Getting Started with BlackBerry Blend

With the release of BlackBerry 10 OS version 10.3, those using a BlackBerry Passport or Porsche Design P’9983 smartphone from BlackBerry can take advantage of BlackBerry Blend. Simply put, BlackBerry Blend allows you to connect and interact with your BlackBerry device using your computer or tablet so you can accomplish the following: Send and receive email messages and text messages (SMS) Access your BBM chats, BBM Groups, and BBM Channels Manage your calendar and view your daily, weekly, or monthly agenda View and update your contacts Copy and transfer files between your device and computer or tablet Open a browser with a secure connection so you can access your organization’s intranet and public websites if your device is associated with BlackBerry Enterprise Service 10 BlackBerry Blend also displays notifications on your computer or tablet whenever you receive an incoming message or notification so you can stay in touch without having to pick up your device. BlackBerry Blend works over your Wi-Fi network or mobile network connection as well as a USB connection so you can decide just how you’d like to connect, or should I say Blend! Tip: You can optionally turn off the ability for BlackBerry Blend to work over the mobile network. To do this go to Settings followed by Device Connections, and then turn off Use Mobile Network. To help you get started check out the following four-step guide :) Step 1 – Make sure BlackBerry Blend supports your device To use BlackBerry Blend you’ll need to meet the following requirements: BlackBerry Passport or the Porsche Design P’9983 smartphone from BlackBerry running BlackBerry 10 OS 10.3 or later Computer using Windows 7 and later or Mac OS X 10.7 and later Tablet using Android 4.4 or later or iOS 7.0 or later IPv6 networking enabled Step 2 – Install BlackBerry Blend on your computer or tablet To use BlackBerry Blend you’ll need to install BlackBerry Blend on your computer or tablet. Using either your computer or tablet, visit http://blackberry.com/blend and follow the instructions to download and install BlackBerry Blend. BlackBerry Blend is preloaded with BlackBerry 10 OS version 10.3 so the next step is setting up Blend so your device and computer or tablet can communicate with each other. Step 3 – Set up and use BlackBerry Blend To communicate with your device you need to complete a one-time pairing and update the BlackBerry Blend app on your device. Complete the following steps to complete this quick and easy process: On your computer or tablet, open BlackBerry Blend You’ll be guided through the BlackBerry Blend update the first time you launch it using BlackBerry World Do one of the following on your device If your device is connected to your computer using a USB cable, click USB Cable Connection If your computer or tablet is connected to a Wi-Fi network or the mobile network, click Wireless Network Connection When prompted, sign with your BlackBerry ID To find your BlackBerry ID, on your device go to Settings > BlackBerry ID After a connection is made, verify that the passkey on your device matches the passkey on your computer or tablet If your device is password protected, type your password Optionally, click Remain signed in if you do not want to enter your password again when connecting to BlackBerry Blend After you complete the one-time pairing process you are ready to Blend! Just tap any of the following items to start interacting with data stored on your smartphone. Note: Work Browser only appears on devices associated with BlackBerry Enterprise Service 10. Step 4 – Frequently asked questions Can I use BlackBerry Blend with multiple devices on the same computer or tablet? If you share a computer or tablet in your household, have no worries, everyone can use BlackBerry Blend! All you need to do is complete the one-time pairing process using each device and you can sign in to each device by logging in to BlackBerry Blend using the device’s BlackBerry ID. How do I turn off notifications? By default notifications appear on your computer or tablet whenever you receive a new message or notification. To turn this feature off (or on) open BlackBerry Blend on your computer or tablet, and then click or tap the Settings icon in the top-right corner. Within this Quick Settings menu, click Notifications On, or Off. How do I copy files between my device and computer or tablet? To copy files back and forth click or tap File Manager within BlackBerry Blend, browse to the folder you’d like to manage, and then drag files to, or from the folder. Can I browse the web using my device’s mobile network connection using BlackBerry Blend? If you use a BlackBerry 10 device that is associated with BlackBerry Enterprise Service 10 you can use the Work Browser to access your company’s intranet in addition to public websites. If you’d like to learn more about using the Work Browser within BlackBerry Blend contact your BlackBerry Enterprise Service Administrator. Can I prevent BlackBerry Blend from using my mobile network connection? Absolutely! Using your BlackBerry 10 device, go to Settings followed by Device Connections. Within this screen turn off Use Mobile Network to force BlackBerry Blend to use only a Wi-Fi or USB connection. Can I turn off BlackBerry Blend? If desired, you can optionally turn off BlackBerry Blend. Using your BlackBerry 10 device, go to Settings followed by Device Connections. Within this screen turn off Allow Connections. Going one step further you can turn BlackBerry Blend on or off through the BlackBerry 10 Quick Settings menu. Using your device, go to Settings followed by Quick Settings, and then select the check the box next to BlackBerry Blend. Where can I learn more about BlackBerry Blend and get help if I’m stuck? To learn more about BlackBerry Blend and get help if needed make sure you visit the BlackBerry Blend support website located at http://blackberry.com/blendsupport. Another great resource to learn more about BlackBerry Blend is the official BlackBerry web-based training course, Introducing and Supporting BlackBerry Blend If after reviewing the support site and web-based training content you have questions, pop by the BlackBerry Blend discussion board within the BlackBerry Support Community Forums or send a question to @BlackBerryHelp on Twitter. Got a question? Leave a comment and let me know!

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