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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Awesome All In One Phone, March 19, 2010
This review is from: BlackBerry Curve 8530 Phone, Purple (Sprint) (Wireless Phone)
I've owned my Blackberry Curve 8530 for 2 months with service through Sprint, I'm 90% thrilled with this all in one phone. I previously was with Verizon on an LG Envy 2 and loved that. This blackberry was an upgrade for me and I'll highlight the pro's and con's that I've found with my personal experience.
Pro's- The touch pad/button is a HUGE upgrade from older "roller ball" models, it's sensitivity is adjustable and doesn't have the "lock up" issues it's earlier model had. It has a full 35 key QUERTY pad, which means you type as though you would on a regular computer keyboard. The keys are ergonomically positioned in a curve to help fit your fingers as you type. It has programmable shortcut keys on the side of the phone, set as default, the right hot key is the camera feature. The phone takes GOOD photos with the 2 Meg camera, DECENT video w/zoom features, and both have nicely built in easy to email, FaceBook and MMS (text)shortcuts. I use the memory card as I tend to keep alot of pictures and video for personal review. The phone comes with a load of useable apps already on your phone, including Sprint Nagivation, one of my favorites! This navigation program is very impressive with built in turn by turn directions, zoomable maps indicating your exact remote location, and points of interests. I cannot comment on the music features, I never use this. The games that come loaded on the phone are awesome, Brick Breaker, Texas Hold Em Up King 2, Sudoku, Klondike, and my personal favorite is Word Mole. The built in Blackberry Apps button is very handy, there are lots of add on's here for specific users including Ticketmaster, Worldmate Travel, WWF Earth Hour APp, Scoremobile for Sprint,Rock Star Theme w Guitar Riff Tone, Snaptu Moblica, Poynt (SUPER AWESOME!), Navita Translator...many more. I downloaded the enhanced Facebook application which allows me to see a fuller version while on Facebook than I'd normally see without out it(ALTHOUGH YOU CANNOT PLAY GAMES ON YOUR FACEBOOK ACCOUNT, so don't think you're going to be harvesting your crops or milking cows, it doesn't work). On Facebook, you can, however, perform friend requests, view friend walls and photo albums, receive messages and notifications, and obviously make comments back and forth in your wall postings. The alarm function (see below, not too thrilled with the alarm) does have one nice feature I've not had before, it's the "Bedside" mode, which screen incoming texts, calls, and emails from alerts until AFTER the set alarm has triggered, and then when you turn off your ringer, you select "EXIT BEDSIDE MODE." I have 4 email accounts streamed into my email, the unit can handle up to 10 according to the literature. While surfing the internet, scrolling and zooming is easy and accurate, the zoom takes you right to the links and the 3G network is a plus, takes maybe 5-10 seconds to load pages. Lastly, and vainly, I love the purple color of the phone! I purchased the Body Glove snap together case and it's a good protection for the phone as it has to live in harmony with all the hazards found in my purse on a given day. The built in speaker phone is very good, easy to use, good positioning on the bottom right side of the phone for quick finding while you're driving. I cannot comment on the blue tooth as I've not tried this yet.
Con's~
The BlackBerry Curve 8530 is larger than my previous Envy 2 phone, it doesn't fit too well in a jean pocket. Also, although very picky...the Blackberry alarm clock functions only allows you to have one alarm setting, the only convenience is the function that allows you to choose "weekdays" which you can just leave on all the time if you want and each morning just resets itself for the next weekday alarm for the same time. My old phone, I was able to have multiple alarms set at the same time for different times of the day and weekend. This is a huge thing to me, but I like this phone enough that I'm willing to let this slide. Honestly, switching service providers was a pretty huge change, and yes, there is a compromise on the coverage, however, it's mainly in large industrial buildings, buildings with alot of brick or metal. Signal boosters are available for purchase either from Sprint or Walmart, they do help quite a bit. Because we live in a brick home, our Sprint representative recommended a booster. Because I don't do much more than check my Facebook online and check my email, there is not a significant drop in coverage.
Over all~ I'm thrilled with this phone, it provides everything in an all in one package that I was looking for in a phone.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Entry Level Blackberry for New Users, May 23, 2010
This review is from: BlackBerry Curve 8530 Phone, Purple (Sprint) (Wireless Phone)
Length:: 2:57 Mins
I picked up the Blackberry Curve 8520 with my corporate discount and walked away with a nice phone at a very reasonable price. I have to say that I really enjoy the web browser on the new BB. You can zoom in & out with ease. I thought no browser could compare to the iPod Safari besides the Android G1, but after getting this device - I can safely say that this browser is also one of the best. Its right behind the safari and G1. Prior models were confined to small screens, thirty-five dollar internet only data plans, and no ability to zoom in or out. You were subjected to a small screen and reading small text till your eyes was squinting like grandmas.
Pros:
Nice price for new smartphone users
Nice fashion colors that only the CURVE series has
3.5 MM headjack
Nice form factor
New OS (ONly 5.0 OS for SPrint and Verizon users)
Decent call quality (No issues yet)
Excellent new broswer
Mini SD up to 16GB (Wish it was 32GB)
Use your songs as ringers
Wi-Fi
Personal Email (Up to 10 accounts can be added)
IM
BB Meesenger
BB App World
Full HTML Web Browser (Sometimes)
Excellent Multimedia Player (Accepts every format possible)
Crystal clear screen for playing videos
Includes 2 chargers (Wall Charger & USB charger)
Includes ear phones
Cons:
For long time BB users, this device is really just a cosmetic upgrade with a new OS (Flashier Icons)
Micro USB (No more Mini USB)
No Flash on the camera
Only one theme
Feels like a plastic toy
No threaded text messaging
Poor screen resolution
Non RIMM Consumer Changes Mind!
No 3G (ONly 3G for Sprint and Verizon users)
Good entry level smartphones for new users who want to save without paying the high price. However, Verizon has pricey data and text messenging plans which are a requirement. Its hard to justify the plan prices for such an average entry level device.
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3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A great starter Blackberry!, April 14, 2010
This review is from: BlackBerry Curve 8530 Phone, Purple (Sprint) (Wireless Phone)
The trackpad on this model takes some getting used to after the trackball. However, the area beneath the trackball seems to be nothing more than a reservoir of filth that has to be constantly cleaned in order to keep it working at optimal performance. So the trackpad is definitely a step up once you get comfortable with it. The smaller keys may also require some adjustment, and those with dexterity or vision issues may want to consider a phone with larger buttons & display.
For the tech-savvy, most of the features will be a no-brainer, but if you need help figuring out the controls, probably the most useful page in the various booklets included is page 2 of the "Getting Started" booklet with the traffic light on the cover. This page clearly diagrams where each button on the phone is and what it does. Chances are if you check this page, you won't need any of the other instructions. If all else fails, I've found the folks at the Sprint stores are more than willing to show you how to access any feature you may be having trouble with.
It comes with a wire headset that you probably won't use since everyone seems to be stuck on bluetooth headsets. However, I find that having the phone attached to the headset keeps me from walking off and leaving the phone in another room, losing my connection, and the sound is much clearer on both ends. You also get a wall charger, as well as a USB charger cable that doubles as a sync cable-- very nice touch.
The camera on this phone, as with most phones, is useless except for throwaway images & videos at only 2.0 megapixel resolution. It's great to take pictures of fender-benders or temporary images. but don't trust this camera to preserve priceless family moments that will never come again-- especially without the flash included on earlier Blackberry models. I see it as a convenience, not as a replacement for my regular camera.
I also don't care to use this as a replacement for my iPod, but I am someone who runs my iPod mostly from the time I get up until the time I go to bed. It's hardly practical to run the battery down on my phone listening to music. I don't use the wi-fi either-- again, I use a separate device for wi-fi access, so this may not be a practical solution for you. However, disabling the wi-fi and not using this as my primary MP3 player seems to have improved my battery life. If you want to use this phone as a full strength multi-functional device, you may need to invest in a more powerful battery for it if indeed one is available.
As far as apps are concerned, Blackberry isn't going to put Apple out of business any time soon, but there is definitely potential for exponential growth as more and more apps become available. I've installed a couple of freebie apps so far, and I can see how they can become addictive. Since apps are third party products, be sure to read reviews, and don't go app crazy downloading anything just because you can.
The phone does feel a little flimsy, with the battery cover popping out way too easily for my taste. Sure, a case or silicone wrap will help with this, but this really shouldn't be a problem considering it wasn't an issue on previous models. Get the insurance on whatever phone you get and give yourself come peace of mind.
Sprint has been a pleasure to use for me. I know all services have horror stories depending on personnel, company policy and how well coverage is in your area, but Sprint has always been reliable and its in store representatives exemplary of qualtiy customer service. Their plans are just what we needed for our business, and the folks at the Lake Plaza Drive store in Indianapolis are friendly, helpful and I actually look forward to going in whenever I need help.
Bottom line: This is an entry-level Blackberry, great for beginners like myself, but experienced Blackberry users may want to consider a higher-end model. For me this phone serves all my needs and satisfies my need for gadgetry at the same time.
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