On the list of reasons why I admire Research In Motion’s (RIM) BlackBerry operating system (OS), the sheer number of built-in, valuable keyboard shortcuts ranks near the top. These tricks help you navigate your devices and data, as well as the Web, as quickly and efficiently as possible.
In fact, your BlackBerry’s literally packing hundreds of “hidden” tips and tricks, many of which I’ve already uncovered with the help of high-level mobile gurus–even RIM’s co-CEO.
BlackBerry Bold 9000 Keyboard
Today, I’m offering up a list of keyboard shortcuts specific to the BlackBerry browser. I’m sharing tricks for rapid movement around a Web page; one-click access to a variety of browser options; a page-wide search function; a tip to instantly enable JavaScript for individual Web pages, and much more. Read on to see a side of your BlackBerry browser that you never knew existed.
(Note: Some of these tips and tricks may not work on devices without full QWERTY keyboards, like the Pearl 81xx and 82xx series, as well as the BlackBerry Storm. I tested them all using a BlackBerry Bold 9000 running OS v4.6.0.228 and a Curve 8900 on OS v5.0.0.90.)
BlackBerry Browser Keyboard Shortcuts
Jump to the Top or Bottom of a Web Page: To jump instantly to the very top or bottom or a Web page within your BlackBerry browser, simply click the “T” button to move all the way up or the “B” key to shift to the bottom.
Page Up, Page Down in BlackBerry Browser
To jump down a page length in the BlackBerry Browser, simply hit the Space key. Do so repeatedly to quickly move down a page. On the flip side, you can “page up” by holding a Shift key and then clicking Space. This is a great way to reduce wear and tear on your BlackBerry’s trackball–though replacement trackballs, in a rainbow of colors, aren’t exactly hard to come by or install.
Return to Your BlackBerry Home Page with One Click
The simplest and fastest way to surf to your home page via BlackBerry Browser: click your “H” key while on another page. (Note: Modify your BlackBerry home page by hitting Menu–directly to the left of your trackball–and choosing Options, then Browser Configuration. On the following screen, scroll down to the Home Page Address field and enter in the correct URL for your new home page.
Display Browser Options with a Single Click: Open up your BlackBerry Browser Options by hitting the “S” key while on any Web page.
Zoom In, Out on a Web Page: To zoom in on a page while using the BlackBerry Browser, click “I.” to zoom back out, hit “O.”
Refresh a Web Page
To refresh any page in your BlackBerry Browser, click the “R” key. To stop a page refresh, hit your Escape key.
Display BlackBerry Bookmarks List
Quickly display your BlackBerry Bookmarks by clicking “K” at any point while on a Web page.
BlackBerry Browser Configuration Options Menu
Add a New BlackBerry Bookmark
Create a new BlackBerry bookmark by hitting your “A” button while on the Web page you wish to add to your list. Set the appropriate options in the following pop-up box, hit save and you’re good to go.
View BlackBerry Browsing History
To instantly view your BlackBerry browsing history, click the “Y” key while surfing the Web.
Quickly View, Send a Web Page Address
To rapidly determine the URL for a Web page you’re visiting, click the “P” key. A prompt will appear that displays the page address and asks if you’d like to either copy the URL or send it via e-mail.
Close BlackBerry Browser via Keyboard Shortcut
To quickly exit your browser, either hit your BlackBerry Escape key–located directly to the right of your trackball–or click the “D” key. (Note: This shortcut did not work on my Curve 8900 running OS v5.0.0.90.)
Instantly Open “Go To” Page: The BlackBerry “Go To” page displays a URL bar for specific page addresses, a search bar, your bookmarks list and BlackBerry history. You can access the page via your BlackBerry Menu key, but there is also a quicker way: Just hit your “G” key on any Web page.
BlackBerry “Add a Bookmark” Shortcut
Alternate Between “Column” and “Page” Views in BlackBerry Browser
You’ll see two basic views available in the BlackBerry browser: Column View and Page View. Column View condenses the content of Web pages into a single column that should fit the width of your device’s screen–though it doesn’t always work perfectly. Page View renders Web pages more like a desktop browser might, allowing you to scroll around left and right instead of viewing a single column page.
By default, your BlackBerry will be set to display the Page View. To switch back and forth between the two, click your “Z” button.
Hide the BlackBerry Browser Banner
By default, the BlackBerry Browser is set to display a thin banner across the top of Web pages, but you can get rid of it to free up more screen real estate. To do so, click the “U” key while on any Web page. The banner shows the title of the page you’re visiting, along with device status information, such as the number of unread messages and network signal status, so you might want it. To display the banner again after removing it, just hit “U” once more.
Turn on JavaScript for a Single Page
To say that the BlackBerry Browser has JavaScript-issues would be an understatement; the browser works slowly enough without it, but switch it on and your Web surfing quickly slows to a crawl on JavaScript heavy sites. As such, it’s generally a good idea to turn off JavaScript.
To enable or disable JavaScript, hit “S” and open your Browser Options, then choose the Browser Configuration option. On the following screen, check or uncheck the box next to Support JavaScript.
BlackBerry Enable JavaScript Shortcut
However, there’s also a valuable keyboard shortcut that lets you turn on “one-time JavaScript,” or reload a page with JavaScript enabled, no matter your usual disabled setting. Click your “J” key while on any Web page, and your page will auto-refresh will JavaScript enabled.
Search for Text on a Web Page
As with a desktop browser, you can search for specific text on a Web page via BlackBerry browser. Hit “V” or “F,” type in the text you’re looking for and click the trackball. You’ll be directed to the first appearance of the text on the page, assuming it appears there. You can then continue to hit “V” to see where else the text shows up on the page.
© 2008 CXO Media Inc.
Source: CIO.com