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    What's Vodafone Trying To Say?

    posted @ 10/08/2008 01:20:00 PM by Douceswild


    Anyone else see anything suspicious about this image printed on the official marketing material posted by RIM's Blackberry Storm (9500) launch partner, Vodafone.



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    Is RIM Bold Enough To Bring The Thunder?

    posted @ 5/17/2008 10:36:00 PM by Douceswild

    RIM has been pumping out the Blackberry for a long time and I’ve been a big fan of the device and just gave them up last year for the iPhone.

    The Blackberry is still the best emailing device on the market and also a top-notch cell phone in my opinion. I’ve used every Blackberry since the 7100 and have not been disappointed at all. They’re only getting better with the two up-coming releases, the Bold (9000) and the Thunder (9500), which has no catchy name as of yet.

    I won’t go into much detail about the device until I’m able to actually get some hands-on time with each one. What I will say is that along with the rumors of the second-generation iPhone coming in June, there are also whispers of the Bold coming to AT&T around the same time. As for the Blackberry 9500, no release date has been announced either as far as I know, but it’s supposed to be a Verizon lifetime exclusive product.

    I was prepared to get the new iPhone, but now I’m not so sure after seeing the Thunder. 

     

    Here’s a picture of the Bold.

     

    Click here to check out the specs of the Bold.

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    Blackberry's Pearl...Defintely Not to be Cast Before Swine

    posted @ 5/22/2007 07:28:00 PM by Douceswild
    It’s time for another cell phone review from your boy Douce. No, it’s not the iPhone. You know that thing isn’t out yet, silly. I’m talking about the popular Blackberry Pearl. It’s more than just your average Blackberry.

    I’ve been using the Blackberry 8100, a.k.a. the Pearl, for a few months, and I can say that it’s one of the best phones I’ve ever owned. I’ve been through every Blackberry since the 7290 and the additions and changes to the Pearl are very much welcomed so if I sound a little biased as you read on then I assure you that …you are not mistaken, but I’ll TRY to call it right down the middle.

    The first thing you’ll notice is that RIM has designed the Pearl to feel and look more like, well, a cell phone. It’s no longer wide and bulky like the older models. The phone is now about the size of Motorola’s SLVR and fits comfortable in the palm of your hand due to the consolidated lettering on the keyboard for Suretype functionality. With the older models, if you didn’t have massive Andre The Giant-sized hands then you’re holding the phone with two hands to get anything accomplished. The Pearl’s new size fixes that problem allowing operation of the phone with one hand, whether it be typing an email or dialing a number.

    Another noticeable change on the Pearl is the removal of the scroll wheel on the right side of the device. It has been replaced with a trackball on the front of the phone which also functions as your select button. Many people will say they prefer the wheel on the side, but if you ask me, I think the trackball makes navigation just a tad easier. On the left side of the trackball is the options/menu button and right of it is the back button which was formerly under the side-mounted scroll wheel.

    I was extremely happy to see a media functions added to the device such as a 1.3 MP camera and upgradable memory via a micro SD card positioned underneath the battery. I think that 1gig is the most the phone can handle because when I put a 2gig card in and powered it on, all the screen did was blink on and off. That’s cool though, because if I want to carry around 2gigs of media, then a Blackberry isn’t what I need.


    My favorite feature of the phone is the voice-dialing. Voices Signal’s software is extremely accurate when recognizing spoken names programmed in the address book or a series of numbers for dialing. Voice Signal will be right on the money at least ninety-five percent of the time unless you’re trying to call someone with a name like “Shaniequa Fayed”. In that case, you might experience a little technical difficulty.

    I’ve used AT&T and T-Mobile’s Pearls and the only major difference I’ve found between the two phones is the PTT (Push To Talk) on the AT&T model and the Instant Messenger via AIM, MSN, Yahoo, and ICQ on T-Mobile’s model. Personally, I’d rather have the instant messenger because the AT&T Push To Talk is only useful if the other person has a PTT phone and the feature as well, but with instant messenger, I can send and receive messages to and from people on their phone or computer.

    All in all, the Pearl is another solid phone. It has always been a superior emailing device, but now with the addition of media features, RIM has a definite winner on their hands. With the iPhone releasing in June, all cell phone manufacturers are going to have to step up their game to compete. Maybe the upcoming Blackberry Curve will give Apple a run for their money. I said MAYBE.


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    The QWERTY-est Phone on the Market

    posted @ 2/27/2007 09:49:00 AM by Douceswild
    Any Blackberry fans out there? If so then RIM has rolled out another device that many loyal Blackberry fans will want to get their hands on. Do you want a hint as to what it is before you jump in? Well, ok. This is what you’ll get when you combine the best of the old Blackberry with the best of the newest one. You still don’t know? Well then you better finish what you started.

    RIM introduced the Blackberry 8100 Pearl in November 2006 which was a break away from the previous style that we’ve been used to. It was much smaller and thinner than any of it’s predecessors, making it feel more like an actual phone in your hands. This was accomplished by replacing the QWERTY keypad with a condensed keypad and SureType capability. The side-mounted scroll wheel from the previous devices was replaced with a pearl-like trackball underneath the screen for navigating. The Pearl was also the first Blackberry to include a camera and video recorder as well as allowing for extra storage using a microSD card.

    Many loved the slimmer and sleeker design of the Blackberry Pearl, but there were some that still preferred the QWERTY keypad for typing. Well RIM heard their cries and released the Blackberry 8800c on February 20th exclusively through Cingular or The New AT&T, whichever you prefer. (I don’t even think they know who they are at this point anyway.)The 8800c still keeps the thin and sleek look of the Pearl, but it’s a bit wider to bring back the QWERTY keypad for those who couldn’t get the hang of or just didn’t like SureType.

    The features of the 8800c are almost identical to the Pearl, with a few exceptions. The camera and video recorder were removed from the device. (It’s rumored that T-Mobile will carry a version of the 8800 that does have the camera and video recorder.) The phone still utilizes a microSD card for expanded storage. So you’re able to load up your favorite pictures, music, and videos and view or play them on the device. It also comes with built-in GPS that works great with a mapping application like Blackberry Maps.

    The new Blackberry 8800c is an excellent phone that makes internet and emailing quick and easy. Although I have become used to the SureType of the Pearl, I miss the convenience and accuracy of the QWERTY keypad. Cingular is selling the phone at a retail price of $500. You'll get it for $350 and a $50 mail-in rebate with two years of service agreement. The only reason I haven’t picked one up yet is because there is talk of an upgraded 8800 with Wi-Fi capability that is making its way to the market in the near future. Hopefully they bring the camera and video recorder back on this version. Until then, I’ll just hold on to my Pearl.


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