How to Use a Blackberry Pearl 8130

The Blackberry Pearl 8130 is a smart phone created by Canadian manufacturer Research In Motion (RIM). Released in 2006, it was RIM's first smart phone to incorporate a full-featured media player and a digital camera. Thus, the Blackberry Pearl was, and continues to be, one of RIM's most popular Blackberry models. Learn how to use the basic features of a Blackberry Pearl 8130, such as email and voice calling, to get the most out of the Blackberry's smart phone capabilities.

Instructions

1. Turn on the Blackberry Pearl 8130 by pressing the power key. Check the upper right-hand corner for the status of the battery. Individuals should fully charge the battery before using the Blackberry for the first time. Once the battery is charged, take active measures to conserve power to reduce the amount that you need to charge the device. For example, hold the mute key to place the Blackberry on standby mode. This prevents you from accidentally turning it on when it is in your pocket or purse. To turn off standby mode, click the Mute button a second time. Further conserve battery power by turning on the Blackberry Pearl's automatic on/off feature. Click Options and select Auto On/Off to schedule specific times for the smart phone to power down (e.g., set the phone to turn off every day when you are finished with work).

2. Practice typing using the Blackberry SureType technology. All Blackberry devices use RIM's proprietary SureType technology to make typing on its miniature keyboard more efficient. To type, press the letter key on the keypad a single time for each letter in the word you wish to type. The Blackberry Pearl will automatically select the letters that form the correct word. In cases where several words are possible, the Pearl will list the possible words for you to choose. Use the Pearl's center toggle switch to select an item from the list and click the Enter key to insert the word. If you do not like the SureType technology, click Options and select Language. In the window, switch the Language to "Multitap." Click Menu and press Save to disable SureType. Now, you will need to press each letter key multiple times until the letter you wish to use appears on the screen.

3. Send a test email. This requires that your Blackberry Pearl 8130 have full data service with a cellphone service provider, as well as well as an active email account. You will be guided through the email setup process the first time you access the built-in email software. To send an email, click Messages and push the toggle switch to open the message options list. Click Compose Mail in the pop-up menu. Enter the applicable contact information and the text of the email. Click Menu and select Check Spelling to scan the email for spelling errors. When you're finished, click the trackball navigational button in the middle of the Pearl's keypad and select Send from the pop-up menu.

4. Take a picture with the Blackberry Pearl 8130's built-in digital camera. With the phone in On mode, press the middle navigational trackball in the Pearl's keypad. Click the Camera icon to open the photo application. Aim the camera at an object or person and click the trackball again to take a picture. Apply any effects that you want by clicking Menu and selecting Photo Quality or Photo Effects to adjust the picture's quality or to change its colors. If you don't like the resulting picture, erase it by clicking the trash icon in the corner of the screen. Alternatively, click Menu to assign the picture to a contact (so that person's picture shows up when she calls or emails you).

5. Make a phone call with the Blackberry Pearl 8130 by typing the phone number on the smart phone's keypad. Alternatively, use the keypad to type an individual's name. If the individual is in your contact list, his number will automatically appear. Press the green-colored telephone button on the Blackberry Pearl's handset to dial the number. To hang up, press the red-colored telephone button. If someone calls you and leaves a voicemail, use the trackball in the middle of the keypad to activate the Options menu, and select Call Voice Mail to automatically dial your voicemail inbox.