If you’ve ever wondered how RIM has stayed on the top of the smartphone heap for so long, look no further than the BlackBerry Curve 8900. Of course, the BlackBerry is best known for its email capabilities which have long made it a favorite with corporate users, but each new generation of BlackBerry builds on the features and stylish design of its predecessors.
The BlackBerry Curve 8900 is made only for use with T-Mobile as a carrier and this sleek, stylish smartphone is packed with all the functionality BlackBerry users have come to expect: voice calls, data access, calendars and as always, BlackBerry is the number one choice for email on the go. The 8900 series is lighter than the preceding models of Curve and features Wi-Fi connectivity and as you’d expect, the 8900 is compatible with T-Mobile HotSpot unlimited calling feature. None of your minutes are used when you use your BlackBerry while connected to a T-Mobile HotSpot or other wireless access point, so you can make many of your nationwide calls free of charge.
Other specific features offered with the Curve 8900 are: 3.2 mega pixel camera Video camera Titanium colored finish Chrome highlights GPS location and navigation service BlackBerry Messenger service BlackBerry PIN messaging Full SMS capabilities Memory card insertion (comes with 256 MB card and will hold a 16 GB card) Bluetooth capabilities Digital media player (supports multiple media formats) International roaming
The word from customers so far has it that the BlackBerry Curve 8900 is yet another winner. The BlackBerry Curve was already known as the last word in smartphones which are long on style as well as features and reliability. Users love the new lighter weight as well as its modern titanium, chrome accented color scheme. As always, the BlackBerry Curve is ahead of the curve in terms of style.
Users are also raving about how sharp video and pictures display on the screen. One downside is the resolution of the built in video camera. With a mere 240×180 resolution, the 8900 didn’t score as high as might be expected in terms of video recording.
As with other Curve models, the 8900 reportedly is not a great match for people with large fingers. While women complain about this drawback far less than men do, the Curve 8900’s keyboard is too small to be comfortable for people with large hands. So, while the compact style is visually appealing, the device isn’t as easily handled as some devices equipped with larger keyboards, such as the BlackBerry Bold or the BlackBerry 8800 series.
The BlackBerry Curve is notoriously difficult to operate for those with large fingers, something which is more of a problem for men than women, but the Curve 8900 has an exceptionally small keyboard. If your hands are on the larger side, you may find it easier to use the BlackBerry Bold or the BlackBerry 8800.The BlackBerry Curve 8900 does well in the processing speed department, but some have bemoaned its slow speeds when using Wi-Fi. Others find the two separate browsers (one for use with Wi-Fi connections, the other for using T-Mobile’s data access plan) to be confusing.These however are relative minor complaints against a smartphone which has been embraced by corporate users and the general public alike.
The BlackBerry may have been made for business users originally, but RIM adds in new features which appeal to a more general audience with each new generation. The stylish BlackBerry Curve 8900 has media capabilities and other features which are certain to expand its market share and keep RIM right where it is the king of the smartphone mountain.