Blackberry is everything (Blackberry Curve 8310)

Member Name: makro74

Product:	Blackberry Curve 8310
Date:	06/08/08 (124 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Multitasking, GPS, qwerty keyboard

Disadvantages: Not many except keyboard locking.unlocking problematic

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In a nutshell, Blackberry phones seemed to be on the expensive end of the market and many people who have them seemed to be pleased. So I decided to check it out.
The first thing you notice is the complication and a different style of use. This takes time to get used to. The roller-ball is a cross between a pointer mouse and the stylus system on other PDAs. And yes if you previously own a Windows based PDA, you will probably be looking for a stylus to poke the screen with! You get used to it. But the Qwerty keyboard more than replaces the clumsy stylus. One of the biggest drawbacks of stylus based was that the stylus was lost all too often. I personally always have preferred phones which are durable and easy to use. This after a bit of playing fits the bill.

One thing of concern with any PDA, is the ability of the device to multitask without crashing or slowing down. I used own a SPV which was Windows based and the major problem was calls and applications kept crashing mid-call. This Blackberry has no such problems. You can even connect the blue-tooth to any GPS and have sat-nav working in conjunction with phone and other applications relatively easily.
Appearance

Qwerty keyboard is first notable thing, with the roller ball in the middle. Silver in colour it is quite cleverly designed, permitting an efficient proportion between keyboard area and screen. It actually looks quite neat on your desktop. Volume buttons are on the side and access to voice dialling and camera are also located via quick buttons. The size of the keys are big enough for thumbs, yet small and compact enough to look tidy.
It has reflective tint screen when the backlight is off, and when the light comes on, it is pleasant to the eye. The battery cover is easily removable with a button at the back.

It has clever sized mirror at the back under the camera lens for accurate self picture taking.
Flashing LED (optional on/off) for coverage brings a vintage feature back on the device.

Watch out for holster replacing though, for there does not seem to automatic keylock unles you set it to come on in the holster.
Phone:
Messaging takes time to get used as the qwerty keyboard is direct typing. But be careful of the numbers in text as you have to press the ALT (shift) key everytime you put in a number. MMS, SMS, pictures and videos can all be utilised depending on network provider.

Calls relatively straight forward - call waiting, forwarding, video and conferencing. But the contact card has the abiltiy to store a vast array of features which can be incorporated when making calls. For example, the titles, names or surnames are filtered fro ease of location.

WIFI
Excellent if you have it, large screen allows you access the internet easily when out. You build a WIFI network by searching a new location with available sites. You probably have to register with the free ones, or get WEP code for others for there maybe a charge.
GPRS - internet accesss usually accessed here, if WIFI not available, but the phone responds quited well in receiving and sending data. With the larger screen pages are much easier to browse.

ADMINISTRATION
One of the suberb abilities of this device is the ability to manage affairs on the move. Other than mobile phone contacts, the are times when pen and paper are not at hand (outside), and most other phones do not allow speedy note making, this phone is the 'bees-knees'. Whether, you are setting up an event or conference or you have arrange things at short notice, knowing where you team are, or generally for multitask planning, this phone is excellent. As well as your diary, notepad, calender, tasks, you have your memopad where you place all your temporary infomation under one heading to be sorted out as it evolves. I think this area this phone outshines many other phones.
CAMERA - 2.0megapixel camera, it takes surprisingly good pictures even blown up on PC. Good for taken snapshots, and video has the usual features of night/day/luminescent/ etc.

GAMES: can be downloaded and brickbreaker can be addictive
MUSIC/ViDEOS: can be downloaded to taste.
RINGTONES: Not as many but again can be dowloaded. One thing however, it takes time to get used to Blackberry's profile layout and assigning ringtones. It becomes relatively easy when you know how.
Generally I am actually quite impressed with this Smartphone, and Blackberry truly lives up to its name. There are many other features which would make this review mega-long but all in all these phones are recommended for all multi-taskers but they are not for everyone. If you don't mind the size, and you need to use many of the features, such e-mail, memo, and bluetooth then this would be for you. However, if you just want to make calls, and SMS or even listen to music then this phone would be too complicated for your needs. But for the organiser, the internet user on the move, or the note maker, this phone is a excellent choice.

Summary: Nice all round phone for the organised person