Punching Blackberry

Google Talk: News

Google Talk is available for the Blackberry!  Download it here.  DL'able manual here (pdf).

Google Talk/IM

Google Talk is now available on the BB platform thanks to IM+ (scroll down until you see this) by using the Jabber client to access it.  enjoy!

Text Messaging/SMS - Teleflip

In the last blog, I've listed various providers' text emails for any BB 7520 user to use when sending text messages.  The problem with this is that you have to know which provider your contact is using which may not be practical in every application.  Teleflip takes the guesswork out and help streamline the process.  Send your text message to '(10digitnumber)@teleflip.com' and they will take care of the rest.  Thanks Paul.

PS:  Although free service, Teleflip has an anti-spam policy which is reassuring.

Text Messaging - SMS

The 7520 (perhaps all BB's), can not send text messages but can receive them.  This comes as a shock to some people so here's the low down.  It is possible to send text messages by using your paid data service. 

IM+ review (version 2.1)

I've been using IM+ 2.1 for the last few days.  It's perhaps the most stable IM proggie for the 7520 on the market.  Here's a review.

Likes:
- Doesn't connect to the services automatically when program is launched.  It logs into IM+ servers automatically whereby you can choose which IM software you wish to use.
- Alt-Enter sends message.  While this particular opinion is personal, hitting enter will just give a space in the conversation. 
- Does not crash your BB.

Dislikes:
- Alt-Escape is the only means of multitasking; program does not have 'hide' feature. 
- Can not send and receive messages while talking on the phone (perhaps this is the same for all chat proggies but I've personally noted this on IM+)
- No categories
- Can not edit contacts
- Can not hide offline contacts

Problems:
I have found that at times, I do not see some contacts online although they are.  There is even one occurance in which I did not see myself on my desktop client but my coworker has.  I do not know if this has anything to do with IM+ or it's servers but it has happened to me while using IM+.  Of all the chat programs I use (I don;t use Jabber), I will lose connection to Yahoo specifically at times.  So far, it hasn;t happened too often but when it does, it only happens to Yahoo.

Causerie Messenger

I got this off the boards today.  Causerie Messenger is the latest IM software developed for the Blackberry.  Already available for other platforms, the BB version is not out yet but there is already a photo of the BB running the software on their website.  I'm anxious to try them out and hope that it will be rock solid unlike VeriChat or WebMessenger.

IM+ 2.1 patch

In an  attempt to try IM+ 2.1, I continually get the following message:

"Uncaught exception.  Attempt to push Screen while already displayed!"

IF you get this, try this patch which was sent to me via tech support at IM+. 

IM+ 2.1

FYI:  Just to let all 7520 Nextel users that when using IM+ 2.1, to select the BES version during installation and not the WAP version.  Previous versions of IM+ gave the user an option of two different files for BES and non-BES.  IM+ 2.1 has integrated it into a single file with an option during installation.  The pdf instruction manual has not been updated to reflect the changes as well as some parts of their website. 

*I ran into some technical difficulty with IM+ and will conduct a review upon resolving the issue.

PIN delivery confirmation

A nice feature not covered in the BB 7520 manual and perhaps overlooked by BB users is the ability to check live whether a BB user has received your PIN message.  If you note that when sending a PIN message,the BB's Messages screen will give offer live status of the message being sent via a series of different icons until finally showing a check mark.  If you wait a little longer, a small letter 'd' appears on top of the check mark which would mean that the PIN message has been successfully sent.  neat.

PIN message incompatibility

A buddy of mine uses a Verizon Blackberry off BES.  I have successfully sent PIN messages to him but have found that although he receives it, I do not get any of his replies.  He heads the IT department which oversees the blackberries but it seems that there are something disabling either the sending or receiving of PIN messages from his company's BES.  What's strange is that he gets the small 'd' in the BB Messages to mark delivery confirmation. 

I do however receive PIN messages from users of other carries such as T-Mobile.