BlackBerry Bold 9000 Smartphone

January 6th, 2009

BlackBerry Bold 9000 Phone, Black (AT&T)

BlackBerry Bold 9000 Phone, Black (AT&T)
Product: Wireless Phone
Brand: BlackBerry
Amazon.com Product Description:
Designed to give business professionals and power users unprecedented functionality and performance, the BlackBerry Bold is the fastest, most powerful Blackberry yet, with support for tri-band HSDPA high-speed networks around the world as well as integrated GPS and Wi-Fi networking (802.11a/b/g). It features a lustrous black exterior, satin chrome finished frame and stylish leather-like backplate, a sophisticated user interface, and a newly designed full-QWERTY keyboard.



Crafted from premium materials, inside and out, the BlackBerry Bold is designed to give business professionals and power users unprecedented functionality and performance in an intuitive design. View a demo of the Bold (opens in new window).
Keep yourself on track for your next meeting with turn-by-turn directions via the AT&T Navigator service, which is powered by TeleNav and provides spoken or text-based turn-by-turn directions with automatic missed turn rerouting and a local business finder service in 20 countries. It also supports AT&T mobile music services and access to thousands of video clips via Cellular Video. Other features include a 2-megapixel camera/camcorder, Bluetooth for handsfree communication, 1 GB of internal memory with MicroSD expansion (up to 32 GB), multi-format audio/video playback, and up to 4.5 hours of talk time.

The Blackberry Bold also comes with free access to AT&T Wi-Fi Hotspots, available at more than 17,000 locations nationwide including Starbucks. The best part is that you do'nt need to sign up for anything new to use this service--Wi-Fi access for is included in all Blackberry Personal and Enterprise Rate Plans. (You must subscribe to a Blackberry Data Rate Plan to access AT&T Wi-Fi Hotspots.) Additionally, the Blackberry Bold is the first RIM device that supports AT&T Cellular Video (CV).

AT&T Service
This AT&T phone can handle high-speed data connectivity via AT&T's 3G mobile broadband data network, which is available in most major metropolitan areas. The AT&T 3G network uses the dual-band UMTS 850/1900 MHz network, and this phone is also compatible with 2100 MHz 3G networks (found in international territories). The AT&T 3G network provides download speeds ranging from 700 Kbps to 1.7 Mbps, and upload speeds ranging from 500 Kbps to 1.2 Mbps. This makes it possible to enjoy a variety of feature-rich wireless multimedia services, and it gives you the advantage of offering simultaneous voice and data services. (For use outside the United States, an AT&T international data plan is recommended.)

In areas where the 3G network is not available, you'll continue to receive service on the AT&T EDGE network, which offers availability in more than 13,000 US cities and along some 40,000 miles of major highways. Providing average data speeds between 75-135Kbps, it's fast enough to support a wide range of advanced data services, including video and music clips, full picture and video messaging, high-speed color Internet access, and email on the go. You'll also enjoy quad-band GSM connectivity, which allows you to make calls in more than 190 countries and access data applications in the more than 135 countries where AT&T offers international data roaming.

You can take advantage of the AT&T Navigator GPS software and service, a full-featured premium navigation application that includes audible turn-by-turn directions, real-time traffic updates and re-routing options, and 3D moving maps (additional charges applicable). AT&T Navigator offers several other features to make your commute more enjoyable and reliable, including mobile access to Yellowpages.com. Additionally, AT&T Navigator is the only mobile phone-based GPS service that provides integrated speech recognition for address entry and points of interest search.



The tri-band 3G Blackberry Bold also offers integrated Wi-Fi networking and GPS for turn-by-turn directions as well as a 2-megapixel camera/camcorder.
With 3G connectivity, you'll be able to access AT&T's Cellular Video (CV) service and the Internet while on the go. Cellular Video features content from CNN, The Weather Channel, iFilm, Comedy Central and exclusive premium content from HBO and much more. And you get access to AT&T Mobile Music, which enables you to buy tracks while on the, access the Napster and eMusic subscription music services, stream music video, discover what's playing with Music ID song-recognition software, and find out what's hot with The Buzz music news portal. (A MEdia Max subscription bundle is recommended for accessing AT&T's Internet, video, and music services.)

The phone has a built-in web browser for MEdia Net downloads and mobile web browsing. AT&T's MEdia Net service enables you to receive and send emails, read news headlines, get weather updates, download games and ringtones, and more.

Phone Features
The elegant BlackBerry Bold smartphone features a lustrous black exterior, satin chrome-finished frame and stylish, leatherette backplate with a newly designed full QWERTY keyboard for exceptionally fast and easy typing and stunning half-VGA (480 x 320 at 217 ppi) color display that's fused to the undersurface of the lens, making images leap out with stunning definition and clarity. It also includes a trackball navigation system located on the top of the QWERTY keypad. The BlackBerry Bold also boasts a new acoustic design for enhanced phone listening quality and clarity and numerous premium phone features, including Speaker Independent Voice Recognition (SIVR) for Voice Activated Dialing (VAD).

The BlackBerry Bold smartphone's support for tri-band HSDPA and enterprise-grade Wi-Fi (802.11 a/b/g) networks and its next-generation 624 MHz mobile processor make short work of downloading email attachments, streaming video or rendering web pages. The BlackBerry Bold also includes 128 MB Flash memory plus 1 GB on-board storage memory, as well as a microSD/SDHC memory card slot that is conveniently accessible from a side door.

The Blackberry Bold delivers the legendary BlackBerry email experience. With BlackBerry service plans from AT&T, you can receive emails instantaneously from up to 10 email accounts (personal and enterprise). With BlackBerry push technology, you don't need to retrieve your email. BlackBerry devices are designed to remain on and continuously connected to the wireless network, allowing you to be discreetly notified as new email arrives. Support is also built-in for viewing email attachments (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, WordPerfect, and PDF formats).

If your company has a BlackBerry Enterprise Server installed, you can also take advantage of the power of wireless calendar synchronization. Your calendar events are exchanged wirelessly and automatically so that your desktop calendar and BlackBerry handheld calendar are synchronized. All your Outlook meeting requests, changes, and updates are instantaneously synchronized instantaneously with your desktop. Make meeting requests, invite new attendees and more, all on your Blackberry Bold. Users without BlackBerry Enterprise Server support can manually sync with their desktop calendars and contacts via Bluetooth or USB using the included BlackBerry Desktop Software.

You'll enjoy enhanced Internet browsing on the Blackberry Bold. The trackball mimics a mouse, making it easy to navigate sites in Page View or Column View or to zoom in on specific parts of a web page, while various emulation settings allow you to choose between the full desktop-style HTML content and layout or the mobile version. Attachments can also now be downloaded from within the browser and there is support for watching streaming videos (RTSP, real-time streaming protocol).

The included BlackBerry Desktop Manager software comes with Roxio Media Manager for BlackBerry, which includes new features that make it easier to organize multimedia content as well as manage music, videos and recorded Voice Notes between a computer and the smartphone. It also optimizes video files for smooth full-screen playback on the BlackBerry Bold smartphone's large display with support for full-screen and widescreen formats.

Roxio Photosuite 9 LE is also included, allowing you to easily enhance pictures and create photo albums on your computer. In addition, the new BlackBerry Media Sync application allows you to sync your iTunes digital musical collections . The BlackBerry Bold also boasts a new acoustic design for enhanced phone listening quality and clarity and numerous premium phone features, including Speaker Independent Voice Recognition (SIVR) for Voice Activated Dialing (VAD).

Other features include:

  • Works with BlackBerry Enterprise Server, which enables advanced security and IT administration within IBM Lotus Domino, Microsoft Exchange and Novel GroupWise environments, as well as BlackBerry Professional Software for small businesses
  • 2-megapixel camera/camcorder with flash, 5x zoom, geo-tagging capabilities, white balance settings, and choice of three picture sizes
  • Bluetooth 2.0, with support for hands-free headsets, stereo headsets, car kits (including car kits that adhere to the Bluetooth Remote SIM Access Profile) and other Bluetooth peripherals
  • Push Button Setup for Wi-Fi networking, making it faster to connect to protected wireless networks that require a sign-on process
  • Video format support: DivX 4, DivX 5/6 partially supported, XviD partially supported, H.263, H.264, WMV3
  • Audio format support: .3gp, MP3, WMA9 (.wma/.asf), WMA9 Pro/WMA 10, MIDI, AMR-NB, Professional AAC/AAC+/eAAC+
  • Polyphonic/MIDI ringtones
  • Speakerphone
  • 3.5mm stereo headset capable

Vital Statistics
The BlackBerry Bold weighs 4.8 ounces and measures 4.49 x 2.59 x 0.59 inches. Its 1500 mAh lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 4.5 hours of talk time, and up to 324 hours (13.5 days) of standby time. It runs on the 850/900/1800/1900 MHz GSM/GPRS/EDGE frequencies as well as tri-band UMTS/HSDPA 3G networks (2100/1900/850 MHz).

List Price: USD 499.99
Lowest New Price: USD 149.99
Price is accurate as of the date/time indicated. Prices and product availability are subject to change. Any price displayed on the Amazon website at the time of purchase will govern the sale of this product.
Average Rating:
Features:
  • Global Blackberry messaging smartphone with quad-band GSM and tri-band 3G connectivity as well as Wi-Fi networking
  • Compatible with AT&T Navigator GPS turn-by-turn directions, AT&T Mobile Music, and streaming video from Cellular Video service
  • 2-megapixel camera/camcorder; Bluetooth for handsfree devices; MicroSD expansion (to 32 GB); newly designed QWERTY keyboard
  • Up to 4.5 hours of talk time, up to 324 hours (13.5 days) of standby time
  • What's in the Box: handset, battery, charger, USB cable, 3.5mm stereo headset, holster, quick start guide and user manual, CD with Blackberry Desktop software
Brand: BlackBerry
Color: Black
Model: 9000
Release Date: 2008-11-03
Customer Reviews


Worst Phone I ever had
Simply put, worst phone I ever had. Anything that can go wrong with a phone went wrong with this one. If ever you got a phone and wanted to smash it on the floor, utterly frustrated by the sheer lack of quality -- this is the ultimate product by Blackberry.

The phone looks nice. So, I was very excited when I got it. First, the emails would not go, I had trouble getting emails. The phone would drop several times in a call. I have been using AT&T for last 6 years around the same area. Inside workplace, the phone simply will not dial out and oh yes the battery it lasted only 15 minutes while you were on the phone. Even worse, many a time, I was on the call and the phone would just go blank, with the screen going grey with an error message. Another thing that epitomized sheer sleaze was the fact that whenever the voice mail messages popped up, it had an exception thrown by the software. FIrst time I saw it, I could not believe it. I suppose this is the worst job in any commercially available production level software.

It took me only three weeks to decide that its time that I short Research in motion stock, stop using BLack Berry and buy Apple Iphone instead. Beleieve me I have been a heavy Bberry user for last 5 years.

Simply put, I wont use this phone, given how unreliable it was, even if it was offered with a cash incentive. I suppose phone is an indisposable item in modern life.

Black berry simply does not cut it now. I am happy i returned my phone and have been extremely happy with my Apple Iphone.


My First Blackberry-What took me so long/
I finally took the plunge and entered the world of Blackberry about a month ago when I purchased the Blackberry Bold. My life will never the same. The Bold has all the features that I will ever need including a great video application so I can take my grandson's images with me. Phone is very clear. I would recommend the Bold for anyone looking for a top notch Blackberry. I am sure that there are many other applications that I have yet to discover.


Bold yet quirky
I love the functionality of the bold. Upgraded from a RAZR which was not 3g. The Tethering is a huge plus. I use a Twitter app that works really well except for battery drain issues that will be corrected in the next upgrade. The main gripe I have is tha CALL QUALITY! I get a lots off cutouts and drops. Very hard to talk while moving in a vehicle. If sitting still it seems much better. I will keep the device but I have let RIM know that I am dissatisied with call qaulity. I hope they address this in future models. Data transfer works well as does the built in GPS. iPhone does not offer tethering so is not an option for me. Try it for a week or two. I think you will like it. Big screen is nice and overall size is not really as big an issue as some let on.


Great Phone
This phone is Great! It does everything that you need no matter if you are business professional or just a regular consumer who texts a lot. I had an iPhone before this and I love this phone way more!!!


Blackberry Bold
My blackberry bold is a great phone. I've had it less than a year, but it does everything. Its strengths are the usual blackberry email manager and the high res screeen. It also allows full web browsing and downloads. I've downloaded gmaps and twitterberry and they are great. Battery life is great and it's easy to type emails.

Product Information and Prices stored: July 4, 2009, 16:05

admin BlackBerry

BlackBerry Storm 9530 Smartphone (Verizon Wireless)

January 6th, 2009

BlackBerry Storm 9530 Phone, Black (Verizon Wireless)

BlackBerry Storm 9530 Phone, Black (Verizon Wireless)
Product: Wireless Phone
Brand: BlackBerry
Amazon.com Product Description:
Designed to satisfy the needs of both consumers and business customers, the BlackBerry Storm smartphone offers a revolutionary touchscreen that dramatically enhances the touch interface and enables easy and precise typing. The world's first "clickable" touchscreen responds much like a physical keyboard and also supports single-touch, multi-touch and gestures for intuitive and efficient application navigation. Whether traveling to Europe or Asia, the Storm provides globetrotters the freedom of reliable global connectivity with Verizon Wireless's reliable, high-speed 3G CDMA network here in the United States and compatibility with GSM networks abroad.



The SurePress touchscreen with tactile click response allows you to accurately navigate and type messages on the BlackBerry Storm.


The Storm's built-in accelerometer automatically switches the screen between landscape mode and portrait modes as it rotates. See larger version.
It's compatible with the V Cast Music and V CAST Music with Rhapsody services, which enables you to purchase songs through your phone and download them via Verizon Wireless's fast EV-DO data network. You'll also benefit from the phone's A-GPS receiver, which enables you to access Verizon Wireless's VZ Navigator service for turn-by-turn directions. Other features include a 3.2-megapixel camera/camcorder, Bluetooth connectivity for handsfree devices and stereo music streaming, 1 GB internal memory, MicroSD memory expansion to 16 GB, support for up to 10 personal and corporate email accounts, access to popular instant messaging services, and up to 6 hours of talk time.

Verizon Wireless Service
With support for the EV-DO high-speed data standard, you'll enjoy fast access to the Internet and Verizon Wireless's multimedia services (additional charges applicable), with average download speeds ranging from 400 to 700 Kbps and peak rates up to 2 Mbps. (Learn more about where EV-DO coverage is offered.) The V Cast Music service enables you to download songs instantly to your phone, or purchase music through your PC and transfer the files to your phone. If purchased from your phone, you'll receive two copies of the song: a Windows Media Audio Pro Plus format at 64Kbps stereo is sent to your phone, and a Windows Media Audio 9 format at 160Kbps stereo is sent to your account in the V CAST Music online store for downloading to your PC. V Cast Music offers nearly 2 million songs, with more being added all the time.

In addition to the V Cast Music service, this phone is also compatible with Verizon Wireless's V CAST Music with Rhapsody, which enables you to access this exclusive digital music service for RealNetworks and for MTV Networks. V CAST Music with Rhapsody delivers unlimited monthly access to music on up to three Rhapsody-compatible mobile phones and players and online on multiple PCs and Web browsers. In addition, customers who purchase music over-the-air are able to download the master copy of the songs or albums to their PCs free of digital rights management (DRM) software that restricts how and where music can be played.

The V Cast Video service enables you to stream or download video clips to your phone from a variety of news, entertainment, sports, and weather channels, including CNN, ABC News, E!, CBS Sports, The Weather Channel, and VH1.

With this GPS-enabled phone, you'll be able to access Verizon Wireless's VZ Navigator service (additional charges applicable) for voice-prompted turn-by-turn directions, heads-up alerts, local search of nearly 14 million points of interest in the US (such as landmarks, restaurants and ATMs), and detailed color maps. And Verizon Wireless's Chaperone service lets you easily locate your loved ones from your cell phone phone or PC in real time. After defining a zone, such as an area designating a school or summer camp, you'll be sent an alert via text message when the Chaperone handset enters or leaves the zone.

With BroadbandAccess Connect (subscription required), you can use your smartphone as a modem for your notebook when you connect the two using a USB cable--or open a Bluetooth connection--enabling you to access the Internet or your company intranet. The tethered modem capability is ideal when you're traveling and need to use your notebook to check email, access corporate networks, or download large files like presentations and reports. And with BroadbandAccess Connect, you won't have to buy an extra PC Card or other devices.

With Visual Voice Mail, you can delete, reply and forward voice mail messages without having to listen to prior messages or voice instructions. Visual Voice Mail is the ideal tool for the busy mobile professional who may need to prioritize which messages he or she listens to first.



In addition to its messaging capabilities, the Storm features a 3.2-megapixel camera and multi-format media player. See larger version.
Global Connectivity
The BlackBerry Storm allows for global roaming--from Europe to South America to Asia--and also provides 3G data speeds on select international networks, giving you high-speed connectivity when you're abroad. The Storm offers Verizon Wireless's fast 3G EV-DO Rev. A/CDMA connectivity in the United States, and UMTS/HSPA (2100 MHz) and quad-band GSM/EDGE/GPRS connectivity for use outside the U.S. The Storm comes pre-installed with a SIM card, so customers who plan to travel abroad can activate global service at the time of purchase or by calling Verizon Wireless prior to leaving the U.S. For those who travel abroad frequently, the company's Global Value Plan offers discounted roaming charges on calls made to and from 130 countries.

Phone Features
The first BlackBerry to feature a touchscreen interface, the Storm's large 3.25-inch LCD (360 x 480-pixel resolution) actually depresses ever so slightly when the screen is pressed, giving you the distinct feeling that the screen is being pressed and released with a gentle "click"--similar to the feeling of a key on a physical keyboard or a button on a mouse. The "clickable" touchscreen gives you positive confirmation that you've made a selection, resulting in a highly-intuitive typing experience. In addition to the familiar navigation keys (phone, menu and escape) that are common to other BlackBerry smartphones, the Storm adds support for multi-touches, taps, slides and other touch-screen gestures, so you can easily highlight, scroll, pan and zoom for smooth navigation.

The BlackBerry Storm smartphone also features a built-in accelerometer, allowing its touchscreen to automatically switch between landscape mode and portrait mode as the you rotate the handset--RIM's SureType keyboard layout is available in portrait mode and a full QWERTY keyboard layout is available in landscape mode. Other relevant features, such as cut and paste, are only a touch away for the ultimate smartphone experience.



Blackberry's efficient SureType hybrid alpha-numeric/QWERTY keyboard appears in portrait mode.
The on-screen SureType hybrid alpha-numeric/QWERTY keyboard, first introduced with BlackBerry Pearl phones, places two letters on each button of the keyboard layout and the Storm automatically determines which letter is the intended one based on what it predicts you are trying to spell. SureType also learns the words you use most often, further enhancing your typing speed.

View your favorite web sites the way they were meant to be seen with the high-performance web browser that works in either portrait or landscape orientation. Navigating Web sites is fast and easy with the touch-screen interface that lets users double tap to zoom in and slide their fingers to scroll and pan. Icons along the bottom of the display allow for quickly accessing Web sites, switching between Page View and Column View as well as the ability to toggle between Pan mode and Cursor mode. The enhanced browser supports file downloading, streaming audio and video (RTSP), and built-in RSS support--enabling content from supported Web sites to be automatically pushed to directly to you.

Whether you're on the clock or out-and-about, the Storm has the tools to keep you productive. Access up to ten supported personal and corporate email accounts, including the most popular ISP email servers, using BlackBerry Internet Service. View and revise Microsoft Word, Excel and Powerpoint files using Word To-Go or Slideshow To-Go. And keep your schedule on track with the advance calendar function, which allows you to check appointments or make new ones in just a few clicks.

In addition to the industry's leading mobile email and messaging solution, the Storm supports text (SMS), picture (MMS) and instant messaging (IM) on today's most popular platforms as well as social networking sites. Take your social life on-the-go with Facebook for BlackBerry and Flickr Photo Uploader for BlackBerry applications (pre-installed on the Storm). A Mobile IM feature provides access to Google Talk, MSN, Yahoo!, Windows Live, and AIM instant messaging services.

Handsfree communication is easy thanks to the integrated speakerphone. This phone also provides Bluetooth wireless connectivity (version 2.0), and includes profiles for communication headset, handsfree car kits, and file transfer. With the A2DP Bluetooth profile, you can stream your music to a pair of compatible Bluetooth stereo headphones. You can connect your laptop (either via Bluetooth or wired USB) and enjoy dial-up networking--surf the Internet, send email, and access files from a server.

The media player can play movies smoothly in full-screen mode, display pictures and slideshows quickly and manage an entire music collection (compatible with MP3, WMA, and AAC/AAC+/eAAC+ formats). Playlists can be created directly on the handset and there's an equalizer with 11 preset filters--including Lounge, Jazz and Hip Hop--for customized audio ranges when using wired headphones or external speakers. The Storm has 1 GB of internal memory--enough to store 250 tunes--which can be expanded via optional MicroSD/SDHD memory cards (up to 16 GB in size).

Other features include:
  • 3.2 megapixel camera with variable zoom, auto focus and a powerful flash that also provides continuous lighting when recording video
  • Built-in GPS supports location-based applications and services, as well as geotagging of photos
  • An ambient light sensor that automatically adjusts backlighting for ideal screen viewing and an accelerometer that allows customers to view applications in either portrait or landscape mode by simply rotating the handset
  • Visual voicemail allows you to browse your in-box and choose the messages to listen to with just a few clicks.
  • Record and send verbal reminders to yourself and others with the easy-to-use Voice Notes feature, which allows you to recored, pause, and resume your voice notes in the push of a button.
  • Enhanced noise cancellation to offset background noise
  • Low-distortion speakerphone
  • 3.5 mm stereo headset jack
  • Polyphonic and MP3 real-music ringtones
  • MicroUSB connector for charging and data transfer
  • Removable battery
  • Bluetooth version 2.0 with the following profiles: A2DP (stereo music streaming), AVRC (remote control), HFP (hands-free car kits), HSP (communication headsets), DUN (dial-up networking), FTP (file transfer), PBA (transfer contacts)

Vital Statistics
The BlackBerry Storm weighs 5.5 ounces and measures 4.43 x 2.45 x 0.55 inches. Its 1400 mAh lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 6 hours of talk time, and up to 15 days of standby time. It runs on Verizon Wireless's 800/1900 CDMA/EV-DO frequencies while in the United States, and it can connect to 850/900/1800/1900 MHz GSM/GPRS/EDGE networks as well as 2100 MHz UMTS/HSDPA/HSUPA 3G frequencies when outside the U.S.

List Price: USD 499.99
Lowest New Price: USD 49.99
Price is accurate as of the date/time indicated. Prices and product availability are subject to change. Any price displayed on the Amazon website at the time of purchase will govern the sale of this product.
Average Rating:
Features:
  • First BlackBerry touchscreen phone packed with messaging, document editing, and multimedia features; international GSM roaming
  • Access V Cast, Music and Video services via fast EV-DO data network; GPS-enabled for turn-by-turn directions; use phone as a modem for your laptop
  • 3.2-megapixel camera/camcorder, Bluetooth stereo music; MicroSD expansion to 16 GB; access to personal email and instant messaging
  • Up to 6 hours of talk time, up to 360 hours (15 days) of standby time
  • What's in the Box: handset, removable battery, international charger, USB cable, 8 GB MicroSD card, user manual
Brand: BlackBerry
Color: Black
Model: Storm
Release Date: 2008-11-16
Customer Reviews


Dismal Failure...
I was excited to get the BB Storm when I upgraded from the BB 8830. I spent about two weeks with it and it was not at all easy to use. The touch screen is nothing like the iPhone and was a total drag to use. There was a delay between when you touched the screen and when the button you pushed took any action. Dialing from your address book was also a pain in the neck. I had high hopes for this model, but Blackberry blew it on this. It seems like they rushed the touch screen to market and didn't really fine tune it to make it perfect. The Blackberry Storm is FAR from perfect. Also, the touch screen isn't touch sensitive, you actually have the press the screen in in order to activate the key you are pressing, thus slowing typing down considerably.

In conclusion, I sent this unit back after two weeks of struggling with it. It was a very very poor design and was not nearly as easy to use as my previous Blackberry 8830. I went back to the 8830 because it worked so well.


Storm Rocks
Enough of the negative reviews by all the Apple Fanboi's.

The Storm is a very solid phone, works great, works like a blackberry. I use mine as a media player in addition to the phone, and it is very good. Much better sound than an ipod/phone... and the camera is one of the best I have ever seen on a phone.

Plenty of apps and it is fast, browser works well.

I am very happy with mine.


novice smartphone owner loves it
It took me a long time to decide to buy the Storm. For someone like me who is happy w/Verizon, the iPhone was out. For someone like me who does not text, I had no preconceived notions about keyboards and texting. I don't give a hang about that.

What I wanted was email access and a replacement for my old Palm C3. I found it. I've loaded two email addresses (I am uncomplicated) and sync'd my old Palm desktop calendar (my Palm died months ago, but I love the Palm calendar) via Google. With the aid of Compulink, it was a piece of cake.

I only say all of this to establish a baseline for your consideration of what I have to say: I love it. I've loaded email, some news links and Pandora for radio (I absolutely love that!). For someone like me who is not big on texting, the various keyboard apps built in work great. The B'berry version memorizes my own commonly used words and smartens up as I use it. Love that.


Why I got rid of my Storm and bought an iPhone
I purchased a Blackberry Storm three months ago. It was my first "smart phone." I wanted to stick with Verizon and this seemed like the best choice. Last week, however, I cancelled my Verizon Blackberry service and switched to an iPhone. Yes, I had to pay a cancellation fee to Verizon, but I don't care. This review explains why I made this switch and I'm GLAD I did.

The Storm is not really a bad product. It does some things very well, i.e., those things that Blackberry devices as a group do well. If your major concern is to gain access to email quickly and efficiently, the Storm will not disappoint. You can configure the Storm for multiple email accounts and have all of the emails come up in a single "messages" folder, something you can't do with an iPhone. It's also convenient to have the choice of deleting emails just on the device or on the server, as well. I found the SureType system for entering text to be easy to use once learned. Many people hate SureType, but with some patience and practice I found it to be terrific. For those who prefer a traditional full keyboard, the recent software upgrade incorporated a full vertical QWERTY keyboard to complement the previously provided horizontal one.

I found the click screen adequately responsive, and the incorporation of swiping and finger-hovering functions is useful. Inputting calendar entries takes a bit of practice with these swiping/hovering techniques, but after a few days I had mastered the skill. The calendar function itself is sophisticated and integrates well with the phone and contacts features. The option to create multiple calendars is a useful feature. And as other reviewers have commented, the clarity of the screen is excellent. The browser system is good and includes a convenient "home screen" where one can search or access bookmarks easily and quickly. The battery is removable, and media can be stored on removable mini-SD cards (an 8 gb card is included).

The various features of the Storm are accessible via small, iPhone-like icons on the home screen, which can be arranged as one wishes. Phone features are quite extensive, although the audio quality of phone calls leaves something to be desired.

So--as a "Blackberry," the Storm performs adequately and its touch-screen features make it find of fun to use. Moreover, recent software updates have ameliorated some of the performance issues that plagued early users. That's the good news.

Now comes the bad news. The Storm has been billed as an "iPhone killer," competition for Apple's highly successful product. It's in this head-to-head competition that the Storm falls significantly short. The fundamental problem seems to be that whereas the iPhone was designed from the beginning to be a multifunction device, the Storm apparently was based upon a design that is not really ideal for what the engineers were asked to accomplish here. The most annoying problems stem from the fact that the Storm is endowed with only very limited application memory. Apparently each time the Storm is started up at least some of this limited application memory is taken up by all of the installed programs. If one installs more than a very few "apps" that use significant memory, the device's overall performance suffers. Moreover there are continuing problems of "memory leakage." Over the course of a day during which apps are opened and closed the available memory slowly seeps away until the Storm slows to a crawl and to regain speed one has to do a "battery pull" to reboot the system and free up application memory. It is telling that one of the most popular applications used by Storm owners is "Quick Pull," a program that functions to reboot the system without the necessity of physically removing the battery.

One can slow this memory leakage by using the pulldown menus to close apps each time they are used, rather than simply hitting the "red phone" stop button to put them away (still open in the background, apparently). This can be a pain: sometimes closing out of an app requires a multiple-step process that becomes laborious. Even if one carefully closes each application the memory leakage proceeds anyway, albeit more slowly. I could never get through an entire day without rebooting the device at least once. Since this takes several minutes, it can be truly inconvenient.

This memory problem poisons the entire Storm user experience. With much fanfare, Blackberry opened up its "app store" not long ago. There are not nearly as many apps available as there are for the iPhone (that's putting it mildly), but theoretically, most of the tasks that iPhone apps perform can now be accomplished through corresponding Storm apps. The bigger problem is that whereas iPhone users can add literally scores of apps to their phones will no real loss of speed, Storm owners must be oh, so careful not to overload their devices and thus slow the operating system down. I recall that when I finally decided to delete the preinstalled Verizon VZ Navigator program the Storm suddenly performed much better overall.

As an entertainment device the Blackberry is barely adequate. It includes a music player that exhibits good sound quality but the system for adding music and synchronizing media with one's computer does not compare with Apple's iTunes. I ultimately found it easier to simply remove the 8gb mini-SD card and transfer my own music files directly to the card, rather than downloading the overpriced Verizon V Cast media or trying to synchronize and upload my music using the provided buggy, slow Roxie software. Moreover, some music fans (like me) will be disappointed that there is no gapless playback with the Storm (meaning that successive tracks that are meant to play nonstop with no gaps will exhibit an annoying instant of interruption).

The Storm can play movies; in fact, the device comes preloaded with a very impressive film preview clip ("Babylon AD")that appears bright and bold on the screen. However, it is difficult to impossible to buy or rent videos to download to the Storm. One can buy programs that enable users to rip DVD's and configure them for the Storm, but compare this "convenience" to the availability of prepared videos for sale or rent via iTunes.

As a photographer, I can attest that all cameras incorporated into cell phones are terrible. The Storm's has some nice features, including a tiny flash and a (digital) zoom function, but the resulting images (and videos) are not very good. The iPhone once lagged in this area (i.e., no video camera) but with the release of the new 3Gs model the devices are now equally mediocre when it comes to photography.

Other Storm problems: It's a good idea to lock the screen when the device is not in use; otherwise pressure on the screen can accidentally start programs and problems ensue. The iPhone uses a top-lock button to lock its screen and finger-slide to unlock it. The Blackberry has a top lock button to both lock and unlock the screen. The problem is that sometimes one clicks on the button to unlock the screen and there is no apparent response. Naturally, one clicks the button again, only to find that the screen finally unlocks but then locks again. This small performance issue can be quite annoying when one is trying to access Storm features during a busy day.

Also, the Storm lacks WiFi. This is not a fatal flaw, but since WiFi where available is faster and uses less battery power, it's something that really should have been included.

Overall, the iPhone is faster, easier to use, can do more, and definitely more fun. Apple excels at creating user-friendly products that get the little things right. The Storm is Blackberry's first attempt at a consumer-oriented smart phone, and it's clearly a work in progress. There may eventually be multifunction phone products that will rival the iPhone, but the Storm is not a serious challenger.


SLOW ? Wait there is a newer Software Update !
I received this phone December 25th 2008 by April 2009 it was already defective the detent was just about gone. Verizon had me trade in my new phone for a reburbished phone. This is nothing at all like a Palm Treo device. This is not a true touch screen.

The response from this phone is only slightly better than the original phone I purchased. It lags badly whenever something is going on like just dialing a phone number manually.

What really frosts me is the fact the sales associate says there were improvements in the works. This phone was released to the public way before the bugs were fixed in an effort to keep up with AT&Ts I-Phone at least in my experience and opinion.

It has very Impressive features but if you don't intend to use Navigation, Email, or all of the bells and whistles.

Don't Buy this phone just yet, and if you do, exercise your right to return it. If you do have a problem or aren't quite satisfied you will be stuck with it if you let the window close on Verizons return policy.

I am told the new software update fixes many of the existing bugs prior to June 1st 2009. The Jury is not in yet.

Product Information and Prices stored: July 4, 2009, 16:05

admin BlackBerry

BlackBerry Curve 8310 Smartphone Titanium (AT&T)

January 6th, 2009

BlackBerry Curve 8310 Phone, Titanium (AT&T)

BlackBerry Curve 8310 Phone, Titanium (AT&T)
Product: Wireless Phone
Brand: BlackBerry
Amazon.com Product Description:
Swelling the Blackberry Curve's already formidable arsenal of telephonic and connectivity tools, the titanium Blackberry 8310 Curve now adds an internal GPS receiver with support for AT&T Navigator turn-by-turn direction service and push-to-talk (PTT) capability--an AT&T exclusive. An amalgam of the svelte BlackBerry Pearl and the more business-oriented 8800, the 8310 Curve is the smallest, lightest BlackBerry phone that includes a full QWERTY keyboard. And it combines RIM's long-valued push email and messaging platform with a host of advanced multimedia features, including a 2-megapixel camera and stereo Bluetooth (for listening to music via wireless headphones). This quadband phone operates on GSM 850/900/1800/1900 networks and can handle high-speed data connectivity via AT&T's EDGE network, with availability in more than 13,000 US cities and along some 40,000 miles of major highways. It also offers global voice roaming in over 190 and data roaming in over 130 countries.

Staying Connected



The svelte, titanium BlackBerry 8310 Curve offers a full QWERTY keyboard, innovative trackball navigation system (placed above the keyboard) and large 2.5-inch screen.
The Blackberry 8310 Curve delivers the legendary BlackBerry email experience. With BlackBerry service plans from AT&T, you can receive emails instantaneously from up to 10 email accounts (personal and enterprise). With BlackBerry push technology, you don't need to retrieve your email. BlackBerry devices are designed to remain on and continuously connected to the wireless network, allowing you to be discreetly notified as new email arrives. Support is also built-in for viewing email attachments (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, WordPerfect, and PDF formats).

If your company has a BlackBerry Enterprise Server installed, you can also take advantage of the power of wireless calendar synchronization. Your calendar events are exchanged wirelessly and automatically so that your desktop calendar and BlackBerry handheld calendar are synchronized. All your Outlook meeting requests, changes, and updates are instantaneously synchronized instantaneously with your desktop. Make meeting requests, invite new attendees and more, all on your Blackberry 8310 Curve. Users without BlackBerry Enterprise Server support can manually sync with their desktop calendars and contacts via Bluetooth or USB using the included BlackBerry Desktop Software.

BlackBerry Internet Service (BIS) is complimentary with the activation of a AT&T BlackBerry service plan (additional charges apply) and provides customers with the ability to have their personal or work email pushed automatically to their BlackBerry phone from multiple Internet Service Provider (ISP) email accounts. BIS provides automatic wireless synchronization of read, deleted, and sent email from the your BlackBerry phone to their desktop email account. Users with multiple accounts can choose from multiple "sent from" addresses when sending an email. You can also download ringtones and other content via AT&T's popular MEdia Net service or browse the Web using the BlackBerry HTML Browser. Wireless text messaging and multimedia messaging (MMS) are also supported by the BlackBerry 8310.

AT&T Exclusive Features
Among the unique features of the Blackberry 8310 Curve are AT&T's Push-to-Talk (PTT) service and TeleNav GPS Navigator. AT&T Push-to-Talk boasts the largest push to talk coverage area in America. PTT features on the BlackBerry 8310 include "availability" icons, quick group calling, and the ability to easily convert a PTT session to a regular wireless voice call. You can use your 8310 Curve to Push-to-Talk to communicate with individual colleagues or friends, or set up groups for broader communication. The PTT button, on the left side of the device (noted by three raised dots), easily facilitates each PTT call (simply press and hold to talk after the chirp and release when finished). In addition, the AT&T service offers such standard PTT features as call waiting, contact alerts, as well as text, picture, and voice messaging to anyone in their contact list.

You can take advantage of the AT&T Navigator GPS software and service, a full-featured premium navigation application that includes audible turn-by-turn directions, real-time traffic updates and re-routing options, and 3D moving maps (additional charges applicable). AT&T Navigator offers several other features to make your commute more enjoyable and reliable, including mobile access to Yellowpages.com. Additionally, AT&T Navigator is the only mobile phone-based GPS service that provides integrated speech recognition for address entry and points of interest search.

You'll also be able to access the AT&T Mobile Music service, which enables you access to the Napster and eMusic subscription music services.

Phone Design & Features
This 8310 Curve is fashioned in a titanium finish and subtly curving corners. Measuring 4.2 x 2.4 inches, the Curve is just as slim as the Pearl (0.6 inches) and weighs in at 3.9 ounces--just 0.7 ounces heavier than its predecessor. It features a bright 2.5-inch color TFT screen that provides 65,000 colors and a 320 x 240-pixel resolution, and it includes a light-sensing feature that automatically adjusts backlighting for indoor, outdoor and dark environments. Like the BlackBerry 8800, the Curve includes a trackball navigation system located on the top of the QWERTY keypad, and it also features an integrated spell checker with a customizable dictionary to help maintain accuracy while on the go. It has 64 MB of internal ROM memory, and is expandable using MicroSD memory cards (up to 4 GB in size). The battery provides up to 4 hours (240 minutes) of talk time and up to 17 days (408 hours) of standby time.

You can snap vivid photos (though no video) using the 2-megapixel camera on the back of the Curve, which also features a 5x digital zoom, built-in flash, self-portrait mirror and full screen viewfinder. It can capture images in up to three picture quality and size resolutions that can be shared instantly by email, MMS or BlackBerry Messenger, or even uploaded to your Flickr account with the Yahoo! Go service. Photos can also be immediately set as a unique caller ID or Home Screen image. You can edit photos and create albums within the Curve using the PhotoSuite application. Pictures can be cropped, rotated and straightened, and flaws can be fixed by removing redeye or changing the brightness, contrast, and saturation levels.

Listen to your favorite music and watch downloaded videos using the included stereo headset, or use an optional wireless headphone thanks to the Curve's support for the Bluetooth stereo audio profile (A2DP/AVRCP). The Curve is compatible with a wide variety of file formats, including MP3, WMA and AAC/AAC+/eAAC+ audio and WMV, MPEG4 and H.263 video. Dedicated volume controls are conveniently located on the side of the handset. You can also subscribe to the AT&T Music service, which includes access to online subscription music content from eMusic, XM Satellite Radio and more.

With the Voice-Activated Dialing (VAD) feature, you can initiate a call just by telling the Curve who to call from your contact list--either via the integrated speakerphone or using an optional Bluetooth wireless headset. Other advanced phone features include advanced sound technology that cancels out background noise and echo, dedicated volume and mute keys, and the ability to customize the Curve with polyphonic and MP3 ringtones.

Vital Statistics
The BlackBerry 8310 Curve weighs 3.9 ounces and measures 4.2 x 2.4 x 0.6 inches. Its 1100 mAh lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 4 hours of talk time, and up to 408 hours (17 days) of digital standby time. It runs on the 850/900/1800/1900 GSM/GPRS/EDGE frequencies.

List Price: USD 399.99
Lowest New Price: USD .1
Price is accurate as of the date/time indicated. Prices and product availability are subject to change. Any price displayed on the Amazon website at the time of purchase will govern the sale of this product.
Average Rating:
Features:
  • Smallest, lightest BlackBerry with full QWERTY keyboard--weighs just 3.9 ounces
  • Compatible with AT&T Navigator GPS and Mobile Music services; AT&T exclusive push-to-talk (PTT) walkie talkie-style communication
  • 2-megapixel camera with flash and 5x digital zoom; Bluetooth stereo music; MicroSD memory expansion to 4 GB
  • Up to 4 hours of talk time, up to 408 hours (17 days) of standby time
  • What's in the Box: handset, battery, charger, wired handsfree headset, USB cable, user manual, quick start guide
Brand: BlackBerry
Color: Silver
Model: 8310
Release Date: 2007-10-11
Customer Reviews


Awesome phone!
My 8310 has been very reliable and can do everything; and now with the recent software update, it can even do video, not just watch, but take video!

Its a great phone, calendar, phone, mp3 player, internet, gps, news center, voice notes, AIM, voice dialing,etc.

No regrets, maybe they can make a battery that can handle 24 usage, but this is pretty good, just keep a home, work and car charger ready; cuz you'll never turn it off. (oh year, it can power down on a schedule too!)


Dissapointing!
The phone is soo slow loading up images on the internet and the Telenav feature has left me stranded on several occassions.


Love It! Love It!! Love It!!!
I love this phone - I can see why people call it Crackberry. I have small hands, so the buttons are just right for me. It took a small amount of time for me to get used to the trackwheel, but I quickly found that I could adjust it's sensitivity. I just wish that the phone came with a belt clip attatched to the leather phone sleeve that comes with it. I enjoy how you can customize the rings and get quick checks on your email. On last thing that I love: how quickly the phone turns on and off. The weight is fine, as is the way it fits in my hands. All around, I love this phone and having it for a few years will not be a problem for me.


Great phone great function
I purchased this phone about 7 or 8 months ago. This is my first Blackberry and I am hooked. I love the functionality and all the programs. I also think it's pretty simple to navigate.


Good, but not great
This phone is good. There are plenty of features and the voice quality isn't bad. The form factor is a little annoying if you carry this around in your pocket. My major complaint with this is that the device sometimes (1-2 times per month) refuses to make phone calls and I have to remove the battery to reboot. The calendar and contacts are easy to use, I find the task list a little cumbersome. Overall I don't regret getting the curve but I probably won't be getting another one when this one dies.

Product Information and Prices stored: July 4, 2009, 16:05

admin BlackBerry

BlackBerry Curve 8310 Smartphone Red (AT&T)

January 6th, 2009

BlackBerry Curve 8310 Phone, Red (AT&T)

BlackBerry Curve 8310 Phone, Red (AT&T)
Product: Wireless Phone
Brand: BlackBerry
Amazon.com Product Description:
Swelling the Blackberry Curve's already formidable arsenal of telephonic and connectivity tools, the red Blackberry 8310 Curve now adds an internal GPS receiver with support for AT&T Navigator turn-by-turn direction service and push-to-talk (PTT) capability--an AT&T exclusive. An amalgam of the svelte BlackBerry Pearl and the more business-oriented 8800, the 8310 Curve is the smallest, lightest BlackBerry phone that includes a full QWERTY keyboard. And it combines RIM's long-valued push email and messaging platform with a host of advanced multimedia features, including a 2-megapixel camera and stereo Bluetooth (for listening to music via wireless headphones). This quadband phone operates on GSM 850/900/1800/1900 networks and can handle high-speed data connectivity via AT&T's EDGE network, with availability in more than 13,000 US cities and along some 40,000 miles of major highways. It also offers global voice roaming in over 190 and data roaming in over 130 countries.

Staying Connected



The svelte BlackBerry 8310 Curve in red (an AT&T exclusive) offers a full QWERTY keyboard, innovative trackball navigation system (placed above the keyboard) and large 2.5-inch screen.
The Blackberry 8310 Curve delivers the legendary BlackBerry email experience. With BlackBerry service plans from AT&T, you can receive emails instantaneously from up to 10 email accounts (personal and enterprise). With BlackBerry push technology, you don't need to retrieve your email. BlackBerry devices are designed to remain on and continuously connected to the wireless network, allowing you to be discreetly notified as new email arrives. Support is also built-in for viewing email attachments (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, WordPerfect, and PDF formats).

If your company has a BlackBerry Enterprise Server installed, you can also take advantage of the power of wireless calendar synchronization. Your calendar events are exchanged wirelessly and automatically so that your desktop calendar and BlackBerry handheld calendar are synchronized. All your Outlook meeting requests, changes, and updates are instantaneously synchronized instantaneously with your desktop. Make meeting requests, invite new attendees and more, all on your Blackberry 8310 Curve. Users without BlackBerry Enterprise Server support can manually sync with their desktop calendars and contacts via Bluetooth or USB using the included BlackBerry Desktop Software.

BlackBerry Internet Service (BIS) is complimentary with the activation of a AT&T BlackBerry service plan (additional charges apply) and provides customers with the ability to have their personal or work email pushed automatically to their BlackBerry phone from multiple Internet Service Provider (ISP) email accounts. BIS provides automatic wireless synchronization of read, deleted, and sent email from the your BlackBerry phone to their desktop email account. Users with multiple accounts can choose from multiple "sent from" addresses when sending an email. You can also download ringtones and other content via AT&T's popular MEdia Net service or browse the Web using the BlackBerry HTML Browser. Wireless text messaging and multimedia messaging (MMS) are also supported by the BlackBerry 8310.

AT&T Exclusive Features
Among the unique features of the Blackberry 8310 Curve are AT&T's Push-to-Talk (PTT) service and TeleNav GPS Navigator. AT&T Push-to-Talk boasts the largest push to talk coverage area in America. PTT features on the BlackBerry 8310 include "availability" icons, quick group calling, and the ability to easily convert a PTT session to a regular wireless voice call. You can use your 8310 Curve to Push-to-Talk to communicate with individual colleagues or friends, or set up groups for broader communication. The PTT button, on the left side of the device (noted by three raised dots), easily facilitates each PTT call (simply press and hold to talk after the chirp and release when finished). In addition, the AT&T service offers such standard PTT features as call waiting, contact alerts, as well as text, picture, and voice messaging to anyone in their contact list.

You can take advantage of the AT&T Navigator GPS software and service, a full-featured premium navigation application that includes audible turn-by-turn directions, real-time traffic updates and re-routing options, and 3D moving maps (additional charges applicable). AT&T Navigator offers several other features to make your commute more enjoyable and reliable, including mobile access to Yellowpages.com. Additionally, AT&T Navigator is the only mobile phone-based GPS service that provides integrated speech recognition for address entry and points of interest search.

You'll also be able to access the AT&T Mobile Music service, which enables you access to the Napster and eMusic subscription music services.

Phone Design & Features
This 8310 Curve is fashioned in a red finish and subtly curving corners. Measuring 4.2 x 2.4 inches, the Curve is just as slim as the Pearl (0.6 inches) and weighs in at 3.9 ounces--just 0.7 ounces heavier than its predecessor. It features a bright 2.5-inch color TFT screen that provides 65,000 colors and a 320 x 240-pixel resolution, and it includes a light-sensing feature that automatically adjusts backlighting for indoor, outdoor and dark environments. Like the BlackBerry 8800, the Curve includes a trackball navigation system located on the top of the QWERTY keypad, and it also features an integrated spell checker with a customizable dictionary to help maintain accuracy while on the go. It has 64 MB of internal ROM memory, and is expandable using MicroSD memory cards (up to 4 GB in size). The battery provides up to 4 hours (240 minutes) of talk time and up to 17 days (408 hours) of standby time.

You can snap vivid photos (though no video) using the 2-megapixel camera on the back of the Curve, which also features a 5x digital zoom, built-in flash, self-portrait mirror and full screen viewfinder. It can capture images in up to three picture quality and size resolutions that can be shared instantly by email, MMS or BlackBerry Messenger, or even uploaded to your Flickr account with the Yahoo! Go service. Photos can also be immediately set as a unique caller ID or Home Screen image. You can edit photos and create albums within the Curve using the PhotoSuite application. Pictures can be cropped, rotated and straightened, and flaws can be fixed by removing redeye or changing the brightness, contrast, and saturation levels.

Listen to your favorite music and watch downloaded videos using the included stereo headset, or use an optional wireless headphone thanks to the Curve's support for the Bluetooth stereo audio profile (A2DP/AVRCP). The Curve is compatible with a wide variety of file formats, including MP3, WMA and AAC/AAC+/eAAC+ audio and WMV, MPEG4 and H.263 video. Dedicated volume controls are conveniently located on the side of the handset. You can also subscribe to the AT&T Music service, which includes access to online subscription music content from eMusic, XM Satellite Radio and more.

With the Voice-Activated Dialing (VAD) feature, you can initiate a call just by telling the Curve who to call from your contact list--either via the integrated speakerphone or using an optional Bluetooth wireless headset. Other advanced phone features include advanced sound technology that cancels out background noise and echo, dedicated volume and mute keys, and the ability to customize the Curve with polyphonic and MP3 ringtones.

Vital Statistics
The BlackBerry 8310 Curve weighs 3.9 ounces and measures 4.2 x 2.4 x 0.6 inches. Its 1100 mAh lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 4 hours of talk time, and up to 408 hours (17 days) of digital standby time. It runs on the 850/900/1800/1900 GSM/GPRS/EDGE frequencies.

List Price: USD 399.99
Lowest New Price: USD .1
Price is accurate as of the date/time indicated. Prices and product availability are subject to change. Any price displayed on the Amazon website at the time of purchase will govern the sale of this product.
Average Rating:
Features:
  • Smallest, lightest BlackBerry with full QWERTY keyboard--weighs just 3.9 ounces
  • Compatible with AT&T Navigator GPS and Mobile Music services; AT&T exclusive push-to-talk (PTT) walkie talkie-style communication
  • 2-megapixel camera with flash and 5x digital zoom; Bluetooth stereo music; MicroSD memory expansion to 4 GB
  • Up to 4 hours of talk time, up to 408 hours (17 days) of standby time
  • What's in the Box: handset, battery, charger, wired handsfree headset, USB cable, user manual, quick start guide
Brand: BlackBerry
Color: Red
Model: 8310
Customer Reviews


I love my Blackberry
Own this product for 1.5 years and so far this is my favorite toy. I'm looking for new model in few months but at this point..... Once again, this is best everyday use machine.


An excellent choice
I purchased my Blackberry (first Blackberry ever) about six months ago. All in all, I would NEVER go back to a regular phone. Yes, the Curve has its quirks, but I'm extremely happy with my phone.

What I love:
-Big, beautiful screen. I download unique backgrounds from [...] and bam, I have a cool picture to greet me when I use my phone.
-Different themes. Personally, I like the BB Dimension Zen, which is uncluttered and lets me choose from my top five applications.
-3.5mm headphone jack. I added a 8gb MicroSD card to the phone and it's made my Sansa MP3 player obsolete.
-Calendar and Tasks. As a college student who works part-time, I have a ton of times and appointments to keep track of. Entering information and reminders is super easy.
-Email. Coming from a regular flip-phone where I used 200 text messages a month, using email on a phone has been like a mini-miracle!
-Profiles. Someone mentioned that setting Profiles was a nightmare, and I agree that it can be somewhat tedious, but I find it to be worth it. I ended up creating profiles of my own (like "In the car" or "Class") and I personally appreciate that I can choose my notification for every possible event on my phone, whether it be an SMS text, a call, or an email.
-Keyboard. I was hesitant about buying the Curve because of the keyboard. I have pretty big fingers, not very nimble, but I had no issues with the keyboard. The spacing and size are perfect, and it's all very easy to get used to.
-Size. The size of the phone fits in my hand very nicely. I got a silicone case for it so it doesn't slip.

What I wish was different:
-The MicroSD slot. It's behind the battery. Which means powering down the phone, removing the battery, putting in the card, putting the battery back in, and starting up, which can take a few minutes. This is my biggest gripe about the phone.
-The rollerball. It can get grimy and hard to use, but as long as it's cleaned every once in a while, there's no problems.
-Lack of 3G. I'm not unhappy about this because I heard it significantly decreases your battery life. (And for me, the battery life of the Curve is amazing.)

For me, this phone has become like a lifeline. I don't go anywhere without it, and it has made my life a lot easier. I highly recommend it to anyone, and I will never go back to anything but a Blackberry!


Great phone and more
The BlackBerry Curve 8310 from AT&T has served us very well. Its feature-set and quality are superb. The keys are a bit small, but that is easy to live with. The screen is bright and colorful. The rollerball takes a little getting used to and should be cleaned at certain intervals, but we like it better than the side dial. The red is a great shade and makes the phone a little more attractive for those who care. There are plenty of applications for the BlackBerry, and for what it is meant to do, it does it with ease. Call quality is great. Push e-mail is what BlackBerry does best. Text messaging is simple. BB chat is nice if you know others with BlackBerries. We are not huge fans of the media player, but that is just a matter of taste. Make sure you get memory chip for extra storage.


Not for ppl who want "just a phone"
Get this if you're going to get the Blackberry plan and if you're going to use EVERYTHING this phone offers AND MORE. Get this if you're planning on upgrading the OS and if you're not scared of a bit of technology.

DON'T get this if you're just looking for a pretty phone that won't be used for more than taking pictures, making calls/SMS/MMS, and checking e-mails and you don't ever want to even think of upgrading the OS or using the phone to its full potential.

My only qualm is that I can't charge my 8310 on just any mini-USB. It only charges on its own charger.

Otherwise, my Curve is a new addiction in my life, nay a new appendage. It's practically attached to my body and I use it for EVERYTHING.


Curve - It is great
I have the Blackberry Curve in Red. I love it. I have a pearl as well, but I like the Curve Better.
The screen is large and it is easy to navigate. I would buy it again...

Product Information and Prices stored: July 4, 2009, 16:05

admin BlackBerry

BlackBerry Curve 8320 Smartphone Titanium (T-Mobile)

January 6th, 2009

BlackBerry Curve 8320 Phone, Titanium (T-Mobile)

BlackBerry Curve 8320 Phone, Titanium (T-Mobile)
Product: Wireless Phone
Brand: BlackBerry
Amazon.com Product Description:
Adding a fashionable touch to Research in Motion's formidable arsenal of telephonic, PIM, and media tools, the BlackBerry 8320 Curve for T-Mobile is also the smallest, lightest BlackBerry phone that includes a full QWERTY keyboard. This amalgam of the svelte BlackBerry Pearl and the more business-oriented 8800 combines RIM's long-valued corporate email and messaging platform with a host of advanced multimedia features, including a 2-megapixel camera and stereo Bluetooth (for listening to music via wireless headphones). In addition to its quad-band GSM and EDGE connectivity, it also offers Wi-Fi connectivity for access to the Internet and email as well as access to T-Mobile's Hotspot @Home service. This version comes in titanium, but it's also available in pale gold.



The Curve's full QWERTY keyboard and the innovative trackball navigation system (placed above the keyboard) makes accessing your data and writing email a breeze..


The 2-megapixel camera makes it easy to capture pictures to send via email or upload to your online photo collection.
T-Mobile Service Options
With T-Mobile HotSpot @Home service, you'll effortlessly transition between Wi-Fi calling and T-Mobile's wireless network while you talk. You can get unlimited nationwide calls over Wi-Fi--at home via your wireless router or at any U.S. T-Mobile HotSpot. You can also use the HotSpot @Home service via most open, or unsecured, wireless routers, as well as any secured wireless router for which you have access to the password from the owner. This phone is compatible with the 802.11b/g Wi-Fi standard as well as the following wireless security protocols: WEP, WPA (TKIP), WPA2 (AES-CCMP), LEAP, PEAP, EAP-TLS, EAP-TTLS, EAP-FAST, EAP-SIM, EAP-AKA. Whenever you're not using a Wi-Fi network, the Curve works just like a regular mobile phone, using your Whenever Minutes under your T-Mobile voice plan.

This phone also includes compatibility with T-Mobile's myFaves service, which allows you to call up to five of your most common contacts--on any network, even landlines--without using any of your minutes. Learn more about myFaves from T-Mobile.

Staying Connected
With BlackBerry's push email technology, your email will find you without having to initiate a connection. BlackBerry devices are designed to remain on and continuously connected to the wireless network, notifying you as new email arrives. In addition to the text, you can also receive and view attachments in a wide range of popular file formats, including Microsoft Office, Corel WordPerfect, and Adobe PDF.

Browse the web with the integrated, full-featured browser, which quickly and efficiently displays HTML pages as well as enables you to set up RSS feeds to stay connected to up-to-the-minute news and blog posts. And keep up with your contacts using a variety of instant message (IM) networks, including the integrated Blackberry Messenger as well as downloadable clients for Google Talk, Yahoo! Messenger, and Lotus Sametime.

For corporate users, the Curve delivers all the enterprise email and messaging capabilities you've come to expect. It's supported on BlackBerry Internet Service, giving you access to up to 10 work or personal email accounts (including most popular ISP email accounts), as well as BlackBerry Enterprise Server, enabling advanced security and IT administration within IBM Lotus Domino, Microsoft Exchange and Novell GroupWise environments.

Phone Features



Click for larger view.
The Curve is fashioned in a liquid silver finish with chrome highlights and subtly curving corners. Measuring 4.2 x 2.4 inches, the Curve is just as slim as the Pearl (0.6 inches) and weighs in at 3.9 ounces--just 0.7 ounces heavier than its predecessor. It features a bright 2.5-inch color TFT screen that provides 65,000 colors and a 320 x 240-pixel resolution, and it includes a light-sensing feature that automatically adjusts backlighting for indoor, outdoor and dark environments. Like the BlackBerry 8800, the Curve includes a trackball navigation system located on the top of the QWERTY keypad, and it also features an integrated spell checker with a customizable dictionary to help maintain accuracy while on the go. It has 64 MB of internal ROM memory, and is expandable using MicroSD memory cards. The battery provides up to 4 hours (240 minutes) of talk time and up to 17 days (408 hours) of standby time.

You can snap vivid photos (though no video) using the 2-megapixel camera on the back of the Curve, which also features a 5x digital zoom, built-in flash, self-portrait mirror and full screen viewfinder. It can capture images in up to three picture quality and size resolutions that can be shared instantly by email, MMS or BlackBerry Messenger, or even uploaded to your Flickr account with the Yahoo! Go service. Photos can also be immediately set as a unique caller ID or Home Screen image. You can edit photos and create albums within the Curve using the PhotoSuite application. Pictures can be cropped, rotated and straightened, and flaws can be fixed by removing redeye or changing the brightness, contrast, and saturation levels.

Listen to your favorite music and watch downloaded videos using the included stereo headset, or use an optional wireless headphone thanks to the Curve's support for the Bluetooth stereo audio profile (A2DP/AVRCP). The Curve is compatible with a wide variety of file formats, including MP3, WMA and AAC/AAC+/eAAC+ audio and WMV, MPEG4 and H.263 video. Dedicated volume controls are conveniently located on the side of the handset.

With the Voice-Activated Dialing (VAD) feature, you can initiate a call just by telling the Curve who to call from your contact list--either via the integrated speakerphone or using an optional Bluetooth wireless headset. Other advanced phone features include advanced sound technology that cancels out background noise and echo, dedicated volume and mute keys, and the ability to customize the Curve with polyphonic and MP3 ringtones.

Vital Statistics
The Blackberry Curve 8320 weighs 3.92 ounces and measures 4.2 x 2.4 x 0.6 inches. Its lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 4 hours of talk time, and up to 408 hours (17 days) of digital standby time. It runs on the 850/900/1800/1900 GSM/GPRS/EDGE frequencies.

List Price: USD 349.99
Lowest Used Price: USD 331.95
Lowest New Price: USD .1
Lowest Refurbished Price: USD 296.07
Price is accurate as of the date/time indicated. Prices and product availability are subject to change. Any price displayed on the Amazon website at the time of purchase will govern the sale of this product.
Average Rating:
Features:
  • Smallest, lightest BlackBerry with full QWERTY keyboard--weighs just 3.9 ounces
  • Wi-Fi connectivity for Web browsing and access to T-Mobile's Hotspot @Home unlimited calling service
  • 2.0 megapixel camera with flash and 5x digital zoom; Bluetooth wireless connectivity with with stereo headset support
  • Next-generation media player with audio and video playback in a variety of formats; expandable via MicroSD memory cards
  • Includes: Battery, Charger, Stereo Hands-free Headset, USB Cable, Carrying Case and BlackBerry Desktop Software
Brand: BlackBerry
Color: Silver
Model: 8320 Curve
Release Date: 2007-09-24
Customer Reviews


It's the service (t-mobile) that's bad not the phone
Received the curve as open box and call tmobile to figure out what happened. They said it's ok "the phone is brand new". 1 month later, I get flash errors (risk of loosing my contacts). Called for replacement and they offer a "used" blackberry.

So in a 30 day period, I had to argue with customer service to get a used phone as a new customer. Suggestion: if you want a blackberry head to another mobile provider.

Now where is that 0 star option.


One Small Point...
The literature consistently says "Does not take video"---it does take video. Go to the video area (icon looks like a camera) click on it and there you are. The capability came with my 8320 from Cincinnati Bell. Even the RIM website omits this feature, it's there. Enjoy, it does a great job of video, too. Crisp, with voice, good color, you can zoom in and out as well. Only reason I am giving the device one less than full stars is it is such a difficult little thing to master compared to the iTouch, but it does so much more. Well worth the price and the time invested.


Best Value when purchasing through Amazon and choosing T-Mobile
Ordered the Blackberry Curve 8320 (actually 2 of them) with the favs family plan. The phone is good, however, the internet on T-Mobile (edge) is super slow in comparison to other providers with high speed alternatives; 3g for Sprint, Verizon, ATT, or evdo for Verizon & Sprint. Amazon provided the best deal out of any other retailer out there, hands down, and they provided excellent service when I needed it.

Despite the complaint of slow internet through t-mobile, when it comes down flexibility of its use as a phone, T-mobile is the only provider at the moment that allows hotspot (UMA) calling or the ability to use the wifi connection of the phone to make phone calls, WITHOUT deducting minutes from your phone plan, as long as you pay for the a month hotspot calling service.

Pros:
1) Unlimited HotSpot calling through T-mobile: Make unlimited national phone calls with this phone on any wifi network as long as you pay for the 10 dollar hotspot calling feature.

2) hotspot calling feature is available on a family plan (covers EVERYONE on their family plan for one low price) and it costs the same as a single line hotspot feature.

3) Phone is Wifi capable, go online through any Wifi network (that you have access to: secured networks you don't have a key to don't work obviously!)

4) good messaging (SMS) and e-mail capabilities (outlook, gmail, hotmail, etc) as long as you pay for the required data plans (See cons below)

5) Good call quality, build quality, and great feature set(for the money) on the phone itself, the plans are something else.

Cons:
1) Phone is slow when navigating through menus and dialing in comparison to dedicated cell phones (non pda phones)

2) Screen is a bit small to actually do any real web browsing; its purpose is mostly to receive emails. i would call this an email phone. yes you can web browse, but it is tedious, even with aftermarket software browsers like mini opera, etc.

3) On the T-mobile side, the internet is absolutely slow slow slow. makes web browsing practically unusable, unless of course you are on a wifi connection. If you have the patience to deal with browsing on the edge network and wait X2 as long as dial-up, then be my guest, I'd recommend wifi.

4) required to pay for data plan: extra $$$ for something the phone is supposed to do out of the box. No data plan, no internet or email unless you have an available wifi connection.

5) if you are using outlook for work to receive email, it is then required to pay even more money for the BB enterprise server data plan in order to receive emails instantly or close to real time. Otherwise, you have to deal with web outlook (OWA) which only pushes email about every 15 minutes to your blackberry device.


There you have it, depending on what your needs are, this phone can be the either best phone you have ever owned, or it could be just a phone with too many features. For me, its the best overall value for a phone, period.

other thoughts: Now if only it was 3G...


Great Phone
I lost my last Blackberry and upgraded to a curve and wish I had just upgraded sooner. Better keys, better browser, camera... just all around a great phone. The only thing I would like to see is a slimmer version.


The Best Free Phone Out There
Well to start off my original concern was that I get the best phone out with internet capabilities at the lowest possible price. The 8320 is that phone, with the key word being "lowest" possible price. I would rather the iphone but over the course of a year your going to pay a lot more for it. I got the 8320 for -79.99 in my pocket after a rebate with a plan that only costs [...] a month and it has WiFi so you don't have to continue paying [...] dollars a month for unlimited internet after 6 months. Internet is FREE. That by itself makes this phone the best bargain out there. My one concern was that this phone would be really big and look weird in my pocket but it is much smaller than it looks and fits comfortably in my pants pocket.

Product Information and Prices stored: July 4, 2009, 16:05

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