One of the things that I love about my BlackBerry is the ability to spell check as I type (Using an 8900), but what really makes the BlackBerry smartphone stand above in my opinion is the multitasking capabilities.
Being bilingual, I often tend to type in both Spanish and English, and so far the BlackBerry has not disappointed me. The fact that I can simply switch from one language to another by a simple command of ALT+Enter in less than a second is just awesome. I can spell check my e-mail or text messages simply by switching from one language to another depending which language I am writing. This is one of the most helpful tools that RIM has implemented with the new BlackBerry OS 4.5 and up. It not only corrects my spelling, but also adds correct accent marks when I am writing in Spanish. Not many smartphones out there can do this as simple as the BlackBerry does. This feature can be enabled or integrated with third-party applications as well.
The BlackBerry is the perfect phone for multitasking. Another favorite feature of mine is the ability to run several applications at the same time and switch between them back and forth. I find it to be a lot like the option PCs have using the ALT+TAB to change from one application to the other. This is very useful and makes the life with multitasking a lot easier.
Here is a list of my favorite and useful shortcuts:
- Change language: ALT+Enter.
- Typing a special character such as “ñ” in Spanish: click the letter you want without releasing it and use the trackball to scroll through the letters until you get the one you want.
- Toggle between apps: press and hold Alt+Backspace button. Also, by pressing backspace again, it lets you move through all the applications you currently have open.
- Change signal bar to numbers: holding Alt, type “NMLL” and repeat the procedure to switch back.
- Viewing the event log: press Alt+LGLG. You can also erase the event log.
These features make the BlackBerry a useful device for me and it is not as easy to do with any other device I have owned. I used to go through different phones every quarter until I got my first BlackBerry.
Matt Not Registered
Posted: April 23, 2009 at 9:16 PM EST
You have SocialScope!!! I want it!!!
Luis Merlos ( View Profile) Moderator - Posts: 1231
Posted: April 23, 2009 at 9:56 PM EST
yeah I do is a nice app.. hopefully it goes out of beta soon.
Keith Not Registered
Posted: April 23, 2009 at 11:11 PM EST
I have SocialScope as well. It is great. They just release a new version, but it has yet to make its way over to me.
What two applications are shown to the right of your Application Switch menu (the screen shot with SocialScope selected)? One looks like a Security product and the other looks like a Chat client.
Lastly, if you have one of a newer beta OS (I do on my Bold), you can hold down the BlackBerry button for a second or two to pull up the application switcher. Much easier since it is done with one finger/hand now.
Luis Merlos ( View Profile) Moderator - Posts: 1231
Posted: April 23, 2009 at 11:18 PM EST
Thanks, I knew I forgot that feature and it actually keeps the menu up doesn’t it.
The security feature is the SMRTGUARD app it should be out of beta as a commercial app soon. and The 3rd app is just my BB messenger just the themer used that icon for it.
Jack Not Registered
Posted: April 28, 2009 at 1:44 PM EST
Neither way works for me. I have to hit the BlackBerry button, and then scroll down to “Switch Application”.
I have a 8900.
Sully Not Registered
Posted: April 24, 2009 at 10:30 AM EST
On the Bold as of a late 4.6 revision you can hold down the blackberry buttons to bring up the task switcher. Not sure if any other OS’s or models can do this yet.
Dave Not Registered
Posted: April 24, 2009 at 11:07 AM EST
I actually hate the alt+backspace feature. I wish I could press alt then backspace to bring up the task switching. It would allow me to switch tasks one-handed. In its current form, I have to use two hands. :-/
Luis Merlos ( View Profile) Moderator - Posts: 1231
Posted: April 24, 2009 at 11:16 AM EST from my BlackBerry 8900
What device are you using ? On new OS 4.6 and up by holding the BlackBerry button the list of open apps stays up. Some users have pointed that out above. On 4.5 I don’t believe that option is available.
Dave Not Registered
Posted: April 24, 2009 at 11:24 AM EST
Yeah, I’m on 4.5 on an 8330.
Carlos Not Registered
Posted: April 24, 2009 at 6:42 PM EST from my BlackBerry 9000
Luis, I have the bold and language input shortcut does not work for me. Is there anything else I need to install or could it be because I chose English as the only language option. Thanks.
Luis Merlos ( View Profile) Moderator - Posts: 1231
Posted: April 24, 2009 at 6:48 PM EST
It should work but your right you need need to load the languages you want to keep by selecting them on Desktop manager. If you remove them and only use the English language the option will not be there.
nibs13 Not Registered
Posted: April 26, 2009 at 1:23 AM EST
what theme are you using?
Luis Merlos ( View Profile) Moderator - Posts: 1231
Posted: April 26, 2009 at 1:58 AM EST
the one at the bottom that looks like the iphone can be found here http://forums.pinstack.com/f241/8900_iphone_gone_javelin-103673/
the other with the grey leaf background is at this link
http://forums.pinstack.com/f241/8900_touch_of_glass_os4_6_a-106492/
Phreqd Not Registered
Posted: April 26, 2009 at 1:45 AM EST
Luis: When you say the BlackBerry button, is that the one to the left of the trackball on the Bold? Mine just takes me off the main screen to the screen with all the icons. Perhaps it’s the theme? I set up my convenience button to bring up the task switcher.
Luis Merlos ( View Profile) Moderator - Posts: 1231
Posted: April 26, 2009 at 1:51 AM EST
yes the one with the BB symbol to the left, you hold it for a few seconds and it should bring that up. Not sure if is because of what you stated. Try it and see it works but ti should not be theme related since is a RIM added shortcut on the latest OS 4.6+