Currently, the Executive Theme Series is only available for the Blackberry Bold 9000.
Contents
Introduction
Specifications
Inspiration
Quick Menu
Home Screen
Choices:
Speed |
Focus |
Space |
Simple |
Clear |
Scroll
Navigation
Notification Banner
Backgrounds
Instructions
Uses and Tricks
Recommended Apps
FAQs
Downloads
Where to Buy
Contact Us
Disclaimer: This site and theme are merely reflections of my own opinion about how a Blackberry should be used, so please interpret the material with that in mind.
Introduction
The new Executive Theme Series is a set of Blackberry themes exclusively for power users. I am a CEO of a startup and use my Blackberry extensively. But, none of the existing themes in the market solve most problems faced by me or other power users. I have now meticulously and thoroughly designed a theme that takes a realistic perspective on the usability and functionality of the latest Blackberry devices.
Don't waste your time on fancy themes that don't truly make you more productive and efficient. This theme is made with extreme detail by a power user for power users.
- Here are some of the benefits:
- Easy access to more applications from the Home Screen. Now your Home Screen can have up to 24 icons -- 12 common tools and utilities and 12 customizable icons in the dock! Choose any of five unique layouts.
- Don't waste your customizable icons for applications such as Messages and Browser, because they are included in the fixed icons
- Now you can use the Dial from Home Screen because common tools and utilities are easily accessible from the Home Screen already
- Utilizes all existing Blackberry 4.6+ icons so you don't have to learn new icons
- Set any background you like, because these themes do not require you to use a certain background and they won't interfere with your background
- Comprehensive view of ALL your notifications/alerts in the Banner area. Most themes out there can only handle 4-5 icons at once in the notification area. These themes can handle over 10 and you will need as much room as possible as you explore more and more apps!
- These themes optimize the navigation so you can get to the icon you need to quickly without accidentally scroll up to the Profile icon
- These themes will NOT remove default folder icons, such as the Setup, Downloads, Games
- Save memory by using these themes that don't have animated backgrounds and are under 58 kb!
- Easy to read clock and better organized Banner
- These unique themes were incubated, refined, and tested by several advanced power users
Specifications
| Current Version: | 1.4 (as of 1/19/2008) |
| Supported Devices: | Blackberry Bold 9000 |
| Operating Systems: | OS 4.6.x |
| Display: | 480 x 320 |
| Size: |
Speed - 46.1 kb Focus - 41.4 kb Space - 34.7 kb Simple - 30.1 kb Clear - 21.7 kb |
Inspiration
Quick Menu
The unique design of most of the themes in the Executive Theme Series comes from the Quick Menu. The Quick Menu comprises of 12 applications, tools and utilities most commonly used by power users. These 12 may not include exactly what you require, but I have found it to be useful for most power users.
Home Screen
If you feel the same way as I do based on the items above, then you will find the Executive Theme Series to be exceptional. The Home Screen has been optimized like no other theme.
Executive "Speed" - 24 icons (46.1 kb)
- Features
- 12 smaller icons for the common tools and utilities (non-customizable)
- 12 customizable regular icons in a bottom dock to place exactly what you want
- Benefits
- Get more done on the Home Screen, and virtually never have to go past it
- For heavy application users (and if you aren't now, you will be), you can select 12 applications you need to have readily available
- Sample (you can customize the background)
Executive "Focus" - 18 icons (41.4 kb)
- Features
- 12 smaller icons for the common tools and utilities (non-customizable)
- 6 customizable regular icons in a bottom dock to place exactly what you want
- Benefits
- Get more done on the Home Screen, and virtually never have to go past it
- Enough icons (6) for third-party applications without wasting any of them with common tools and utilities
- Sample (you can customize the background)
Executive "Space" - 12 small icons (34.7 kb)
- Features
- 12 smaller icons for the common tools and utilities (non-customizable)
- Benefits
- Offers more space to not obstruct a picture of your family
- Great for those who do not actively use third-party applications
- Sample (you can customize the background)
Executive "Simple" - 12 large icons (30.1 kb)
- Features
- 12 customizable regular icons in a bottom dock to place exactly what you want
- Benefits
- Provides a simple alternative to common themes available in the market, but with the ability to show 12 customizable icons
- You have enough icons to use one or two for the basic tools and utilities, such as Messages and Browser.
- Sample (you can customize the background)
Executive "Clear" - only 1 icon (21.7 kb)
- Features
- Only one icon -- the Blackberry Application Icon
- Benefits
- Provides a virtually clear Home Screen with even more space for Notification Icons
- Great if you use the Home Screen as just a screen saver
- Sample (you can customize the background)
Executive "Scroll" - 22 icons (58.4 kb)
TEMPORARILY DISCONTINUED: This theme has been temporarily discontinued because we have seen performance issues with this and other themes using scrolling and other unproductive animations. This theme was originally made for scrolling enthusiasts, but does not provide much productivity gains for power users.
We suggest using the Executive Speed Theme.
- Features
- 12 smaller icons for the common tools and utilities (non-customizable)
- 10 customizable regular icons in a bottom dock that scroll across
- Benefits
- Provides a simple alternative to common themes available in the market, but with the ability to show 12 customizable icons
- You can choose up to 10 customizable icons with the fun scrolling capability
- Sample (you can customize the background)
Navigation
With so many more icons, comes much more complexity in the scrolling. You may "over shoot" your trackball scrolling. For instance, if you use the Executive Speed Theme, and you move from the bottom left icon to the top left icon ("Messages"), you may accidentally end up at the "Profiles" icon in the top left corner. If all icons allowed you to move up to this Profiles icon, you will overshoot all the time!
We have solved this by only allowing you to reach the Profiles icon by scrolling to the right-most icon and then scrolling up. Remember, you can already hold down the # button to switch between the Normal and Vibrate profiles.
All icons at the edge provide a hard stop, with no "wrapping". This prevents overshooting and will speed up your movement.
Notification Banner
All themes available today do not provide you enough space for the notifications you may receive from applications, especially if you use instant messaging, social networking, and other applications simultaneously.
The Executive Theme Series was specifically designed to allow for a comprehensive view of your alerts. Especially with new applications launching everyday, you need a scalable theme to grow with your future uses of applications.
Home Screen
Home Screen
- Examples of applications that use notifications:
- New Message or Unread Messages
- Voicemail
- Missed Phone Calls
- Blackberry Messenger
- Yahoo Messenger
- AOL Messenger
- MSN Messenger
- Gtalk
- Jivetalk
- And more coming soon!
Backgrounds
It is very common for themes purchased online are designed with a specific background in mind. The Executive Theme Series provides the flexibility you need to change the background as you see fit. Currently, the Home Screen, Application Icons Screen, and Lock Screen all show the background you choose. You can bring a very unique look to your Blackberry Bold using the Executive Theme Series.
Executive Focus
Executive Space
Executive Simple
Executive Clear
Messages, Phone Log, and Active Call Screens will all show the top 48 pixels of your custom background. The Lock Screen will show your custom background. The Incoming Call Screen is solid black.
Instructions
To prevent the "fixed" common tools and utilities icons used in these themes from being marked with an unread star, please make sure of the following:
- Unread messages: If you store the count of the unread messages (which we do not recommend), please go to Messages, and change the "Display Message Count" to None
- Missed calls: If you have any missed calls, please click the green phone button and clear the missed call icon
If you would like to change the background, simply find an image you would like to set and select "Set As Home Screen Image". Use an image already sized at 480x320 (Blackberry Bold).
Uses and Tricks
There are some tips, tricks, and uses of the Executive Theme Series.
- Navigation and Shortcuts
- Try using the keypad when possible; it will allow your trackball to last longer. For example, when scrolling messages, use the space bar. In Google Maps, use the H-K-U-J and I-O buttons to navigate and zoom. For native Blackberry applications, Crackberry provides a really great overview.
- Program your Left and Right Convenience Key buttons in the Screen/Keyboard settings. I use the Right button for the Vlingo voice command application (follow their instructions). I use the Left button for the Application Switcher.
- Hold down the # key to switch between Normal and Vibrate profiles, * key to lock your phone, $ to use the speakerphone. Also, don't forget that you can hold down the Mute button at the top left of the phone to put your phone into Standby to save battery. The holster automatically puts your phone in Standby, but if you leave your phone on your desk, it can buy you more battery life.
- Backgrounds, Sounds, and Customizations
- If you want to customize your background, use one that is already sized correctly and is optimized. You can use Microsoft Office Picture Manager or other application. Keep it under 200kb to keep your OS from slowing.
- Use simple sounds for alerts. If you are near your phone most of the time, keep your alert volume on Low, do not repeat the Tone or Vibrate too many times, and use sounds such as BBPro_Link and BBPro_Confirm to minimize battery use.
- Settings
- If you are using the new Executive Speed, Focus, or Space Themes, you'll have all the common tools and utilities handy that you do not need to use keypad shortcuts, like L for Calendar (which is odd anyway). Make sure to turn on the Dial From Home Screen option in your Phone's General Settings.
- Do not "Display Message Count". This is unnecessary for power users because if you use your desktop and Blackberry constantly, you'll have 1000s of unread messages on both devices because you switch between them. Don't make your Blackberry do the math. The New Message notification will still show, and will clear itself from the Notification Area once you check your messages. It's a good mechanism to see if something has come in since you last checked the Messages. You don't need to know how many.
- Combine your "SMS and Email Inboxes". Why go to several different applications to view your messages. In fact, if you have 7 email accounts like I do, create a new folder, and put all the email-account-specific messages icons into that folder. You probably don't need to use them.
- In the Email Settings for EACH ACCOUNT, be sure to turn off "Download Images Automatically", "Confirm Delivery", and "Confirm Read". There's no need to have these on.
- Don't always keep Wifi and Bluetooth enabled if you don't need them. The phone is essence always trying to discover existing connections, and it wastes battery power. 3G is good enough for most situations, until you really need Wifi.
Recommended Apps
Below are recommended applications and services that I have found very useful. (OTA = Over-the-air installation)
YouMail allows you to redirect your voicemail to a more advanced system instead of using the one provided by your carrier. With YouMail, you can customize greetings by phone number, receive an email with an mp3 of your voicemail, and view your voicemail from the Internet. AT&T customers can also allow YouMail to update the Message Waiting Indicator (MWI), so you basically have exactly what you do with AT&T voicemail, but have "the voicemail box is full" problems. YouMail has matched the same keys as AT&T's system. For instance, 7 is used to delete, and 9 to save; same as AT&T. It's possible it changes based on your carrier, but I'm unsure.
Vymail provides visual voicemail for YouMail on your Blackberry. Once you have YouMail set up, Vymail, allows you to view your voicemail visually. You can listen, save, and delete your voicemail without every calling your voicemail! Again, for AT&T customers, Vymail will keep your Message Waiting Indicator (MWI) updated just like YouMail.
The Voice Command feature already built in the phone uses a speech recognition system that sits in the phone. Something in the phone can never be as powerful as servers in the cloud. Vlingo brings cloud-based computing of your voice commands. Imagine being able to say "Twitter I am making an amazing blackberry theme," and in seconds your Twitter is updated. Together, these make a killer voice note taking tool. This is a MUST, and set your right convenience key to Vlingo.
Individuals who don't really understand Twitter or aren't interested in using it to update your friends and followers. You can do as I do, and use it as a private notepad. Simply create a username, and go to Settings > Account > check "Protect my updates". To maintain privacy, remove all your friends and followers and never approve anyone again.
If you are a NetFlix user, and you get ideas for movies to watch on the go, you can add videos to your queue from this application.
This is a great all-around RSS and third-party content reader. For the Blackberry, it beats Google Reader by far (until Google creates a native app).
This is a free weather application by WeatherEye. It provides a short and long-term forecast, and also can be programmed to update the icon to reflect the weather. It's a very useful application. Be sure to set the update interval to the maximum to minimize battery consumption.
This is by far the best chat aggregation software for the Blackberry. You can download AIM, Yahoo! Messenger, MSN Messenger, and Google Talk applications from Blackberry, and they are certainly great implementations, but you don't want to have 4 of those applications running separately!
Flickr is great for uploading and storing pictures you take on your blackberry, for public and private use.
This application allows you to search Google without opening the browser. It has autocomplete/suggest enabled, so it can help you refine your searches before even getting to the browser.
Use Skype to make calls from your Blackberry. Enough said.
Free music player that allows you to build channels around your favorite artists. They beat Pandora to the Blackberry, so it's definitely worth a shot!
This application is worth the money if you use a lot of applications. The Java Virtual Machine does not necessarily optimize its memory, and this application serves as a defrag for the device memory.
If you want to look cool in a meeting and use your Blackberry as a mouse pointer/clicker and keyboard, then you have to try this!
Frequently Asked Questions
Go to Options > Theme and you will see the Executive Theme you downloaded.
Please see the instructions for more information on how to fix this issue.
After careful consideration, I decided not to put this in for two main reasons: (1) because you should become intimate with what is on your Home Screen anyway, that you don't need to be reminded what the applications is, (2) because I wanted to remove any unnecessary processing, in this case, an animation to fade in/fade out the application name. Overall, moving through the icons will be slightly faster. UPDATE: For some apps that provide information as part of their Application Name, such as the WeatherEye, you can simply go to the full Application List.
The themes will work perfectly fine with those pictures. All the icons have transparency, so regardless of which theme you choose, you'll see the picture. For maximum viewing of your picture, use the Space Theme. You can tell from the name, it is precisely made for more space to view your favorite picture. Click here to learn more on using backgrounds with the Executive Theme Series.
No. We have selected 12 common tools and utilities for you. We have selected the icons individually, and for those not present there was a reason they didn't make the top 12. Examples of those not included are: Video Camera (it's not the best video camera), Blackberry Messenger (not everyone uses it), Search (you're better off searching from within Messages), Lock (just hold down the * key), Power (just hold down the red phone key).
I am constantly taking feedback, and certainly open to customizing a theme for you or adding a new one to the Executive Theme Series. Examples of tweaks might be: changing the the 12 fixed icons, adding the Application Name in the Home Screen, and so forth.
Simply go to http://www.triformity.com/bb/support/ and log your issue, request, feedback, or comments.
First, select and activate a different theme by going to Options > Theme. Then go to Options > Advanced Options > Applications, and find the Executive Theme you have downloaded and installed, and click for the menu and choose Delete. You will be asked to restart your device.
Downloads
Sample backgrounds - visit this page from your mobile browser and click on the images to save them to your device:
Links and Press
- Available to purchase at: