Posted by Smartphone Review on February 9, 2010
BlackBerry Bold 9700 Phone T Mobile
Powerful and refined, the BlackBerry Bold 9700 smartphone for T-Mobile includes built-in support for both 3G connectivity and voice calls over Wi-Fi networks (802.11b/g). Enabled for T-Mobile’s expanding high-speed 3G network, the Bold 9700 offers fast data delivery and an enhanced Web-browsing experience that lets you connect quickly to social networking sites such as Facebook. And, of course, you’ll enjoy all the communication and connectivity features you’ve come to expect from a BlackBerry phone–including email served up by the BlackBerry Internet Service and a full menu of messaging options (SMS, MMS, and IM).
The BlackBerry Bold offers built-in support for 3G cellular connectivity and both data downloads and voice calls over Wi-Fi. |
Other features include access to BlackBerry App World, a 3.2-megapixel auto-focus camera with video capture capabilities, and Bluetooth connectivity. |
Offering top-of-the-line performance and functionality, it features a sophisticated, high-gloss black finish, chrome highlights and leatherette back. It also includes a distinctive, highly tactile full-QWERTY keyboard for fast and accurate typing, and an innovative touch-sensitive optical trackpad, which makes for a great navigation experience.
The built-in GPS supports navigation and location-based services via the included BlackBerry Maps application. A hot-swappable microSD/SDHC memory card slot provides additional storage for multimedia files and archiving applications, with a 2 GB memory card included and support for optional 32 GB cards. Other features include a 3.2-megapixel camera/camcorder, Bluetooth 2.1 connectivity for hands-free devices and stereo music streaming,
The BlackBerry Bold 9700 offers easy access to BlackBerry App World, the official app store for BlackBerry smartphones, enabling you to browse and download fun and functional mobile applications to their phone. Many applications are readily available directly on the smartphone, such as Slacker Radio for easy access to free music, TeleNav GPS Navigator for turn-by-turn directions (trial version), and visual voicemail for easier access and response to voicemails.
Staying Connected
With BlackBerry’s push email technology, your email will find you without having to initiate a connection. BlackBerry devices are designed to remain on and continuously connected to the wireless network, notifying you as new email arrives. In addition to the text, you can also receive and view attachments in a wide range of popular file formats, including Microsoft Office, Corel WordPerfect, and Adobe PDF.
Browse the web with the integrated, full-featured browser, which quickly and efficiently displays HTML pages as well as enables you to set up RSS feeds to stay connected to up-to-the-minute news and blog posts. And keep up with your contacts using a variety of instant message (IM) networks, including the integrated Blackberry Messenger as well as downloadable clients for Google Talk, Yahoo! Messenger, and Lotus Sametime.
For corporate users, this BlackBerry device delivers all the enterprise email and messaging capabilities you’ve come to expect. It’s supported on the BlackBerry Internet Service, giving you access to up to 8 work or personal email accounts (including most popular ISP email accounts), as well as BlackBerry Enterprise Server, enabling advanced security and IT administration within IBM Lotus Domino, Microsoft Exchange and Novell GroupWise environments.
Key Features
- Fast 3G connectivity via T-Mobile’s HSDPA/UMTS network (1700/2100 MHz bands, UMTS/HSDPA; see more about T-Mobile’s 3G service below)
- Unlimited nationwide Wi-Fi Calling with T-Mobile’s Unlimited HotSpot Calling service or the new Wi-Fi Calling with MobileOffice solution for business customers. Get great coverage at home when used with a T-Mobile HotSpot @Home wireless router, and receive unlimited nationwide calls over Wi-Fi, at home or at any U.S. T-Mobile HotSpot. (Learn more)
- Quad-band GSM phone for good global voice connectivity (850/900/1800/1900 MHz bands)
- BlackBerry OS 5.0
- Support for BlackBerry App World featuring a broad and growing catalog of third-party mobile applications developed specifically for BlackBerry smartphones. Categories include travel, productivity, entertainment, games, social networking and sharing, news and weather, and more.
- Visual Voicemail enables you to listen to your voicemail messages in any order, respond in one click and easily manage your inbox without ever dialing in to the network.
- GPS navigation and location-based services via BlackBerry Maps and other third-party solutions. (Learn more)
- 2.44-inch display with 480 x 360-pixel resolution and 65K color depth.
- 35-key backlit QWERTY keyboard
- 3.2-megapixel camera with auto-focus, image stabilization, 2x digital zoom, flash, and geotagging capabilities.
- Video capture capabilities with up to 480 x 352-pixel resolution for sharing (176 x 144 pixels for sending via MMS)
- Multi-format digital audio and video player with compatibility for MP3, WMA 9 Pro/WMA 10, AAC/AAC+/eAAC+, MPEG4, H.263, H.264, and more.
- BlackBerry Media Sync is built right into your BlackBerry Desktop Software and lets you sync your desktop iTunes or Windows Media Player music files with your BlackBerry smartphone. If you’re a Mac user, just choose the “media” option and you’re ready to sync your iTunes music collection from your BlackBerry smartphone onto your Mac.
- Bluetooth 2.1 connectivity with stereo music streaming (A2DP) capabilities as well as hands-free headsets and car kits.
- Memory expansion via microSD card slot with support for optional cards up to 32 GB. A 2 GB card is included with the phone, and it also has an internal 256 MB memory.
- Full messaging capabilities including SMS text, MMS picture/video and IM instant messaging (via popular services including AOL, Yahoo!, Windows Live Messenger, and Google Talk)
- BlackBerry Browser for accessing Web sites.
- Organizer tools including calendar, task list, memo pad, and calculator
- Airplane mode allows you to listen to music while the cellular connectivity is turned off
- Integrated hands-free, full duplex speakerphone
- Voice-activated dialing capabilities
Vital Statistics
The BlackBerry Bold 9700 weighs 4.3 ounces and measures 4.2 x 2.4 x 0.6 inches. Its 1500 mAh lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 6 hours of talk time, and up to 360 hours (15 days) of standby time. It runs on the 850/900/1800/1900 MHz GSM/GPRS/EDGE frequencies, as well as T-Mobile’s 3G network (1700/2100 MHz).
What’s in the Box
BlackBerry Bold 9700 handset, rechargeable battery, charger, 2 GB microSD memory card, USB cable, wired hands-free headset, BlackBerry Desktop Software, quick start guide, user manual
- High-speed data connectivity via T-Mobile’s 3G network: In addition to its quad-band GSM connectivity, this phone is also compatible with T-Mobile’s UMTS/HSDPA 3G network, which operates on the 1700/2100 MHz AWS spectrum. This phone is designed to automatically connect to the best available network (3G or GSM/GPRS/EDGE) to provide faster data speeds when accessing the Web or downloading content from the T-Mobile Web2go content portal. T-Mobile’s 3G network now covers 170 million people in more than 235 cities nationwide and by the end of 2009 is planned to be available to approximately 200 million people across the U.S.
In areas where the 3G network is not available, you’ll continue to receive service on the via T-Mobile’s EDGE network (which stands for “Enhanced Data Rates for Global Evolution”). This high-speed, mobile data and Internet access technology is fast enough to support a wide range of advanced data services (with average data speeds between 75-135Kbps), including full picture and video messaging, high-speed color Internet access, and email on the go.
While this phone is optimized for use with T-Mobile’s high-speed 3G network, many of its functions will also work well on the moderate-speed EDGE network. If you plan to access the Internet extensively on your phone, 3G network coverage may serve you best.
Activities that work well on EDGE or 3G networks:
- Email, instant messaging, and texting
- Downloading ringtones, CallerTunes, wallpaper, light data files
- Sending photographs via e-mail or picture messaging
Activities that work best on a 3G network:
- Viewing content-heavy websites (lots of images or videos playing)
- Viewing YouTube and other video files (they will play on EDGE, but require loading time)
- Uploading large files (photos, videos, presentations) to sharing websites
- Downloading large files from an e-mail or a website
- T-Mobile HotSpot Enabled service: Effortlessly transition between Wi-Fi calling and T-Mobile’s wireless network while you talk with T-Mobile’s Unlimited HotSpot Calling service or the new Wi-Fi Calling with MobileOffice solution for business customers. Unlimited nationwide Wi-Fi Calling requires either Unlimited HotSpot Calling mobile plan or Wi-Fi Calling with MobileOffice service, qualifying rate plan, broadband Internet connection and wireless router. Regular plan minutes are used when call does not originate on Wi-Fi network.
Learn More
Always know where you are and how to get where you need to be with BlackBerry
Posted by Smartphone Review on
BlackBerry Curve 8900 Phone Titanium T Mobile
Updating the look of the Curve with a sleekly styled titanium finish, the BlackBerry Curve 8900 for T-Mobile is the thinnest and lightest full-QWERTY BlackBerry smartphone yet. In addition to its stunning good looks–with titanium-colored finish accented by chrome highlights–the Curve 8900 is packed with communication and location features. The built-in Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g) supports both voice and data, making it easier to stay connected to family, friends and colleagues using T-Mobile’s Unlimited HotSpot Calling service, while the built-in GPS supports location-based services including turn-by-turn navigation.
With its stunning titanium-colored finish and chrome highlights, the sleek and slender design of the BlackBerry Curve 8900 smartphone dresses it for any occasion (see larger image). Check out the Curve 8900 101 video demo. |
And, of course, you’ll enjoy all the communication and connectivity features you’ve come to expect from a Blackberry phone–including email served up by the BlackBerry Internet Service and a full menu of messaging options (SMS, MMS, and IM). The handset’s advanced multimedia capabilities include a 3.2-megapixel camera with image stabilization, digital zoom, flash and the ability to record video and play video. Other features include a hot-swappable MicroSD/SDHC memory card slot (for cards up to 16 GB; 256 MB card included), Bluetooth for handsfree communication and stereo music streaming, multi-format digital audio player, unlimited any-network calling to any 5 people with a myFaves plan, and up to 5.5 hours of talk time.
T-Mobile Service Options
With T-Mobile HotSpot Enabled service, you’ll effortlessly transition between Wi-Fi calling and T-Mobile’s wireless network while you talk. You can get unlimited nationwide calls over Wi-Fi–at home via your wireless router or at any U.S. T-Mobile HotSpot. You can also use the HotSpot Enabled service via most open, or unsecured, wireless routers, as well as any secured wireless router for which you have access to the password from the owner. This phone is compatible with the 802.11b/g Wi-Fi standard as well as the following Wi-Fi Alliance certifications: WPA/WPA2 Personal and Enterprise, WMM, WMM Power Save, Wi-Fi Protected Setup. Whenever you’re not using a Wi-Fi network, the Curve works just like a regular mobile phone, using your Whenever Minutes under your T-Mobile voice plan.
Additionally, this mobile phone operates on GSM 850/900/1800/1900 networks and can handle high-speed data connectivity via T-Mobile’s EDGE network (which stands for “Enhanced Data Rates for Global Evolution”). As a quad-band world phone, this phone supports international roaming, extending the ability to stay connected while traveling abroad. This high-speed, mobile data and Internet access technology is fast enough to support a wide range of advanced data services (with average data speeds between 75-135Kbps), including full picture and video messaging, high-speed color Internet access, and email on the go.
This phone also includes compatibility with T-Mobile’s myFaves service, which allows you to call up to five of your most common contacts–on any network, even landlines–without using any of your minutes. Learn more about myFaves from T-Mobile.
Download cool new games, HiFi Ringers (real songs by today’s hottest artists), MegaTones (instrumental versions of songs), and wallpapers quickly, as well as stay connected via the Web, instant messaging, and email.
The Curve 8900 includes Wi-Fi connectivity, Bluetooth stereo music streaming, GPS navigation capabilities, MicroSD expansion to 16 GB, and more (see larger image). |
Staying Connected
With BlackBerry’s push email technology, your email will find you without having to initiate a connection. BlackBerry devices are designed to remain on and continuously connected to the wireless network, notifying you as new email arrives. In addition to the text, you can also receive and view attachments in a wide range of popular file formats, including Microsoft Office, Corel WordPerfect, and Adobe PDF.
Browse the web with the integrated, full-featured browser, which quickly and efficiently displays HTML pages as well as enables you to set up RSS feeds to stay connected to up-to-the-minute news and blog posts. And keep up with your contacts using a variety of instant message (IM) networks, including the integrated Blackberry Messenger as well as downloadable clients for Google Talk, Yahoo! Messenger, and Lotus Sametime.
For corporate users, the Curve delivers all the enterprise email and messaging capabilities you’ve come to expect. It’s supported on BlackBerry Internet Service, giving you access to up to 10 work or personal email accounts (including most popular ISP email accounts), as well as BlackBerry Enterprise Server, enabling advanced security and IT administration within IBM Lotus Domino, Microsoft Exchange and Novell GroupWise environments.
Phone Features
With a refined design, the BlackBerry Curve 8900 smartphone supports both your professional and personal mobile communication needs to help you enjoy a more organized, balanced life. In addition to a sleek, stylish design, the powerful new smartphone includes a large, vivid display–the highest resolution available on a BlackBerry smartphone–as well as a 512 MHz next-generation processor for fast and responsive performance.
The striking 2.4-inch, 480 x 360-pixel display (65K colors) serves up crisp images, text and maps so information is easier to read, even when you’re on the go. It also includes a light-sensing feature that automatically adjusts backlighting for indoor, outdoor and dark environments. Like other Curve models, the Curve 8900 includes a trackball navigation system located on the top of the QWERTY keypad, and it features an integrated spell checker with a customizable dictionary to help maintain accuracy.
You can snap vivid photos as well as video clips using the 3.2-megapixel camera on the back of the Curve, which also features a 2x digital zoom, auto focus, image stabilization, and a flash. Transfer pictures and videos between your smartphone and your desktop computer easily using the USB cable that comes with the smartphone, or via Bluetooth technology.
You can also capture video clips on the go, with two resolution choices–480 x 352 pixels for saving to your PC and 176 x 144 pixels for sending via MMS messaging. In addition to recording videos, the Curve 8900 also supports mobile video streaming as well as videos saved from your PC. It’s compatible with DivX, XviD (MPEG4 Advance Simple Profile), H.263, and WMV3 formats.
Listen to your favorite music using the included stereo headset, or use an optional wireless headphone thanks to the Curve’s support for the Bluetooth stereo audio profile (A2DP/AVRCP). The Curve is compatible with a wide variety of file formats (.3gp, WAV, MIDI, AMR-NB, G711u/A, GSM610, PCM, MP3, AAC/AAC+/eAAC+, WMA9/10 Standard/Pro) and dedicated volume controls are conveniently located on the side of the handset.
Handsfree communication is easy thanks to the integrated speakerphone. This phone also provides Bluetooth wireless connectivity (version 2.0 + EDR), and includes profiles for communication headset, handsfree car kits, and file transfer. You can connect your laptop (either via Bluetooth or wired USB) and enjoy dial-up networking–surf the Internet, send email, and access files from a server.
With the Voice-Activated Dialing (VAD) feature, you can initiate a call just by telling the Curve who to call from your contact list–either via the integrated speakerphone or using an optional Bluetooth wireless headset. Other advanced phone features include advanced sound technology that cancels out background noise and echo, dedicated volume and mute keys, and the ability to customize the Curve with polyphonic and MP3 ringtones.
Capture high-resolution photos and videos with the 3.2-megapixel camera on the back. |
 |
The BlackBerry Browser on the Curve 8900 is designed to make on-the-go Internet browsing fast and fun–you can even start a search right from the home page. Navigate sites and zoom in on content using a trackball-controlled pointer, set bookmarks and view your history. Plus, the BlackBerry Browser works with a host of other applications to make things like online purchasing and tracking information on your favorite pages easier.
The easier a map is to read, the easier it is to follow. Together with BlackBerry Maps, the crisp, colorful screen of the Curve 8900 is designed to make it easier to find the location of businesses, restaurants, concert venues, parks and more by allowing you to check maps and get driving directions quickly and conveniently. When you’re connected to the network, you can even launch maps from your address book. BlackBerry Maps is also designed to help make trips easier by providing route options like fastest or shortest and displaying directions visually along with text-based turn-by-turn instructions.
Whether your instant messaging (IM) account is with Yahoo! Messenger, Google Talk, AOL Instant Messenger, ICQ or Windows Live Messenger, you can bring your IM community wherever life takes you. Like the desktop versions, these programs offer features like avatars and emoticons. And, because BlackBerry applications work together, you can also start an IM chat from your address book, call or email an IM contact while chatting or even check your calendar right from a chat.
Other features include:
- Easily synch with Microsoft Outlook: Stay in synch with your Contacts, Calendar, and Tasks in Microsoft Outlook
- Edit Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint files: Just download attachments and start typing. You’ll enjoy many of the same features you do on your computer–copy and paste, font size and color, even bullets and numbering and more.
- Remote Search: If you prefer not to carry all your email on your Curve 8900 smartphone, Remote Search can be used to find emails that are still stored on your BlackBerry Enterprise Server using name, subject and other options to narrow the field.
- BlackBerry Media Sync: Sync your desktop iTunes music files with your BlackBerry smartphone.
- Free/Busy Lookup: View your colleagues’ calendars to see who’s available at what time right from your BlackBerry smartphone.
- RSS (Really Simple Syndication) feeds support: With RSS, you don’t need to check important websites for updates, new content can be pushed to you automatically.
- Send and receive text and picture messages (SMS and MMS)
- Bluetooth version 2.0 + EDR with the following profiles: A2DP (stereo music streaming), AVRC (remote control), HFP (hands-free car kits), HSP (communication headsets), DUN (dial-up networking), FTP (file transfer), PBA (transfer contacts)
Vital Statistics
The Blackberry Curve 8900 weighs 3.9 ounces and measures 2.4 x 4.3 x 0.5 inches. Its 1400 mAh lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 5.5 hours of talk time, and up to 360 hours (15 days) of standby time. It runs on the 850/900/1800/1900 MHz GSM/GPRS/EDGE frequencies.
User Ratings and Reviews
3 Stars not as good as it looks
I purchased mine from Costco in June $49.99 with contract. For about a month everything was great, then the the back shell of the phone started getting lose. Right now 11-08-09 is even worse. I always carry it in the BB pouch. Everything else is still working great even over out of the country. Integrity of the 8900 compared to 8330 is terrible. my wife have had hers for 2 years and it still feel solid. I can’t beleive that RIM released such expensive phone with such low quality.
1 Star Not Worth the Wasted Time and Aggravation
Do not buy your cell phone through Amazon. It is not worth the wasted time and aggravation.
Two years ago I purchased a T-Mobile Blackberry through Amazon. Everything went smoothly and I am still using that phone. Since my 2-year contract is up this month I decided to purchase the 8900.
I placed an order and almost immediately received an e-mail stating that T-Mobile had declined my purchase. I called T-Mobile and was told that under no circumstances would I have been declined, and that’s not even how they operate. I have a perfect 2-year record with them. There’s no way they would have declined me. They advised that I contact Amazon.
Amazon gave me a run-around saying that they were merely waiting to hear back from T-Mobile. I found this highly doubtful because my Orders page no longer showed the phone. Still I gave them another day. When I called back to cancel the order, having by that time decided to go with Verizon, they informed me that the order had already been canceled.
Good-bye to T-Mobile and good-bye to Amazon Prime. I honestly don’t know if Amazon or T-Mobile is responsible for this mess but I do not appreciate the shabby treatment.
5 Stars Awesome phone!
This is my first smartphone and I’m so happy that I made the right choice of buying the BB Curve 8900. It’s so good that I made my mother-in-law upgrade her phone to this unit! It’s perfect! nothing to complain about it, the qwerty keyboard is perfectly spaced, the apps are so cool even when their free, the feel of the phone is sturdy/solid, never had a problem with the roller ball, great pictures for a 3.2MP camera (it tops my wife’s 5MP fone), the speaker works perfectly! I bought 8GB mini SD card to keep my pictures and videos so it makes my fone more useful! It comes with the standard internet subscription and it works perfectly well for me too, I get to receive my office emails, chat with my friends thru the pre installed YM, check my facebook account, listen online radio thru Pandora, and I get to browse the internet anywhere, especially when I want to read some review of items that I plan to buy, or search ingredients of the food I want to cook when I’m at the grocery to buy it.
1 Star beware of returns for phones with T-mobile plan
We purchased the phone and plan through T-Mobile, within the time period of the activiation fee waiver (special offer through Amazon). Therefore, I was surprised to see a $70 fee for activation from T-Mobile on my first bill. Called T-Mobile, and they said to call Amazon. We called Amazon, and guess what, yeah, the service rep told us it was T-Mobile’s problem. Got on a three way call. T-Mobile told us we signed on too late for the waiver, but luckily Amazon had the records of the correct date. T-Mobile would not give us any confirmation via email or writing that they will credit us, and we ended up having to pay the fee up front anyway. They claimed they will credit us in 3 months (We’ll see about that). My two cents… beware of doing business with 2 companies where the right hand does not know what the left hand is doing.
What irks me the most, the contract agreement between the two companies has the grace period for the phone plan at 2 weeks. The grace period for returning the phone is 4 weeks. The blackberry screen was way too small for my husband to see, and we returned it within 15 days,believing we could get another phone on the same plan. BUYER BEWARE, if you return the phone between 2-4 weeks after purchase, you will not be able to exchange or replace it with anything. You will be stuck with a plan and phone number for 2 years and NO PHONE TO USE!!!!!….You will have to purchase a new phone, or use your old one (which defeats the whole purpose of getting a new plan). If you do not like the phone,
be absolutely sure you return it within TWO weeks and that you cancel the plan and get a new phone and plan penalty free.
In all, It makes no sense to have a phone and plan with return/cancellation policies that do not work in tandem and are horribly unclear until you get stuck in the middle. THERE IS NO POINT TO HAVING A 30 DAY RETURN POLICY IF YOU CANNOT EXCHANGE THE PHONE….
4 Stars Great business phone, needs more internet muscle
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R2IJTDVNOQZ6IW My name is Leonard Martin.
I have a great phone to tell you about. The Blackberry Curve 8900 is fun and very useful. The best thing I like about it is the great color screen and the built in GPS and maps. I have used the GPS to be more productive than ever. Also, I like the tasks and easy use of the calendar. The only thing I don’t like is the slow speed of internet. But, most of the time I only use it for sports scores, googling and wikipedia stuff. Watch my video to get some useful information before you buy!
Buy/More Info
