RIM® Blackberry 8830 Worldphone For Verizon (CDMA) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)FINALLY! A SmartPhone that keeps you productive and doesn't hassle you with malfunctions!
As you can probably surmise, I'm coming over from the Windows Mobile platform. After several years of wrestling with those units (especially Treos), I decided to give the BlackBerry 8830 a try, and am I glad that I did. I've had the opportunity to own/use this unit for several months now. There is just no comparison. The 8830 lives up to its promises, and is actually enjoyable to use.
This model is
- Reliable: It just works, and it keeps working. No hiccups, malfunctions or resetting.
- A Great Business Tool: As a PDA power user, I need a unit that reliably synchs wirelessly with our mail server to keep my email, calendar, contacts, tasks and notes current. The 8830 does this real-time without getting bogged down and crashing. It excels in this area.
- Readable: You can change the default screen font in the Options settings to enlarge and/or embolden the display text across all functions.
- Call clarity: Conversations are clear and audible on both ends.
- Smart: RIM built in some nice behavior that changes the display brightness with environmental lighting and also changes the ring mode when the unit is holstered.
- The keyboard offers excellent tactile feedback.
- The blue-tooth has worked with headsets and hands-free speakers nicely.
- Robust: I dropped the unit a few times (once on a marble floor), and it still works great.
I've found several minor drawbacks:
- The ringer, even when loudest, isn't quite loud enough in noisier environments. Often, I won't hear the ringer in the car.
- There is only 1 alarm. I've been accustomed to having the ability to simultaneously set alarms that ring during the week, on weekends, etc. The 8830 offers these modes, but not concurrently.
- The speakerphone volume isn't very loud. Honestly, this seems to apply to most of the phones that I've owned.
- I've had problems with the voice-command accuracy.
Recommendation:
This is likley the best SmartPhone I've ever owned. Its very functional and very reliable. I highly recommend it.


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With the BlackBerry 8830 World Edition smartphone, you'll enjoy fast, clear communication from Verizon here in the United States as well as seamless voice connectivity as you roam the globe. It's the first CDMA BlackBerry smartphone capable of roaming globally on GSM/GPRS networks, so you can travel the world with full mobile voice and data coverage without having to change smartphones, phone numbers or email addresses.
This sleek and performance–driven smartphone has been redesigned with trackball navigation and a new backlit QWERTY keyboard. It also offers support for Verizon's high-speed EV-DO data network and built-in GPS so you can take advantage of Verizon's optional VZ Navigator turn-by-turn direction service. And it continues to offer all the communication features that you've come to expect from Blackberry smartphones, including email served up by the BlackBerry Internet Service and a full menu of messaging options (SMS, MMS, and IM). Other features include Bluetooth for communication headsets, MicroSD memory expansion up to 4 GB, and an integrated digital audio player.
Dual Connectivity Perfect for the fashionable world-traveling professional, the BlackBerry 8830 World Edition and Verizon Wireless' Global BlackBerry service allow customers to access e-mail and place and receive domestic and international calls in Asia, Australia, Europe, the Middle East, North America, and parts of Africa. When used at home here in the U.S., you'll connect to Verizon's 800/1900 MHz CDMA network, as well as its 1xEV-DO 3G high-speed data network--which offers download speeds ranging from 400 to 700 Kbps and peak rates up to 2 Mbps. (Learn more about where EV-DO coverage is offered.)
But when you're traveling within a GSM network coverage area (900/1800 MHz) outside of the U.S. provided by Verizon Wireless' global roaming partners, the 8830 provides easy voice connectivity while roaming the globe. To use the 8830 outside of the U.S., customers should dial *611 from their Verizon Wireless phones to add global service to their calling plans before they leave home. You will also need a SIM card to use the phone on a foreign GSM network. (Note that you won't be able to access GSM here in the United States, as U.S. networks use the 850/1900 MHz GSM spectrum.)
Verizon Service Options Getting on the Internet is easy using Verizon's Mobile Web 2.0 package, which allows you to read and send e-mails, exchange instant messages and view your favorite web content on your phone. Verizon's Get It Now wireless download service is also fully compatible with this phone. This pay-per-download service features application downloads, games and productivity tools. You can also personalize your handset with ringtone downloads using the Get It Now service.
With this GPS-enabled phone, you'll be able to access Verizon'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.
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.
Phone Features The BlackBerry 8830 World Edition features a large high-resolution color display and intuitive trackball navigation to help you easily view e-mails, attachments, videos, and Web sites, and a back-lit QWERTY keyboard that makes it easy to send e-mail responses or instant messages with Mobile IM. The improved BlackBerry Browserhas a new "Page View" option that displays a full web page on the screen along with a magnifying glass that allows the user to quickly and accurately point and zoom in on a specific area of the web page.
The large screen has a 320 x 240-pixel resolution with support for up to 65K colors--plenty of real estate to view your e-mails, Web browser content, messaging sessions, and attachments. It comes with a 64 MB internal memory that can be expanded via optional MicroSD memory cards (up to 4 GB).
With a BlackBerry data plans from Verizon, you can receive e-mails instantaneously from up to 10 e-mail accounts (personal and enterprise). And with BlackBerry push technology, you don't need to retrieve your e-mail. BlackBerry devices are designed to remain on and continuously connected to the wireless network, allowing you to be discreetly notified as new e-mail arrives. Support is also built-in for viewing e-mail attachments (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, WordPerfect, and PDF formats).
The digital audio player lets you listen to your favorite tunes stored on optional MicroSD cards, as well as play video files in vivid color. Shuffle your songs or enjoy your favorite playlist while you reply to messages. It supports MP3, AAC/AAC+/eAAC+, and WMA file formats. The Bluetooth 2.0 connectivity enables you to talk handsfree with a communication headset as well as use the phone wirelessly as a modem.
Other features include:
Phone as Modem Capable: Use the included USB cable to connect to laptops for a wireless modem, or choose to run this capability via Bluetooth with no USB cable requirement.
Bluetooth version 2.0 with the following profiles: HFP (hands-free car kits), HSP (communication headsets), DUN (dial-up networking), OPP (object push for business cards, calendar items, and pictures), PBA (transfer contacts)
Dual–band 800/1900 Mhz 1xEV–DO networks
Dual–band 900/1800 Mhz GSM/GPRS (outside North America)
64 MB Flash Memory/32 MB RAM
BlackBerry 4.2 Desktop Software
Ringtones: Polyphonic (MP3, MIDI) + vibrate
Password protection and keyboard lock
2.5mm headset jack
Hearing Aid Compatibility = M4/T4

Vital Statistics The BlackBerry 8830 weighs 4.6 ounces and measures 4.5 x 2.6 x 0.55 inches. Its 1400 mAh lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 220 minutes of talk time, and up to 216 hours of standby time on CDMA networks. When on international GSM networks, the phone provides up to 300 minutes of talk time and up to 384 hours of standby time. It runs on the 800/1900 MHz CDMA frequencies and is compatible with the EV-DO data network when on the Verizon network in the US; in international territories, it's compatible with 900/1800 MHz GSM/GPRS networks.

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BlackBerry Curve 8310 - Smartphone - GSM - QWERTY - BlackBerry OS - titanium - AT&T Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Like most tech-savvy professionals, I use and rely on a BlackBerry at work. In fact, I've been an addict for quite some time. I recently updated from an 8700 to this amazing phone. The email, calendar and address book are all what you expect and are accustomed to from BlackBerry. There are a ton of great improvements and I've outlined my likes and dislikes below.
Pros:
* The screen appears to be the same 320x240 screen that is found on the older 8700. It's outstanding and flat out huge. There are various levels of backlighting and there is a handy auto-DIM feature that adjusts the backlight according to room lighting conditions.
* The rollerball took a little getting used to, but after less than a day, I'm an expert. OK, not quite an expert, but I dialed in the sensitivity to suit my needs. I also turned off that annoying clicking sound. I guess that was supposed to simulate the audible "click" you would get from the old wheel.
* The keyboard is perfect. I was really scared about going to something new but the spacing and texture are dead-on. Typing is a breeze.
* Spell-Check; a warm welcome to something that has been missing for a LONG time. It's also super-easy to use. I get a prompt right before I send an email asking me to approve typos. Great job BlackBerry!
* The multimedia software is excellent; both on the device and on the desktop. You can watch movies, listen to MP3s and check out your photos on the handset. The Music software is not as good as what's on the Sony Walkman w580i phone, but it gets the job done. The Roxio-powered Media Manager software for the desktop offers super-easy drag and drop of MP3s and movies. It even converts files on the fly so they work with the Curve. This is one of the best additions to BlackBerry. The easy to use interface really turns this into a multimedia device.
* The camera is pretty good too. The LED flash is very bright and allows for a decent photo in low light. Full Screen view finder is a nice plus. There is even a little mirror on the back for self portraits.
* 3.5mm Stereo/Audio Jack is built-in. No adapter needed. Amen BlackBerry! Just plug my Shure buds in and I'm in audio bliss.
* Real GPS! This is awesome. I've just started to tinker with the TeleNav software. I don't like the fact there is a monthly fee, but the turn-by-turn directions rival standalone navigation systems I've used. It's awesome but pricey. I'll start hunting for alternative navigation software.
Cons:
* Doesn't record video
* No 3G or Wi-Fi
* Monthly fees associated with true turn-by-turn navigation software. The GPS does work great with BlackBerry Maps and Google Maps for location. Not quite the same as Telenav.
* Memory card is located under the battery. I find it very annoying that I have to power down the phone to remove and replace the card. Hey, at least it's MicroSD.
* It's a fingerprint magnet. Not iPod bad, but visible enough that I keep wiping down the body.
* No playlist support for the music software.
All in, this is the best BlackBerry I've ever owned. Highly recommended.

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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 ConnectedThe 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 youaccess 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.

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