A 'Bold' decision (Blackberry Bold 9000)

Member Name: royassure

Product:	Blackberry Bold 9000
Date:	02/05/09 (118 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great display and sound quality, easy to operate for beginners

Disadvantages: Average battery life, 2MP camera

A Bold Decision

~General introduction~

Most of my previous phones were N*kia's, which I found relatively easy to use. Only lately that I decided I need a phone with some computing ability, that I started searching different brands. Never really bothered BB before, though it had created some buzz since it's release -- but then there's the !phone also.

Finally buying one was like a sailing uncharted water for me. The technical specs was, more or less similar with other gadget in its class. I'm not really a 'technical user' anyway, all I needed was something that could help me do emails, read documents, and a little bit entertainment.

Anyway, so here's some things that I could say about this device

~Using Experience~

For first time BB user, I find it easy to operate. The keypad, which initially I thought was a major challenge for my chubby fingers, was in fact quite comfortable to use. The trackball is relatively convenient, though a bit slow when browsing over word documents because it will automatically highlights word to word.

General:
The dimension was okay to hold in my palm, though this is only relative. The look is somewhat more 'mature' compared to the later BB St*rm or !phone, but again this is also relative. A bit sad though, I don't like the back side of it. I think the material was 'cheap', and it tend to squeak a bit when you press to top side. (Or perhaps it was just my luck)

Internet:
The reception was relatively good, but it will depend on your GSM provider of course. I subscribed to an unlimited data plan, and that really helps me browsing the internet. The only downside was my data plan doesn't allow streaming, so I can't watch anything on youtube. Email-ing is great. And if you're an FB addict, once you've downloaded their software you can do it with more ease.

Multimedia:
One thing I like the most was its display quality. The colours are very clear and I find the screen size enjoyable for pictures and movies viewing. However, that's not the case for websites because most of the time you would need to zoom in and out to actually be able to 'click' on it.
The sound quality is good, and loud enough to use as a personal music player if you don't like wearing earphones. It comes with a 1 GB micro SD, which I replaced for a 4 GB one because I wanted to put some movies for the road. To save space, you should convert the files first, which unfortunately they don't give the program for. But you could get them elsewhere for free.

If you enjoy playing games as much as I do, you'll find it a bit frustrating to search free games available for the Bold. Since it's relatively new, and has better screen resolution, most games available for blackberry are not playable in the Bold. It's either that, or they'll shrink to a size un-enjoyable to play in. I guess, you'll have to wait for some time before they'll make more games really intended for the Bold.

I have difficulties installing Java apps on it, though it suppose to be Java enabled -- or am I just not technically adapt yet. The desktop manager program -- the software to transfer and synchronize data from PC-phone -- it comes with is a bit more difficult to operate compared with the N*kia PC Suite I'm already used to. So I usually transfers data through my computer explorer instead. But you can't install apps this way.

Battery:
When you're browsing and using its multimedia feature often, you'll probably have to charge it once a day. I've tried using it more moderately, and it last for two days. I was actually wondering, why do they make something that's capable of doing all that, and not equipped it with better battery. However, I still find it not too much as a downside.

Camera:
Now, if there's one function I really regret in the Bold is its (only) 2MP camera. Compared with the Curve that has 3.2MP, it's a bid strange why the company equipped their later edition with lower specs. The flash light doesn't do much good either when you're taking shots under low lighting condition. If you like taking snapshots/short movie clips from your mobile, then it's not for you.

(Now, I've finished my honey-moon period with the BB and still crazy for it)
I just want to add it's internal GPS function that I find to be very helpful. The map was comprehensive, though at some areas -- in my part of the world -- it only has the main roads. The satelite reception is quite good, though you'll have to be in open space sometime to get better reception. The thing I like the most with it, is that you can geo-tag your present position, and save it in folders. You could create your own collection of geo-tags, pointing the spots you really like. And if you want to share those positions with someone who also owns a BB (I don't know if it work with other type, but I assume it will with most of the later BB products) using PIN, sms, or email. It could be useful when you're trying to show someone about a spot, you could simply send him/her the 'tag', and he/she could navigate with it (provided he/she has a gps device).

~Conclusion~

I've used it for almost 2 weeks now, and still spend more time with it than with my wife. But I think, it won't stay like that after another week. It's a Bold decision, and I'm not regretting it.

(Well, my honey-moon was cut short actually, due to high 'wife-complaining' activity)

Summary: All in all, I'll stick with a BB from now on

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