BlackBerry® devices with reduced keyboards use SureType® technology, which is designed to predict words as users type them. Users can type text using the SureType input method or the multi-tap input method.

• When users use the SureType input method, they press the letter key for each letter in a word once. For example, to type run, users would press the ER key once, the UI key once, and the BN key once. As users type, a list of possible letter combinations and words appears on the screen. SureType technology selects letter combinations or words from the list based on context. If users type a word or letter combination (for example, a web address or an abbreviation) that SureType technology does not recognize, users use the list that appears on the screen to build the word letter by letter. SureType technology is designed to "learn" new words or letter combinations that users type and add them to a custom word list.
• When users use the multi-tap input method, they press a letter key once to type the first letter on the key and twice to type the second letter. For example, to type run, users would press the ER key twice, the UI key once, and the BN key twice.

SureType technology is the default input method for most fields. Multi-tap is the default input method for phone number fields and password fields. If users switch from using SureType technology to using the multi-tap input method, the multi-tap input method indicator appears in the upper-right corner of the screen.

Some languages, such as Simplified Chinese, have specialized input methods and do not use the SureType input method or the multi-tap input method. For more information about specialized input methods for specific devices and languages, visit http://na.blackberry.com/eng/support/docs/ to see the product documentation.

Figure 1. Reduced, physical keyboard

Figure 2. Reduced, virtual keyboard