Alright so you’ve just downloaded and installed the BlackBerry Enterprise Server, you’ve configured everything and are ready to start getting your users added to the Server and working.  Once you have your users added to the BlackBerry Administration Service (BAS) you will need to activate them on the BES server.  The process of activating a BlackBerry on the BES is simple and if all goes well takes only a short while.  In this guide I will be talking about the different ways to activate a user and about what happens during an activation.

What is an activation?

An activation is basically the process of letting the BES server know which user and email account will be connected to a specific BlackBerry and connecting that BlackBerry with the user.

Pre-Requisites of Enterprise Activation

- In order to Enterprise Activate a BlackBerry you will need to have BES services put on your BlackBerry( if you are using BESXpress you can activate with normal BIS Services)

-The user must have an Email Inbox attached to their user account

How is a BlackBerry Activated

There are 5 ways to activate a BlackBerry Smartphone on the BES server. The first is OTA (Over-The-Air).  This involves setting a password for the user on the BAS and then having your user go to the Enterprise Activation screen on the BlackBerry and enter in their email and password that you created.

The second way to activate a BlackBerry is through Email.  This process is also done through the BAS by choosing the option to send an email containing the Activation password to the users mailbox. Once the user receives this email they again go to the Enterprise Activation screen on the BlackBerry and enter their email and activation password they received in the inbox.

The third way is to use the BlackBerry Desktop Software.  This process will require you to have the BlackBerry and USB cable on hand.  Launch the BlackBerry Desktop Software 6.0 and then connect the BlackBerry to the computer.  Once the BlackBerry Desktop Software recognizes the device you will go through the wizard and select the option “Add my enterprise email account”. Once you have completed the wizard that comes up with that option the device should begin its activation process.

The fourth way to activate a BlackBerry on the BES is to use the BAS.  Simply connect the BlackBerry to the BES server or a computer that you can launch the BAS on and on the left hand side click the “+” next to attached devices.  When this expands you should see the connected BlackBerry.  Click on “Manage current device”, and then “Assign Current Device”.  Search for the user and click “Associate User” and then click “Assign Current Device”. The Activation will begin.

Finally the last way to activate the user on the BES is to use the BlackBerry Web Desktop Manager which is similar to using the Desktop Manager.

This is just a general overview of the different ways to activate, for a more thorough look at how to activate through these different ways you can take a look at this document -How to activate a BlackBerry smartphone using BlackBerry Enterprise Server Express 5.0

What Happens Behind the Scenes of an Enterprise Activation?

During an Enterprise Activation as soon as the user has been added to the BES, the BES begins scanning the mailbox that is connected to their user account.  When the BlackBerry starts the activation through the activation screen it sends out an email message(called ETP message) to the inbox that was entered into the email field within the activation screen.  This email contains a bunch of information about the phone and the encryption (password).  Once in the inbox the BES recognizes it as an ETP message and picks it up and processes the information within the ETP message with the user account information within the BES.  If  this information is the same the encryption is verified and then the phone becomes officially connected to that particular user and their mailbox.  The synchronization begins and at this point all of the contacts, memos, calendar appts etc get pushed to the device.  When all synchronization is done the BlackBerry will give you a message stating so and the BlackBerry will now be activated to the server.

I hope this has given you a better knowledge and understanding about BlackBerry Enterprise Server Activations.  Should you need any assistance in troubleshooting activation issues stay tuned as I am currently working on a tutorial that will outline the main activation issue causes and how to troubleshoot these causes.

Research In Motion’s BlackBerry Tablet; the PlayBook has just recently had an update to its’ operating system from the original release 1.0 to the PlayBook OS 2.0. This of course featured an addition that would make the BlackBerry PlayBook capable of running not only native BlackBerry applications but Android based apps as well. Here is a list of the 10 great BlackBery PlayBook apps available for download.

1. Poynt

Point is a fantastic GPS based application that will help to guide you wherever you want to go. Whether you need to find a business, a person or movie times Poynt is there to help you out. Poynt features an easy to use interface and can also turn in to a GPS and give you turn by turn directions to wherever you want to go. This app for your BlackBerry PlayBook is definitely a very useful app especially if you travel a lot. The app is completely free from App World.

2. Groovy Notes

Take organization to the next level with Groovy Notes for the BlackBerry PlayBook. This app is fantastic for organizing the details of your life. With Groovy Notes you can take memos, schedule calendar appointments, make lists, and have a personal journal you can write in. Searching for different items has also been optimized to make finding that important item or date simple and fast. Want to remember work or school related notes, Groovy Notes for the BlackBerry PlayBook has a audio recording feature that you can use to refresh your mind. A great app for people with busy schedules.

3. MyBestShot

MyBestShot is a neat app for people who like to take pictures. The way this app for the BlackBerry PlayBook works is that it can take up to 64 shots at one time to give you a wide array of photos that you go through to choose the best shots, instead of having to take multiple single shots until you get it perfect. The MyBestShot app for the BlackBerry PlayBook supports both the front and back camera, and also allows you to be able to upload photos to Facebook right from the app.

4. Angry Birds

Angry Birds is a fun and addictive game that has gone viral on IOS and Android devices, and is available for the BlackBerry PlayBook as well. The concept of this game is quite simple and involves using a sling shot to hurl birds at green pigs who have stolen your eggs. The levels are filled with all kinds of obstacles that the pigs use to hide behind. Angry Birds is a fun and addictive game that you will thoroughly enjoy and with over 280 levels that require logic and thought it will have you busy for days

5. Cut the Rope HD

Cut-the Rope HD is a fun and challenging BlackBerry PlayBook app that will keep you entertained. The basis of the game is to try to cut the rope in a way that will allow you to catch a star so that you can feed a little creature named Om Nom. This game is packed with enemies and obstacles that will try to get in your way of feeding Om Nom, it is up to you to use your logic to overcome these obstacles and enemies. A great game definitely worth the download.

6. Need for Speed Undercover

Get into the driver seat of over 20 popular, fast cars and drive like you mean it. Race your way to the top against the best in this critically acclaimed racing game from Electronic Arts. With 8 challenging race modes, 3 unique environments and 24 missions, you will have a ton of fun racing fast performance enhanced cars to beat your opponents. If you drive well and you prove yourself a road worthy opponent you can earn performance upgrades that will take your car’s racing ability to the next level. A great game and with the price tag of nothing it is certainly worth downloading.

7. Monopoly

The Classic board game has come to the BlackBerry PlayBook and is available for download from App World. Monopoly for BlackBerry PlayBook features the game pieces and game idea you know and love, with enhanced graphical game play and animations. Roll your way to the top, by landing on and buying properties, houses and hotels. A great classic game for the modern day.

8. Berzerker Ball

Berzerk Ball is a fantastic BlackBerry PlayBook game that is really quite addictive. Choose a character and then take off to Berzerk land where you can bash the heck out of Comeau the geek. The farther you hit Comeau, and the more he hits while in the air the more points and money you can earn to upgrade your arsenal, and the strength of your character. There are a ton of trophies you can unlock by achieving certain goals and there are a ton of obstacles, and features to this all around fun and addictive game.

9. Plants vs Zombies

Protect your home and yourself from hordes of zombies coming for you. Your arsenal consists of different types of plants with different types of ammo and features and you have to plant these plants in an attempt to kill the zombies before they reach your house. There are different types of zombies with defferent powers and features that you will have to defeat using your skill and logic. Beware though you only have a certain number of seeds, and there are many different obstacles to hinder your plants from growing. A great game that wont let you down.

10. Nobex Radio

Never miss your Sports, Music or News again with Nobex Radio for the blackBerry PlayBook. Listen to your favorite radio stations for free, watch youtube videos, share what you like with your friends all from the Nobex Radio app. Nobex Radio is a free application and will keep you busy with whatever you like to listen to on the radio, right on your PlayBook from wherever you are.

This is not an exhaustive list and there are plenty more great apps and games awaiting download for your BlackBerry PlayBook.  Take a stroll on over to the BlackBerry App World and start downloading those apps.

When the BlackBerry PlayBook was first released it came with a unique idea called BlackBerry Bridge, which was an app that allowed its users to connect the PlayBook to their BlackBerry Smartphones to be able to manage their email, calendars, contacts and more from the PlayBook. This however did not go over so well as many of the PlayBook customers were looking for these features to be available right from the PlayBook instead of having to “Bridge” over to get this functionality. Research In Motion realized this and took the negative feedback from the customers and used it as fuel to improve the BlackBerry PlayBook OS.

With the Release of the BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 earlier this week, the PlayBook has a load of new features that have been added to it, including nearly everything that customers wanted in the initial release last year. Along with the added features and improvements to the actual PlayBook OS was the improvements to the Blackberry Bridge application.

One of the biggest enhancements added to the BlackBerry Bridge 2.0 was the “Open on PlayBook” option which basically allows you to open things that you have on the BlackBerry Smartphone like email, videos, address book entries, calendar items, task, memos and more on the BlackBerry PlayBook from the BlackBerry. This also includes attachment types as well as browser urls. Essentially this means that you could get sent a Youtube video link on your BlackBerry and you could press the “Open on PlayBook” option, this would auto open the browser and navigate to the Youtube video.

The second biggest enhancement to the BlackBerry Bridge software for the PlayBook is the addition of the “Bridge Remote Control”. This option literally turns your BlackBerry Smartphone into a remote control for your PlayBook. The functionality of the remote control includes bezel gestures and also extends to the keyboard. This means that you can be taking notes on your BlackBerry PlayBook while typing from the keyboard on the BlackBerry Smartphone. Other features for the remote control include:

-PlayBook Bezel Gestures from your BlackBerry Phone
-Vertical Scrolling
-Drag-Lock
-Right, Left, Center Mouse Click Emulation
-Dedicated Presenter Mode

This feature really comes in handy for the Business type setting where presentations are common. With the BlackBerry PlayBook you can use an HDMI cable to connect it to a projector and then from across the room you can use your BlackBerry Smartphone to control your PlayBook.

BlackBerry Bridge takes device cooperation to the next level and is only in the beginning stages of what its true potential can become. The release of it and the overall BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 will definitely bring some competition back from Research In Motion and if they continue to move forward and strive to outdo instead of catch up I really feel RIM can become a big hitter in the Smartphone and tablet market.

Anybody who has ever used a BlackBerry will know that the Browser capabilities and speed has never been a strong point, especially when compared to the competition. This of course is frustrating and can really hinder you from being able to effectively use many web based applications. The browser functionality on top of other things have been one of the major complaints of the BlackBerry OS and this issue with the browser was even seen in the first release of the first PlayBook OS 1.0 software.

Research In Motion recently released the BlackBerry PlayBook 2.0 software which boasts complete upgrades and enhancements to the browser application and it’s ability to run even the most complex web based apps. Just today I came across a video that shows a BlackBerry PlayBook with OS 1.0 and a BlackBerry PlayBook running OS 2.0 doing web based testing to show the difference in the speeds of the browser app.

Here is the video, the results are really quite remarkable and will definitely help to increase the possibility of consumers taking a serious look into getting the BlackBerry PlayBook.

As you can see there is a significant difference in the speed and fluidity of the BlackBerry PlayBook 2.0 browser, which means that all of the web apps you download and use will act and behave the way they were designed instead of being slowed down by an incapable and slow browser. It looks like BlackBerry may have just come out with an update that may help to keep them in and give them a small boost in the very competitive tablet market.

When the BlackBerry PlayBook was released it came with the capability of being able to connect to your BlackBerry smartphone through Bluetooth with the aid of RIM made software called BlackBerry Bridge.  BlackBerry bridge is an application that must be installed to the BlackBerry smartphone via App World, and installed before you can connect your BlackBerry device to your PlayBook.

The benefit with being able to use BlackBerry Bridge to connect your BlackBerry to the PlayBook is that it allows you to have the ability to manage and have access to functions like email, BBM, calendar appointments, files and other data stored on your BlackBerry right from the PlayBook.  Once you have connected this will be seen by the following icons appearing on your BlackBerry PlayBook.

Connecting BlackBerry Bridge to PlayBook

1. On your BlackBerry PlayBook home screen, on the status bar tap BlackBerry Bridge.
2. Tap “Setup” then “Next” and then finally “Continue”
3. On your BlackBerry Smartphone launch the BlackBerry Bridge app.
4. Click on “Add New Tablet” and then Press “Continue”
5. There will be barcode on the PlayBook and you will need to point your BlackBerry phone at the barcode until your BlackBerry connects to the tablet.

The BlackBerry PlayBook currently as of this post uses only a WiFi connection to connect to the internet.  When you connect your BlackBerry to the PlayBook through the BlackBerry Bridge software the synchronization of the saved WiFi profiles on your phone will be brought over to the PlayBook automatically so that your PlayBook will be able to connect through WiFi to your normally used networks.  On top of this you will also be able to use your BlackBerry network internet on the PlayBook as well so long as both devices are connected.

Here is a great BlackBerry Bridge Demo Video from Research In Motion:

http://demos.blackberry.com/playbook/na/us/gen/

I hope this has given you a better understanding of what BlackBerry Bridge is, what it does and how to connect to and use it.