BlackBerry Curve — a wistful review
While you’re working out why a tech review should be wistful, let me just say that the long battle between BlackBerry and iPhone for which device should equip the Syntagma offices, has been won by BlackBerry.
I was going to review the BlackBerry Curve but, as is often the case, that’s been overtaken by events.
The picture gives a clue to the wistfulness inherent in our decision. I might also have put up a shot of the new 3G iPhone that O2 is close to announcing in the UK (see below).
You get the picture. No sooner do we get the kit in than the companies announce quantum leaps in technology and new products within weeks. It’s enough to make you expectorate.
I’ll just say we are very happy with the BlackBerry Curve (version 8310) and its extraordinary powers of connectivity, plus its distinction as a pocketable writing platform, before looking ahead, not just to the 9000 — the Bold — but to the 9500 (pictured).
According to The Boy Genius, this is to be called the Thunder and is set for third quarter launch. It’s a full touch-screen device, like the Apple iPhone, with only four hard keys along the bottom rim :
… it will launch as a worldwide lifetime exclusive on Verizon and Vodafone! … If the device will indeed launch with a 4G solution, our bet is on LTE), and GSM HSPA for traveling internationally. Verizon and Vodafone will have the same unit. Currently, the model number is the BlackBerry 9500, though it’s very early and that’s likely to change.
Meanwhile the Guardian is pumping up excitement about a 3G iPhone, which has been widely expected. “The 3G version of the iPhone will be unveiled ‘in the coming weeks’, the boss of Apple’s exclusive mobile phone partner in the UK and Ireland hinted today. … [Maybe] at its Worldwide Developers’ Conference in San Francisco, which starts on June 9.”
New 3G iPhone?
Not much left to say about the 8310 Curve, except it’s a welcome addition to our office and adds enormous functionality to our operation.
Can’t help thinking we’ve been thrown a curveball though — wistfully speaking.
The “Battle” has just begun.
iPhone SDK is a game changer. I’ll bet you print an article a year from now stating how much you love your new iPhones.
And can’t Rimm come up with their own design, instead of looking like a Chinese knock-off of the iPhone?
By Sean on May 15th, 2008 at 4:51 pm
Sean, the picture is a mock-up — probably created from an iPhone shot, but photoshopped.
Personally, I wouldn’t want a full touch-screen job — I prefer the real keyboard of the Curve. I think iPhone too will have a real one soon, possibly as an alternative model.
By John Evans on May 16th, 2008 at 9:39 am
The competition has just begun. Apple is not looking to dethrone the Blackberry (yet) but sell enough iPhones to make a profit. I use the iPhone just it runs OSX and not a Blackberry because, I have heard that the RIM software on it is pretty bad!
By Alan Smith on May 16th, 2008 at 1:52 pm
I’ve not found many problems with the software on the Curve, Alan. I’m not really into music and movies on handsets, so prefer the writing facilities on the BlackBerry.
By John Evans on May 17th, 2008 at 10:23 am