They're hip, they're techy, they're helping keep you connected! But they are horrible dinner-table companions.

When dining out with friends, the Blackberry should be turned off and tucked away (as should your cell phone). There are extenuating circumstances where it is okay to leave the electronics on:

if one of your dining companions has not yet arrived at the restaurant, and might need assistance with directions, or
if you are waiting to hear back from the producers of "Sex & the City" about your walk-on role in the sequel.

Should you desperately need to check your email or messages for some reason - excuse yourself from the table, take the electronic device to a quiet area of the restaurant, or outside, check the messages, or play 3 minutes of "Bubble Blaster" or whatever it is you feel necessary, then turn it off and return to the table to enjoy your friends.

Most dinners don't last longer than a few hours, and whatever it is you THINK is so direly in need of attention, probably really isn't.

It is just good manners and good table etiquette to be 100% present with your friends. And if you're not, they'll definitely eat your share of the blackberry ice cream.