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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
162 of 166 found the following review helpful:
 More than just business Oct 12, 2007
By AreYouKidding?
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.
180 of 189 found the following review helpful:
 Didn't fully meet my expectations.. Nov 18, 2007
By GDV
I'm coming from a palm treo 650..I actually was pretty happy with it, but unfortunatly I lost it..So in my search for a new phone, I had narrowed it down to the iphone, palm treo 680 and the blackberry curve..After reading reviews and playing around with each phone (except the treo 680), I decided to go with the curve, my first blackberry.
Upon first recieving it, I absolutly loved the size and style as well as the keyboard. I wanted to like it so bad but unfortunatly after 30 days, I don't and will be going back to a treo.
Here's how I came to this decision..
TEXT MESSAGING: Coming from the treo which organizes your text conversations into a chat window, I hate the fact that on the curve each text is listed individually, and by the end of the day I have a long list of texts from so many different people, it's hard to keep track of each conversation or go back to a certain message without having to scroll all the way down and look for it.
CALLING OUT: Almost imposible while driving unless it's a speed dial (which isn't always responsive)The numbers are so small and navigating through the address book with that little ball is a pain, then you have to select whether you would like to dial home mobile or work..by the time I've done all this I'm suprised I haven't rear-ended the car in front of me! The treos huge touch screen dial pad and one tap address book is way more user friendly in my opinion.
INSTANT MESSAGING: Doesn't have aim, had to dl it from jivetalk for $20..happy with the way it works once I did so.
KEYBOARD: Probably one of my favorite things about this phone..makes text and im a one handed breeze!
CAMERA: Ok, better than the treo's and picture messaging is fast and easy with the curve. Nice that is has flash (although blinding at times).
PICTURE MESSAGING: Fast and easy sending/recieving, way better than the treo, which sometimes I would have a hard time opening pm as the touch screen wouldnt respond sometimes when I would tap on the link.
CALENDER: Probably my biggest pet pieve with the curve. Setting appointments, reminders and navigating through the calender with the treo was a breeze. The curve seems limited in it's reminder capabilities. Takes a lot longer to navigate through and actually make and appoinment..This is one of my main uses for the phone and is the main reason why I'm choosing to bring it back.
TASKS: Horrible reminder capabilities! Reminds you once and that's it! You're on your own after that! The treo would display tasks on the home screen at the start of that day and would keep reminding you until you physically check it off as done. I need that because I have so many things going on I need constant reminders or I will forget to do something.
CALCULATOR: Confusing and a little time consuming to use, the treos large touch screen calculator is like having an actual calculator in your hand.
EMAIL: Hands down the best feature of the bb curve. Emails arrive as they are sent, which is something the treo lacked. My emails would only arrive at scheduled intrevals, if they came at all. Emailing is not however something I use alot, but someone who does will love this phone.
WEB BROWSING: Slow, scrolling takes forever on a long page, most pages won't open completley..Also for frequent myspace users..you cannot reply to myspace emails from the curve for some reason. Maybe I just haven't figured it out yet, but I've never been able too. Basically using the bb curve as a web browser is useless, as it is with the treo as well..The only phone I've used with awesome web browsing is the iphone and the treo 750.
CALL/SOUND QUALITY/SPEAKERPHONE: All awesome, reception is great, call volume is nice and loud and speakerphone is the best I've experienced from a cell phone yet. I can set the phone on my center console in my car and speak with the window open and the radio on and my callers can still hear me perfectly.
BATTERY: SUCKS! I have to recharge daily, and if the battery is really low, you cannot even use the phone at all even if it is plugged into the charger, unlike most phones where even if the phone is dead, once you plug it into the charger you can still use it..Really inconvienient, especially in an emergency!
Conclusion..
PROS: Keyboard, camera, call sound/quality/speakerphone
CONS: Battery, calender, placing a call while driving, texting, web browsing
I'll admit there are alot of things I do like about the curve, but unfortunatly it's just not going to work for me for what I need it for. BB seems a little behind the times when it comes to certain things and hopefully in the future the technology will become better and the kinks will be ironed out. Imagine a bb with a touch screen, better time managment applications, chat style texting, video, and faster internet.. they would shut the other pda companies down! But until then I'm going back to my treo.
84 of 92 found the following review helpful:
No problem with rebate as an existing customer....I'm in love! Nov 10, 2007
By BoomerGal50
"BoomerGal50"
This is my first Blackberry. Two years ago I bought a Razr (Cingular) on Amazon, my two year contract had been fulfilled and I was on a month to month. I was concerned about the "fine print" in Amazon's description and read other postings online from folks wondering if they would qualify. I emailed Amazon as well as AT&T and received confirmation that yes, I would qualify if I renewed a two year contract. So, having been hesitant about giving up my beloved Razr, I went for the Blackberry. And am I happy about that decision! The first few days I couldn't receive email (there was a glitch on the Blackberry end) but the wonderful customer service people at AT&T helped me resolve it. (Prior to the Razr, I had been a Verizon customer for many years, I totally think that Cingular/AT&T service is a kazillion times better). I have downloaded a great free ringtone from www.crackberry.com, transferred some music files (it sounds great, and I'm a 57 year old female addicted to my iPod); the voice sound quality is much better on the phone than the Razr. I was concerned I would have to pull out my reading glasses every time I got an email but I reset the typeface to a larger font and hey, "no problemo". I also transferred all of my Outlook Contacts and Calendar and it's convenient having that info handy. I also like the voice dialing, which is useful when you're driving, plus it will auto dial a number plus the extension. So, if it sounds like I'm having a love affair, I am! I am totally enamored with my new Blackberry. Hope I am still into gadgets when I'm 90! Kudos to Amazon and Cingular/AT&T.
36 of 39 found the following review helpful:
Best Smartphone on the Market Oct 27, 2007
By Reader of History
This device does it all. It is robust, has a great keyboard, bright screen and is intuitive. It is a productivity machine, but also thin and sports both GPS and a 2MP camera. I initially wanted the iPhone, but after trying both out, the keyboard on the 8310 is far superior. Also, the push email system is more advanced, and with removable battery, SIM card, storage, it is more flexible.
20 of 22 found the following review helpful:
Indispensable Mar 01, 2008
By JAD
"TechMan"
What can I say - the Blackberry 8310 (my fourth BB) continues to be an absolutely indispensable tool for a professional on the go. My productivity remains super high because the BB integrates so well with both my lifestyle and workstyle and I have so much more flexibility to live and work where and how I want to. Some high points for this particular model:
1. Its slim and light. Smaller and lighter than an iPhone. No burden at all
2. Great Battery life. Runs well through a full day of calls and email.
3. Internet. Provides web access when you need it. [Need AT&T to get G3 on this device!]
4. Easy to use. Keyboard is very workable for even those lengthy, from the field reports.
5. Attachments. Big screen makes it easy to work with docs - even pdfs.
6. GPS. A good backup when you need to know where you area.
7. Audio Quality. Phone and Speakerphone are excellent
8. Bright Screen. Use it anywhere
9. Camera. Comes in handy for quick snapshots that you want to email on the fly
10. Email. The best, most reliable mobile email out there.
Blackberry knows its target customers - mobile professionals. they do a great job of steering clear of the consumer bells and whistles and have stayed on track with delivering a product that fits the way we work.
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