The Blackberry Z10 has arrived in the States and
it brings with it a new mobile platform called BlackBerry 10. If you
have purchased the newest
BlackBerry, you may be exploring all the
features of the OS for a while. I found top 10 helpful tips as you learn
to love your device and get out of it all that you can.
How to Take a Screenshot
If you simultaneously press the top and bottom
volume buttons, you can take a screen shot. You will find the photos in
the Pictures app of the Camera roll.
How to Stop a Phantom Video from Playing
When you load a video or a web page containing a
video, it will keep playing for a long time after you have gone on to
exploring another app. To stop this video playing, tap the button
between the buttons for volume control. Pressing the volume buttons will
cause a controller to appear on the screen, with which you can forward,
reverse and stop this invisible video.
How to Turn on Adobe Flash
Some of you may ask why a person would wish to do
this. The answer is that there are times that you need Flash. To enable
it, go to your browser, and Settings > Display and Actions. Flip the
toggle for Adobe Flash to the on position.
How to Get Media on Your Z10
BlackBerry World is BlackBerry’s marketplace,
featuring movies, songs and apps. However, you don’t have to use that
service to get media onto your phone. You can use the BlackBerry Link
app to add your music to your smartphone.
The BlackBerry link isn’t perfect, but after you
have set it up and have dragged your photos, docs, videos and songs to
your new device, you will be ready to enjoy them.
How to Skip a Song using the Volume Button
In addition to their most obvious function, the
volume buttons can allow you to skip tracks. If you want to enable
track-skipping, go to Settings > System Volume and select Music
Shortcuts. There, volume levels can be adjusted by tapping on the volume
buttons. Holding the up or down volume button allows you to skip
forward or back in a playlist.
How to Change Your Search Engine
When you get your BlackBerry, Bing is the
default search engine. You can change it to Yahoo! or Google if you
wish. To do so, start a search in the URL field at the bottom of the
browser app. The app will recognize a search and complete the search; in
the top right corner of your device, you will see a drop down menu to
allow you to choose a different search engine.
How to Use Time Shift
Time shift is a photo feature that will take a
few photos before and after the moment you actually click the shutter.
This allows you to take the best possible photos, but it’s not a default
setting. To enable it, choose Time Shift from the options button on the
top right corner of the Camera app. You can’t, unfortunately, make a
GIF out of all the frames.
How to Take a Photo From the Lock Screen
On the lock screen, in the lower left corner,
there is a universal icon for a camera. Tapping and holding the icon for
a few moments will launch the camera app. You can take a photo if you
tap the screen or tap the buttons for volume up or down.
How to Use Word Shortcuts
Users who like Text Expander will enjoy being
able to use words to create shortcuts. BlackBerry 10 already uses a list
of word substitutions, which you can supplement with your own. Go to
Settings > Language and Input > Automated Assistance > Word
Substitution, and tap Add Shortcut from the bottom of the screen. You
can then add your favorite words and ASCII art.
How to Find Phone with “Find Your Blackberry” App
This app is similar to Find My iPhone, and is
technically called BlackBerry Protect. Like Find My iPhone, this app
will let you find your missing or stolen Z10, send out messages, sound
an alarm and remove the device from the Protect BlackBerry website – all
remotely.
