The BlackBerry 8800 by RIM is their thinnest device to date. With a full QWERTY keyboard and many great features like instant messaging, an organizer, and a media player, the 8800 is an extremely advanced Smartphone. Other key attributes include Bluetooth version 2.0, GPS-enabled, and BlackBerry maps.
Introduction Legions of BlackBerry addicts have long traded style for functionality. BlackBerry devices were never at the top of anyone’s “Best Dressed Phones” list, and the BlackBerry OS looked positively archaic next to state-of-the-art phone platforms like Symbian and Sony Ericsson’s Walkman series. RIM took a big step towards changing all of that with their latest batch of handsets. Slimmer, sexier, and sporting an interface often likened to Apple’s legendary Mac OS, today’s BlackBerries are ... dare I say it? ... almost kind of cool.
The BlackBerry 8800 sits alongside its baby brother, the 8100 “Pearl,” as T-Mobile’s RIM offerings (as of my writing this only AT&T carries the newer 8300 Curve model). While the Mac OS comparison might be a stretch, the overhauled user interface and trackball navigation system have made the BlackBerry experience far more user friendly. Combine that with a slimmer, hipper design, a built-in media player, and the legendary BlackBerry push email system, and you’ve got yourself a very useful device that will make being “chained to Email” that much more enjoyable.
Design RIM built the 8800 with a longer, narrower, and more squared-off body than previous generation BlackBerries like the 8700g (also on T-Mobile). The 8800 is also noticeably thinner than its predecessor, measuring 14mm front to back versus the 8700g’s 20mm profile. The 8800 actually weighs a single gram more than the 8700g, but the weight is nicely distributed, making for a handset that feels solid but not heavy in the hand or pocket.
The 8800 is finished in black with silver accents and features both RIM’s redesigned QWERY board and the trackball first seen on the Pearl. I found the overall design of the device to be quite pleasing - BlackBerry is still a business first kind of gadget, but the new look says “sleek and hi-tech” as opposed to the “clunky and nerdy, but functional” vibe of the older models.
A candy bar phone at its core, the 8800’s front panel is split roughly 50/50 between a large 2.4” LCD display and the QWERTY keypad beneath it. The keypad is augmented by a center-mounted navigational trackball flanked by four buttons for Call, Home Screen, Back, and Cancel. Volume Up/Down controls are mounted on the phone’s right side, a Push-to-talk button is found on the left, and Power and Mute buttons are up top. The rear panel includes a sliding panel that reveals the battery and microSD card slots; while the panel must be removed to access the memory card, cards can be removed and installed without disturbing the battery.
Legions of BlackBerry addicts have long traded style for functionality. BlackBerry devices were never at the top of anyone’s “Best Dressed Phones” list, and the BlackBerry OS looked positively archaic next to state-of-the-art phone platforms like Symbian and Sony Ericsson’s Walkman series. RIM took a big step towards changing all of that with their latest batch of handsets. Slimmer, sexier, and sporting an interface often likened to Apple’s legendary Mac OS, today’s BlackBerries are ... dare...
FeaturesBlackBerry has long been synonymous with mobile Email, but there’s more to the 8800 than “just” its rock-solid messaging system. This Berry packs GPS and an audio/video player in addition to the productivity apps RIM users are used to. And don’t worry - that Breakout clone game is on there, too.
The 8800’s GPS system worked really well, and came in handy one day when we got off the freeway to make a stop and decided to find a “shortcut” to the next exit instead of...
DisplayA large 2.4” LCD screen takes up about half of the 8800’s front panel and is more than up to any task the device is capable of. This 320 x 240 display is only capable of 64,000 colors - as compared to the 262,000 or even 16 million found on other handsets on the market - but proved clear and bright in virtually all lighting conditions. An ambient light sensor automatically adjusts the display’s brightness to best suit the conditions you’re using the phone under, and I...
MessagingMessaging is, of course, BlackBerry’s bread and butter, and testing out the 8800 really got me hooked on mobile email. While the device’s narrower, sleeker form necessitates a smaller QWERTY keyboard than the one found on the 8700g, I still found it quite comfortable to use for thumb-tying emails of considerable length. The keys aren’t spaced as far apart as they were on the 8700, but that didn't’ give me any problems. A curved, raised ridge on each key compensated...
ConclusionThere’s a reason terms like “BlackBerry Addict” and “BlackBerry Thumb” have entered our vernacular. BlackBerries make Email faster and easier than any other portable devices out there. Symbian and Windows Mobile smartphones have closed the gap somewhat, but between push technology, the easy to use setup wizard, and the scores of BlackBerry Enterprise servers installed in corporate IT departments around the world, BlackBerry is still the one to beat when it comes to...
FeaturesThe Blackberry 8800 has an extensive list of features. The 8800 has built in GPS, Push to Talk, media player, document viewer, EDGE and Bluetooth 2.0.
The built in GPS is a disappointment for some because of the fact that you have to pay for the service monthly. For Cingular, RIM has removed the Blackberry Maps application and included the TeleNav service for $9.99 a month. In Canada, Rogers has released the 8800 with Blackberry maps but you still need to pay for the data...
By: Brad S on Thursday, March 29, 2007 From: Danbury, CT (United States) Experience: 30 Days
Pros: Roller-wheel is amazing, size (so thin!), battery life.Cons: No camera.Summary: Interface is more customizable, but better laid out then in the past. If you have used a BB before it might take some time to find what you are looking for and how to use the buttons, but once you do you will love the interface. The roller wheel is a dream, I have used multiple smartphones and blackberry's and this is by far the best. I charge the thing once a week. No delay when trying to navigate through the device. Very customizable. And the media feature is a great addition.
By: Michael Lau on Thursday, November 09, 2006 From: Richmond Hill, Ontario, L4B 3X6 (Canada) Experience: 2 Months
Pros: - stylish - good program and good graphicCons: - too little memory, non-expendable - phone too heavySummary: Overall this phone is ok for people that don't use their cell phone like a mp3 players.
By: Phani Cherukuri on Thursday, August 24, 2006 From: Huntsville, AL (United States) Experience: 1 Years
Pros: Style, camera, screen resolutionCons: battery all the way and keypadSummary: Perfect phone only negative thing to consider is its battery life and so is the phone comes with an extra battery and a docking charger
devices were never at the top of anyone’s “Best Dressed Phones” list, and the BlackBerry OS looked positively archaic next to state-of-the-art phone platforms like Symbian and Sony Ericsson’s Walkman
Word is that Motorola's V9 (aka RAZR 2) and Z9 are both headed to AT&T. Boy Genius has a photo gallery of a Z9 slider complete with AT&T branding and firmware, and has previously stated
Initial 8300 ImpressionsModel: BlackBerry 8300 from: O2 Unlocked, running on at&t network.I have not had the "free time" I usually have due to some other commitments. However I have
Highly desirable handset dressed in 18-carat gold plating
Espoo, Finland - Inspired by nature, and one of its most beautiful elements, gold, Nokia today unveiled the Nokia 8800 Sirocco Gold
Hi,The new Blackberries have MP3 support. The Pearl 8100 and 8800 are currently the only ones that can play MP3's. Both of them support Micro SD so you can store a lot of music.Thanks
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Introduction
3.7 out of 5
