So you have the BlackBerry Pearl and were probably told that even though the keyboard is not the typical QWERTY keyboard or traditional phone keyboard... (instead its 2letters-per-key keyboard) that it would not be a problem and that you'll get used to it within a few days?
But alas you want to understand what it's all about?
The Pearl offers two options to its users: SureType and Multi-Tap.
To get a better understanding of your options... it's best to look into each option and see what's best for you.
Well the genious tool "SureType" was created by RIM for BlackBerry's newer smart phones. As quoted from their site:
"RIM's SureType is a giant step ahead of any predictive text you've used before. It learns new words after one try and automatically integrates all the names in your address book. After 15 minutes on this keyboard we were typing with ease."
SureType® is an innovative keyboard technology that supports the advanced messaging features that serious users require. Through an integrated keyboard and software system, SureType effectively combines a traditional phone keypad and a familiar QWERTY-based keyboard to create an efficient and familiar typing experience. SureType allows users to quickly and accurately compose messages using single-handed operation or two-handed thumb-typing — without the limitations of traditional phone keypads. There are no dual keypads, peripherals or hardware transformations required and there is no need to learn a new way to type. Since the software understands what you're typing, you can concentrate on composing your message rather than on the input method. You can also switch to the multi-tap input method when desired by pressing and holding the * key in a text input field.
To help facilitate easy spelling and composition, SureType includes intuitive software with a word list of over 35,000+ words and the ability to increase that list based on the frequency of use and the names and addresses in the smartphone's address book (which is a GREAT tool if you use an uncommon word quite often and hate having to type it out every single time). It also has the ability to recognize character letter sequences that are common in the English language, such as "-ing".
However, it may not know unusual words and acronyms. For improved speed and accuracy, follow these steps the first time you enter unique words and email addresses:
- Use the trackwheel or trackball to select the correct letters after you press each key
- Press the SPACE key after you have typed the complete word, acronym or email address to allow SureType to learn that letter combination. New words will automatically be added to your custom word list and will appear as an option the next time they are typed.
- New words will be extracted from your incoming emails and automatically added to your custom word list
- Support for compound words
- The ability to load additional industry-specific word lists, such as finance/business, medical and legal
- Enhanced support for ambiguous word handling (i.e. are/see, is/us)
- Internationalization enhancements, including an input language indicator and the ability to press “ALT-ENTER” to bring up the list of available input languages
Enable SureType
- When entering text, press the Menu key.
- An option to "Enable Suretype" will be available when Multitap text entry mode is active. Alternatively, "Enable Multitap" will be available when the user is in Predictive or SureType text entry mode.
Disable SureType
- When entering text, press the Menu Key.
- An option to "Enable Multitap" will be available when SureType text entry mode is active. Alternatively, "Enable Suretype" will be available when the user is in Multitap text entry mode.
Toggle the text entry mode
- Press and hold the "*" (Asterisk) key while in a text field to switch between text entry modes.
- Scroll to and select the Settings icon (to select press the trackball in).
- Scroll to and select the Options icon.
- Scroll to and select Language.
4 comments:
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Press and hold the "*" (Asterisk) key while in a text field to switch between text entry modes.
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YES! I haven't read the manual, but that was the one thing I wish I had known!
well that, and how to dial phone numbers with text in them...
oh, and these don't work in the Google apps, because apparently Google hates Blackberry users.
ugh, and the * trick doesn't seem to work either!....
The * trick brings up my symbol menu. However, here is how to dial using letters if you need to on a pearl. When typing the letters you'll automatically change to the multitap mode.
The Phone application on the handheld automatically converts phone numbers that include letters into the associated numbers.
To key a phone number that contains letters, press the right Shift key or the Alt key and type. The letters appear on your screen but the handheld translates them into the appropriate numbers when the call is made.
For example, to call 1-877-BLK-BERR (1-877-255-2377) from your handheld,
Open the Phone application.
Type the 1877 numbers then Hold the Alt or right Shift key down and type BLKBERR
When the call is dialed, the letters are converted to numbers on the screen.
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