Generally everyday we find a need to search for something on the Web. One of the great benefits of having a BlackBerry is having access to that search capability anytime, anyplace. Wouldn’t it be great if you could open your BlackBerry Web Browser and  it automatically opened on Google or any other web page your desired? Well today we are going to show you how to set this up and make your internet searches a lot easier. Ok, let’s get started..

How to change your BlackBerry Web Browser start page.

1. Launch your BlackBerry Internet Web Browser: Be sure you choose the BlackBerry Icon that says Browser. Not Media Net or T-Mobile Browser.

2. Type Google.com (or the site you want to use) in the browser and hit enter or go.

3. Hit the once the site comes up hit the Menu Key > Select Options

4. Select Browser Configuration > Scroll down and look for Start Page: > Click and change to Home Page:

5. Next scroll down and look for Home Page Address: > Select  Use Current > You should now see the web page address of your choice.

6. Hit the Menu Key > Select Save Options.

7. Hit the Menu Key > Close

That’s it.. Now close the browser and reopen, your browser should open on the Start Page of your choice.

If you would like to get more details on using the BlackBerry Web Browser, you can click here or go to our BlackBerry Help Videos page for additional resources.

Target announced today the nationwide launch of their Scannable Mobile Coupon Program in all of their retail stores. What’s really neat about this program is that for certain items you will no longer need to bring coupon to the store. Once you’re done shopping, you will be able to bring up a barcode on the screen of your BlackBerry. The cashier will then scan the barcode and it will instantly take off the coupon discounts.

At Target, we know that mobile phones are an integral part of our guests’ lives, and mobile coupons are just another way we’re providing convenient, on-the-go shopping solutions,” said Steve Eastman, president of Target.com.

Here’s how the program works..

For you to participate you must have a BlackBerry data plan and the ability to receive text messages. Next you must opt-in to the program using one of the following methods, on your PC at Target.com/mobile, on your BlackBerry at m.target.com, or by texting COUPONS to 827438 (TARGET). Once this is complete you will receive a text message with a link to a mobile Web page that contains multiple offers, all accessible through a single barcode. Offers are single use and expire on the date listed according to the Target press release. Target.com states that the text message will only be sent out once a month, and some coupon items will be exclusive to mobile users. I do recommend that you have a texting plan on your wireless account, since you will be charged by your carrier for the text. Target is the first national retailer to widely launch such a program, and I’m sure if it’s successful, you will see other retail chains following suit.

For more info click here to see the Target press release.

ÜberTwitter, one of the more popular BlackBerry Twitter applications, has updated it’s current Beta 7 release to version 0.970. This new update brings additional bug fixes and some minor enhancements to the beta Twitter app. Be sure to grab the latest update.

Click here to download the new update directly to your BlackBerry.

Click here to see a list of changes and fixes.

Jerry Seinfeld pops up on David Letterman the other night to promote his new show The Marriage Ref. In relation to the show, Jerry decides to talk about his wife and her BlackBerry addiction. Jerry pokes fun at how attached BlackBerry users are to their devices, and begins to refer to them as “BlackBerry People”. Watch the video and see if this sounds like someone you know..

( Via BBCool)

A few weeks ago we announced the release of the free Kindle Reader App for the BlackBerry Smartphone. Today Amazon pushed out an update for it’s now highly popular Kindle app to v1.0.0.68140194. We’re not quite sure what has been updated, but we hope a few of the improvements that were discussed at it’s launch have been added.  If you haven’t  tried Kindle for BlackBerry yet, here is what you’ve been missing.

Read Kindle Books on Your BlackBerry

• Get the best reading experience available on your BlackBerry. No Kindle required
• Access your Kindle books even if you don’t have your Kindle with you
• Automatically synchronizes your last page read and annotations between devices with Whispersync
• Create bookmarks and view the annotations you created on your Kindle, computer, or other Kindle-compatible mobile device

Shop for Books in the Kindle Store

• Search and browse more than 400,000 books, including 101 of 112 New York Times® Best Sellers.
• Find New York Times Best Sellers and new releases for $9.99, unless marked otherwise
• Get free book samples – read the first chapter for free before you decide to buy
• Books you purchase can also be read on a Kindle, computer, or other Kindle-compatible mobile device
• Kindle newspapers, magazines, and blogs are not currently available for Kindle for BlackBerry
• Kindle for BlackBerry is available to U.S. customers only

Future Improvements

As with all our services, we will continue to improve the Kindle for Blackberry application. Below are some of the features to be added in the near future:

• Scrolling
  In addition to page-by-page navigation, you will be able to scroll text line-by-line.
• Create Notes and Highlights
  Along with viewing the notes and highlights you created on other Kindle devices, you will be able to create and edit notes and highlights.
• Search
  You will be able to search within your book.

The Kindle for BlackBerry app currently supports the following BlackBerry devices.

• BlackBerry Curve 8520 and 8900
• BlackBerry Tour 9630
• BlackBerry Bold 9000 and 9700
• Storm 9530 and 9550

Click here with your BlackBerry Web browser to download Kindle for BlackBerry or go to http://amazon.com/kindlebb on your BlackBerry Smartphone.

Click here to read more on the Kindle for BlackBerry beta application.

Click here to read BerrySync’s detailed overview of the BlackBerry Kindle app.

RIM has pushed out a little goody for BlackBerry users this morning with an update to it’s BlackBerry application download service (BlackBerry App World) to V1.1.033.  There is no word yet on what’s new in the update, but I suspect it’s a maintenance release to increase performance.

If you already have BlackBerry App World on your device, you may have gotten a little notice that the update is now available.  If you click on BlackBerry App World it should give you the option to download the update.

If you don’t have BlackBerry app world on your device. You’re missing one of the best things about owning a BlackBerry. You can download the BlackBerry App World by going to www.BlackBerry.com/appworld using the BlackBerry web browser. If you’re looking for more information on BlackBerry App World? Read our article on “Why BlackBerry App World is a must have for BlackBerry users.”

It seems like the boys and girls over at E*Trade are a little berry happy.. Not only did they finally launch their E*Trade Mobile Pro app for the BlackBerry Storm, but they are also giving away free BlackBerry devices when you open an account with them. Now that’s what I call a pretty sweet deal..

Now for those of you who are currently E*Trade customers, but have not tried their E*Trade Mobile Pro for BlackBerry app, here is an overview of the things you can do.

One-Screen Account Management
Log on with a single password
and see all of your accounts, all in
one place.

Streaming Real-time Quotes
FREE up-to-the-second stock, option, and index quotes with full details, plus integrated news and trading.

Live Watch Lists
Get real-time prices, dollar and percentage changes, and volume.

FREE Quick Transfer⁵
Move money to and from any account at any financial institution.

Easy Stock & Options Trading
Buy, sell, and place market, limit, and advanced orders just like you would from your computer.

Breaking Market News & Commentary
See what’s hot with real-time indexes, NASDAQ movers, and NYSE movers.

Now if you’re looking to get a new BlackBerry and want to dabble in the market to grow your nest egg, then head on over to E*Trade and see what they’ve got cooking. While you’re there, don’t forget to say hi to the E*Trade kids for me..

Click here to see a demo of the E*Trade Mobile Pro for BlackBerry in action.

Click here to download the E*Trade Mobile Pro for BlackBerry to your device.

Click here to visit E*Trade for more details.

Jancee Dunn over at Oprah.com discussed the subject of tech etiquette. Jancee asked a few ethics professionals some questions on proper mobile tech etiquette. Here is what they said…

Q: Is it okay to “just check” a BlackBerry or cell phone at dinner if you’re having a work emergency or have a sick child at home?

A: “Only if you alert your companion first. Trying to hide what you’re doing is rude. I was in a meeting about etiquette, and as we were all talking about respect for others, one person was nodding—while looking at her BlackBerry.”
— Michele Wetherald, executive director of the American Association of University Women and a former ethics instructor

Q: What about if there’s no emergency—you just want to know who’s e-mailing or calling?

A: “When you’re ‘just checking,’ you become the equivalent of That Guy who keeps ogling other women while he pretends he’s listening to his date. And you hate That Guy, remember?”
— Faith Salie, host of Fair Game with Faith Salie, a nightly public radio show

A:”It’s never appropriate. What did we ever do without a crackberry? We waited, that’s what we did! We waited until we got to that big, black heavy phone at our grandmother’s house. We discovered that good news could wait and bad news would find you in the Amazon jungle.”
— Pastor Rudy Rasmus, leader of St. John’s United Methodist Church in Houston; his first book is Touch: The Power of Touch in Transforming Lives (Baxter Press/Spirit Rising)

Q: What if you’re suffering through a bad date/family wedding/niece’s ballet recital?

A: “Yes. I think life is too precious to waste by suffering through the school play in which your nephew plays a magnolia tree in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.”
— Faith Salie

“There’s no such thing as ‘discreetly’ checking. It makes no difference if you’re having a great time or bored stiff. The availability of gadgets doesn’t excuse giving less than your full attention to the gathering at hand.”
— Jack Marshall, president and founder of ProEthics, a training and consulting firm for business and government leaders

“If you’re on a date gone bad, don’t resort to playing games. Just end the evening early and admit to yourself that you’re still on the hunt.”
— Pastor Rudy Rasmus

So do you think the ethcs pros are right? Let us know what you feel is an improper time or place for someone check their BlackBerry?

<Oprah.com>

One complaint that I hear from some BlackBerry users, or those who are considering BlackBerry, is that the fonts are too small. Today we are going to fix that by showing you how you can change your font size with step by step instructions. I’m sure this will make your eyes very, very happy.  Ok, let’s get started…

How to change your font size on your BlackBerry:

1. Go to the Options Icon on your Main Screen. ( For some users it maybe under settings.)

2. Once in Options > Select Screen/Keyboard. Note: If you hit the letter S on your keyboard it will jump to Screen and Keyboard.

3. Once in Screen/Keyboard > Select Font Size:

4. Select the Font Size that your desire. You will see the sentence change size to preview the change.

5. You may also consider changing the Font Style to BOLD.

6. Hit the BlackBerry Menu Key to save.

7. That’s it!! You’re done..

Click here to view video from your BlackBerry.

So our hero is being chased by bad guys and needs to make a quick get a way. He whips out his trusty BlackBerry, hit a few buttons, the door unlocks, the car starts up and is ready to whisk him away to safety. Sounds like a great intro for a Bond movie, but in this case our hero is you. For most of us, on any common day we’re not being chased by bad guys. But life does dictate that there are times when remote door unlocking and car starting can really come in handy. Well the team over at Viper has come to the rescue with the Viper SmartStart App for BlackBerry. With Viper SmartStart you can now remote start, lock, and unlock your car.  You can also take control of your car’s alarm system with an additional few clicks. The fun part is that you can do this from anyplace in the world if you choose. Now you can kiss goodbye the days of getting into a hot car during the summer, or waiting for the heater to warm up in the winter. I give Directed Electronics credit for developing this solution for the masses, since the Mbrace BlackBerry remote start solution is for Mercedes-Benz customers.

Kevin Duffy, President of Directed Electronics stated the following:

Today we have made Viper SmartStart technology accessible to tens of millions of BlackBerry users – a significant and distinctly different market from the iPhone, whose users are likely to be just as receptive to the innovative features offered by our product.

The Viper SmartStart app currently supports the BlackBerry Storm, Curve and Bold series devices. For more product info and pricing, check the press release after the jump.

DIRECTED ELECTRONICS’ AWARD-WINNING VIPER SMARTSTART NOW AVAILABLE FOR BLACKBERRY

“Start Your Car from Virtually Anywhere with Your BlackBerry”
Vista, California (February 23, 2010) – Directed Electronics announced that its award-winning Viper SmartStart, which allows users to start their car remotely with their iPhone, can be used with most BlackBerry smartphones starting today.

According to Mike Simmons, Executive Vice President of Directed Electronics, “Viper SmartStart is now available for BlackBerry devices through a free app, available for download now at http://www.viper.com/BlackBerry and soon on BlackBerry App World, providing BlackBerry users all of the great features that iPhone users have been enjoying since the product was introduced in October.”

Particularly popular in cold weather climates, remote start allows users to start their vehicle by remote control to defrost the windows and pre-warm the cabin in the winter or pre-cool the car in the summer, so they get into a comfortable car that’s ready to drive. Most remote start systems use a small remote control on the user’s keychain to activate remote start, but these “keyfobs” typically have limited range. Viper SmartStart has virtually unlimited range – an important feature to remote start users.

“After we introduced Viper SmartStart for the iPhone, we quickly heard from our dealers and customers who carry BlackBerry devices. They are just as passionate about their choice of smartphone and they have been anxiously awaiting Viper SmartStart for BlackBerry,” added Simmons. “By leveraging their smartphone user interface, Viper SmartStart introduces a whole new value proposition to customers. From operating key functions on their vehicle without using their key, to remote unlocking if a family member is locked out of their car, to the most advanced vehicle security features ever available, Viper SmartStart is truly creating a new paradigm for the future of the remote start and car security category.”

BlackBerry users with most security or remote start systems from Viper, Clifford or Python will now be able to download the free app, have SmartStart professionally installed on their vehicle, then activate their account. Depending on installation, users will be able to start their car, lock and unlock the doors, arm or disarm the security system, pop the trunk, or panic the siren, (which can also be used as a car finder) – all using their BlackBerry. Users with a compatible security system will also be notified on their smartphone if their siren has been triggered by an attempted break-in.

According to Kevin Duffy, President of Directed Electronics, “Today we have made Viper SmartStart technology accessible to tens of millions of BlackBerry users – a significant and distinctly different market from the iPhone, whose users are likely to be just as receptive to the innovative features offered by our product.”

Retailers already carry the necessary hardware – either the VSM100 Viper SmartStart module, or the equivalent DSM100 Directed SmartStart module, each with an MSRP of $299. Besides the free app, users will also need a compatible Viper, Python or Clifford remote start or remote start/security system, available at thousands of authorized retailers nationwide including Best Buy stores.

“We will continue to develop the Viper SmartStart product roadmap in 2010 and beyond,” according to Duffy, “with new products and features enabled by software, on a variety of hardware platforms and in new markets around the world. Viper SmartStart truly is a game-changing product.”

For more information, please visit www.viper.com/smartstart

<CrackBerry>