Not Javelin, Curve 8900!!
March 4, 2009
Really not sure where the tag “Javelin” came from or why I started using it (I wasn’t alone!) but the 8900 is now officially classed by Research In Motion as the 8900 Curve.
This will confuse me and thousands of others as it’s way better than the Curve 83XX series and has also started to be called, in some quarters, as the “New Curve” or “Curve II”.
All very confusing but these marketing types need to make their minds up.
Rant over.
BlackBerry Storm 9500 – First Impressions
February 25, 2009
As a T-Mobile BlackBerry user I was gutted to learn that the new touch screen BlackBerry Storm 9500 was only to be released via Vodafone. It was bad enough that the iPhone was O2 only and I was unhappy that RIM were playing at being Apple!
A lot of my T-Mobile clients were asking questions too – was I going to have to start moving them to Voda? Before Xmas 2008 the phones were red hot. A fantastic TV ad campaign for the Storm was really driving interest in BlackBerry so that was great. It was just unfortunate for those tied in to contracts with other networks.
Once we got hold some stock I started to think otherwise though. For the first time ever I was not impressed with a new BlackBerry. The touch screen was temperamental and the software (as on many touch screen devices) not easy to master.
I know they will improve the software and screen usability but I for one, was glad I had not rushed out and purchased the Storm when it was first released.
Watch this space…
BlackBerry Javelin – I’m Loving it!
February 25, 2009
As an ardent 8800 fan I never thought that RIM would bring out a newer model that would leave me without complaint after an upgrade.
The 8800 was, for me, an excellent email and web device and mine had served me well for over 3 years. Perhaps the only thing it was missing was a camera, but that’s it.
After an accident involving beer (BlackBerries are tee-total I discovered) it was finally time to replace it and as the 8800 is now discontinued on T-Mobile in the UK I looked at the options.
The Bold was looking good but after playing with one for 10 minutes I decided that it was not for me. So I then had a play with the new 8900 Javelin (billed as the new Curve) and I was bowled over.
BlackBerry Javelin 8900
The first and most obvious thing I noticed was the size and weight. A full qwerty keypad was also a must for me (which is why I never used a Pearl) and even though the Javelin has a full keypad, it’s a lot lighter than the 8800 so is easier on the pocket – or hip in my case. Fit’s nicely in my 8800 holster too!
Features wise, whilst it doesn’t support 3G it is Wi-Fi enabled which means that in blackspots at work and home I can use the wireless modem for lightening fast email and web. This will be very handy when abroad as lots of hotels have free Wi-Fi access so I can save big time on roaming data costs.
The media player is much improved and with an 8Gb MicroSD card in I can load in loads of films, videos and music. The screen on the video player is very sharp and the sound is good (if a tad tinny for those who are really fussy).
Next, in to the messages folder and..WHAT? HTML formatted email? On a BlackBerry?
After I’d picked myself off the floor from that shock I had a play and yes, emails are defaulted in HTML mode. Now my first thought was off the last 8 years when I had been telling people how cheap text only email is whilst abroad; no more £3 bills after a week on holiday hammering my email!!! On closer inspection though, in Options you can change it to Text OR HTML – phew! You get the best of both worlds as my UK BIS package will cover all email in HTML format, I just need to change it to text before going abroad.
I have installed some applications including the Facebook app and with the 8900 this is a great tool. It has a 3.2 megapixel camera and the quality is good. Combined with the Facebook app I can take a picture anywhere in the world and upload it straight to my Facebook profile. Just think, the whole world can see proof of those drunken nights out before you even get home!
There is one slight downside to the Javelin and that is the battery. With Wi-Fi turned on and a few extra applications running in the background (Skype for one – look out for a review) it can really drain the battery power. I have to turn the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth off if I am out and about and know I won’t get to a charger for a while.
One other gripe is that the phone keypad is red-on-black and seeing as the buttons are small, some may struggle with seeing the numbers.
All in all though, this is a fantastic tool (I won’t say gadget because this baby is ESSENTIAL to my online business).
If you are in the UK and would like to know more about the Javelin (or BlackBerry in general) and how it may benefit YOUR business then call me. My office number is 01204 595335. You can also contact me through my contact form here. Just ask for David.