How To Install a Hybrid BlackBerry OS

We’ve covered how to install new or leaked BlackBerry OS‘ for those who want to run the latest version on their device, even though their carrier may not have released it yet. While that process helps users get the best performance out of their device, sometimes the new versions improve functionality of one feature, but have a negative effect on another. To truly get the most out of your device, you may consider installing a hybrid OS, which is basically a bunch of specific aspects of several OS versions compiled into one. For the purpose of this tutorial, we are installing the Willyboy 9700 v6.2 hybrid, one of the latest public releases by Willyboy6 over on Driphter.com.

To install a hybrid OS, you must ensure the proper base OS is installed and still relatively fresh. Since this hybrid is meant to install over the official 5.0.0.743, I’ve restored my device to that OS version using this method. Once the device is restored, download and launch the hybrid .exe file. Follow the prompts to install the file to your computer.

Once installed, exit the hybrid installer, a program called Shrink-A-OS or BBHybrid Tool will automatically launch. Select any applications or languages you won’t use in order to save space, and press Shrink My OS! Do not shrink out any themes for default fonts.

Once the process completes, click Launch Loader and follow the prompts to complete the installation. This process may take some time depending on how many applications/languages are being installed.

If the correct base OS was installed initially and the process completed without error, your BlackBerry should have a new hybrid OS installed! For some of the most popular BB Hybrids, check out Driphter.com or BBHybrids.net.

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How To Block SMS, MMS, PIN, and E-mail

If you’re looking for some down time from the office, or need to go distraction free for a little while, there’s a useful feature embedded in your Options menu called Firewall. This feature can block all of your SMS, MMS, PIN messages, or e-mail, and even allows you to add exceptions. Or, if you just want to filter annoying spam SMS, you can set your phone to only accept messages from contacts.

To access this feature, head to Options and select Security Options



Choose Firewall and select Enabled



Check off which services you want to block



If you’d like to exclude your contacts from the block, check off Contacts under Except messages from:



To add specific exceptions, check off Specific addresses. Press the Menu key and select Configure Exceptions





You can add PINs, phone numbers, or e-mail addresses as exceptions, simply press the Menu key to choose one



Enter your exception and press the Enter key. Press the Menu key and select Save



To delete exceptions, head back to to the Configure Exceptions menu. Highlight the exception you wish to remove, press the Menu key, and select Delete

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How To Tether Your BlackBerry to Your Mac via Bluetooth

For years, BlackBerry users who preferred to use a Mac as their desktop OS rather than Windows have had a difficult time completing certain tasks that should otherwise be relatively simple. Luckily, things are becoming easier for those of us who have Macs, and this guide will get any user – experienced or not – connected to the internet using their BlackBerry’s internet service. Before tethering your BlackBerry to any computer, make sure your data usage is covered under your carrier’s data plan, and remember that desktop usage will eat up significantly more data from your monthly allowance.
What You Will Need

• A BlackBerry handset that supports bluetooth

• A data package from your carrier that allows tethering

• Mac OS 10.4+ with bluetooth and BlackBerry Desktop Manager installed

Enable Bluetooth On-Device and Set to Discoverable

On your BlackBerry, go to Options and select Bluetooth



Press the Menu key and select Enable Bluetooth



Press the Menu key again, this time selecting Options



Set Discoverable to Yes. Press the Menu key and select Save



Pair Your Device to Your Computer

On your Mac, go to System Preferences and select Bluetooth



Ensure Bluetooth is enabled on your computer – make sure On is checked. Click the + symbol to open the Bluetooth Setup Assistant



Select Mobile Phone and allow it to search for and find your BlackBerry device



Highlight your BlackBerry in the list and select Continue. Even if your BlackBerry gives a message stating that connecting to your computer has failed, you can still continue



Enter the code that your computer displays on your BlackBerry device when prompted, choosing Yes when prompted to confirm that you want to allow data to be transferred between computer and handset



Check off Access the Internet with your phone’s data connection, and press Continue



Under Phone Vendor, select Research In Motion. Next, choose the type of device you’re using (CDMA or GSM), and enter your carrier’s APN settings. If you’re unsure of your APN settings, you can find them by quickly searching the internet or by contacting your carrier directly. Click Continue



If the process was successful up to this point, you should receive a Congratulations! message in the Bluetooth Setup Assistant on your Mac. Click Quit



Configure Your BlackBerry Security Settings to Trust the Connection

On your handset, go back into Options and select Bluetooth



Highlight your computer in the list of Paired Devices and press the menu key, selecting Device Properties



Set Trusted to Yes. Press the Menu key and select Save



Connecting to the Internet

On your Mac, go to System Preferences and select Network



On the left-hand side, select Bluetooth from the list of connection types and click Advanced near the bottom-right corner



Verify your settings are correct – Vendor should be set to Research In Motion, Model should reflect the type of device you have (GSM or CDMA), and APN should be what you entered earlier. If these settings are correct, click OK



Finally, click Connect!



If you’ve successfully tethered, the Status will change to Connected and you should see the icons below in your status bar on your Mac

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How To View General Device Info From Home Screen

Information such as your PIN, IMEI, OS version, and even signal strength can be found by navigating through the option menus and viewing sections such as About and Status, however there is a simpler way to view most of it on one screen. Using this simple keyboard shortcut, you can display all of your basic device information in one place, directly from your home screen.

This function serves primarily as a help feature while troubleshooting with technical support, though it comes in very handy for most users who learn about it.

To access the Help Me status screen, simply hold down the ALT and CAP keys simultaneously, and press H.

You will now see all of your device’s general information, including OS version, PIN, IMEI (or ESN), signal strength, battery level, and available/total memory.

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How To Add an Extension to a Contact

While this may be obvious to some, many people aren’t aware that you can easily program extensions directly into your contact list to be automatically dialed after the main phone number. While this process is mainly used for extensions, it can also be used to program passwords for auto-entry for alternate voicemail accounts, or even to automatically navigate you through an IVR system that uses keytones. There are actually 3 methods of doing this, which vary slightly in convenience and effect.

To insert a 3 second pause into your contact list entry, you have two options. The first, and most obvious option is to enter the edit screen for the contact (Contacts, highlight contact, Menu, Edit), and navigate to the end of the phone number in which you wish to add the extension to. Press the Menu key, and select Add Pause. You will notice an icon containing the letter P will appear, indicating a 3 second pause. Following the icon, simply enter the extension you want to dial automatically, and save (menu, save).

If you’d like a longer delay before automatically dialing the extension, you can add multiple pauses, with each one adding 3 seconds to the pause in dialing.

The second, and easiest method, is to insert a capital X between the phone number and extension. This will have the same effect as the first option, without having to use the menu to add the pause. To insert a capital X, hold the alt key and press the X key on your keyboard.

The third option provides a slightly different effect, which is called the Wait function. This feature will prompt you during the call to enter the extension automatically if you choose, which can be beneficial if you don’t always want the contact entry to include the extension. To add the wait function to a contact, navigate to the end of the phone number in the edit screen, press menu, and select Add Wait.

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