Best Phone Blog

For many years, Research in Motion has been catering specifically to business clients and smart phone users who heavily use email and texting features. BlackBerry handsets are primarily known for their physical keyboards –this actually explains why the term CrackBerry was coined several years ago.

For those who are not familiar with the term, Crackberry was used to refer to a form of smart phone addiction that was obtained because it was the first time that users had been able to send, receive and reply to emails instantly –like a supersized form of severe text messaging habits.

Anyway, going back to the topic at hand; RIM has decided to take the BlackBerry user experience to a whole new direction –with media. Media playback was always a side feature for BlackBerry handsets and never a main feature. BlackBerry’s OS 6 aims to change that, by delivering video and music content in a whole new way.

The first things we noticed with the new layout: how closely it resembles Apple’s iOS color schemes -from the heavy use of gray tones to the slight gradients. Thankfully, RIM brought in enough of their own elements to make the design their own. Users will certainly enjoy being able to see the album art embedded in music files, and how video playback controls have been streamlined.

Of course, no matter how much RIM improves the media playback experience on the operating system, the real issue still lies with the hardware. One of the main reasons why BlackBerry handsets are not the first choice for video playback is because most BB handsets come with small screens. This is due to the portrait oriented physical keyboard that the brand is most known for.

As impressed as we are with the media improvements on the BlackBerry OS 6, it will be a while before RIM is able to change their brands’ market range. At the same time, it is unlikely that any other company could take away their existing share of users.

With the fast approach of Christmas and new year, many mobile phone companies are releasing new products ready to become sell out items in the Christmas rush sales. Just as all the companies are trying to get their new product across, BlackBerry announce (whether official or not), the launch of their new phone, the Pearl 9100. The Pearl 9100 is a predecessor to the 8100, and features many upgrades which help to make the Pearl 9100 stand out like a diamond amongst bread.

The BlackBerry Pearl 9100 is extremely unlikely to be on sale before Christmas, and this shows BlackBerry’s commitment to producing a great phone rather than trying to release it in time for Christmas.

One of the main updates of this phone compared to the 8100 is the 3G that it has. This allows you to connect to the internet a lot faster than you will have been used to on many other phones, and makes browsing websites and pages a lot faster. The phone also comes with Wifi connectivity, which means where you are, whether it be at home relaxing or on a hectic train

The phone also comes with a 2.0 megapixel cameras whitecap id perfect for taking photos when on the go. Whether it be a work related, or just for family fun, the camera can capture any moment, and your photos can be edited to make them look like am masterpiece using the built in software.

So if you want to get your hands on the new BlackBerry Pearl 9100, the release date is not currently set, but the phone is expected to be available from around early 2010.

The BlackBerry’s Storm 2 is RIM’s second BlackBerry touch screen phone. The Storm series is new and has had a rough start, quite becoming of its name. In this light, RIM has taken the time and effort to create a BlackBerry phone that would still carry the brand name proudly. While their efforts in fixing the problems that plagued the old Storm are excellent (all the previous problems have been fixed), the new Storm 2 still lacks some of the features that make BlackBerry phones unique –namely, messaging capabilities. While the lack of a physical keyboard is understandable, an on screen keyboard on a transmissive touch screen is difficult to use.

Changes from the Original

The Storm 2 9520 features an improved SurePress screen. The contact portion of the old Storm used a central focal point. This meant that tapping the screen near the edges required a stronger push and moving over the center even lightly would accidentally register as a tap. The device uses four focal points that are spread evenly on the edges of the screen (more or less the four corners). This allows users to tap anywhere and it would be recognized. The screen also allowed for multi touch, using the onscreen keyboard now feels more natural because of this by allowing an alternating left right rhythm as compared to a tap-pause-tap rhythm required for the old Storm.

Aside from the screen, this mobile phone also features a better built casing and parts. The buttons no longer easily fall off and the casing no longer has the old gaps that cause dirt build-up.

In Conclusion

The BlackBerry Storm 2 9520 is a nice touch screen phone, but considering that it is a BlackBerry, it still fails to live up to expectations. The fact that it lacks one of the key selling points for other BlackBerry devices (easy messaging) means that this device still has a long way to go. Interested buyers can get this phone from Vodafone on individual or business plans.

The Bold 9700 combines a decent screen, an excellent physical keyboard and an innovative track pad in a single messaging device. No fancy touch screens or high mega pixel cameras here, just straightforward messaging and browsing functionalities.

The BlackBerry Bold 9700 is not a phone for everyone. Considering that it centers mostly on messaging functions, users who rarely need to write long messages will not find much use for this phone. On the other hand, people who heavily rely on instant messaging, text, email and more would find the Bold 9700 as a godsend.

Nice Messaging Features

It all starts with the BlackBerry operating system. This proprietary OS is straightforward and instantly lets you access features with few easy slides on the track pad. The track pad input is very responsive and much less stressful on the fingers as compared to clicking a button.

The keyboard is truly the main gem of the Bold 9700 with all of the buttons nicely aligned and formed in such a way that precision typing is possible. You only need a few moments and you will get used to typing with the buttons. The button design and size allows users to accurately press the right keys despite the close proximity of the keys to each other.

The device also features a 2.44 inch display with a resolution of 480 x 360 pixels. The 3 mega pixel camera provides decent quality images. The internal memory is a scant 256MB but it’s a good thing that the phone also supports microSD cards for extra storage.

Carrier Availability of the Bold 9700

Vodafone and T-Mobile are offering the Bold 9700 this November while Orange Mobile UK still has the device listed as soon to come. The device is free at 35 Pound per month plans on Vodafone and T-Mobile.

Why did Blackberry even release the older version in the first place? Its latest versions to last year’s weakly received smartphones are so much better and should have been the ones most users are holding now. In fact, the lackluster performance of the Storm last year only tarnished the quality of phone devices from Blackberry. It was so full of bugs, disappointing operational features and didn’t have the much-demanded Wi-Fi.

Thanks for the stringent marketing campaigns of Vodafone in Europe and that of Verizon in North America, the Storm did have good sales. But more thanks to those who demanded for improvements to the software, inclusion of the Wi-Fi and larger memory capacity. Now the Storm2 is out to recover from the rather lame reviews that the older version got last year.

For starters, the operating systems are way much improved, making users appreciate the Storm2 being a touch-screen device. Text messaging, emails and other tasks are now a breeze with the unit. Plus, being Wi-Fi ready makes the device indispensable to business and corporate users. Then there’s the internal memory that integrated at 2BG and comes expandable to 16GB via microSD card slot.

The unchanged specifications include the touchscreen display, the 3.2 megapixel camera with flash and autofocus features, stereo Bluetooth upgraded to 2.1 and an integrated GPS. Its multimedia player supports Windows Media, MPEG4, H.263 and H.254 files and MP3.

As with other Blackberrys, this device’s email support will always be the strongest point preferred by business people and other consumers. Plus, the handy personal information management features helps in the device organization that comes truly helpful for busy people. Other needed applications could also be downloaded via the Blackberry App World.

For related information regarding this post, go to: Mobile Gazette

The BlackBerry Curve family continues to grow and the latest addition to the lineage is the BlackBerry Curve 8520. This new device is specifically designed to target the lower market segment and is priced at a very competitive £80. Here’s what we think of the latest BlackBerry device.

Upside

As a replacement for the familiar trackball technology, RIM has equipped the Curve 8520 with a new track pad. Its responsiveness is almost as good as the trackball, while also being much more durable. This is definitely something to expect in future BlackBerry handsets. The QWERTY keyboard remains impervious and continues to be one of the strongest points of all BlackBerry models. The keyboard on the Curve 8520 is excellent as well and it can be used for the myriad of social networking apps installed on the device.

RIM seems to have upped the multimedia functions on the BlackBerry Curve 8520, particularly in the music department. The device is equipped with dedicated music keys as well as a 3.5 mm ear jack that is compatible with any type of standard headset.

Downside

As with other BlackBerry Curve models in the past, the 8520 too lacks the essential 3G support that’s present in almost all of the Smartphones in the market today. Its camera is also unimpressive at only 2 Megapixels, and it doesn’t have a built-in flash either. The GPS receiver is also a notable absence on the Curve 8520.

The verdict is that RIM was able to accomplish its goal in producing an entry level device that still has most of the famed BlackBerry features. The only thing you’re probably going to miss is 3G connectivity, but other than that, the Blackberry Curve 8520 can pass of as a more than decent Smartphone.

Blackberry Curve 8520 Links:

• Blackberry Curve 8520 Contracts
• Blackberry Curve 8520 on T-Mobile
• Blackberry Curve 8520 on Vodafone

We like nothing more than a few lazy stereotypes here (lazy, fat, bearded, sweaty bloggers that we are), so that’s just what we’re going to throw your way today.

Fat lazy stereotype # 1 – Everyone who uses pay-as-you-go phones is poor, young and annoying. Like to sit at the back of the bus, somehow simultaneously chewing gum and making out with equally spotty friends while simultaneously texting while simultaneously shouting abuse at someone from your school out of the bus window? Then clearly you are a pay-as-you-goer.

Overweight bearded stereotype # 2 – Everyone who uses a Blackberry is a despicable, soulless, work hungry capitalist pig. Wear a suit to work every day? Have high blood pressure? Cheat on your wife with a secretary or two? Played your part in bringing the country and the world to its knees by playing with our money? Then you are one of those ‘This message was sent via a Blackberry device’ chumps who are destroying the world around us.

Admit it: you agree.

But now, thanks to the Blackberry Curve 8520, these two stereotypes are going to be brought crashing together in some kind of weird implosion that’s either going to be utterly terrible, or utterly good. Because the Blackberry Curve 8520 is the first Blackberry that’s going to be in anyway affordable for those of you who like to pay as you go about your greasy-faced business.

See this Blackberry 8520 review, or have a look at these Blackberry 8520 deals for more reasons as to exactly why this is going to happen. But trust us: something strange is about to happen.

As the middle of summer approaches we thought that we would compile a list of the hottest handsets on the planet right now and then tell you the cheapest contract that you can get them on. We opted for the middle ground of an 18 month contract on all handsets, although you can save even more by going for 24 or even 36 month deals, although we have no idea why anyone would want to commit for that long! So here is what we found
1) Nokia N97 deals – The hottest Nokia handset on the planet right now, we’re not sure that there is anything that it can’t do. It is a little pricey at £40.00 per month, but for that you are getting 800 minutes and unlimited texts on T-Mobile and let’s face it, a phone like this deserves a big monthly allowance.
2) Nokia 5530 deals – If you don’t want the QWERTY keyboard and want to pay about half the price of the N97, then the Nokia 5530 is the one for you. Just over £20.00 gets you a wopping 600 minutes and unlimited text messages on Vodafone. You also get the added bonus of an Xpressmusic subscription for unlimited download of tracks.
3) Sony W995 deals – Sony Ericsson have produced a superb phone here, although the camera does not quite live up to the one on the C905 (no more LED flashes please). However the music functionality is excellent. You can get the W995 for £21.00 per month with 400 minutes and 500 texts on Orange.
4) HTC Hero deals – The best Android phone out there and a true iPhone rival in our opinion. The ting is with HTC is that you always know there is something better just around the corner. However until that is made known you can get the Hero for £31.00 per month on Vodafone with the ever popular 600 minutes and unlimited texts.
5) Samsung Jet deals – Another Android phone and one that hasn’t received the marketing push it truly deserves. We love this handset and with the ever increasing amount of Android Apps available we reckon it is well worth spot number 5. 400 minutes and 3000 texts on Orange for £21.20 per month is a bargain as well.
6) Blackberry 8520 deals – The latest Blackberry to hit the shelves sticks to its well known looks and design. You know what they say, if it aint broke, don’t try and fix it and this is exactly what Blackberry have done. Our pick is the O2 deal with 600 minutes and 500 texts with £170 automatic cashback for £35.00 per month.
7) HTC touch diamond 2 deals – A very much improved version of the original touch diamond, the interface is much more user friendly and it looks great too. O2 win the day here, offering 400 minutes and 500 texts for under £30.00
Samsung Pixon 12 deals – For the serious mobile phone user, the Pixon 12 sports a much better camera than the original handset, but you are looking at a £40.00 per month deal with 900 minutes and unlimited texts.
I’m sure we have missed some great phones out and if you find a deal that you think should be on here, let us know in the comments section and we will let everyone know.

Blackberry is one of the most successful mobile phone brands ever and it’s widely known that each and every line they introduced became extremely successful. This is the very reason why we can safely assume that its new line; the Gemini is also going to be a great success. Blackberry first came up with the line Pluto and then the Magnum. Gemini is the latest addition to their portfolio and promises to give you a wide range of facilities which will make your life a better place. 9300 is the working model number Blackberry has given it. This indicates that the Blackberry 9300 Gemini will carry the 3G utility because in the past, all of Blackberry’s models which started with number 9 carried the 3G facility and Gemini will not break this trend. The 9300 Gemini is almost like anther Blackberry Curve 8900, but with 3G.
According to the little specs we have gotten here’s what Blackberry 9300 Gemini is going to be; the screen will be slightly larger and resolution also higher than the 8900. CPU will also be an upgraded one, although we don’t know exactly if this means the 9300 is going to have a better processor than the Blackberry Bold’s 624MHz one, but with Blackberry you’re always guaranteed with the best so you can expect it to be something better definitely.
Appearance wise, the housing is supposed to be silver with the keyboard of a little round nature than the Blackberry 8900. But other than this there isn’t much of a difference in appearance between the Blackberry 8900 and Storm. There is quad-band GSM and tri-band UMTS and although WiFi and GPS are not confirmed we can safely assume that it’s going to be equipped with these. Check out the official Blackberry site for more information on the 9300’s release date. However it would not be probably around the end of this year or the beginning of 2010 as RIM just introduced the replacement for its Curve.
Although the Blackberry 9300 Gemini has not been officially announced checking up some of the 9300 Gemini contracts proposed online will give you a head start on where to look. Blackberry 9300 Gemini contracts and deals are a great way for you to own this awesome phone which would ideally be priced high initially. 9300 Gemini deals bring you the best offers by the leading service providers.