Usability tip for Blackberry users with AuthAnvil SoftTokens

Are you a Blackberry user with touch capabilities (such as a Storm 9500 series) and own an AuthAnvil SoftToken? We have a tip for you.

You may notice that you have a blue border around your screen and a permanent keyboard always showing when using an AuthAnvil SoftToken. You will also find it doesn't honour your orientation changes on the device.

This is a limitation on how RIM handles 3rd party applications that have been compiled to work with older phones. By compiling to work with older phones, RIM has a default that all such applications will run in a compatibility mode which converts touch functionality to act like the old trackball style and disables orientation. The good news is that you can turn this compatibility mode off on a per application basis and get a much better user experience with your AuthAnvil SoftToken.

To do this, simply: 

1. Open your Blackberry device and go to Options
2. Select Advanced Options (not necessary on some phones) 
3. Select Applications
4. Select AuthAnvil SoftToken 
5. Click the Menu button 
6. Select "Disable Compatibility Mode"
7. Restart the AuthAnvil SoftToken if it is currently running.

At this point, your SoftToken will fully support touch mode and will support orientation changes from portrait to landscape. The blue border will be gone, as well as the unnecessary permanent keyboard. Now you can simply press the "Get Password" button on the screen to display your next one-time password (OTP).

As older Blackberry phones are phased out by mobile phone carriers and we compile against newer versions of the Blackberry OS this little trick won't be needed. Until then, take advantage of this usability tip to get the most out of your AuthAnvil SoftToken today!