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RIM detailed the steps for setting up Bluetooth dial-up networking on your BlackBerry in a recent knowledge base article. I had trouble setting this up in the past so I found the guide very helpful. In case you do not know Bluetooth dial-up networking means that you are tethering your BlackBerry over Bluetooth to connect to the internet with your computer.

This guide details how to setup the connection with a OS 4.2+ device on Windows XP or Vista. The Mac OSX was left out but I am curious if it would work… You will need your carriers APN to set this up but you can usually find it out easily by searching Google for it.

From the knowledge base:

You can use the BlackBerry smartphone as a tethered modem to connect a computer to the Internet. The wireless connection between the BlackBerry smartphone and the computer can be made using Bluetooth® technology.

Step 1 - Turn on the Discoverable option on the BlackBerry smartphone

Complete the following steps:

1. On the Home screen of the BlackBerry smartphone, click Options > Bluetooth.
2. Display the menu and click Options.
3. Set the Discoverable field to Yes.
4. Display the menu and click Save.

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Step 2 - Pair the BlackBerry smartphone and the computer

On the computer, complete the following steps:

1. Go to Control Panel > Bluetooth Devices.
2. Click Add.
3. Select the My device is set up and ready to be found check box, and click Next.
4. When the BlackBerry smartphone is detected, select the check box next to the BlackBerry smartphone, and click Next.
5. Select the Let me choose my own passkey option.
6. Type a passkey in the field provided, and click Next.
7. On the BlackBerry smartphone, type the same passkey from Step 6, then click the trackball.
8. On the computer, when the Completing the Add Bluetooth Device Wizard screen appears, click Finish.
9. On the BlackBerry smartphone, when prompted to accept an incoming Bluetooth connection, select Don’t Ask Again, and click Yes.

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Step 3 - Set up the Internet access point name (APN)

Note: You only need to perform this task the first time that you set up the Internet APN.

On the computer, complete the following steps:

Note: If you are running Windows Vista, select Classic View.

1. Go to Control Panel > Phone and Modem Options.
2. Select the Modems tab.
3. Select Standard Modem Over Bluetooth Link, and click Properties.
4. Select the Advanced tab.
5. In the Extra initialization commands field, type the following:

   +CGDCONT=1,"IP","<your Internet APN>"

   Note: To obtain your Internet APN, contact your wireless service provider. (Or just search Google)

6. Click OK.
7. In the Phone and Modem Options window, click OK.

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Step 4 - Configure Dial-Up Networking

Note: You only need to perform this task the first time that you configure Dial-Up Networking.

On the computer, complete the following steps:

1. Go to Start > Settings > Network Connections.
2. Right-click Bluetooth DUN connection, and select Properties.
3. Select the Networking tab.
4. Select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP).
5. Click Properties.
6. Click Advanced.
7. Select the General tab, and clear the Use IP Header Compression check box.
8. Click OK to close all open windows.
9. Go to Start > Settings > Network Connections.
10. Double-click New Connection Wizard.
11. Click Next.
12. Select Connect to the Internet, and click Next.
13. Select Set up my connection manually, and click Next.
14. Select Connect using a dial-up modem, click Next.
15. Select Modem - Standard Modem Over Bluetooth link, and click Next.
16. If the Select a Device screen appears, select the Modem - Standard Modem check box, and click Next.
17. Clear the ISP Name field blank, if necessary, and click Next.
18. Complete the appropriate step below:
    • If the BlackBerry smartphone operates on General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) or Enhanced Data Rates for Global Evolution (EDGE) networks, type *99# in the Phone number field, and click Next.
    • If the BlackBerry smartphone operates on Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) networks, type *98# in the Phone number field, and click Next.
    • If the BlackBerry smartphone operates on Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) or 1x/Evolution Data Optimized (EVDO) networks, type #777 in the Phone number field, and click Next.
19. Type the user name and password provided by your wireless service provider. If your wireless service provider has confirmed that this information is not required, leave the fields blank. Click Next.
20. Click Finish.

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Step 5 - Connect the computer to the Internet using Dial-Up Networking

Note: During this procedure, do not operate the BlackBerry® Browser or any third-party applications on the BlackBerry smartphone. An active data session may interfere with the modem connection. Also, make sure an ethernet connection is not active at the same time.

On the computer, complete the following steps:

1. Click Start > Settings > Network Connections > <Name of the new connection>.
2. Type the user name and password provided by your wireless service provider. If your wireless service provider does not require this information, leave the fields blank.
3. Click Dial.

Additional Information

BlackBerry Device Software 4.2.2 and earlier does not support tethered modem use with Windows Vista using Bluetooth technology.

Sarah just sent me in her latest theme design called ‘Be a kid‘ for Blackberry 81xx, 82xx, 83xx & 88xx devices. I think this theme is so adorable, and I’m not sure why but it reminds me of  my much younger days when kids would take yellow chalk and write all over their driveway. Anyway, ‘Be a Kid’ has a black, gravel background with bright yellow accents and icons. I don’t have any of the available devices to test it on but according to Sarah, “The homescreen icons are user-customizable, and they also scroll continuously (goes right back around to the first icon).” Be a Kid costs $3.99 and can be purchased via Sarah’s website.

Michael let me know about this FREE application from KGB.com. When he first told me about it, I thought that the former Russian spy agency had decided to make a presence for themselves on my BlackBerry. I was wrong. KGB stands for the Knowledge Generation Bureau. They help you find answers to questions by doing some magic in the background. I could not find anything about RIM or BlackBerry when I searched, but they do help you answer Jeopardy-ish questions like “Who owns the moon?” or “Who is Monty Python?” Not sure what makes this so much better than just Google by itself, but it’s worth a try.

Check out the application at this link (OTA download link) or you can just play with the site using their WAP mobile website at this link.

This theme has been out for more than a few days but this has been my first chance to actually play around with it. HedoneDesign’s Premium ‘Se7en’ theme is the bomb! Without a doubt, one of his nicest themes to date (although I tend to say that about every theme he designs as they just keep getting better and better). Se7en is made up of vivid, abstract blue backgrounds and colorful icons. I’m more of a Mac gal so I don’t know too much about Windows but this is an extremely well formulated theme design with lots of neat little goodies. The main screen features a few top bars on the right which display, time, carrier and your message indicators. The bottom dock has 5 customizable icons and the neat little goodie I was telling you about is the bottom right 3 icons. The Profiles icon takes you to ‘Profiles’ (of course) but the Battery indicator icon, if you click on it, actually takes you to Options and the Signal meter to your ‘Manage Connections’. So they have dual purposes! Very innovative and convenient. Not to mention the theme itself is very attractive and from what I’m hearing around, a new favorite theme of many BB users (even the ones who rarely change themes).

Se7en is available for 8100, 8300, 8800 & 9000 (there are different versions for some devices so check out the links here and here for more info) and costs $7.00. However, if you are one of the first 20 to purchase this theme through our Berryreview Store, you can get a 20% discount (works on all versions)! Just enter BerryReviewSe7en at checkout. Hurry quick as the coupon expires February 2nd!

If you’re anything like me, you’re busy constantly. Running too and fro, do this, do that, meet here, pick them up there, have lunch with friends at….oh NO WHAT TIME!?!?! Thankfully I found a simple remedy to a common problem. BBSmart Alarms Pro is a simple but very useful program packed with good, solid features, but isn’t overwhelming at all. [...]

This is only some of this post that originated at BlackBerrySync.com. To see the full post visit BlackBerrySync.com

Seidio let me know that they have just opened up preordering for their Innocase II hard-case for the new 8900 Curve. It comes in 5 different colors and there is a combo to get the case along with the holster. I personally have been loving the Seidio holster on my Bold so I can recommend trying it out. The case comes in Black, Blue, Grey, Pink, and Red. Preordering is available now, but will be shipped in the week of Feb 10th.

Features:

Our unique Innocase II Surface is only 1mm thick and provides a strong layer of protection and excellent grip for your Curve.

• Innocase II Slide-in design offers different styling than our original Innocase
• 1mm thin case provides scratch protection without adding much bulk
• Designed from a hard, yet flexible material
• Unique soft-touch “rubberized” texture provides a great feel and better grip
• Soft felt lining offers interior protection
• Slip it into your pocket or pair it with one of our Innocase holsters or leather cases
• Add our Ultimate Screen Guard for total device protection

The Innocase II can be found both with and without a holster on Seidio’s 8900 page at this link.

T-Mobile announced yesterday that they now have 32.8 million customers as of the end of the fourth quarter and have added 621,000 new accounts during that same quarter. That does not stack up well when compared to the 2.1+ million accounts AT&T added that quarter and the 1.2 Verizon added.

I guess that means that the T-Mobile Android G1 is not drawing as many people as T-Mobile promised, but that could be due to their slower rollout of 3G, which limits the appeal.

On the other hand, T-Mobile is going to be the first in the US offering the HOT BlackBerry 8900 Curve. The successor to a device that sold millions. This is right after their exclusive deal to sell the 8220 Pearl Flip.  That makes me wonder if people will switch for the 8900 or just wait for their carrier to get it. (Which may take at least a year if you follow Verizon & Sprint’s history.)

So I have to ask. Will you be switching to T-Mobile for the 8900?

I was out and about for a few hours Thursday evening only to find my BlackBerry buzzing constantly with excited emails from Storm Viigo users letting me know that the latest version of Viigo (Tango 8 - build 3.0.856) has been released. This is the version we brought word of back from CES. Sure enough, Viigo sent out an email with the details...

It has arrived! The Viigo Beta for the Storm watch is over. With this download, you can now benefit from the excellent feedback we've collected from tens of thousands of people who have previewed our Alpha version of Viigo on the Storm. We've worked hard to improve the overall Storm experience (performance, usability, etc.), and we've also added some exciting new features including a new Shopping service, the ability to tweet articles with a single click, and the capability to build and track your own portfolios in Stocks & Finance. 

I haven't had much of a chance to play with it just yet (just installed and am gonna Viigo myself to sleep!) but you can read more details on the improvements in this version after the jump. Hopefully this means this latest version will be pushed out for all BlackBerry devices soon. 

To Upgrade or Install for the First Time:

• Uninstall any previous version of Viigo!
  
• Visit CrackBerryViigo.com on your Storm's browser to download>>

read more

CrackBerry.com's feed sponsored by ShopCrackBerry.com. Updated: Viigo Tango 8 for the BlackBerry Storm Released!

Been thinking about a new BlackBerry? Can't decide between the BlackBerry Bold, Storm or Curve 8900? If so, check out the video above. Zara of MobileChic let us know about the quick video overview and comparison she put together. In only two minutes she does a pretty solid job of summing up some of the pros and cons to each device. Whaddya think? Did she nail it? Missing any points? Drop your thoughts and reactions in the comments. You can catch more of Zara's mobile reviews on YouTube.

CrackBerry.com's feed sponsored by ShopCrackBerry.com. Video: The BlackBerry Storm, Bold and Curve 8900 Compared

The good guys at iSuppli did a tear down of RIM’s Storm and came back with a $203 estimate for the sum cost of its parts. That means that before you consider software or support, the Storm probably costs RIM more than $200. That is not unreasonable, but it is significantly higher than the $169 estimate iSuppli did for the Bold.

The Storm is subsidized by Verizon at $199 after a $50 rebate so RIM is probably still making money, but much less than their previous devices. With the rising cost of parts and the current economy, I hope RIM finds a way to cut down on component costs…

The 9530’s dual CDMA/GSM chip costs a whopping $35 and the 3.2 MP camera adds another $13. Makes me wonder how much that clickable touchscreen costs…

via Business Week