.......

n e way,thanks for telling....

Great FAQ.

I think you misspelled Roagers...should be just Rogers

Thats right. LOL~!


Great pointers for those new to BB. Well put!

Hi all,

I'm unable to download BB Appworld from my BB browser or PC. It say "Your device does not meet the system requirement". I'm using MAXIS BIS now. Anyone knows how to install BB Appworld?

Maxis officially does not support AppWorld yet.

There's an external link for you to download AppWorld posted by some forummers before.

Do search for it.

http://www.bit.ly/AppWorld

(Case-sensitive)

Credit to lankutu