[GadgetGuru72]

I've had my Pearl for about 2 weeks now and I love this thing, but yesterday I stumbled upon my first "problem" with the Pearl ... albeit a minor problem. I had a number to dial in which part of the number was provided as a word -- e.g., 1-800-BEST-BUY. Since the Pearl doesn't have the letters in place that correspond to a typical telephone, I wasn't able to dial the number. I knew that the number "1" was skipped, and then "abc" began with number "2." However, I remembered that a couple of numbers had 4 letters and, at the time, I did not remember that it was the "7" and the "9."

So, I'm thinking that I'll just put a little note in the MemoPad that states what letters are associated with what numbers. Before doing that, I was just wondering if anybody has come up with a better solution.

Thanks.

[juwaack68]

You can do that by just holding down the ALT key while then pressing the letters you need. Since you have a Pearl, you need to multi-tap for the 2nd letters on the keys. For example, if you need an R, hold the ALT and press the ER key twice (quickly).

The BB will translate the letters into the appropriate number for you.

[smalls]

How about when you're calling in and an automated message asks you to type in something where you have to use the letters on a key.. for example the #2 would be A B C, etc. How do you find that?

[PhillyGuy]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/2.0 (compatible; MSIE 3.02; Windows CE; PPC; 240x320) BlackBerry8100/4.2.1 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/100)

It works. I called the 800 BEST BUY number.

For a company directory I think it's the same using the ALT key.

[p nut]

I did not know that. Thanks, juwaack68!

[celeb]

Definitely, thanks juwaack68! I guess you really are the best mod on here

[GadgetGuru72]

Originally Posted by PhillyGuy

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/2.0 (compatible; MSIE 3.02; Windows CE; PPC; 240x320) BlackBerry8100/4.2.1 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/100)

It works. I called the 800 BEST BUY number.

For a company directory I think it's the same using the ALT key.

The "company directory" thing doesn't seem to work in this manner. For example, I called my own office. The first option says dial "411" for a company directory, and then "enter the first 3 letters of the person's last name." I attempted to enter "PAL" for the last name "Palmer." However, when you hit ALT-P, it goes into speakerphone.

So, while this technique works for dialing phone numbers, it does not appear to work when navigating company directories.

[camaro322hp]

Originally Posted by GadgetGuru72

The "company directory" thing doesn't seem to work in this manner. For example, I called my own office. The first option says dial "411" for a company directory, and then "enter the first 3 letters of the person's last name." I attempted to enter "PAL" for the last name "Palmer." However, when you hit ALT-P, it goes into speakerphone.

So, while this technique works for dialing phone numbers, it does not appear to work when navigating company directories.

You are correct, it does not work when you are actively connected on a call. I have not been able to find a work-around for this issue. I find it quite annoying, as a lot of my customers have the automated phone attendant that ask you to type in the person's last name who you are trying to reach. I have resorted to storing a picture of a standard keypad on my phone, and writing down what the number combination of a person's name is before I make the call.....

[GadgetGuru72]

Originally Posted by camaro322hp

You are correct, it does not work when you are actively connected on a call. I have not been able to find a work-around for this issue. I find it quite annoying, as a lot of my customers have the automated phone attendant that ask you to type in the person's last name who you are trying to reach. I have resorted to storing a picture of a standard keypad on my phone, and writing down what the number combination of a person's name is before I make the call.....

Can you post that picture of a standard keypad? I'm sure I could find one, but if you already found one that works well with the Pearl ... even better.

[camaro322hp]

Originally Posted by GadgetGuru72

Can you post that picture of a standard keypad? I'm sure I could find one, but if you already found one that works well with the Pearl ... even better.

See Attached.

[GadgetGuru72]

Perfect. Thanks!

It's a shame that this is necessary. Navigating a company directory is a relatively common thing.

[GadgetGuru72]

I found another ...

It actually looks pretty sharp on the screen ... makes it almost appear as if it's a touchscreen.

[SKPhoton]

Thanks juwaack68! That worked perfectly.

[camaro322hp]

Originally Posted by GadgetGuru72

I found another ...

It actually looks pretty sharp on the screen ... makes it almost appear as if it's a touchscreen.

Thanks Guru! Mine was a little small, this is much better. But you're right, it's a shame this has to be done....

[dborchard]

I just upgraded to a Pearl a week ago from a 7130e.

It is more than a little annoying that the dialing letters feature doesn't work while actively connected to a call -- it DID work on the 7130e (and from what I understand other 7000 series Blackberry's) and was perfect when navigating corporate voicemail or customer service systems...

I cannot imagine why RIM would change this for the Pearl... very frustrating.

[John Clark]

I think it's a bug they never fixed properly in the later OS's. There have been issues with multi-tap since 4.2.1 was introduced. It's possible it's releated to that issue.

I notice that this does work with my 8320, however. Just hold the alt key and type the letters.

[Stan Zinberg]

Originally Posted by juwaack68

You can do that by just holding down the ALT key while then pressing the letters you need. Since you have a Pearl, you need to multi-tap for the 2nd letters on the keys. For example, if you need an R, hold the ALT and press the ER key twice (quickly).

The BB will translate the letters into the appropriate number for you.

I tired this and it works fine except that some of the letters automatically duplicate themselves so that I got 1800BBESSTBBUY

I'm running 4.2.1.94 on a Rogers 8100

[John Clark]

Originally Posted by Stan Zinberg

I tired this and it works fine except that some of the letters automatically duplicate themselves so that I got 1800BBESSTBBUY

I'm running 4.2.1.94 on a Rogers 8100

Upgrade your OS to the one here:

http://www.blackberryforums.com/gene...e_english.html

And that problem will settle down for the most part.

[Danabw]

Thanks for the tip...using the Alt key and hitting the key a second time when needed to get the right letter works perfectly.

Thank goodness, I was about to return my Pearl over this!! ;)

[pomona_jr]

Originally Posted by juwaack68

You can do that by just holding down the ALT key while then pressing the letters you need. Since you have a Pearl, you need to multi-tap for the 2nd letters on the keys. For example, if you need an R, hold the ALT and press the ER key twice (quickly).

The BB will translate the letters into the appropriate number for you.

whats the ALT key on the bb8100???