Phone Review: BlackBerry Tour

The BlackBerry Tour is a global 3G device that will allow customers to call or access e-mail and the Internet from over 175 countries. Other key features included in this SmartPhone are push-based e-mail, IM, SMS, MMS, GPS, and a 3.2MP camera. Stay tuned as we find the rest of the specs!

Short Review
Specs:

• Data: 3G,EVDO,1xEVDO
• Features: Video capture, auto-focus, geo-tagging
• Bluetooth: v2.0 + EDR Supported Profiles: HSP 1.1, HFP 1.5, DUN, PBA, A2DP, AVRC, (OPP)
• Operating System: Blackberry OS
• Keyboard/Buttons: Full QWERTY
• Phone Design: Bar
• Phone Type: Smartphone
• Talk Time: 5 hours (300 minutes)

Network

• Data: 3G,EVDO,1xEVDO
• Technology: CDMA
• Frequencies/Bands: 850, 1900

Size/Design

• Headset Jack: 3.5 mm
• Keyboard/Buttons: Full QWERTY
• Phone Design: Bar
• Antenna: Internal
• Dimensions: 4.4" x 2.4" 0.6" (112 x 62 x 14.2 mm)
• Phone Type: Smartphone
• Side Keys
• Weight: 4.58 oz. (130 g)

Battery

• Talk Time: 5 hours (300 minutes)
• Type: 1400 mAh
• Standby Time: 336 hours (14 days)

Display

• Resolution: 480 x 360 pixels 2.4"
• Type: TFT,TFD,LCD (Color)
• Colors: 65K

Camera and Video

• Megapixels:3.2
• Streaming Video
• Features: Video capture, auto-focus, geo-tagging
• Flash: LED

Data Messaging

• Text Messaging: MMS,SMS
• Instant Messaging

Music and Multimedia

• Music Player: MP3,AAC,AAC+,WMA,eAAC+
• Speaker Phone
• GPS Navigation

Connectivity

• Java Applications
• Memory Card Slot: TransFlash,MicroSD
• Operating System: Blackberry OS
• Bluetooth: v2.0 + EDR Supported Profiles: HSP 1.1, HFP 1.5, DUN, PBA, A2DP, AVRC, (OPP)
• Data/Fax Capability
• E-Mail Client :push email
• PC Sync
• USB Port
• Web Browser: Full,HTML

Organizer

• Calendar
• To-Do List
• Voice Recorder
• Alarm
• Calculator

Phone Book

• Photo Caller ID
• Ringer ID
• Ringer Profiles
• Voice Dialing
• Capacity: Shared memory
• Multi Numbers per Name

Other Features

• Multiple Languages
• Polyphonic Ringer
• Vibrate Alert
• Adjustable Text Size
• Flight Mode
• Hearing Aid Compatible: M3

Phone Review: BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8230 Silver

Short Review
Specs:

• Data: EVDO,1xEVDO
• Phone Design: Clamshell
• Phone TypeL Basic
• Talk Time: 3.5 hours (210 minutes)
• Features: Video capture
• Bluetooth: Yes, v2.0 Supported Profiles: HSP, HFP 1.5, (DUN, OPP, PBA, A2DP, AVRC)
  

Network

• Technology: CDMA
• Frequencies/Bands: 850, 1900
• Data: EVDO,1xEVDO
  

Size/Design

• Antenna: Internal
• Dimensions: 3.98" x 1.97" x 0.69" (101 x 50 x 17.5 mm)
• Headset Jack: 3.5 mm
• Phone Design: Clamshell
• Phone Type: Basic
• Side Keys: Yes
• Weight: 3.6 oz (102 g)
  

Battery

• Standby Time: 216 hours (9 days)
• Talk Time: 3.5 hours (210 minutes)
• Type: Lithium Ion
  

Display

• 2nd Display: 65, 000-color TFT LCD/ 128 x 160 pixels
• Colors: 65,536 (16-bit)
• Resolution: 240 x 320 pixels (QVGA)
• Touch Screen
• Type: TFT,TFD,LCD (Color)
  

Camera and Video

• Features: Video capture
• Flash: LED
• Megapixels: 2.0
• Streaming Video
• Video Sharing
  

Data Messaging

• Instant Messaging
• Predictive Text Entry
• Text Messaging: MMS,SMS
  

Music and Multimedia

• FM Radio
• GPS Navigation
• Music Player: P3,AAC,AAC+,WMA,eAAC+
• Speaker Phone
  

Connectivity

• Bluetooth: v2.0 Supported Profiles: HSP, HFP 1.5, (DUN, OPP, PBA, A2DP, AVRC)
• Data/Fax Capability
• E-Mail Client: POP3,IMAP4,Microsoft Exchange,Lotus Domino,push email
• Java Applications
• Memory Card Slot
• TransFlash,MicroSD
• PC Sync
• USB Port
• Web Browser
  

Organizer

• Alarm
• Calculator
• Calendar
• Voice Recorder

Phone Book

• Capacity: Shared Memory
• Multi Numbers per Name
• Photo Caller ID
• Ringer ID
• Ringer Profiles
• Voice Dialing

Other Features

• Adjustable Text Size
• Flight Mode
• Hearing Aid Compatible: M4,T4
• Multiple Languages
• Polyphonic Ringer
• Vibrate Alert

Phone Review: BlackBerry Curve 8350i

Keyboard/Buttons: Full Qwerty
Data: EVDO,1xEVDO
Phone Design: Bar
Smartphone: Yes
Features: Video capture; Max. Length: available memory up to 240 x 180 pixels / 15 fps, 5x zoom
Talk Time: 4 hours (240 minutes)
Operating System: Blackberry OS
Wi-Fi: Yes
Technology: iDen
Bluetooth: Yes v2.0 Supported Profiles: HSP, HFP 1.5, PBA, A2DP, AVRC
Frequencies/Bands: 850, 900


Antenna: Internal
Dimensions: 4.37" x 2.44" x 0.71" (111 x 62 18 mm)
Headset Jack: 2.5 mm
Phone Design: Bar
Side Keys: Yes
Keyboard/Buttons: Full Qwerty
Smartphone: Yes
Weight: 4.76 oz (135 g)

Battery
Type: 1400 mAh
Standby Time: 168 hours (7 days)
Talk Time: 4 hours (240 minutes)

Display
Colors: 65,536 (16-bit)
Type: TFT,TFD,LCD (Color)
Resolution: 320 x 240 pixels (QVGA)

Camera and Video
Megapixels: 2.0
Features: Video capture; Max. Length: available memory up to 240 x 180 pixels / 15 fps, 5x zoom
Flash: LED
Streaming Video: Yes

Data Messaging:
Instant Messaging: Yes
Text Messaging: MMS,SMS


Music and Multimedia:
Music Player: Yes,MP3,AAC,AAC+,WMA,eAAC+,AMR
GPS Navigation: Yes
Speaker Phone: Yes

Connectivity
Data/Fax Capability: Yes
E-Mail Client: Yes,POP3,IMAP4,SSL,OWA,Microsoft Exchange,Lotus Domino,GroupWise,AOL Mail,Yahoo! Mail,MSN Hotmail,push email
Bluetooth: Yes v2.0 Supported Profiles: HSP, HFP 1.5, PBA, A2DP, AVRC
Java Applications: Yes
Memory Card Slot: TransFlash,MicroSD
Operating System: Blackberry OS
Web Browser: Yes,WAP2.0,XHTML,HTML
PC Sync: Yes
USB Port: Yes
Wi-Fi: Yes

Organizer
Calendar: Yes
Voice Recorder: Yes
Alarm: Yes
Calculator: Yes
To-Do List: Yes

Phone Book
Multi Numbers per Name: Yes
Capacity:Shared memory
Photo Caller ID: Yes
Ringer Profiles: Yes
Ringer ID: Yes
Voice Dialing: Yes

Other Features
Flight Mode: Yes
Adjustable Text Size: Yes
Hearing Aid Compatible: Yes,M3
Polyphonic Ringer: Yes
Push-to-Talk: Yes
Multiple Languages: Yes
Vibrate Alert: Yes

Phone Review: BlackBerry Curve 8900

Short Review
Specs:

• Wi-Fi® Support
• Built-in GPS
• Camera (3.2 MP)
• Wireless Email
• Organizer
• Browser
• Enhanced Media Player
• Video Recording
• BlackBerry® Maps
• Phone
• Corporate Data Access
• SMS/MMS

Size and Weight

• Width: 2.36 inches (60 mm)
• Height: 4.29 inches (109 mm)
  
• Weight: 3.87 ounces (109.9 grams)
• Depth: 0.53 inches (13.5 mm)

Data Input & Navigation

• Trackball located on front face of device, ESC key to the right, Menu to the left
• 35 key backlit QWERTY keyboard
• Dedicated Keys: Send, End, Mute, Lock, VAD (user customizable), 2-stage camera (user customizable), 2x volume/zoom
• User Interface: Intuitive icons and menus

Voice Input & Output

• Integrated speaker and microphone, Hands-free headset capable, Bluetooth® headset capable, Integrated Hands-Free Speakerphone
• Rating for hearing aids (PDF): M3 (in cellular bands only)

Battery & Battery Life

• Battery: 1400 mAHr removable/rechargeable cryptographic lithium cell
• Talk Time: 5.5 hours
• Standby Time: 356 hours

Display

• Transmissive TFT LCD
• Screen Size: 2.44 inches (diagonally measured)
• High resolution 480x360 pixel color display
• Supports over 65,000 colors

Media Player

• Audio Format Support: .3gp, WAV, MIDI, AMR-NB, G711u/A, GSM610, PCM, MP3, AAC/AAC+/eAAC+, WMA9/10 Standard/Pro
• Video Format Support: DivX, XviD (MPEG4 Advance Simple Profile), H.263, WMV3

Ringtones & Notifications

• Ringtones: .3gp, WAV, MIDI, AMR-NB, G711u/A, GSM610, PCM, MP3, AAC/AAC+/eAAC+, WMA9/10 Standard/Pro
• Notifications: Tone, vibrate, on-screen or LED indicator; notification options are user configurable

Camera & Video Recording

• Video Camera: Normal Mode: 240x180 pixel, MMS Mode: 176x144 pixel
• Camera: 3.2 MP camera (JPEG Encoding) with Auto focus, Image stabilization, Flash and 2X Digital Zoom

Bluetooth

• Bluetooth v2.0 + EDR; Headset, Handsfree, Serial Port Profile, Stereo Audio (A2DP/AVCRP), SIM Access Profile and Dial-up Networking supported

GPS & BlackBerry Maps

• Assisted and autonomous GPS enabled

Keyboard security

• Keyboard lock
• Password protection
• Sleep (standby) mode

Wireless Networks

• North America: 850 MHz GSM®/GPRS networks
• North America: 1900MHz GSM/GPRS networks
• Europe/Asia Pacific: 1800MHz GSM/GPRS networks
• Europe/Asia Pacific: 900MHz GSM/GPRS networks
• EDGE networks

Wi-Fi

• Wi-Fi Alliance Certifications: WPA/WPA2 Personal and Enterprise, WMM, WMM Power Save, Wi-Fi Protected Setup
• 802.11b/g enabled
• Wi-Fi access to BlackBerry® Enterprise Server
• Wi-Fi access to BlackBerry® Internet Server
• Cisco CCX certification planned
• Direct IP web browsing over Wi-Fi
• Support for UMA/GAN

Phone Review: BlackBerry Bold 9000

Short Review
Specs:

• Memory - 1GB on-board (storage) and 128 MB Flash (applications)
• Est. Battery Life - Standby: 13 days, Talk Time: 5 hours
• Size - Length: 114mm, Width: 66mm, Thickness: 14mm
• Weight (with battery) - 133g (same as the 88xx series. I can attest to it!)
• Battery - 1500mAhr lithium cell0
• Network Support - UMTS: 2100 / 1900 / 850MHz, GSM: 1900 / 1800 / 900 / 850 MHz, GPRS, EDGE and HDSPA networks
• Display - HVGA, 480 x 320 pixels, Transmissive TFT LCD, supports over 65k colors
• Wi-Fi - 803.11a/b/g enabled
• Media Player, Video Support - DivX 4, Div X 5 & 6 are partially supported, XviD is partially supported, H.263, H.264 and WMV3
• Media Player, Audio Support - .3gp, MP3, WMA9 (.wma/.asf), WMA9 Pro/WMA 10, MIDI, AMR-NB, Professional AAC/AAC+/eAAC+
• Camera - 2.0MP, 5 x digital zoom (with flash of course)
• Media Player, Audio - BlackBerry Media Sync allows you to transfer your desktop iTunes music to your BlackBerry!!!
• GPS - internal GPS with extended ephemeris, BB Maps is standard
• USB Port - Enables charging and high-speed data synchronizations via USB "A" to mini-USB "B" cable (I can personally say moving files back and forth is now lightning quick!)
• Bluetooth - Bluetooth v2.0, all the normal stuff and Bluetooth Stereo Audio via A2DP and AVCRP
• Browser - HTML browsing, View Movies/Clips from websites built for mobile streaming, RSS feed support
  

Phone Review: BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8220

Short Review
Specs:

• Make/Model: Blackberry Pearl Flip 8220
  
• Data: EDGE, Wi-Fi
• Network: GSM 850/1900 (There are European/Asian versions)
  
• Size: 3.98” x 1.97” x 0.69”
• Carrier: T-Mobile
• Weight: 3.6 oz
  
• Display: Internal is 240 x 320 TFT, external is 128 x 160 TFT (262k colors)
• Form Factor: Clamshell flip with external display
• Memory: 128 flash; The hot-swappable microUSB comes w/ 256 MB, and accepts 16GB
• Notable Features: smooth external display with email/message previews; myFaves; voice notes; voice dialing; push email; stereo bluetooth; 2 MP cam with LED flash and 5X digital zoom, which can be controlled with the trackball. It also captures video.

Plus:
surprisingly music-friendly; external play/pause button; stereo bluetooth, standard headphone jack; UMA capable; unique form factor; slick new BB interface; more compact than other BlackBerries; still has the BB office apps that keep executives aboard, but feels like a fun phone.

Minus:
no GPS; weak web browsing; some lag here and there.

If you're looking for a strong messaging device that works with a variety of communications platforms, the cap does not disappoint. Make calls over Wi-Fi, and provides excellent call quality in adverse environments. Almost any type of text communications platform available today is accessible on the lid. However, without 3G and a real browser, do not expect to be navigating at night.