How to use BlackBerry Bridge

The

BlackBerry PlayBook

is curiously certain features like a built-in calendar or email application. The reason for this is that Research in Motion has made it necessary to connect to a BlackBerry smartphone using BlackBerry Bridge in order to access those features. We'll show you how to do that in this episode, but one thing you should note from the start is that you'll need a relatively new BlackBerry to do this; a BlackBerry in the 8300 series or newer should work.

To get started, go into the

PlayBook Settings

and go to BlackBerry Bridge. You'll need to be connected to your BlackBerry smartphone via Bluetooth for this to work. You can learn how to do that in episode six of this series. In the Bridge settings, tap on your BlackBerry smartphone. If you haven't installed BlackBerry Bridge on your smartphone, then you'll be presented with an option to do so. You'll be given a QR code that you can scan with your BlackBerry smartphone using the Scan a Barcode option in App World. You'll then be taken to the download screen for Bridge. Once there, download the app.

When you first fire up BlackBerry Bridge from your smartphone, you'll need to accept the terms of use. After you do that, you'll be able to connect your PlayBook to your smartphone through BlackBerry Bridge in the settings. You'll need to accept the connection through both devices and then enter the code presented on your PlayBook onto your smartphone. Once the code is entered, the connection will be finalized. Now, from the multitasking menu, you'll see an option called BlackBerry Bridge. Tap this icon to get to your calendar, contacts and email.