Expert Tips From Phones Plus

The experts at Phones Plus want to help you get the most from your phone. Click on the tips below for time-saving strategies that will help you make the most of what you've got. And don't forget to check back from time to time for our latest and greatest ideas.

Android: Miscellaneous

Q: Will my Droid work in Mexico or Canada?
A: Yes, but may require changes to your Verizon Wireless account to ensure your price plan is compatible for international travel. Also, Verizon may charge per minute and/or per text while using services in those countries. Consult with your local Phones Plus representative to make sure you are informed before traveling international.

Android: Applications

Remove an Application from Main Screen: Long press on application shortcut, wait for the shortcut to release (the phone will vibrate) and then drag the application shortcut to the trash can at the bottom the screen.
Add an Application to Main Screen: Open the application tray and long press on the application icon. Once the phone vibrates indication the shortcut has been released, move the icon around into the area you would like it on your phone.
Move Applications Between Main Screens: Long press on the application shortcut and move it to the far left or the far right of the screen, and the shortcut should move to the corresponding screen.

Q: How do I multi-task on my Android phone?
A: Long press on home button at bottom of phone. This will launch a menu showing the last 6-8 applications used, so you can jump between applications with ease.

Q: Can I remove City ID, VZ Navigator, Kindle or any other Verizon pre-installed application?
A: No, Verizon has locked these items into the phone because of partnerships with these companies.

Android: Google Voice Search

How to Use Google Voice Search: Long press on the search button on the bottom right on your phone or press the microphone on the Google search widget.
Spoken commands to use with Google Voice Search
- “Call (+)”: Dial this contact. If the contact has multiple phone numbers, and you don’t specify which number to dial (i.e. ”“call Dad work”), you will receive an on-screen prompt to select which number.
- “Dial”: Dial your selected number: “Dial 3-1-0-5-5-5-1-2-1-2?.
- “Find”: Open a map a Google Maps displaying pins with the location(s).
- “Specific business name”: “Find Staples,” “Find McDonalds,”
- “Type of business”: “Find gas station”, “Find grocery store”, “Find yogurt”,
- “Specific location name”: “Find Disneyland”
- “Type of location”: “Find dog parks”
- “Map of ”: See Find, above.
- “Directions to < location>”: Open Google Maps providing driving, mass transit, biking or walking directions to your selected place from your current location. You can use the same types of locations as with Find, above.
- “Navigate to”: Start Google Navigate with set as the end point. You can use the same types of locations as with Find, above. General requests like “Navigate to gas station” will produce an on-screen prompt to select which local gas station.
- **2.2 Voice Search Only ** “Call”: “Call Phones Plus” Google search will auto search and dial the closest location.

Blackberry: Hints while in an e-mail to make navigating easier

When inside an e-mail, click the N button to go to the "next" message. This is much faster than exiting the e-mail and then scrolling down to open the next one. You can also use this with photos as well.
If you want to read a previous e-mail, click the P button when inside of a message, and you'll immediately see the "previous" one.
And if you've scrolled all the way down a long e-mail and want to go back to the top, just press the T button to move your cursor back to the "top" of the screen.

Blackberry: Take notes while talking on your phone

Ever wondered if you can take notes on your BlackBerry while talking to a friend without hanging up on them? You can! Here's how:
1. While you are on the phone, click the trackwheel.
2. Navigate to the notes icon.
3. Open notes and start typing your text.
What's great is that the notes will stay attached to the phone number in the log.
You can also attach them and forward them to a friend.

Blackberry: Battery-saving tips

Charging

Charge BlackBerry® smartphone as much as possible
Use wall chargers as the preferred charging method

Media

Reduce volume
Use headphones
Load media using the BlackBerry® Desktop Manager (avoids resizing)
Turn off equalizer settings (Media – Options)

Browsing

Visit mobile sites where applicable
Turn Repeat Animations to a lower setting (Browser – Options – General Properties)
Close browser when finished using (close with ESC key, not red End key)
Screen/Keyboard
Reduce Backlight Timeout (Options – Screen/Keyboard)
Reduce Backlight Brightness (Options – Screen/Keyboard)
Holster smartphone (turns off LCD automatically)
Set Audible Roll to mute (Options – Screen/Keyboard)
Key Tone Off (Options – Screen/Keyboard)
Use a sleeve when storing the smartphone in a pocket

Network Connections

Turn off unused connections when not in use, i.e., GPS, Wi-Fi®, Bluetooth®
Use Auto On/Off
Use single mode only (1XEV, 2G only, 3G only)

Shortcuts

Use shortcuts instead of activating Java® menus (Browser – Options – Browser Configuration)

Camera

Turn off flash (Camera – Options)
Set picture size to Small (Camera – Options)
Set Color Effect to Normal (Camera – Options)
Set Picture Quality to Normal (Camera – Options)

Applications

When exiting, be sure to close the app, not leave it running in the background (close with ESC key, not red End key)
Log out of third-party applications when they are not needed (Instant Messaging, etc.)

Indicators

Set Audible notification to Off (Profiles)
Turn off coverage LED (Profiles)

GPS

Use the zoom out function to get the largest viewable area that you can still use effectively

Blackberry: How to dial numbers like 1-800-BEST-BUY

Dial 1800
Press and hold the ALT key
Type the letters BESTBUY
Press send
The phone will automatically convert the letters into the correct numbers