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BlackBerry 8900 Smartphone
Price Range:
$91.99 to $489.00
A sleek new twist on a classic style. You can keep your finger on the pulse of what s important to you with the BlackBerry Curve 8900...
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A sleek new twist on a classic style. You can keep your finger on the pulse of what s important to you with the BlackBerry Curve 8900 smartphone. The striking 480x360-pixel screen offers up crisp on-the-go video, images, text, maps and more. With a refined design, the BlackBerry Curve 8900 smartphone is an easy-to-use device that delivers expanded functionality and reliable results.
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60 Reviews from Epinions.com
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BlackBerry 8900 Smartphone
How do I start a review of a BlackBerry that has any sort of value that isn't all common knowledge? This review is going to read much like the confession of a soccer mom describing a crystal meth addicition . . . this device got me addicted, and I'm not proud of it . . . but I need it, and it has forever changed my cellular path.
I will also try to focus more on things that are unique to my experience and this device specifically instead of just simply saying, "It has Bluetooth and GPS, yay!" I feel that information is more valuable to you, the reader.
PREVIOUS DEVICES: I had used a couple SmartPhones before this . . . and was captivated and slowly adopting those, as well. I had a Nokia 9300 Communicator and a Samsung BlackJack. Great phones . . . but this 8900 was my first BlackBerry. (I wrote reviews on these other devices, as well.)
PRICE: I have been an AT&T Customer for over 12 years, and if you transfer to the cancellation group and ask for an upgrade - they can offer you much better pricing, often well before your upgrade date. They gave me this phone for $50 with renewing a 2 year contract (6 months before my contract was up). This was great value, especially given other offerings.
EASY SETUP & ADOPTION: I work at a small business, and our E-Mail is not hosted on an Exchange Server, but instead set up as "Personal" E-Mail. I was so surprised that all I did was enter my E-Mail address and Password (for our custom domain names), and it figured out the POP3/SMTP servers, authentication settings, and all that - simply after entering my address and password, I was up and running immediately. I was shocked - especially since things about my hosting are non-standard. After 2 years, I couldn't get my BlackJack or Communicator to "send" E-Mail off my servers.
The interface was intuitive. The setup wizard quickly got me accustomed to the track ball, the menus, the applications, and more. It had brief tutorials that allowed me to discover the rest. I even got my Dad (who can barely use a computer) to use a BlackBerry productively!
It was just as easy to configure synchronization of my Address Book & Contacts in Outlook with the phone - in any way I want.
BLACKBERRY MESSENGER: I wasn't sure where to put this, but this is one major reason I will not use a non-BlackBerry Device going forward. BlackBerry Messenger is basically free texting & chat with any person who has a BlackBerry . . . any carrier, anywhere in the world. I can BB Message my sister-in-law in Indonesia, my best friend on Sprint, and more . . . all free of charge under the umbrella of my data plan. This is such a tremendously great feature - and the interface is so simple, intuitive, and the beauty is in the simplicity. Granted, the new 5.x O.S. complicates this a bit - but it's still wonderful.
BLACKBERRY'S FAMOUS KEYBOARD: Another reason my next phone(s) for the foreseeable future will be Blackberries is the wonderful keyboard - but this is a bit more specific to this phone. The keyboard has keys that have space between them and are separated (unlike the BlackBerry Bold that has them absolutely adjacent to each other). You can type tremendously fast on this - I can easily type over 40 to 50 words per minute on my cellular phone (I never thought I'd be able to say that when cell. phones were being born in the '90's).
DURABLE: As I type this, I feel semi-mixed because of one experience. Right after I got the phone, I dropped this phone from a short distance, but I must've hit it just right - the phone was destroyed. I had insurance, and I got a new one. Since then, this thing has taken some tremendous falls (some caused by me, some by my 10 month old little girl, etc.), and even some liquid incidents . . . and this thing has held up just wonderfully. Despite my very strange first experience, I will call this thing very durable.
BATTERY LIFE: With just the phone and BlueTooth on, this phone with significant internet and voice use will last multiple days without a charge - reliably. Even with BlueTooth, Wi-Fi, and GPS (tracking with Google Latitude 24/7) and significant data and voice usage - after nearly 2 years of age, it still lasts me throughout the entire day without concerning me. I still find it comical that everyone with a 3 week old iPhone has one of those extended batteries or a charger with them at all times. =P
APPLICATIONS: The application world for this BlackBerry is nothing like that for the iPhone. Typically, there is *not* an app. for that with this phone. CNN, Fidelity Investments, and several other companies simply allow you to install a "link" that opens the browser to their mobile website. And, the browser on the BlackBerry is subpar, for sure. It's very, very simple and allows basic surfing only. This is certainly not the high point of this phone - and I hope it is improved going forward. Today, I upgraded to the O.S. 5.x, and while it is better . . . it's still miles behind Droids and iPhones.
What made this worse is that the phone came with a bunch of applications that were really neat . . . Garmin's MyCast Weather, Texas Hold 'Em, etc. But, then you find out that you have to pay to use them . . . and even if you wanted to pay for, say MyCast Weather, the link there doesn't work anymore. You can't. This was very, very annoying.
However, you get FaceBook and the big ones . . . but they won't be as feature packed as the ones for Droids and iPhones (for example, it won't run Zynga applications).
STORAGE CAPACITY: The phone appears to have plenty of "storage capacity" for applications (250 MB, etc.), but when it comes down to it . . . once you start using the camera to take pictures, it fills up after just taking a handful of pictures. It's not intuitive on how to transfer these off the internal storage, etc. The rest of the phone becomes "full" regardless of whether 50% of the 250 MB is empty or not.
DESKTOP SOFTWARE: The Desktop Software is nice, but it is still not intuitive on how you can clear off your pictures & media from your phone to your computer. Other than that, it's quite nice and intuitive - from backups, restoration, deletions, synchronization, software updates, to much more.
THE BADNESS: I've mentioned a lot of negatives above, but the biggest one? Being a modern phone sold in a modern environment by a forward looking carrier - it doesn't support the ultra fast 3G data service. You are using the EDGE network. It is reliable, but very slow - especially when you start reading news on the web, refreshing FaceBook feeds, and more.
GLOBAL: This is a Quad-Band phone, and it works all over the world. Now, this part - I haven't verified. I have been told that it is very easy to unlock - you simply call AT&T and tell them that you need the code (and assure them you are not switching), and they will give you a code to unlock it. You can then eBay it for tremendous profit after getting your next device.
STUPID QUIRK: I leave this phone on my nightstand, and unlike other BlackBerries - no matter how you set them down (upside down, etc.), when the light starts blinking - it lights up a room. This one, I can set down upside down, and the light is covered. :) Peaceful night's sleep. :) This is stupid - but I bet one person will read this and be on the same page as me. :)
FEATURES: I will not waste time here - it has all the important stuff: BlueTooth, Wi-Fi, actual GPS (not cell tower triangulation within 20m), etc. But nowadays, what smart phones don't?
All this being said - this phone has become such an integral part of my life. My friends are all trying Droids, iPhones, etc. - but I can't lose BlackBerry Messenger, the awesome keyboard, and this interface. They released the Torch - and guess what my next phone will be . . . Crackberries for life.
The Perfect Device For Productivity Over Play (Sans 3G)
| Author's Rating: |
|
Pros: Absolute Best Keyboard, Ultra Easy Setup/Use, Productive Applications, Durable, Strong Battery Life, BlackBerry Messenger
Cons: Lack of 3G, Default Storage Capacity, Application Quality & Availability, Dummy Non-Working Trial Applications Installed
The Bottom Line:
This phone is the perfect phone that values productivity over play, power and ease of use over complexity, etc. It's missing 3G, but a vital part of my life.
Author's ReviewHow do I start a review of a BlackBerry that has any sort of value that isn't all common knowledge? This review is going to read much like the confession of a soccer mom describing a crystal meth addicition . . . this device got me addicted, and I'm not proud of it . . . but I need it, and it has forever changed my cellular path.
I will also try to focus more on things that are unique to my experience and this device specifically instead of just simply saying, "It has Bluetooth and GPS, yay!" I feel that information is more valuable to you, the reader.
PREVIOUS DEVICES: I had used a couple SmartPhones before this . . . and was captivated and slowly adopting those, as well. I had a Nokia 9300 Communicator and a Samsung BlackJack. Great phones . . . but this 8900 was my first BlackBerry. (I wrote reviews on these other devices, as well.)
PRICE: I have been an AT&T Customer for over 12 years, and if you transfer to the cancellation group and ask for an upgrade - they can offer you much better pricing, often well before your upgrade date. They gave me this phone for $50 with renewing a 2 year contract (6 months before my contract was up). This was great value, especially given other offerings.
EASY SETUP & ADOPTION: I work at a small business, and our E-Mail is not hosted on an Exchange Server, but instead set up as "Personal" E-Mail. I was so surprised that all I did was enter my E-Mail address and Password (for our custom domain names), and it figured out the POP3/SMTP servers, authentication settings, and all that - simply after entering my address and password, I was up and running immediately. I was shocked - especially since things about my hosting are non-standard. After 2 years, I couldn't get my BlackJack or Communicator to "send" E-Mail off my servers.
The interface was intuitive. The setup wizard quickly got me accustomed to the track ball, the menus, the applications, and more. It had brief tutorials that allowed me to discover the rest. I even got my Dad (who can barely use a computer) to use a BlackBerry productively!
It was just as easy to configure synchronization of my Address Book & Contacts in Outlook with the phone - in any way I want.
BLACKBERRY MESSENGER: I wasn't sure where to put this, but this is one major reason I will not use a non-BlackBerry Device going forward. BlackBerry Messenger is basically free texting & chat with any person who has a BlackBerry . . . any carrier, anywhere in the world. I can BB Message my sister-in-law in Indonesia, my best friend on Sprint, and more . . . all free of charge under the umbrella of my data plan. This is such a tremendously great feature - and the interface is so simple, intuitive, and the beauty is in the simplicity. Granted, the new 5.x O.S. complicates this a bit - but it's still wonderful.
BLACKBERRY'S FAMOUS KEYBOARD: Another reason my next phone(s) for the foreseeable future will be Blackberries is the wonderful keyboard - but this is a bit more specific to this phone. The keyboard has keys that have space between them and are separated (unlike the BlackBerry Bold that has them absolutely adjacent to each other). You can type tremendously fast on this - I can easily type over 40 to 50 words per minute on my cellular phone (I never thought I'd be able to say that when cell. phones were being born in the '90's).
DURABLE: As I type this, I feel semi-mixed because of one experience. Right after I got the phone, I dropped this phone from a short distance, but I must've hit it just right - the phone was destroyed. I had insurance, and I got a new one. Since then, this thing has taken some tremendous falls (some caused by me, some by my 10 month old little girl, etc.), and even some liquid incidents . . . and this thing has held up just wonderfully. Despite my very strange first experience, I will call this thing very durable.
BATTERY LIFE: With just the phone and BlueTooth on, this phone with significant internet and voice use will last multiple days without a charge - reliably. Even with BlueTooth, Wi-Fi, and GPS (tracking with Google Latitude 24/7) and significant data and voice usage - after nearly 2 years of age, it still lasts me throughout the entire day without concerning me. I still find it comical that everyone with a 3 week old iPhone has one of those extended batteries or a charger with them at all times. =P
APPLICATIONS: The application world for this BlackBerry is nothing like that for the iPhone. Typically, there is *not* an app. for that with this phone. CNN, Fidelity Investments, and several other companies simply allow you to install a "link" that opens the browser to their mobile website. And, the browser on the BlackBerry is subpar, for sure. It's very, very simple and allows basic surfing only. This is certainly not the high point of this phone - and I hope it is improved going forward. Today, I upgraded to the O.S. 5.x, and while it is better . . . it's still miles behind Droids and iPhones.
What made this worse is that the phone came with a bunch of applications that were really neat . . . Garmin's MyCast Weather, Texas Hold 'Em, etc. But, then you find out that you have to pay to use them . . . and even if you wanted to pay for, say MyCast Weather, the link there doesn't work anymore. You can't. This was very, very annoying.
However, you get FaceBook and the big ones . . . but they won't be as feature packed as the ones for Droids and iPhones (for example, it won't run Zynga applications).
STORAGE CAPACITY: The phone appears to have plenty of "storage capacity" for applications (250 MB, etc.), but when it comes down to it . . . once you start using the camera to take pictures, it fills up after just taking a handful of pictures. It's not intuitive on how to transfer these off the internal storage, etc. The rest of the phone becomes "full" regardless of whether 50% of the 250 MB is empty or not.
DESKTOP SOFTWARE: The Desktop Software is nice, but it is still not intuitive on how you can clear off your pictures & media from your phone to your computer. Other than that, it's quite nice and intuitive - from backups, restoration, deletions, synchronization, software updates, to much more.
THE BADNESS: I've mentioned a lot of negatives above, but the biggest one? Being a modern phone sold in a modern environment by a forward looking carrier - it doesn't support the ultra fast 3G data service. You are using the EDGE network. It is reliable, but very slow - especially when you start reading news on the web, refreshing FaceBook feeds, and more.
GLOBAL: This is a Quad-Band phone, and it works all over the world. Now, this part - I haven't verified. I have been told that it is very easy to unlock - you simply call AT&T and tell them that you need the code (and assure them you are not switching), and they will give you a code to unlock it. You can then eBay it for tremendous profit after getting your next device.
STUPID QUIRK: I leave this phone on my nightstand, and unlike other BlackBerries - no matter how you set them down (upside down, etc.), when the light starts blinking - it lights up a room. This one, I can set down upside down, and the light is covered. :) Peaceful night's sleep. :) This is stupid - but I bet one person will read this and be on the same page as me. :)
FEATURES: I will not waste time here - it has all the important stuff: BlueTooth, Wi-Fi, actual GPS (not cell tower triangulation within 20m), etc. But nowadays, what smart phones don't?
All this being said - this phone has become such an integral part of my life. My friends are all trying Droids, iPhones, etc. - but I can't lose BlackBerry Messenger, the awesome keyboard, and this interface. They released the Torch - and guess what my next phone will be . . . Crackberries for life.
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