Recent Releases from Blackberry
With so many phones now offering comprehensive email client support, BlackBerry is having to expand its product range and attract a new audience. With a wide selection of new handsets just released, should you consider becoming a BlackBerry convert?
BlackBerry 9700 Bold
The follow-up to the extremely popular 9000 has been treated as a relatively minor upgrade, with only marginal aesthetic changes on the outside and a slightly less bulky build distinguishing the 9700. It still has a full QWERTY keypad, although the trackball has been replaced with a touch sensitive trackpad. The screen is slightly smaller, although no less bright and crisp and there is no doubt that the 9700 Bold still looks every bit as sophisticated and serious as BlackBerry handsets of the past.
However, there is a touch more versatility to the 9700. The inclusion of built-in Wi-Fi connectivity is greeted as a significant improvement, allowing for faster connectivity than the 3G connection if you have a wireless network in your home or place of work. The BlackBerry App Store is full of useful applications with a fairly universal focus on practicality, but over the coming months more games are hopefully going to become available to help in making the 9700 a tad more playful.
BlackBerry Storm2 9520
The original storm was considered a little half-baked when it was released over a year ago and the Storm2 takes on board some of the major criticisms in order to advance BlackBerry’s presence in the touch screen smartphone market.
The screen itself is no longer mounted mechanically like a large button, but retains a unique interface. There are four areas of semi-haptic feedback and the sensation of typing on the Storm2 is quite unlike any other touch screen experience. Though the interface will take a little time to get to grips with, it is likely that the Storm2 will allow you to get up to speed when typing messages in no time.
The Storm2 has all-important Wi-Fi support and the web browsing software combined with the large, uncluttered screen make the online world a little easier to view than on any other BlackBerry handset. There is little on the outside of the Storm2 that has changed and it weighs about the same as the original. However, since the screen no longer clicks inwards there is less chance of dust getting in and spoiling the display.
BlackBerry Curve 8520
The Curve 8520 is aimed firmly at the youth market, which BlackBerry has previously had difficulty in penetrating because of its business-like image. With a focus on media, social networking and messaging, it hopes to overcome this issue.
Like the Bold 9700, the 8520 has abandoned the trackball system in favour of a trackpad. There is now less likelihood that the navigation key will break, which is surely a good thing in a phone that emphasises its carefree, go-anywhere credentials. There is a 2 megapixel camera on the rear which can shoot video and the multimedia player is compatible with a range of popular formats.
Unlike many message-focused handsets with a younger target audience, the 8520 does not skimp on the connectivity options, with built-in Wi-Fi complimented by standard inclusions such as Bluetooth. The lack of 3G may seem odd, but it is likely that this will not be a concern for potential owners of the 8520 and Wi-Fi should more than make up for this.
On the outside this is most definitely a BlackBerry handset. It has a full QWERTY keypad and a virtually square display, although it is noticeably smaller than more expensive handsets in the range. Access to the range of applications and games via BlackBerry’s app download service is included and email and messaging play a big part in the appeal of the 8520.
BlackBerry Curve 8900
Advertised as the thinnest and lightest smartphone available in the BlackBerry line up, the Curve 8900 keeps the classic combination of the trackball and QWERTY keypad interface with which fans of RIM handsets will be familiar.
The screen is one of the strongest aspects of the 8900 thanks to a high resolution and an excellent level of brightness that counteracts its compact size when compared with larger touch screen smartphones. Media playback and gaming are both possible and there is a 3.2 megapixel camera mounted on the rear for moderate quality snapping, but the 8900 is very much a business-focused phone with corporate functions key to its success.
The 8900 has built-in GPS, which can be used in conjunction with BlackBerry Maps, allowing for turn-by-turn navigation. You can also use the app to discover information about your surroundings and locate restaurants, hospitals and hotels when you are in an unfamiliar location. Although the Curve 8900 does not look quite as sharp as the very latest handsets such as the Bold 9700, it still offers a wealth of intelligent features and versatile software.
Tags: blackberry, blackberry 8520, blackberry 9700 bold, blackberry curve 8900, blackberry storm2