Stranders sent us a tip reminding me about the power of BlackBerry AutoText shortcuts. In case you don’t know AutoText is the cool little text shortcuts on a BlackBerry that convert certain characters into longer strings. For example I have the letters atb automatically convert into All the best, Ronen for my signature. It also lets you do nifty things like automatically convert att to AT&T to make typing easier.
You can even use it to get super lazy and convert the first letters of your name like ro to convert to Ronen which saves you a little time. I know I have one that converts nbr to my phone number and adrs to my shipping address.
So in the spirit of sharing and fun I decided to make a contest out of this. All you need to do is leave a comment on this article with your best AutoText shortcuts and you will be automatically entered to win. The prizes available are TEN $10 Bplay Gift Cards kindly provided by the amazing team over at Bplay. Multiple comment submissions are totally allowed but only one prize will go to each user. Submissions will be judged based on usefulness and the submission deadline is October 29th at 11:59 PM EST.
NOTE: In case you don’t know you can find and setup AutoText shortcuts on your BlackBerry by going to Options->AutoText.
Don’t forget to check out Bplay’s website for the best themes & games available for the BlackBerry!
Good luck!
joanne Not Registered
Posted: October 22, 2009 at 2:12 PM EST from my BlackBerry 9630
On mine, snowm makes ☃
You never know when you’ll need a snowman mid convo
Kelly Not Registered
Posted: October 22, 2009 at 2:18 PM EST
I always use this one when people ask me what is up…
dzz = deeezzzzNUTS!!!
FOSSroxTHX Not Registered
Posted: October 22, 2009 at 2:31 PM EST
iirc = if i remember correctly
iinm = if i’m not mistaken
otra = on the road again
hnk = hugs and kisses
The 1st two are to avoid the inevitable “wtf” when used.
The last two are to avoid unnecessary typing.
andi Not Registered
Posted: October 22, 2009 at 2:43 PM EST
DIWYR= do it with your risk
casper663 ( View Profile) Beginner - Posts: 236
Posted: October 22, 2009 at 2:52 PM EST
who the hell do you think you are! = whl
my wife just threw a glass plate at me i better get off my blackberry = bwm
perry valton Not Registered
Posted: October 22, 2009 at 2:55 PM EST
hayd= how are you doing
bb= blackberry
Buff ( View Profile) Beginner - Posts: 156
Posted: October 22, 2009 at 2:56 PM EST
I use the heck out of AutoText it is one of my favorite BB features. According to my BB Bold, I currently have 894 in my DB. I find that the most useful are common abbreviations.
With that in mind, here are a few:
• abt = about
• acct = account
• addl = additional
• usu = usual
• alt = alternative
• amex = AmEx
• amt = amount
• approx = approximately
• the days of the week = mon, tu, we, thu, fr, sa, su
• the months of the year = jan, feb, apr, jn, jl, au, sept, oct, nov, dec
• jd = jim dandy
• f = fascinating
• gm = good morning
Also, I handle lots of different projects on my job and keep my schedule and deadline calendar on my BB, instead of typing out the name of each project and the assigned number for each ever time I make a new entry, I use AutoText and a 3 letter shortcut for the project. As I would never be able to remember the shortcut for each, I have devised a formula so that I only have to remember it. It is the first 3 consonants of the last name, i.e. Joe Smith 1-123 = smt. If the last name only has 2 consonants then I use the first letter of the last name. Saves me a ton of time.
wojtas25 ( View Profile) Beginner - Posts: 127
Posted: October 22, 2009 at 3:00 PM EST
gtbr = go to BerryReview
gaabr = Giveaway at BerryReview
These two shortcuts are the best and most usable
ShvartzBerry ( View Profile) Enthusiast - Posts: 288
Posted: October 22, 2009 at 3:07 PM EST
I use them for the most commonly typed words:
w = with
f = for
t = the
c = see
u = you
Also, when I first started out, I found it a pain to hit the Alt button and find the question mark. So I programmed a q to = [BACKSPACE]+?
blindguy ( View Profile) Newcomer - Posts: 73
Posted: October 22, 2009 at 3:12 PM EST
The problem using AutoText is remembering the shortcuts.
bb = BlackBerry (with the Specified case)
DavidB Not Registered
Posted: October 22, 2009 at 3:22 PM EST
dbs=
DavidB sends:
(attribution of this tip to DavidB is authorized)
—-
makes sending tips to BerryReview much simpler!
Matt Not Registered
Posted: October 22, 2009 at 3:40 PM EST
I use the following
mysig = Name + email address + phone number
myfullsig = Name + mailing address + email address + phone number
JerryD ( View Profile) Newcomer - Posts: 27
Posted: October 22, 2009 at 4:15 PM EST
For full details, see this post:
http://forums.pinstack.com/blogs/3389/blog671.html
There are a few variables that can be used within AutoText. The two I use are %o and %O (letter O for both). %o will expand to the information in the Name field under Options -> Owner -> Name, and %O will expand to the information in the Information field under Options -> Owner -> Information.
I set up my Owner information so that I can use it in several “SIG” AutoTexts. Most of the time I don’t use a signature, but when I want to convey certain information, I have three AutoText entries – sig, sigg, and siggg. In the following is a hard Carriage Return ( [Enter] ).
sig = %o%O
sigg = %o%OM: (123) 456-7890
siggg = %o%OM: (123) 456-7890H: (987) 654-3201
The first (sig) gives my name, work address and work phone number which are all set up in the Owner Information (which BTW also displays when the device is locked).
The second (sigg) adds my Mobile phone number to the signature, and the third (siggg) adds my home number to it.
Now, I simply use one of the three AutoText entries when I want a signature, and easily control how much information I convey.
Nolan T. ( View Profile) Newcomer - Posts: 7
Posted: October 22, 2009 at 4:17 PM EST
yall = ya’ll
(I’m from the south)
snt = Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T
(to selectively choose when I want to tell people I’m on my BlackBerry)
Nathan Not Registered
Posted: October 22, 2009 at 4:34 PM EST
one of the shortcuts i frequently use is the time and date
lt = 1:27:14 pm (long time)
ld = Thu, Oct 22, 2009 (long date)
i decided to add those into my sig which comes up when i type
nw = my name
my email
cell
mypin:xxxxxxxx i use this format so it links straight to my pin.
—> %D %t = this adds the current date and time to my sig
most useful thing to add to the sig.
of course i have different sigs for personal and business
jforce ( View Profile) Master - Posts: 1125
Posted: October 22, 2009 at 4:41 PM EST from my BlackBerry 8900
I have a few I use all the time:
bbl=
sml= ⌣
mon= Monday
tue= Tuesday and so on
chk= ☑
cpy= ©
rg= ®
tm= ™
deg= °
eml= ✉
hrt= ♡
phn= ✆
umb= ☂
y= why
r= are
w= with
wo= without
yr= year
And many more! Love the autotext. The only problem is that when I go back to typing on a computer, I feel a little slow.
Erick Diaz Jorge Not Registered
Posted: October 22, 2009 at 4:47 PM EST
idk = I don’t know
bbm = BlackBerry Messenger
Mike Not Registered
Posted: October 22, 2009 at 5:11 PM EST
One I use almost every day is hwut – Hey, what up? What you up to?
For those I haven’t spoken to in a while, hwutt – What it do, where the f#@k you been at? Haven’t seen you in a while
lakersfan2416 ( View Profile) Newcomer - Posts: 34
Posted: October 22, 2009 at 5:11 PM EST
bbnfl- brett favre back in the nfl
you never know with that guy
GTBR- go to berryreview immediatly
Mn- my number
CBmb- call me sometime babey
those are the main ones i use lol and other sport stuff
Matt Abrew Not Registered
Posted: October 22, 2009 at 6:14 PM EST
My favorite is b+[space] = •
This has been a life/time saver when I make lists with my bb.
papped Not Registered
Posted: October 22, 2009 at 7:07 PM EST
YGLMB = your girlfriend likes my blackberry
APurwadi Not Registered
Posted: October 22, 2009 at 7:45 PM EST
I like to express myself through emoticon, here’s one of ‘em: 5mile to
demonio ( View Profile) Newcomer - Posts: 10
Posted: October 22, 2009 at 8:03 PM EST from my BlackBerry 8330
hb = Happy birthday!
God only knows how many times I’ve used that one this month alone.
cor = bring booze
n$ = Sorry dude, I’m broke
I only use these two when my old roommate sez he’s coming over and wants to borrow money
skyclever ( View Profile) Newcomer - Posts: 68
Posted: October 22, 2009 at 8:44 PM EST
AFAIK= As far as I Know
BTW = by The way
OMG = Oh, My God
CMIIW = Correct me if I’m Wrong
FYI = for your information
TIA = Thanks in Advance
IMHO = In my humble opinion
Clarkkent51ny ( View Profile) Newcomer - Posts: 1
Posted: October 22, 2009 at 9:23 PM EST
I use sha for shankapotomus, coz I call me girlfriend that from the etrade commercial LOL she likes it
Emil Not Registered
Posted: October 22, 2009 at 10:52 PM EST
Hi guys,
I usually use my BB for work, so making lists and taking notes are frequent actions.
Here is how I outline info:
► – I get this by typing ww
• – I get this by typing ee
» – I get this by typing rr
> – I get this by typing ss
¤ – I get this by typing dd
* – I get this by typing ff
◄ – I get this by typing zz
♦ – I get this by typing xx
♣ – I get this by typing cc
It is easy to remeamber as the pattern is:
I want 1 tab: I type ww (correspondent of 11)
I want 2 tab: I type ee (correspondent of 22)
I also use macros for dates, and predefined forms just to fill up. Ex: pp will be:
***DATE:
***MEETING:
***PARTICIPANTS:
***DURATION:
***SUBJECT:
***ACTION TO BE TAKEN:
I hope this helps.
Emil Not Registered
Posted: October 22, 2009 at 10:54 PM EST
Sorry, I had to repost as the script removed the spaces before the signs
.► – I get this by typing ww
. • – I get this by typing ee
. » – I get this by typing rr
. > – I get this by typing ss
. ¤ – I get this by typing dd
. * – I get this by typing ff
◄ – I get this by typing zz
♦ – I get this by typing xx
♣ – I get this by typing cc
It is easy to remeamber as the pattern is:
I want 1 tab: I type ww (correspondent of 11)
I want 2 tab: I type ee (correspondent of 22)
I also use macros for dates, and predefined forms just to fill up. Ex: pp will be:
***DATE:
***MEETING:
***PARTICIPANTS:
***DURATION:
***SUBJECT:
***ACTION TO BE TAKEN:
davefromohio ( View Profile) Newcomer - Posts: 9
Posted: October 22, 2009 at 11:01 PM EST from my BlackBerry 9530
For me Seeya= The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
Dave
chuckie Not Registered
Posted: October 22, 2009 at 11:58 PM EST from my BlackBerry 9000
My boss has unrealistic requests sometimes so I type out what I really want to say but it makes my response politically correct.
Fyou = I’m glad to do that.
tfrankson ( View Profile) Beginner - Posts: 190
Posted: October 23, 2009 at 12:11 AM EST
BB= Blackberry Logo
airos4 ( View Profile) Newcomer - Posts: 1
Posted: October 23, 2009 at 5:07 AM EST
dd = Driving right now, will return your text later when safe.
peter Not Registered
Posted: October 23, 2009 at 8:57 AM EST from my BlackBerry 9530
I use autotext as a auto responder, or auto repeater…ie my business card or a response to a daily repeated question.
ShvartzBerry ( View Profile) Enthusiast - Posts: 288
Posted: October 23, 2009 at 10:07 AM EST
Although I have my own entry in this thread, I’d like to put in a vote for chuckie‘s submission. That made me laugh!
zkyevolved ( View Profile) Newcomer - Posts: 13
Posted: October 23, 2009 at 11:14 AM EST
This is how I use my autotext:
I have to use English & Spanish on my phone, so I’ll be offering both.
In Spanish (and many other languages) accents are used. Such as:
función or vendrá. Sometimes it just takes forever to click and hold the ‘o’ or ‘a’ and roll down the trackball or pad until you find the correctly accented letter. That’s why I’ve created this one: if I put: ‘ aa’ it does ‘%bá’ and the same goes for ‘ oo’ ‘ ee’ ‘ ii’ and ‘ uu’. The same also goes for endings such as: vendría i’ve done the same method, i’ve tied ‘ ia’ to ‘%bía’. I’ve also used ‘aqh’ for “a que hora” and ‘tq’ for “te quiero”
OK, enough of the Spanish shortcuts, let’s move on to the English ones
.
I change:
bday –> birthday
bbi –>
bbb –> BlackBerry Button (since i have to explain SOOO often how to do things to my newbies, I have to give them instructions, always using “press the BBB and then click new” or whatever hehe).
cmd –> command
fb –> FaceBook
fbalbum –> that address that directly links to my Mobile Uploads on my facebook account.
fuu –> f**k you! (Lol, yes, really)
gm –> google maps
il –> I’ll
jic –> just in case
iv or ive –> I’ve
m –> me
mpr –> mp3
puttaddy –> (my mailing address)
putgmail –> (puts gmail email address)
putblogurl –> (puts my blog’s URL)
putsig –> (puts my sincerely yours, … sig)
I’ve also tied ALL people’s names to capitalize. So sam –> Sam, kent –> Kent, etc.
Now these are biggies for me, if you look at the keyboard, we have letters and then the function button allows us to get to the characters and symbols, right? Well, I use a lot of smilies
On curve & bold, the H = : and the Y = )
So I tied:
hhy –>
hht –>
hhp –>
hkt –> :’(
hpp –> :@ (the angry yelling face on WLM)
hhv –> >:O (angry face on BBM)
I hope I win
I use the autotext SOOO Much that I can’t even use a NON blackberry if it doesn’t have it. I had to change for a week to WM because broke my bold and while it was getting fixed I got an SE Xperia, and I had to do A LOT of searching for an app that did the same thing (hours later I found one) and it was NEVER that tightly integrated. Autotext is a power tool that I don’t take for granted. 
Kent.
GL2UA (–> Good luck to you all, LOL, that’s a new autotext xD)
higherflyer ( View Profile) Newcomer - Posts: 18
Posted: October 23, 2009 at 2:11 PM EST
myadd= my home address
workadd= work address
mu= miss you!
ilu= I love You
when my wife wants to know when i am coming home so i can relieve her from the kids
omw= tell the kids that i am on my way, be home soon! ps… I love you!
inc188 ( View Profile) Beginner - Posts: 123
Posted: October 24, 2009 at 2:25 AM EST
here we go
wua = where you at?
nw = no worries
cm = call me
co = come outside (lol… when i drive to pick some one up)
ah = Almost here
cheers
nikynik ( View Profile) Newcomer - Posts: 5
Posted: October 24, 2009 at 11:00 AM EST
td for today, tn for tomorrow, etc.
cmb, mmb for message me back
g for %bing
d for %bed
My favorites are the ones for punctuation so I don’t need to bother with the symbol/shift keys
q for %b? … question mark
x for %b! … exclamation mark
p for %b. …period
aa for %b’%B …apostrophe…just insert symbol for others between two macros
I also use this list for reference of most commonly used words
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Most_common_words_in_English
joneee ( View Profile) Newcomer - Posts: 8
Posted: October 24, 2009 at 11:06 PM EST
xx –
xc –
I’m considering adding xcx for
but we’ll see, I don’t use it that often.
Nenad Not Registered
Posted: October 25, 2009 at 5:32 PM EST
I have a few
cl – see you later
wu – what up
hw – homework
whs – what homework is due
tm – tomorrow
lfuah – lol f#*k you @ss hole
fb – facebook
bz – I cant answer the phone right now, give me a few and I’ll get back to you ASAP.
Complex ( View Profile) Newcomer - Posts: 6
Posted: October 25, 2009 at 7:42 PM EST
I use this one just about everyday..
gya – GET YOUR ASS OVER HERE!
Hah, I use that for my friends that take their time to arrive at my house.. most of them are late as always.
=]